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Jairam Ramesh fumes over Adani getting airport project in Kenya over Chinese company: How Congress hate for Indian conglomerate is blatant now

OpIndia Staff
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Jairam Ramesh fumes over Adani getting airport project in Kenya over Chinese company: How Congress hate for Indian conglomerate is blatant now

On Tuesday (3rd September), the Congress party objected to the Adani Group’s proposal to upgrade an airport in Kenya as the Indian conglomerate could pip Chinese firms who have also been eyeing the same project. While expressing concerns about the developments in Kenya, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the ongoing protest against the Adani Group could “easily convert into anger against India and the Indian Government”. 

The senior leader responsible for disseminating the official line of the Congress party also linked and blamed the global expansion of the Adani group for the violent outcome and social unrest in India’s neighbourhood, citing the alleged collusion between the Indian Businessman and PM Modi.

However, several netizens slammed the Congress leader for targeting and besmirching an Indian firm that could secure India a strategic airport in Africa giving the country an added advantage over China whose firms had been aggressively gunning for the same project. Previously, OpIndia had in detail pointed out how the Adani Group has been aspiring to challenge China’s maritime dominance, however, the Congress party has targeted the Indian company after signing an MoU with the CCP. 

While lambasting Jairam Ramesh, several users also cited the grand old party’s ‘secretive’ Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and accused him of being a pro-Chinese leader and harming India’s interest in petty politics. 

Adani could pip Chinese firms to secure development project in Kenya’s largest airport; stirs protest among locals

The entire row pertains to Kenya’s largest airport – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which was built in 1978. It is Kenya’s strategic national asset. According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials, its ageing infrastructure is a threat to its regional competitiveness and therefore it has been undertaking upgradation and developing new infrastructure from time to time.

Initially, several Chinese firms secured tenders for developing and upgrading JKIA infrastructure, however, as per reports, the Indian conglomerate is now ahead in securing a project to develop a second terminal at KAA after Beijing’s botched tenders caused heavy losses to the African nation. Strikingly, despite causing heavy losses to Kenya, China on its part has been engaged in doing PR for its work on the JKIA airport.  

(China has been in the game in Nairobi’s JKIA airport for decades, Adani pipping Chinese firm would be a natural choice for Kenya as it incurred losses at the hands of Chinese firms.)

In July this year, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed that it had received an investment proposal under the public-private partnership (PPP) from the Adani Group for the upgradation of the JKIA airport in Nairobi. 

Consequently, last month, the government of Kenya said in a statement on the Adani Group’s proposal that JKIA was stretched beyond its capacity of 7.5 million passengers a year and is in urgent need of improvements. They cited incidents like leaking roofs which it said had caused “international embarrassment”. 

The statement added that modernising JKIA could cost $2 billion, which the government was “constrained to fund due to the current tight fiscal situation”. Afterwards, it noted that Adani’s offer was “currently being reviewed” adding that if a deal is agreed, there would be safeguards to ensure Kenya’s national interests are protected.

Meanwhile, the Gautam Adani-owned Indian firm has proposed to upgrade the airport, including the construction of a second runway and a new passenger terminal under a 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract. It is a Sh246 billion deal. 

The Adani Group subsidiary will also be expected to carry out renovations and refurbishments to the airport as well as oversee the development and operation of JKIA, Kenya’s largest aviation facility, and East Africa’s busiest airport. 

However, the government’s assertion that Adani’s proposal was being reviewed triggered protests in Kenya. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) and Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) demanded that all stakeholders involved in the deal should temporarily stop it so that they can get time to read the documents presented by the government, alluding that they are not themselves convinced about any wrongdoing in the proposed deal. 

They have urged the KAA officials to come clean on the ongoing negotiations with Adani Holdings on the JKIA takeover saying could impact freight businesses. They have expressed apprehensions that the deal could lead to job losses and bring in non-Kenyan workers as well as failure in honouring previous contracts and agreements. 

The KUWA called on the government to scrap what it referred to as the “unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India” and gave a seven-day strike notice which was issued last month in August. 

Reacting to the protests, Kenya’s government has assured the protesting union that the interest of the country, its workers, and its citizens will be protected and ensured. It also noted that the airport is “not for sale” and that no decision had been made on whether to proceed with the proposed PPP to upgrade the hub.

While issuing the strike notice, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema had said, “We shall reconsider our intention to engage in industrial action … only if the Adani Airport Holdings Limited’s deal is abandoned in its entirety.” He also reiterated a call for the entire KAA to resign.

Incidentally, on 3rd September, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared a three-week-old article to allege that massive protests are going on against Adani Group’s proposed takeover of JKIA airport. He argued that this could end up fueling anti-India sentiments in the African country and wane India’s global soft power. 

