On Tuesday, October 1st, the police in Tamil Nadu detained 912 Samsung Electronics employees and union members. The arrests were executed as the employees organized a street protest at the South Korean firm’s home appliances facility in Tamil Nadu. The protests this week entered into its 4th week.
Since September 9th, more than 1,000 workers have halted production and demonstrated in a temporary tent near the facility in Chennai. They have requested greater salaries and union recognition at the facility, which will account for one-fifth of Samsung’s USD 12 billion India revenue in 2022-23.
According to Charles Sam Rajadurai, a senior state police official, approximately 850 Samsung employees and 60 workers affiliated with the labour group CITU, which is leading the demonstration, were held because their protest march near Chennai was disrupting the public and was planned without permission.
“They are being detained in four wedding halls,” he said. “A decision will be taken on their release later.” The workers apparently have been released. On September 16th, police held 104 striking Samsung workers for over a day. The protests cast an overt shadow over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for international investors to “Make in India” and are India’s largest such strike in recent years.
Samsung did not comment on the issue. It previously stated that the average monthly income of full-time manufacturing workers at the facility is nearly double that of similar workers in the region, and that it was willing to talk with employees about how to resolve the issue.
The Samsung facility employs over 1,800 people, and over 1,000 of them have gone on strike. The plant manufactures products such as refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines. Meanwhile, another Samsung smartphone facility in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has not experienced any trouble.
As per the reports, Samsung has scheduled certain contractual workers and apprentices to help reduce the impact on production. In August, Samsung’s largest union in South Korea went on strike for four days, demanding greater wages and bonuses after talks with management failed.
Expressing their concerns, the employees said that the working conditions at the unit are very strict. “Our job requires us to stand all day, except for periodic five to ten-minute breaks. This might cause health problems such as painful varicose veins. We want more breaks. My coworkers have made numerous requests for better working conditions over the years, ranging from set eight-hour schedules to taking time off without fear of losing our jobs,’ he said.
“However, such demands caused Samsung to remove some of them while warning others to remain silent. In one instance, eight people were sacked without warning. While internal committees are constituted to address issues, they have little actual power,” he added.
Samsung has warned the striking workers that they risk losing their jobs, and CITU members have claimed in court that the strike is unconstitutional, but the employees disagree and say they will continue to demonstrate until their demands are granted.
Samsung has yet to agree to recognize a union supported by a third-party organization such as CITU, resulting in a deadlock. According to the CITU, Samsung employees earn an average of Rs 25,000 per month and are demanding a raise of Rs 36,000 per month within three years.
On 30th September, in a landmark judgment, one Mohammed Alim was convicted in a “love jihad” case by a Bareilly court for deceiving a woman into a relationship under the false pretence of marriage, subsequently coercing her into sexual relations, and subjecting her to violence and threats. Notably, Alim had introduced himself as “Anand” and appeared to be a Hindu.
The court observed that incidents like this contribute to attempts to create conditions similar to those in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where illegal religious conversions through coercion are rampant. OpIndia accessed the copy of the judgment. Mohammed Alim has been convicted under Sections 376(2)(n), 323, 504, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
Sabir, the father of Alim, was also convicted under Section 504 for insulting and threatening the victim. The court strongly criticised such actions and drew attention to the issue of “Love Jihad.” Interestingly, left-liberals, so-called fact-checkers, activists, and Islamists often claim that the notion of “Love Jihad” is a figment of the imagination of Hindu organisations and that no such incidents occur in India. However, the judgment in this case proved that incidents of “Love Jihad” are very much real and need immediate attention from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
Detailed background of the case
According to the complaint filed by the victim, she was a student at a computer coaching centre in Bareilly. At the centre, she became acquainted with a man who introduced himself as Anand. He appeared to be a Hindu and wore a sacred thread (Kalawa) on his wrist. The accused would accompany her to and from work. As time passed, a romantic relationship developed between them.
Later, Alim proposed marriage to her, and on 13th March 2022, he took the victim to the Radha Krishna Temple in Bareilly. At the temple, he performed a so-called marriage ritual by applying sindoor (vermilion) to her hairline. He convinced her that they were married according to Hindu customs. However, the court noted that no priest was present at the time when that make-believe wedding took place, and no rituals were performed that were required to make the wedding legal.
After the ritual, Alim took the victim to a friend’s room near Rohilkhand University. In the room, he coerced her into sexual relations. He filmed the sexual act and took indecent photographs of her. He used the explicit material he recorded that day to blackmail her into further sexual relations, often at Rajrani Hotel in Bareilly.
Whenever the victim resisted, he would threaten to make the photos and videos public. When the victim became pregnant, he coerced her into undergoing an abortion. On 5th May 2023, he forced her to take an abortion pill, and on 11th May, with the assistance of his family, he took her to a nursing home in Hafizganj where the victim underwent an abortion.
The ordeal of the victim worsened when she visited his house in Jadaupur, where she discovered that his real name was Mohammed Alim and that he was not Hindu, as he had claimed. Alim’s family, including his father Sabir, pressured the victim to convert to Islam. They physically assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she pursued legal action against Alim. They also insisted that she abort the child before considering marriage. Fearing for her life, the victim left the house and eventually filed a complaint against Alim and his family on 27th May 2023.
