On Monday, 24th June, Khadak Police Station in the Pune district of Maharashtra booked 9 Islamists identified as Atul Khan, Salman Sheikh, Sultan Sheikh, Aslam Patel, Asif Sheikh, and 4 others for a deadly attack on a Hindu Dalit activist. The accused mobilised ruffians and attacked Akshay, breaking his thumb and leaving him severely injured. The accused persons are said to have attacked Dhavre given his claimed association with the BJP. The victim also works as a Hindu-Dalit activist and is known for raising his voice against Islamists in the region.
The sections imposed by the Police on the accused persons are 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. The FIR copy of the said incident has been obtained by OpIndia.
As per the complaint, the incident is said to have happened on 23rd June, Sunday when 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 also demeaned Dalits and said that lower caste people were equivalent to their shoes. The accused persons used iron rods and sharp weapons to launch an attack on the victim. Accuse Atul Khan attacked Akshay’s head while he foiled the attack by defending himself with his right hand. During this, he lost his thumb as it broke apart his palm.
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) June 24, 2024
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).”
The complaint has been lodged by Nagesh Dhavre, brother of the victim. He said that the accused persons also tried to attack him but he somehow saved his life. “We were all running towards seven Love Chowk in Pune to save our lives. The accused also ran behind us. They attacked us. Later when we yelled for help, they all fled from the spot,” Nagesh said.
The victim lay in pain near the hotel where he was having tea. He was immediately taken to the Sassoon Hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
Team OpIndia talked to the complainant Nagesh who confirmed that the accused persons attacked Akshay only because he stood by Hindu Dalit victims and raised his voice against the Islamist goons. “Akshay is a Hindu activist and he engages in social work. He has to date been the voice of several Hindu Dalit activists who have faced problems at the hands of Muslims. He also is associated with the BJP,” Nagesh said while exclusively talking to OpIndia.
He further added that the Islamists have tried to attack and kill Akshay several times in the past but fortunately, their attempts were foiled. “This time they had planned this and they came out of nowhere while we were having tea. They threatened Akshay and also me and his friends for helping the Hindu Dalit persons in Pune and around the area. They broke his finger. He is in severe pain. Doctors are treating him,” he added.
On asking about the police action, he said that several complaints had been made to the police against Islamists after they threatened Akshay, and tried to attack him, but no action was ever taken. “The police have booked 9 persons of which 3 are believed to have been arrested. We demand strict action against all those involved,” he said.
As informed to OpIndia by Nagesh, 3 persons are said to have been arrested by the police in the case, but the same could not be confirmed by the police. OpIndia contacted Khadak Police Station to get updates on the case, but no authoritative information could be obtained. The subordinates restricted themselves from sharing information or even confirming the arrests. The case is being investigated. Further updates will soon be revealed.
A teenager stabbed a man to death for allegedly speaking against the companions of Prophet Muhammad in Pakistan’s Punjab province, police said on Monday (24th June). The victim killed for alleged blasphemy belonged to the Shia minority Muslim community. As per reports, the 14-year-old accused was instigated by his uncle and father who is a Maulvi at a Sunni mosque. The incident occurred on Sunday in Kunjah, Gujrat, which is approximately 170 km from Pakistan’s capital Lahore.
Speaking with PTI, a senior police officer stated that the minor seminary student stabbed 55-year-old Nazir Hussain Shah to death after being incited by his father and uncle’s remarks. The father of the accused works as a prayer leader at a Sunni mosque. His father and uncle had told him that the victim Shah would often speak against the companions of the Prophet.
The police officer said, “Getting motivated by the words of his father and uncle, the enraged teenager took a knife from his house and confronted Shah on Sunday afternoon, stabbing him multiple times and killing him on the spot. The boy then fled the scene.” Police have formed a team to arrest the minor accused.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistani outlet Dawn has reported the case as a killing over a “sectarian argument”. A case has been registered against the minor accused, his uncle and his father. Based on the complaint deceased’s brother Shabeer Hussain Shah, has been booked under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Local and police sources stated that the prime suspect seems to be a religious fanatic. It is pertinent to note that the recent killing is the second blasphemy-related murder in the Islamic Republic in four days and the third case within a month.
Blasphemy-related murder on the rise in Pakistan
Earlier on 20th June night, a mob of frenzied Muslims lynched a man, after accusing him of desecrating the Quran in the Madyan area in Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
As per reports, the victim was a native of Sialkot district in Punjab province of Pakistan and had been on a visit to Swat as a tourist. The Muslim mob alleged that he set fire to some pages of the Quran and used it as a pretext to carry out his lynching.
It is pertinent to note that the Swat police had initially taken the ‘blasphemy accused’ into its custody to prevent any untoward law and order. However, the frenzied mob charged at the police station dragged out the victim and took him away. The victim was then lynched and his body was set on fire (torched). A video of the disturbing incident went viral on social media on Thursday (June 20th night).
Nearly a month earlier, in May, an elderly Christian man named Nazir Masih was lynched by a frenzied Muslim mob over dubious allegations of Toheen-e-Mazhab (blasphemy). The incident took place in Mujahid Colony in Sargodha city in Punjab province of Pakistan.
