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Two arrested for TMC leader Satyajit Biswas’ murder who was earlier shot dead, party alleges BJP conspiracy

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Two arrested for TMC leader Satyajit Biswas’ murder who was earlier shot dead, party alleges BJP conspiracy

Two people have been arrested by West Bengal police in the murder case of Trinamool Congress Party’s leader and MLA from Krishnaganj Constituency of Nadia district Satyjit Biswas. The leader was attending Saraswati Puja function in Phulbari, where he was shot point-blank by unknown assailants, who immediately fled the scene leaving the murder weapon at the spot. An FIR has been lodged and the Officer-In-Charge (OC) has been suspended.

Biswas, after being shot at, was rushed to the nearest Shaktinagar district hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The murder has started a political slugfest between the TMC and Bhartiya Janta Party state leaders. TMC is continuously alleging BJP for pre-mediating the murder to make electoral inroads in the state.

“It is the handiwork of Mukul Roy. He is touring these days across the area to strengthen the BJP. He had earlier lashed out at Satyajit. We will fight it.” Gauri Shankar Dutta, TMC’s Nadia district president was quoted. An FIR lodged in the case, also names Mukul Roy. Mukul Roy was one of the founding members of TMC but had defected to BJP in 2017.

Dutta also claimed that the deceased leader was popular amongst the Scheduled Caste Matua Community, and was convincing the community to not vote for BJP. He also connected it to PM Modi’s recent rally at Thakurganj town, which had seen a large gathering of people from the Matua community, pointing towards growing support for the party.

BJP has vehemently rejected the charges and instead hit back at the incumbent CM Mamta government, for the deteriorating law and order of the state.


“This is extremely unfortunate, he was a known leader. Even in Joynagar, we have seen MLA was attacked and had a narrow escape recently. Every time they name BJP and later it comes out to be their factional feud.” BJP State President Dilip Ghosh was quoted by Indian Express. He also alleged TMC of harbouring anti-social elements and demanded a CBI probe in the case.

Congress mouthpiece National Herald’s group editor mocks Arunachal Pradesh culture

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Congress mouthpiece National Herald’s group editor mocks Arunachal Pradesh culture

Mrinal Pande, group editor of Congress mouthpiece National Herald, yesterday took to Twitter to mock the traditional Arunachal Pradesh headgear worn by Prime Minister Modi, showing disdain for the culture of the North East.


Responding to a tweet (now deleted) by a Twitter user Ashish Mishra, who had mocked PM Modi’s traditional Arunachal headgear by referring to PM Modi as a peacock, Pande responded with a picture of a rooster edited to make it appear as if it was wearing a suit.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu took to Twitter to explain that the headgear worn by PM Modi is a Nyishi tribal headgear.

Following this, the Twitter user later deleted his tweet.

However, Mrinal Pande was called out for her callous attitude towards the culture of Arunachal.


In August last year, in an attempt to mock Prime Minister Modi, senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor had called the PM Modi’s Naga headgear ‘outlandish’ which did not go down too well with many. Senior BJP leaders like Kiren Rijiju and Himanta Biswa Sarma had even demanded an apology from Congress for insulting the people of North East and the tribals.

Anti-Modi posters emerge in Guntur even as Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu calls for a protest against PM Modi’s visit

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Anti-Modi posters emerge in Guntur even as Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu calls for a protest against PM Modi’s visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, posters have emerged opposing his entry into the state, reports ANI.

According to the reports, many anti-Modi posters have emerged across Andhra Pradesh ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on Sunday. Some of the posters had slogans of  ‘No More Modi’ ‘Modi Is A Mistake’, ‘Modi Never Again’, among others. It has not yet been ascertained who has put up the posters.

Another image portrayed Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu with an arrow ready to shoot toward PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and other BJP leaders.

Chandrababu Naidu poster in Andhra (image: Navbharat Times)

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has called the Prime Minister’s visit a ‘dark day’ and asked party workers to hold protests during the visit to the state.

