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“Iran will pay a price,” says Israel’s envoy to India, Reuven Azar, after Iran’s missile attack on Israel

ANI
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“Iran will pay a price,” says Israel’s envoy to India, Reuven Azar, after Iran’s missile attack on Israel

 Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said that the country successfully defended itself against a barrage of ballistic missiles launched by Iran on Tuesday, adding that Iran would face consequences of this attack.

“Our PM was very clear that Iran will pay a price. We have to think about it thoroughly–can we have a situation where rouge states like Iran attack with a barrage of ballistic missiles? If this goes unchecked, then consequences will be terrible for the region…If nobody is going to stop Iran, then it is our responsibility,” said the envoy.

While speaking to ANI, Ambassador Azar attributed Israel’s success in defending the rocket barrage to two key factors, Israel’s advanced air defence systems and its strong partnerships with the United States and neighbouring countries.

“We were pretty successful because of two reasons. First of all, we have probably the best air defence systems in the world and we have been able to thwart most of these missiles. We only left unattacked those who fell in open areas,” he said.

“And the second reason is that we have a very good partnership with the United States, for which we are very thankful, and with our neighbours that have been also helping us to thwart these ballistic missiles that are flying over their territory,” he added.

Further, Azar emphasised that the countries of the Middle East remain ‘determined’ to protect themselves and confront Iran’s blatant violation of international law.

“So we are determined, the countries of the Middle East, to do what we can defend ourselves from and to confront this flagrant violation of international law,” he said to ANI.

The comments come after Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at targets in Israel on October 1 in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week and following the July 31 assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Al Jazeera reported.

The salvo of 180 projectiles caused no casualties as most missiles were intercepted, according to Israeli army reports. Iran claimed it was targeting three military bases in the Tel Aviv area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately pledged to retaliate and said Iran “made a big mistake and will pay”, as the US rallied behind its close ally, as per Al Jazeera.

“Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel,” President Joe Biden said at the White House, adding that he was discussing a response to the attack.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many nations condemning Iran’s actions.

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

Vivek Agnihotri, the man who came up with ‘The Kashmir Files’, set to release first chapter of his ‘The Delhi Files’ on August 15, 2025

OpIndia Staff
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Vivek Agnihotri, the man who came up with ‘The Kashmir Files’, set to release first chapter of his ‘The Delhi Files’ on August 15, 2025

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, the man who came up with the landmark film ‘The Kashmir Files’ will soon be back with another iconic film, ‘The Delhi Files’. However, this time, Agnihotri has decided to release this film in two parts. The first part of the film will release on August 15, 2025.

Sharing the news, Vivek Agnihotri said, “After years of research, the story of #TheDelhiFiles is too powerful for one part. We’re excited to bring you The Bengal Chapter – the first of two parts, unveiling a significant chapter in our history.”

Vivek Agnihotri has been known for directing landmark films like ‘The Tashkent Files’, ‘The Kashmir Files’ ,and ‘The Vaccine War’ in the past. Now he is set to hit the silver screen with ‘The Delhi Files’.

The poster of the film released on October 3 by Vivek Agnihotri featured a silhouette of a child raising its hand towards the national emblem shown in the background.

Vinesh Phogat and her endless tantrums: The retired wrestler and current Congress leader has been falsely blaming BJP for her Olympics disqualification

Shraddha Pandey
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Vinesh Phogat and her endless tantrums: The retired wrestler and current Congress leader has been falsely blaming BJP for her Olympics disqualification

Ever since retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress party ahead of the upcoming elections in Haryana, where she is a candidate, she has been on a lying spree. Phogat has been inadvertently exposing her own lies.

Recently, Vinesh Phogat, who has since joined Congress and is a candidate from Julana assembly, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called her after her disqualification from Paris Olympics, however, she refused to speak to him.

“The call had come (from PM) but I refused to speak. The call did not come directly to me but Indian officials who were there informed me that he (PM Modi) wanted to talk. I was ready. However, they put conditions – no one from my team would be present, while two people from their side would record the conversation for social media. I didn’t want my emotions and hard work to be made fun of on social media. “If he truly cared about athletes, he could have called without recording it, and I would have been grateful. Maybe he knows if I speak to Vinesh she will ask about the last two years. Maybe that’s why I was instructed that there will be no phone from my side because they can edit (video) from their end but I will not edit. I will post the original video. So they denied,” Phogat said.

Interestingly, Phogat’s statement came just days after she claimed that none of the BJP leaders had called her after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics earlier this year. “Not a single BJP leader called me. Nor did they message me. Didn’t they had my phone number, or did they not know me, they could have broken the narrative…” Phogat said.