The Muslim mob vandalised Masih’s house, looted his factory and set him ablaze over rumours that he burnt pages of the Quran. In reality, the victim was acting out of goodwill and that cost him his life.
‘No Minority is safe in Pakistan, killed over false allegations’: Pakistan Defence Minister admits in Parliament
On Sunday (23rd June), Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif admitted that no minority group is safe in Pakistan. In the Pakistani Parliament, he added that Pakistan is facing a global embarrassment.
Thank you, @KhawajaMAsif Sb, for raising your voice in the National Assembly for minorities and addressing the misuse of certain laws. I hope the government will enact effective legislation to counter the staged nonsense of mob lynching and false accusations of blasphemy. pic.twitter.com/DjfFyXhT3B
Expressing concern over the daily killings of minorities, Khawaja said, “Every day, minorities are being killed. They are not safe under the guise of Islam. Pakistan is facing global embarrassment. Even smaller Muslim sects are not safe in Pakistan, which is a disgraceful situation. Those who have been killed so far did not have any evidence linking them to blasphemy; rather, these killings seem to stem from personal vendettas.”
Nonetheless, Pakistan’s lower house of Parliament, the National Assembly passed a resolution on Sunday condemning the recent incidents of mob lynching. According to a Dawn report, at least 2,120 people are reported to have been accused of committing blasphemy between 1987 and 2022. The USCIRF 2023 report said, “Religious minorities were subject to frequent attacks and threats, including accusations of blasphemy, targeted killings, lynchings, mob violence, forced conversions, sexual violence against women and girls, and desecration of houses of worship and cemeteries.”
The Karnataka High Court on Monday halted the proceedings against journalist Ajeet Bharti, who faces charges under Section 153-A and 502(2) of the IPC for allegedly posting a video tweet with comments about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over a single judge bench, observed that the statement in the video tweet was based on reports from two national newspapers. The court stated, “If the tweet stems from newspaper reports, which included claims by some former Congress leaders, and the petitioner tweeted about these claims, it becomes a case of claim versus claim.”
“Therefore, the genesis of the problem lies in the claim as aforequoted which has resulted in the tweet by the petitioner. The tweet by the petitioner resulted in a complaint being given against the petitioner for spreading false news and fabricated propaganda, violating sections 153A and 505 of the IPC. The very title that it is fabricated propaganda is contrary to the records as the national newspapers had carried what was claimed as afore quoted. Therefore, till the special public prosecutor would steer clear with truthfulness as regards the publication as afore quoted, no further investigation can be permitted against this petitioner,” the Karnataka HC was quoted as saying by Live Law.
Ajeet Bharti, known for his searing political takes and deadpan humour, welcomed the court’s decision on X, formerly Twitter, and thanked his supporters and Shehzad Poonawalla, Tejaswi Surya, Aruna Shyam, and Roshan Sinha. Before his tweet, Bharti cryptically tweeted, “ZKMKB.”
कर्नाटक वाले विषय में कर्नाटक उच्च न्यायालय ने जाँच पर रोक लगा कर 19 जुलाई को अगली सुनवाई रखी है।
As a result, the court paused the investigation and scheduled the next hearing for July 19.
According to the complaint filed on June 15, Bharti is accused of inciting communal disharmony through his video tweet on social media.
The plea argued that there is no evidence showing Bharti committed any offence and the complaint does not specify how his tweet caused communal disharmony.
Representing Bharti were Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam along with Advocates Anirudh A. Kulkarni and Akshay S. Vasist.
In the Gaya Nagar area in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, an uproar has erupted after the severed head of a calf was found on 23rd June. On Monday, several activists of Hindu rights groups Hindu Yuva Manch and Rashtriya Bajrang Dal gathered in large numbers and staged a protest by gheraoing the collectorate. The Hindu activists first gathered at the Indira Market and subsequently took out a rally towards the DM office.
According to Bhilai SSP Sukhnandan Rathore, an investigation is underway based on CCTV footage, and the calf’s head has been sent to a laboratory for testing. He stated that if the case is proven, action will be taken under the Animal Cruelty Act. On Sunday night, Hindu groups who arrived encircling the police station alleged that some Muslims were behind the calf’s slaughter. The police resorted to lathi-charge on the protestors to calm down the situation. The police have said that a dog had brought the head of a dead calf.
The local police have claimed that the protesters interpreted this episode differently. The calf’s head was found near a water tank in Gaya Nagar. There was a demonstration at Patel Chowk over this. After receiving the information, the cops from Mohan Nagar police station arrived and seized the head. The Dainik Bhaskar report also claims that no one chopped off the calf’s head and threw it away; instead, a dog brought it to Gaya Nagar, where dead animals are thrown.
The head of this calf was found in Ward 4 of Girdhari Nagar. The police inspector has also been injured in the clashes that took place during the protest. CCTV footage showed that a dog had brought the calf’s head. Hindus staged a demonstration from the Sheela Hotel in Durg to the Collectorate. ASP Ashok Jha stated that after getting information regarding this around 7:30 p.m., when the police attempted to seize the bovine head, people began protesting. A team has been constituted to quickly investigate the case.
