On Friday, the 5th of July, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo moto cognizance of the derogatory remark made by TMC MP Mahua Moitra against Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW, and demanded strict action against the MP. The NCW wrote to LS Speaker Om Birla and condemned the remarks made by the TMC MP.
“The crude remarks are outrageous and a violation of a woman’s right to dignity. The Commission observed that this remark attracts Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. NCW strongly condemns these defamatory remarks and requests strict action against Ms Moitra. An FIR should be registered against Ms Moitra and a detailed action report should be communicated to the Commission within 3 days,” NCW tweeted.
The National Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of the derogatory remark made by Ms. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament, against Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW. The crude remarks are outrageous and a violation of a woman's right to dignity. The Commission…
As per ANI, the complaint has also been made to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora. As per the reports, Moitra made derogatory remarks against Sharma as the latter attempted to visit Hathras to take stock of the situation after the stampede.
Sharma was seen at the site, with someone carrying an umbrella for her. Journalist Nidhi Razdan on X wanted to know why the chairman did not hold the umbrella herself. Moitra responded to Razdan’s post on X, commenting, “She’s too busy holding up her boss’s pajamas.”
Responding to NCW’s complaint, Moitra stated no regrets. Instead, she posed a challenge to Delhi Police to get to her in the next three days. “Come on Delhi Police please take action immediately on these suo moto orders. Am in Nadia in case you need me in the next 3 days to make a quick arrest. I Can Hold My Own Umbrella,” she tweeted.
Come on @DelhiPolice please take action immediately on these suo moto orders. Am in Nadia in case you need me in the next 3 days to make a quick arrest. I Can Hold My Own Umbrella . https://t.co/pXvRSVSzxa
Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded Moitra’s resignation. BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla said, “MP Mahua Moitra who justified & remained silent during Sandeshkhali, Chopra Talibani flogging, silent on Swati Maliwal now makes a disgusting comment at another woman that too at the NCW Chief! Imagine if a BJP MP had said this.. all hell would break loose!! MAHUA MOITRA SHOULD BE SACKED BY TMC! Will Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge ji, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and AAP call this out? Will Mamata Didi act on her ? Nope just like they remained silent on Sandeshkhali & Chopra.”
On Friday, 5th July, the SIT formed to investigate the Hathras stampede delivered its initial report on the tragic incident, which killed at least 123 people earlier this week. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh submitted the 15-page report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence at 5, Kalidas Marg.
The stampede happened during ‘Satsang’ organized on Tuesday, 2nd July by ‘religious preacher’ Narayan Saakar Hari, commonly referred to as ‘Bhole Baba’. CM Yogi Adityanath had directed the SIT to submit the findings within 24 hours. This SIT report was prepared by ADG Agra Anupam Kulsreshtha and Aligarh Commissioner Chaitra V. The full 15-page report includes statements from approximately 100 people, including the DM and the SP. The SIT members are said to have interviewed administrative officials, event attendees, and sevadars (volunteers) to determine the reason for the stampede.
As reported exclusively by ABP news, the report submitted by the SIT mentions political connections of the ‘Bhole Baba’. It is believed that ‘Bhole Baba’ who fled from the spot after seeing the stampede, helped a particular political party in the recently happened Lok Sabha elections. The report evidently pointed towards a political conspiracy that still remains officially unexposed.
CM Yogi indicates a political conspiracy
CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the event and revealed that this incident was a political conspiracy. “Everyone knows with whom the gentleman’s (preacher) photos are and with whom he has political connections. You must have seen that during the rallies in the past days, where was the stampede and who was behind it? It is necessary for us to know about it. Those who play with the lives of innocent people will be held accountable for this,” he said.
#WATCH | On the Hathras stampede incident, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says "Some people have the tendency to politicise such sad and painful incidents. These people have the nature of 'chori bhi aur seenazori bhi'. Everyone knows with whom the gentleman's (preacher) photos… pic.twitter.com/gNCHNJdpNz
It is important to note that Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav was seen attending ‘Bhole Baba’s events in the past. The videos and photos of Yadav have gone viral over the internet in which he can be seen praising Bhole Baba and his ‘Godly activities.
Yadav seen in Bhole Baba’s Ashram (NDTV)
He had also posted his visit to Bhole Baba’s ashram on X. “May Narayan Sarkar be praised forever in the universe,” he had written.
Concerns have also been raised about the roles of various local authorities, sevadars, event organizers, and other officials stationed there for failing to estimate the number of people in attendance. The permission for the event was granted for only 80,000 people to attend Bhole Baba’s satsang but around 2.5 lakh people gathered at the event.
As per the reports, CM Yogi Adityanath visited some of the families who lost their loved ones in the stampede. The Chief Minister assured justice and condemned ‘Bhole Baba’ for fleeing from the spot after the stampede occurred.
Rahul Gandhi’s selective family visit in Hathras and Aligarh
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also visited Hathras and Aligarh to visit the families who lost their loved ones in the stampede. He met the families and later demanded strict punishment against those involved. He also asked the state to provide compensation to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede.
