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Gujarat: Minor Muslim youth abuses Hindu deities on Instagram, apologises after protests by Hindu groups

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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Gujarat: Minor Muslim youth abuses Hindu deities on Instagram, apologises after protests by Hindu groups

A Muslim resident of Sadara village in Gandhinagar, Gujarat has created a huge controversy by making derogatory comments on Hindu deities, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita on social media. Thousands of local Hindus have come out on the streets and are protesting over this incident. The police have also reacted swiftly and detained the accused minor. A complete shutdown was observed after an announcement by the majority Hindu population of the hamlet. Now, measures are underway to take further action against the offender.

Bajrang Dal official Ganpat Singh told OpIndia that the incident took place on 22nd October when a 16-year-old from Sadara village made extremely indecent and obscene comments about the Hindu gods in a post on the social media platform Instagram. A screenshot of the remark spread throughout the village after which people from the local Hindu community gathered as members of the Hindu organisations also reached there.

Ganpat Singh mentioned that the people were furious and hence the workers of the Hindu outfits appealed to others to persuade them to take the course of legal action after which 200 to 300 Hindus arrived at the Chiloda Police Station and presented all the evidence along with the screenshot of the disparaging statement as well as demanded strict action. Police Inspector Parmar acted quickly to arrest the perpetrator after observing the public’s ire. The instance also created a stir in the surrounding areas and Hindus from nearby regions also began to congregate in Sadara to express their disapproval. Hindu activists also appealed to protest peacefully and legally.

The Bajrang Dal workers were accompanying the Hindus throughout all of this. The majority Hindu community of the village closed all businesses for a day on 23rd October on the call of the Hindu group. They also took out a rally in the village and enraged Hindus from closeby areas also participated. “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani” slogans were raised by the protesters.

An official of the Hindu organisation confirmed the shutdown and asserted that Hindus are united after the occurrence. The parents of the culprit pleaded with the village sarpanch and Hindu groups not to take any action after witnessing the critical atmosphere. They claimed that he was young and made a mistake and repeatedly begged the Hindu activists to save his future and career. The sarpanch and Hindu outfits have decided that no further action should be initiated and written apology letter would be taken from the members of the Muslim community in order to avoid any such ‘mistake’ in the future.

“I want to apologise to the people of Sadra village and the Hindu community. I had abused Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, please forgive me for that. My family and I assure you that we will never repeat such a mistake, nor will we ever hurt the sentiments of any religion,” the apology stated.

The police also organised a peace committee meeting between the Hindu and Muslim communities as a mediator. The former declared that they are ready to take a step back if the other side affirms that such an instance is wrong and assures will never happen again. The Hindu outfit further reported that members of the Muslim community assembled in Sadara village and Hindu organisations including Bajrang Dal were also present there. Now, no further action will be initiated in the matter, as per the decision adopted in the meeting.

When asked if there had ever been a communal event of this kind in Sadara village, the Hindu organisation replied with a no and pointed out that only 250 of the approximately 8000 homes in Sadara village are of Muslims. However, the group has also asserted that tensions have risen in the last six months. They added that a mosque is located close to the school. It has installed large speakers that play Azaan five times loudly. They highlighted that it never happened before which also indicates that Muslim migration has escalated in the area. Now, the village is shut down and future steps will be taken after a decision is reached following the conclusion of the meeting.

Canada Border Services Agency confirms that Sandeep Singh Sidhu wanted in Khalistani terror case in India is its employee: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Canada Border Services Agency confirms that Sandeep Singh Sidhu wanted in Khalistani terror case in India is its employee: Report

On Monday, 22nd October, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) admitted while talking to ThePrint that Sandeep Singh Sidhu, who is wanted by the Indian authorities for advancing terrorist activities in Punjab and murdering a Shaurya Chakra awardee in Tarn Taran, is its employee.

“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is aware of the articles and takes any allegations seriously. We can confirm that the individual you are referring to is an employee of the CBSA. Please note that due to the Privacy Act, we cannot provide details on specific cases or individuals,” the CBSA official said in an email reply to The Print.

According to the CBSA’s official website, the agency has a very complex procedure to make sure they hire the right people with the right skills and experience. It states that the candidate must go through a telephone integrity interview, a credit check, and law enforcement and security database verifications.

Indian Government on 19th October named Sandeep Singh Sidhu in a terror case in India for the murder of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a teacher and a Shaurya Chakra awardee. The Indian govt communication to Canda said, “He was in touch with Pakistan-based Lakhbir Singh Rode and other ISI operatives/ officials and successfully executed a targeted killing (Oct. 2020) of Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu in Punjab with the help of a noted gangster Sukhmeetpal Singh @ Sukh Bhikhariwal.”

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, his brother Ranjit Singh, and their wives Jagdish Kaur and Balraj Kaur, respectively, were awarded the Shaurya Chakra in 1993 for their armed struggle against militancy in Punjab. The civilian family has been on the hitlist of Khalistani terrorists since then.

62-year-old Balwinder Singh Sandhu was shot dead at his residence in Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran District in October 2020. Last week, the NIA told the Supreme Court that Canada-based operatives of the banned terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) were behind the assassination. The chargesheet says that the accused persons arrested in the case have revealed that they were hired by Canada-based KLF operatives for the murder.

Sandeep Sidhu is a member of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and is employed with the CBSA. As per the Indian govt communication to Canada, he has been recently promoted to the rank of Superintendent.

He is on a list of fugitive terrorists that India wants deported from Canada. Sandeep Singh Sidhu allegedly had ties with Pakistan-based Khalistan terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode and other ISI operatives, reportedly playing a role in the 2020 assassination of Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

Sandeep Singh Sidhu is a member of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a Khalistani organization banned in India, Australia, Japan, USA, and even Canada. Despite the ban on ISYF in Canada, a member has been employed as a member of the Canada Border Services Agency.

This development comes as Justin Trudeau’s government has totally destroyed the India-Canada relationship by falsely accusing the Indian government of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Even though the Trudeau government has been accusing the Indian government of the murder for more than a year, they are yet to provide any proof to support their allegations and even admit they have no proof.

