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How Sitaram Yechuri with UPA govt’s push played key role in bringing Nepal under communist rule and world’s only Hindu monarchy became a ‘secular democracy’

Rukma Rathore
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How Sitaram Yechuri with UPA govt’s push played key role in bringing Nepal under communist rule and world’s only Hindu monarchy became a ‘secular democracy’

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechuri (72) passed away at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on 12 September after battling a month-long respiratory disease. He was being treated for acute respiratory tract infection at the hospital. The veteran politician who learned tricks of the trade from Harkishan Singh Surjeet, another seasoned Left leader, had a penchant for making national headlines. One might argue that it was not for the right reasons, nevertheless, he emerged as one of the nation’s prominent communist voices.

The communists infamously refer to religion as “opium” and while Yechury also had similar views, they were more pronounced in relation to Hinduism as he and his party like the rest of the communists dedicated their lives to maintain the faux “ganga-jamuna thezeeb” equilibrium through the denigration of Sanatan Dharma. With his refusal to accept the invitation to the opening of Ram Mandir and his reference to Hindus and their sacred epics Ramayana and Mahabharata as violent, Yechury repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the secularism practised in India.

However, one shouldn’t presume that his quest to introduce “true secularism” was exclusive to India. As a real communist who is unaffected by national boundaries and aspires to expand his ideology to the rest of the world, Yechury began the task with India’s neighbour. He actually implemented Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “neighbours first” policy even before the latter gave the slogan and gained power at the centre.

Interestingly, he had decided to introduce communism to Nepal, the sole Hindu Rashtra in the world, rather than other neighbours of India where jihadi ideology is rife and minority groups, particularly Hindus, are being rapidly wiped out. The world’s only Hindu country became a ‘secular democracy’ after the rise of communism in the Himalayan country, and Yechury was among those who had initiated the process. Unsurprisingly, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) headed by the Congress party played a significant role in this crooked initiative along with its alliance partners of the Left.

Yechury brought ‘democracy’ to Nepal, had met his great Maoist friend Baburam Bhattarai at PM Manmohan Singh’s behest

The first open conference of the outlawed Nepalese political parties was held in 1990 at the home of Ganeshman Singh, the founding member of the Nepali Congress, and Chandra Shekhar was the one who organized the delegation of Indian politicians who participated in it. That was the beginning of the end for King Birendra. Afterwards, Sitaram Yechury and DP Tripathi of the Nationalist Congress Party apparently took on the mantle from him. 

Yechury and Tripathi, who were student leaders at Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU), visited Maoist leader and former Nepalese prime minister Baburam Bhattarai who was also a student at the institution. While Yechury was able to leverage his influence with the Maoists, Tripathi was linked to the Nepali Congress and its splinter section led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, the Nepali Congress (Democratic).

More importantly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reportedly asked Yechury to leverage his connections with Bhattarai. Tripathi was also acquainted with him and even had the benefit of knowing the leaders of the Nepali Congress. Yechury’s intervention facilitated the 12-point accord between the Maoists and Nepalese political parties. The four-point agenda was even known as the “Yechury formula” in the media.

“Nepal must embark on a new democratic path. The political process must not remain limited to restoring what was gained in 1990. This is important because it is this understanding that will bring the Maoists into the democratic mainstream,” an elated Yechury had expressed during his visit to the former Hindu monarchy in 2006. In 2005, Yechury and Tripathi founded the Nepal Democracy Solidarity Committee in India and worked with Rahul Barua of the South Asia Foundation.

According to Yechury, there was “an additional incentive” for India to support this procedure as he admitted, “This will have a salutary effect on the ultra-left in India. Revolutions today must factor in people’s yearning for democracy.” Yechury and Tripathi were invited to the country by Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and also went to the reinstated parliament to thundering applause and a grand welcome from the Nepalese comrades.