Congress’ Communication’s in-charge, Jairam Ramesh wrote, “The Adani Group’s proposed takeover of the airport in Nairobi, Kenya, has led to widespread protests in the country, with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union calling for a strike to demonstrate its opposition. This is a matter of grave concern for India, because the non-biological PM’s friendship with Mr. Adani is now globally well known. The protests can therefore easily convert into anger against India and the Indian Government.”

He then went on to level the blame of social unrest and violent coups in India’s neighbourhood – Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – squarely on the Adani group and his alleged closeness with the Indian Prime Minister.  

Jairam Ramesh targeted the Indian conglomerate saying, “In recent years, similar controversies around Adani projects in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have undermined our national interest and contributed to bad outcomes for India. The Bangladesh Government’s contract to purchase power from Adani’s coal plant in Jharkhand, for instance, became a flashpoint in the protests that led to PM Sheikha Hasina’s resignation last month. Adani’s renewable energy projects in Mannar district in Sri Lanka were also embroiled in controversy and were a part of the widespread protests against the Sri Lankan Government in 2022.”

He concluded by alleging that PM Modi’s so-called collusion with the Adani group could diminish India’s global soft power. 

While the Congress leader alleged that “widespread protests” are ongoing in Kenya against the Adani group’s proposed takeover of JKIA, ironically, the main body, KUWA, fueling the protest against the Adani Group has called off strikes multiple times. They have repeatedly stated that they want to read more about the deal to adjudge whether there is any irregularity in the proposed agreement. 

However, while targeting the Indian conglomerate, the Congress leader failed to appreciate that the Indian firm had seemingly pipped China which has been in the game in Nairobi’s JKIA airport for decades. 

For a long time, Chinese firms have been involved in JKIA’s development projects and have been eyeing every new project even after Beijing’s botched tenders causing major losses to the African nation. 

Incidentally, Nation.Africa reported in June 2022, How Chinese firm pocketed Sh4.3bn for doing zero work at JKIA. 

(Nation.Africa news clipping)

The report stated, “A Chinese contractor reportedly pocketed Sh4.3 billion of taxpayers’ money for doing zero work in a mega project at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that has infuriated MPs. The firm had won an Sh64 billion tender for the construction of Greenfield Terminal, which was cancelled in March 2016. There were claims that its cost had been inflated by up to Sh9 billion. President Kenyatta presided over the project’s ground-breaking ceremony, which cost the taxpayer Sh75 million on May 23, 2014.” 

Additionally, according to an August 2024 Business Daily report, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) suffered a Sh4.2 billion net loss for the year to June 2023 as it was hit by a Sh5.4 billion payment to a joint venture of Chinese contractors. The payment was part of an out-of-court settlement over the cancellation of a tender to build a second terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) nine years ago. 

Naturally, after suffering heavy losses at the hands of Chinese firms and in the wake-drop of well-established knowledge of China’s debt trap strategy, Kenya’s government has seemingly looked the other way resulting in a possibility of the Indian conglomerate, Adani Group, pipping Chinese firms and getting India a strategic win over China in the fiercely fought battleground in the African continent. 

Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that globalisation and FDI are bound to face protests, especially in countries that have faced economic and employment crises. Hence, protests against a foreign country’s firm over apprehensions of job losses, and the possibility arising of a compromise in the nation’s interest, among others, are a part and parcel trait of any democratic society, and upholding a nation’s sovereignty which can and should be resolved through transparency and amicable solutions through dialogue and discussion between stakeholders. However, ulterior motives and pro-Chinese entities fueling the ongoing protest in Kenya can’t be ruled out and the country should ensure that it meets its strategic goals despite all the hindrances. 

As per reports, a large delegation of officials from Kenya has arrived in India to iron out the issues while the Adani Group has moved ahead and opened its Kenyan subsidiary for the proposed JKIA deal.   

Nonetheless, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh is now receiving flakes for targeting the Indian conglomerate that has virtually defeated India’s major adversary, China which has been engaged in a territorial dispute and aggression for the better part of a century. 


The Congress party has been struggling to muster a response to the dichotomy of Adani Group’s investment in BJP-ruled states vis-a-vis non-BJP-ruled states. It has been facing severe criticism for trying to attract investment from the Gautam Adani-owned firm while constantly deriding its investment in BJP-ruled states and other countries, alluding that the deal wreaks corruption. It has been accused of not backing the Indian firm in its quest to pip expansionist China in securing more strategic ports, and airports.

