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After accusing BJP of trying to change the constitution, Congress party reiterates its demand to change the constitution to remove 50% limit on reservations

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After accusing BJP of trying to change the constitution, Congress party reiterates its demand to change the constitution to remove 50% limit on reservations

While the Congress party ran the entire election campaign accusing the BJP of trying to change the constitution, it itself has been demanding changes to the constitution. On 30 June, the party once again called to change the constitution to lift the 50% limit on the quota of Schedules Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. Rahul Gandhi’s close confidant and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh stated that his party has been raising the demand regularly during the Lok Sabah election campaign.

Jairam Ramesh stated that his party wants the Constitution to be amended to remove the 50% cap on the quota imposed by the Supreme Court.

He accused the Janata Dal-United (JDU), which left INDI Alliance and joined NDA, of maintaining silence on the issue and added, “They passed a resolution regarding category status. It is very easy to do that but will they put pressure on their ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Patna and Delhi? Will the Chief Minister tell the Prime Minister that we are supporting you and ask for special category status, the caste census and eliminate the 50% limit? JDU is not addressing the issue anymore. So it is quite easy to say but it is very difficult to do and there is a huge difference between the two.”

The Bihar administration’s proposal to increase quotas for Dalits, members of backward classes, and tribal people from 50% to 65% in government positions and educational institutions was overturned by the Patna High Court on 20th June. A division bench chief justice K Vinod Chandran and justice Harish Kumar, while passing the order on a bunch of petitions which had opposed the legislation brought by the state govt in November 2023, declared the two amended reservation laws of Bihar, the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes) Amendment Act, 2023 and the Bihar Reservation (in admission to educational institutions) Amendment Act, 2023 as unconstitutional.

On 28th May, Rahul Gandhi promised to get rid of the 50% cap on the caste-based reservation and increase quota benefits for people from Dalit, backward and tribal communities. “BJP and RSS want to finish this, change this. And the Congress and INDIA bloc are trying to save this. This Constitution has given you rights on jal (water), jangal (forest) and zameen (land). Narendra Modi wants to remove them, he wants full power,” he claimed while addressing a poll rally at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.

The Gandhi scion pledged, “That’s why they gave the ‘400 seats’ slogan. But forget 400, they are not getting 150 seats. They say they will remove the reservation. I want to tell you from this stage, we will increase reservation beyond the 50 per cent cap. We will give as much reservation as needed for the poor, the backwards, Dalits and Adivasis.”

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on 22nd April red-flagged the Karnataka government’s move to categorise Muslims under the backward caste bracket for reservation purposes. According to the panel, social justice principles in the nation are weakened by this kind of broad classification. The government data, as cited by NCBC, indicated that all castes and communities of Muslims in the state have been included in the list of OBCs for reservation in employment and educational institutions. The commission had looked into the state’s quota policy for OBCs in government employment and educational institutions during a field visit last year.

Sri Lanka cracks down on Muslim women wearing Hijab during exams violating rules, results of 70 students withheld

OpIndia Staff
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Sri Lanka cracks down on Muslim women wearing Hijab during exams violating rules, results of 70 students withheld

The Examinations Department of Sri Lanka has taken a firm stance on upholding the examination rules leading to the withholding of Advanced Level (A/L) examination results of 70 students from Zahira College, Trincomalee. Notably, these students did not comply with the rules as mandated by the Education Department which states that both ears of the student must remain uncovered for the entire exam duration.

In a statement, the Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, said that this rule was not arbitrarily imposed but was established after consultations with all the stakeholders including Muslim religious leaders. The rule was then passed by the Parliament. Jayasundara said, “It is not enough to merely show the ears to the examiner when entering the exam hall as we cannot determine whether they will use a Bluetooth device afterwards. The rule is to leave both ears uncovered the entire time they are in the exam hall.”

Jayasundara further clarified that the rule is important as it ensures the integrity of the examination process. The officials had advised students to comply with the regulations. Those who followed the instructions did not face any problems in getting the result. He added, “There is awareness about this rule, so it must be followed in all instances.”

He noted that the students have not been disqualified yet and the Sri Lanka education department is reviewing the circumstances carefully before coming to any decision keeping in mind that the students are young. He highlighted that at other centres, the students complied with the rules without any problem.

