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People burst crackers after Amit Shah’s candidature from Gandhinagar is announced

Nirwa Mehta
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People burst crackers after Amit Shah’s candidature from Gandhinagar is announced

As soon as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announed that national president Amit Shah will contest elections from Gandhinagar constituency, a wave of celebration spread over Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. People started bursting crackers and dancing on dhol beats as soon as his candidature was declared.

The party today announced its list of 184 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While Prime Minister Modi will contest from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, BJP national president Amit Shah will be contesting from Gandhinagar constituency in Gujarat, which the BJP has held since 1989.

“Gandhinagar has been a BJP stronghold since over two decades now. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee contested elections from Gandhinagar constituency in 1996 and became the Prime Minister, even though it was only for 13 days. The BJP, especially L K Advani has nurtured the constituency and we can only wish it soars newer heights under Amit Shah,” said Gaurang Mehta, an Ahmedabad resident amidst the sounds of firecrackers.

The fact that the national president is fighting from Gujarat and that too Gandhinagar, a seat which Advani has built over the years will even boost the morale of rest of the Gujarat too.

Currently, L K Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister is the MP representing Gandhinagar constituency. BJP President Amit Shah is currently the Rajya Sabha member for Gujarat.

Gujarat has 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat and the names of candidates for remaining 25 constituencies are not yet announced.

Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Imtiyaz Hussain claims his life being under threat after he exposed Pro-Pak Islamists and ‘journalists’

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Imtiyaz Hussain claims his life being under threat after he exposed Pro-Pak Islamists and ‘journalists’

Imtiyaz Hussain, a senior police officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police posted in Baramulla has claimed that his life is under threat for speaking the truth and accused certain section of journalists backed by the pro-Pak Islamists of “building an environment” to get him killed.

Imtiyaz Hussain, in a series of tweets on micro-blogging site Twitter, explained his situation and said that certain people in the media was against him and alleged a probable threat to his life for his outspokenness.

The police officer claimed that slain journalist Shujaat Bukhari had confided with him about some media guys spreading canards against and creating a conducive atmosphere against him and creating a conducive atmosphere for his murder.


“There are some well-known people hyperactive on Facebook and Twitter who are building an environment to get me killed. These people claiming to be journalists aren’t apparently working with any media house,” Hussain tweeted.

“Having never been afraid of death, and it would be an honour to get sacrificed in the line of duty, the perception being created against me is slanderous. I am among very few police officers who are active on social media, and being forthright, calling a spade a spade,” Hussain said in a series of tweets.

Shockingly, he further added that it was increasingly becoming intolerable to a certain section of people and “their bosses across”, who have employed these journalists to target me. “They want to silence me on social media. They are the same people who have built a case for Shujat Bukhari’s killing,” revealed police officer Imtiyaz Hussain.


Interestingly, the series of tweets came after senior police officer Hussain exposed some of the pro-Pak Islamists on the micro-blogging site Twitter. Recently, during the course of his argument with pro-Pak separatist Gowhar Gilani, Imtiyaz Hussain exposed the Pakistani role in the killings of Kashmiris in the valley.


He had called out Srinagar based journalist Gowhar Geelani and said that the civilian killings in the valley are sponsored by Pakistan and not by the policemen or armymen.

It seems that pro-Pak Islamists, who are now being under severe pressure, thanks to swift and efficient action by the security forces, have now resorted to unconventional warfares of ‘lone-wolf’ attacks just like they did in Pulwama or by way of attacking and intimidating brave Indian security officers with active support from the “enemy-within” the country, comprising of pro-Pak journalists, academicians, politicians and of course journalists.

Watch: Embarrassment for Hardik Patel, crowd chants ‘Modi, Modi’ as he addresses a Holi event

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Embarrassment for Hardik Patel, crowd chants ‘Modi, Modi’ as he addresses a Holi event

Days after formally joining Congress, Hardik Patel today reached Jamnagar to address a Holi event. However, much to the embarrassment of the former quota leader-turned Congress politician, the crowd started chanting ‘Modi, Modi’.

At around 17 seconds in the video, Patel attempts to address the crowd, but the chants of “Modi, Modi” drown his voice and he is left red-faced on the stage. The crowd also shouted, “Narendra Modi Zindabad”.