As per the court documents, the victim became pregnant in March 2023. She informed Alim about this in April and asked him to take her home, but he refused, saying, “I won’t take you home, get rid of the baby.” In May, he came to Devernia Station and forcibly tried to make her take unwanted pills. When she refused, he started beating her at the station and then left. She followed him.
She reached Jadaupur, and when she arrived at his house, his mother asked, “Who are you?” She asked, “Where is your son Anand?” His mother replied, “There is no such person by that name.” She then showed her the photo and asked again, and his mother revealed his name as Alim. She was shocked upon hearing this; he had claimed to be Hindu but turned out to be Muslim. She told everything to his mother, and his mother said, “Convert your religion.”
Witness testimonies provided crucial evidence
The prosecution’s case was supported by testimony from key witnesses. The hotel manager from Rajrani Hotel testified that the victim appeared distressed whenever she arrived at the hotel with Alim. He also revealed that the victim always stood away from the register, as Alim used to make the entries required to book the room. Interestingly, he used his real identity in the hotel register. This supported the victim’s allegations that she was unaware of Alim’s true identity until much later. Other witnesses, including the investigating officers, corroborated the victim’s timeline of events, strengthening the case against Alim.
Court’s observations: Love Jihad and societal implications
In its detailed judgment, the court categorically labelled the case as an example of “Love Jihad.” The court observed that Alim posed as a Hindu to lure the victim into a relationship under false pretences. The court further observed that Alim’s actions, using deceit to coerce the victim into sexual relations and later pressuring her to convert to Islam, were part of a larger and disturbing trend. The judge remarked, “This is not just a matter of personal deceit; it is an orchestrated attempt to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals in the name of religion.”
The court further compared this incident to the situation in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where cases of forced religious conversions are rampant. The judge warned that such incidents need to be curtailed; otherwise, it could lead to a breakdown of the secular fabric of Indian society. The court said, “By allowing such practices to continue unchecked, we risk creating conditions in India similar to those in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where religious freedom is curtailed, and women are systematically targeted for conversion.”
The judgment also criticised the failure to invoke the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021, in the case. The court noted, “Despite clear evidence of coercion and deceit with the intent of religious conversion, no action was taken under the specific provisions of the law designed to prevent such conversions. This oversight must be corrected in future cases.”
The court also raised concerns about potential foreign funding behind such activities. The court noted that the systematic targeting of vulnerable women for religious conversion through deceit may not be an isolated phenomenon. The judge remarked, “The possibility of foreign funding in such cases cannot be ruled out, as these actions appear to be part of a larger conspiracy aimed at destabilising the social fabric of the country.”
The court made stern observations asserting that incidents like these represent more than individual wrongdoings and pose a serious threat to harmony and secularism. The court said, “The systematic targeting of women under the guise of love to fulfil larger demographic and religious goals is not only a crime against the individual but against the nation’s unity.”
Conclusion: Legal and societal ramifications
While left-liberal groups, the media, Islamists, and so-called fact-checkers often deny the existence of Love Jihad, the Bareilly court’s verdict strongly affirms the opposite. The ruling highlights the fact that deceptive practices, such as those employed by Alim, have far-reaching consequences for the victim and society at large. The court’s observations on the growing threat of illegal religious conversions through Love Jihad need immediate attention from governments, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary.
On 29th September the authorities in the Sitapur area of Uttar Pradesh apprehended Mehtab Ansari and Shadab Ansari, who were in charge of a large cybercrime ring. Both used to send strikes to shut down pro-Hindutva handles on social media with the assistance of their network. Afterwards, huge amounts were extorted in the name of restoring the accounts. Hundreds of individuals related to this gang have been discovered to be connected through the accused’s Telegram account.
The case pertained to Kotwali (police station) Dehat (rural area) of the Sitapur district. On 27th September the administrator of Instagram’s @randombrigade profile lodged a complaint with the police and stated that a few days ago he received an audio phone and message from the ID of Instagram username @soloxkakashi. There was a threat to file a copyright strike and have his Instagram handle suspended, in the message. Money was demanded from him when he requested not to do so and a QR (quick-response) code was sent to him.
The bank account linked to it was registered in the name of Mehtab son of Nizamuddin. He sent Rs 500 to the account on 3rd August, however, he was asked to pay more. The accused also threatened to murder him and his family members. On the same day, the victim gave them another Rs 1500 in two instalments, out of fear. He again sent Rs 1000 on 5th August and Rs 750 on 1st September. Mehtab started asking for a present through Amazon or Flipkart worth Rs 70,000, even though he had already collected Rs 3,750 from him.
When he expressed his inability to afford such a large sum, the perpetrator threatened, “I will defame you and ruin your life by declaring your Instagram account as fake copyright.” The death threats and regular extortion troubled the young man who began to worry for his and his family’s safety. He also suspected that Mehtab must have harassed many innocent people like him by creating bogus IDs. He eventually went to the police station and submitted a complaint. He referred to the offender’s actions as illegal extortion and sought strict punishment in the case.
The police registered a case under sections 318 (4), 352, 351 (2), 308 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 66-D of the Information Technology (IT) Act and started an investigation. OpIndia has a copy of the complaint.
