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FIR filed against 12051 people including Jharkhand BJP chief, union minister and others over clashes with police during BJYM rally in Ranchi

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FIR filed against 12051 people including Jharkhand BJP chief, union minister and others over clashes with police during BJYM rally in Ranchi

An FIR was registered on Saturday against 12,000 unnamed, and 51 identified individuals, for allegedly being involved in a clash with police personnel during a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) rally in Ranchi, officials said.

“FIR registered against 12,000 unnamed, and 51 identified individuals, for allegedly being involved in a clash with police personnel during a BJYM rally. Those named are BJP state president Babulal Marandi, former Union minister Arjun Munda, MoS Defense Sanjay Seth, spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo and others,” Ranchi Police said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jharkhand unit took out a ‘Yuva Aakrosh Rally’ in Ranchi against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government on August 23 (Friday).

All BJP Jharkhand leaders, senior leaders, Union Minister Sanjay Seth, former Union Minister Arjun Munda, Babulal Marandi and other leaders participated in this youth protest rally.

Union Minister Sanjay Seth said that corruption is at its peak in Jharkhand, youth are not getting employment, and women’s safety is the biggest issue. The Hemant Soren government will have to answer all these.

Assembly elections are going to be held in Jharkhand this year and BJP has fully prepared to corner the government.

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

Bal Buddhi, divisive man, a disaster, needs mental health check-up: BJP leaders mock Rahul Gandhi for caste profiling Miss India winners

OpIndia Staff
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Bal Buddhi, divisive man, a disaster, needs mental health check-up: BJP leaders mock Rahul Gandhi for caste profiling Miss India winners

Continuing his caste rhetoric, yesterday (24th August), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that no SC, ST, or OBC woman has ever won the Miss India contest. Incidentally, it is a beauty pageant that is organised by private entities and doesn’t have reservations. Nonetheless, the Congress leader made this remark about the Miss India winners while alleging that 90% of Indians don’t have representation within the system and demanding a nationwide caste census, sparking a fresh controversy. He claimed that he had checked the list of Miss Indias and could not find a SC, ST or OBC name in it. Soon, netizens slammed Rahul Gandhi for doing caste and religious profiling of beauty contests. 

Several BJP leaders also took a jab at the Gandhi scion while pointing out that his remarks were not only factually incorrect but also wreaked casteism and were an attempt to divide the country. Some of the BJP leaders pointed out the factual inaccuracy in his bizarre commentary. Others said that he was now asking for reservations even in beauty contests adding that the Congress leader could soon do it also in the entertainment and sports fields. A few of the BJP leaders lambasted Rahul Gandhi dubbing his intellect as infantile (Bal Buddhi), and divisive or stressing that he needed a mental health check-up. 

Notably, it all started yesterday afternoon. While addressing an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi said, “…I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still the media talks about dance, music, cricket, Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and labourers.” 

Reacting to his remarks, BJP leader and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at Rahul Gandhi describing him as ‘Bal Budhi’ and a ‘divisive man’. Saying that the Congress leader was now asking for reservations in Miss India competitions, films, and sports, Rijiju described it as a ‘Bal Budhi’ issue. He also charged Rahul Gandhi’s supporters for being equally responsible for the same. 

Rijiju wrote, “Now, He (Rahul Gandhi) wants reservations in Miss India competitions, Films, sports! It is not only issue of “Bal Budhi”,  but people who cheer him are – equally responsible too!” 

The Union Minister noted that while the ‘Bal Budhi’ can be a source of entertainment, he asked the Congress leader to not ridicule backward classes as part of their ‘divisive strategy’.

Rijiju further criticised Rahul Gandhi stating, “Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji can’t divide our country…But he can’t see 1st Tribal President, OBC PM, Record Numbers of SC/ST Cabinet Ministers!” 

In a scathing attack, he made another post in which he called Rahul Gandhi a ‘divisive man’ adding that they won’t allow another partition to make him the country’s Prime Minister. 

Kiren Rijiju asserted, “His grandfather divided India to become Prime Minister, but we will not allow another partition of India to make this divisive man the Prime Minister.” 