Patel was there to address the Dhuleti (day after Holi) function and on hearing the Modi slogans, he stopped speaking any further and left soon after.

It is rumoured that he may contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jamnagar constituencies. However, no such official confirmation is given until now.

The Wire journalist wishes Holi with ‘Bismillah’, devout Muslims say it’s against Islam

K Bhattacharjee
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The Wire journalist wishes Holi with ‘Bismillah’, devout Muslims say it’s against Islam

Senior editor at The Wire, Arfa Khanum Sherwani, took to Twitter to wish people a Happy Holi. In her tweet, Sherwani says that she will play Holi saying bismillah.


The tweet didn’t go down well with Muslims who commented on her tweet and even wished for her death.


Others said that Sherwani was insulting Islam by playing Holi.


Muslims were extremely offended that she had used the word bismillah while playing Holi.


Some suggested that Sherwani should consume alcohol and insinuated that she utter bismillah before engaging in prostitution as well.


The response to the tweet highlights the menace of intolerance towards Hindu festivals by a specific section of the Indian population. While liberals dedicate their overwhelming resources towards combating nonexistent radicalization among Hindus, they turn a blind eye towards the radicalization that has gripped the minority community. Wishing death upon a fellow member of the same community for celebrating a Hindu festival is symptomatic of dangerous levels of radicalization.

The tweet by the journalist was presumably aimed at displaying her apparent commitment towards secularism. While her efforts were encouraged by members of the majority community, she fell prey to abusive tweets from her own brethren for brandishing her secular credentials.

Shahrukh Khan, too, has been a victim of trolling on social media after he had tweeted a picture of his son celebrating Ganesh Puja. Muslims had called it a ‘sin’. Abuses and condemnation had flowed like water. Popular Bengali actress and a TMC candidate from West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Nusrat Jahan, was insulted on Facebook for celebrating Durga Puja as it was ‘inappropriate’. Cricketer Mohammad Kaif was trolled by Muslim fundamentalists for celebrating Christmas and condemned for performing the Surya Namaskar. Kaif’s comrade, Irfan Pathan, was told by fundamentalists that Raksha Bandhan is ‘against Islam’ and abused when he wished everyone on the special day.

Celebrating Hindu religious festivals is not the only that triggers abuses and threats from Muslim radicals. In the past, another Muslim ‘intellectual’ from JNU, Shehla Rashid, was forced to deactivate her Facebook account as well after receiving rape threats from Muslims. The rape threats were in response to Rashid asking Muslims whether they would let their sisters and daughters marry a non-Muslim man of their choice.

On another occasion, Arshad Mansuri, a Muslim doctor from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, had claimed that he was receiving threats due to his pledge to donate his organs after death. His pledge had angered a section of his community who were angered by his committing an “anti-Islamic” act.

In December 2017, a popular Radio Jockey from Kerala, RJ Sooraj, had attracted the wrath of Muslim hardliners. He had received death threats after coming out in support of three Burkha-clad girls who had angered radicals by performing an innocuous street dance as part of a flash mob to create awareness on AIDS Day.

Despite the growing intolerance, it has become normative for liberals to embrace a sacred vow of silence whenever Islamic radicalism rears its ugly head. Sherwani, herself, who condemns ‘trolling’ when people from the majority community mock her tweets or articles, hasn’t yet spoken a word on the abusive comments she has been receiving from people of her own community. She had tweeted later that Holi and bismillah are not in contradiction with each other to defend herself but she is yet to offer any condemnation on the abusive comments she received.

AgustaWestland Case: Accused middleman Rajiv Saxena, who had turned approver submits diary and pen-drive containing details of the deal

OpIndia Staff
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AgustaWestland Case: Accused middleman Rajiv Saxena, who had turned approver submits diary and pen-drive containing details of the deal

In a big boost to investigation agencies, Rajiv Saxena, one of the accused in the AgustaWestland case, who had turned approver in the case, has submitted a diary and a pen drive to the Enforcement Directorate, which have details of the Rs 423 crore alleged kickbacks paid in the VVIP chopper deal, reports Times of India.