Yechury who batted for the Maoists visited the country regularly as an interlocutor between them and the Seven-Party Alliance. He used to meet then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee before his departure. He also held several meetings then with now Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda who is a veteran member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

Sitaram Yechury, a member of the Polit Bureau, returned there in 2010 after he was instrumental in Nepal’s alleged second jana andolan (people’s movement) in 2006 to help political parties in the country forge consensus to discuss the peace process, the task of Constitution writing and the latest political developments. He also met with notable leaders including Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) chairman Jhalanath Khanal.

His efforts served as a preview of how desperate the Left and Yechury were to ensure that the borrowed political ideology of communism replaced the Hindu roots of the nation under the garb of democracy, of course with active assistance of the Congress. Their hatred of Hindu Rahtra as demonstrated by their various statements and actions even today was quite evident at the time as well.

Yechury and his overwhelming love for all things China

Yechury, to put it in simple words, like other communist leaders in India shared a profound love and deep affection for China. However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise because the communists sacked politburo member and Chief Minister of Kerala V S Achutanandan for suggesting that they should organise a blood donation camp for the Indian Army soldiers, during the 1962 India-Chian war. His statement was deemed anti-party and he was thrown out.

Yechury was always an outspoken critic of ‘atrocities’ committed against Indian Muslims and even claimed discrimination when there was none, however, he refused to even acknowledge the widely documented oppression endured by Uyghur Muslims at the hands of his ideological brethren. “These are problems that need to be properly resolved. Problems are everywhere,” is how he defined the brutality inflicted upon the Muslim minorities in China in an interview in January of this year.

“I think in the future, challenges such as economic development, social harmony and the fight against negative features will be met more effectively in China. The exemplary manner in which the PRC (People’s Republic of China) tackled and contained the Covid pandemic, reopened its society and economy with the requisite precautions and put back the economy on a growth trajectory, is a lesson for the world establishing its superiority of socialism as a system over capitalism,” he boasted as if though he belonged to the Communist Party of China rather than the CPI(M).

He added, “The efforts to eliminate inequalities and corruption, and raising the quality of life have put PRC on the path for achieving the centennial goal of building a ‘modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious’ by 2049.” Yechury didn’t hold China accountable, of course, for spreading COVID-19 over the globe and concealing official death and patient data.

He made no mention of China’s harsh media regulations, its authoritarianism, the country’s expansionist policies, its meddling in India, or its support for Pakistan either. Yechury who relentlessly complained and exacerbated even minor issues in India, for some reason, appreciated everything that was anti-democratic and anti-secular in China. Maybe that is the reason China values ties with CPI(M). Furthermore, he penned a glowing review of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu before his execution in 1989. It appears that the parliamentarian wasn’t really concerned about human rights or freedom as much as he was about raising issues to score political points in the country.

Conclusion

Sitaram Yechuri succeeded Prakash Karat as the general secretary of the party in 2015. He worked relentlessly to further his political as well as ideological agenda. He was a loyal communist who put his party’s allegiance and ideology above all else. He never hesitated to voice his opposition to Santana Dharma, its culture, or India’s Hindu heritage. He was a shrewd politician, willing to act hypocritically when it served his interests. For all these attributes, the late Yechury will always be remembered in Indian political history and possibly in Nepal’s politics as well.

Mamata Banerjee accuses protesting medics of wanting to grab power after they refuse meeting without livestreaming, says she would have resigned if they wanted justice

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata Banerjee accuses protesting medics of wanting to grab power after they refuse meeting without livestreaming, says she would have resigned if they wanted justice

On Thursday, September 12, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that in the interest of the people, she is ready to step down. CM Mamata Banerjee made this statement amid the raging protest by Doctors in Kolkata. She said, “I apologise to the people of Bengal who expected an end to the RG Kar impasse today…I am ready to resign from my post for the sake of people. I don’t want the chair, I want justice (for the deceased) and treatment for the people (patients).”

