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‘Enough is enough’: Mexico President Obrador stops relations with embassies of USA and Canada – Read in detail why this decision was taken

OpIndia Staff
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‘Enough is enough’: Mexico President Obrador stops relations with embassies of USA and Canada – Read in detail why this decision was taken

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico has severed diplomatic ties with the United States and Canada because of their criticism of his proposal to have judges elected by popular ballot. “There is a pause,” he announced on 27th August during his daily press conference over the comments made by American and Canadian embassies. However, he mentioned that the “pause” is with the embassies rather than the nations. He explained that the relations will be restored once the diplomats are “respectful of the independence of Mexico, of the sovereignty of our country.”

“How are we going to allow the US ambassador, with all due respect, because this not a matter of fighting, of hostility, but how are we going to allow him to (publically) opine that what we are doing is wrong? We are not going to tell him to leave the country, that’s not it. But yes, we have to read the constitution, which is like setting him straight,” he stated while talking to the media. “It’s good, but it’s on pause,” he replied to a query about the current status of the relationship with the US ambassador and added, “Since he made that declaration last week,” when asked about the timing of the development.

He then clarified that the two sides are giving time to each other. “I hoped, and from the US State Department because it’s not like he is acting by himself. What a coincidence that at the same time, they made the statement in Mexico, through the embassy, the Canadians put one out, which is just pitiful, with all due respect to the government of Canada. (Canada) looks like an associate state, both together,” the president conveyed as he took a jibe at the maple country. He charged that Canada’s declaration of concern about the proposal amounted to interference in an internal matter.

A journalist then questioned him about the possible reason behind their “joint action” to which he highlighted, “It is that they would like to interfere in matters that only correspond to Mexicans,” and further assured, “As long as I am here, we will not allow any violation of our sovereignty and I am leaving soon. There are thirty days left. But as long as I am here as President, I cannot allow our constitution to be violated.”

“We are going to take our time,” he stated cheekily earning laughter. “Hopefully, there will be a statement from them that they are going to be respectful of the independence of Mexico. As long as that doesn’t happen and they continue with that policy, then there is a pause with the embassy,” López Obrador reiterated. According to him, the reason for the pause with the US embassy is “because (the ambassador) is looking to talk with us.” He alleged, “It’s not personal, we’ve had a good, constructive relationship.”

The judicial reform proposal put forth by him is a component of a larger set of constitutional amendments which are yet to be approved. The motion was endorsed late on 26th August by a committee in the lower chamber of the Mexican Congress, opening the door for its approval when the newly elected Congress takes office in September. The proposal needs a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Congress to be implemented.

The reforms include a wide variety of issues including pensions and the energy industry and on the other hand they also include critical institutional and judicial changes, which detractors claim would erode the separation of powers and result in the elimination of some independent regulatory bodies. They argue the reform will stifle judges’ careers, tilt power in favour of the executive branch and augment the vulnerability of the courts to criminal influence while the supporters point out that the reform will strengthen democracy and help fix a system that they assert does not currently serve the public interest.

What prompted the decision

Notably, the president’s ambitious intentions to restructure the judiciary have been the source of months-long tensions in Mexico, upending the political establishment and putting pressure on diplomatic relations with the US. Last week, US Ambassador Ken Salazar called the reform a “major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy” and issued a warning about possible consequences for commercial relations between the two countries. The US and Mexico are each other’s top trading partners.

The three nations in North America have a significant trade connection that reached $1.8 trillion in 2022. “People’s direct election of judges is a major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy,” according to him. He alleged that judicial reforms should guarantee that the court would be strong and not “subject to the corruption of politics.” Graeme Clark, Canada’s ambassador to Mexico, also voiced alarm about the “disappearance” of several autonomous entities and cautioned investors about the proposed judicial reforms.

The US Embassy expressed its “desire to continue its close collaboration with Mexico” and its “utmost respect for Mexico’s sovereignty” in a statement after the president’s scathing comments, however, added, “The United States supports the concept of judicial reform in Mexico, but we have significant concerns that the popular election of judges would neither address judicial corruption nor strengthen the judicial branch of the Government of Mexico,” in a social media post. Salazar had earlier announced that he was willing to talk about other judicial models with officials in the Mexican government.

Concerns about judicial reform being a threat to “critical economic and security interests shared by our two nations,” including regional trade agreement, were echoed by multiple US politicians. A statement from the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee read, ” An independent and transparent judiciary is a hallmark of any democratic country. We are deeply concerned that the proposed judicial reforms in Mexico would undermine the independence and transparency of the country’s judiciary, jeopardizing critical economic and security interests shared by our two nations. We are also alarmed that several other constitutional reforms currently under discussion may contradict commitments made in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which is scheduled for review in 2026.”

It further conveyed, “We strongly urge the López Obrador Administration, as well as the incoming Sheinbaum Administration, to pursue only those reforms that enhance professional qualifications, combat corruption, protect judicial autonomy, and strengthen investor confidence. These considerations are essential to preserving the democratic values and mutual prosperity that unite our nations.”