Bahraich violence: Another eyewitness confirms announcements were made from mosque, says ‘attackers claimed they will be rewarded for killing Hindus’

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Bahraich violence: Another eyewitness confirms announcements were made from mosque, says ‘attackers claimed they will be rewarded for killing Hindus’

On 13th October a Muslim mob attacked devotees during the immersion of the idol of Maa Durga in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh which resulted in the brutal murder of Ram Gopal Mishra (22). Several other Hindu participants in the procession were wounded including a man named Padmakar Dixit. Notably, Padmakar Dixit also identified himself as an eyewitness and victim, stating that the attack on the immersion procession was declared from mosque loudspeakers, in contrast to the Bahraich Police’s statement denying the same.

During the procession, he was carrying the idol of Maa Durga. He received treatment for his injuries sustained in the incident and was then sent home. Padmakar Dixit was born and raised in the village of Sipahiya Piyuli which is close to Maharajganj. He supports his family by selling milk, doing some farming and other similar means. He was on a nine-day Navratri fast on the day of the tragedy and had set out for the immersion procession with other devotees. The idol of Maa Durga was being brought on a tractor trolley, and Padmakar Dixit was holding it amid slogans of ‘Jai Mata Di’ as stone-pelting took place.

Padmakar Dixit told OpIndia that they were moving ahead with the diety when a stone hit them and broke the hand of the idol. Another stone fell before anyone could make sense of the situation which damaged the idol’s neck. The idol and the Hindus were then pelted with stones which led to a commotion and the latter began to run here and there to protect themselves. Padmakar Dixit too began to escape to save his life as he saw the Muslim crowd approaching. He revealed that he heard announcements from a mosque, during the commotion. “Allah hu Akbar. Kill whoever you find,” was being declared. According to him, the Islamists stated that killing more Hindus would get them greater rewards.

Further chaos erupted after spotting the Muslim throng. Children were also among the devotees and people became worried about their safety. He disclosed that many minors have also been injured in the assault but their families do not want to reveal their names out of fear. He also told us that he noticed some Muslim women were part of the violent crowd while fleeing to protect himself. They were pelting stones at the devotees from the roofs. Furthermore, children and elderly individuals were among the fundamentalist horde that emerged on the streets brandishing weapons. They also had sticks and sharp weapons.

Padmakar Dixit informed that many elders from the Hindu side were appealing for peace, but no one from the Muslim community was observed doing the same. He expressed surprise over the large number of glass bottles and wondered how the attackers obtained them. He unveiled that the Maharajganj market does not have a distributor for cold beverages or soft drinks. How could so many bottles have been pre-stored in such a scenario? He indicated that the sudden barrage of stones and the appearance of firearms were signs that Abdul Hameed and his friends were already getting ready for the assault.

He asserted that the police started to chase and lathi-charge Hindus instead of helping them which led to many injuries including his. Moreover, someone’s hand was broken while another had his face torn in the attack. He eventually saved his life and ran towards home through the fields, however, he fell unconscious on his way. He stated that his companions sprinkled water on him to help him gain consciousness and brought him home after which his family took him to a hospital in Mahsi for treatment. His legs still have injury marks and treatment is ongoing. He demanded strict action against the accused from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Padmakar Dixit described the claims made by the Muslim side as a conspiracy rather than the reality when we questioned him. According to him, they are fabricating accusations to get away with their crime, while the Hindus are held accountable. He added that the Muslims had attacked Hindus and idols and called them victims. He voiced his displeasure with Sarfaraz and Talib’s encounter. They were injured in retaliatory police firing. He stated that they should have been shot in the chest instead of the leg. He referred to the police’s response as inadequate and highlighted that this has further boosted the morale of the attackers. He raised concerns that they would murder four Hindus next time instead of one. He feared that the killers of Ram Gopal Mishra might be released soon.

Zomato faces backlash over selling “analogue paneer” to restaurants, here is what it is and how restaurants are deceiving consumers

Shraddha Pandey
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Zomato faces backlash over selling “analogue paneer” to restaurants, here is what it is and how restaurants are deceiving consumers

Food aggregator Zomato stoked controversy after it came to the fore that its B2B platform Hyperpure has been selling vegetable oil-based paneer, called “analogue paneer” by it, to restaurants while the customers remain unaware of the same. A social media post highlighted that while some people ditch typical junk food to consume what may appear to be “healthier”, Zomato’s end-to-end restaurant supply chain for the HoReCa industry is selling an imitation of paneer or simply fake paneer containing vegetable oils which is served to customers by restaurants without any disclaimer.

Notably, Paneer or cottage cheese is a dairy product made from full-fat cow or buffalo milk. Calling a similar product made from vegetable oils amounts to misleading the customers. The fake paneer is being sold by Zomato to restaurants through its Hyperpure platform, which supplies materials to restaurants.

“India loves paneer dishes and restaurants sell fake paneer made with vegetable oils without any disclaimer. They made you believe that you are eating healthy food by eating varieties of paneer dishes over junk food. This is being sold on website of Zomato for restaurants,” X user Sumit Behal posted on 20th October.

The X user attached an image of the “Soft & Fresh analogue paneer” for sale on Hypercure at a rate of Rs 210 per kilogram, while the authentic milk-based paneer costs around Rs 410-450/kg. The product description for “analogue paneer” says, “Milk fat replaced with vegetable fat”.

So far, Zomato has not issued any statement in this regard. Meanwhile, many people are feeling cheated since they opine that as customers they should be informed about which type of paneer are they consuming.

Meanwhile, RS Sodhi, former Amul MD and the president of the Indian Dairy Association commented on the “analogue paneer” controversy and said: “It’s like selling gold plated jewellery as Gold ornament by a famous Gold jewellery brand!!”

Difference between real and analogue paneer

Before delving into whether selling analogue paneer is illegal or not what the government says about analogue dairy products, it is pertinent to understand what exactly is “analogue paneer”. In addition, it is also important to know the difference between real and imitation paneer.