According to the reports, the diary belonging to Saxena has the details regarding the way in which money was moved from the UK subsidiary of Finmeccanica to shell companies in Tunisia, Mauritius, Dubai and Swiss banks besides beneficiaries in India.

Refusing to divulge the names of the people mentioned in the diary, the TOI report said that Saxena “merely acted as a front”, but evidence contained in the diary and other documents in the pen drive may throw up “significant disclosures”. The new revelations have also been recorded as supplementary statements during Saxena’s interrogation at the ED’s Delhi office.

Recently, Rajiv Saxena had submitted his statements before the court after he turned approver. He had earlier claimed before ED that his “exposure in the case was minimal” and that he merely acted as a front for other beneficiaries.

Rajiv Saxena was picked up by UAE government security agencies in Dubai and was later extradited to India on January 30, 2019. The ED did not oppose his bail application when he had agreed to turn approver in the case. After he turned approver, Saxena recorded his statements before a court on March 6, which the ED accepted and informed the court that it supported Saxena’s application for turning a witness.

The ED’s money trail, according to its charge sheet filed earlier, revealed that AgustaWestland International Ltd, the UK subsidiary of Finmeccanica, paid 58 million euros (around Rs 423 crore) as kickbacks through Gordian Services Sarl, Tunisia and IDS Sarl, Tunisia. The money was further layered through multiple transactions in companies registered in different jurisdictions.

The kickbacks moved from one company to another as consultancy fees. From the Tunisian entities, the bribe proceeds were transferred to Interstellar Technologies Ltd and others in Mauritius and further to UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings Ltd in Dubai.

Reportedly, the ED had alleged that Rajiv Saxena was a beneficial owner of Mauritius-based Interstellar Technologies Ltd and the two companies in Dubai were where the proceeds of crime were transferred.

The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has been nothing short of a fast-paced thriller ever since middleman Christian Michel was extradited to India from Dubai. Several revelations came to light, from the names of “Italian Lady”, to “Italian Lady’s son R“. From how Christian Michel was lobbying for the Eurofighter and against the Rafale deal, to how he had unbridled access to the PMO under Congress regime, the CCS and even the investigative agencies. In another massive headway, yesterday the Modi government managed the get Rajiv Saxena to India, who is one of the prime accused in the scam.

Christian Michel is accused of money laundering, bribery, and fraud in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore worth AgustaWestland scam. It is believed that not only did he pay kickbacks to politicians, officers and agents but also involved certain celebrity journalists to swing the deal.

India had signed a deal in 2010 to buy 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for the service of the Prime Minister, the President and other VVIPs. It is alleged that some politicians and public servants had abused their official positions to reduce the service ceiling of the VVIPs helicopter from 6000 metres to 4500 metres to make AgustaWestland eligible for the contract and had awarded the contract for an amount of Euro 556.262 million in 2010.

Laying a perfect economic foundation for Modi Sarkar 2

shwetashalini
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Laying a perfect economic foundation for Modi Sarkar 2

Let’s admit it. Interim Budgets have a bad name and rightly so. It is the budget which has always signified populism and flagrant spending with the Elections in a mind devoid of any rational economic consideration. The Interim Budget of Modi Sarkar has squashed all such prior perception and resisted the populist urge and thrown political opportunism out through the window.

In the run-up to the budget, people had naturally expected big-ticket appeasement of anyone and everyone and was already baying for blood thinking that Modi Sarkar would go the Congress way of doles in an election year. However, what resulted out of interim budget are balanced focused measures which will strengthen the economy even further and put India continuing in the track of development – The perfect foundation for Modi Sarkar 2.

Modi Sarkar since it’s inception has a track record of putting the long term greater good in mind even if it means taking tough decisions. The public understands and will bear with it for the sake of nation has been the underlying assumption which the people have proved right evident from huge election victories for BJP despite some unpopular decisions for the long term prospects of the economy.

Most important good news first, this interim budget seems the final nail in the coffin of Mahagutbandhans no matter which ways you look at it. It is the height of economic management which this BJP Government should be proud of as it signs off its first term with all major big items in the graph well under control whether it be fiscal deficit, inflation or CAD without curtailing anything of substance which will take away from the developmental work. The financial management of Modi Sarkar 1 has been excellent and its set to continue its streak.