President-elect backs López Obrador

The constitutional reforms include eliminating several independent regulatory bodies and merging others that the government claims are duplicating functions. López Obrador intends to close the Institute for Personal Data Protection (INAI). In February, the regulatory body opened an inquiry against him following his revelation of a New York Times journalist’s private phone number. The president of Mexico has responded to opposition to his proposed reforms by stressing that his goal is “to establish constitutional rights and strengthen ideals and principles related to humanism, justice, honesty, austerity, and democracy.”

Meanwhile, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena also endorsed López Obrador and noted that only Mexicans make decisions regarding Mexico. She did, however, restate that relationship with “friends and neighbours in North America” was a priority and continued to be “fluid and normal” on a daily basis. The president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, a close associate of López Obrador, has enthusiastically welcomed his judicial proposal. She told reporters, “There is this idea that with the judicial reform, the independence and autonomy of the judiciary is lost. It is the other way around.”

The modifications that López Obrador has proposed might be put to a vote by Mexico’s recently elected Congress as early as next week. If approved, they would replace the current appointment system in the judiciary, which mostly relies on specialized training and credentials, with one in which virtually anybody with a law degree and some experience might run for election to become a judge. The proposal might result in the dismissal of almost 5,000 judges from lower courts, including the Supreme Court and local district courts. Nationwide strikes have already been initiated by thousands of federal judges and court employees. In an effort to draw attention to what they described as an attack on the judiciary, demonstrators took to the streets on 25th August in more than 20 Mexican towns.

“The judiciary is hopeless, it is rotten,” he emphasised when he initially unveiled his plans for reform and highlighted, “It is completely at the service of the conservative bloc,” while referring to his political rivals. The reform, he contends, is necessary to stop corruption and decisions that liberate drug dealers. The current Congress has a month to approve dozens of proposed constitutional changes, including the president’s plan to elect judges and justices by popular vote, while López Obrador is still in office, as his term ends in October. Notably, the ruling party, Morena, and its allies have secured large majorities in both houses.

Notably, the president has used the term previously when declared a diplomatic halt to relations with Spain in 2022 because of a disagreement with energy firms. At the time, López Obrador described the pause as “nothing more than a respectful and fraternal protest against the abuses and grievances committed against the people of Mexico and our country,” instead of as “a break in relations” with Spain.

Telangana Congress govt scraps Dalit Bandhu scheme even as Rahul Gandhi doubles down on caste rhetorics

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana Congress govt scraps Dalit Bandhu scheme even as Rahul Gandhi doubles down on caste rhetorics

In Telangana, the ruling Congress government has reportedly scrapped the Dalit Bandhu scheme started by the erstwhile BRS government. According to a Telangana Today report, while no new applications are being approved, people who were approved for the second instalment are currently unable to operate their businesses since the Congress government led by CM Revanth Reddy froze all Dalit Bandhu accounts.

In Medak district, the state government has even responded to the pending Dalit Bandhu applications at the district’s SC corporation for almost a year. “The Congress had promised to launch Dr Ambedkar Abhaya Hastham scheme by revamping the existing Dalit Bandhu and vowed to offer Rs 12 lakh as a one-time incentive. However, there was no move towards implementing the scheme so far…” ex-Andole MLA Chanti Kranthi Kiran told Telangana Today.

Similarly, in the Adilabad district, no fresh Dalit Bandhu applications are being approved by the SC corporation. Adilabad SC Corporation Executive Director Manohar said that MLAs did not submit a list of beneficiaries under the second phase of the Dalit Bandhu scheme. The SC Corporation officials added that the Congress government did not give any direction on whether to prepare a list of beneficiaries for the second phase or not. The officials of Nirmal, Mancherial, Karimnagar and Kumram Bheem Asifabad district’s SC Corporation also said the same.

It is ironic that on one hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fought the 2024 Lok Sabha election caste-based politics and demanding a “caste census” positioning himself as the ‘messiah’ of Dalits, however, in his party-ruled state, a pro-Dalit scheme has been scrapped. While demanding a caste census at an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Praygraj, Rahul Gandhi went a step further as he indulged in caste profiling of winners of beauty pageants. During the event, the Congress leader alleged that 90% of the population did not have representation in the system. He then brazened it out saying that when he checked the list of Miss India winners, he could not find any women from Dalit, tribal, or OBC community. 

Earlier, the Congress leader did caste profiling of bureaucrats, judges, Ministers, and media persons and on one occasion, his heated questions led to the near-lynching of a journalist.

“…I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there were no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still the media talks about dance, music, cricket, and Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and labourers,” Rahul Gandhi was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

‘Will slaughter you like an animal’: Amroha’s Adil became Aman on Instagram to trap a Hindu girl, converted her to Islam, sexually abused her with brothers and threatened to kill

OpIndia Staff
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‘Will slaughter you like an animal’: Amroha’s Adil became Aman on Instagram to trap a Hindu girl, converted her to Islam, sexually abused her with brothers and threatened to kill

In another disturbing incident of love jihad from Uttar Pradesh, a young woman from Baghpat has accused a man, identified as Adil from Alipur, of trapping her in a romantic relationship under false pretences, coercing her into religious conversion, and subjecting her to prolonged sexual abuse. The local authorities are now investigating the matter, following the victim’s formal complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP).