Former aide to two New York Governors was spying for China, furthering Beijing agenda: With the NewsClick China funding case, here is why India needs to be careful

Anurag
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Former aide to two New York Governors was spying for China, furthering Beijing agenda: With the NewsClick China funding case, here is why India needs to be careful

Linda Sun, a former high-ranking aide to two New York governors, has been charged with spying for the Government of China, raising serious concerns about the influence of foreign entities at the highest levels of state administration. Sun held prominent roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Kathy Hochul and Deputy Diversity Officer for former Governor Andrew Cuomo. She was arrested alongside her husband, Chris Hu, from their $4 million Long Island home.

According to reports, prosecutors allege that Sun used her position in government to subtly promote the Chinese agenda, including barring Taiwanese representatives from accessing the office of New York’s governor. Furthermore, it has been alleged that New York’s official messaging was aligned with the interests of the Chinese government. In return, Sun and her husband received substantial financial benefits. Hu’s business dealings in China were reportedly assisted by the Chinese government, enabling the couple to acquire luxurious properties and vehicles.

The indictment further details how Sun allegedly made efforts to omit references to China’s human rights abuses against Uyghurs from official communications, such as in a Lunar New Year video requested by Chinese officials in 2021. The Sun-Hu couple has pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail.

Sun, originally from China, currently holds US citizenship. Following the accusations of misconduct, she was dismissed from Hochul’s administration. Reportedly, Cuomo’s spokesperson attempted to downplay her influence in the office.

India needs to be careful of Chinese influence

While the case highlights a broader need for a federal crackdown on suspected Chinese espionage in the US, it is also a wake-up call for countries like India to scrutinise potential Chinese influence on their government, economy, and administration. The case of Newsclick, where Chinese funds were used to push Beijing’s anti-India agenda, is already a notable example.

The NewsClick Chinese funding case

In August 2023, a New York Times investigation exposed links between American businessman Neville Roy Singham and the Chinese government, revealing that Singham has been funding global media outlets, including India’s NewsClick, to propagate Chinese government narratives. Singham’s network reportedly disguised Chinese propaganda as progressive advocacy across nations like India, Brazil, South Africa, and the US.

Further revelations in the case from the Delhi Police chargesheet indicated that NewsClick employees were paid to incite violence during anti-CAA protests. Witnesses testified that funds from China were used to distribute cash to protesters, purchase firearms, and fuel unrest in Kashmir. The chargesheet also named activist Teesta Setalvad as a recipient of Singham’s funds, allegedly used to revive her portal ‘Sabrang India.’

The chargesheet described an “interoperable triumvirate” involving Singham, Setalvad, and Prabir Purkayastha, NewsClick’s founder, and suggested a coordinated effort to propagate a left-wing extremist agenda. Police raids in 2023 at multiple locations linked to the accused individuals resulted in the arrest of Purkayastha and NewsClick’s HR head under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Purkayastha was, however, later released on bail over a technicality. The investigation into the matter is underway.

OpIndia’s complete coverage of the NewsClick controversy can be checked here.

Chinese funding to Rajiv Gandhi foundation

In October 2022, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), a non-governmental organisation linked with the Gandhi family, had its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence revoked by the Centre for alleged violation of the foreign funding law. Licence of Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT) was also cancelled barring both organisations from receiving foreign funding.

According to reports, the decision was made based on investigations conducted by an inter-ministerial committee constituted by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) in July 2020. A notice regarding the termination of licence has been sent to the office-bearers of the foundation.

In July 2020, the MHA formed an inter-ministerial committee led by an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer to investigate three foundations linked to the Gandhi family, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, for alleged violations of the Money Laundering Act, Income Tax Act, and FCRA.

In 2020, several shocking details about the financial dealings of the RGF were reported. Back then, OpIndia had extensively reported on how the Chinese government donated funds to RGF in 2006 and subsequent years. It is worth noting that Sonia Gandhi is the Chairperson of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and the trustees have been Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra since 2005.

During UPA1 in 2008, the Congress party and the Communist Party of China (CPC) had signed a deal in Beijing for exchanging high-level information and co-operation between them. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) also provided the two parties with the “opportunity to consult each other on important bilateral, regional and international developments”.

Before the signing of the MoU, the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi had held a long meeting with Xi and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China to discuss issues of mutual interest.

In 2008, Sonia Gandhi had visited Beijing along with Rahul, daughter Priyanka, son-in-law Robert Vadra and their two children to attend the opening of the Olympic Games. A year before, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had also led a delegation of the Congress party to China. 

The 2008 MoU between CCP and Congress came at a time when the Left parties in India had expressed lack of trust in UPA-1 government led by Congress. The India Today report suggests that even as China was aware of the political landscape in India, Xi Jinping went ahead and signed the pact with Congress as CCP wanted deeper ties with Congress, especially the Gandhi.