However, she accused the doctors of wanting power and said that she would have resigned if they wanted justice. The CM made the comments after the protesting doctors refused to attend the scheduled meeting with her as the West Bengal govt rejected the demand to livestream the meeting. She said that while she respects the movement and is even willing to step down to ensure justice for the people, she believes the protesting doctors are not seeking justice but power.

Mamata Banerjee said, “I respect the movement. I’m even willing to step down for the sake of justice for the common people. But they don’t seek justice they only want power. I’m ready to quit for justice”.

Mamata Banerjee said, “I tried my best to sit with the junior doctors. I waited 3 days for them that they should have come and settle their problem. Even when they didn’t accept the verdict of the Supreme Court, I waited 3 days with my highest officials, including Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DG and my MoS. I am sorry. I apologize to the people of this country and the world who are supporting them (doctors), please give your support. I don’t have any problem. We want justice for the victim. We want justice for the common people. We want justice for the treatment of common people. We want that, as per Supreme Court instruction, they must join their duty. Though, 3 days passed after the Supreme Court verdict but we are not taking any disciplinary action because sometimes we have to tolerate. It is our duty to tolerate sometimes.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also urged the protesting doctors to return to work.

Earlier, Bengal government denied protesting doctors’ demand for live streaming of the discussion saying that live-streaming won’t be possible as demanded by protesting doctors as the case was subjudice.

West Bengal CM said, “We were waiting for the doctors for 2 hours 10 minutes. We had urged the protesting doctors to come with an open mind. The deadlock can be resolved through talks only. In the last two days also, we waited for 2 hours. Our work is to forgive them. Today Chief Secretary wrote that the delegation should come to ensure the smooth running of the healthcare infrastructure in the state. The same cannot be contrary to the direction passed by SC for resumption of work as such direction binds the state. Today the meeting was of safety of doctors. We are open-minded about live streaming but the matter is subjudice. We had mentioned that it would be recorded but live-streaming won’t be possible.”

She further said that after the meeting they could have conducted a joint press conference to resolve the impasse.

“We expected that they would come. We will not take any action as we are elders and it is our duty to forgive them. We had mentioned that 15 representatives came come but 34 delegates came. We allowed everyone but they did not enter the hall. For an open discussion, we did not invite anyone else from the health department. Already 27 people have died. More than 7 lakh people are not getting service. It has been 32 days and junior doctors and many residential doctors are not working. There are 1500 serious cases,” she further said.

“We have built 43 super-speciality hospitals. We had built a transit camp waiting hut for difficult terrain. Many people are dead in homes without treatment. SC said that after the deadline, the state can take action. Still, we called them. Many senior doctors are working under difficult conditions. Today we were hoping for a breakthrough. We have again forgiven them,” she added.

The second-year postgraduate medical student was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the rape and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor at the Hospital, as ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

(With inputs from ANI)

US is ready to offer F-16 fighter jets to India, depends on Indian Air Force what they want: Major General with US Pacific Air Forces

ANI
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US is ready to offer F-16 fighter jets to India, depends on Indian Air Force what they want: Major General with US Pacific Air Forces

Major General David A Piffarerio, Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), said on Thursday that the United States is ready to offer F-16 fighter jets to India.

Speaking with reporters on India’s defence sector and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, Major General Piffarerio said, “…The more options that are out there, I think the stronger the Indian Air Force is going to be in the future.”

He added, “We certainly want to give them the best that we have — the F-16s. But ultimately it’s going to be a choice for the Indian Air Force on what they want to do with their air defence.”

Notably, the US State Department in June had announced the clearance of two possible sales to Taiwan of F-16 parts and supporting equipment, valued at a total of USD 300 million for Taiwan.

Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the packages would include standard (USD 220 million) and non-standard (USD 80 million) spare and repair parts, components, consumables, and accessories for F-16 aircraft, as well as other technical and logistics support services, Focus Taiwan reported, citing the press releases.

The DSCA stated that the proposed sales would further strengthen Taiwan’s requirements “to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of [Taiwan’s] fleet of F-16 aircraft.”