The profound conspiracy
When Sitapur police started the probe, Shadab’s name also surfaced along with Mehtab. The two are real brothers and are natives of Sitapur. The duo were staying in Agra at present. 3 mobile phones have also been recovered from them. Police revealed that they used to download the APK file of Insta Pro 2 from Google and then lift photos and data from the real Instagram ID of their targets. Afterwards, they downloaded the copyright form of Instagram, filled it and sent it as a complaint to the META platform. They projected the ID created by them as authentic and the other one as fraudulent.
The gang then used to claim copyright on the profile of the person who had the real ID. Payment was also extorted from the victim in the name of deleting the ID. According to the police, Shadab and Mehtab have made similar copyright claims on about 600 IDs so far. Money has also been taken from many of them. @randombrigade was one of them who ended up launching a police complaint against the culprits. Mehtab and Shadab are in police custody and details concerning the total amount of money they received so far are being gathered. Cyber Cell has also been engaged to get to the root of their offences.
Pro Hindutva handles were the targets
Sitapur Superintendent of Police Chakresh Mishra went into great detail about the gang’s illegal tactics. He mentioned that they have Telegram and WhatsApp groups through which thousands of complaints were made to META and X (formerly Twitter) simultaneously against the real profiles. According to him, the tech giants also took action after taking cognizance of these reports. The authorities have considered it a new type of internet crime.
Mehtab and Shadab have been linked to about 20 fictitious handles. The pair utilised Telegram, WhatsApp and Twitter to contact their gang. Moreover, they communicated with one another in other ways as well. The police have also disclosed that mostly right-wing handles have been targeted by Shadab and Mehtab’s gang. The cops are accumulating information on their actions, which were also directed by someone higher up. Other necessary legal action is being taken in the case.
Understanding MK Gandhi today entails more than simply engaging with his written works. Researchers from several disciplines have been trying to gain an extensive understanding of MK Gandhi by reading his writings and activities together for decades. The effort to develop an integrated idea of Gandhi is still ongoing on several issues, be it politics, economics, Muslim appeasement, or even cow protection, but truly it’s difficult because behind the popular narrative that has been fed to generations of Indians about the so-called ‘father of the nation’, there lies a complex character whose actions and thoughts seem problematic from certain viewpoints.
Cow protection debates emerge regularly in Indian politics, and whenever they do, people debating over the issue try to strengthen their respective arguments by inappropriately quoting Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Supporters typically refer to Gandhi’s statements about the cow whereas opponents point to Gandhi’s efforts to honour the beliefs of a certain percentage of the population, notably Muslims, who usually engage in cow slaughter and the consumption of beef. Here, it can clearly be said that Gandhi has always been against the idea of cow slaughter but he has never respected the sentiments of the Hindu community who kept on demanding a ban on cow slaughter. He believed it was wrong to force anyone to stop slaughtering the cows.
Gandhi championed cow protection but claimed ‘forcing’ Muslims against consuming cow meat would be wrong
In July 1947, lakhs of Hindus had signed a petition in the form of postcards, telegrams, and letters demanding a ban on cow slaughter. The letter was presented to Gandhi by Dr Rajendra Prasad. Responding to the same, Gandhi observed that cows were sacred and needed to be protected at any cost. However, he stated that he could not force any particular community to stop slaughtering the cows or not consume beef. “How can I force anyone not to slaughter cows unless he is himself so disposed? It is not as if there were only Hindus in the Indian Union. There are Muslims, Parsis, Christians, and other religious groups here,” he was quoted as saying.
At times, he asked Hindus to look after the cows. Not only this, he asked them to undertake ‘Goseva’, and worship them. But when it came to supporting their demands to impose cow slaughter at the hands of specific communities, Gandhi stated that ‘forcing’ others to stop cow slaughter would be wrong.
The father of the nation, as Gandhi is known by an ever-shrinking bunch of his supporters, allegedly believed in the principle of community togetherness and the idea of peace, and ahimsa. He believed that every person living in the country of India had the right to follow his/her religion and the freedom to choose their respective way of life. Stating his personal beliefs about cow slaughter, he, in many of his articles stated that he did not believe in the idea of cow slaughter but could not interfere with the freedom of choice possessed by a few specific community members. He believed that though the slaughtering of cows was never even explicitly requited by Islam, it was wise of him to not force anyone who believed that it was part of their religious practice.
Gandhi asked Hindus to practice Gauseva but opined cow slaughter could never be stopped by law
Further, though Gandhi believed that he could not democratically ask the Muslims to stop slaughtering cows, he believed that he could convince them to stop it. Gandhi was certain that he could persuade the country’s Muslims to stop slaughtering cows as he believed that murdering a cow was equivalent to killing a fellow countryman.
“Muslims were under no religious obligation to slaughter a cow. The Koran so far as I have been able to understand it, declares it to be a sin to take the life of any living being without cause. I want to develop the capacity to convince the Musalmans that to kill the cow is practically to kill their fellow countrymen and friends, the Hindus. The Koran says that there can be no heaven for one who sheds the blood of an innocent neighbour,” Gandhi maintained while he wrote in one of his many speeches.
He believed that cow slaughter could never be stopped by law. Knowledge, education, and the spirit of kindliness towards her alone could put an end to it. “It will not be possible to save those animals that are a burden on the land or, perhaps, even man if he is a burden,” he once said. He equated the importance of the life of a cow to that of a human and said that he would never kill a human being for the protection of a cow or would never kill a cow for saving a human life, be it ever so precious.