Indian journalist arrested for spying for China

An Indian journalist, namely Rajeev Sharma was arrested by a special cell of Delhi police on September 14 under the Official Secrets Act for spying for China. His Twitter account was restricted following his arrest. Sharma had reportedly worked with The Tribune, Free Press Journal, Sakaal, etc. and for left-wing publications like The Quint, DailyO, etc. He also ran a YouTube channel. Sharma was also reported to have written for the Global Times which is the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China for many years.

Sharma was accused of passing sensitive information to Chinese intelligence. One Chinese woman and her Nepalese associate also arrested for paying him large amounts of money routed through shell companies. Chinese intelligence tasked the journalist for conveying sensitive information in lieu of large amounts of money. A large number of mobile phones, laptops, and other incriminating/sensitive material were also recovered.

Sitaram Yechury, CPIM and love for Xi Jinping & China

Notably, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury has never shied away from praising the Chinese government and its authoritarian Premier Xi Jinping. “As far as the world is concerned, we think the (Chinese Communist Party) Congress’ decisions will be important for strengthening multilateralism in international relations as opposed to unilateralism and imperialism,” he said in 2017. The Indian Communist leader further added, “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.”

Yechury had also defended Xi Jinping’s disastrous handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. “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 the superiority of socialism as a system over capitalism,” he had claimed. “The efforts to eliminate inequalities and corruption, 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 praised Xi’s authoritarianism. As such, it comes as no wonder that the Chinese Communist Party values its ties with the Indian leftist parties.

The recurring cases of Chinese influence in political, media, and civil spheres across various countries, including India, raise a pressing global concern. The cases of Linda Sun in the US and Neville Roy Singham in India illustrate how Chinese entities have infiltrated and manipulated foreign systems under the guise of financial assistance and progressive advocacy.

From high-ranking government officials to influential media platforms, these entities have influenced or attempted to influence every possible sector. For India, the implications are particularly stark. As evidenced by the NewsClick and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation controversies, there is a need for vigilance and scrutiny at every step to safeguard national sovereignty.

UP: Hate literature calling RSS ‘the biggest terrorist organisation’ found in Prayagraj madrasa, Maulvi suspected of using it to brainwash students

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Hate literature calling RSS ‘the biggest terrorist organisation’ found in Prayagraj madrasa, Maulvi suspected of using it to brainwash students

On Tuesday, Prayagraj police discovered a book comparing the RSS to a terrorist organisation during a search of a madrasa in connection with a fake currency case. They suspect the cleric may have been using the book to “instill anti-RSS sentiments” and brainwash students against the nationalist organisation.

A senior police official stated that during an August 28 raid at Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa in the Atarsuiya area, along with counterfeit currency, they found the book. After translating it from Urdu to Hindi, the book was identified as SM Musharraf’s “RSS: The Biggest Terrorist Organization in the Country.”

The police suspect that Mohammad Tafseerul Arifeen, the cleric of the madrasa, was using the book to “instill anti-RSS sentiments in the minds of children.”

In connection with the case, Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) teams questioned the madrasa staff on Tuesday.

An officer from the LIU stated, “On Tuesday, ATS and LIU teams visited Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa to interrogate the staff and students. However, no significant information was obtained from the questioning.”

The officer also mentioned that the police plan to file a petition in court soon, requesting the remand of the arrested suspects for further questioning in the fake currency case.

The madrasa staff and students have denied any involvement in the counterfeit currency operation, according to an officer.

On August 28, Prayagraj police dismantled a counterfeit currency gang, arresting four suspects and seizing 1,300 fake 100-rupee notes, 234 uncut printed pages, a laptop, a color printer, and bundles of paper, officials reported.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City), Deepak Bhuker, stated that the gang leader, Jahir Khan from Bhadrak, Odisha, along with Mohammad Afzal from Kareli, Prayagraj, was printing fake currency in a room at Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa.

Bhuker added that madrasa cleric Arifeen had provided a separate room for producing the counterfeit currency, with Mohammad Shahid assisting in the operation.

According to Bhuker, the gang had been running the counterfeit currency business for the last three to four months, exchanging fake notes worth Rs 45,000 for genuine notes of Rs 15,000.

The police have charged the arrested suspects under sections 178 (counterfeiting coin, government stamps, currency notes, or bank notes), 179 (using forged or counterfeit coin, government stamp, currency notes, or bank notes as genuine), and 180 (possession of forged or counterfeit coin, government stamp, currency notes, or bank notes) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Additionally, they have been charged under sections 181 (making or possessing instruments or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin, government stamps, currency notes, or bank notes) and 182(1) (making or using documents resembling currency notes or bank notes) of the BNS.