According to the DSCA, the package would also support regional economic growth, political stability, military balance, and enhanced Taiwanese security.

The US Congress was informed of the possible sales, according to the DSCA. The permission does not imply that an agreement has been signed for the equipment, according to Focus Taiwan.

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

CJAR condemns CJI Chandrachud for inviting PM Modi to his residence for Ganesh puja, has office in same Prashant Bhushan premises where Delhi anti-Hindu riot was first planed

OpIndia Staff
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CJAR condemns CJI Chandrachud for inviting PM Modi to his residence for Ganesh puja, has office in same Prashant Bhushan premises where Delhi anti-Hindu riot was first planed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the residence of CJI DY Chandrachud for Ganesh Puja on the 11th of September, and it triggered the cry of ‘democracy is in danger’ from left-liberals. After the visuals of the visit were shared on social media, the left-liberal ecosystem started claiming that the independence of the judiciary has been compromised, and the principles of separation of power have been risked. 

Politicians, journalists, lawyers, social media warriors, everyone from the ecosystem has come out to condemn the chief justice of India for inviting PM Modi for the puja at his residence, accusing him of ‘switching sides’, as they perceived CJI DY Chandrachud to be a member of the anti-Modi gang. The latest to join this is Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), a group founded by Shanti Bhushan, father of activist-fake news peddler Prashant Bhushan.

In a statement issued on 12th September, CJAR expressed “deep concern over the manner and conduct of this event involving two constitutional functionaries, as setting an unwarranted precedent.” They claimed that “this precedent undermines the perception of judicial independence, raises critical questions about the separation of powers and the impartiality of the judiciary.”

As per CJAR, the CJI inviting the PM on his private capacity for an important Hindu festival questions the impartiality of the judiciary. The claimed that as both the Union of India and State Governments are the largest litigants before the courts, “such close association between the judiciary and political leadership undermines the ability of the judiciary to impartially adjudicate cases involving the government and the ruling political party”.

CJAR further added, “It casts doubt as to the objectivity of an institution tasked with checking executive power.” They therefore urged the “judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts to be mindful of the potential for such events to set a trend across states, where Chief Justices may meet Chief Ministers and other political figures in informal settings, shattering people’s faith in the judiciary.”

The statement added that “This is a serious issue that threatens the democratic principles of judicial independence and must be addressed promptly to preserve the integrity and credibility of the judiciary. CJAR appeals to the Bar and the legal community that it must stand united in ensuring that the judiciary remains free from any influence, perceived or real, and retains the confidence of the people in its role as an impartial guardian of justice.”

The reaction of CJAR to a minor event is shocking because this is not the first time that members of the executive and judiciary attended religious events. In the past, Iftar Parties were regularly held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and PM’s residence. Such parties were attended by several notable dignitaries, including the CJIs.

For example in 2009, then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh hosted an Iftar party at his residence which was attended by the then CJI K.G. Balakrishnan. However, nobody raked up ‘democracy in danger’ or ‘separation of state and church’ at that time. Only when it is a Hindu festival, it shatters faith on judiciary.

Notably, office of the CJAR is located in the same building where the first meetings planning the anti-Hindu riot were held. On the 8th of December 2019, a meeting was held between Yogendra Yadav, Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and others at a Jangpura basement. According to police chargesheet, a chakka jam was planned in this meeting, that led to violence in northeast Delhi.

Notably, the place where this meeting was held is also the address of Prashant Bhushan’s office. The address of the basement of 6/6 Jangpura is listed as one of the offices of Prashant Bhushan. And as per police, the meeting was held in the basement of 6/6 Jangpura. This means the meeting was held in this office.

6/6 Jangpura is also the address of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reform (CJAR) set up by Shanti Bhushan along with Prashant Bhushan. Although it was established to supposedly demand accountability in the Indian judiciary, CJAR has been at the forefront of anti-India propaganda for a long.