Gandhi met families in Hathras
“I don’t want to say this from a political prism but there have been deficiencies on the part of the administration and the important thing is that maximum compensation should be given as they are poor families,” he said. “I had a personal conversation with the family members of the deceased and they told me that there was no police arrangement. They are in shock and I just wanted to understand their situation,” he added.
#WATCH | Hathras, UP: After meeting the victims of the stampede, Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says "It is a sad incident. Several people have died. I don't want to say this from a political prism but there have been deficiencies on the part of the administration… pic.twitter.com/n2CXvZztJx
However, it is important to note that several people from Hathras, Aligarh, Eta, Badaun, Mainpur, Shahjahanpur, Itawa, Kapnur, Agra, Noida, etc visited the event and several of these lost their lives. However, Gandhi visited families only from Hathras and Aligarh where the candidates of BJP got elected in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Anup Valmiki of BJP won Hathras by a margin of around 2.47 lakh votes and Satish Gautam won the Aligarh seat by a margin of 15647 votes.
Akhilesh Yadav avoids answering media on Hathras event
Gandhi selectively avoided meeting families of the deceased from Mainpur, Eta, Badaun, and Itawa where Samajwadi Party candidates Dimple Yadav, Devesh Shakya, Aditya Yadava, and Jitendra Dohre retained LS seats. On the other hand, when asked about the Hathras incident, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav slammed the journalists and asked them to ‘stop working for BJP’.
Later, he praised the media for ‘exposing the truth’. He slammed the state CM for calling it a political conspiracy. “The government wants to hide everything. Who knows this better than you (the Media)?…The government cannot run away from its responsibilities. I don’t think there is a conspiracy behind this (incident)” he opined.
#WATCH | Lucknow | On Hathras stampede incident, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav says, "…The government wants to hide everything. Who knows this better than you (the Media)?…The government cannot run away from its responsibilities. I don't think there is a conspiracy… pic.twitter.com/psoESCqNdT
Witnesses blame ‘Bhole Baba’ for stampede, call him a dhongi
The witnesses of the incident meanwhile communicated to the media and unfolded how the stampede actually happened. One of the locals while talking to India TV stated that around 2.5 lakh people had gathered at the spot and after the satsang, ‘Bhole Baba’ had asked the crowd to wait for ‘charan raj’ (darshan of earth touched by baba). “He stopped the public for charan raj and later signalled the organizers to release them for dashan. Following this all the people rained for charan raj resulting in the stampede,” said one of the witnesses who lost his mother in the stampede. He also blamed ‘Bhole Baba’ for the stampede and called him a ‘dhongi’.
“If he was real God, he should have foreseen this. He should have stopped people from rushing. He should have done something to save lives of the people. But instead he fled from the spot. He is a dhongi, a cheat,” he added.
Another woman who lost her sister in the event also revealed that there were a few people who were massively drunk in the event and as the crowd rushed for charan raj, these drunkards pushed people strongly leading to stampede-like situation. So far, 123 people have lost their lives in the incident. Several others are injured and have been hospitalised.
FIR filed, ‘Bhole Baba’s name kept away
Notably, an FIR has been filed in the case, however, ‘Bhole Baba’ has not been mentioned in the complaint. The UP government has also formed a three-member judicial committee to investigate the event. ‘Bhole Baba’s lawyer previously denied the claim that the stampede occurred due to a rush for ‘charan raj’. AP Singh, a Supreme Court lawyer, claimed that Bhole Baba never requested anyone to touch his feet. He indicated that ‘Bhole Baba’ had nothing to do with the stampede and that it was all people’s rush that led to 123 deaths so far.
On Wednesday (3rd July), the Mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim stirred the hornet’s nest for deriding non-Muslims as ‘unfortunate’ and openly calling for their religious conversion to Islam.
Hakim, a Cabinet Minister in the West Bengal government and a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, made the contentious remarks during the ‘All India Quran Competition’ event at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata.
During his address, he claimed, “Those who were not born into Islam were born with misfortune. If we can give them Dawat (call for proselytism) and bring Iman (Faith) in them, then, we will make Allah happy.”
“We need to spread Islam among non-Muslims. If we can bring someone on the path of Islam, then, we will prove to be a true Muslims by ensuring the spread of Faith,” Firhad Hakim brazened out.
He further emphasised, “We showcase strength when thousands of people sit like this wearing skull caps. It shows unity and gives an assurance that none can subdue us.”
“Since we are born into Islam, Prophet and Allah made a clear path for us to Jannat. If we don’t commit any sins, we will directly go to Jaant,” the Kolkata Mayor was heard saying.
Firhad Hakim and his past controversies
This is not the first time when the Mayor of Kolkata has been in the news for the wrong reasons. In April 2016, he had dubbed a Muslim-dominated area of Kolkata as ‘Mini-Pakistan‘
In February 2021, he was spotted delivering a political speech at a masjid in Kolkata, in blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
To pacify Muslim rioters during the anti-CAA movement, Firhad Hakim referred to them as ‘brothers.’ He was also seen referring to the Central Armed forces and the BJP as ‘Suar er baccha‘ (progency of pigs).