On the anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing, Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has shared that he was threatened by the local police after he questioned the presence of Khalistani elements at Queens Park in Toronto, Canada, where families of victims of the 1985 Kanishka bombing had gathered for a memorial service. The Police threatened the journalist as he asked why Khalistanis were disrupting the service arranged by the victims of the families of Air India Flight 182.
As per Bordman, the Canadian Police said, “They are doing their thing and you are provoking them. We don’t want any fight or argument here. We are here to maintain peace. You have a right to be here lawfully but you are not allowed to breach the peace.”
On asking about the entry of Khalistani terrorists at the Queen’s Park, the police stated that the viewpoint or the opinion of the journalist towards the Khalistanis did not matter and all that they wanted is peace. The Police also added that they (Khalistanis) were at the park to offer prayers and show solidarity with the victim’s families. The video of the incident was shared by Brodman on his X handle where he stated that the Khalistanis were harassing and disturbing the families of the victims.
Further, on questioning about police allowing Khalistanis at the spot, one of the officers threatened the journalist saying, “We are not going to stop you from expressing your opinion but we are not going to allow you to disturb them. So either you separate yourself from the group or we will remove you from here.”
HAPPENING NOW: Khalistani terrorists sympathizers come to harass and disrupt a service arranged by the families of Air India flight 182. These sickos are like if Nazis came to a Holocaust memorial in “support” pic.twitter.com/YhqGTeHOE4
The video of the incident was shared by Daniel Bordman who reported that the Khalistani terrorists had gathered at the spot to harass and disturb the families of victims of the 1985 Kanishka bombing. The Khalistanis, however, claimed that they had arrived at the spot for expressing their solidarity over the incident. “These sickos are like if Nazis came to a Holocaust memorial in support,” Bordman then stated.
In the video shared by Bordman, the Khalistanis could be seen erecting their flags along with those of Canada. One of the Khalistani terrorists while arguing with Bordman held India responsible for the murder of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Khalistanis could also be seen observing silence over Nijjar’s death with Khalistani flags in their hands.
The image of the protest by Khalistanis could be seen in further posts shared by Bordman on X, earlier known as Twitter. Later he also shared that a large contingent of Canadian Jews also showed up to honour the victims of the Air India bombing on the 39th anniversary and raise their voices against Khalistani terrorism.
We are here to honour the victims of the Air India bombing on the 39th anniversary of the terrorist bombing. The Khalistanis tried to show up and intimidate us but they failed like the shameful cowards they are. pic.twitter.com/qoTPBQ0Ljm
Khalistanis could also be seen wearing T-shirts praising Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and holding India responsible for his death. However, a large number of Christians and also Jews gathered at the spot in support of the families of the victims who lost their lives in the Air India Flight 182 incident.
As the day ends, I want to share my thoughts on what I observed today at the Southern Lawns Queens Park Toronto. I went there to pay my respects to the victims of the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history. I did not say a word; I just wanted to stand with the families and… pic.twitter.com/zmxTdgUpnI
What happened in 1985; what Canadian Police says today
Earlier, the Canadian police claimed that the investigation into the bombing of Air India Flight 182 remains active and ongoing. On June 23, 1985, the Montreal-New Delhi Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before landing at London’s Heathrow Airport, killing all 329 passengers, the majority of whom were Canadians of Indian heritage. The bombing was carried out by Khalistani terrorists in retribution for the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Bluestar’ in 1984, which sought to clear out extremists from the Golden Temple.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) captured Talwinder Singh Parmar, the Babbar Khalsa leader, and Inderjit Singh Reyat, an electrician, months after the Air India explosion. Parmar, who had previously been pursued for extradition by India in the early 1980s, was released due to a “lack of evidence”. Investigators later concluded that Parmar planned the attack.
In a statement issued on 21st June, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul described the bombing as the greatest terror-related loss of life involving and affecting Canadians in the country’s history, offering the deepest sympathies, understanding, and support to the families of the victims.
“The Air India investigation is the longest and certainly one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations that the RCMP has undertaken in our history,” Teboul explained. “Our investigative efforts remain active and ongoing,” he informed reporters.
Bodies of 329 victims lay at the docks in Cork, Ireland, 1985 (Reuters)
Canada observes silence for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
On 18th June, Canadian Parliament observed a one-minute silence to mark the first death anniversary of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the House of Commons. Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Nijjar was killed on 18th June 2023. He was one of the 40 designated terrorists whose names appeared in a list released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Notably, four Indian nationals Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh have been arrested for killing Nijjar. They were allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The arrests were made in May 2024. The moment of silence was observed after the question period on 18th June. Calling the members to observe a moment of silence, Speaker Greg Fergus said, “I understand there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia, one year ago today. I now invite all of the members to rise.”
Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered in Canada. Khalistani elements accused India of killing Najjar. Almost three months after the murder, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made shocking accusations against India in Canada’s Parliament. In his statement, Trudeau claimed that there were “credible allegations” against India. Following the accusations, Canada immediately expelled the top Indian diplomat.