On the one hand, Vinesh Phogat claims none of the BJP leaders called her, on the other hand, she claims PM Modi called her but she refused to talk. The last time we checked, Narendra Modi is still a BJP leader.

In an interview, Vinesh Phogat claimed that the government did not support her much and then suggested that the Modi government spent Rs 75 lakh on her training and other relevant expenses in the last 2-3 years. While insinuating that the government did not fully support her, the Congress leader ended up saying that whatever the government did was their duty and not a favour.

“I’d like to ask what facilities did they actually provide me? Who gave me a coach? The government didn’t even provide me with a coach. All of it came from private sponsors like Olympic Gold Quest. They provided the coach, the physio, and handled all the finances. The government is lying,” Phogat claimed.

She also launched a tirade against Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha and alleged that she and other staff members came to visit only to click pictures and did not provide her any support. Phogat claimed to have been in a ‘semi-conscious’ state when her pictures with PT Usha were clicked at the hospital. However, it could be clearly seen in the image that the Vinesh Phogat was very much in a conscious state.  

PT Usha visited a hospitalised Vinesh Phogat in Paris (Source: PTI)

“I don’t know what support I got there. PT Usha madam visited me at the hospital. One photo was clicked… Like you said, in politics a lot happens behind closed doors. Similarly, politics happened there (in Paris) as well. That’s why I was heartbroken. Otherwise a lot of people are saying ‘don’t leave wrestling’. For what should I continue! There is politics everywhere,” Phogat claimed.

While Vinesh Phogat claimed she did not receive any real support from PT Usha and the government, it was documented how the IOA chief and the rest of the staff constantly assisted Phogat in going all out to reduce Phogat’s weight to take up the matter with Olympics authorities. The Modi government also immediately appointed top lawyer Harish Salve to take up her case.

In addition, Phogat was provided 40 days of training in Budapest, private coaching, and a dietician of her choice among other facilities. While it is true that the government does not do a favour to athletes by providing them with all the required assistance, however, it is highly disgraceful to discredit a government doing its duty, simply because Vinesh Phogat lost the medal due to her own failure to control weight or that she intended to join the Congress party.

Contrary to the claims made by Vinesh Phogat, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya had informed the Lok Sabha that Vinesh Phogat was provided with all requisite assistance and training for the Paris Olympics.

“The Indian government has provided all necessary assistance to Vinesh Phogat. Personal staff, including notable Hungarian coach Woller Akos and physio Ashwini Jiwan Patil, were assigned to her,” Mandaviya said.

Moreover, he highlighted the financial aid provided to Phogat, and said: “Financial assistance for other personal staff, including sparring partners and strength and conditioning experts, was provided. She received a total of Rs 70,45,775 in financial assistance for the Paris Olympics.”

Notably, Minister Mandaviya’s revelation on assistance provided to Vinesh Phogat was shared as the opposition parties turned Phogat’s Olympic disqualification into a political issue. OpIndia reported earlier, how not only Congress leaders, but its supportive ecosystem on social media blamed PM Modi for Phogat’s disqualification. Even as Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on technical grounds, and the government had no role to play in this, the Congress-friendly ecosystem asserted that somehow PM Modi conspired to ensure Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification due to his ego since Phogat had participated in protests against a BJP leader and former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.   

From “I don’t know politics” to “I was always politically aware”, Vinesh Phogat, the Congress leader

Among the many flip-flops Vinesh Phogat has made recently, the most hilarious remains the one wherein she first claimed to have zero knowledge of politics, and just days later joined Congress party to contest from Julana, in Haryana elections, only to reveal that she was always politically aware.

Even after Vinesh’s empty-handed return from yet another Olympics due to Vinesh Phogat’s own failure to achieve the required 50kg weight, the BJP government in Haryana decided to felicitate Phogat like a silver medalist and offered her Rs 4 crore.

Although it is not new or shocking that political leaders heap praises on their party’ command’s orders, Vinesh Phogat went a step ahead and said that it was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who encouraged her to wrestle again. It is amusing that Phogat has suddenly accredited all her achievements to the Congress party and Priyanka Gandhi while portraying the BJP as the cause of all her miseries.

However, it was the Modi government that gave her the Arjuna Award in 2016 and Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2020. From training, staff, and financial support to awards and recognition, Vinesh Phogat received it all when BJP was at the helm of power in Centre, and in her home state Haryana, and yet she has the audacity to blatantly lie and disparage the Modi government for petty political gains.  

Notably, Vinesh Phogat had requested, and was allowed to keep her private support team, including coach, physio, dietitian, and she was not under the supervision of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).  