Hakim had openly endorsed the Urduisation of Bengal and claimed, “Inshallah, one day will come when half of the population of Bengal will speak Urdu and recite poetry.”
United Kingdom’s outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on Friday apologised to the country after the Conservative Party’s drubbing in the general election, its worst-ever in recent times and accepted blame for the defeat.
Sunak in his last speech to the nation as Prime Minister from outside 10 Downing Street said, “To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgement that matters. I take responsibility for this loss…Following this result, I will step down as party leader…”
The 44-year-old leader said that he will step down as leader of the Conservative party which suffered a landslide loss in the election.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader,” he said, a move that is set to trigger a contest for the next Conservative leader.
Labour Party won the UK general as per results declared from almost all the parliamentary seats. Keir Starmer will be the next prime minister and is due to meet the king shortly where he’ll be invited to form a government.
The Conservative Party lost more than 250 seats and now faces life in opposition.
“…This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. This is the best country in the world and it is thanks entirely to you, the British people,” said Sunak.
In his farewell speech as PM, Sunak wished the “decent public spirited man” Starmer. “Whilst he has been my political opponent, Keir Starmer, will shortly become our prime minister. In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well. Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, He is a decent, public spirited man who I respect,” said Sunak.
The outgoing PM said he had heard the “anger” of British voters, who delivered his Conservative Party its worst-ever defeat, and apologized to the candidates who had lost their seats.
“To all the conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved. It pains me to think how many good colleagues who contributed so much to their communities and our country will now no longer sit in the House of Commons. I thank them for their hard work and their service,” said Sunak.
Reflecting on his 21-month premiership, Sunak said he had “returned stability to our economy” and rebuilt Britain’s relations with its allies.
“I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear message, and yours is the only judgement that matters. This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been Prime Minister of the best country in the world,” said Sunak.
He singled out a major deal he struck to normalize relations between the UK and European Union in the wake of Brexit – a policy he championed – as another of his achievements.
“When I first stood here as your prime minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is backed to target, mortgage rates are falling and growth has returned. We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies. And our United Kingdom is stronger too. With the Windsor framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our union strengthened. I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010,” said Sunak.
The next step in the handover of power in the UK is Sunak calling on King Charles after which Starmer will be invited to the palace and invited to form the next government.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
58-year-old Sandeep Thapar, also known as Gora who is the chief of the Shiv Sena in Punjab was attacked with swords by four unidentified individuals dressed as Nihang Sikhs outside the Ludhiana Civil Hospital on the afternoon of 5th July. The entire instance was recorded on camera. Notably, his security detail was reduced a week earlier.
Sandeep Thapar, who is a descendant of Indian freedom fighter and martyr Sukhdev, was assaulted upon leaving the Samvedna Trust office next to Civil Hospital, where he had attended a memorial service for Trust founder-president and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravinder Arora’s fourth death anniversary, according to the authorities. Local non-governmental organization Samvedna Trust offers patients free ambulance service and cars to transport the deceased for cremation.
#BREAKING: Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, who is also descendant of Indian Freedom fighter and martyr Sukhdev, has been assaulted with swords by a group of Nihangs outside Ludhiana Civil Hospital in Punjab on Friday afternoon, his condition is believed to be serious. pic.twitter.com/Yx7XiMx3jy
Police revealed that the accused who were waiting outside, assaulted him with swords and beat him on the head before absconding from the spot. His lone gunman did not try to pursue the assailants or fight back to defend him. Witnesses brought the severely injured man to the civil hospital, where he was subsequently referred to the nearby Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. Shiv Sena leaders gathered at both the hospitals following the shocking incident and chanted slogans against the police administration and the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party government headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
“He had gone the civil hospital to attend a memorial function of BJP leader Ravinder Arora. As soon as he came out of the hospital with his gunman, a group of Nihangs intercepted him. The accused assaulted Sandeep Thapar with swords in front of his gunman who did nothing to save him,” disclosed Punjab Shiv Sena President Ravinder Arora.
According to Shiv Sena Punjab’s youth wing chief Sumit Arora, the victim had at least three gunmen providing security, but the police removed that protection a week ago. A gunman was later brought back to him. He added that the gunman used to abstain from work and watch silently, enabling the perpetrators to escape with ease. The police have started the inquiry and are looking for the culprits.
As the Labour Party sweeps the elections in Britain, it has won most of the Welsh seats. In Wales, Labour has gained 27 seats, including those in Montgomeryshire, Wrexham, Bridgend, and the Vale of Glamorgan. Kanishka Narayan, an Indian-origin Labour MP, defeated former Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns in the Vale of Glamorgan. With 17,740 votes, Narayan defeated Alun Cairns, who received 13,524 votes, to win the election. The voter turnout here was 61.62%.