In 2017, for example, the Supreme Court fined CJAR ₹25,00,000 for its petition falsely accusing a judge of accepting bribes from a medical college to pass favourable orders. CJAR was also at the forefront of running propaganda against CJI Dipak Mishra and furthering the narrative of the 4 judges who had held a press conference against the CJI at the time.

Adani Ports signs agreement for major berth at Kandla port, company’s 95% acquisition of Gopalpur port also gets Odisha cabinet nod

OpIndia Staff
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Adani Ports signs agreement for major berth at Kandla port, company’s 95% acquisition of Gopalpur port also gets Odisha cabinet nod

India’s largest port developer and operator, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), made a significant move by signing a concession agreement with the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) to develop and operate Berth No 13 at Kandla’s Deendayal Port in Gujarat. According to Adani Group’s press release, this strategic expansion underlines the group’s commitment to enhancing its presence on the western coast of India.

The Letter of Intent (LOI) for the agreement was received by Adani Ports in July 2024. This agreement grants APSEZ the rights to develop the berth under a 30-year concession period using the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

The berth is 300 meters long and offers an annual capacity of 5.7 million metric tonnes (MMT). It will be dedicated to handling multipurpose clean cargo, including containers. The berth will become operational by FY27, diversifying Adani Ports’ capabilities at Deendayal Port, where it already handles dry bulk cargo.

Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, said in a statement, “This development is a significant step for us as we aim to provide enhanced service to our customers in Gujarat and North India. The multipurpose clean cargo handling at Berth No. 13 will allow us to cater to a broader range of cargo requirements, reinforcing our position on the western coast.”

Adani Group’s major acquisition in Odisha’s Gopalpur Port

Apart from the western coast expansion, Adani Ports has also marked its presence on the eastern coast of India by finalising the acquisition of Gopalpur Port in Odisha. The Odisha Cabinet has approved the transfer of 95% of equity shares of Gopalpur Port from Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Pvt Ltd and Orissa Stevedores Ltd to Adani Ports.

The value of this acquisition is around Rs 3,500 crores. It will enable APSEZ to transform Gopalpur Port into an all-weather deep seaport under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model known as Build Own Operate Share Transfer (BOOST).

Stretegic importance of Gopalpur Port

Gopalpur Port holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the upcoming green hydrogen and green ammonia plants at the TATA Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which are predominantly export-oriented. This acquisition positions Adani Ports to leverage the growing demand for export facilities linked to these green energy projects.

Strengthening presence in Odisha with two major ports

With Gopalpur Port, Adani Ports will now control both major developing ports in Odisha, as it has already established its presence at Dhamra Port. Notably, the deal for Gopalpur Port was finalised on 26th March 2024 during the tenure of the former state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The newly formed government under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now given the required go-ahead, clearing the path for Adani Ports to proceed with the expansion plans.

Assam: Several cops and an officer injured in mob attack during eviction drive on encroached land, two attackers Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali killed in police firing

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Several cops and an officer injured in mob attack during eviction drive on encroached land, two attackers Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali killed in police firing

An eviction of illegal encroachment near Guwahati turned violent on Thursday, as a large Muslim mob attacked the authorities injuring several cops. Later two attackers died in police firing in the incident that took place in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati. The two deceased have been identified as Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali, who succumbed to bullet injuries.

The violence broke out when police and administration officials reached Kachutali village in Sonapur area in the eastern suburbs of Guwahati. The drive was carried out to evict alleged illegal settlers from a 100-bigha plot of land in the area. Approximately 150 people from the Muslim community had settled on govt land in the area.

The eviction has been going on for the last few days without any incident, but the situation turned volatile on Thursday, as a mob of over a thousand people attacked police armed with sticks and sharp weapons.

The mob also pelted stones at police personnel and vehicles, damaging several vehicles. Several police personnel including a female constable were injured in the attack. Revenue Circle Officer Nitul Khatoniar was also injured in the attack by the mob.