Vinesh Phogat’s Olympics disqualification and the politics around it

Vinesh Phogat originally contested in the 53 kg category. However, during the time, she was off the mat for more than one-and-a-half years due to injuries and the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Antim Panghal secured an  Olympic quota for India in the 53kg category. Phogat then decided to switch to the lighter weight – 50 kg category – to ensure her place in the Olympics.

Despite it being against the rules, she was allowed to contest in qualifiers in both the 50 kg and 53 kg categories. She lost the qualifying match in the 53 kg category but won in 50kg. Therefore, she had to keep her weight in limit for the 50kg because she qualified for the 50 kg category in the Paris Olympics. However, she was struggling to maintain her weight below the allowed limit for several months.

Vinesh Phogat’s weight was around 2.7 kg higher than the limit a day before the finals, and despite various efforts, including cutting hair, shortening clothes, and sitting in the sauna, the weight could not be brought within Olympics requirements. Therefore, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on technical grounds, and the govt had no role to play in this. However, Vinesh Phogat and the Congress party have made her Olympic disqualification as the core issue in Haryana elections.

Supreme Court stays Madras High Court’s order against Isha Foundation, slams police action

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court stays Madras High Court’s order against Isha Foundation, slams police action

The Supreme Court, on 3rd October, Thursday, stayed the High Court order against Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation. “We are staying the direction of the High Court at the same time we will exercise parens patrie jurisdiction,” pronounced the bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, sought to inquire about the details from two women whose father had moved the high court alleging illegal confinement at the Isha Foundation. 

“We will ask the secretary of the DLSA to visit the ashram, talk to the women, as well as other monks, and submit a report. Since this is a habeas corpus petition, we would like to hear both monks in the chamber and come back in 5 minutes,” the court stated and added, “We would like to interact with you (monk) in chambers online.”

The court also slammed the police action and declared, “The first thing is that you cannot let the army or police in the establishment like this. What we will do is ask a judicial officer to visit the premises and talk to these two inmates.” Notably, Sadhguru had approached the apex court after a team of 150 police personnel, including three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), led by an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Coimbatore, stormed the Isha Foundation’s ashram in Thondamuthur.

The development transpired after the Madras High Court requested a report on all criminal cases against the foundation. The court issued orders to present a list of cases during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr S Kamraj, who alleged that his daughters, Latha and Geetha, were being held captive at the ashram. Furthermore, he alleged that they were being brainwashed into becoming monks at the Isha Foundation centre.

Hathras stampede: UP police files 3,200-page chargesheet, self-styled godman Bhole Baba not named in charge sheet against 11 accused

OpIndia Staff
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Hathras stampede: UP police files 3,200-page chargesheet, self-styled godman Bhole Baba not named in charge sheet against 11 accused

On 2nd October, a 3,200-page charge sheet was filed by the authorities in connection with the 2nd July stampede that occurred at the Narayan Sakar Hari “Bhole Baba” congregation in Phulrai hamlet of Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras. The majority of the 121 fatalities were women and children. The police have charged 11 individuals, including two women sevadars (volunteers). However, Surajpal Singh, the self-styled ‘godman’ popularly known as Bhole Baba was not listed as an accused.

The primary organiser of the event, Dev Prakash Madhukar, Megh Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Manju Devi, Manju Yadav, Ram Ladhete, Upendra Singh, Sanju Kumar, Ram Prakash Shakya, Durvesh Kumar, and Dalveer Singh are the people against whom the charge sheet has been filed. These names were also mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR).

According to the charge sheet, “Mukhya Sewadar” Madhukar is the primary accused. The night following the event, he was named the prime culprit in the complaint filed at the Sikandra Rau police station in the Hathras district. Furthermore, he was charged with deceiving the authorities by obtaining authorization for an 80,000-person gathering of devotees when in fact over 2.5 lakh people attended the religious assembly in Phulrai village.

Ashok Kumar Singh, additional superintendent of police, announced that the court had received the charge sheet against the eleven defendants. The state government established a judicial panel and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on 3rd July to look into the incident. Eleven people, including those in charge of obtaining the event’s permits, were charged by the SIT. Manju Devi and Manju Yadav, two of the accused, received bail after Allahabad High Court’s orders.

On 4th October, the next date of the case’s hearing, the accused will receive copies of the charge sheet that was submitted to the Hathras Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court. “Out of the 11 named and arrested in the case, two of the women accused, Manju Devi and Manju Yadav, have obtained interim bail from the Allahabad high court but only one is out of jail as, in the case of Manju Yadav, bail bonds are to be submitted,” stated AP Singh, a Delhi-based lawyer who is representing the accused.

He added, “The SIT probing the case has filed the charge sheet. A separate judicial inquiry into the matter is ongoing.” Ten accused were brought before the court on 2nd October.