After winning the election, Kanishka Narayan said, “My message is one of gratitude for everyone who put trust in me and the Labour Party. I also have a commitment to those who did not vote for us. We are going to reach out and deliver starting today. One overarching challenge is delivering in a place where we have come from – economic chaos. We are going to be rebuilding trust and integrity with the public.
Kanishka Narayan was born in Bihar, India, and was raised in Cardiff after moving there at the age of twelve. After a year at Cathays High School, he received a scholarship to attend the esteemed Eton College. He studied PPE at Oxford University and then he came to America to receive an MBA from Stanford University.
Incredible effort from Team Vale, speaking to thousands of voters today from Barry, through Cowbridge and Llantwit Major, all the way to Ogmore-by-Sea.
— Kanishka Narayan (@KanishkaNarayan) July 4, 2024
Narayan had joined the Labour Party at the age of eighteen. He went on to serve as a civil servant in the Environment Department under Liz Truss and the Cabinet Office under David Cameron. He moved from Cardiff to Barry in 2023 after being chosen as the Labour candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan constituency.
Notably, David TC Davies, the Welsh secretary, lost his seat in Monmouthshire and the Conservatives have not gained any seats in Wales.
With 37% vote share in Wales, the Labour Party secured 27 seats, while the Tories secured 18% of the vote but failed to win any seats. The Liberal Democrats secured one seat, while Plaid Cyrmu secured four seats — Ynys Mon, Caerfyrddin, Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and Ceredigion Preseli.
Apart from Kanishka Narayan many other candidates of Indian origin have won in these elections from Conservative and the Labour Party. Conservative candidate Shivani Raja won the Leicester East seat defeating Labour’s Rajesh Agarwal.
Senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, former Rajya Sabha MP and party’s organisational secretary R S Bharathi came under fire from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai for his remarks made during a protest his party staged against NEET-UG examination. The former claimed that the Dravidian movement was the cause of the ubiquity of BA degrees in Tamil Nadu and as a result, even a dog could now earn a bachelor’s degree. K Annamalai asked Chief Minister MK Stalin to take action against him for insulting the student community.
Kancheepuram MLA Ezhilarasan, the wing secretary of the DMK students, organized the demonstration named “No More NEET” where R S Bharathi alleged, “I am a lawyer BL educated. Ezhilarasan is BE, BL. All these did not come from a clan or gotra. If it was not for the alms of the Dravidian movement and communal GO, so many doctors and so many people with B.E degrees would not have come. When I studied BA, only one person in the town had studied BA. Then they will write the title on the name board outside the house. Now everyone in the town is studying for a degree, even a dog is getting a BA degree. Dravidian movement is responsible for this development.”
The controversial statement drew a strong response from the BJP as K Annamalai slammed R S Bharathi and charged that his remarks had insulted the entire student community and added it was wrong to portray that the success of students was because of some favour being done by the DMK. Furthermore, he mentioned that the DMK, which had opened just 5 medical colleges in the state was going around town claiming that it was responsible for increasing the number of doctors in the state. He accused that the party has only created people like R S Bharathi who insult the students who advance in life because of their hard work and the efforts of their parents but give credit to DMK for their growth.
எப்போதெல்லாம், திமுக ஆட்சிக்கு, பொதுமக்களிடையே பலத்த எதிர்ப்பு வருகிறதோ, அப்போதெல்லாம், அறிவாலய வாசலிலேயே இருக்கும் திரு. ஆர்.எஸ்.பாரதியை ஏவி விடுவார்கள் போல. கள்ளக்குறிச்சியில், திமுக ஆதரவோடு நடந்த கள்ளச்சாராய விற்பனையில் 65 உயிர்கள் பலியானதை மடைமாற்ற, திரு. ஆர்.எஸ்.பாரதியைக்… pic.twitter.com/yLjpcK9Lkh
Notably, R S Bharathi is notorious for giving contentious statements in the past as well. He previously claimed that the Dalits would never have been able to become judges in the state. He was taken into custody by the Central Crime Branch of the Chennai city police in May 2020 over the remarks. He referred to a judge and declared that the indulgence of the DMK leadership during the period of former chief minister M Karunanidhi led to the admission of numerous Dalits into the court.
“If Tamil Nadu remains the best state, it is because of the Dravidian movement. No Harijan has become a judge of the High Court in Madhya Pradesh. After Karunanidhi became Chief Minister A Varadarajan was appointed as HC judge. Seven or eight others from the Adi Dravidar community went on to become judges after that. It is the alms given by the Dravidian Movement,” he claimed while addressing an event in Anbagam (the DMK youth wing headquarters), but later apologized for his remarks.
He didn’t even spare the highest court in the country and charged, “Ava(Brahmins) have come back. I say with heartburn that the Supreme Court has become a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) camp. I am an advocate, but this is my grievance.”