The victim woman, a resident of a village in the Chandinagar police station area of Baghpat, said that she came into contact with an individual using the name Aman on Instagram. However, the man later turned out to be Adil from Alipur in Amroha, who had created a fake Instagram ID under the name Aman. This deceit was the starting point for a series of exploitative actions by Adil.

Adil, under the alias of Aman, routinely interacted with the woman, gradually trapping her into a romantic relationship using fake identity. He then proposed her for marriage, manipulating her emotions. Believing his promises, the girl from a poor family agreed to meet him, and on August 5, 2023, he brought her to his home in the village of Alipur Dhakka More in Amroha.

After reaching his village, the woman found out the truth, and realised that she fell victim to an elaborate love jihad plot. After bringing her home, Adil coerced the victim into converting her religion to Islam. He and his family then held her captive, and started regular abuses and assaults.

The woman said that she was held captive for almost a year. During this time, she was subjected to repeated sexual assault by Adil, who kept her in isolation and threatened her life. The victim also alleged that Adil’s two brothers were involved in sexually harassing her. This points to a broader involvement of Adil’s family in her exploitation, intensifying the gravity of the crime.

According to the victim woman, Adil frequently threatened her life with a pistol and knife, warning her against revealing his true identity to anyone or the fact that he had forced her to convert her religion. He threatened to slaughter her like an animal if she disclosed the details to anyone, she told the police.

Around 20 days ago, the victim managed to escape from the captivity of Adil and his family. After fleeing, she approached the police station in Saidnagali, Amroha, and submitted a written complaint. However, but no action was taken by the police. Frustrated by the lack of response, she then went to the office of the SP on Tuesday, August 28, 2024, demanding immediate action against the accused.

The woman also uploaded a video on social media narrating her ordeal.

Upon receiving the victim’s complaint, Rajeev Kumar Singh, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), stated that an investigation has been launched based on the allegations. He assured that a formal case (First Information Report or FIR) will be registered, and the accused will be arrested soon. SP Kunwar Anupam Singh also told the media that the case has been taken up by the police.

‘How dare you threaten Assam?’: Himanta Biswa Sarma responds to Mamata Banerjee warning other states and Delhi if Bengal burns

OpIndia Staff
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‘How dare you threaten Assam?’: Himanta Biswa Sarma responds to Mamata Banerjee warning other states and Delhi if Bengal burns

On Wednesday (28th August), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee courted yet another controversy after she issued a veiled threat warning that if Bengal burns, then other states and Delhi will also be burned. She made the contentious remarks while claiming that the unrest in West Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state. However, her veiled threats to Assam and other states didn’t go down well with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

Taking to X, CM Sarma lashed out at the TMC leader for speaking in divisive language which according to him, doesn’t behoove her post. He warned the West Bengal CM not to try burning the country with her “politics of failure”. 

Sarma said, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not befit you to speak divisive language.”

The recent controversy unfolded after Mamata Banerjee addressed a public event that was organised to mark the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress’s student wing. During her address, Banerjee warned that the unrest in Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state. 

Mamata Banerjee alleged that PM Narendra Modi is using his party to cause fire in West Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident and warned that if Bengal burns, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn

She went further to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused his party of fueling unrest in Bengal. She brazened it out saying, “Mr. Modi, you’re using your party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair.”

Banerjee further stated, “Some people think this is Bangladesh. Please remember, I love Bangladesh, they speak like us, and their culture is the same as ours, but Bangladesh is a separate nation, and India is a separate nation.” 

Her remarks come at a time when she is facing mounting criticism over her handling of the Kolkata rape and murder case and its aftermath, with opposition parties accusing her of failing to maintain law and order.

BJP launches scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee, intensifies demand for her resignation

Reacting sharply to her controversial remarks, several BJP leaders slammed Mamata Banerjee. They also intensified their demand for Banerjee’s resignation stating that such “anti-national comments isn’t the voice of someone holding a constitutional position”. 

Union Minister and Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in which he slammed Banerjee for advocating violence in Kolkata.

The letter written by Majumdar read, “CM Mamata Banerjee during her address to the Student Wing of TMC today in Kolkata where she shamelessly incited gathering, declaring, ‘I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done.’ This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state.”

BJP leader and party’s social media head Amit Malviya wrote, “A cornered Mamata Banerjee has declared war on the people of West Bengal, who are holding her to account in the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The deceased could have been our sister or daughter but Mamata wants more blood.”

Malviya added, “Once a proponent of the ‘Bodol noy, Bodla Chai’ mantra, Mamata Banerjee now brazenly shifted her stance, openly calling for the very vengeance, she once purported to abhor.” 

It is pertinent to note that the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee is facing mounting pressure from civil society, doctors, students, political parties, and the public at large to resign for failing to maintain law and order situation, especially in the wake of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case and its aftermath. 