While keeping this opinion he asked Hindus to protect cows. Writing in Young India in 1921, Gandhi said the protection of cows was at the very centre of Hinduism. “The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection. Cow protection to me is one of the most wonderful phenomena in human evolution. It takes the human being beyond this species. The cow to me means the entire sub-human world. Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. Why the cow was selected for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow was in India the best companion. She was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible,” he said.
He added that cow protection was a gift from Hinduism to the world and Hinduism would endure as long as Hindus would stand to preserve the cow. “Hindus will be assessed not by their tilaks, not by the exact singing of mantras, not by their pilgrimages, and not by the most punctilious observance of caste standards, but by their ability to defend the cow,” he added.
Was Gandhi ok with Muslims slaughtering cows?
Gandhi meanwhile also presented his thoughts in the economic sense maintaining that slaughtering cows would lead to the creation of a ‘soulless economy’. He observed that dry cows, who give less or no milk and are of no productive use would be slaughtered often by people but even such acts causing disrespect to ‘Mother Cow’ should not be happening in India. “My religion teaches me that I should by personal conduct instil into the minds of those who might hold different views, the conviction that cow-killing is a sin and that, therefore, it ought to be abandoned,” he said in Young India in 1925.
He also stated a few measures that he thought would make cow slaughter impossible in India. He opined that in the open market, the state should outbid every other buyer to purchase all cattle offered for sale. The state should operate dairies in all major towns to ensure an affordable supply of milk. He asked the state to run tanneries to use the hides, bones, and other remains of all dead cattle in its custody and said that it should offer to buy back any privately owned dead cattle on the open market.
He further stated that the state should maintain model livestock and farms, as well as teach individuals how to breed and care for cattle. He wanted the state to also create broad provisions for pasture land and import the top experts in the world to teach people about cattle science.
“The foregoing scheme presupposes the State upkeep of all old, maimed, and diseased cattle. This no doubt constitutes a heavy burden, but it is a burden which all States, but above all a Hindu State, should gladly bear,” he clearly emphasized.
While putting the onus of Gau Raksha (cow protection) on Hindus and the government of India, Gandhi’s views were quite different when it came to the Muslim population. In 1927, during the annual session of the Congress held at Madras, Gandhi agreed to a draft proposal to bring Hindu-Muslim unity, however, he failed to go through the draft in detail that gave general permission to Muslims to slaughter cows. The issue of the protection of cows was eventually ignored to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity in the nation.
Later responding to the matter, Gandhi stated that he remembered the grave mistake committed by him in the night. “I have committed a grave error. I did not read the draft properly. But in the night I suddenly remembered that that draft gave the Mussulmans general permission to slaughter cows and the question of cow-protection was conveniently ignored! How can I bear this? If they slaughter cows, we cannot stop them by force, it is true, but we can at least win their trust by loving service and explaining our point of view to them, can’t we? As for me, not even to win Swaraj will I renounce my principle of cow protection! Go and tell these people that I do not accept that settlement! No matter what the consequences, I will not be a party to cow slaughter!” he conveniently added up.
Conclusion: Gandhi was never clear on what he exactly had to convey
Gandhi has always allegedly favoured the Muslims given the community served as an important power bloc, often in collusion with the British rulers in the then contemporary politics. Gandhi’s first getaway into politics in South Africa and India was a strong collaboration with Muslim businessmen from the Bombay Presidency, as well as hard-line Islamist leaders such as the Ali brothers and Abdul Bari. Whereas, wealthy caste Hindus, particularly Gujarati and Marwari merchants, provided Gandhi with financial support. Cow protection was their preferred cause (as it was for many other Hindu communities, particularly those in the Hindi belt).
Gandhi accommodated upper caste Hindus by using word symbolism to promote cow protection, consistently asserting it to be the most holy responsibility of Hindus. However, in terms of tangible acts, he catered to the group that appeared to be higher up in his power hierarchy – the Muslims – by maintaining the status quo in their favour. He emphasized that Hindus could only plead to Muslims to cease cow slaughter and that they should not bargain or use force to protect cows; he rejected legal bans on cow protection, even where Hindus were in the majority, without Muslim assent.
Given this, it can be stated that Gandhi’s ‘liberal’ and ‘plural’ values took over his Hindu mind which believed cow protection to be the biggest service Hindus could ever adopt. Gandhi failed to stand by Hindus who demanded a ban on the slaughter of cows at the hands of Muslims while he believed that slaughtering the cows was one of the biggest sins anybody ever could commit. He favored Muslims saying that slaughtering cow was their choice of lifestyle but also stated on the other hand that it was nowhere mentioned in the Quran that cow slaughter was an obligation to follow Islam.
There are a few questions to raise here- Gandhi believed in the principle of ahimsa (non violence), so how could he allow his countrymen (Muslims) to practice cow slaughter? He never allowed it, but then he even never advocated for a ban or stopped them from slaughtering cows. Why? Isn’t this a little bit strange and difficult to digest? How could he not stop his loving countrymen (Muslims) from practising ahimsa in the form of cow slaughter, as the former personally believed that murdering a cow was equal to murdering a human life? How could he ask Hindus to protect cows in the name of religion and not stand by them when they demanded a ban on slaughter practised by other communities in the name of religion?