He also slammed senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader H Raja and called him a “loafer” and then a “Brahmin dog.” He announced, “Had I not held a position in the party, I would have become a terrorist to take on these people (those criticising the Dravidian movement). People in other states are fools. Particularly, in North India they are all fools.” He even went so far as to draw comparisons between the media outlets and Mumbai’s “Red Light Area.”
He alleged, “They have a debate on this. These television guys are scoundrels. No one is as corrupt as them. They are running the channels like the red light area in Mumbai. Just because they are getting money, they raise anything (issue). The press guys don’t have any jobs. They don’t write anything when others do something. When (Arvind) Kejriwal hired Prashant Kishor, they didn’t write about it. Narendra Modi used him but they didn’t write. Many others employed him, but no one wrote. However, when he came to DMK in Tamil Nadu, they talked out of jealousy.”
The DMK leader also made racist and derogatory comments about the people of Nagaland in 2023 while attacking the governor. He alleged, “What is the governor doing? He just wants to create problems for the ruling government. We have seen so many governors, but what he does is create a fuss and drag us into a fight. He refuses to sign the bills we send. I addressed a gathering about what happened to him in Nagaland. They chased him away,” at a function commemorating the 100th anniversary celebrations of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi.
He added, “Don’t mistake me. I am just quoting an example. The people of Nagaland eat dog meat. If someone who eats dog meat themselves has so much self-respect that they chased away this governor, then imagine how much self-respect Tamils, who consume food with salt, would have. The day he was chased away, the people of Nagaland celebrated it like Deepavali.”
Last year, he ridiculed north Indian labourers in yet another attack on the governor and in a public meeting claimed, “I had earlier stated that those who sell Soan papdi and Panipuri don’t know the pride of Tamil Nadu. I said this in a meeting. I came to know that many have come from Bihar and I think the Governor (RN Ravi) has similarly come by train. There is an old saying in villages, ‘Don’t count the leaves (banana leaves used as plates for feast), if you are asked to pick it.’ The governor’s job is similar to picking up leaves. The address is like the food on the leaves. You (Governor) are a cook. You should have cooked it and left it at that. If you plan to keep something, will the person who is eating be quiet? I’m not boasting. If it was Jayalalithaa’s rule, he (Governor) would have been attacked and that party men also would not be quiet.”
The state of Maharashtra is witnessing a massive increase in crime incidents against Hindus. Especially after the Lok Sabha Elections where the Muslim community in the state managed to get the NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), and INC in the majority, Islamists have seemingly become fearless and are launching unnecessary attacks on the Hindu activists or leaders. The state stood shaken last week as it saw around 7-8 incidents where the Islamists attacked the Hindu community people just for belonging to one particular region.
1. Akshay Dhavre attacked for raising voice against Islamists in Pune:
The most dreadful incident happened in the Lohiyanagar region of Maharashtra’s Pune district last week when a Hindu activist identified as Akshay Dhavre was attacked by Atul Khan, Salman Sheikh, Sultan Sheikh, Aslam Patel, Asif Sheikh, and 4 others. The Hindu Dalit activist was attacked by the Islamists only for belonging to a particular region and keeping an association with the BJP.
A detailed report in this case was obtained by OpIndia. The accused persons were booked by the Khadak Police Station u/s 307, 324, 323, 143, 147, 148 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, sections 4 and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959; sections 37(1), 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951 and sections 3(1)(2) and 3(1)(10) of the SC/ST Act, 1989.
On 23rd June, Sunday the victim and his friends were having tea on the Shankarsheth Road. The accused persons, from nowhere arrived on the spot on bikes and began issuing threats to Akshay. “Today we’ll do with him. He is God for many Dalits in Lohiyanagar. Earlier two attempts to kill him were foiled. Not this time,” the accused persons were heard saying as mentioned in the FIR.
The accused persons later launched a sword attack on Akshay who managed to foil it by moving aside. In this, however, he lost his thumb. Later, Salman Sheikh and Asif Sheikh attacked the victim from behind resulting in severe injuries on his head and back. Also, the other accused persons assaulted the victim and his friends after which the latter ran to save their lives.
Meanwhile, the accused persons followed the victim and his friends and said, “Hum yaha ke baap hai. Hamare khilaf agar koi bolega to hum use jinda nhi chodenge (We rule over this locality. We won’t spare anyone who would talk against us).” A detailed report of this case can be read here.
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) June 24, 2024
2. Rohit Thorat, another Hindu Dalit leader attacked in Pune:
On June 27th, another similar incident was reported from the Lohiyanagar area of Pune district. Hindu Dalit leader, Rohit Thorat was attacked by a group of people identified as Afridi Sheikh, also known as Budha, Sadiq Sajja, Izaz Sheikh, and four additional accomplices. Thorat’s attack looks to be a targeted act of violence directed at his advocacy and efforts to improve the Dalit community. Thorat has been outspoken about the challenges and injustices that his community faces, making him a possible target for those who oppose his work.
FIR copy of the said incident has been obtained by OpIndia.