‘Cha***in ki aulad tum mera kuch nahi bigaad paogi’: Married Dalit woman molested, abused, assaulted by Islam, Nizamuddin, Qayam and Muzzim in Gonda

OpIndia Staff
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‘Cha***in ki aulad tum mera kuch nahi bigaad paogi’: Married Dalit woman molested, abused, assaulted by Islam, Nizamuddin, Qayam and Muzzim in Gonda

A case of sexual exploitation of a Dalit woman has come to light in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh where her clothes were torn and she was molested by four men and had to face casteist slurs when she objected. She was also physically assaulted. The matter happened on 18th August. The accused have been identified as Islam, Nizamuddin, Qayam Khan and Muzzim. On 3rd September the authorities informed that investigation is underway and other necessary legal action is being taken in the case.

Attorney Ram Vachan Verma filed a complaint about this issue by tagging the UP Police from his X (earlier Twitter) handle. According to the complaint, the incident occurred in the Kauriya police station area of ​​​​the Gonda district. The victim who lives in a village belongs to the SC (Scheduled Caste) community. She already wrote a letter to the Superintendent of Police of Gonda district on 23rd August.

She stated that her house had been built on government land. Her husband had gone out on the day of the instance when the perpetrators entered her place at around 9 pm and started harassing and molesting her. She tried to stop them but was brutally beaten and her clothes were ripped in retaliation. Casteist insults and filthy abuses were also thrown at her as she attempted to resist.

The accused barked, “Cha***in ki aulad tum mera kuch nahi bigaad paogi (Daughter of a cha***in, you will not be able to do anything to me),” according to the complaint. The neighbours got scared as they witnessed the heinous act. Some local children reportedly screamed for help and people started gathering due to which the offenders fled from there. “You have been brutally thrashed. If you file an FIR, you will be killed,” they threatened while leaving.

The woman has demanded strict action in her complaint. Gonda police took cognizance of the case and directed the Station House Officer of Kaudiya police station to probe the issue and follow the necessary legal steps.

Kerala HC lashes out at Christian group for disregarding court direction, orders district collectors to take possession of 6 churches in Orthodox-Jacobite dispute

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala HC lashes out at Christian group for disregarding court direction, orders district collectors to take possession of 6 churches in Orthodox-Jacobite dispute

Hearing a long-standing dispute between 2 Christian factions, the Kerala High Court on 30th August ordered that six churches currently held by the Jacobite faction must be given to the state government. The District Collectors of Ernakulam and Palakkad have been ordered to seize the churches that are at the centre of a protracted conflict between the Jacobite and Orthodox groups of Malankara Christians. Two vicars (petitioners) from the Orthodox group filed a contempt petition and the court issued an order in response.

Due to interference by Jacobite parishioners, Justice VG Arun chastised the flagrant disobedience of the Court’s 2022 directives to allow members of the Malankara Orthodox Church (Orthodox faction) to enter and calmly perform worship services at the churches. The judge stated that he had no choice but to demand that the District Collectors assume control of these churches. “The recalcitrant attitude of the official respondents and disregard of the directions by the party respondents (Jacobite faction members) leaves this court with no option but to issue directions for preventing the contemptuous acts,” the bench chastised.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Odakkali, St. John’s Besphage Orthodox Syrian Church in Pulinthanam and St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church in Mazhuvannoor under the Angamaly diocese are directed to be turned over to the District Collector of Ernakulam by the court. St. Mary’s Orthodox Church at Mangalam Dam, St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church at Erickinchira and St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church at Cherukunnam were ordered to be taken over by the district collector of Palakkad. The churches are under the Thrissur diocese. The state government was previously directed by the Supreme Court to assume management of these churches, but it did not comply.

Justice V J Arun issued the temporary injunction and gave the police instructions to provide the necessary protection. The court ruled that “the district collectors have to keep the keys of the churches.” Furthermore, the court ordered the district police chiefs to assign adequate police force to assist the district collectors in carrying out the directives as soon as possible. The next hearing date for the case is 30th September and both Collectors have been instructed to submit compliance reports by then.

On 8th July, the police were ordered by the court to formulate a clear plan of action and execute it. Regretfully, the court stated, that approach has been ignored. The opposing parties in the case claimed that the judge believed the court had ordered the handover of the church’s possession to the Orthodox faction in the 2017 order. The very provision of police protection to allow the petitioners to access the churches is based on incorrect premises, and that ruling makes no mention of such a directive.

According to the state authorities, a large number of elderly men, women and children who were Jacobite parishioners were blocking the church’s entrance. It further claimed that despite its best attempts to follow out the court’s orders, it was compelled to back down because of intense protests by Jacobites. The court was informed that additional state intervention could result in fatalities. The Jacobite group’s representatives in court argued that the 2022 decree was issued incorrectly and that the church could not be turned over to the Orthodox faction. However, their arguments were dismissed.