India remains the fastest growing major economy in the world with an annual average GDP growth during the last five years higher than the growth achieved by any Government since economic reforms began in 1991. But therein lies our success that despite huge growth, inflation and fiscal prudence is something which we have still managed to hold on to which will make Modi government the most successful government in Indian history.

Inflation in India is known to take down governments and is often accompanied by periods of high growth. The inflation lead by food inflation during the Congress tenure has been their own undoing which contributed massively to their failures apart from their big-ticket scams. The BJP government has firmly kept a tight leash over inflation while also providing the cleanest government which India has seen for the last decade or so. The average inflation of 4.6% during BJP tenure is the lowest during the tenure of any government. If we had not controlled inflation, our families would have been spending around 35-40% more today on basic necessities.

The other elephant in the room which is looked upon every budget the fiscal discipline is also the area where Modi Sarkar does well on all counts. It is no secret that nature has not been supportive of farmers with the rural economy in many parts of India including Maharashtra affected by severe drought. The resulting loss of income will add to the farmer distress which paved way for the farm relief package which will go to the tune of Rs.75000 crores. While financial institutions including the banking sector may baulk at the minor straying away from the fiscal consolidation path, it was necessary for Modi Sarkar to tread a fine line between giving away freebies and supporting our farmers. The Government did an excellent task at maintaining that balance even it meant going ahead with a minor aberration which we can always rectify in our second term.

To be sure, markets had factored in a much bigger figure expecting Modi to go the Congress way which we at all costs avoided. As far as the banking sector is concerned, the commitment of the Finance Minister to increase allocation for recapitalization beyond Rs.2.60 trillion will come as music to their ears. The disinvestment target, as well as expected GST collections in the upcoming months, will be keenly watched for further comfort. Modi Sarkar-1 ends with a fiscal deficit of 3.4% which is only slightly upward revision while inflation is well under control notwithstanding what the RBI may choose to do with rates in the upcoming months. We contained the fiscal deficit notwithstanding the Finance Commission’s recommendations increasing the share of the States from 32% to 42% in central taxes while Current Account deficit which was about 5.6% six years ago is hovering around 2.5% now.

The poor have the first right on the resources of the nation and this budget has kept on to the focused manner in which it addresses the issues of the poor and the marginalised. The “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)” is one of the most historic announcements ever made which will result in direct benefits to the marginal landholding farmers. A mind-boggling 12 crore farmers are expected to benefit from this. If that was a game changer, Modi government did not stop at that and will cover about 42 crore workers in the unorganized sector by launching “Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan” which will ensure a dignified life after retirement for those poor toiling day in and day out for the nation. Together these schemes cover a majority of the poorest sections of the society which qualifies to call this budget a pro-poor budget by all counts.

The other most important segment which accounts for about half of the country’s population can’t be left behind for they are the women whose potential in nations growth is immense. It was inevitable that a huge 6 crore women will benefit by Ujjwala Yojana of providing LPG connections. What is remarkable is the pace at which we reached out to these woman at such a speed so that they can take advantage of it. Woman largely are still housewives in rural areas who haven’t joined the workforce but still managed to be beneficiaries of Ujjwala Yojana. Things, however, are changing obviously from the fact that a whopping 70% of all beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana are women.

That makes it about 9 crore woman out of 15.56 crore beneficiaries of Mudra Yojana which shows how comprehensively Modi Government has managed to reach every segment, every nook and corner of the Indian society in the last 5 years of his government. That also in a way signals the fate of the Mahagutlessbandhan which has nothing to show in terms of work but a desperate attempt at stitching up alliance based on caste, community and religious lines. Maybe its time BJP should use the punch line of SP against the SP-BSP duo that “Kaam Bolta hai” and Uttar Pradesh like rest of India will likely say “Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar”

Being a middle class Indian often feels like a thankless segment to be in although they are actually better off than most sections of the society. All credits to the Finance Minister in recognizing this and thanking the middle class for their tax contributions which keep this country running. The BJP government under Modi dedicates the Part B: of the Union Budget to the middle class for they have a lion’s share in bringing this part of the budget into existence. This budget will that be forever embedded in the psyche of the middle class for such a gesture as Modi Sarkar 1 signs off and is looking forward to continuing its good work in Modi Sarkar 2.