“Tomorrow is a dark day. Prime Minister Modi is coming to witness the injustice that was done to Andhra Pradesh by him. Modi is weakening the states and constitutional institutions. PMO’s intervention in Rafale is disrespect to the nation. We will do peaceful Gandhian protests with yellow and black shirts and balloons,” said Naidu while addressing his party leaders.

Congress and left parties are also thinking of holding protests across the state to protest Prime Minister’s visit. They have announced that they will be protesting across the state with empty vessels.

Reportedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit will address a public meeting titled ‘Praja Chaitanya Sabha’ at Etukuru bypass road near Guntur city on Sunday. PM Modi will also dedicate the 1.33 MMT Visakhapatnam Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) facility of the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) to the country. He will also inaugurate ONGC’s Vashishta and S1 development project located in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Offshore Basin and lay the foundation stone for setting up a new terminal of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at Krishnapatnam.

In five years, I have made Amethi ready for a BJP win: Union Minister Smriti Irani

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In five years, I have made Amethi ready for a BJP win: Union Minister Smriti Irani

“Who will contest from where in upcoming poolls is something the party will decide but one thing is for sure that in five years, I can say I have made Amethi ready for a BJP win. When a farmer is given a futile land, which has not been irrigated in years, which has not been nourished and nurtured in years, this farmer can at least tell one thing that in five years, having put in tremendous hard work, I have made that seat ready for a BJP victory,” said Union Minister Smriti Irani at the Hashtag Social Media Summit on Saturday in New Delhi.

Coming down heavily on Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s insensitive remark on Air Force pilots, Irani said, “This is a man who sits on a public platform and says that if you are killed in a plane crash, this money can go to your family.” She added that this is not something to laugh about since apart from politics, if you look at it from humanity angle, it shows his mentality.”


“Okay, so you will die, we will send the money. That man (Rahul Gandhi) has given you a glimpse of his thoughts and mentality,” she added.

Irani was referring to the crass comment made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi while putting out false allegations regarding Rafale deal with help of a maliciously cropped dissent note which was published by The Hindu. Rahul Gandhi had held the cropped note and said that this document proves that Modi has stolen ₹30,000 crore and given to Anil Ambani. Addressing personnel from the Air Force, Rahul Gandhi said that this ₹30,000 crore could have given to fighter pilots when they die in a plane crash.

Banned by Mughal ruler Akbar 450 years ago, Panchkosi Parikrama restarted at Prayagraj Kumbh

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Banned by Mughal ruler Akbar 450 years ago, Panchkosi Parikrama restarted at Prayagraj Kumbh

The Panchkosi Parikrama in Prayagraj, which was banned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar around 450 years ago, was restarted on Thursday at the Prayagraj Kumbh 2019. After long efforts of the saint community and the administration, the Parikrama has been restarted. The Parikrama was earlier started by some saints but had to be discontinued in 1993 due to lack of management.

The Parikrama was started after performing the Ganga aarti with the chanting of Vedic mantras. Akhara Parishad President Mahant Mahendra Giri, Juna Peethadhishwar Avdheshanand Giri and General Secretary of Akhara Parishad Mahant Harigiri along with government officials took part in the worship.

The Panchkosi Parikrama involves the parikrama of the four ashrams of four Hrishis, Hrishi Durvasa ( in the east), Hrishi Bharadvaj (in the west), Hrishi Pandeshwar Mahadev (in the north) and Hrishi Parashar (in the south). On the first day of the three-day Parikrama, devotees visit Akhsyavat and Saraswati Kund followed by Bankhandi Mahadev and Maujgiri Baba. Thereafter devotees reach the Someshwar Mahadev Mandir visiting Surya Tankeshwar, Chakra Madhav and Gada Madhav on the way to it. The first day of the Parikrama ends with the darshan of Durvasa Hrishi and Shankh Madhav Mandir.

On the second day, the Parikrama reaches Kotwal Hanuman ji and then Dattatreya Mandir (Chetanpuri) followed by Pandeshwar Mahadev Mandir and Vasuki Mandir and concludes with bhajan-keertan. On the third and the last day of the Parikrama it concludes with the devotees collecting gangajal from sangam and performing abhishek in the ashram of Hrishi Bhardvaj.