People have selectively been quoting Gandhi to support their respective arguments on the issue of cow slaughter, but they need to understand that the person whom the nation refers to as a ‘father’ was hardly firm and clear on what he exactly had to convey. By reading his views, one comes to thinking that Gandhi’s personal version of Ahimsa was mostly about avoiding conflict with a lot of appeasement of the violent side added to it.
This is not to criticize Gandhi or laud him for whatever he did, of course, people supporting him will praise him for standing by Muslims and people who don’t like him might end up criticizing him for not taking a firm stand for cow protection or standing by Hindus for that matter. This is just to state facts and to accept the idea that even a personality elevated to near-divine status in the popular narrative can be susceptible to flaws.
Israel on Wednesday declared UN chief Antonio Guterres “persona non grata”, banning him from entering the country. The decision was taken by the Israeli foreign ministry for failing to unequivocally condemn Iran’s missile attack on Israel yesterday.
Foreign minister Israel Katz announced on social media that he has declared Guterres a “persona non grata” in Israel. He said, Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.” Katz added, “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil.”
The foreign minister added in his tweet, “This is a Secretary-General who has yet to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas murderers on October 7, nor has he led any efforts to declare them a terrorist organization. A Secretary-General who gives backing to terrorists, rapists, and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now Iran—the mothership of global terror—will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN. Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without António Guterres.”
Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.
Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step…
After Iran launched almost 200 missiles targeting Israel, UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the “broadening of the Middle East conflict, with escalation after escalation.” He added, “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire” without referring to Iran firing ballistic missiles towards Israel.
As reported earlier, on 1st October, Iran launched several ballistic missiles targeting Israel as the Middle-East conflict worsens. The Israeli civilians had rushed to bomb shelters after sirens went off in the entire country following the large-scale ballistic missile launches by Iran.
As per the latest reports, 181 missiles were launched by Iran in the strike. Israel Defense Forces said that it intercepted “a large number” of them using the Iron Dome missile defence system. US forces also helped in shooting down many of the missiles.
However, due to the large number of missiles launched at the same time, the system was overwhelmed and many missiles hit locations in Israel, especially in central and southern Israel. As all the residents were rushed to bomb shelters, there were no significant casualties in the attack.
Earlier, on Monday, Israel launched “targeted ground raids” at Iran-backed proxy Hezbollah’s targets across several villages of southern Lebanon. This came just days after Hezbollah Chief Hasan Nasrallah was killed by Israel Defense Forces in an attack on his bunker. Israeli Ground attacks in Lebanon were backed by airstrikes and artillery launches in places close to Israel’s northern border.
On October 2, 2024, India celebrated the 10th anniversary of the momentous Swachh Bharat Mission launched by PM Modi, which created an awareness of civic duties among citizens and expedited the country’s toilet coverage to 100 per cent from less than 40 per cent.
At an event in Delhi, PM Modi celebrated the completion of 10 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission and urged state governments and citizens to continue striving for cleanliness as it is not a day’s job but an unending pursuit. “The mission for cleanliness is not one day’s, it is a life-long tradition. We have to take it forward for generations…This is something we should do every day,” he said.
Sharing his address during the event on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi tweeted, “As we mark #10YearsOfSwachhBharat, I salute the unwavering spirit of 140 crore Indians for making cleanliness a ‘Jan Andolan’.”
As we mark #10YearsOfSwachhBharat, I salute the unwavering spirit of 140 crore Indians for making cleanliness a 'Jan Andolan.' Addressing a programme in Delhi.https://t.co/Y5AdvUDKW7
PM Modi emphasised the significant public support the movement has gained over the past decade, stating that it has become a personal mission for every citizen. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Swachh Bharat, the Prime Minister commended the efforts of safaimitras, religious figures, athletes, celebrities, NGOs, and the media in turning Swachh Bharat into a major public initiative. He also acknowledged the contributions of both current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents of India, who participated in Shramdaan, inspiring the nation.
The Prime Minister highlighted various cleanliness activities happening across villages, cities, and neighbourhoods, noting the active involvement of state ministers and leaders. He mentioned that millions have participated in the Swachhta hi Seva campaign during this edition of Swachhta Pakhwada, with over 27 lakh programs organized in just 15 days, engaging 28 crore people. He underlined the importance of ongoing efforts to maintain cleanliness in India and expressed his appreciation to all citizens.
Several eminent personalities, from the field of politics to Bollywood, sports to business, lavished praises on PM Modi and his vision of the Swachh Bharat Mission to impart lessons of cleanliness and including it in policy-making, which further provided impetus to expanding sanitation coverage across the country and sensitising people towards the importance of keeping their surroundings clean and hygienic.
From the Director General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus to World Bank President Ajay Banga, to the President of Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa to spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, several notable personalities lauded PM Modi on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
However, not everyone understood the impact the Swachh Bharat Mission could have on a country like India, where hygiene and cleanliness, for a long time, were regarded as government duties and not personal obligations. For those steeped in petty politics, waiting to criticise their rivals regardless of objectively assessing their decisions, the Swachh Bharat Mission gave them yet another opportunity to attack the Prime Minister.
Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader who has made ‘caste census’ his recent catchphrase and who routinely whips up anti-government sentiments among the poor and the marginalised by demonising the business leaders, had declared the Swachh Bharat Mission a failure as early as November 2015, 13 months since its launch. However, he had eggs on his face when the students he was addressing emphatically responded to him, saying Swachh Bharat Mission was a runaway success.