Strikingly, Banerjee who is the only woman Chief Minister in the country has also been facing severe criticism for her contentious remarks in heinous cases of rape and sexual assault. Additionally, the Mamata Banerjee government received a drubbing down from the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court during the initial days of the RG Kar case investigation. The courts came down heavily for law and order failure in the wake of a vandalism incident at RG Kar Hospital. CM Banerjee has been facing this brunt as she is responsible for the law and order situation in the state as she is also the Home Minister of the state. Incidentally, she is also the state’s Health Minister which is under the dock over the issue of safety concerns of medical staff, especially women, and the poor health infrastructure. 

Deoband Inspector Sirajuddin gave clean chit to Najibul ‘topiwala’ arrested by UP ATS for involvement in anti-India activities, shows how terrorists get shelter in the country

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Deoband Inspector Sirajuddin gave clean chit to Najibul ‘topiwala’ arrested by UP ATS for involvement in anti-India activities, shows how terrorists get shelter in the country

On October 11th, 2023, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police busted a network that helped Bangladeshis infiltrate into India. During this, the police arrested Adil ur Rehman Ashrafi, Najibul Sheikh, and Abu Huraira. One of the persons arrested, Adil ur Rehman was a Bangladeshi infiltrator who was living in India by making fake identity cards, whereas Najibul Sheikh and Abu Huraira were residents of West Bengal who were living in Deoband when arrested.

At present Najibul is accused of giving shelter to Bangladeshi infiltrators in India, getting their identity cards made, and helping them raise money and is believed to have escaped arrests earlier due to an Inspector named Sirajuddin.

As per the reports, Najibul Sheikh’s name was taken twice directly and indirectly by UP ATS in its action, but both times he was not arrested by Saharanpur Police. OpIndia investigated the matter on the ground to learn that the cases registered earlier in which Najibul Sheikh had escaped arrest were investigated by Inspector Sirajuddin. At that time, Inspector Sirajuddin was posted as Inspector Crime in Deoband Thana Kotwali.

Allegations against Najibul

According to the UP ATS’s FIR, Najibul Sheikh, who traded in perfumes and caps in front of Deoband Darul Uloom, funded anti-India operations. Making fake Indian identity cards for Bangladeshi infiltrators was the primary thrust of these operations. The ATS FIR mentions about a half-dozen infiltrators who settled in India under Najibul Sheikh. Najibul Sheikh also accepted money from hawala to engage in anti-national acts. He also discussed with his anti-India seniors which Rohingya or Bangladeshi should be settled in which city.

Following that, ATS filed an FIR against Najibul and his associates under sections 370, 471, 467, 468, 419, 420, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as the Foreigners Act. Najibul has been in jail for the past ten months. Due to the evidence presented by ATS, his bail has also been rejected by the High Court.

Studied in Darul Uloom Madrasa, then shifted to Deoband

OpIndia while on the ground, gathered information about Najibul. He belongs to the 24 Parganas district of West Bengal and is the son of Sheikh Abdul Qadir. Najibul studied in a madrasa located in Haroa, West Bengal which is connected to Deoband. As informed to OpIndia, this particular madrasa was run by Abu Saleh, who was arrested by UP ATS in January 2024 in a terror funding case. Saleh is accused of taking crores of rupees from Britain’s Ummah Welfare Trust, notorious for terror funding.

It was learned that while studying at Abu Saleh’s madrasa, Najibul Sheikh met several persons involved with Deoband Darul Uloom. He is thought to have moved to Deoband following his studies in a madrasa in West Bengal as part of a well-planned scheme. He opened a perfume and cap shop directly in front of Darul Uloom. Students from all around the world studying at Darul Uloom Deoband began visiting this shop for shopping. The accused then began looking for persons for his anti-India activities among all of them.

The shop was just for the namesake, the real business was Hawala

According to the information gathered by OpIndia, Najibul Sheikh’s perfume and Islamic cap shop was only for the namesake. His main business was to get the hawala money from abroad. Notably, a large amount that Najibul got was from Bangladesh. He used this money to make identity cards and other documents of Bangladeshis who later infiltrated India. Najibul also arranged accommodation for many infiltrators in and around Deoband. Many suspicious transactions have also been traced through his account.

The ATS also claims that unauthorized mosques were being built in India with money obtained through hawala. The identities of Abdullah Ghazi, Abdul Awal, and Gaffar also appeared in this money transaction. Adil ur Rehman, who was arrested alongside Najibul, provided numerous revelations during interrogation. He revealed that Najibul had a significant role in the creation of his bogus identity card. One of Najibul’s brothers is also claimed to be serving in the Border Security Force.

It’s worth noting that the majority of the caps Najibul sold in his business were made in Bangladesh. Najibul used to do financial transactions in Bangladesh in order to purchase these caps. Relatives and family members of infiltrators in Bangladesh used to donate money to the cap wholesaler there. In exchange for the money, the caps would be sent from there to Najibul’s shop in Deoband. Najibul used to give money to the infiltrators present here by selling these caps at a specific location.