Analogue paneer is prepared with vegetable oils, skimmed milk powder, and other dairy-free ingredients. It is made to appear and taste like paneer but has no milk fats. The analogue paneer is way cheaper than real paneer and has a longer shelf-life, making it more suitable for lactose-intolerant people. Fake paneer that is completely free from milk can be an ideal choice for vegans who avoid all kinds animal-based products.

Analogue paneer contains way lesser amount of protein and minerals than real paneer. It contains artificial additives and does not have the natural flavour of milk-based paneer. Analogue paneer is harmful to health since it contains unhealthy fats, especially trans fats or high levels of saturated fats present in cheap vegetable oils. These are not dietary fats, and they boost blood cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Moreover, Trans fats trigger inflammation, which plays a significant role in the progression of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Meanwhile, reel paneer is prepared by curdling milk with natural acids such as lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid. The curdled milk is filtered, squeezed, and formed into blocks. Authentic paneer is high in protein, calcium, and other vital elements. It promotes muscular building, bone health, and overall nutrition because it is free of dangerous additives and chemicals.

Is selling analogue paneer illegal?

Selling analogue paneer is legal in India as long as it is clearly labelled and sold as “analogue paneer” and not misrepresented as genuine paneer. However, it is prohibited to sell this type of paneer without proper labelling. While the analogue paneer products are labelled as “analogue paneer” on Zomato’s Hyerpure, the restaurants using the analogue paneer are not essentially informing their customers about the type of paneer being used in their dishes eaving the customers in the impression that they eating real and healthy paneer while in reality, analogue or imitation paneer can be harmful to their health.

The restaurants prefer analogue paneer since it is nearly half the price compared to real paneer ensuring greater profits to them, particularly when they conceal from the consumers that the paneer they are using to make their dishes is fake. It is pertinent to note that there are certain ways to identify whether the paneer is real or fake.

While fake paneer may have been presented as an alternative to real milk-based paneer, its sale and consumption should not be encouraged especially without a proper disclaimer to make sure the consumers know and decide for themselves whether they want to eat analogue paneer or not.

What FSSAI says on analogue products?

Notably, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body under the administration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles as well as establishes standards to ensure food safety says that analogue products cannot be sold without being properly labelled as “analogue product”.

In the context of dairy, the FSSAI defines analogue in dairy context as “a product in which constituents not derived from milk take the place, in part or in whole, of any milk constituent(s) and the final product resembles, organoleptically and/or functionally, milk or milk product or composite milk product as defined in these regulations.”

It also specifies which products in the context of dairy can be considered analogues. “All milk products and composite milk products listed/standardized in the regulations, when compositionally altered with by way of substitution of their major milk constituents (milk fat, milk protein) with non-milk constituents (e.g. vegetable oil/fat, vegetable protein), the resultant (lookalike) products would be analogues,” the FSSAI says.

Moreover, the FSSAI says that under Clause (f)(i) of the Sub-regulation 2.1.1(3) of the General Standard for Dairy Products, analogues cannot be considered or sold as dairy products. In addition, analogues also do not meet the criteria for the use of dairy terms for other foods specified in the regulations.

Way forward

Although Zomato’s Hyperpure has properly labelled analogue paneer for sale on its platform, the restaurants buying the synthetic paneer from there are not revealing to their consumers that the paneer they are eating considering it healthy is actually harmful to them and the only one benefiting from it is the restaurants. This is not only unethical, violates the trust of the customers, and is deceptive but also illegal.

Zomato should try to ensure that the restaurants buying analogue paneer from its platform inform their customers. Moreover, as a supplier, Zomato might need to put in place certain measures to ensure that those eateries buying analogue paneer from its platform clearly label the food they offer. The government authorities should also ensure stricter implementation of the labelling laws to ensure transparency from the suppliers and restaurants, in addition to conducting regular inspections and raising public awareness.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar shares old video claiming to be evidence of NDA using cash to buy votes in Maharashtra, gets caught

OpIndia Staff
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NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar shares old video claiming to be evidence of NDA using cash to buy votes in Maharashtra, gets caught

On Tuesday, 22nd October, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar attempted to spread fake information against the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled in November 2024. Pawar shared an old video of stacked cash and claimed that the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) had been bribing the state voters by distributing cash.

This is a day after the Pune rural police on Monday night, 21st October, seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 5 crore from an Innova Chrysta car bearing number MH 45 AS 2526 at Khed Shivapur toll post. According to police and administration, the person driving the car said that the cash was intended for delivery to a politician currently linked with the ruling party in Sangola. The act in question happened inside the jurisdiction of the Rajgad police station area, which was later highlighted by MLA Pawar to corner the ruling government. 

“Rs 25 crores are said to have been given to the ruling party candidates as the first instalment for the elections and yesterday one of these instalments was caught from Khed-Shivapur. Found one car but where are the other four cars?” he questioned sharing an old video unrelated to the incident.

“Even in the Lok Sabha, the ruling party attempted to sway the people of Maharashtra by spending money lavishly, but the self-respecting citizens here gave the grand coalition a clear defeat, as decisive as the Katraj Ghat. Though the Grand Alliance may celebrate their gains in the Legislative Assembly with the money they’ve poured in, the people of Maharashtra will certainly give a fitting response to those who betrayed them, and send them home for good. The rulers must remember— this is Maharashtra, not Gujarat’!” he added blatantly cornering the Mahayuti alliance by sharing an old fake video.

In the video shared by MLA Pawar, huge cash stacks of Rs 500, also Rs 2000 and Rs 200 could be seen lined up. However, the claim by Pawar that these were the stacks recovered by the Pune rural police from Innova Chrysta’s car on Monday was false, as the video in question had been posted by a private YouTube channel 4 years ago. Also, the circulation of Rs 2000 notes was withdrawn by RBI in May 2023, raising further questions about how such a huge sum of withdrawn denomination could be recovered by the police on Monday.

The claimed video had been posted on YouTube by a private channel in the name of ‘Kaushal Jaghina’ around 4-5 years ago. The video is still available on the platform. Pawar notably dragged the four-year-old video to claim that the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance had been distributing cash to buy voters ahead of the Maharashtra State Assembly elections 2024.