Speaking of tangibles, the middle class have to shoulder in lesser responsibilities now that India is slowly prospering, increasing its tax base and adding more people into the middle class and alleviating poverty at breakneck speed. The middle class won’t have to pay any tax on income up to 5 lakhs is what stands out for them while the fact is that effective Chapter VI deductions combined with other tax breaks on investments ensure that middle-class salaried citizens need not pay tax even if earning much more than that provided they plan their taxes well. This is as much a budget for the middle class as for the poor as Rs.22000 crore is the amount pegged to be in the hands of middle class for consumption which will no doubt boost the economy as Modi Sarkar 2 takes over.

A farmer friendly, a pro-poor budget without burdening middle class nor falling prey to populist measures on election eve while still maintaining inflation low, growth high and fiscal prudence intact is the story with which Modi Sarkar 1 is signing off with. BJP is all set to pass on the baton to Modi Sarkar 2 which will build on this solid foundation which Modi Sarkar 1 has laid. Seems like the stuff of legend this government had managed to achieve which goes on to prove that transparency and right intent is what matters the most and election results follow.

As Piyush Goyal summed it up in the end, it is not a mere interim budget but a medium of country’s development journey. The country surely wants to continue this journey and will look forward to Modi Sarkar-2 to take India to its destination in a rightful place among the global pecking order. The interim budget has built the foundation for things to come.

(Shweta Shalini is BJP Spokesperson, Advisor to Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Executive Director of Maharashtra Village Social Transformation Foundation (MVSTF)

Priyanka Gandhi insults Lal Bahadur Shastri, offers used garland on his statue, BJP workers ‘cleanse’ the statue

OpIndia Staff
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Priyanka Gandhi insults Lal Bahadur Shastri, offers used garland on his statue, BJP workers ‘cleanse’ the statue

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, General Secretary of Congress for UP-East, is making every effort from visiting temples to going on Ganga Yatra with a hope of helping her brother and Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the upcoming general elections. She has been holding rallies and public meetings to pump some fresh breath in her party in Uttar Pradesh.

However, Priyanka Gandhi’s ignorance of local traditions often becomes visible during her public interaction. During one such public meeting, Priyanka Gandhi embarrassed herself by offering a used garland on the statue of Lal Bahadur Shastri. In a video shared by Union Minister Smriti Irani, Priyanka Gandhi was seen wearing two garlands. She then walked up to the statue of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and removed one of the two garlands she was wearing and offers it to Shastri’s statue without even realising that she had insulted Shastri Ji instead of respecting him by offering a used garland on his statue.


In Hindu tradition, garlands made of fresh flowers are offered as a gesture of respect. A garland once offered to someone cannot be reused to offer some else. However, Priyanka did exactly the same thing by offering the garland worn by her to Shastri Ji’s statue exposing her indifference. Tweeting in Awadhi, a dialect spoken in Varanasi, Irani said that Priyanka forgot her limits in offering the used garland on Lal Bahadur Shastri’s statue and did not even realise that she insulted Shastri ji instead.

A day later, BJP workers ‘cleansed’ Lal Bahadur Shastri’s statue where Priyanka had offered the ‘stale’ garland.

PM Modi interacts with ‘chowkidars’, apologises for opposition abusing with the slogan ‘chowkidar chor hai’

Jhankar Mohta
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PM Modi interacts with ‘chowkidars’, apologises for opposition abusing with the slogan ‘chowkidar chor hai’

In an attempt to step up his ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 25 lakh chowkidars across the country on the eve of Holi. Through an audio bridge, Modi kickstarted the interaction by extending Holi greetings to 25 lakh security guards across India.

Modi started by saying that he is blessed to get this opportunity to celebrate this festival of colours with 25 lakh watchmen across India.

Prime Minister, during his interaction firstly used the platform to apologise to the group for the phrase: “chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief),” often used by Rahul Gandhi to target him.

“I apologise to all chowkidars that some people, for their own interests, have been abusing chowkidars and saying chowkidar chor hai, raising questions about the integrity of the chowkidars of the nation,” PM Modi said in a direct attack at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations.