On the demand of the Hindu saints, Yogi government decided the route of the Panchkosi Parikrama and the renovation work of the routes will be started to facilitate the Parikrama.

Apart from restarting the Parikrama, this Kumbh also saw the opening of the Akbar fort for devotees. Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop located inside the fort were made accessible to the devotees by the UP government last month. This is the first time Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop was opened during the Kumbh after Akbar had commissioned a fort at that location. The fort was constructed in such a way that it enclosed the famous Akshayavat tree and the Saraswati Koop deep well.

Man gives triple talaq to wife for stopping him from drinking

OpIndia Staff
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Man gives triple talaq to wife for stopping him from drinking

In yet another case of triple talaq, a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh pronounced triple talaq on his wife who stopped him from drinking alcohol, according to reports. The husband had also brutally beaten up the wife. The accused was arrested by the police after the woman filed a complaint in the police station.

The woman who is a resident of Doghat police station area was married to the accused, a resident of Baghpat police station area, six years ago. According to the woman, the accused was addicted to drinking. A year ago he had lost his one leg in one accident after which his father helped him to open a shop. He could not even manage the shop because of his alcohol addiction and suffered losses. He also used to come home drunk every other day and assault his wife.

As per the report, the accused came home drunk on Friday evening and started abusing his wife. He even pushed her to the ground and tried to strangulate her. Next morning he drew her out of the house after which she went to the police station accompanied by her elder sister. The husband has in turn accused his wife initiating the violence and beating him up. A case has been registered against the accused as told by Inspector Karanveer.

The cases of triple talaq do not seem to end despite the Supreme Court judgement declaring the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional and the government bringing the Triple Talaq Bill.

India Reiterates that Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India after China objected to PM Modi’s visit to the state

OpIndia Staff
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India Reiterates that Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India after China objected to PM Modi’s visit to the state

The People’s Republic of China seems to have to been rattled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh today. Modi inaugurated various development projects in the state. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that PM’s visit to the state, which it dubs as South Tibet, will complicate the so-called border dispute.


PM Narendra Modi reached Itanagar in the morning from Guwahati, where he unveiled several development projects at IG Park. The prime minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi near Itanagar. He also dedicated a 110 MW Pare Hydroelectric Plant in the state to the nation.

“China’s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut. The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the East Section of the China-India boundary.” Chinese spokesperson was quoted by reports. She also added that India should refrain from escalation or complication of existing problems, and “cherish the momentum of improvement in bilateral relations.”

The spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar hit back at China’s comments and stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable or integral part of India. He also added that China should not be bothered about Indian leaders visiting the state.

“The consistent position has been conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions” The statement read.

China on many instances has indulged in cheap diplomatic tactics to exhibit its hegemony over the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

In October last year, China had expressed objection to  Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which also happens to be leader’s home state. In April 2017, during the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, China had warned about taking “necessary measures” to defend its territorial sovereignty and accused India of “obstinately” allowing the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit the “disputed” parts of the Northeastern state, causing “serious damage” to bilateral ties.

India and China have taken part in 21 rounds of talks over the so-called dispute. The same issue was also one of the prime reason for the 1962 Indo-China war, which had left many Indian soldiers martyred. China currently also has territorial disputes with other countries like Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines.

“Rahul Baba ko ginti nahi aati”, Amit Shah addressing Shakti Sammelan in Pune

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“Rahul Baba ko ginti nahi aati”, Amit Shah addressing Shakti Sammelan in Pune

After addressing the booth workers of BJP in Uttar Pradesh in a number of events, BJP President Amit Shah today reached Pune to address the booth workers at the Shakti Kendra Sammelan ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Shah started his address by reminding the party workers about how the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are for the party. He also pointed out the important role played by its workers in the party saying “this party belongs to its party workers, not the leaders”. Shah shared his own experience of having worked as a party worker since childhood.