Image- LRO
As per the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia, the victim was stopped and assaulted by the accused persons in the Gangadha area of Pune when he was on his way home from a relative’s place. The accused persons crashed their autorickshaw vehicles onto the bike on which the victim was traveling and began threatening him. They then launched an attack on the victim using sharp weapons.
The Police have imposed sections 307, 504, 341, 506, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 37(1), 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, and sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2), 3(v), 3(2)(va) and 6 of the SC/ST Act, 1989.
3. Third dangerous attack on Hindu activist in Pune’s Lohiyanagar: LRO
In a series, the third dreadful attack on a Hindu activist was reported from the Lohiyanagar area of Pune district. On July 3rd, Matang Hindu Dalit youth, Adarsh Bharat Hanuvate was attacked, the incident of which was shared by the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) on social media. LRO accused the Pune City Police of torturing Hindus and concealing the crime in a desperate bid to protect the perpetrators.
3rd #Jihadi attack on #Dalit youth at Lohia Nagar, Pune! Matang Hindu Dalit youth Adarsh Bharat Hanuvate attacked by Jihadis in a bid to vacate Dalits n usurp their land. @PuneCityPolice torturing Hindus in a desparate bid to cover up crime n to shield Izalmists! We urge HM… pic.twitter.com/BSDDtfIhpi
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) July 3, 2024
Apart from Pune and Mumbai, the state witnessed attacks also in other parts of the state like Nanded, Sabhajinagar and Thane.
4. Muslim students assault 4 Hindus for celebrating T20 World Cup win in Nanded, Maharashtra
On June 29th, around 20-25 Muslim youngsters launched an attack on 4 Hindu students after the latter celebrated India’s T20 World Cup win in the Shrinagar area of Maharashtra’s Nanded region. The accused persons barged into the rented apartment of the 4 victims and assaulted them with sticks and iron rods. The victims identified as Vikas Madvi, Raosaheb Narwade, Balaji Pormad, and Kapil Patil suffered serious injuries after which a police complaint was filed. The entire incident got recorded in the CCTV footage in which the accused can be seen barging into the apartment of the victims. The owner of the apartment confirmed the incident and said that all the accused persons belonged to the Muslim community.
5. Hindu woman molested in Thane, threatened not to file an FIR
On the 27th, an FIR was registered by Thane Police against one Shehzad Sheikh u/s 354, 354D, and 452 of the IPC after he molested a Hindu woman and forced her to keep her mouth shut. The incident happened last week in the Hajuri Dargah region of Thane which is Muslim dominated area. The accused molested a Hindu woman residing in the area. Later, as per the Sakal Hindu Samaj, when the woman went to seek shelter in a nearby temple, around 100-150 Muslims entered the temple wearing shoes and threatened the woman not to file a police complaint.
Earlier, the Hindu community claimed that the police resisted filing an FIR in the case but later the accused was arrested. However, it is alleged that the accused was being protected by an individual identified as Vikas R who faked his contacts with CM Eknath Shinde. He is said to have pressured the police to take minimal action against the accused. The accused as per the LRO was just put in judicial custody instead of police custody.
Sakal Hindu Samaj, Thane on June 30th organized a massive protest and demanded strict punishment against the accused. The Hindus also stated that their religious feelings had been hurt after Muslims entered the temple wearing shoes. The FIR copy of the said incident has been obtained by OpIndia. The Hindu locals demand the strictest punishment against the accused and safety for the Hindu community residing in the area.
6. Nasirullah raped minor boy inside madrassa in Thane
On Wednesday (26th June), a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against a man for raping an 11-year-old boy inside the premises of a madrassa in Bhiwandi city in the Thane district of Maharashtra. As per reports, the accused was identified as Nasirullah. The incident occurred when the victim was studying in the madrassa. Nasirullah sexually assaulted the minor boy and performed ‘unnatural sex.’
The accused has been booked under the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The cops have now launched a search operation to nab Nasirullah.
7. Hindu family in Pune assaulted by Monty Sayyed, Jameer, and others after argument over Eid goat hitting a child
On 17th June this year, a Hindu family residing in the Yerwada region of Pune was brutally assaulted by a large Muslim mob resulting in severe injuries. The incident happened when the 3-year-old Hindu girl from his family was playing in the courtyard. Meanwhile, the 3-4 minor boys belonging to the Muslim community, residing in the same area were playing with the goats which their family had got for slaughter on Bakrid.
One of the goats ran and hit the girl after which her family rushed to the courtyard to see what had happened. As they asked the boys about the incident they began arguing with the Hindu family members and also began assaulting them. The members from the minority community pelted stones at the Hindu family. They also attacked the family using rods and sticks.
The Police had booked 5 persons and detained 12 in the case including minors. The FIR copy of the said incident was obtained by OpIndia. The sections imposed by the Pune Police in the given case were sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting), 149, 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult or provocation), and 337 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. A detailed report of this case can be read here.