In another tweet, the Union Minister reminded the Congress leader that Miss India is a private beauty contest. He said, “Rahul Gandhi Ji,  Governments don’t select Miss India, Govts don’t select athletes for Olympics, and Govts do not choose actors for Films!” 

Reacting strongly to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said that the Congress leader needed treatment and a mental health check-up. He argued that the Gandhi scion was habitual of enjoying power and since he has been out of power, he is acting akin to a fish out of water. He added that Rahul Gandhi gets rattled when someone asks him about his caste identity and claims that he is being abused.  

Tiwari said, “Rahul Gandhi needs treatment, his mental health check-up needs to be done. The most worrying is that he wants to know the caste of everyone but he doesn’t want to reveal his. When it was asked to him, he said that he has been abused, then asking other people’s caste would also be abuse. Every kid has talent in the country. Since he was in habit of being in government, and since he is out of power, he is reacting as if a fish has been taken out of water.” 

Speaking with ANI, Manoj Tiwari said, “The biggest question is, why does he want to divide the country into castes?… He also needs to tell everyone what caste he belongs to…”

BJP leader Kapil Mishra said that Rahul Gandhi was running away from the main question and that is “Who snatched away the work of Dalits, tribals, and OBCs, who took over their work?”

Mishra asked, “Today every job like barber, tailor, plumber, painting, craftsmanship, AC repair, car repair, fruit and vegetable supply, bakery, has been taken over by a particular religion. Rahul Gandhi is making Hindus fight among themselves but is running away from the real question. Make Hindus fight in the name of reservation but don’t talk about those who took away the real jobs. How will this work.”

Additionally, several BJP National Spokespersons, party functionaries, and state leaders also lashed out at Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka BJP leader Sunny Raj said that Rahul Gandhi is a disaster, and people who cheer him are equally responsible too. He tweeted, “Now, Rahul Gandhi wants reservations in Miss India competitions, Films, sports.”

Some BJP leaders reminded him that as recently as two years ago, a tribal contestant won a beauty pageant against the false claims of the Congress leader. They also charged Rahul Gandhi of dividing the country on caste lines. 

BJP leader from Maharashtra, CT Pallavi asked, “As a woman, I find this statement so SEXIST, so offensive. Rahul Gandhi says that in Bollywood or in the list of Ms India, you will not see a Dalit or an Adivasi or an OBC. Does he mean to say that these girls are NOT beautiful or NOT intelligent?”

BJP National Spokesperson Pradip Bhandari wrote, “Not long ago, just 2 years back, a tribal girl from Chhattisgarh, Miss Riya Ekka, won the Miss India title. Rahul Gandhi’s plan is divisive and it’s full of falsehood.” 

Shehzad Poonawala slammed the Congress leader saying, “Rahul Gandhi is now down to caste profiling & religious profiling of Ms India winners (which is a private competition/ event)…What is clear is that Rahul Gandhi is neither serious nor truthful about this issue. By the way who made the first Adivasi as President of Bharat – NDA”

Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots: Court grants 10-day interim bail to former RJD Youth Wing Leader Meeran Haider, who accepted he orchestrated riots in Delhi with support of PFI

OpIndia Staff
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Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots: Court grants 10-day interim bail to former RJD Youth Wing Leader Meeran Haider, who accepted he orchestrated riots in Delhi with support of PFI

On 24th August, the Karkardooma Sessions Court in Delhi granted interim bail for 10 days to Meeran Haider, an accused in the larger conspiracy related to the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of 2020. Haider was a Jamia student and leader of the RJD youth wing. He was arrested in April 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots case on allegations of coordinating efforts to incite violence during the riots.

Meeran had filed a bail plea in the court, requesting bail on humanitarian grounds due to the passing of his sister’s premature child. His lawyer submitted to the court that Meeran’s sister was without the support of other male family members, as her husband works in the UAE. Furthermore, the lawyer submitted that Meeran had been in continuous custody since 1st April 2020, and had not sought interim bail before.

The prosecution, in its reply, stated that the facts mentioned in the bail plea had been verified. They further mentioned that the sister’s husband was, in fact, in India but was leaving for the UAE on Sunday.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpayi found it justified to grant the applicant the desired relief. The application was allowed, and Meeran was granted interim bail for ten days.