Several netizens meanwhile criticized Pawar for spreading fake information and targeting the Mahayuti alliance. “You were, are, and will continue to be vile, as you have shown by sharing this video,” said Prakash Gade, BJP member from Nanded, Maharashtra. He further indicated that Pawar shared a video in which Rs 2000 note cash stacks could be seen, the denomination which was withdrawn from circulation in May 2023.

Several others mocked Pawar for desperately launching an attack on Mahayuti ahead of the state assembly elections. “From where did you get Rs 2000 notes?” asked one while the other one said that the way Pawar was sharing fake videos, was an indication that MVA was again about to lose the elections. The others meanwhile pointed out that Pawar had posted the video on X by downloading it from YouTube.

A general assembly election in Maharashtra is scheduled on 20th November 2024 to elect the 288 members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly; the counting and results will be announced on November 23rd, 2024. The model code of conduct for the November 20th state assembly polls has come into effect on October 15th and the police have stepped up vigilance.

How WaPo seems to have colluded with Canadian govt to make wild allegations against India: A saga of lies, deceit and ‘no hard proof’ propaganda

Anurag
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How WaPo seems to have colluded with Canadian govt to make wild allegations against India: A saga of lies, deceit and ‘no hard proof’ propaganda

On 14th October, the Canadian government, followed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), levelled serious but baseless allegations against India, claiming that Indian agents, officials, and high-ranking Indian diplomats, including the then High Commissioner of India to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, were involved in “criminal activities” on Canadian soil. They claimed that India used a criminal syndicate operating in Canada to target Khalistani terrorists, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June 2023.

Within hours of the allegations made by Canadian authorities, the Washington Post came up with a detailed report on it. In fact, the report went a step further and named Home Minister Amit Shah as one of the conspirators in illegal criminal activities on Canadian soil. Recently, it came to light that the Canadian government sources WaPo quoted in its damning report were Canada’s National Security Adviser, Nathalie Drouin, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison.

One of the questions that arise is how the WaPo report written by Greg Miller and Gerry Shih had so much detail and quotes from Canadian government officials within hours of the allegations made against India. Furthermore, it is also suspicious how WaPo came up with the name of the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, as one of the persons involved in criminal activities.

A 22nd October report by The Globe and Mail revealed that the information WaPo published in its report was briefed to them days before Canadian authorities and the RCMP made the allegations public. WaPo was simply sitting on a prepared report, waiting for the RCMP to hold a press conference so they could publish it.

The allegations, spearheaded by WaPo in collaboration with the Canadian government in a systematic and well-planned manner, have been shown to lack substantial evidence. They have exposed a deeply troubling case of media manipulation, as the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, himself admitted that the allegations were made against India without any concrete evidence. The narrative was aggressively pushed by Trudeau’s team even before Canada’s own security agencies, like the RCMP, had held a press conference to officially share their findings.

Since the RCMP and Canadian government dropped a bombshell against India, they have once again failed to hand over the “substantial evidence” mentioned in their briefing, while telling the world that “India is involved in criminal activities on Canadian soil”. The narrative which WaPo attempted to create with the support of Canadian authorities has impacted high-ranking Indian officials like HM Shah, Indian diplomats, including Verma, who were called back (later Canada expelled six, including Verma), and the Indian spy agency RAW.

Planted stories, no evidence, and a scandalous timeline

The allegations against India stemmed from claims supposedly based on intercepted communications. A picture has been painted against India, claiming that Indian agents and officials were deeply involved in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder and other targeted killings and attacks on Khalistani elements in Canada.

However, it has been recently uncovered that these accusations were, in fact, fed to WaPo directly by the Canadian NSA long before any official findings or proof were established in the public domain. This revelation raises serious questions about WaPo’s journalistic integrity and its willingness to act as a mouthpiece for a government desperate to divert attention from its own failures.

Despite WaPo insinuating that it had obtained cloak-and-dagger input from Canadian sources, in reality, Trudeau’s NSA was tasked with planting the story. It clearly shows how WaPo was complicit in the manipulation of the narrative, as all the Indian and international media used WaPo’s report to name HM Shah as one of the conspirators in criminal activities on Canadian soil.

Trusting just one source, that is, the Canadian government, was not the way things could have been manipulated the way they were. Using an internationally renowned media house for this work was the perfect way to target India, and Canada did just that. Adding to the farce, Trudeau later admitted that at the time of making these serious allegations, there was no “hard proof” to substantiate them. This admission not only undermines Trudeau’s government but also casts a long shadow over WaPo’s role in sensationalising these unfounded claims.

Indian diplomats and HM Amit Shah under attack

The most alarming aspect of this saga is the deliberate targeting of Indian officials, with Home Minister Amit Shah being dragged into the fray. Canada has spun a narrative, echoed by WaPo, suggesting that HM Shah had direct oversight of the illegal operations. The narrative was created despite the complete lack of any concrete evidence. In fact, the allegations seem to be an attempt to deliberately smear HM Shah’s image on an international platform and cast doubt over India’s diplomatic corps.

Home Minister Amit Shah does not oversee foreign operations. He is responsible for internal affairs. HM Shah has been strict towards the rise of Khalistani elements in India, as central agencies under him got involved in action against Khalistani preacher-turned-politician Amritpal Singh, led by the Punjab government. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Home Ministry is looking into incidents of attacks on Indian diplomats on foreign soil by Khalistani elements.

The smear campaign against HM Shah is a way for the Canadian government to woo Khalistani voters for the upcoming General Elections scheduled for October 2025. The Trudeau administration has been actively working to keep Khalistani elements on their side, and in doing so, they have completely ignored and wasted perfectly good diplomatic relations with India. Trudeau meddled in India’s affairs repeatedly, despite India’s strong objections, and continued to provide a safe haven for criminals wanted by India.

It is becoming clearer that the Indian diplomats stationed in Canada have been implicated in this fabricated scandal, which has further escalated tensions between the two nations. These accusations were built on the flimsiest of premises and revealed a strategy by Trudeau to pressure India diplomatically, attempting to use the global media to isolate Indian officials on the international stage. The complicity of WaPo in this narrative, by running with these claims without proper verification, has only deepened the rift between India and Canada.