In retaliation, India rejected the claims calling them absurd, and expelled Canadian diplomats with immediate effect.
Canadian government neglects Khalistani terrorism; several incidents targeting India, Hindu temples
India-Canada relations have been at an all-time low for some time now, owing largely to India’s wrath at Ottawa turning a blind eye to Khalistani extremism on its soil. Over the years governments changed in Canada, from Conservative Party to the ruling Liberal Party, the governments there have failed to crush the Khalistani elements in the country despite repeated warnings from the Indian governments. With time and resources, sometimes active patronage from the political leaders, the Khalistanis have turned into a significant vote bank for the Liberal Party.
The Khalistani terrorists in Canada have time and again insulted Hindu religion, and vandalized temples in Canada. They have also insulted India’s national flag but the government has always sided with the Khalistani terrorists saying that they have the right to assemble and express their views peacefully and without violating the law.
In September 2023, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the outlawed terrorist group Sikh Forum for Justice issued fresh threats to Indian diplomats in Ottawa. He held PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, and EAM S Jaishankar responsible for the killing of his close aide Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Khalistani terrorist who was shot dead by two unidentified persons in Surrey in Canada’s British Columbia.
On September 8, Khalistani terrorists vandalized the Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society in Surrey British Columbia. Pictures emerged on social media showing anti-India graffiti with the slogan “Punjab is not India” sprayed on the walls of the Hindu temple.
On August 12, two Khalistan supporters defaced a temple in Surrey with anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti. The Khalistani terrorists had placed posters at the entrance of the temple in a bid to terrorize the Hindu community. The poster advocated for a referendum pertaining to “the assassination of Hardeep Nijjar” and investigating India’s role in the terrorist’s assassination.
On July 31st, Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada stepped up their poster campaign against India’s top diplomats in the province of British Columbia. Posters with the word ‘Wanted’ were displayed in various locations throughout Surrey. It referred to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
On July 14, signage at the Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in the city of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA was vandalised. According to reports, the park sign was spraypainted with graffiti targeting the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On 8th July, pro-Khalistani elements participated in protest rallies against India, claiming the Indian agencies were behind the assassination of Khalistani terrorists and ‘Sikhs For Justice’ leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. These rallies were held in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
During the rally, Khalistani elements desecrated the Indian flag. Videos went viral on social media wherein they were seen burning two Indian flags. In one of the videos, a pro-India man was brutally assaulted by Khalistanis when he tried to pick up the Indian flag from under their shoes.
On July 9 last year, a similar incident was reported in Surrey, where hundreds of Khalistanis gathered at the protest site. In a video shared by ANI Editor Smita Prakash, Khalistanis were seen holding the Khalistani flag while placing a torn Indian flag on the railing. They beat up the flag with a shoe with slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ in the background.
Make your Khalistan in downtown Toronto. Filthy chaps desecrating the Indian flag. pic.twitter.com/7LCPwlY0O0
In January last year, a Hindu temple, Gauri Shankar Mandir, was desecrated by Khalistani extremists in Brampton city in Ontario province of Canada.
As per reports, the walls of the temple were defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistanis associated allegedly with the banned outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The vicious slogan of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ was found spray-painted on the outer wall of Gauri Shankar Mandir.
Canada- a hotbed of anti-India, anti-Hindu activities; haven for Khalistani terrorists and criminals
Canada has become a hub of anti-India and anti-Hindu activities, as well as a shelter for Khalistani terrorists and criminals. India has often sent strong messages to the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government, requesting them to prevent extremist activities in the nation; but, because of vote bank politics, the Trudeau government has refrained from taking any meaningful action against the terrorists and their anti-India acts.
The Trudeau government has always offered the standard excuse that people in his country have the right to assemble and express themselves peacefully and without violating the law. Another major irony is that Trudeau’s administration had brutally suppressed Canadian truckers protesting harsh COVID regulations. Didn’t the truckers have the right to express themselves without violating the law?
To appease his pro-Khalistan base, Trudeau has opted to alienate and offend a key global economy and trade partner, all in the name of supporting’ a wanted criminal and terrorist who has been twice denied citizenship by Canadian authorities.
High Commission of India in Ottawa slams Canada for glorifying terrorism
In the given case on June 24, the High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada, honoured the victims of the 1985 Kanishka bombing and slammed the government for shielding terrorists. “On June 23, 1985, Flight no. AI 182 Kanishka, flying on Montreal (Canada) – London (UK) – Delhi (India) route operated by Air India, the then India’s national carrier exploded by a bomb mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Ireland as a result of the cowardly act of terror, carried out by Canada based Khalistani terrorists,” the press release by the High Commission said.
The press release stated that the perpetrators and co-conspirators of the “dastardly act” remained free, and that “any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of AI-182, in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people”.
“It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada,” according to the statement. On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also commemorated the Kanishka bombing in a social media post, emphasizing that it served as a harsh reminder of why terrorism should not be permitted.
China has been increasing its influence on Nepalese media over the years. So much so, that its ambassadors openly threaten Nepalese journalists who don’t fall in line.