As a result, police tried to disperse the mob by firing in the air. But when the situation could not be brought under control, police had to open fire on the mob, and several of the attackers were shot. As per police, the mob was so violent that the cops were forced to flee from the spot.

The injured were taken to the Sonapur District Hospital, where Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali succumbed to bullet injuries. All the injured were later shifted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital, including one Shahjahan Ali.

The injured female constable said that the mob included a large number of women. She said that the cops were only guarding the eviction operation when the mob attacked then using stones, machetes, sticks and other weapons.

Police have launched an investigation into the case, but have not released any statement regarding the incident yet. The situation in Kosutoli remains tense, and additional forces have been deployed in the area.

The eviction drive was started after locals complained that illegal settlers have been occupying govt land and tribal belt land areas. It was found that suspected illegal foreigners were arriving in the area using the waterway of Kalang and Digaru rivers and constructing houses on govt land. Locals also reported tractors transporting construction materials in the night to the area.

After the complaints, the administration conducted a survey in the area, checked documents, and found that they were illegally encroaching on government land. The administration then served them several notices to vacate the houses. But when the residents refused to vacate on their own, the administration started an eviction drive.

CJI DY Chandrachud led bench allows Dhol Tasha celebration in Pune during Ganpati Visarjan, overturns NGT order that put restrictions

OpIndia Staff
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CJI DY Chandrachud led bench allows Dhol Tasha celebration in Pune during Ganpati Visarjan, overturns NGT order that put restrictions

On Thursday (12th September), the Supreme Court stayed the order of the National Green Tribunal limiting the number of members of each Dhol-Tasha-Zanj troupe to 30 persons during the idol immersion rituals of Lord Ganesha in Pune.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notices to the Maharashtra government, Pune authorities, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and others.

“Let them do their Dhol-Tasha, this is the heart of Pune,” said the Supreme Court. The NGT had directed to restrict the total number of Dhol-Tasha-Zanj troupes to only 30 per group, along with real-time monitoring of noise pollution around each Ganesh pandal and initiating criminal proceedings against the violators.

Advocate Amit Pai, the counsel appearing for the petitioners said that ‘Dhol Tasha’ has a very deep cultural significance in the Ganesh festival in Pune. He told the court that the appellants are not dissatisfied with the NGT’s other directions for limiting noise pollution during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations but are only opposed to limiting the number of Dhol-Tasha performers.

“Issue notice… Mr. Amit Pai submitted that the direction (no. 4) will affect the Dhol-Tasha groups, pending the next day of listing there shall be stay of operation of direction no. 4. Let them do their Dhol-Tasha, it’s the heart of Pune,” said the bench.

On 30th August, NGT Western Ghat ordered real-time monitoring of noise around Ganesh pandals and during immersion processions in Pune as part of various directives aimed at curbing noise pollution during the 10-day Ganeshotsav festival, which began on September 7.

The NGT had put restrictions on loudspeakers beyond a total capacity of 100 watts (W) in a pandal, prohibition on the use of tolls (metallic high noise-making unit) and DJ sets during Visarjan (immersion) processions. Additionally, there were limitations on the number of members of each Dhol Tasha Zanj troupe to 30 among other directions.

Shimla illegal mosque: Following massive protests, Muslim side asks administration to seal the unauthorised structure, says will demolish it after court order

OpIndia Staff
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Shimla illegal mosque: Following massive protests, Muslim side asks administration to seal the unauthorised structure, says will demolish it after court order

Amid the row over an illegal mosque in Shimla, representatives of the Muslim welfare committee on 12th September submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Bhupender Kumar Attri. They requested the commissioner to issue orders to seal the unauthorised portion of the illegal mosque at Sanjauli. They added that the welfare committee would demolish the illegal part of the structure themselves in accordance with the court order. The representatives included the Imam of the mosque, members of the Waqf board, and members of the mosque management committee.