WaPo’s fall from journalistic grace

It is particularly damning how WaPo journalists Greg Miller and Gerry Shih ran with these serious allegations against India, despite the complete absence of hard proof. The fact is, Trudeau’s own government is unclear on the allegations and has repeatedly failed to provide any concrete evidence to Indian officials to make the allegations sustainable.

The article by Miller and Shih cited anonymous Canadian officials to create an illusion of a well-researched investigation. However, in reality, it was nothing more than planted disinformation from Trudeau’s office. In a way, WaPo was “honey-trapped” by Trudeau into publishing the report. However, this does not mean WaPo is innocent. The media house has been running smear campaigns against India for a long time, and this “juicy” story was something they could not miss, despite knowing that it would put a blot on their already deteriorating reputation.

The actions of WaPo reveal a disturbing trend of Western media acting as a tool for political propaganda. WaPo deliberately framed the allegations as though they had obtained credible intelligence from sources on the ground, yet the information was little more than fabricated nonsense designed to serve a political agenda. The media outlet essentially ran a Canadian government operation disguised as independent journalism.

A smokescreen for Trudeau’s failures

The entire saga can be seen as a desperate attempt by Trudeau to boost his faltering image ahead of the Canadian elections. He targeted India, a rising global power, and cast blame for Nijjar’s murder on Indian officials. He might have hoped to distract people from his domestic failings.

Not to forget, Nijjar entered Canada using a false name and fake documents. When he was rejected for asylum, he married a Canadian woman to gain Permanent Residency but failed. Between 1997 and 2015, Nijjar continuously tried to obtain Canadian citizenship but failed because of his problematic past. However, Canada did not extradite or deport him.

Nijjar went to Pakistan, met Khalistani terrorists, ran camps to teach how to use guns, and supported Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in his so-called Referendum to get Khalistan carved out of India. Indian agencies even provided proof that he was linked to the Khalistani terrorist outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He was a “shining star” in the eyes of pro-Khalistani elements and thus became one in the eyes of Trudeau’s administration as well. Nijjar was on Canada’s no-fly list and later on the US’s no-fly list as well. All these pieces of evidence of his involvement in terrorist activities against India were not enough for Canada to extradite him.

On the contrary, Canada allowed a man with known criminal ties to operate so freely on its soil and later, after his death, used him to gain the confidence of Khalistani elements. For what? Just for some votes.

Rather than addressing critical issues such as Chinese interference in Canadian politics, Trudeau’s government seems intent on scapegoating India. This misdirection, aided by WaPo, reflects poorly on both the Canadian leadership and the media outlet, which has been complicit in pushing a false narrative.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang – A minor footnote in the scandal

While much attention was placed on India’s alleged involvement, the Canadian government also referenced the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as potential perpetrators of the assassination. However, the focus on this gang appears to be a weak attempt to add credibility to their otherwise baseless accusations against India. While the gang’s involvement remains highly doubtful, it is obvious that the primary goal was to target India diplomatically and deflect from Trudeau’s own failings.

Conclusion

This Trudeau-WaPo saga reveals how political motives can taint media integrity. The Washington Post is generally seen as a bastion of independent journalism. However, it has done no good to its image by publishing reports aimed at forming a narrative against a government, in this case, the Indian government. As India continues to demand credible evidence for its alleged involvement, Canada’s silence speaks volumes.

What should have been a serious diplomatic dialogue has instead devolved into a media circus, orchestrated by a failing Canadian leadership and an increasingly untrustworthy media outlet. Trudeau is facing a lot of pressure at home. He is trying to distract the public from domestic failures with wild allegations against India.

Meanwhile, media houses like WaPo are standing in line to have a cut in the fruit of such baseless, senseless, and false narratives. Scandals and conspiracies sell like hotcakes in today’s time, and WaPo has proved that it can go to any extent to make itself look “journalistically superior” in the eyes of the world.

Bangladesh interim govt to decide on removing the president amid protests over his comments on Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter: Read what is happening

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh interim govt to decide on removing the president amid protests over his comments on Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter: Read what is happening

After a few weeks of relative calmness in Bangladesh, protests by students have again erupted, this time against President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Hundreds of protestors attempted to break through security barriers in front of the Bangabhaban on Tuesday evening, in an apparent attempt to repeat the incidents of 5th August that forced PM Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. However, the protesters were chased away by police.

The new storm in Bangladesh is over the resignation letter of Sheikh Hasina, or rather, the apparent lack of it. This all started earlier this week when President Mohammed Shahabuddin said that he does not have the resignation letter of Sheikh Hasina. In an interview published on Sunday, the president said that while he had heard that Hasina has resigned, he does not have documentary proof for the same.

This contradicts his earlier statement that Sheikh Hasina has resigned, after which he had appointed the chief adviser and other advisers to run the interim govt. This U-turn over Hasina’s resignation letter has triggered protests against him, demanding his resignation. The interim govt has said that while no decision has been taken, the matter is under discussion. This means the govt may take steps to remove the president.

Sheikh Hasina had left the country on 5th August in a hurry, and she could not even record her planned speech farewell before departing. As the protestors were moving fast towards her residence, the army gave her just 45 minutes to pack up and leave the country to save her life.

In the interview the president said that on 5 August, there was a call from the prime minister’s office at 10:30 AM informing that Sheikh Hasina will visit the Bangabhaban to meet the president. But an hour later, there was another call came saying she wouldn’t come.

President Shahabuddin said that he was waiting for the PM, and he didn’t know what was happening. The president had heard that the PM had resigned, but he didn’t receive any letter. He said, “At one point, I heard she had left the country. She didn’t tell me anything. I just told you whatever is true. Anyway, when Army Chief General Waker came to the Bangabhaban, I tried to know if the prime minister resigned. He gave me the same answer: ‘I heard she resigned’.”

He said that he tried to collect the resignation letter but could not do. “May be she did not get time,” he said. “When things came under control, one day the cabinet secretary came to collect the copy of the resignation letter. I told him that I too am looking for it,” the president told Manab Zamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury. The interview was published on “Janatar Chokh”, the political magazine of Manab Zamin.