The court imposed several conditions on Meeran. He should not get in touch with any of the witnesses nor tamper with any evidence. He must provide his mobile number to the investigating officer and keep his phone operational throughout the period of interim bail. Additionally, the court stated that during the interim bail period, the accused shall not talk to or give any interviews to the media, including social media.

The regular bail plea is pending before the Delhi High Court, as the trial court had previously rejected Meeran’s regular bail plea.

Role of Meeran Haider in anti-Hindu Delhi riots

Meeran Haider was a PhD student at Jamia Millia Islamia University. He was arrested in April 2020 in connection with rioting and criminal conspiracy related to the anti-Hindu riots in northeast Delhi. Meeran Haider made some shocking revelations regarding the anti-Hindu riots that took place in 2020.

Meeran was the president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal youth wing’s Delhi unit and a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC). He revealed that the anti-Hindu riots were planned after the Jamia violence and that he was tasked with gathering a crowd for the protests and demonstrations in Delhi and overseeing other arrangements.

During questioning by the Delhi Police, he disclosed that the riot was sponsored by the Popular Front of India (PFI). Meeran told the police that he had personally received Rs 5 lakhs to engineer the riots. The Muslim-dominated areas of Delhi, such as Zafarabad and Seelampur, were chosen, and Meeran and others were assigned the task of collecting knives, petrol, stones, and other materials.

Meeran Haider said he had prepared a register before the riots to maintain a record of all funds being collected for the purpose. He mentioned that the money received as ‘Zakat’ was used to purchase gadgets, weapons, and other items required to carry out the task.

The accused told the police that he traveled to various states to mobilize support, incite people against CAA-NRC, and mentally prepare them for the riots. He claimed to have personally supervised the anti-government demonstrations at at least 20 sites in Delhi. Haider also revealed that he already knew Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi, the two main facilitators of the Delhi anti-Hindu riots.

Speaking on how the horrific attack on Hindus in Delhi was pre-planned, Meeran said that after the Jamia violence and the ‘success’ of the Shaheen Bagh protest, they decided that protests should be held in more Muslim areas of Delhi where there was resentment against the Centre over CAA-NRC.

Discussing the strategy devised to conduct one of the worst communal riots in Delhi in decades, Meeran said it was divided into three phases: protests, roadblocks, and riots.

He divulged that members of DU’s Pinjra Tod group, like Natasha and Devangana, were secretly associated with this movement and were tasked with delivering inflammatory speeches. He was given the responsibility to mobilize the crowd at protest sites such as Shaheen Bagh, Khureji, Seelampur, Jaffarabad, Turkman Gate, Kardampuri, Mustafabad, and Indralok. Meeran reportedly also ran WhatsApp groups to incite riots in Delhi.

He revealed how he roamed around all these places, collected information, and passed it on to the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) to help devise further strategies.

Meeran Haider confessed to knowing many members of the PFI (Popular Front of India), who provided money to incite the communal riots in Delhi, including PFI activists Sajid Mujid and Mohammad Sihad of Kerala, who sent Rs 20,000 to him for the riots.

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and its comparison with National Pension System: How will government employees benefit from UPS – Know point-by-point

OpIndia Staff
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Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and its comparison with National Pension System: How will government employees benefit from UPS – Know point-by-point

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees, marking a significant step towards ensuring an assured pension for central government workers. This scheme is expected to benefit 23 lakh central government employees. It will come into effect from 1st April 2025. Central government employees have been given the option to choose between NPS (National Pension Scheme) and UPS. 

Here are the salient features and a comparative study of the three pension schemes. 

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

According to the Union government, the new initiative launched by the NDA government combines the salient features of both the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and National Pension Scheme (NPS), thus named as Unified Pension Scheme. It will work like the OPS with the added benefits of the NPS. 

The UPS introduces various benefits, including the fact that government employees will receive a guaranteed pension amounting to 50 percent of the average basic pay earned during the last 12 months before retirement. To avail this benefit of the UPS, government employees must complete a minimum of 25 years of service. 