On 29th May, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, faced backlash after demanding an apology from Nepali journalist Gajendra Budhathoki.
Song came down heavily on Budhathoki for revealing that Chinese loans for the Pokhara International Airport were secured at higher interest rates than the officials had stated.
According to Budhathoki, the interest rate was 5% and not 2%. Despite pressure from Song, Budhathoki stood by his report, promising to provide proof.
The way the Chinese ambassador reacted and demanded an apology was a clear indication that China believes it can influence Nepali media. But from where does the confidence come from?
Notably, in 2023, the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CSIFP) released a report on “China’s Influence in Nepali Media Amid Changing Nepal Policy”. It talked about how China was running propaganda to influence Nepali media using its own journalists.
Screengrab of the CSIFP report
Over the past few years, there has been a systematic expansion of Chinese influence in the Nepalese media sector. China has been aggressively trying to control the geopolitical strategy in the media sector in the region by planting its stooges in countries like Nepal.
Notably, even in India, there have been reports that China has been funding media houses like Newsclick to influence the narrative around China.
China is reshaping the media landscape in Nepal through a combination of educational incentives, direct investments and sophisticated propaganda campaigns. The aim is to reshape the Nepalese media in a way that serves China’s strategic interests in the region.
China’s Media Influence Strategies
China is using multiple strategies to influence the journalists working in the country. First and foremost, China sponsors trips for Nepalese journalists to China. These all-expenses-paid trips have been taken by an estimated 9,000 journalists till 2023.
These trips are designed in a way that they look like educational trips but in reality, they serve as indoctrination tours. When the journalists return, these journalists often espouse pro-China narratives. They attempt to downplay the issues such as democracy and freedom of expression.
Apart from trips, China also funds the education of the families of journalists. They provide scholarships and discounted educational opportunities at top Chinese universities for the children of these journalists.
It creates a favourable bias among the journalists. Furthermore, a new generation of pro-China Nepalese gets prepared in the form of the children of these journalists who are sympathetic towards China’s interests. If any of them become journalists, it is even better for China.
China is also establishing Chinese media outlets in Nepal that are operated by Chinese nationals. These channels have funding as well as advanced technology that Nepalese media houses cannot get their hands on easily.
These outlets act as mouthpieces of China disseminating content that promotes Chinese policies and interests while subtly or overtly undermining competing influences, particularly from the US and India.
China also actively promotes misinformation to shape public opinion in Nepal. A notable example if of the campaign against the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant from the United States.
Chinese media outlets and social media channels produced numerous videos and articles against MCC calling it a threat to Nepal’s sovereignty. These campaigns have been effective in fostering a significant anti-MCC sentiment among the Nepalese populace.
CSIFP’s report talked particularly about a Facebook page of the Nepali online portal operated by China Radio International, which argued against the MCC, framing it as a neo-colonial tool of the US.
The video amassed substantial engagement, with 430,000 views, 16,000 likes, 523 comments, and 4,400 shares, highlighting the reach and influence of Chinese media operations in Nepal.
Geopolitical implications
China is increasing its influence on the media in Nepal and it is having significant geopolitical implications. China is seeking to curtail the influence of the US and India on Nepalese people and position itself as the dominant power in the region. This media influence extends to the political sphere, where China has cultivated relationships with key political figures and parties in Nepal.
Historical context and recent developments
One of the most influential projects that China has managed to sign with Nepal was the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement in 2017. However, its implementation has faced delays due to internal disagreement in Nepal. China’s media strategy, consolidated under China Media Group (CMG) in 2018, includes financial support and editorial control over local outlets.
The dragon is consistently making an effort to influence Nepalese media and it peaked during Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi’s tenure, promoting Chinese interests and unifying Nepal’s leftist parties.
Even the US State Department accused China of spreading false information about the MCC, highlighting a broader geopolitical contest in Nepal’s media landscape.
China encroaching on Nepal’s territory
From time to time, there have been reports that China is influencing Nepal against India. Interestingly, while it instigates Nepal against India, China continues to take over Nepalese land forcefully. In February 2022, a memorandum was handed over by the Rashtriya Ekata Abhiyan to the United Nations, informing them about the land encroachment in Humla, Nepal, by China.
The Nepali civil society group has urged the international community to intervene in the issue of land grabbing by China in neighbouring countries. According to a report in Khabarhub, Binay Yadav, chairperson Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan, approached the UN office in Kathmandu and handed over the memorandum to Richard Howard, Resident Coordinator, United Nations, via Rajendra Man Banepali, Information Officer at the UN office.
The study alongside the China-Nepal border found the area between pillar number 5(2) and the middle of the Kit Khola was marked as the border between the two countries according to the Boundary Protocol of 1963.
However, China had erected fences and wires on the Nepali land. Another report suggested China has been limiting grazing by Nepalese farmers. The report also noted that the surveillance activities by the Chinese security forces led to restrictions on religious activities in Lalungjong which falls on the Nepalese side of the border. This area is near Mount Kailash, which is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Pirates of the Caribbean actor Tamayo Perry has died after a shark attack in Hawaii.