8. Mira Road: Hindus insulted assaulted by Islamists for stopping goat slaughter in residential society
This interesting case from the Mira Road region of Mumbai was exclusively reported by OpIndia on 18th June. The Kashigaon Police Station booked an individual named Vajud, a resident of Hill Galaxy Apartment, for insulting and threatening Hindus and abusing the religion saying, “Hinduo ke m** ki ch**”. The FIR was filed under sections 295A and 153A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The incident happened on 16th June when Muslim residents residing in the Hill Galaxy Apartment and JP North Celeste Society on Mira Road got goats inside the society premises for illegal slaughter ahead of the Bakrid festival. The Hindus protested against the incident and called the police. However, the police allowed the goats saying that there was no livestock policy within the society.
Images obtained by OpIndia
Amid this, the Hindus launched massive protests and objected to the slaughter on the society’s premises. However, the Muslim residents argued with the Hindus and claimed that they would slaughter the goats on the society’s premises.
The FIR copy which has been obtained by OpIndia says that the Muslims threatened the Hindus saying they (Muslims) would slaughter the goats within the society premises, come what may. “Do whatever you can. We will slaughter animals here only, within the society premises. Hinduo ke m** ki ch**,” Vajud said as per the FIR.
In the complaint, the resident further said that the accused individual also insulted Lord Ganesh. “You people celebrate the Ganesh festival. Do we say anything then? We feel enraged and puking when we see your Lord Ganesha. We will see how you celebrate your Ganesh festival here,” Vajud threatened the Hindus.
A detailed report in this case can be read here and here.
Conclusion
The incidents from the state don’t stop here. Several such dreadful cases have been reported from the state in the past. But these incidents have shaken the Hindu community to the core leaving them traumatized and scared. These 8 incidents have occurred in the past 15 days posing a greater challenge for the ruling party to make efforts to save the Hindu community.
The communal tensions in the state have been on the rise in the past few years. The Islamists have launched attacks on Hindus in the state on various occasions. The Hindus here were attacked during the Ram Navmi festival in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai, Malad, and Jalgao where the Islamists pelted stones and torched vehicles last year. They were also attacked during the Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Eid. In March, a Muslim mob in the Kamgar Colony in the Chikalthana area of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar attacked Hindus warning them not to perform Aarti at a Hanuman Mandir during the Ramazan month.
Then on Eid, massive chaos erupted in the Mira Road region of Mumbai after Muslims got goats for slaughter in the residential premises. The Islamists also threatened the Hindus saying that they would slaughter the goats in the society as the latter protested. A detailed report in this case can be read here and here. Apart from these, incidents of rape, molestation, and child abuse at the hands of Islamists are also rising.
With the given current political scenario, the Mahayuti government in the state comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar) need to look into the matter, especially in the cases where the Hindus are being attacked only for belonging to a particular region, like in the case of Akshay Dhavare who compromised his thumb to save his life. The current laws and the administration are evidently failing to protect the Hindu community in the state.
On the other side, Islamists who supported the I.N.D.I Alliance in Maharashtra and issued fatwas against the BJP in the last Lok Sabha elections appear to have lost their fear and are attacking Hindus. They (Islamists) appear to believe that they now have the power to change the state’s leadership by voting out anyone who does not support Hindutva, which could pose a threat to the Mahayuti government ahead of the State Assembly Elections.
On Tuesday (2nd July), a woman was reportedly stripped and thrashed by goons for being a BJP worker. The incident occurred in Kaugachhi village in Jagatdal in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The BJP has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party of orchestrating the attack. As per reports, the TMC goons in Jagatdal have been threatening the woman and her family ever since the Lok Sabha election results were declared on 4th June this year.
They had previously vandalised the BJP worker’s house as well. On Tuesday, the victim was obstructed from taking water from a local tap by TMC workers. This led to a heated argument between the woman and the musclemen of the ruling party.
When the victim returned home, the goons reportedly ambushed her house. They stripped and assaulted her with a sharp weapon. When the family members of the woman intervened, the accused also attacked and injured them.
Following the assault, the goons fled the scene. The woman was late rescued and admitted to the B N Bose Sub Divisional Hospital. When her condition deteriorated, she was rushed to the Sagar Dutta Medical College in Kolkata.
The family of the victim has cited political rivalry as the motive behind the attack. The woman’s mother informed, “Trinamool Congress people stormed the house, and stripped my daughter and thrashed her. While trying to save my daughter, her grandfather and I were injured.”
TMC cries foul, dubs incident as ‘local neighbourhood dispute’
She further added, “My saree was also torn. Our family has been tortured for a long time. There was earlier an attack at our house.”
The local Trinamool Congress unit has dismissed the case as ‘local neighbourhood dispute’, which has supposedly no political angle.
On Wednesday (3rd July), people carried out protests outside the local police station, demanding justice for the woman (who is now said to be in a critical condition).