The Hathras police have refuted claims that they were “soft” on Bhole Baba and stated that their probe is underway. ASP Ashok Kumar Singh was questioned about whether Hathras police had given Bhole Baba the clean sheet and he replied, “Investigation is an ongoing process and is on in this case too. It is too early to jump to any conclusion based on the charge sheet filed now.”

The FIR in the case was registered under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by the public servant) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The stampede happened at a satsang (religious gathering) presided over by Bhole Baba, a resident of Patiyali tehsil in the Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh’s Bahadur Nagar hamlet.

Bhole Baba showed up in Bahadur Nagar village on 17th  July, fifteen days after the stampede and declared, “Honi ko kaun taal sakta hai, jo aaya hai, use ek din jana hai (No one can prevent the turn of fate, one who has taken birth, has to die one day).” He placed the blame on a “conspiracy” and “a poisonous spray” in an attempt to escape accountability. His attorney AP Singh also alleged the instance happened when “some poisonous substance” was sprayed by 15-16 “unidentified men” who left the scene when people started to drop dead.

On 9th July, a week after the stampede, the SIT handed its report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. Six officials were suspended in the first action, including the SDM, the tehsildar, the circle officer, and the in-charge of the Sikandra Rau police station. The possibility of a “big conspiracy” causing the stampede was not ruled out by the SIT which also referred to the political ties of Bhole Baba. The Hathras stampede case is also being investigated by a different judicial commission led by retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava.

As per reports, the stampede happened when ‘devotees’ rushed to collect the ‘charan dhool’ of Bhole Baba. Many slipped in the mud and eventually a large number of people started falling on one another.

How the govt is cracking down on dubious foreign funded NGOs like Oxfam and CPR running ‘sinister campaigns’ under the guise of charitable activities

Jhankar Mohta
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How the govt is cracking down on dubious foreign funded NGOs like Oxfam and CPR running ‘sinister campaigns’ under the guise of charitable activities

The Income Tax Department in India has conducted a significant crackdown on several NGOs, including Oxfam India, Centre for Policy Research (CPR)- the Delhi-based think tank run by the daughter of Mani Shankar Aiyar, Environics Trust (ET), the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE), and Care India Solution for Sustainable Development (CISSD). The FCRA licences of these NGOs were subsequently suspended by the Central government.

The Income Tax Department’s probe into these NGOs came after searches conducted on September 7, 2022. These searches were part of a larger investigation into the financial practices, foreign funding, and compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) by these organizations.

The IT Department’s raids focused on uncovering discrepancies in the financial dealings of these NGOs, particularly concerning the utilization of foreign donations. The government has been scrutinizing such organizations amid concerns over their financial transparency and potential misuse of funds. The searches reportedly yielded documents and evidence suggesting violations of tax laws and FCRA regulations.

Following the searches conducted by the Income Tax Department, it was concluded that NGOs, including Oxfam, CPR, Environics Trust, LIFE, and CISSD, had allegedly violated provisions of the 2010 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The violations were primarily related to discrepancies or a “mismatch” between the NGOs’ annual returns and the statements of their foreign currency bank accounts. Additionally, the NGOs were accused of the “misutilisation” of foreign currency funds, implying that the funds were not used for their intended purposes as stipulated under the FCRA.

According to a report by The Indian Express, in 2023, a year after the raids were conducted, the Income Tax Department issued notices to Oxfam, CPR, Environics Trust, LIFE, and CISSD, under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act. This section allows authorities to reassess the income of entities suspected of evading taxes.

In its letters to these NGOs, which ran in 100s of pages, the department included copies of various agreements, financial statements, emails, minutes and draft notes of board meetings, to substantiate the key allegations levelled against these NGOs.

The letter read that these NGOs receive significant funding from foreign entities. It said that evidence had surfaced showing a coordinated effort by foreign entities to financially support Indian NGOs and trusts. The IT Dept also blew the lid off how the involvement of these NGOs in orchestrating paid protests to stall key public infrastructure and development projects in India’s national interest.

The activities of these trusts “appear to be a systematic effort by foreign entities to stall development projects in India”, the Income Tax department said.

According to the data made public by the Income Tax Department, from 2015 to 2021, NGOs such as Care India, Environics Trust, LIFE, and Oxfam received a significant portion of their funding from foreign sources. Care India allegedly obtained 92% of its funding from abroad, Environics Trust received 95%, LIFE 86%, and Oxfam 78%. Notably, Environics Trust reportedly received 100% of its funding from foreign entities for three out of these six years.