During a Q&A session at the renowned Mount Carmel College for women, Gandhi posed the question to the audience about whether the Clean India campaign had been successful. The response from the all-women audience was an enthusiastic “Yes.”
Criticising the Modi government, he remarked, “I hear a lot of discussion. Are we really serious? Is cleaning your country a strategic national government program? Because it doesn’t seem to be working, does it?”
The Congress leader expected an emphatic “No” in response, but instead, he was met with the reply, “It is.”
Caught off-guard, he asked, “You really think it’s working?” This time, the response was an even louder “Yes” than “No.” He quickly regained composure and remarked, “Alright, but I don’t see Swachh Bharat working that well.”
This incident not only exposes Rahul Gandhi as a politician with poor ground connections but also reveals his arrogance that restricted his ability to acknowledge his political rival’s decision had resonated with the public. It serves as a lesson for leaders like Mr Gandhi—to not attack their opponents just for the heck of it and appreciate policy decisions by them that are bound to help the nation.
Even as Gandhi seeks to fashion himself as the leader of the poor and lower castes, partly to break the Hindu consolidation PM Modi forged when he came to power in 2014 and dent BJP’s vote share, it is worth noting that he couldn’t appreciate a decision that has since aided the most vulnerable sections of the society—those who were exposed to diseases and ailments because of no access to toilets.
Those who were poor and didn’t have toilets had previous Congress governments to blame for their predicament since Congress-led governments ruled the nation for decades, and yet, today, Congress leader Mr Gandhi is trying to appeal to the baser instincts of the very same people his governments had disregarded for years, hoping to leverage them to turn his political fortunes.
Nevertheless, the Swachh Bharat Mission has successfully transformed India from a country where over one-third of villages practised open defecation in 2014 to achieving near-total Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, with over 6.4 crore toilets built. It has also broadened its scope to include solid and liquid waste management, garbage segregation, and plastic waste reduction. Studies suggest that this initiative may have saved 60,000-70,000 infant lives each year, contributing to a significant drop in infant and under-five mortality rates. By 2022, 95% of villages had waste management systems in place, though challenges remain, especially in larger states, in meeting the 2030 sustainable development goal.
A thief who stole a Radha Krisha idol from a temple in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh returned it on 1st October. He also left an apology letter which stated that he had been beset with misfortune ever since he took the idol. The deity was then reinstalled in the temple with due rituals by the priest. Mahant (priest) Jayaram Das told OpIndia that the idol had been left by the robber in a jute sack close to the ashram’s entrance. People spotted the idol in front of the ashram located on the Handia-Kokhraj service road at around 11:30 am.
According to media reports, the case pertained to the Nawabganj police station area of Prayagraj district where Khasla Ashram is located in the Gaughat area. “Locals on Tuesday evening spotted a man running after leaving a sack outside the ashram road and became doubtful and frightened over the unclaimed sack. When they mustered the courage to open it, they found the idol of Radha Krishna and further informed the priest of the temple as well as the police,” stated Nawabganj inspector Anil Kumar Mishra.
A nearly 100-year-old idol of Radha-Krishna made of ashtadhatu (octo-alloy comprising gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tin, iron, and mercury) is housed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple built in the ashram. On 23rd September 2024, someone took away the idol after which Mahant Jayaram Das of the temple complained to the authorities who registered a case and started searching for the thief.
The thief remained at large for over a week. The mahant, devastated by the incident, stopped eating and other disciples of the ashram also became depressed. Meanwhile, the thief put the idol near the temple along with an apology letter addressed to the mahant and quietly went away. He didn’t reveal his identity but wrote that his action was due to ignorance and unveiled, “I have made a huge mistake. I am having bad dreams and have not been able to sleep, eat, and live peacefully since I stole the idol.”
He sent his greetings to the mahant and mentioned, “My son and wife have also become seriously ill. I have done a very bad thing for a little money. I have tampered with the idol with the intention to sell it. Moreover, I am fed up with the scary dreams and am returning your ‘amaanat’. I am apologising for my mistake and leaving the idol. I request you to pardon me for my error and restore the Lord’s place in the temple. Please accept your idol and forgive our children.” The identity of the perpetrator remained unknown.
He even had the idol polished as he attempted to sell it. The reappearance of the idol has created a happy atmosphere at the ashram. The idol is being re-installed at its rightful position after performing jalabhishek (ritual bathing with water) and other sacred religious rites. The police have also been informed about the development and further legal action is underway. Speaking to OpIndia, Jayaram Das said that he is the Mahant of Siddha Mandir and he had prayed to God for justice after the theft.
A similar case came to light in Mangaluru, Karnataka in January 2021 where a condom was put in the donation box of Swami Koragajja temple. The police could not find the accused, but one day two men, Abdul Raheem and Taufiq reached the temple and went to the priests. They confessed to the crime of urinating and dumping condoms in the donation box, along with another man named Nawaz.
They informed that after that act, both of them started vomiting blood and experienced bloody dysentery. After the sacrilege, Nawaz became insane and died by banging his head on the wall of his house. His last words were that Lord Koragajja was furious at them. Taufiq and Raheem begged for mercy from the temple priest by holding their ears.