The government cannot be found in contempt, according to Additional Advocate General Ashok M. Cherian, because serious steps were taken to execute the ruling and the police were compelled to leave the area after widespread unrest on the church grounds. According to the court, they are unable to pretend not to know the instructions after impeding the police’s pitiful attempts at enforcement. The court also suo motu impleaded the district collectors in the case as respondents.

The court highlighted, “Disobedience of court orders strikes at the root of the rule of law on which the judicial system rests. If conduct which tends to bring the authority of the court and the administration of law to disrepute is allowed to be perpetuated that will result in the entire system being maligned. It is the bounden duty of every court to uphold the majesty of law and maintain the purity of the system. The law is equally applicable to the mighty and the meek, the powerful and the powerless and has to be applied without fear or favour, prejudice or predilection.”

Background of the controversy

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church have been at odds for a long time over the management of church property and leadership roles. This conflict is known as the Orthodox-Jacobite church dispute in Kerala and began in the early 20th century. It has grown more intense over time, resulting in court cases and physical altercations.

The Orthodox and Jacobite groups once belonged to a single church, but they eventually drifted apart amid disagreements about to whom the church should be loyal. The Jacobite faction regarded the Patriarch of Antioch as its spiritual authority, whereas the Orthodox faction swore allegiance to a Bishop in Kerala (Malankara Metropolitan). Conflicts then erupted on who in Kerala had the right to run certain churches. The Supreme Court was eventually involved in this controversy.

In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Orthodox church on several disputes by citing the 1934 Constitution. The highest court further held that a 2002 statement drafted by the Jacobite group could not have established a parallel system of governance for the churches. Since then, nevertheless, the Orthodox group has always protested that the Supreme Court’s 2017 ruling has not been executed. Based on one of these arguments, a single judge of the High Court in 2022 ordered the police to give the petitioners, the Orthodox faction, the support they need to enter and hold religious services in the contested churches in a peaceful manner.

The Orthodox petitioners filed the current contempt petition with the High Court to seek redress once more since the competing Jacobite parishioners were still preventing them from entering the churches. A single judge of the high court granted a request on one of these instances in 2022, ordering the police to give the petitioners—the Orthodox faction—the support they need to enter and hold services in some disputed churches in a peaceful manner. Justice Arun dismissed the Jacobite respondents’ objections to their request for a stay of further court action, challenging if the court should remain silent when its orders were being ignored. The judge declared, “Such disrespectful acts would malign the entire judicial system.”

Petition filed in Supreme Court through Prashant Bhushan seeking cancellation of exports of weapons and military equipment to Israel

ANI
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Petition filed in Supreme Court through Prashant Bhushan seeking cancellation of exports of weapons and military equipment to Israel

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Centre to cancel any existing licences and halt the grant of new licences/permissions to various companies in India for the export of arms and other military equipment to Israel during the Israel-Palestine conflict.

These companies include a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, M/s Munitions India Limited and other private companies such as M/s Premier Explosive, Adani Defence and Aerospace Ltd., and others alleged the petition filed by 11 people, including Ashok Kumar Sharma, a retired civil servant and social activist.

“At least 3 companies in India dealing with the manufacture and export of arms and munitions have been granted licenses for the export of arms and munitions to Israel, even during this period of the ongoing war in Gaza. These licences have been obtained from either the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Department of Defence Production (DDP) that authorise the export of arms and munitions for dual use and specifically for military purposes,” the plea stated.

The plea filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan said that granting a license for the export of arms and other military equipment to Israel is in violation of India’s obligations under international law coupled with Articles 14 and 21 read with 51(C) of the Constitution of India.

India must immediately make every effort to ensure that weapons already delivered to Israel are not used to commit genocide, contribute to acts of genocide or are used in such a way as to violate international humanitarian law, added the petition.

“That in light of this constitutional mandate, any supply of arms and munitions to the State of Israel by India is morally unconscionable and legally and constitutionally unsustainable,” it stated further.

“India should immediately suspend its aid to Israel, in particular its military assistance, including military equipment, in so far as this aid may be used in the violation of the Genocide Convention, international humanitarian law or other peremptory norms of general international law,” stated the petition.

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

Starving and desperate, Namibia to now kill zebras, hippos and elephants for food: Know what is happening

Jinit Jain
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Starving and desperate, Namibia to now kill zebras, hippos and elephants for food: Know what is happening

Namibia is facing a severe drought that has caused significant hardships, leaving around 1.4 million people struggling with food shortages. To address this crisis, the Namibian government is considering a drastic and controversial measure: culling over 700 wild animals, including elephants and zebras. Specifically, the plan involves the killing of 723 wild animals, 83 of which are elephants, to alleviate the hunger crisis.

The government has defended this action as necessary to fulfil its constitutional duty to use natural resources for the welfare of its citizens. This strategy, outlined by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, was reported by the New York Times. Rose Mwebaza, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Africa Office, remarked that the well-managed and sustainable harvesting of healthy wild animal populations can provide valuable food resources for communities.