Perry, who also featured in Blue Crush and Hawaii Five-0, was surfing at Malaekahana Beach on Oahu when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.
Perry had been surfing near Mokuauia, close to Laie, Hawaii. He was discovered dead around 1 PM. An eyewitness reported seeing a man with severe shark bite injuries off Malaekahana Beach near Kahuku. Perry’s body had multiple shark bite wounds.
Local emergency services reported receiving a call at 1 pm about a person “fatally injured by a shark” and used a jetski to recover Perry’s body from the water.
Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager stated at a press conference that Perry was a beloved lifeguard and professional surfer known worldwide and throughout Oahu’s North Shore. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more,” Lager said, extending condolences to Perry’s family.
In Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth instalment starring Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp, Perry played a buccaneer. He also worked as a stunt performer in the Owen Wilson surfing movie The Big Bounce, based on Elmore Leonard’s novel.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi described Perry’s death as “a tragic loss,” saying, “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, [he] grew up right over here, and was a valued member of our ocean safety team.” Blangiardi urged the public and press to “honour and respect” Perry’s family during their time of grief.
Despite their high media profile, there were only 69 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide last year, 10 of which were fatal, according to the 2023 International Shark Attack File by the Florida Museum of Natural History. Florida had the highest number of unprovoked shark attacks with 16, none of which were fatal.
The Rajasthan police have arrested the man who was seen misbehaving with female tourists in a viral social media video.
As per reports, the accused was identified as Vinod Meena. He had uploaded a video on his Instagram account (@guru__brand0000) wherein he was seen putting price tags on foreigners in Jaipur.
“This woman is for ₹150 and that woman is for ₹200. This woman here is available for ₹500 and this woman for ₹300,” he was heard saying while pointing his fingers at the female tourists.
The women, who were unaware of his malafide intentions, were seen waving at the camera. The controversial video created by Meena was re-posted by popular user Madhur Singh on X (formerly Twitter).
In a tweet, he said, “Guys like these are the reason why international tourists have bad experience in India.” Singh also sought immediate action from Jaipur police.
“Jaipur police should arrest this guy for harassing tourists and teach him basic civic sense and the meaning of Atithi Devo Bhava,” he further added.
Guys like these are the reason why international tourists have bad experience in India. @jaipur_police should arrest this guy for harassing tourists and teach him basic civic sense and the meaning of Atithi Devo Bhava. pic.twitter.com/I59AymLtHQ
On Monday (24rd June), the Jaipur police took cognisance of the matter and informed, “A reel is going viral on the internet through Instagram. The police took strict action against the accused who touched some foreign female tourists, behaved indecently and made baseless false statements.”
पुलिस ने धारा 354, 505(2) IPC, 66D IT Act, 13(1), 13(2) राजस्थान टूरीजम बिजनेस एक्ट के तहत रिपोर्ट दर्ज कर आरोपित को राउंड अप किया है।
जांच में पाया गया है की आरोपित जबरन स्वयं की निर्धारित दुकानों पर समान ख़रीदने के लिए पर्यटकों को बाध्य करता है।#JaipurPolice#ViralVideo
The police have arrested Vinod Meena and booked him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 354, 505(2) IPC, 66D IT Act, 13(1), 13(2) and relevant provisions of the Rajasthan Tourism Business Act.
The investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and paper leaks in certain ‘isolated incidents’ has revealed that an exam center in Jharkhand, along with an organized education mafia reportedly operated by a man named Sanjeev Mukhiya, masterminded the scheme.
According to reports citing EOU sources, the paper leak mafia from Bihar exploited the examination centers in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh as weak links. It is also believed that the racket accused of leaking the BPSC exam paper is involved in roping potential NEET aspirants, paper setters, and officials from educational institutions in Jharkhand for rigging the competitive exam.
According to EOU sources, Hazaribagh’s Oasis School was involved in the NEET paper leak where a question paper was found tampered with. The tampering evidence was submitted in a report to the Union Education Ministry. This report contained complete information about the investigation progress till June 21. The report mentions the evidence and facts as well as the confessional statements of the accused. This prompted the Ministry to involve the National Testing Agency (NTA) and hand over the matter to the CBI for further investigation.
The EOU said that this is the work of an organised interstate racket operating out of Bihar.
Additionally, on Sunday, the Bihar police said that the question papers were received by the accused at the now-closed Learn Play School that was used as a “safe house” by the accused.
According to police, the accused, Chintu, who was arrested from Devghat was also present at the playschool when the question papers were received.
Police stated that he got the solved question papers on the mobile phone. They added that Chintu received the solved question paper on his mobile phone on the morning of 5th May, the day of the examination, and took printouts of it via a WiFi printer. The students were made to memorise the question paper, they added.
The Bihar police asserted that it was well-planned as a drop-off point was made 2 km from the playschool and the students were brought to the playschool in taxi cabs.
The Police noted that the question paper received by the accused came from Oasis Play School in Hazaribagh. There is evidence of tampering in the packaging of the question paper, they added. Click here, to read details about the events that transpired around the exam day and how, the accused got the exam paper through WhatsApp.