Government employees who served for at least 10 years will receive a proportional pension. A key feature of the scheme is that government employees will get a guaranteed minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month if they retire after serving for at least 10 years. 

Additionally, the scheme includes a provision for the family pension that ensures surviving spouses or family members receive 60% of the employee’s pension immediately after the employee’s death.

The UPS offers flexibility by allowing current and future employees to choose between the NPS and the new scheme, UPS. However, once a choice is made, it is final. Furthermore, state governments can also implement the newly launched UPS initiative and if they adopt the same model, the scheme could potentially cover up to 90 lakh employees. 

UPS not only guarantees a pension but also incorporates inflation indexation. The dearness relief component will be based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).

After retirement (superannuation), government employees will also receive a lump sum payment, in addition to gratuity. This lump sum amount will be calculated – as one-tenth of their monthly earnings, which include their salary and dearness allowance – at the time of retirement for every six months of service completed. Importantly, this payment will not affect the amount of the assured pension.

Notably, there will be no increase in the employee contribution under the new scheme. They will contribute 10% of their salary to UPS. Instead, the government will raise its contribution from 14 percent to 18.5 percent to facilitate the implementation of the UPS.

It is however important to note that the UPS does not apply to private employees. They can invest in NPS. 

National Pension System (NPS)

The NDA government, led by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, implemented the National Pension System (NPS) scheme in 2004. It replaced the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). However, it faced massive opposition.

Under the provisions of NPS, the employee contribution is 10% of their basic salary and DA, while the government contributes 14%. 60% of the pension amount was tax-free which could be withdrawn in a lump sum. The rest of the 40% pension amount attracted tax as per the tax bracket. 

The pension received under NPS depends on the employee’s contribution made during the employment period. This amount was linked to the stock market etc., and the amount received from it also depends on the market performance. 

Any individual can open an account in NPS. The minimum contribution is Rs 500. There are two types of accounts – Tier-1 account and Tier-2 account. The Tier-1 account is mandatory and it is exempted from tax. Whereas, the Tier-2 account is optional and you can draw funds from it anytime but it doesn’t enjoy the benefit of tax exemption. 

After retirement, any employee can withdraw 60% of the total pension amount from NPS as a lump sum accumulated amount. The remaining amount can be used to buy an annuity to pay a regular pension. 60% of this amount is tax exempted. 

Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

In the Old Pension Scheme, there was a provision to give monthly pensions based on the last salary of the employees. There was no employee contribution as the government used to bore its expenses. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government replaced it with the NPS. However, there have been frequent calls for the re-implementation of OPS.

OPS applies only to those government employees who have joined the service before 1st January 2004. In OPS, the pension amount also includes changes in Dearness Allowance (DA) from time to time. DA is linked with inflation. The amount received under this scheme is exempted from tax. 

After retirement, the employees could withdraw 50% of their last salary as a pension. However, the government has discontinued this scheme. 

Nonetheless, another noteworthy provision of UPS is that the scheme applies to central government employees who have already retired and have opted for the NPS. If they opt for UPS instead of NPS, they will receive arrears for the previous period, with interest calculated at Public Provident Fund (PPF) rates. It will cost an outlet of approximately Rs 800 crore to the government. 

Which scheme is better among the three

OPS was the best scheme because the employees did not have to make any contribution for pension and the government bore all its expenses. However, some other benefits were added to the NPS. 

Now, the Union government has estimated that the UPS will be beneficial for 99 percent of the currently working central employees. In such a situation, it is important to know which is better between NPS and the newly announced pension scheme, UPS.

Under the UPS, employees will get a fixed pension amounting to 50% of the average basic pay earned during the last 12 months before retirement. Whereas, in the NPS, the pension amount depended on the amount invested in the market. 

For employees who served for more than 10 years but less than 25 years, their pension amount will be decided based on proportionate allocation of the period, but this system is not available in NPS.

Under the provisions of the UPS, in case of an employee’s death, the dependent will get 60% of the pension amount as an assured family pension. 

Furthermore, the minimum pension amount in the UPS is Rs 10,000 per month, whereas there is no such provision in NPS.