The Income Tax Department also highlighted that these five NGOs are “interconnected” and that their key figures are “interlinked.” The letters sent to four of the five NGOs — Oxfam, Environics Trust, LIFE, and Care India — contained a common section titled “Concerted efforts by connected NGOs,” implying coordinated actions among these organizations. The department’s investigation suggested that these NGOs might have collaborated, raising further concerns about their operations and foreign funding sources.

‘Should work for the benefit of the public as a whole and not the benefit of any particular religious community or caste (the Muslim community)’: IT letter to Oxfam India accuses the NGO of running a ‘sinister campaign’ under the guise of charitable activities

In its 141-page letter to Oxfam India, the Income Tax (I-T) department said that the NGO engaged in activities that deviated from its stated charitable objectives. The letter highlighted Oxfam India’s alleged involvement in supporting Oxfam Australia’s efforts to halt mining operations by the Adani Group.

Citing emails and data from hard drives, the I-T department stated that Oxfam India had a direct interest in “delisting Adani Ports” and described it as part of a “sinister plan” under the guise of charitable activities to target an Indian business group in Australia.

The letter also pointed to Oxfam’s financial involvement in movements like the Van Swaraj Andolan in Raipur in 2019 and its sub-grants to organisations such as Josh (for social health) and Aman Biradari Trust.

It alleged that after the cancellation of its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence, Oxfam sought “puppet NGOs” with valid permissions to redirect funds for its causes. Furthermore, the I-T department said that Oxfam India had a “political agenda” and accused the NGO of focusing its efforts on benefiting a particular religious community, specifically the Muslim community, rather than serving the public as a whole.

Notably, Oxfam India has a tendency to work against the central government. On the international platform, Oxfam International is one of the front runners that has worked against the Adani Group in countries like Australia, where the company is investing in coal mines.

It may be recalled that last year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had recommended a CBI probe against Oxfam India over alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. According to reports, a source in the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “Oxfam India continued to transfer Foreign Contributions to various entities even after coming into force of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which prohibits such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020. Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.”

“Oxfam India received foreign contribution amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) directly into its FC utilization account instead of receiving foreign contribution in designated FCRA account,” added the sources.

Oxfam India was registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (FCRA, 2010) for undertaking social activities and its registration certificate was valid up to December 31, 2021. The organisation’s FCRA license ceased on January 1, 2022, after it failed to apply for renewal.

In January last year, Oxfam India published a dubious report on how taxpayers are divided among income sections. OpIndia’s report on it can be read here.

IT letter says controversial think tank Centre for Policy Research received foreign funds of Rs 10.19 crore since 2016 

The 115-page letter from the Income Tax (I-T) department outlined several discrepancies related to fund collection and the management of foreign donations by the controversial Delhi-based think tank- Centre for Policy Research (CPR). It alleged that CPR was significantly involved in the Hasdeo movement against coal mining in Chhattisgarh, particularly through its association with the Jana Abhivyakti Samajik Vikas Sanstha (JASVS). According to the I-T department, a staggering 83% of the funds received by JASVS between 2019 and 2023 were sourced from CPR.

The letter further revealed that CPR received foreign funds amounting to Rs 10.19 crore since 2016 specifically for its Namati Environmental Justice Programme, which aims to file “litigation and complaints.” The I-T department characterised CPR as the sole associate of the US-based Namati Inc. in India, claiming that the programme’s ultimate objective is to pursue legal actions rather than conduct specified research or educational activities.

This raised concerns about the true intentions behind the funding and activities of CPR, suggesting a shift away from traditional non-profit objectives, prioritising litigation over community welfare.

For the uninitiated, a report by The Economic Times stated that during the period of October 2022-December 2022, CPR received funds amounting to Rs 10.1 crore from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, the World Resources Institute and Duke University.

The think tank is headed by Yamini Aiyar, the daughter of controversial Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

IT Dept accuses NGO LIFE of being utilized as a tool by the US-based NGO Earth Justice to impede coal mining and thermal power projects in India

The revelations contained within the Income Tax Department’s 86-page letter concerning the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) Trust raised significant concerns about the organisation’s potential complicity in foreign agendas aimed at obstructing key developmental projects in India.

The letter alleged that LIFE is being utilized as a tool by the US-based NGO Earth Justice to impede coal mining and thermal power projects, casting doubt on the true motives behind its environmental advocacy.

According to the IT Department, communications between LIFE founder Ritwick Dutta and an Earth Justice official indicate that the organisation is aware of its questionable practices and the risks associated with them. Notably, an email purportedly authored by Dutta expresses apprehension about scrutiny from Indian intelligence agencies, highlighting a consciousness of potential legal repercussions tied to their actions. This acknowledgement suggests a troubling awareness of operating on the fringes of legality, as Dutta had previously run a proprietorship that received substantial funding from Earth Justice, amounting to approximately Rs 22 crore over five years.