Displaying his wit, he thanked the opposition, courtesy whom the word “chowkidar” has become popular all over the world. PM Modi said: “Maximum languages across the world have understood the word ‘chowkidaar’, it seems as if they all have accepted it in their vocabulary.”

“You must have noticed that these days everywhere it is you who is being discussed, be it TV or Twitter, be it in India or abroad. Today every Indian is saying ‘Main bhi Chowkidaar’,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi has an uncanny knack of converting opposition’s veil attacks to his benefit. In 2014 it was the “chaiwala’ jibe which he used as his campaigning theme and this time its the ‘chowkidaar’ jibe, which he has stylishly converted as a mass movement.

Prime Minister Modi kickstarted the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign with launching ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign on Twitter. PM Modi had tweeted a video to remind everyone that their ‘Chowkidar’ (watchman) is standing firm and serving the nation.

Following this, senior BJP leaders, including party president Amit Shah, and Union ministers prefixed their names on the microblogging site with ‘chowkidar’, which turned out be an instant hit as it became a mass movement spontaneously after lakhs of common people joined the campaign.

Meanwhile, Modi went on to salute the security guards for their dedication and passion with which they work undeterred. “For you’ll your duty is the biggest festival”, said Modi, hailing them for their efforts.

During the interaction, his first caller, Renu Peter, who has been working as a security guard in Uttar Pradesh for nearly four years, expressed how she felt proud of being a security guard. However, she added that lately, people were casting aspersions on chowkidars like her, as politicians began to raise slogans such as ‘Chowkidar Chor Hain’, which made her feel bad about the prevailing hate against the ‘Chowkidars’.

Expressing her disappointment over the constant attack against chowkidars, she asked PM Modi whether jawans who are protecting our borders were also thieves.

Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the opposition and said he can understand the pain that resonates in the mind of crores of jawans, chowkidars, policemen. “I want to apologise as some people in the last few months for their vested interests have run a disinformation campaign against ‘chowkidars’. It is unfortunate that the language of these people has hurt you,” said PM Modi.

Attacking the opposition, PM Modi said that some leaders to fulfil their selfish goals pointed fingers against the integrity of chowkidars who protects the nation. “If these people had taken my name directly, there would have been no problem for you, but these are cowardly people who fear to attack me instead attacks Chowkidars like you,” said PM Modi.

“This is just the beginning, They will further go down to attack chowkidars as they are desperate. They will find new things and attack and humiliate every chowkidar,” slammed PM Modi in a reference to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s constant utterance of ‘Chowkidar Chor Hain’ to target PM Modi.

“We should be fighting with all the courage by working responsibly. Look at the bright side. You must have noticed that these days everywhere it is you who is being discussed, be it TV or social media, be it in India or abroad. Today every Indian is saying ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’,” added Modi.

PM Modi said that this is not the first time that he is being humiliated by ‘Naamdars’, with reference to Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi added that there is a sense of intolerance against Kaamdhars. Nobody is bigger than the work they do. People will only remember someone for their work, added PM Modi.

Modi took this opportunity to introduce all his listeners to the brighter aspect of all the hullabaloo surrounding the word ‘chowkidar’. He said that at least now ‘all are vowing to become chowkidaars, the word has become synonymous to patriotism and honesty,” said the Prime Minister.

His next caller, Santosh Kumar from Odisha, who has been serving as a guard for the last 13 years, hailed Modi for the courageous retribution India gave as a befitting reply to Pakistan for the audacious Pulwama attack. Acknowledging Modi’s dedication towards the country, Santosh said that the Nation is undergoing a ‘Modi wave’ and assured Modi that the entire Nation was with him.

Thanking the caller, Modi hailed the Army for their efforts and dedication and for making it possible for India to fight back Pakistan’s audacious attempt to harm the country.

Expressing his shock at opposition’s reaction after IAF strike in Pakistan, Modi in a veiling attack said that the “people who support the Tukde Tukde gang couldn’t digest how are soldiers entered deep into the Pakistan soil and gave a befitting reply to their immorality”.