Another added advantage of UPS is that it is linked to the inflation indexation. In case the retail inflation rate increases then the pension amount will also increase accordingly. Pension, family pension, and minimum pension will be determined based on Dearness Allowance. Whereas in NPS, the pension amount depends on the market performance. 

In this new pension scheme introduced by the Modi government, a lump sum amount worth 10% of the basic salary will be given for every six months during the service period. This will be in addition to gratuity. Additionally, the government contribution to UPS will be 18.5 percent, which is higher than the contribution in NPS which stands at 14%. 

30 organisations issue deadline to Miya Muslims to leave upper Assam within 7 days after the Dhing rape case, Congress MLA challenges them

OpIndia Staff
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30 organisations issue deadline to Miya Muslims to leave upper Assam within 7 days after the Dhing rape case, Congress MLA challenges them

Following the horrific rape of a minor girl in Dhing in Assam by three youths from the Muslim community, sentiments against Miya Muslims have risen in Assam. Amid the protests against the rape case, several organisations have now issued an ultimatum to Miya Muslims to leave upper Assam within 7 days. Notably, Miya Muslims refer to Muslims of Bangladeshi origin, as against indigenous Muslims in Assam.

As many as 30 organisations in Upper Assam, the districts in eastern Assam, have come together to issue the deadline to the Miya Muslims to leave the region within 7 days. Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad said, “The whole incident has been committed by Miya Muslims. Miya Muslims have now become a cancerous disease in Assam. There are many Mia Muslims in Lower Assam. They are involved in crimes like rape, robbery, drug trafficking. People are upset.”

The organisation added that they are concerned that incidents like lower Assam will take place in upper Assam also. They asked the govt to expel Miya Muslims from upper Assam as soon as possible. “We have set a deadline of 7 days. After 7 days, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad will take measures to evict them even by using force. We have made it clear that they must leave within seven days. This is our last word.”

30 nationalist organisations have come together to issue the deadline, which includes All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU), Asomiya Yuva Manch, Asomiya Mahila Manch, Bir Lachit Sena, All Assam Adivasi Students’ Union, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam Sabbas Tribal Students’ Union, Garia Maria Desi Jatiya Parishad, Chutia Jati Yuva Sammelan, All Assam Chutia Students’ Union, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Tai Ahom Youth Council, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Tai Ahom Youth Council  All Moran Students Union, Ahom Sena and others.

They also asked the businesses to terminate Miya Muslim workers.

Amid the demands, Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal triggered a controversy by challenging the organisations saying that they can’t evict Miya Muslims from upper Assam. He said that while he condemns the Dhing rape incident, the entire community can’t be held guilty for the same.

Mandal also claimed that Miya Muslims are contributing to the community by doing labour works in various sectors. He claimed that alleged hateful comments by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and others have encouraged such demands.

RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case: CBI conducts searches at premises of former Principal in Kolkata amid corruption probe

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RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case: CBI conducts searches at premises of former Principal in Kolkata amid corruption probe

The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches on Sunday at multiple locations connected to former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh and his relatives in West Bengal’s Kolkata.

According to CBI sources, searches were underway at 15 locations across the city related to Dr Ghosh and his relatives.

A CBI team also reached the residence of Dr Debashish Som, Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on Sunday morning, they said.

These actions follow a complaint filed three days earlier by Akhtar Ali, former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, alleging corruption and irregularities at the institution and specifically naming Dr Debashish Som.

On Saturday, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh based on directives from the Calcutta High Court. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college.

Earlier, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the Calcutta High Court visited the CBI office at Nizam Palace and handed over crucial documents related to the case. Acting promptly on this information, the CBI filed the FIR and submitted a copy to the Alipur Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court on Saturday.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of the trainee doctor.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

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

Actor Siddique resigns as General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists amid resurfaced sexual assault allegations

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Siddique resigns as General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists amid resurfaced sexual assault allegations

On 24th August, Malayalam actor Siddique resigned from the post of General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He resigned over allegations of sexual assault levelled against him by a female actor. The resignation has been submitted to Mohanlal, president of AMMA.