Environics Trust got 100 per cent of its funds through foreign donations during three financial years — 2016-17, 2019-20 and 2020-21

Similarly, the IT department sent a 104-page letter to Environics Trust in which it outlined some serious allegations against the NGO regarding its funding activities and involvement in anti-corporate protests.

The letter stated that ET provided financial support for protests against the JSW Utkal Steel Plant in Odisha’s Dhinkia, with Rs 1,250 being transferred to the accounts of 711 local residents in 2020. This assertion suggested a coordinated effort to financially incentivise local opposition against significant industrial projects.

Furthermore, the letter alleged that ET colluded with the London-based Survival International to incite protests against Adani’s Godda Plant in Jharkhand, thereby aiming to bolster the anti-Adani movement.

It characterised these actions as a misuse of funds intended for community development, accusing the organization of deliberately stalling developmental projects in India.

Additionally, the letter pointed to ET’s involvement in protests against LG’s polymer chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, specifically following a gas leak incident in 2020. It alleged that an ET employee instigated various groups associated with the Trust to participate in the protests against LG, thereby exacerbating tensions surrounding environmental safety.

The I-T department further asserted that the European Climate Foundation (ECF), in collaboration with Environics Trust, is actively targeting coal and thermal power plants in India. It suggested that ECF is supplying funds with the intent to incite mobilisation and protests against major corporations, including government entities.

The Income Tax (I-T) Department’s investigations into Environics Trust (ET) reveal alarming insights into how the organisation has functioned as a conduit for foreign influence, primarily targeting India’s energy sector and obstructing the nation’s developmental agenda.

The allegations suggest that ET, through its funding and activities, has aligned itself with foreign entities, particularly the European Climate Foundation (ECF), to mobilise protests against significant industrial projects, including coal and thermal power plants. This raises critical questions about the accountability and objectives of such non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within the broader context of national interests.

How these NGOs worked in cahoots to jeopardize India’s economic development

Here it is worth mentioning that the IT department had in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court also confirmed that in the case of Environics Trust, survey action was carried out along with some other trusts like the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Oxfam India, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) and Care India Solution for Sustainable Development (CISSD) and it was seen that these organisations have close relations with each other.

Moreover, their main persons are interlinked and these NGOs are directly or indirectly involved in agitation or litigation beyond their objects, the department said.

The Income Tax (I-T) Department’s findings suggest a concerning nexus between the Environics Trust (ET) and the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE), both of which are accused of leveraging foreign funds to undermine India’s economic development.

According to the I-T Department, Ritwick Dutta, who leads LIFE, has been instrumental in representing ET in various legal challenges against the Union Government, ostensibly under the guise of environmental protection. However, the department alleged that these legal manoeuvres have primarily served to obstruct critical economic projects, particularly in the coal sector, rather than promote genuine environmental interests.

The department also said that both organizations are part of a broader strategy to impede coal projects in India, effectively stalling initiatives that are vital for the country’s energy needs and economic growth.

The findings from the Income Tax (I-T) Department further indicated a troubling relationship between Oxfam India and the Environics Trust (ET).

The department identified Oxfam India as a “key donor” that has funded ET specifically to mobilise local communities against coal industries, including support for protests like those in Dhinkia. The IT probe cited various banking transactions as evidence of this continuous financial support, concluding that ET functions effectively as a tool for Oxfam’s agitation-oriented activities.

Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a broader pattern of collaboration among various NGOs, including LIFE, Earth Justice, and Greenpeace, suggesting a coordinated effort to influence policy and mobilise public sentiment against developmental projects in India.

Such interconnectedness raises concerns about the potential for these NGOs to disrupt the country’s progress under the guise of environmental activism. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes increasingly important to scrutinize the motivations and activities of these organizations to ensure that their actions genuinely reflect the interests of the communities they claim to serve and that they adhere to the legal and ethical standards expected of NGOs in India.

150 terror infrastructures destroyed in southern Lebanon, command centres of Hezbollah targeted, says IDF

ANI
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150 terror infrastructures destroyed in southern Lebanon, command centres of Hezbollah targeted, says IDF

Israel said it has destroyed more than 150 terror infrastructures through airstrikes in Lebanon, including command centres of Hezbollah.

The Israeli Air Force said it used precision munitions and engaged in close-range encounters, to neutralise terrorists and destroy terror infrastructure.

“Commando forces, paratroopers, and armoured units, along with aircraft and fighter jets from the Air Force, continue focused operations in several areas of southern Lebanon. Using precision munitions and engaging in close-range encounters, terrorists have been neutralised, and terror infrastructure has been destroyed, the Israeli Air Force stated in a post on X.