Wild animals to be culled in Namibia amidst raging hunger crisis

This viewpoint underscores the broader idea that responsible wildlife management can help meet human needs during crises. Southern Africa, including Namibia, is currently dealing with a severe drought that is impacting over 30 million people, according to a June report by the U.N. World Food Program.

Although droughts are common in this region, this year’s situation is particularly severe due to the effects of El Niño, which brings warmer and drier conditions. Benjamin Suarato from the U.S. Agency for International Development highlighted that the current drought is especially dire, with some areas receiving less than half their usual rainfall, marking record lows.

The extreme water shortage has devastated Namibia’s staple crops and livestock, forcing the country to turn to wild animals as a food source. The culling plan includes not only elephants but also 300 zebras, 30 hippos, 50 impalas, 60 buffaloes, 100 blue wildebeests, and 100 elands.

Zebras, Elephants among animals to be culled by Namibia

Along with addressing food shortages, this measure seeks to minimize the risk of dangerous encounters between humans and wildlife, which are expected to rise as both compete for scarce resources.

This extreme approach highlights the wider effects of climate change and environmental pressures on both human and wildlife populations, showcasing the complex challenges of managing natural resources during crises.

Delhi anti-Hindu riots: Delhi High Court dismisses plea by Sharjeel Imam seeking early hearing of his bail petition

ANI
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Delhi anti-Hindu riots: Delhi High Court dismisses plea by Sharjeel Imam seeking early hearing of his bail petition

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed Sharjeel Imam’s plea, seeking early hearing on his bail plea listed on October 7. He stated that his bail plea is pending for last 28 months.

Sharjeel Imam is an accused in larger Conspiracy of Delhi Riots 2020 and is in custody since January 28, 2020.

The division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait dismissed the plea and said that the matter is listed on October 7 at a fixed time. There is no need for preponement.

It was stated that he had challenged the trial court order dismissing his bail plea. Appeal against the order is pending for last 28 months.

Advocates Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim on behalf of Sharjeel Imam moved a plea for early/urgent hearing of Criminal Appeal seeking setting aside of order of 11.04.2022 passed by Karkardooma Court by which his regular bail application of the Appellant was dismissed.

The plea stated that the present Appeal was last listed for final hearing on.29.08.2024, on which date, the High Court adjourned the matter and directed the same to be listed for final hearing on 07.10.2024.

It is stated that the provisions of the NIA Act, appeals preferred Under section 21 of the NIA Act shall as far as possible be disposed of within a period of 3 months from the date of admission of the Appeal.

It is also stated that the present Appeal has been pending adjudication before the high Court since 29.04.2022.

It is mentioned that since the issuance of notice, the present Appeal has been listed for hearing at least 62 times before 7 different division benches.

On account of frequent changes in the composition of benches owing to roster change, recusal and transfer of Judges, the hearing in the matter never concluded and thereby having led to a fresh cycle of hearing

beginning every such time, the plea stated.

It is stated that the last substantial hearing in the present Appeal took place before the Division Bench comprising of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain.

The Appellant concluded his arguments before the said bench on March 19, 2024 and the arguments on behalf of the Respondent began on the same date, however, due to paucity of time, the same could not be concluded. The Court listed the present Appeal to be listed for further arguments on different dates.

However, before the arguments of the Respondent could conclude, the present Appeal was then listed before another division bench due to change in the roster, the plea said.

It is submitted that the Supreme Court in several judgments held that bail

applications ought to be decided expeditiously and preferably within 2-4 weeks and several guidelines/ directions have also been repeatedly issued to all the High Courts and District Courts to scrupulously follow the timeline so indicate.

The plea also mentioned that mention that the trial in the present matter has been pending before the Special Court since 2020.

However, the investigation by the Prosecuting agency is still ongoing and charges have not yet been framed so far, it added.

It is said, “The Prosecution seeks to examine more than 1000 witnesses in the matter and the documents being relied upon run into lakhs of pages.”

It is also stated hat on account of Imam’s continued incarceration for almost 4 and half years, he is unable to pursue his education and graduate with a doctorate degree.

It is mentioned that Imam is Ph.D. student and at the time of his arrest on 28.01.2020 was pursuing his final year of Ph.D. in Modern History from Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.

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

Big boost to football in Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath govt to build 18 football stadiums and 827 football grounds to make the state a hub of the sport

ANI
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Big boost to football in Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath govt to build 18 football stadiums and 827 football grounds to make the state a hub of the sport

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has announced a plan to build 18 football stadiums across the 18 commissariats in the State.