On 1st October, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at at least 11 locations in West Bengal over funding of Maoist groups. The operation was reportedly carried out at Sodepur and Jagaddal in North 24 Parganas, Asansol in West Burdwan and Netaji Nagar in Kolkata along with Howrah and Nadia. Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal police also accompanied the officials. The conspiracy revolved around the revival of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the Eastern Regional Bureau region.
The national agency released an official statement which read, “The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday searched multiple locations in various districts of West Bengal in a case involving a CPI (Maoist) conspiracy to revive its presence in the Eastern Regional Bureau area. NIA teams conducted elaborate searches at the houses of suspects at a total of 11 locations in South 24 Pargana, Asansol, Howrah, Nadia and Kolkata districts of the state. The suspects were overground workers of CPI (Maoist) and were believed to have assisted the organisation’s commanders in carrying out Naxal activities.”
NIA Searches Several W.Bengal Locations in CPI (Maoist) Revival Conspiracy Case pic.twitter.com/bTlRpWpmBZ
Several incriminating documents, electronics, handwritten letters, periodicals and pamphlets were seized as a result of the searches. The press release further added, “The case RC-01/2022/NIA/RNC relates to a conspiracy by the Polit Bureau/ Central Committee members, cadres and sympathisers of the banned terrorist organisation. The conspiracy is aimed at reviving, expanding and propagating the ideology of CPI (Maoist) in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and other states in the northern and eastern regions of India.”
Two women and their associates were the main subjects of the investigation, according to media reports. “These two women sent funds to Maoist groups in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar. The raids were to find their exact roles in the Maoist organisation,” a source unveiled.
Investigators raided the house of an alleged human rights activist in Disergar, close to the Sitala shrine of Kulti in West Burdwan at 5:55 am. The woman spent the last 15 to 16 years residing in the area. According to locals, she was employed by a workers’ rights organization. The NIA team took possession of computer hard drives, an Android phone and some other papers following the four-hour operation. The officials raided the home of another woman in Panihati. They also looked for the home of a researcher in Asansol who had communicated with the two women.
An NIA official disclosed, “During the searches, we seized a trove of incriminating evidence, including documents, electronic devices, pamphlets, magazines, and handwritten letters. These materials are believed to provide crucial insights into the Maoist conspiracy and its network in the region.” The officer further mentioned, “As the investigation progresses, there are chances of further arrests and revelations in this case.”
Six people have been arrested in this case, which was filed at the NIA Police Station Ranchi in April 2022 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Those accused include Prashant Bose and Pramod Mishra of the CPI (Maoist) Polit Bureau and Sabyasachi Goswami of the Central Committee. “Thirteen top CPI (Maoist) leaders were named in the FIR along with others. Further investigations are continuing in the case,” the press release added. The searches took place as part of an inquiry into the conspiracy hatched by members of the Central Committee, cadres, and Maoist supporters of the Polit Bureau.
During the Iranian missile attack on Israel yesterday, a Palestinian man was killed in the West Bank town of Nu’eima near Jericho after the falling fuselage of an intercepted missile hit him. Sameh Asli, a 37-year-old Palestinian from Jabalia in Gaza, has so been the only documented fatality from Iran’s attack on Israel.
In a statement, the Palestinian Civil Defense said: “fatality in Jericho and material damage caused by the falling rocket and shrapnel.”
Further confirming the identity of the deceased Jericho governor Hussein Hamayel said: “A Palestinian worker in Jericho was killed when pieces of a rocket fell from the sky and hit him.”
In addition, 4 Palestinians have been reported injured by shrapnel from the same rocket. Reports say that Sameh Al-Asali, a father of three, was one of hundreds of Gazan labourers with Israeli work permits who became stranded in Israel on the 7th of October during the Hamas onslaught against Israel and sought refuge in the West Bank.
As per the visuals emerging on social media, a meter-long missile piece close to al-Asali’s body is seen lying on the ground and covered by a sheet.
?BREAKING: An Iranian missile killed a Palestinian man in Jericho, West Bank—identified as Sameh Al Asali, originally from Gaza pic.twitter.com/ITfUcP3pK8
A video recorded the moment the Palestinian man was killed instantaneously by wayward shrapnel from one of the Iranian rockets fired into Israel on Tuesday. The video shows the man strolling around on a street in Nu’eima village, as an enormous chunk of an Iranian missile fell from the sky. The piece of shrapnel crashed directly on top of Sameh al-Asali resulting in his instant death.
#Palestinian man Sameh Al Asali was killed after being hit by fuselage of an Iranian missile that landed in Jericho, West Bank. He was originally from #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/rj0V0kDWUh
Meanwhile, the Israeli emergency services said that just two persons were slightly injured by shrapnel in Tel Aviv during the Iranian missile attack, while several more were treated for minor injuries.
As reported earlier, on 1st October, Iran launched several ballistic missiles targeting Israel as the Middle-East conflict worsens. The Israeli civilians had rushed to bomb shelters after sirens went off in the entire country following the large-scale ballistic missile launches by Iran. As per the latest reports, 181 missiles were launched by Iran in the strike. Israel Defense Forces said that it intercepted “a large number” of them using the Iron Dome missile defence system. US forces also helped in shooting down many of the missiles.
However, due to the large number of missiles launched at the same time, the system was overwhelmed and many missiles hit locations in Israel, especially in central and southern Israel. As all the residents were rushed to bomb shelters, there were no significant casualties in the attack.