However, it was reported at that time that Hasina went to the president’s house and tendered her resignation, before leaving for India. After her departure, the president had announced that she had resigned. President Mohammed Shahabuddin said in his address to the nation, “You know that prime minister Sheikh Hasina has submitted her resignation letter to the president and I have accepted it.”

After this, the president had appointed the chief advisor and other advisors to run the executive functions of the government, as there is no provision to form an interim govt in the constitution of Bangladesh.

But now, the president is saying that he does not have the resignation letter, and there is no official document showing that Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post. However, he added that the fact is that the PM has left the country. He said, “There is no room for debate in this regard anymore. The prime minister has left and that is the truth.”

Sheikh Hasina is not in Bangladesh, and she is not expected to return anytime soon. Elections will be held after some months in which Awami League will not be allowed to contest. Therefore, whether the resignation letter exists or not does not matter. However, there is a legal issue associated which could question the legality of the Md Yuns led advisory body.

The presence of the resignation is important to prove the legitimacy of the caretaker govt. If there is no resignation letter, this means officially Sheikh Hasina still the prime minister of Bangladesh. This makes the caretaker govt illegitimate. “Sheikh Hasina did not resign from her prime Minister post and she is still alive. Therefore, Yunus govt is illegal,” tweeted Taslima Nasrin, Bangladeshi author living in India.

However, the president said that to be legally sure, he had taken the opinion of the Supreme Court before appointing the Chief Advisor. The Supreme Court on 8 August gave its opinion on the matter, saying that the president can appoint a chief adviser and other advisers of the interim government, to ensure smooth functioning of the executive.

Law adviser Asif Nazrul presented the court’s opinion in front of the media yesterday, in which the court stated that the prime minister had resigned and that the president had the power to appoint chief adviser and other advisers.

Therefore, the question is now less about the validity of the interim govt, and more about the president’s U-turn over the resignation letter. He is being asked to resign for creating confusion over the Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, which can enable some people to question the legitimacy of the interim govt.

Law advisor Asif Nazrul has already accused him of lying, saying that the president’s comments in this regard was akin to misconduct, and if he maintains this position, the government should reconsider his position. He said, “If you contradict something you have said in front of the whole nation, then that is akin to misconduct. Then the question arises if you have the mental capacity to serve as the president. These questions may arise … you have created the scope for that.”

Later in the day, the president’s office issued a statement urging everyone to refraining from creating a controversy over a settled issue.

The interim govt has not taken a decision on removing the president yet, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today. “We will inform you of any developments regarding the matter,”  the press secretary told the media.

On the other hand, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam said that the resignation of President Mohammed Sahabuddin is a political decision that will be made within a reasonable timeframe, based on public sentiment.

He said, “We formed the government on August 8 to ensure stability and security for the state. However, if the people feel that this setup needs to change, the government will certainly take that into consideration. The president’s resignation is not a legal issue but a political one.” However, he said that the decision will be made soon.

“We have received the message from the people that they no longer want this president. The government understands this, and a decision will be taken in due time,” he said.

Rani Chennamma of Kittur led a armed revolt against the British decades before 1857: Read about her valour and honour in face of abject oppression

Rukma Rathore
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Rani Chennamma of Kittur led a armed revolt against the British decades before 1857: Read about her valour and honour in face of abject oppression

India has long been home to bravehearts who have never even thought twice about giving their life to defend their great country. They made their names as valiant leaders and freedom fighters by putting up an unprecedented fight against the invaders and colonisers.

India under British rule suffered two centuries of trauma and exploitation at the hands of its white colonisers which led to widespread unrest and distress among the people. Their plight drove them to raise their voices against the persistent cruelty and injustice which fell on deaf ears. As the discrimination and brutality intensified, the spark of protests soon took the shape of large-scale revolutions like that of the rebellion of 1857 which was started by Mangal Pandey. The same shortly turned into a nationwide freedom struggle in the wake of outrageous British tyranny aimed at curbing the growing voices of independence by whatever means necessary. However, the Indians finally succeeded in uprooting the Britishers from their land.

Unbeknownst to most people, South India was the starting point for most uprisings against the British. Puli Thevar and Veerapandi Kattaboman, Palayakkarars (Poligars) of the mid and late eighteenth centuries in Madras Presidency, the Marudu Pandyan brothers who revolted between 1799 and 1801, the Vellore Sepoy mutiny of 1806 and the revolt of Pazassi Raja of Kottayam in Kerala (1792 to 1805), are few instances of the revolts that occurred before 1857.

The mutineers were all mercilessly put to death by being blown from cannons, beheaded or hanging, a glaring bloody hallmark of British rule. However, they declined to issue an apology or be reinstated under the Britishers, There was a lot of discontent in South India because the British were annexing land without cause and eliminating thriving local industries like agriculture, metallurgy, and textiles in order to replace them with the profitable export of local resources to the United Kingdom to support the British economy. Unsurprisingly, similar policies were enforced throughout India to damage indigenous industries and deplete its coffers while strengthening the British economy as well as pursuing its expansionist agenda. 

Who was Rani Chennamma

Today, 23rd October is the birth anniversary of the queen of Kittur, Rani Chennamma. She was one of those nationalist warriors who helmed a war against British forces in the early 19th century as she was aware of the nefarious objectives of the British administration when many were oblivious. She launched an armed revolt against them and became the first Indian ruler to do so. The two battles of Kittur (in Karnataka) in 1824 were among the first armed pushback against the evil designs of the British East India Company in South India and Rani Channamma, commanded them against the British agent in Dharwad during October and November of 1824. She is renowned for spearheading the uprising against British authority in India, despite being outnumbered which didn’t deter her. The brave queen was later arrested.

She was born in Kagati, a small village in the present-day district of Belagavi in 1778. She belonged to a Panchamasali Lingayat family and learned archery and horse riding at a very young age. She was married to Kittur’s King Mallasarja of the Desai family, who ruled over the region until 1816 after ascending the throne in 1782, at the age of 15. She was his second wife. According to legend, the two met during a tiger hunt. Shivalingarudra Sarja, Mallasarja’s eldest son, succeeded to the throne upon his death in 1816. However, his health began to deteriorate shortly which resulted in a massive challenge before the kingdom that needed an heir to survive.