As per reports, the investigation has raised questions on the role of the school’s management as the EOU has identified the involvement of Oasis school as suspicious in the paper leak case. According to EOU sources, NEET-UG paper booklet number 6136488 was leaked from Oasis School, Hazaribagh. Additionally, EOU also found evidence of tampering in the booklet box.
(As per the investigation findings reported in media, Sanjeev Mukhiya gang accommodated around 25 candidates at Learn Play School, where they were given exam paper and its solution, a day before the NEET exam, Image Source – Insider Live)
Shabbir Ahmed is the Chairman of the said school in question, Oasis School from where the paper is suspected to have leaked. Ehsanul Haque is the principal of this school. He also serves as the city coordinator of CBSE. Because of his position as city coordinator of CBSE, he oversees all centres in four districts in Jharkhand – Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma and Ramgarh – where NTA conducts exams.
It is pertinent to note that earlier on 15th March, this year, the paper for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) teacher recruitment exam was also leaked from Hazaribagh.
The modus operandi in that case involved relocating about 268 candidates, to various locations in Hazaribagh. Around 113 candidates were from Bihar’s Nalanda district, which is incidentally the native place of alleged mastermind, Sanjeev Mukhiya.
In safe houses in Hazaribagh, the candidates were coached on the questions and answers the night before the exam. However, a Joint team comprising Jharkhand and Bihar Police apprehended candidates and individuals associated with the paper leak syndicate.
Investigation points out to the involvement of Sanjeev Mukhiya gang
The investigation so far has pointed out that the infamous Sanjeev Mukhiya gang could be involved in the NEET paper leak case. Sanjeev Mukhiya’s son, Dr Shiv, is already behind bars for involvement in the BPSC teacher recruitment exam paper leak. According to EOU sources, Sanjeev Mukhiya’s network uses Hazaribagh as a safe zone to operate across the Bihar border.
(Connection of key accused with each other, Image Credit – News18)
Sanjeev Mukhiya’s network
Currently, Bihar Police is actively pursuing Sanjeev Kumar, aka Sanjeev Mukhiya or Lutan, in connection with the NEET paper leak case. He is said to be the only prime accused absconding in this case. He is a resident of Shahpur Balwa village in Nalanda.
Notably, he has been implicated in several exam paper leak incidents since 2010. Initially associated with Bihar’s biggest education mafia Ranjit Don, he later established his own criminal network. It is alleged that Sanjeev Mukhiya and his associates were recently involved in leaking the BPSC exam paper.
His son, Dr. Shiv Kumar alias Bittu, was arrested in connection with the BPSC paper leak and is currently in custody. Sanjeev Mukhiya’s paper leak network is reportedly based in Nalanda, Bihar, with operations extending nationwide. In 2020, Sanjeev Mukhiya’s wife, Mamta Devi, contested elections on the Lok Jan Shakti Party ticket and has previously served as a Mukhiya.
On 21st April, Dr. Shiv Mukhiya was apprehended in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, along with four accomplices in connection with the NEET paper leak case. Previously, his name had surfaced in another NEET paper leak case reported at a police station in Patna back in 2017.
(Links between the arrested accused and mastermind of alleged NEET paper leak case in Bihar , Sanjeev Mukhiya, Image Source – Aaj Tak)
It is alleged that Sanjeev Mukhiya’s gang accommodated nearly 25 candidates at a boys’ hostel who had stayed at the Learn Play School in Patna on 4th May, a day before the NEET exam. Reportedly, the candidates were provided with the leaked question paper and answer sheets at the same hostel. The EOU has alerted police teams in Nalanda, Gaya, and Nawada districts in Bihar, and has printed pamphlets to trace him and arrest him.
Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader accused Personal Secretary of Tejashwi Yadav to be part of the paper leak
Meanwhile Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha has accusedformer Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav’s personal secretary and Bihar Administrative Service officer Pritam Kumar for the leak.
He said, “On May 1, Tejashwi Yadav’s personal secretary Pritam Kumar called guesthouse worker Pradip Kumar to book a room for Sikander Kumar Yadvendu. On May 4, Pritam Kumar called Pradip Kumar again to book the room. The word ‘Mantri’ was used for Tejashwi Yadav. Sikandar Yadvendu is a close relative of Tejashwi Yadav’s PS Pritam Kumar.”
He added, “An NHAI guest house was booked for Sikandar’s sister Reena Yadav and son Anurag Yadav on May 4. A phone number and ‘Mantri Ji’ were mentioned in the NHAI guest house’s diary. The investigating agency is trying to identify this Mantri Ji.”
Latest development in the NEET-UG allegation probe case
Meanwhile, on Monday (24th June), a CBI team from Delhi reached the office of the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police in Patna in connection with its investigation into the allegations of irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG, officials said. They added that the EOU, which had been investigating the matter until the Centre ordered a probe by the CBI, has arrested 18 people in connection with the case.