In a statement, Siddique said, “Yes. I have tendered my official resignation to the president of the organisation, Mohanlal. Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post and resigned.” The allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled in 2019 by a Malayalam actor. The issue has sparked again following Justice Hema Committee’s report highlighted widespread cases of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry.

In a statement, the victim said, “There was this Malayalam film which was being screened at the Nila theatre. He called me for a discussion about the film at the Mascot Hotel. That’s how I went there. This happened when I was 21.”

She added, “His approach, just like others, was to call me ‘daughter affectionately’. At that time, I didn’t realise this was the approach he had. I didn’t know this would happen. I went to that hotel with a very professional approach. I realised only later, after I became an adult, that such a film never existed. He sexually abused me in that hotel. It was a trap. Whatever he is saying now is completely false.”

She further said, “What he has done to many survivors, including me, as I said, is rape. I know I am speaking to the media and understand how the survivors who are listening to this are feeling right now. But if I have to speak openly, then let me tell you that this is how he behaved with me.”

“He touched me without my permission. He physically assaulted me, kicked me and trapped me. The face he has put on now is that of a liar. When he says all these are a criminal offence, he is one. I hope he has a mirror in his home. If not, I would be happy to gift him one. I am very sure he lies to himself every day. The price I had to pay was my dreams, my time and lots of mental issues I had to go through. Nobody should have to go through all this. Because when I knocked on the doors of justice, nobody gave it to me. Be it anyone, any system, I never got it,” she added.

Several AMMA members welcomed Siddique decision to give resignation. Vice President of AMMA Jayan Cherthala said it was not appropriate for him to continue in the position as such serious allegation have cropped up against him once again. Actor Anoop Chandran said he sent an email to Mohanlal in the morning seeking Siddique’s resignation. “The continuation of a person, facing serious allegations, in the post is actually an insult to the entire organisation. So I said in the email that if Siddique was not ready to step down on his own, the executive committee should be prepared to oust him,” he told media.

Actress Mala Parvathy called decision of actor Siddique “morally and ethically correct”. She said, “The actor’s resignation is inevitable…it is an appropriate decision. If that victim woman showed the courage to come in front of the society and detailed the trauma she underwent publically, we should understand the intensity of pain and humiliation she had suffered.”

Justice Hema Report exposed challenging circumstances faced by women in Malayalam film industry

On 20th August, the Kerala government came under heavy criticism for or holding up the release of the Hema committee report, featuring startling information about how women are treated in the Malayalam film industry. The report was made official on 18th August.

This study, which bears the name of the committee’s chair, Justice K. Hema (Retd.), is an important document that highlights the challenging circumstances that women in the film industry face. The committee was established in response to the 2017 sexual assault of a well-known actress, which caused public indignation and prompted calls for structural reform in the business.

The study emphasized the serious obstacles that women encounter in the Malayalam film business, such as pervasive sexual harassment, discrimination based on gender, and an unfriendly workplace. The most startling discovery was that women who experience sexual harassment or assault frequently choose not to speak up for fear of being branded as “troublemakers” or being shunned by the business.

Testimonies from other women in the industry, who detailed their terrifying experiences, are included in the report. A scenario that was particularly unsettling featured an actress who was made to rehearse a scene in which she was hugged by an actor who had previously molested her. The actress suffered severe physical and psychological damage from having to endure 17 takes. Her performance was critiqued by the producer, who failed to recognize or comprehend the emotional agony she was experiencing.

The study emphasized how few basic amenities, like women’s restrooms and changing areas on movie sets, are available to women in the business. The substantial salary gap that exists in the Malayalam cinema industry between male and female actors was also highlighted by the survey.

The committee discovered that the sector frequently rejects women who dare to speak out against harassment or discrimination. They are called “problem-makers,” which negatively impacts their chances of getting a job and makes them feel alone in the workplace. The industry’s culture of backlash against female employees who speak for themselves is a contributing factor to the ongoing harassment and abuse of these workers.

“Anti-reservation parties”: Dalit leader Mayawati slams Congress and Samajwadi Party, rules out any alliance with them in future

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“Anti-reservation parties”: Dalit leader Mayawati slams Congress and Samajwadi Party, rules out any alliance with them in future

Targeting the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) over reservations, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Sunday called both parties ‘anti-reservation’ and ruled out any future alliance with them.