Earlier, on Monday, Israel launched “targeted ground raids” at Iran-backed proxy Hezbollah’s targets across several villages of southern Lebanon. This came just days after Hezbollah Chief Hasan Nasrallah was killed by Israel Defense Forces in an attack on his bunker. Israeli Ground attacks in Lebanon were backed by airstrikes and artillery launches in places close to Israel’s northern border.
On 1st October (local time), Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles targeting various regions across Israel, claiming it was a retaliation to the attacks on the Lebanese terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the assassination of its chief, Hassan Nasrallah. Air raid sirens were heard all across Israel, and Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) scrambled to intercept the incoming missiles with the support of United States forces stationed in the Mediterranean. In a statement, Israeli officials called the missile attack by Iran a ‘severe provocation’.
IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, described the attack as a ‘severe and dangerous escalation’. He said, “Iran launched a large-scale attack of over 180 ballistic missiles directly from Iranian soil at the State of Israel. There were a small number of hits in the centre of Israel and some other hits in southern Israel. The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.”
He further warned that such aggression will result in serious repercussions for Iran. He said, “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences… Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”
Iran made a big mistake, said PM Netanyahu
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, released a statement shortly after the missile attack. He issued a stark warning to Tehran. Describing the attack as a strategic failure for Iran, he affirmed that there will be a decisive response from Israel. In a post on X, PM Netanyahu said, “Iran made a big mistake tonight—and it will pay for it.”
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 1, 2024
A Security Cabinet meeting was convened late Tuesday, chaired by PM Netanyahu. During the meeting, he reiterated Israel’s policy of retaliation against any aggressor. He said, “Whoever attacks us, we attack them. The regime in Tehran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and to exact a price from our enemies… They will. We will keep to the rule we have determined: Whoever attacks us—we attack them.”
PM Netanyahu highlighted the failure of the Iranian strike due to the advanced defence systems put in place by Israel. He said, “This evening, Iran again attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles. This attack failed. It was thwarted thanks to Israel’s air defence array, which is the most advanced in the world.” He further extended his appreciation to the IDF for their effective response. He also expressed gratitude to the United States, saying, “I thank the US for its support in our defensive effort.”
US pledges full support for Israel
Soon after the attack, the United States affirmed its commitment to the security of Israel. Calling the Iranian attack a “significant escalation”, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan pledged that the US would ensure Iran faces serious consequences for its actions. He added that President Joe Biden was closely monitoring the situation.
US President Joe Biden also issued a brief statement following the attack. He said, “Make no mistake—the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel.” Biden pointed to the successful interception of the majority of the Iranian missiles as a testament to the coordinated defensive efforts of Israel and the United States. He added, “The outcome of Iran’s strike was a testament to intensive planning [between] the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against a brazen attack.”
Speaking on the matter, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the coordinated effort between Israeli and US forces. He said, “I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant today following this outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel.” He further highlighted the role of US warships in intercepting several missiles targeting Israel. He stated that the US would “never hesitate to protect our forces and interests in the Middle East.”
I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today following today’s outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel. The Minister and I expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 2, 2024
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a statement reinforcing that the defence partnership between the US and Israel had been effective in thwarting the attack. He said, “Israel, with the active support of the United States and other partners, effectively defeated this attack. We demonstrated, once again, our commitment to Israel’s defence.”
Iran issues warning, claims attack was ‘legitimate response’
Reacting to Israel’s vow to retaliate against the Iranian missile attack, Tehran issued a warning to Israel and defended the missile attack by calling it a “rational and legitimate response” to Israeli actions. Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations issued a statement claiming the strike was in retaliation for Israel’s continued airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the Iranian-backed terrorist group.
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, issued a statement on social media celebrating the attack and called it a “Victory from God.” He posted an illustration of an underground weapons cache with the caption, “Victory from God and a near conquest…” He further warned Israel of more strikes in the future. He said, “The strikes of the resistance front on the worn-out and decaying body of the Zionist regime will be more striking.”
While issuing a warning to Israel, Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that if Israel retaliates, Iran’s response would be “swift and decisive.” He added, “Iran’s actions are a direct response to the illegal assassinations of its leaders, and Israel’s continued war crimes in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.”
US intelligence alerted Israel ahead of the attack
As per reports, the US had warned Israel ahead of the attack as Washington had detected signs of an imminent Iranian attack. The warning was issued hours before the missiles were launched. Reportedly, the American forces were prepared to provide assistance. Two US destroyers in the Mediterranean, the USS Bulkeley and USS Cole, played a key role in intercepting some of the incoming missiles alongside ‘Iron Dome’, the Israeli air defence network.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder provided details of the US response in a statement, saying, “The USS Bulkeley and USS Cole fired about a dozen interceptors at inbound ballistic missiles.” The majority of the missiles were intercepted by Iron Dome. Ryder stressed that the US role in providing intelligence was critical to mitigate the impact of the Iranian attack.
Tensions rise in the region
The latest attack on Israel came against the backdrop of Israeli forces conducting operations against the terrorist organisation Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. Netanyahu warned that Iran could face the same fate as Gaza and Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have intensified over recent weeks. “This is true wherever we fight the axis of evil. It is true in Judea and Samaria. It is true in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria; and it is also true in Iran,” he said.
The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the escalating tensions in the area.