Najibul would have been caught in 2022 itself if Inspector Sirajuddin had not given him a clean chit

The Najibul who was sent to jail by UP ATS in October 2023 would have been arrested in the year 2022 itself, but then his name was removed in the investigation of Saharanpur Police Station Deoband. This happened on 28th April 2022. Then UP ATS Inspector Sudhir Kumar Ujjwal had lodged an FIR in Police Station Deoband of Saharanpur district. In this FIR, he had busted a big network of Bangladeshi infiltration. The name of Najibul was clearly mentioned in his FIR. The address of his shop was also written as Main Rashidiya Market in the FIR.

In the FIR filed by Sudhir Kumar Ujjwal, it was also stated that the shopkeeper selling scents and caps in front of Darul Uloom Deoband is connected to Bangladeshi infiltrators. However, the case was later investigated by Inspector Sirajuddin posted in Deoband. Sirajuddin mentioned in his investigation report that he could not find any evidence against the perfume and cap shopkeeper, Najibul. He also filed a charge sheet in the court which further boosted Najibul’s morale. Eventually, he started carrying out his criminal activities more cautiously under the guise of selling Islamic caps.

Najibul was clearly saved in the second FIR as well

After escaping for the first time in Inspector Sirajuddin’s investigation report, Najibul again narrowly escaped from the same Deoband police station for the second time. On 19th July 2024, UP ATS Inspector Sudhir Kumar Ujjwal registered another FIR. In this FIR, he arrested 2 Bangladeshi infiltrators named Habibullah and Ahmadullah. Both of them were found to have Indian identity cards and mobile SIMs made with fake documents.

It is believed that the infiltrator named Habibullah had relations with Najibul. The investigation of this case was also given to Inspector Sirajuddin posted at Deoband police station. However, Inspector Sirajuddin was ‘unsuccessful’ in finding the role of Najibul Sheikh in this whole case for the second consecutive time. As a result, despite two subsequent investigations by the same investigator, Najibul continued to flee. ATS didn’t have its own office then given that it had to rely on the police station area where the incident occurred for investigation and other steps.

Najibul Sheikh was caught by ATS after it solely investigated the case

Najibul was very calm after escaping in two separate instances registered in Deoband Kotwali. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh ATS established its own police station in Lucknow. ATS after this received both the FIR and the right to investigate. Finally, on October 11th, 2023, UP ATS apprehended Najibul Sheikh along with his accomplice. ATS has submitted numerous pieces of evidence against Najibul Sheikh in court. Najibul has been in Lucknow jail for almost ten months now. His bail application was likewise denied by the High Court.

Gujarat: Ghulam Mustafa rapes Hindu friend’s 3-year-old daughter, sparks massive protest demanding death penalty in Valsad, booked under POCSO

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Ghulam Mustafa rapes Hindu friend’s 3-year-old daughter, sparks massive protest demanding death penalty in Valsad, booked under POCSO

A horrific case of crime against a minor has come to light from the Umargam area of Gujarat’s Valsad. A man named Ghulam Mustafa has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for raping a 3-year-old girl who is the daughter of his close Hindu friend. The minor victim is said to be in critical condition and has been hospitalised. According to Police, the accused has been nabbed from Maharashtra’s Palghar as he was attempting to flee to his native place in Jharkhand. 

Superintendent of Police, Karanraj Vaghela said, “The offence has been registered under POCSO and BNS sections as per the complaint filed by the parents of the girl. The accused is a friend of the girl’s father.” 

The police investigation has revealed that the minor was sexually assaulted by the man in a chawl.

The incident took place in the Deodhar area of ​​Umargam taluk. The minor victim is a 3-year-old girl who hails from a Hindu family working in a chali in the Deohar area. As per reports, before committing the heinous crime, the accused Ghulam Mustafa intoxicated his Hindu friend by making him drink a lot.

In the meantime, his friend’s 3-year-old daughter was playing there. He took her to the bathroom where he started sexually assaulting her. Noticing that the girl was not around, her mother started searching for her. She then noticed Ghulam Mustafa committing the heinous act and screamed. The accused then fled the crime scene. Meanwhile, the minor victim was shifted to a local hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, her family filed a complaint at the Umargam police station on 27th August. The accused Ghulam Mustafa has been booked under the POCSO Act and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

The incident has sparked massive anger and protest in the Valsad region. Together with the Hindu organisations, people in large numbers gathered around the Umargam Police Station to demand swift action in the case and the immediate arrest of the accused. 

Police had to deploy several teams to pacify them and assured the protesters that the accused had been nabbed and would be brought back to the town by this afternoon. They, however, demanded swift justice and called for the death penalty for the accused.

The police conducted a medical examination of the victim at the Valsad Civil Hospital. Additionally, they have formed an SIT to probe the case. 

They later issued a statement stating that they nabbed the accused from Palghar district in Maharashtra while he was trying to flee to his native place in Jharkhand via train. 

A bandh (shutdown) has been called in the Umargam area. 

OpIndia tried to speak to PI Chaudhary of Umargam police station to get more information about the incident, but he asked to speak later, citing a busy schedule.