In a series of posts on X, Mayawati said that the followers of Baba Saheb, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, will never forgive the Congress Party for not honouring Baba Saheb, the chief architect of the Constitution, with the title of Bharat Ratna both during his lifetime and after his death.

“Also, when Kanshi Ram ji, who gave impetus to Baba Saheb’s movement, died, this Congress, while having a government in the centre, did not declare a single day of national mourning in his honour and neither did the SP government declare a state mourning. Be cautious of such double standards of thinking, behaviour and character,” Mayawati said.

She also questioned, Why did the Congress not conduct the National Caste Census in its government before the BJP came to power at the Centre and they are talking about it now?

“Whereas the BSP has always been in favour of it, because its conduct is very important in the interest of the weaker sections,” she said.

“Not only this, the silence of Congress, SP, BJP, etc. in the face of the ongoing conspiracy to make the reservation given to SC/ST under the Constitution ineffective and abolish it through classification and creamy layer, is this their love for Dalits? Be careful,” Mayawati added.
The BSP Chief also asserted that SC, ST and OBC classes have to stand on their own now.

“Will it be in the interest of the SC, ST and OBC classes to enter into an alliance with these anti-reservation parties, like the SP and Congress, in any election? This will not happen at all, so now they have to stand on their own, this is the advice,” she said.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said, “If anyone thinks that the caste census can be stopped or the 50 per cent barrier in reservation will remain, let me tell you, they are dreaming.”

“Neither the caste census will stop, nor the socio-economic survey, nor the institutional survey, nor will the 50 per cent barrier (in reservation) remain… because the people of India have made up their minds; the order has come from the people, now the Prime Minister must accept this and enforce the order. And if he does not enforce it, then other Prime Ministers will do it,” he said.

He added that the Congress party is protecting the constitution through the caste census.

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

The EU’s growing obsession with censorship: Arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov signals a threat to digital freedom

OpIndia Staff
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The EU’s growing obsession with censorship: Arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov signals a threat to digital freedom

On Saturday, 24th August, Russian-French billionaire and founder of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, was arrested at Bourget Airport outside Paris. He was travelling abroad on his private jet when he was detained due to an outstanding arrest warrant in France, linked to a preliminary police investigation against him.

According to reports, the investigation focuses on the lack of moderation on the Telegram app, which police claim has facilitated criminal activities. Telegram has approximately one billion users and is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and the republics of the former Soviet Union. After Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat, Telegram is the seventh most popular social media platform globally.

Pavel was born in Russia and developed Telegram with his brother in 2013. In 2014, Pavel Durov left Russia after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on the VKontakte social media platform, which was later sold.

Since Russia launched its military operation against Ukraine, Telegram has become the primary source of unfiltered information from both sides. The information shared is often graphic, particularly concerning the war and politics.

Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that its embassy in Paris is monitoring the situation surrounding Pavel Durov and has called on Western non-governmental organisations to demand his release. This statement is significant given that since 2018, Russia has been blocking Telegram after the app refused to comply with court orders to grant security agencies access to users’ encrypted messages.

On X, Elon Musk quoted a post talking about recent arrests made in the name of not following government orders or guidelines, and said, “Dangerous times.”

In recent times, the European Union has become increasingly aggressive on digital freedom. Pavel’s arrest cannot be seen as an isolated incident. Just a few months ago, the EU threatened Elon Musk with sanctions if X (formerly Twitter) did not comply with its content moderation policies. Recently, when Musk hosted an X Space with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the European Commission issued a threatening letter to Musk, expressing concern over the management of alleged harmful information on X.

The message the EU is sending is clear: fall in line with their censorship rules or face the consequences. Notably, Telegram, with over a billion users, has long been a barrier against government control over free speech and its users’ freedom of expression. Telegram has repeatedly refused to bow to government pressure to release data about its users, which has now made it a target for the EU.

Other tech giants, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, have either faced action or bowed down to censorship demands. WhatsApp has faced increasing pressure from EU regulators to weaken its security features in the name of public safety. Facebook and YouTube have been accused of bowing to government pressure on several occasions to censor the content published on their platforms.