Woman stripped by Shafiqul-led mob in Cooch Behar
On 27th June, a Muslim woman was stripped, dragged for 1 km by her hair and thrashed for over an hour by goons for supporting the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
The incident took place in Ruidanga village in Matha Bhanga-II block in Coochbehar district of West Bengal. As per reports, a group of TMC goons attacked the woman for being a worker of the Opposition BJP in the State. The victim’s father had filed a complaint with the police.
According to the police complaint, the local TMC cadre had prevented the woman from stepping out of her house since the Lok Sabha elections were announced on 4th June 2024.
The victim was assaulted when she was en route home from a nearby park. A group of TMC goons attacked her, stripped her and then dumped her clothes in a river.
They had also threatened to break her house if she dared to step out again. The Cooch Behar police had detained 4 people, including the primary accused Shafiqul, in connection to the case.
Shafiqul was accused of capturing the naked picture of the victim during the assault and disseminating it on social media platforms.
In a big win for the conservatives in Leicester East, Conservative candidate Shivani Raja has won the elections. This is the first time in 37 years that a non-Labour candidate has won in Leicester East. It is noteworthy that Leicester East has historically been a strong hold of the Labour Party. Despite a Labour-wave election, Shivani Raja won from the very area which saw anti-Hindu violence in 2022.
Shivani Raja emerged victorious as she received 14,526 votes, followed by Rajesh Agrawal of Labour in second place with 10,100 and Zuffar Haq of the Liberal Democrats in third place with 6,329. Claudia Webbe and Keith Vaz, Leicester East’s two former MPs, came in fourth and fifth, respectively. Vaz represented the One Leicester party receiving 3681 votes, while Claudia Webbe ran as an independent getting 5532 votes. The voter turnout here was 61%.
Source: Leicester Mercury
Notably, Shivani Raja is a first-generation British citizen born in Leicester and an unapologetic Hindu. According to her website, Shivani Raja’s parents moved to Leicester from Kenya and India in the late 70s. She completed her education at De Montfort University. She graduated in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science and later worked with some major cosmetics brands in England.
Last month she joined the celebration of 50 years of Sanatan Mandir in Leicester.
?✨ Celebrating 50 Years of Sanatan Mandir! ✨?
For half a century, our Leicester community has focussed on fostering unity, devotion, and service. Together, we’ve built a legacy of faith, compassion, and rich cultural heritage.
Amidst a wave in favour of the Labour Party in national elections, Conservative leader Shivani Raja triumphs on Labour stronghold
The centre-left Labour Party is set to secure a decisive victory in Britain’s general election. This outcome ends a 14-year reign of the Conservative Party and positions Labour leader Keir Starmer to assume the role of prime minister imminently.
Being a Conservative candidate, Shivani Raja has achieved a historic victory in the Leicester East seat, traditionally a stronghold of the Labour Party. This win is particularly significant given the constituency’s long-standing allegiance to Labour, making Raja’s triumph a noteworthy shift in the political landscape. Leicester East, a home to diverse communities, has consistently supported Labour candidates for decades, making this Conservative win a remarkable political change.
Notably, Claudia Webbe had in the past openly supported Khalistani separatists and their so-called ‘referendum’ last year after a mob of frenzied Khalistanis laid siege on the Indian High Commission in London. She was earlier expelled from the UK’s Labour Party after being found guilty of harassing a woman named Michelle Merritt for 18 months.
Moreover, the victory of Shivani Raja, a Hindu candidate, is also symbolic given the recent history of the area. In 2022, Leicester East was the epicentre of violence against Hindus, resulting in tensions within the community. The unrest highlighted deep-seated issues that needed addressing. It underscored the importance of representation and leadership that could bridge divides and take a strong stand against anti-Hindu elements there. Raja’s win can be seen as a significant step towards healing and progressing from the incidents of 2022. Her election signals a desire for change and a move towards a more inclusive and representative leadership, aiming to ensure peace in Leicester East.
Anti-Hindu Leicester violence
In 2022, Leicester witnessed a series of anti-Hindu violence, marking a significant escalation in communal tensions. OpIndia reported that the unrest began in September 2022 following a cricket match between India and Pakistan, quickly spiralling into clashes. Hindu homes, businesses, and places of worship were targeted, leading to widespread fear and insecurity within the community. The violence was fueled by misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric on social media, exacerbating the already volatile situation. Police intervention was necessary to restore order, and several arrests were made. The events highlighted deep-rooted issues of communal discord and the need for robust measures to ensure the safety and harmony of all communities in Leicester.
A fact-finding report, presented by the Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) before the UK’s House of Commons revealed how the Leicester attack on the Hindu community was a direct assault on “democratic institutions and rule of law.” It added that the attack on Hindus was a direct fallout of territorial tensions and localised majoritarianism. It must be mentioned here, that Leicester East is a Muslim-dominated area with a minority Hindu population. OpIndia extensively reported that anti-Hindu violence was instigated by individuals like Majid Freeman, and Mohammed Hijab among others, who spread inflammatory content and misinformation.