“Bombs fell in Pakistan, but people were heard yelling back in India. Surprisingly, if Pakistan is hurt, some people back in India feel the pain”, said Modi in a direct attack at the leftists and the Congress chattels.

PM Modi furthered that the people who questioned the air strike are being praised on the other side of the border.

Meanwhile, responding to his third caller, Sanmukh from Andhra Pradesh, Modi expressed his gratitude for likening him to all the other chowkidaars in the Nation. He said that everyone is fulfilling a certain duty, like teachers, doctors, soldiers, the Prime Minister, all are countries watchmen as they all are working and looking after the Nation and its citizens.

Modi assured that his government has relentlessly worked in the last five years to uplift the poor. His government has introduced various schemes like the Ayushman Bharat, various pension schemes, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, all for the benefit of the poor and will continue to work until poverty is eradicated for the country, he assured.

Prime Minister reassured chowkidars that they need not worry, but only perform their duty.

As the country is gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi has smartly converted Rahul Gandhi’s slogan ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ to his benefit making it the flavour of the season.

As BJP is surging ahead with its political masterstroke ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign, Prime Minister Modi is all set to take it to the next level as he plans to interact with people from 500 different locations across the country on March 31.

US warns Pakistan, says another terrorist attack on India would be extremely problematic

OpIndia Staff
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US warns Pakistan, says another terrorist attack on India would be extremely problematic

The United States of America has issued a warning to Pakistan that if another terror attack is carried out on India, it will prove to be “extremely problematic” and asked Pakistan to take more “concrete and sustained” actions to rein in Islamic terror groups including the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

According to the reports, the Trump administration has directed Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible action against the perpetrators of terrorism.

Addressing reporters at the White House on Wednesday, a senior administration official said, “We need to see Pakistan taking concrete and sustained action to reign in the terrorist groups, mainly the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba in order to ensure that we don’t have re-escalation (of tension) in the region.”

“And, if there’s any additional terrorist attack without Pakistan having made a sustained, sincere effort against these groups, it would be extremely problematic for Pakistan and it would cause re-escalation of tensions, which is dangerous for both countries,” an official reportedly said.

Responding to a question regarding the action taken by Pakistani establishment after the Balakot air strike by Indian Air Force, the official said that the US and the international community needed to see “irreversible and sustained” actions against the terror groups.

Stating that it was too early to make any full assessment, the official added that Pakistan has taken some “initial” actions in the recent days. They have frozen the assets of some terrorist groups and made some arrests. They have taken administrative control of some of the JeM facilities, the official added.

“But we clearly need to see more. We need to see irreversible action because in the past, what we’ve seen is they made some arrests and then a few months later, they released these individuals. The terrorist leaders are sometimes still allowed to travel around the country, hold rallies,” the official said.

The official further assured that America is working with its international partners to increase pressure on Pakistan. “Because it has been too long that these groups have been able to operate.” Observing that Pakistan has economic concerns as well, the official said the Financial Action Tasks Force (FATF) is one area which demonstrates the need for them to take these actions against terror groups.

“Otherwise, they’re at risk within the system and the FATF to be grey-listed,” the official said. The senior official at the Trump administration further observed that Pakistan needs to decide whether it wants to be viewed as a responsible international player and have access to all the financial mechanisms that are available or is it going to continue to fail to take the steps necessary against these terrorist groups and see itself further isolated.

“The choice is Pakistan’s,” the senior administration official asserted. While the situation between the two South Asian neighbours has de-escalated, the two armies are still on high alert and that concerns the US, the official said.

“So, we realise that if there, God forbid, would be another terrorist attack that you could quickly see the escalation in the situation once again. So that’s why, we’re making clear that any additional military action by either side runs an unacceptably high risk, for both countries and for the region,” the official said.

The Trump Administration, the official said, has taken a sort of a “zero tolerance policy” on the issue of safe havens to terrorists. “The terrorist attack on February 14th on India was a demonstration that Pakistan’s continuing provision of sanctuary for any terrorist group is not acceptable,” the official said.

Further, the United State of America has expressed disappointment over China’s veto over the issue of blocking Jaish chief Masood Azhar. The US views that China has a responsibility to not shield Pakistan and expressed deep disappointment over Beijing’s decision to block a bid in the UN to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist”.