They claimed that the Muslims living in the area are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh. The committee representatives said they would take steps to preserve harmony and brotherhood in the region. Speaking to PTI, Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi of the welfare committee said, “We have sought permission from the Shimla municipal commissioner to demolish the unauthorised part of the mosque situated in Sanjauli.”

The Imam of the Sanjauli mosque said, “There is no pressure on us; we have been living here for decades, and this decision has been taken as Himachalis. We want to stay in peace, and brotherhood should prevail.” MC Commissioner Attri confirmed receipt of the representation from the members of the welfare committee.

Members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Committee, who had called for protests against the unauthorised construction in the mosque, have welcomed the move. A member of the committee, Vijay Sharma, said, “We welcome the move of the Muslim community and would be the first to hug them for taking this initiative in the larger interest.”

The representation by the Muslim community representatives was submitted a day after protesters demanded the demolition of the illegal portion of the mosque in Sanjauli, Shimla, which led to clashes with security personnel on 11th September. The protesting members of the Hindu community broke the barricades and pelted stones after police used water cannons and batons to disperse them. Ten people, including police personnel and women, were reported injured in the clashes.

Vikramaditya Singh, a minister of the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, expressed concerns over the escalation of the situation. He said he was keeping a close watch on the developments and was in touch with the central leadership and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He stated, “We are in touch with the central leadership and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. I have also spoken with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party in-charge Rajiv Shukla, and they are concerned that there should be no deterioration in the law and order situation.”

Earlier, traders’ union Shimla Vyapar Mandal called for half-day bandh over police lathicharge on Hindu protesters on 12th September from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Protests against the illegal structure in Shimla

On 11th September, protesting members of the Hindu community raised slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hindu Ekta Zindabad” as they gathered at Sabzi Mandi Dhalli. They marched towards the Sanjauli market despite prohibitory orders by the administration. On the way, they broke barricades erected by the police near the Dhalli tunnel and gathered at Sanjauli Chowk.

When they attempted to enter Sanjauli and broke a second barricade near the mosque, the police used batons and water cannons to disperse them. Some of the protesters were detained by the police. Kamal Gautam, secretary of the Hindu Jagram Manch, was one of the detained protesters. Despite the use of force by the police, the protesters refused to leave and continued to raise slogans against the administration.

Background of the issue

The 14-year-long dispute took a violent turn when some Muslim youths launched a deadly assault with rods and sticks on Hindu traders in the Malyana region on 30th August. 37-year-old businessman Vikram Singh endured critical injuries while four other businessmen were also hurt. The incident further escalated the tensions as the local Hindu community took to the streets to protest against the attack as well as the illegal mosque.

Waqf Board recently gave a submission to a Shimla court that it owns the mosque and the argument was only about its further development. The Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court heard both parties in the mosque case and fixed the next hearing for 5th October.

On the other hand, the matter was also raised in the state assembly which sparked disagreements among the leaders of the ruling Congress party. According to MLA Harish Janartha, the mosque was built on land owned by the Waqf Board before 1960. He did, however, add that three stories were erected unlawfully in 2010 and asserted that they were taken down. He claimed that both outsiders and local Muslims were using the mosque and alleged that some elements were exacerbating the problem.

Minister Anuridh Singh, however, refuted him during his speech in the house and pointed out, “I am not against any community but they started work in 2010 without permission. Afterwards, unauthorised construction of 2500 square feet was completed. A hearing was again held on the matter in 2012, however, these people didn’t comply. There were four more illegally built floors by 2019. How was the four-story building constructed by 2019 when the lawsuit was still pending in 2010? Where was the administration sleeping? There’s another surprising detail, the government of Himachal Pradesh owns the land (where the mosque is built).” He also asked how a map was approved on the government land.

He further added, “Our administration does not oppose anyone. However, I would ask the chief minister to ascertain the origins of every person involved in this. Women now find it challenging to go around the Sanjauli market. Objectionalibale comments are passed. I have personally witnessed it. They have a habit of engaging in illegal activities. They built a 5-storey mosque. This entire matter should be investigated.”