Several horrific cases of crime against minors have been reported in the last few days. On 20th August, massive outrage erupted in the state of Maharashtra, after the incident of rape of two toddler girls came to the fore from Badlapur region of Thane district. 

As per reports, two minor girls, aged 4, studying in Nursery class, were sexually assaulted by a school sweeper in the washroom of a well-known school named Adarsh Vidya Mandir in Badlapur near Mumbai.

Furthermore, protests in West Bengal and nationwide outrage continue as protesters demand Justice for the 31-year-old female trainee doctor who was raped and murdered in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. 

Canada: Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal sponsors petition seeking new inquiry into 1985 Air India bombing, reviving debunked theories promoted by Khalistanis

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal sponsors petition seeking new inquiry into 1985 Air India bombing, reviving debunked theories promoted by Khalistanis

Almost two decades ago two public inquiries determined that Khalistani terrorists in Canada orchestrated the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182. Now, Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal has come forward to sponsor a petition pushing the Government of Canada to conduct a “fresh inquiry” into the bombing. The petition sponsored by Dhaliwal promotes controversial and debunked theories that falsely claimed Indian government agents were behind the bombing. The theory has been dismissed by multiple investigations, yet, it has sprung again scratching the wounds of the victims.

The bombing occurred on 23rd June 1985 killing 329 people. The plane had exploded over the Atlantic Ocean Most of them were Canadians. A second bomb was planted intended for another Air India flight. However, it prematurely exploded resulting in the death of two baggage handlers at Narita Airport in Japan. Both incidents were described by Canadian authorities as an act of terror orchestrated by a Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist Talwinder Singh Parmar.

Despite the findings of the previous inquiries, the new petition, which has been initiated by journalist Gurpreet Singh with the help of the office of MP Dhaliwal, has called for a new investigation. The petition has claimed that the agents of the Indian government might have orchestrated the bombing. The theory was thrown under the rug during investigations as there was no supporting evidence for it. However, when in September 2023, Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, accused Indian agents of being involved in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in Surrey BC, the old conspiracy theory resurfaced.

MP Sukh Dhaliwal under fire for sponsoring petition

Sukh Dhaliwal has been a long-time Liberal MP from Surrey-Newton. He acknowledged that he had sponsored the petition on 13th August on behalf of the members from his constituency. He, however, refused to express his personal opinion on the matter. He said, “This is their viewpoint, right? It’s a public viewpoint. All I’m doing is taking it forward.” He also refused to comment on if he agreed with the conclusion that Khalistani terrorist Parmar was behind the attack and not the Indian government agents.

When asked if the endorsement implies his support for the petition, he pointed out that as per Canadian parliamentary rules, MPs are allowed to sponsor petitions. Still, they are not required to endorse them. He said, “There is no obligation on the part of the House of Commons or any Member of Parliament.”

The petition requires at least signatures from 500 individuals within four months to be submitted to the Parliament. It will obligate the government to issue a response within 45 days. So far no comments have come from either Prime Minister’s office or Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s office on the matter.

Renewed tensions over old wounds

The 1985 bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack involving an aircraft before 9/11. The first inquiry into the matter was led by former Supreme Court Judge, Justice John Major. In 2010, the investigation concluded that Talwinder Singh Parmar was the key person who orchestrated the twin bombing. The second inquiry into the matter was conducted by former Ontario NDP premier Bob Rae in 2005. The inquiry suggested that the attack was a “cascading series of errors” by Canadian authorities, including the RCMP and CSIS. It concluded that Parmar was the mastermind of the attack.

In both inquiries, it was mentioned that the Government of India had sent multiple warnings to Canadian security agencies that Khalistani terrorists sitting in Canada were planning to target Air India flights as part of a broader campaign of terror. When Rae was asked about the latest petition sponsored by Dhaliwal, he said, “My report speaks for itself,” and declined to comment further on the matter.

The possibility of Indian agents behind the attack was dismissed by both CSIS and RCMP after a thorough investigation. They found no credible evidence to support the claims. However, pro-Khalistani members of the Sikh community have continued to assert that it was India that orchestrated the attack and not the local Sikhs.

Divided community and continued criticism

Notably, the Khalistani organisation World Sikh Organization has supported the calls for a new inquiry. In a statement, WSO said, “We believe that a full and transparent investigation into the possible role of the Indian government in the events leading up to the Air India bombing is necessary to ascertain the truth.”

On the other hand, victims’ families have condemned the call for another inquiry. Deepak Khandelwal lost his two sisters, 21-year-old Chandra and 19-year-old Manju in the attack. He said, “It’s so hurtful. It drives us crazy. Polling last year showed that 90 per cent of Canadians have little or no recognition of the Air India bombing. People are trying to fill that void and rewrite history. The government, by allowing this type of rhetoric to continue, is allowing people to promote hatred; they are asking for another terror attack.”

Bal Gupta lost his life Rama in the bombing. He condemned the demand focused on debunked theory and said, “It is deeply frustrating. It opens up old wounds all over again. It’s all garbage. It’s an attempt to gain publicity and support for terrorist activities.”