To give the beautiful game a further boost, the Chief Minister has said that 827 football grounds will also be prepared in every block, across the state to ensure adequate football facilities in the state, which will encourage hosting of more tournaments.

All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey said before the Derby match in Lucknow in the presence of the Chief Minister, “On August 8, I had the privilege of meeting you (the UP CM). After realising your love and dedication towards football, I made a request to you. I said a match like Derby if played in Lucknow, it will help toward the growth of football in UP. But having a good stadium to host the match could be a problem. But to my great surprise, the Government of UP took only 19 days to renovate the KD Singh Babu Stadium for the big occasion. This is a matter of great pleasure for every football lover in the city of Lucknow.”

On Monday, the KD Singh Babu Stadium hosted its first Kolkata Derby in Lucknow,which was historic as Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated East Bengal FC 1(3)-1(2) on penalties.

Addressing the public at the stadium, the UP CM said, “It is of great importance to us that this prestigious match is being played in our state’s capital, Lucknow for the first time. The Khelo India initiative, championed by PM Narendra Modi, has been a key driver of sports in India and inspired by his vision, UP has aligned itself with the mission,” as per quoted by All India Football Federation (AIFF).

“When I met Shri Chaubey three weeks ago, he wished for a stage to popularise football in Uttar Pradesh and said that the process could be sped up should the sport receive the government’s support,” he added.

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

Sunita Kejriwal ‘happy’ after Bibhav Kumar gets bail, Swati Maliwal says Arvind Kejriwal’s wife was present when he assaulted her at CM residence

OpIndia Staff
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Sunita Kejriwal ‘happy’ after Bibhav Kumar gets bail, Swati Maliwal says Arvind Kejriwal’s wife was present when he assaulted her at CM residence

On Monday, September 2nd, the Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s assistant Bibhav Kumar. He was arrested for allegedly attacking Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal at the Chief Minister’s residence on May 13th.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan granted Kumar’s bail application on various grounds, including its finding that the investigation into the crime was complete, as the Delhi police had already submitted a chargesheet. As per the reports, there are over 50 prosecution witnesses, so the trial may not be completed soon. Furthermore, according to counsel AM Sanghvi, Kumar had already been in jail for more than 100 days since his detention on May 18th. 

The court reasoned that Kumar was improbable to try to tamper with the evidence now that the investigation was concluded. The Bench did not accept Additional Solicitor General SV Raju’s request to postpone bail until the important, vulnerable, and private witnesses testified in court.

Justice Kant stated that other options existed, such as setting rigorous bail restrictions in addition to those imposed by the trial court. The Bench imposed four further conditions, including that he would not be reinstated as the Delhi Chief Minister’s secretary or granted any other official assignments associated with the Chief Minister’s office.

Second, the Supreme Court forbade him from entering the Chief Minister’s home or office until all private, vulnerable witnesses were interrogated. Third, the Supreme Court ordered that the private, vulnerable witnesses in the case be interviewed first by the trial court. The court stated that the trial court would make every effort to interview these witnesses as soon as possible, ideally within three months.

The court finally stated unequivocally that neither Kumar, the AAP office-bearers, nor the political party would make any public comments on the issue, which is still pending before the trial court.

The AAP expressed happiness over the bail and stated that it was good Kumar had attained bail ahead of the Assembly election campaign and key internal MCD elections. “We knew that sooner or later, both would get bail but it happening at this crucial juncture, when the party has kicked off its Assembly election campaign and key internal MCD elections are to be held, is the highlight. We are hopeful that the chief minister will also get bail now,” a senior party leader said.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita also expressed joy over the bail of Bibhav Kumar and Vijay Nair, who was AAP’s communication in charge. “A day of pure joy, relieved,” she posted on X probably provoking Swati Maliwal to respond.

In response to the post by Sunita, Maliwal said that the former was happy seeing a man who had beaten a woman. “The Chief Minister’s wife, who was at home when I was being beaten up, is feeling very “CM’s wide was at the residence when I was beaten. I am at least relieved because the man who beat me and misbehaved with me in his house has been released on conditional bail. How can we expect respect for our sisters and daughters from those who find solace in seeing such people? God is watching everything, justice will be done,” she said.

Earlier, the SC had slammed Bibhav Kumar saying it was surprised by how the incident occurred at the Delhi chief minister’s residence. “We are shocked at the manner in which it is done to somebody visiting the CM residence,” it stated as it agreed to hear the bail plea in the case.

Swati Maliwal, Rajya Sabha MP for the Aam Aadmi Party on May 13th accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s close aide, Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her in the CM’s residence. Maliwal had gone to the CM’s residence seeking a meeting with Arvind Kejriwal. She then requested the Delhi Police to investigate the matter. 

Bibhav Kumar was once the personal assistant to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He was fired from his job last month after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a case involving hindering government operations.

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