“So far, over 150 terror infrastructures have been destroyed in airstrikes, including command centres of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, weapons storage facilities, and rocket launch positions,” they said.

This comes at a time when the situation in West Asia escalated following Iran’s launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards targets in Israel.US Naval destroyers joined Israeli air defence units in firing interceptors to shoot down inbound missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran’s missile attack on his country as a “big mistake” and said “Tehran would pay for it.”

A day after Iran targeted Israel with a rocket barrage, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) called on Lebanese civilians in two dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately.

“Hezbollah’s activity forces the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you. For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, their facilities or their weapons, puts themselves at risk,” Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, said in a statement on X.

The Israeli military said it will update the civilians when they can return. On Tuesday, the Israeli military issued similar orders to 28 other villages in southern Lebanon.


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

Samantha Ruth Prabhu clarifies her divorce from Naga Chaitanya was mutual and amicable, asks Congress leader Konda Surekha to keep her out of politics

ANI
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Samantha Ruth Prabhu clarifies her divorce from Naga Chaitanya was mutual and amicable, asks Congress leader Konda Surekha to keep her out of politics

Samantha Ruth Prabhu reacted to Telangana Minister Konda Surekha’s remark linking Bharat Rashtra Samiti chief KT Rama Rao to the separation of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha, and said that her divorce was a “personal matter.”

Samantha took to her Instagram story to issue a statement on Wednesday evening. She clarified that her divorce was “mutual consent and amicable” and there was no political conspiracy involved. Samantha also requested people to stop speculating about her divorce.

“To be a woman, to come out and work, to survive in a glamorous industry where women are more often than not treated as props, to fall in love & to fall out of love, to still stand up and fight… It takes a lot of courage and strength,” the statement read.

“My divorce is a personal matter, and I request that you refrain from speculating about it. Our choice to keep things private doesn’t invite misrepresentation. To clarify: my divorce was mutual consent and amicable, with no political conspiracy involved. Could you please keep my name out of political battles? I have always remained non-political and wish to continue doing so,” Samantha added.

This came after Congress leader, K Surekha linked KTR to the separation of Samantha and Naga Chaitanya, and alleged that KTR used to tap the phones of the actresses and blackmail them.

Speaking to the media, Surekha said, “It is KT Rama Rao because of whom (actress) Samantha’s divorce happened…He was a minister at that time and used to tap the phones of the actresses and then find their weaknesses to blackmail them…He used to make them drug addicts and then do this…Everyone knows this, Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, his family, everybody is aware that such a thing happened.”

Surekha’s remarks sparked massive controversy, with several BRS leaders as well as superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni condemning the remarks.

Nagarjuna said that Surekha should not use the lives of movie stars to criticise her opponents, and urged her to respect the privacy of others.

“I strongly condemn the comments of the Minister, Konda Surekha. Don’t use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticize your opponents. Please respect other people’s privacy. As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately,” Nagarjuna said in a post on X.

Nagarjuna’s son, Naga Chaitanya, was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They announced their separation on social media in a joint statement in October 2021.

They urged fans and media for privacy and support during these difficult times. Samantha and Chaitanya maintained that they will always ‘hold a special bond’ between them.

Meanwhile, BRS leader Harish Rao also took to X and demanded an apology from the minister.

“I condemn the derogatory statements made by Minister Konda Surekha Garu and demand an unconditional apology,” Rao said.

BRS MLC and former Minister Satyavathi Rathod condemned the comments of Minister Konda Surekha on KTR.

She said, “We condemn the comments of Minister Konda Surekha on KTR. Sadly, she talks in a way that affects and saddens the families of all the actresses in the cinema industry. This is not right. We warn that they should let go of the habit of defaming others when their graph falls. We will file a defamation case on this. Being a women minister, they should support and stand with women instead of making this kind of comment.”

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

Nagarjuna slams Telangana Congress Minister Konda Surekha for linking Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce to BRS Chief KT Rama Rao

ANI
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Nagarjuna slams Telangana Congress Minister Konda Surekha for linking Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce to BRS Chief KT Rama Rao

Telangana Minister Konda Surekha, sparked a major controversy after she linked actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce to Bharat Rashtra Samiti Chief KT Rama Rao, with superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni as well as other BRS leaders coming out strongly in condemnation of her remarks

The Congress leader on Wednesday, alleged that KTR used to tap the phones of the actresses and blackmail them.

Speaking to media, Surekha said, “It is KT Rama Rao because of whom (actress) Samantha’s divorce happened…He was a minister at that time and used to tap the phones of the actresses and then find their weaknesses to blackmail them…He used to make them drug addicts and then do this…Everyone knows this, Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, his family, everybody is aware that such a thing happened.”

Superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni condemned Surekha’s remarks, saying that she should not use the lives of movie stars to criticise her opponents, and urged her to respect the privacy of others.

“I strongly condemn the comments of the Minister, Konda Surekha. Don’t use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticize your opponents. Please respect other people’s privacy. As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately,” Nagarjuna said in a post on X.

Nagarjuna’s son, Naga Chaitanya, was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They announced their separation on social media in a joint statement in October 2021.

They urged fans and media for privacy and support during these difficult times. Samantha and Chaitanya maintained that they will always ‘hold a special bond’ between them.

Meanwhile, BRS leader Harish Rao also took to X and demanded an apology from the minister.

“I condemn the derogatory statements made by Minister Konda Surekha Garu and demand an unconditional apology,” Rao said.

BRS MLC and former Minister Satyavathi Rathod condemned the comments of Minister Konda Surekha on KTR.

She said, “We condemn the comments of Minister Konda Surekha on KTR. Sadly, she talks in a way that affects and saddens the families of all the actresses in the cinema industry. This is not right. We warn that they should let go of the habit of defaming others when their graph falls. We will file a defamation case on this. Being a women minister, they should support and stand with women instead of making this kind of comment.”

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

Laddu Row: Andhra Pradesh deputy CM Pawan Kalyan concludes 11-day-long Prayashchit Deeksha at Tirumala

OpIndia Staff
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Laddu Row: Andhra Pradesh deputy CM Pawan Kalyan concludes 11-day-long Prayashchit Deeksha at Tirumala

Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan completed his Prpayashchit Deeksha in Tirumala today. Having recently arrived at Tirumala, he stopped by the Srivara temple during the VIP break before formally retiring from the Prayaschitta Diksha, a type of atonement he has been observing since the Tirumala Laddu controversy erupted.

Pawan Kalyan started this atonement initiation on the 22nd of September citing complaints about the purported use of contaminated ghee in the manufacturing of Srivari Laddu. Pawan Kalyan’s commitment to the cause included an 11-day atonement period following allegations that pig fat and other outrageous elements had been used to make the  Tirupati temple prasadam.

Kalyan arrived on foot through the Alipiri staircase on Tuesday night and climbed the 3,550 stairs while chanting Lord Govinda’s name. Following his “Prayashchit”, Pawan Kalyan will stay in Tirumala today and will attend the Tirupati Varahi Sabha on Thursday.

After the darshan, the Jana Sena supremo visited the Anna Prasadam complex and had meals with devotees. He spoke with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) authorities.

Taking to X, TTD informed about the Deputy CM’s visit and said: “Honorable Deputy CM Sri K. Pawan Kalyan offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala. He received Vedaseervachanam from the Veda Parayanamdars and Theertha Prasadam from the TTD Additional EO. Later, he partook in Annaprasadam at the Matrushri Tharigonda Vengamamba Annadana Bhavan.”

Meanwhile, the Jana Sena Party said: “The Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Kalyan, who undertook the initiation for the preservation of Sanatana Dharma, visited Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy on Wednesday and ended the initiation. As part of his 11-day-long initiation, it is known that he took the responsibility of protecting Sanatana Dharma in the background of some recent developments. Sri Pawan Kalyan, who reached Tirumala by stairs from Alipiri on Tuesday night, entered the temple through the Mahadwara along with his two daughters Adya Konidela and Palina Anjani Konidela during the VIP break darshan on Wednesday morning and visited the Lord. Shri Pawan Kalyan, who went to visit Swami with his two daughters, performed special pujas and placed the Varahi Declaration at Swami’s feet and participated in special pujas. Later, Vedic scholars blessed Sri Pawan Kalyan in Sri Ranganayakula Mandapam in the temple premises and presented teertha prasada along with Swami’s picture.”

“Reception of Annaprasada: After darshan of Swami, Sri Pawan Kalyan directly visited Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Nityannadana Center run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The temple authorities also welcomed Sri Pawan Kalyan at the Annadana Kendra. The pattern of giving food to the devotees was observed. After that, they received Annaprasad along with common devotees,” the Jana Sena Party continued.

Notably, on 22nd September, Pawan Kalyan started ‘Prayaschit Deeksha’ with a puja at the Sri Dasavatara Venkateswara Swamy temple in Nambur, Guntur district. The firebrand leader sought Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy’s blessings in Tirumala to get strength to purge the sins of the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government. Janasena Party leader said that he was shocked after he came to know about the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam, adding that he feels guilty for not being able to find out, in the beginning, the sin committed by the previous government.

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