The CBI officers are collecting evidence related to the case from the EOU. An EOU officer said, “The evidence collected by the EOU during the course of investigation include pieces of the burnt question paper recovered from a house in Patna, mobile phones of those arrested, SIM cards, laptops, post-dated cheques and reference questions papers provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA).”
He added, “All those arrested are in judicial custody in Patna, and the CBI team may take them to Delhi for detailed interrogation by obtaining transit remand from a court here.”
A day earlier, the CBI filed a criminal case for irregularities in the exam and formed special teams to probe the matter. As per the agency’s FIR, certain “isolated incidents” occurred in a few states during the conduct of the NEET (UG) 2024 examination, which was held on May 5, 2024. In a shocking development in the case, a CBI team was allegedly attacked by locals in Bihar’s Nawada after which four persons were arrested by police on a complaint from the central agency. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when a team of CBI had gone to Kasiadeeh village in the area.
Nonetheless, as per reports, the CBI is also likely to file multiple FIRs to probe the destruction of evidence, and also register disproportionate assets (DA) cases against some of those accused who are public servants.
CBI may probe other criminal antecedants of another prime suspect, Sikander Prasad Yadvendu
An officer stated that Yadvendu, a resident of Samastipur, has also been identified as the prime suspect in the case. He said, “A DA case may be registered against arrested accused Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, a junior engineer in Danapur Town Council, as he reportedly acquired huge assets that are disproportionate to his known source of income.”
The officer added, “He has a history of involvement in criminal activities. Before becoming a junior engineer in 2012, he worked as a contractor in Ranchi. He was previously implicated in an LED scam worth Rs 3 crore. He has served a jail sentence for his role in that case.”
Meanwhile, the EOU is actively searching for 10 postgraduate doctors from the Patna-Ranchi Medical College, who allegedly assisted in solving the NEET question paper.
This follows the detention of six additional individuals, including the prime suspect Chintu from Deoghar, Jharkhand. They were apprehended from a residence near AIIMS-Deoghar in the Devipur police station area on Friday night. Among those arrested were Chintu alias Baldeo Kumar, Paramjit Singh alias Bittu, Panku Kumar, Kaju alias Prashant Kumar, Ajit Kumar, and Rajiv Kumar alias Karu. Notably, the apprehended suspects Pintu and Chintu are said to be part of the network controlled by kingpin Sanjeev Mukhiya.
On Monday, 24th June, Maharashtra police arrested the nephew of a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP Ajit Pawar) MLA Dilip Mohite Patil after his speeding automobile collided with a bike, killing the 20-year-old rider in the Pune district on Saturday (23rd June) night. The arrested individual has been identified as Mayur Mohite Patil.
According to police, the incident occurred on the Pune-Nashik national highway when an SUV driven by Mayur Mohite collided with Om Bhalerao’s motorcycle while driving on the wrong side of the road.
Bhalerao was severely injured during the incident. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, another individual who was on another bike is also said to have suffered severe injuries during the accident. He is being treated in the hospital.
A case has been registered against Mayur Mohite Patil at Manchar Police Station under relevant sections of the law. “The accused was driving a Fortuner car on Pune-Nashik road. He was driving the car on the wrong side of the road while traveling to Manchar village when the vehicle had a head-on collision with the motorbike. The two-wheeler rider was seriously injured in the accident and lost his life,” the Pune Police authority was quoted as saying.
“Both the vehicles were badly damaged in the incident. The car driver has been arrested and a case has also been registered against him. We are conducting further probe into the incident,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dilip Mohite Patil commented on the matter and said that his nephew could not be said to be at fault and that he put the victim in the ambulance. “I am not trying to justify the accident. How did it happen is still a mystery as nobody saw what happened and whose mistake it was. My nephew who is in police custody is an engineer and he has never had alcohol. The police is investigating into the matter,” Patil said.
He also added that he would meet the family members of the deceased individual Om Bhalerao and pay his respects. As per the reports, the police were called to the spot by the locals after the incident happened on the Pune-Nashik highway on Saturday.
This comes months after the Porsche accident reported from Kalyani Nagar area of Pune. Last month an overspeeding Porsche, reportedly driven by a drunk teenager crashed into vehicles and killed two persons in East Avenue, Kalyani Nagar, Pune. A man and a woman named Anish Awadhia and Ashwini Costa were killed in the incident.
The drunk teenager’s speeding luxury car reportedly crashed into multiple vehicles before hitting a pavement. Locals rushed to the spot and assisted the injured persons. The teenager was also caught and thrashed by locals, allegedly for trying to flee the scene. Though the teenager, the son of a builder, was arrested, he was granted bail in just 15 hours.
Further, the 17-year-old, who was seen exiting a posh club in Pune at 2.30 AM that night, reportedly drunk and rashly driving his Porsche car, was asked by the Juvenile Justice Board to work with a traffic police official for 2 weeks and attend psychiatric counseling sessions. The teenager was also asked to write a 300-word essay on road accidents and create traffic awareness boards. However, after a massive social media outrage over the suspicious bail and questionable conduct of police and medical staffers, the bail was revoked. The teen was arrested and his rich family members who tried to sabotage the investigation were sent to jail too.