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary, passes away at 72

OpIndia Staff
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Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary, passes away at 72

On 12th September, 72-year-old veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Sitaram Yechury passed away. He was admitted to AIIMS in Delhi on 19th August and was on respiratory support, according to an earlier statement from the party.  

The CPI(M) also mentioned that Yechury was receiving treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit for a severe respiratory tract infection. “Veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury dies at 72 after a prolonged illness,” stated PTI.

“He is on respiratory support, and a team of doctors from various specialities is closely monitoring his condition, which is currently critical,” the party’s official handle informed on social media. Yechury was admitted to AIIMS’s emergency department after experiencing a high fever. According to a source cited by news agency PTI, he was hospitalized due to pneumonia, and his condition was not considered serious. The CPI(M) leader had also recently undergone cataract surgery”.

Earlier this year, Yechury had declined an invitation to the hallowed consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, dismissing the sacred ritual as a state-sponsored event. In 2019, Sitaram Yechury sparked controversy by stating that both the Ramayana and Mahabharata are full of violent episodes, questioning the idea that Hindus are inherently non-violent.

Speaking at an event, Yechury remarked, “The Ramayana and Mahabharata contain numerous instances of violence and warfare. How can one recite these epics as a pracharak and still claim Hindus are incapable of violence? What’s the reasoning behind saying that one religion engages in violence while Hindus do not?”

RG Kar rape and murder case: Mamata govt rejects demand of protesting doctors for live broadcast of their meeting

OpIndia Staff
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RG Kar rape and murder case: Mamata govt rejects demand of protesting doctors for live broadcast of their meeting

On Thursday, 12th September, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant offered an additional notification to junior doctors protesting against the rape and murder of a woman doctor. The state authority invited them to attend a 5 p.m. meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. However, the state administration denied the doctor’s request for a live telecast of the conference but agreed to allow the debate to be recorded for transparency.

In his letter, Pant further restricted the delegation size to 15 doctors while confirming Mamata Banerjee’s attendance for the talks aimed at resolving the ongoing struggle. “The meeting shall not be Live telecast. However, the same can be recorded to maintain transparency. This will serve the purpose intended from your end, while also maintaining the sanctity of the proceedings, ensuring that all discussions are accurately documented,” the Chief Secretary stated in his letter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the government’s refusal to live telecast the meeting, and questioned its promise to record it for “transparency”.

“A petrified Mamata Banerjee refuses live telecast of meeting with the protesting Junior Doctors, which is a critical demand, for the sake of transparency. The Chief Secretary says the meeting will be documented. Well, the WB Govt couldn’t preserve the vaginal swab of the rape and murder victim of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. They couldn’t even produce the challan, a mandatory document before a body is sent in for post-mortem, and they expect the Junior Doctors to trust them? Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR. What is she scared of and who is she trying to defend?” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X.

The doctors have been holding a sit-in outside the West Bengal Health Department’s headquarters in Salt Lake, demanding justice for their colleague, who was raped and murdered on August 9th at RG Kar Medical College. Their protest, which has halted healthcare services at state-run institutions, is now in its 34th day.

The government invited to discuss the demands on Wednesday, but doctors demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s presence and the Live broadcast as prerequisites. “We will continue our agitation and ‘cease work’. But, we did not want to continue this. The state government is not open to holding any meetings with us. And, we want to make it clear that there is no politics behind our stir,” one of the protesting doctors was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the government is trying to single out the protesters saying that they shall join their duties by 2 pm today. Malviya posted a government letter on X which asked the protesting doctors to follow the Supreme Court orders and asked them to join their duties by 2 pm today.

Junior doctors have demanded improved security for woman healthcare workers, as well as the suspension of numerous authorities, including the Kolkata Police Commissioner, over suspected case mismanagement.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

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