The families of the victims have called for respect for the findings of the past inquiries and urged the government of Canada to dismiss conspiracy theories as baseless and divisive.

Next step is banning polygamy, working to regulate inter-religion marriages, not looking at comprehensive UCC: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma

ANI
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Next step is banning polygamy, working to regulate inter-religion marriages, not looking at comprehensive UCC: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Wednesday said that the Assam government’s priority to focus on the marriage reigstration bill and its next step is to ban polygamy.

“Assam government is not decided on the whole UCC, we are focusing on the Muslim registration bill which we made compulsory, we have said that the registration of the marriage and divorce will be done by sub-registrar rather than ‘Kazi’. Our next step is banning polygamy which will be coming in anytime we are just waiting for any judicial comment on Uttarakhand UCC we are looking closely.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed that the Assam government’s “line of action” is different and they are looking at other issues.

“We are not looking to bring a comprehensive UCC because our line of acion is different. We are working against child marriage. We are working against the exploitation of women. Our stand is completely different.” Sarma said.

Sarma said that the Assam government has four to five agendas on which the government is working.

“Our next action will be banning polygamy. We are also working to regulate inter-religion marriages. Till next April there are four and five agendas.” Sarma said.

Earlier the Assam CM informed that the centre has directed UIDAI to issue Aadhaar cards to people who gave their biometrics between February 2019 to August 2024.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference, thanked the centre for directing UIDAI, making the lives of 935682 people easier.

“The Centre stopped distribution of Aadhar cards to 935682 people in Assam. They gave Biometric between Feb 2019 and Aug 2024. There are many of them where no relation with NRC.” Sarma said.

Sarma further informed that the State government has been working for the past two years to ensure the release of the Aadhar card to the people.

“We formed a cabinet sub-committee to see the issue and discussed it with different organisations. We discussed this with the Government of India for the last 2 years. On 29/7/2024, the state government request the centre to release Aadhaar cards to those people. On 27/8/2024 the centre directed to UIDAI to issue Aadhaar cards to those people.” Sarma said.

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

From Chistis in Rajasthan to SP in UP and TMC in Bengal: The cost of political patronage of criminals will always be paid by the common man

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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From Chistis in Rajasthan to SP in UP and TMC in Bengal: The cost of political patronage of criminals will always be paid by the common man

“As the king, so are the subjects,” goes the famous proverb. It stands true perhaps now more than in the times of kings and kingdoms. Over time, monarchy did not sit down well with its subjects and we witnessed uprisings across the world. In a largely democratic world order now, this proverb seems to stand more true.

Systemic violation of democratic values has led and continue to lead the institutionalisation of anti-social elements; all happening in the name of Opposition and dissent by political parties. The problem is not new but is becoming the new normal. Take the case of the Ajmer mass gangrape scandal of 1992.

On 20th August, 6 Islamists guilty of committing mass rapes of Hindu women in Ajmer were sentenced to life in jail. The crime, which came to be known as the largest sex scandal in the country, was committed in 1992 and a sliver of justice has been served 32 years later. Notably, the main accused, Farooq Chishti was the President of the Ajmer Youth Congress; Nafees Chishti was the Vice President of the Ajmer Indian National Congress and Anwar Chishti was the Joint Secretary of the Ajmer Indian National Congress.

The culprits had the protection of their name – the Chishtis, the Khadims of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, which houses the tomb of their ancestor Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a Sufi saint. The Congress party were leeched on to the Chishti family, who represent the obvious electoral vote bank. The result? State-enabled criminals institutionalised to walk free for 32 years after raping at least 250 girls and blackmailing them with their videos and photos.

In 2022, Gauhar Chishti, another Khadim of the Ajmer Dargah from the same line had threatened to behead those who insulted Prophet Mohammad. He managed to escape the police and fled to Hyderabad. He was arrested in July 2022 and acquitted on 16th July this year.

How do criminals become political representatives and get away with it? How do they find legal and political support to the extent that they do it again and again and again? When a State lets them, amongst many other corrupt factors. When Yogi Adityanath uses the term ‘Mafia raj’ and ‘Goondaraj’, it is not political, it is a fact; an ugly fact that continues to bob its head even today when the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh is out of power.

2nd June 1995, Mulayam Singh Yadav, the late Chief of Samajwadi Party was the CM of Uttar Pradesh. In the Mirabai Guest House in Lucknow, Mayawati was chairing a meeting of BSP MLAs to withdraw from the BSP-SP alliance in UP when Mulayam Singh sent over 200 goons. Casteist slogans were raised when the goons surrounded the room number 1 where Mayawati was, while the then Superintendent of Police OP Singh was seen smoking a cigarette.

Mayawati fell prey to mafia Mulayam’s goondas. She was abused, harassed and eyewitnesses say her saree was torn too. Mayawati never wore a saree ever since. How does a sitting woman politician come to be attacked by goons? Because these goons were deployed by the head of a state government and the entire law & order machinery was channelised towards the Lucknow Mirabai Guest House.