Praising the progress made by the party, Shah said that no one could imagine a BJP govt in states like Assam, Manipur and Tripura. He said that BJP was at the fourth place in UP and today it has formed a government in UP with 325 seats. Shah credited the structure of the party’s booths and the booth workers for various victories of the party.


Shah said that BJP has been successful in eliminating dynasty politics in the period between 2014 to 2019. He said that people who did appeasement and vote bank politics have been sidelined as BJP has introduced the politics of performance. Coming down heavily on Congress party, Shah said that out of the 70 years of independence, the Gandhi family ruled for 55 years and yet nothing was done. He said that Modi ji has done in 55 months what Congress could not do in its 55 years of rule.


Shah called the budget presented by the union government as a ‘budget for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the country’. Launching a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi for mocking the amount of Rs 6,000 set out in the budget for small farmers, Shah claimed that Congress had waived the loan of 3 crore farmers worth Rs 53,000 crores in 10 years while the Modi government with the special benefit for farmers set out in the budget will be transferring Rs 75,000 crore in the banks accounts of around 13 crore farmers in one year.


He asked Rahul Gandhi to compare the work done for farmers by his Congress government with that of the Modi government, Shah sarcastically remarked, “Rahul Baba ko ginti nahi aati”. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Aloo ki factory‘ statement made during a speech in Agra, Shah questioned Rahul’s knowledge of farming.

Shah listed out before the party workers other schemes initiated by the Modi government including the income tax rebate for individuals up to 5 lakhs of annual income, economic reservation, defence budget, electrification of villages, ayushman bharat etc. Shah lauded the  Modi government for conducting a surgical strike in Pakistan and showing it its rightful place. Shah expressed the party’s commitment to making the country illegal immigrants free. He said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has helped in identifying 40 lakh prima facie illegal immigrants in Assam. “Hamare liye ma bharti ki surkasha sabse uchh sthan par h”, Shah asserted.


Shah told the party workers not to worry because of the Mahagathbandhan. He said that it is an alliance of regional parties. “What influence will rallies of leaders like Deve Gauda ji, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Mamta and Stalin have in Pune, Nasik, Dhuhe, Kolhapur and Jalgaon”, he said. Shah condemned the killings of  80 BJP workers by TMC workers in West Bengal. He urged the party workers to give the answer of these killings by winning elections in the State.

Repeating the party’s commitment of constructing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Shah assured the party workers that a grand temple will be built by the BJP at the Ramjanmbhoomi.

Kerala Nun Rape Case: Church official now says nuns who supported victim will not be transferred till court case is over

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala Nun Rape Case: Church official now says nuns who supported victim will not be transferred till court case is over

Taking the note on the recent attempts by the Missionaries of Jesus congregation to threaten and oust the nuns, who had stood behind the victim nun and protested against the rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Bishop Agnelo of the Jalandhar diocese has directed the Missionaries of Jesus congregation to stop their transfer until the case reaches a conclusion.


Reportedly, Bishop Agnelo, Apostolic administrator in charge of the congregation has written a letter to the five nuns who had protested against Franco Mulakkal. The letter reads, “there will be no move from Diocese of Jalandhar to oust you from Kuravilangad Church as long as you are needed for the court case.”

According to a report in The Hindu, the Bishop has written a letter to the nuns stating that he was giving a directive to Regina Kadamthottu, Superior General of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, not to issue any letters to the five nuns without his explicit permission.

“This will be an order to her from me as Apostolic Administrator in charge of the Congregation-since it is of Diocesan Right, it comes under me,” letter quoted according to the Hindu.

The letter has ensured the nuns would not be moved from the Kuravilangad Convent as long as they were needed for the court case. “The truth will only emerge when all the evidence is presented. I am sure the Church would want the truth to emerge,” it noted.

We had earlier reported on how attempts were made from the Missionaries of Jesus congregation to shunt out four nuns for supporting the victim nun who had accused Bishop Franco of rape.

The Missionaries of Jesus congregation had reportedly made several attempts to isolate, discredit and harass the nuns who stood in support of the victim. They had been ousted from the Kuravalingad convent and had also been threatened by the congregation to shed their “rebellious attitude”.