Rani Chennamma’s palace at Kittur. (Source: Deccan Herald)

Chennamma too had lost her son in 1824 and didn’t have any other children which further complicated the situation. However, she adopted an heir Shivalingappa to rectify the problem. Nevertheless, the British East India Company rejected Shivalingappa as the kingdom’s heir using the “doctrine of lapse.” It alleged that if the monarch of a princely state or territory that was under the British East India Company’s paramountcy (direct influence) as a “vassal” under the British subsidiary system was “manifestly incompetent or died without a male heir,” the state or territory would be automatically annexed.

It is pertinent to remember that the same law was used by the Britishers to attack the kingdom of Jhansi and was meticulously utilised to extend the British Empire. The East India Company essentially deprived local rulers of their sovereignty when it conquered a number of princely territories under the Doctrine of Lapse, notably Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1849), Jhansi (1854), and Nagpur (1854).

The long-standing right of an Indian monarch without an heir to select a successor was rejected by this doctrine. Indians considered the doctrine to be invalid. Kingdoms that had no direct heir were taken away by this arbitrary policy. It was imposed by the British East India Company in 1824 to seize the princely state of Kittur, even before Lord Dalhousie, had officially articulated it. He was employed as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. It was most likely the first time the policy was imposed. In 1848, Lord Dalhousie simply formalized it by putting it in writing. The doctrine and Dalhousie’s annexations infuriated India’s reigning princes, which contributed to the mutiny of 1857.

The British used the principle of paramountcy and absolute power to order Rani Chennamma to banish the adoptive child Shivalingappa. However, the defiant queen disobeyed the directive. Rani Chennamma wrote to Bombay Presidency Lieutenant-Governor Lord Elphinstone to support Kittur’s cause, but her request was denied which led to a war. The British attempted but were unsuccessful, to seize Kittur’s gems and riches, which were worth about Rs. 1.5 million. It was attacked by a force of 20,797 men and 437 guns, primarily from the Madras Native Horse Artillery’s third troop.

British soldiers suffered severe losses in the first engagement in October 1824, which was overseen by a British agent and collector in Dharwad, St. John Thackery, claiming that any princely state without a natural heir would fall and be absorbed by the Company. According to historian Queeny Pradhan’s book Ranis and the Raj, Thackery gave the order for a company of infantrymen and two cannons of horse artillery to enter the fort. Rani Chennamma led the Kittur troops in a counterattack that resulted in heavy fire. Her bravery was rewarded with a victory as Thackeray was slain.

Chennamma’s lieutenant, Amatur Balappa was behind the casualties and Thackeray’s demise. Sir Walter Elliot and Stevenson, two British officers, were also captured and were only freed after the Britishers assured her that they would end the conflict as the unbridled violence had also troubled her. However, like all good things, this triumph didn’t last long. True to their nature, they had tricked her and again began a campaign to capture Kittur as they couldn’t handle their humiliating defeat, especially from a woman.

A view of the ruins of Kittur fort. (Source: Deccan Herald)

British Commissioner and Governor of Bombay Chaplin entered the dispute with additional troops. Munro, a sub-collector of Solapur and the nephew of Sir Thomas Munro was killed by her. The Kittur Fort was attacked and taken by the British on 3rd December 1824. Rani Chennamma battled heroically, but she was betrayed by some of her people. The traitors Mallappa Shetty and Venkata Rao combined gunpowder and cow dung and fired it from cannons. She was also outnumbered and eventually taken prisoner at Bailhongal Fort with her family.

The queen prayed for her release during her final years by reading sacred scriptures and doing poojas. She eventually lost all hope and was unable to stand the miserable circumstances any longer due to which her health steadily declined and he passed away on 21st February 1829 inside the fort. She is buried in Bailhongal taluk.

Rani Chennamma’s legacy lives on

Rani Chennamma’s life was ended soon, but her protests against the British gave the Kittur people the strength to resist persecution. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the nation will always remember Chennamma’s unparalleled strength and valour. Numerous Kannada Lavanis, or folk songs, honour Rani Chennamma as a guardian and defender. Her equestrian statue in the village of Kakati lies to the south of the Bengaluru-Pune national highway. Amatur Balappa, Sardar Gurusiddappa, Gajaveera Siddi, Avaradi Veerappa, Bichugatti Channabasappa and Sangoli Rayanna who were her close associates are also celebrated and their heroic tales are narrated in several Lavani songs.

Rani Chennamma’s statue at the Parliament. (President of India – Digital Library)

The Kittur Utsava, which takes place every year from 22nd and 24th October honors Chennamma’s maiden win and her legacy. Her samadhi is located in a government-maintained little park. India’s first female president, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, unveiled a statue of Rani Chennamma of Kittur at the Parliament complex in New Delhi on September 11, 2007. Vijay Gaur created the sculpture, which was donated by the Kittur Rani Chennamma Memorial Committee. Other statues of Rani Chennamma revere the many Karnataka cities, with her eyes glimmering with intense passion, a silver sword gleaming in her hands, and a horse carrying her with pride. Her unwavering courage and stories of indomitable spirit continue to reverberate throughout the state and nation as well as inspire many, today and always.

‘Will give a strong blow to anyone who looks at Muslims with ill intent’: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sparks a row with contentious remarks

Anurag
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‘Will give a strong blow to anyone who looks at Muslims with ill intent’: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sparks a row with contentious remarks

On Wednesday, 23rd October, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav lashed out at former Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s Hindu Swabhiman Yatra and Araria Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pradeep Kumar Singh over his statement. Yadav claimed that there has been an attempt to create divisions and riots between communities. He said, “The way Giriraj Singh is organising a Yatra and the absurd statement given by BJP’s Araria MP, there is an attempt to create a rift and riots between two communities.”