Ironically, the EU prides itself on being a bastion of human rights, but it is now becoming a master of censorship. Telegram and X are under consistent scrutiny for their content. Tomorrow, it could be any other platform that dares to allow uncensored content.

Pakistan Supreme Court revises its judgement saying Ahmadiyyas have a right to follow their religion following pressure from hardliner Islamists

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Supreme Court revises its judgement saying Ahmadiyyas have a right to follow their religion following pressure from hardliner Islamists

On 22nd August, Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Supreme Court revised its judgement in Ahmadiya Mubarak Sani’s case. The revision came after hardliner Islamists protested against the Paragraphs in Supreme Court judgement where it said Ahamadiyaas have a right to follow their religion.

Supreme Court removed the so-called controversial paragraphs from the Ahmadiyya Mubarak Sani’s judgment following the protests by Islamists. The court accepted the federal government’s appeal to “correct” the judgment by removing the paragraphs that had irked Islamists and Islamic organisations in Pakistan, putting even the life of a Supreme Court judge in danger.

In its recent order, Pakistan’s apex court ruled that the expunged paragraphs 7, 42, and 49-C from the original decision cannot be used as judicial precedents. The decision followed objections raised by Islamic leaders, several of whom were present in court during the review order.

According to reports, the removed paragraphs mentioned the banned book and proselytisation activities of the Ahmadi community. During the hearing, the court was advised by Maulana Fazlur Rehman to limit its role in granting bail. In its order, the court stated that the federal government had sought a review of the previous judgment considering the recommendations from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Notably, following the judgment, riots erupted in Pakistan, and Islamists had barged into the Supreme Court judge’s house.

Earlier, the apex court had sought assistance from religious leaders, including Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on the matter. The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, asked them to identify errors in the judgment. The Islamic leaders suggested that the court either revise the decision or annul it completely.

Mufti Taqi Usmani, who resides in Turkiye, recommended the removal of paragraphs 7 and 42, citing concerns over the interpretation of proselytisation. The federal government, through the Attorney General, informed the court that parliament and religious leaders had urged the government to request the apex court’s intervention in the matter as a second review was not feasible under civil procedure.

Chief Justice Isa said, “I pray after every namaz that no wrong decisions are made,” highlighting the importance of judicial integrity. He also expressed respect for parliament, referencing his attendance at its 50th anniversary.

Background of the Case

On 24th July, the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the petition by the Punjab Government asserting that religious freedom and the right to profess religion are subject to laws, morality, and public order. The decision came in the case related to the conviction of Mubarak Ahmad Sani under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021. The issue in the matter was that the law was enacted after the so-called crime was committed by Sani, which led to his bail and release. However, the Punjab (Pakistan) government filed a review petition seeking modification to clarify constitutional rights concerning law, public order, and morality.

Following the judgment, Islamist mob comprising thousands is protesting in Pakistan against Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Isa, who was appointed the Chief Justice of Pakistan in November last year has been facing death threats and protests since February this year after he ordered the release of a Ahmadiyya man Mubarak Sani. On the 29th of May, a three-judge bench including Chief Justice Isa, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan reserved its decision.

The protesting Islamists are demanding CJP Faez Isa’s resignation. On 19th August, a large number of protesters from various Islamist groups breached Islamabad’s highly secured Red Zone, storming the Supreme Court entrance gates to protest the Pakistan apex court verdict in the Mubarak Sani case.

In the February ruling, Justice Isa granted bail to Ahmadiyya man Mubarak Ahmad Sani who was accused of blasphemy in 2019 for distributing pamphlets promoting his religious beliefs. Sani was convicted under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021. However, the 3-judge bench led by Justice Isa noted that Sani was charged for an offence not criminalised until 2021. Consequently, the top court granted bail to Sani and ordered his immediate release. Soon after, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other Islamists launched a hate campaign against Qazi Faez Isa. In Peshawar, around 3000 people blocked the roads in February and raised slogans like “Death to Qadianis” etc. The agitation of Islamists compelled the Supreme Court to issue a statement ‘defending’ its decision in the Mubarak Sani case.

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