“We think China has a responsibility to also not shield Pakistan, and join the international community in calling on Pakistan to take action against terrorists operating on its soil,” the senior Trump administration official said on Wednesday.

After the Pulwama attack, the US, France and Britain moved a resolution in the UN Sanctions Committee of the Security Council to designate Azhar as a “global terrorist”. The Trump administration is also working at the United Nations, urging Pakistan to uphold its responsibilities pursuant to its UN Security Council commitments to deny safe haven and support to terrorists and to freeze the funds and financial assets of entities on the UN Security Council 1267 sanctions list

No, Kapil Sibal, despite Congress’ attempt to peddle ‘Saffron terror’ theory, we do know who is responsible for Samjhauta blasts

OpIndia Staff
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No, Kapil Sibal, despite Congress’ attempt to peddle ‘Saffron terror’ theory, we do know who is responsible for Samjhauta blasts

Yesterday, Swami Aseemanand and three others were acquitted by the Special NIA Court at Panchkula in the 2007 Samjhauta Express Blast Case. The others acquitted were Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan, and Rajinder Chaudhary.

Along with expected lines, liberals have risen up in arms against the Court verdict. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said sarcastically that it was a “proud day” for the Judiciary in India.


However, unlike what Sibal would have us believe, we do have a fair idea about who is responsible for the terror attack that killed 68. The United Nations holds Arif Qasmani, a Pakistani national, responsible for the terror attack. He was sanctioned by the global body on the 29th of June, 2009.

The UN says, “Arif Qasmani was listed on 29 June 2009 pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1822 (2008) as being associated with Al-Qaida, Usama bin Laden or the Taliban for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of”; “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to” or “otherwise supporting acts or activities of” Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (QDe.118) and Al-Qaida (QDe.004).”

It adds further, “Arif Qasmani is the chief coordinator of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba’s (LeT) (QDe.118) dealings with other organizations and has provided significant support for LeT terrorist operations. Qasmani has worked with LeT to facilitate terrorist attacks, including the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. Qasmani utilized money that he received from Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar (QDi.135), an Indian crime figure and listed terrorism supporter, to facilitate the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India. Qasmani also conducted fundraising activities on behalf of LeT in late 2005.”

Qasmani was known to provide financial assistance to terror organizations. The UN remarks, “Arif Qasmani has also provided financial and other support to Al-Qaida (QDe.004). As of late 2006, Qasmani provided funding to Al-Qaida members and facilitated the return of foreign fighters to their respective countries. Between 2004 and 2005, Qasmani provided Al-Qaida with supplies and weapons and facilitated the movement of Al-Qaida leaders in and out of Afghanistan. In return for Qasmani’s support, Al-Qaida provided him with operatives to support the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. Qasmani also facilitated the movement of Al-Qaida personnel out of Afghanistan in 2001. In 2005, Arif Qasmani provided Taliban leaders with a means to smuggle personnel, equipment and weapons into Afghanistan.”

RVS Mani, who served as undersecretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs from February 2006 to August 2010, too asserted that under the then UPA administration Qasmani had escaped while the government was busy creating the bogey of Hindu terror. He had stated that Qasmani had claimed the responsibility for the blasts. Also, later links to SIMI and other such organisations were exposed. He had remarked that in all the years of his service he has never come across a single actionable input regarding Hindu Terror and the term was deliberately coined.

Mani told ANI last year in June, “I’ve said this earlier too that there was no official information on Hindu terror till 2010. Even after that, there was no such thing. I’ve written a book which clearly states how Digvijay Singh laid the foundation of Hindu terror and spread it.” “In name of Hindu terror, he saved real terrorists using government resources. Arif Qasmani, the accused Samjhauta Express blast had escaped. In Mecca Masjid blast case, Bilal escaped. I don’t know his political agenda but there’s no Hindu terror,” he added.

Thus, it appears, unlike what Sibal would have us believe, we do have a fair idea about who is possibly responsible for the Samjhauta blast. Of course, Congress leaders would have hoped for the conviction of Hindus regardless of their guilt as it would have deflected attention from the despicable efforts it made to perpetuate a mythical narrative on Hindu terror.

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