Sharing a video statement, he wrote on X, “Today, a BJP MP made an inflammatory statement to disrupt the atmosphere in Bihar, and on the very same day, Nitish Kumar Ji provided additional security to that MP. In this country’s soil lies the fragrance of everyone, and everyone has contributed to its freedom. I assure every individual that as long as I breathe, I will stand firm against anyone who tries to throw Bihar into the fire of communalism, and we will give a strong blow to anyone who looks at Muslims with ill intent.” (Hindi post on X by Yadav translated to English)

In the 7-minute long Facebook Live video, Yadav condemned the hateful language used by Singh during the Hindu Swabhiman Yatra in Araria, accusing him of attempting to provoke riots between Hindus and Muslims. He also slammed Nitish Kumar for providing security to individuals spreading hate, calling it a betrayal of Gandhi’s values. Yadav asserted that the Rashtriya Janata Dal has always fought against communal and feudal forces, vowing to continue this fight. He warned that if any communal violence occurs in Bihar, Nitish Kumar will be solely responsible. Emphasising unity, Yadav appealed to the people to focus on key issues such as education, healthcare, unemployment, and poverty, instead of communal hatred and called for building a peaceful and progressive Bihar. He added, “RJD has always been a party of social justice and secularism. We have always sacrificed whenever needed. We have always fought against communal and feudal forces and will keep doing so.”

But RJD leaders have often relied on mouthing off platitudes to defend their brazen minority appeasement aimed at rallying Muslim votaries behind the party. The effort to woo Muslims has intensified as RJD fears further losing stature in the INDI alliance, especially after the disastrous Lok Sabha elections, wherein Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party won only 5 seats, serving a body blow to the opposition alliance.

Since then, RJD has been courting different communities lest the political ground slips further, particularly in the wake of a new political party floated by election strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been challenging the party and its leaders in its stronghold and drawing huge crowds to his rallies.

Even so, this is not the first time that RJD has indulged in minority appeasement. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Lalu Prasad, the former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), sparked controversy by advocating for a “complete” reservation for Muslims. This stance triggered sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his former ally, the JD(U).

Addressing the media in Patna, Lalu Yadav accused the ruling BJP of aiming to abolish reservations by dismantling the Constitution. “Muslims should receive full reservation… They (BJP) aim to dismantle the Constitution and democratic fabric of our nation,” asserted the RJD leader, a lie that has been menacingly weaponised by the opposition to project the BJP was against the Constitution.

Another FIR on journalist Mahesh Langa held in GST fraud case, now booked for possession of confidential govt documents

OpIndia Staff
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Another FIR on journalist Mahesh Langa held in GST fraud case, now booked for possession of confidential govt documents

On Tuesday, October 22nd, Gujarat Police raided the Gujarat Maritime Board office in Gandhinagar following the arrest of Mahesh Langa, a Gujarat-based reporter for the English newspaper The Hindu, in connection with a GST scam. This raid has led to significant revelations leading to the increase of the legal pressure on Langa. A complaint has been registered against him at the Gandhinagar Sector 7 Police Station as the investigations in the given case continue.

The FIR has been classified as ‘sensitive,’ so specific details are unavailable despite attempts to obtain them. However, media reports suggest that Langa allegedly exploited his position as a journalist to acquire government documents, which he then shared with others. The investigation is focusing on identifying the recipients of these documents and how they were utilized. Authorities are also probing whether Langa received any financial benefits in return.

On Tuesday, more than five teams of Gandhinagar police conducted a search operation at the Maritime Board office, where they recovered documents indicating that Langa, along with certain officials, had leaked sensitive information related to a private port, the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). As a result, some officials may also face questioning. Additionally, police have reportedly retrieved chat records between Langa and the involved officials. A detailed investigation is expected to follow.

During the preliminary investigation, police discovered that Langa had obtained government documents from certain officials and shared them with opposition parties and industrialists. Notably, none of these documents were ever published in The Hindu. Based on this information, authorities conducted a search operation at the Gujarat Maritime Board office.

According to a report from Jagran, Langa, as a journalist, is accused of misusing documents related to Gujarat’s ports and policies, either by obtaining or stealing them. It is suspected that he may have used this information to fuel political or business rivalries. Several officers and employees are currently being questioned in connection with this case. Additionally, a new FIR has been lodged against Langa at the Gandhinagar Sector 7 Police Station.

Sector 7 Police Station’s PI Bharat Singh Gohil confirmed in an interview with OpIndia that the FIR has been registered. However, since the investigation is being handled by higher authorities, the local police do not have further information at this stage. The charges include violations under Sections 303(2), 306, 316(5), and 61(2) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), along with Sections 7(a), 8(1), and 12, 13(1) of the Bribery Detention Act. Initially, Langa is the only named accused, but further revelations are expected as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) arrested five more individuals on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation into a nationwide GST evasion racket involving a network of 220 shell companies, many of which are based in Gujarat. DCP Ajit Rajian identified the five arrested as Adil Kadar Khokhar, Kadar alias Navdi Rafiqbhai Khokhar, Akil Anubhai Pathan, Shahrukh Rafiqbhai Rangrej, and Sarfaraz Mustafa Chauhan, all residents of Bhavnagar.

With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in the case has risen to 13. The first individuals arrested in connection with the case were Mahesh Langa, Aijaz alias Maldar, Abdulkader alias Bapu, and Jyotish Magan Gondaliya. On October 13th, Faizal Munaf Shaikh, Irfan alias Padu Sattar Jethwa, Jignesh Himmatlal Desai, and Paresh Pradeep Dodiya were apprehended. After their police remand expired on October 18th, they were all transferred to judicial prison at Sabarmati Central Jail.

Mahesh Langa approached the Gujarat High Court about ten days ago, challenging his 10-day police remand, claiming it was politically motivated. However, at the plea hearing on October 14th, he withdrew the request.

Langa’s arrest came after 13 enterprises and their owners were charged with alleged input tax credit (ITC) fraud, according to a complaint filed by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence. The Crime Branch is now investigating the case. According to investigators, the GST fraud caused huge losses for the government, with the accused collecting and passing on false ITC via fake invoices. The FIR states that the scheme comprised over 220 shell firms formed using falsified documentation.

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