Because crime and criminals were institutionalised to the extent that the mafias continue to be emboldened today even with bulldozer action against them. The statement by current SP Chief and son of Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh Yadav trying to give clean chit to Ayodhya rape accused Moeed Khan is case in point.

Unfortunately, in the case of West Bengal, the use of criminal and anti-social elements for political muscle flexing is being made by a woman head of state. Who is to say that what happened with Abhaya was not a consequence of the institutionalised violence that Bengal has witnessed for decades? Political goons used in poll violence, giving position of power to anti-social elements for appeasement politics to the extent that cases like Sandeshkhali are allowed to happen right under the nose of Mamata Banerjee. And when the system and procedures are breached and violated like in Abhaya’s case, what else does it mean if not that criminal elements are being protected and by extension encouraged by the state machinery?

Just like the Chistis have reigned Ajmer freely for 32 years, just like SP’s top most goons have evaded justice for decades giving UP a bad name, the cadre that has been built under Didi’s reign in Bengal ready to kill at the snap of her fingers especially around elections shows how Bengal has been plunged into a perpetual state of violence.

And as long as crime and criminals continue to get a free and, moreover, thrive with political representatives at the helm of affairs, radical non-state actors will be institutionalised seeping into every social infrastructure till the concept of a state ceases to exist on ground and remains only in theory. The cost of such a politics will be paid by the common man as always, the innocents who will face the brunt of it all.

Maharashtra: NCPCR takes cognisance of minors raising ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans against Ramgiri Maharaj over ‘blasphemy’, asks state to counsel them

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: NCPCR takes cognisance of minors raising ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans against Ramgiri Maharaj over ‘blasphemy’, asks state to counsel them

In an update to the case regarding Ramgiri Maharaj who made alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad last week in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Thane IPS Ashutosh Dumbare. This is after several videos went viral on social media from the Mumbra region in which minors could be seen raising ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans against Ramgiri Maharaj.

“The Commission came across a video on platform X wherein minors could be seen taking part in the protests against Ramgiri Maharaj. The children were seen shouting slogans for the beheading of Ramgiri Maharaj,” the NCPCR said in an official statement.

It further asked the administration to identify such children and produce them before the Child Welfare Committee. It also suggested organizing necessary counselling to be given to the children involved ensuring their psycho well-being and behaviour. The commission also stated that FIR be filed against all the perpetrators involved.

It is important to note that alleged derogatory comments by Ramgiri Maharaj sparked outrage amongst the Islamist community and led to massive protests in the state of Maharashtra and other parts of the country. The protestors demanded a beheading punishment for the Hindu saint. Several videos of the violent protests went viral on social media with the Islamists yelling slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’.

Protests happened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Chhatarpur, etc. However, the one that happened in the Mumbra region of Thane was taken cognizance of by the NCPCR as several minor children could be seen raising beheading slogans against the Hindu saint.

Violent slogans were also raised outside the collector’s office in the Pune district where alleged minors could be seen raising slogans of ‘Allah Hu Akhbar’ and ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’.

As reported earlier, Saint Ramgiri Maharaj during a sermon in Panchale village of Nashik’s Sinnar region on Friday, 16th August, allegedly passed derogatory comments on Prophet Mohammed, enraging the entire Muslim community. The Hindu saint during the sermon indicated that several Islamists have disrespected women in the past because of the religious doctrine they follow. 

After this, several Islamists filed a police complaint against Ramgiri Maharaj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune, alleging that the Hindu saint had deliberately made such comments. Apart from Islamists, several political leaders like NCP’s Jitendra Awhad, AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar also commented on the matter criticizing Ramgiri Maharaj.

However, State CM Eknath Shinde made it clear that the state has a great tradition of saints and it is operating only due to the good, positive blessings of the Saints. He also stated that no one shall dare to even think of harming the saints in the state. 

Commenting on the current communal chaos, Ramgiri Maharaj stated to the media that he did not say anything to create a rift. “It was an hour-and-a-half sermon. A few parts of it were edited. I was talking about Bhishmacharya and Dharmaraj during the sermon. I was explaining what is Rajdharma and how should a king follow Rajdharma. I spoke giving an instance that injustice should not be tolerated. While raising this issue, the topic of Bangladesh came up,” he said.

Later Ramgiri Maharaj in the sermon stated that Hindus should stand together against the oppression of Hindus, atrocities that they usually face at the hands of Islamists. “I said that we should be organized against this, we should remain strong. No one should hate or envy. Don’t bother anyone. But if someone is harassing you, don’t bear it. What we said is written in the scriptures,” he said adding that nothing else could be said on this issue. “We are peace-loving people and our intentions are never to hurt anyone but to show society the truth,” he added.

Ramgiri Maharaj explained the context in which he said whatever he said. He confirmed that he made the statement in the wake of ongoing atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists. However, the Islamist community in India happened to ignore the context completely and is now deliberately targeting the Hindu saint by spreading his edited video from the one-and-a-half-hour-long sermon. 

Amid this, several Hindu organizations have extended support to Ramgiri Maharaj. The NCPCR has also taken cognizance of the event that involved minors. Further investigations into the case are underway.

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