On 16th January, four out of the five nuns who had supported the rape survivor nun were asked to leave the Kuravilangad convent and go back to convents, previously assigned to them. The letter accused nuns of ‘issuing malafide statements’ and spreading baseless stories to ‘tarnish the image’ of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation. Sister Anupama, one of the four nuns served transfer notice had slammed the notice and alleged that this is a ploy to break a unity of nuns to save Bishop Franco, who is facing rape allegations from one of their colleagues.

Apart from threats and intimidation, Father Kuriakose who had testified against Bishop Franco was found dead under mysterious circumstances. One of the nuns who was protesting against the rape accused Bishop was relieved of her duties by the Syro-Malabar Church.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Archdiocese of Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested by the police officials on September 21st after the investigating team finally found evidence that linked him in the sexual harassment case. A nun from Kerala had accused a Bishop from Jalandhar of raping her. The accused, Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, is said to have raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and exploited her sexually on several other occasions.

Franco Mulakkal was soon granted bail and his grand welcome by the Catholic organisation had caused outrage at many levels with suspicions that the religious congregation is putting its weight behind to shield the accused and vilify the victim.

Recently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had written to Kerala CM Vijayan to ensure the safety of the nuns who are the witness in the case against Franco Mulakkal and had stated that the CM’s personal intervention is needed to prevent sabotage of material evidence and witnesses in the case.

Delhi court orders FIR against Arnab Goswami, Republic TV on Shashi Tharoor’s complaint of ‘stealing’ Sunanda death probe documents

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi court orders FIR against Arnab Goswami, Republic TV on Shashi Tharoor’s complaint of ‘stealing’ Sunanda death probe documents

A Delhi Court has ordered registration of FIR against Republic TV and its editor Arnab Goswami on a complained filed by Shashi Tharoor. The Congress leader had alleged that the channel had stolen confidential documents related to the investigation into the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Tharoor had also alleged that his email account was hacked by the channel to obtain information about the case.

In the complaint, Shashi Tharoor had accused Republic TV and Arnab Goswami of gaining illegal access to police records and his email account, and then broadcasting the same on the channel to boost its viewership. Response to an RTI query had revealed that the information showed by the channel was not available in the public domain, the complaint further added.

Responding to the complaint, Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh said that a police investigation is required to find out how the channel got access to the documents, and persons associated with it should be examined in the matter, as it discloses a cognizable offence.

“In these circumstances, SHO concerned is directed to register FIR in this matter and investigate the same as per law. Copy of this order be sent to SHO concerned for compliance,” ordered the court.

The order was issued by the court on January 21, but it was made public yesterday.

During the hearing, Tharoor’s advocate said that during the investigation into the death, police collected a number of items/materials of the Sunanda Pushkar and recorded statements of Shashi Tharoor and one of his aides Narain Singh. All those documents/materials were part of the confidential record and within the sole possession of the investigation team.

Advocate Vikas Pahwa said that “during several broadcast, certain documents were shown on News channel which were stated to be documents related to investigation of the death of complainant’s wife. Such documents are copy of internal file notings of Delhi police, copy of statement of complainant given to Delhi police, copy of statement of complainant’s aide Narain Singh, pictures of deceased which were taken during autopsy”.

Further, when Shashi Tharoor had made RTI queries with the Delhi Police, he was informed that “it is not permissible to share the information/documents related to any investigation to any public member/ media till the case is pending investigation”.

Shashi Tharoor alleged that the RTI reply clearly indicates that the channel had accessed the documents illegally, but the police did not take any action, forcing him to file the complaint with the court.

Sunanda Pushkar was found dead was found dead in room number 345 of the Leela Palace hotel in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi on 17th January 2014. According to initial reports, Sunanda was suspected to have committed suicide. Later reports stated that the cause of death was unnatural. Recently Shashi Tharoor was charged in the case for cruelty and abetment to suicide. The court has ordered the start of the trial against Tharoor from February 21.

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