Speaking to the media, a teacher who wished to remain anonymous claimed that students did not wear Hijab but wrapped shawls ensuring their ears were visible. However, adherence to the specific rule is crucial for maintaining standardized examination procedures. The teacher acknowledged that the students had travelled from different towns to complete their A/L education at Zahira College and indicated they should have adhered to the established rules to avoid complications.

Member of Sri Lanka Parliament MS Thowfeek who represents the Trincomalee district confirmed he spoke to the Education Department regarding the matter. He assured that the results would be released once the Executive Board approves the same.

Meanwhile, activist Shreen Saroor claimed that the students wore shawls so their ears could be easily visible. She claimed that the penalisations were part of anti-Muslim sentiments that have been pushed not only by the “Sinhala Buddhist majority but also the Tamil community”. She said, “It is systematic and it penalises Muslim girls systematically. Muslim girls rarely get the chance to sit for the A/Ls, so when they do, they should not face these systematic barriers. Politicians from the area are politicising the issue on Hindutva-Islam communal lines for their political gains, with elections just around the corner.”

A similar incident took place in October 2023 in Sri Lanka. Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman said, “Thirteen Muslim women’s results have not been released for wearing the hijab during the principal-appointment exams. However, when they were entering the hall, they had shown their ears to the supervisor. Yes, they had violated the rule of leaving the ears uncovered during the duration of the exam, but the issue here is the supervisor’s attitude. The same supervisor who had allowed them to sit the exam after checking their ears on the first day had raised an issue on the second day. If the supervisor had informed, the women would have followed the rules and had written the exam trusting the supervisor, but the same supervisor had then said they had violated the rules.” The results were later released in March 2024.

The Karnataka Hijab Controversy

The Udupi Hijab dispute in Karnataka arose in late 2021 which concerned Muslim female students in the state who wanted to wear hijabs as part of their school uniforms which led to major protests and legal battles as well as spread to other parts of the country.

The debate started in January 2022. A Udupi college turned away a number of Muslim students who were wearing hijabs to class. There were countless images on social media depicting college administrators forbidding students who donned the head covers from entering their campuses. Afterwards, the college administration contended that the hijab was not included in the uniform dress code that the students had been instructed to follow.

The administration had requested that female students forgo the hijab during their time in college, in accordance with the new state regulations. Eight female students consistently disobeyed the rule and claimed it inhibited them from practising their faith.

A student of PES College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mandya named Muskan Zainab who rose to fame owing to her theatrics during the row was disclosed to have links to the banned radical Islamic organisation Popular Front of India through her father Abdul Sukoor who was a leader of the extremist outfit. The development had exposed the role of the group behind the controversy.

The girl came to the limelight after she was seen yelling “Allahu Akbar” in a niqab in response to Hindu students who were chanting “Jai Shree Ram.” They were protesting against the Muslim students who were screaming Islamic slogans in hijab and burqa inside the institution.

Barsana: Katha Vachak Pradeep Mishra apologises by rubbing his nose on the floor in Ladli Mandir after backlash over his remarks on Radha Rani

OpIndia Staff
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Barsana: Katha Vachak Pradeep Mishra apologises by rubbing his nose on the floor in Ladli Mandir after backlash over his remarks on Radha Rani

On Saturday (29th June), renowned Katha Vachak Pradeep Mishra offered obeisance to ShriJi Radha Rani in Barsana’s Ladli Mandir and apologised after facing backlash for his earlier remarks on Radha Rani and Lord Krishna. Notably, Pandit Mishra of Sehore Kubereshwar Dham prostrated in the Ladli Mandir, rubbed his nose on the temple floor, and apologised for his remarks that sparked outrage and angered seers and the saint community in Barsana.

A controversy erupted after Pandit Mishra made controversial remarks while delivering religious sermons. During a religious discourse, he stated that Radha was originally from Rawal village and only visited Barsana once a year, where her father’s court was located. 

“Radha’s name was not among Lord Krishna’s queens and her husband was Anay Ghosh, her mother-in-law was Jatila, and her sister-in-law was named Kutila,” Pandit Mishra was quoted saying. He had further claimed that Radha’s marriage took place in Chhatra village. His remarks on Shri Radha Rani and Lord Krishna triggered outrage and angered seers in Barsana who asked him to apologise for the remarks or face action. 

(Video Courtesy – Hindustan)

Premanand Maharaj, prominent among the critics, expressed his outrage over Pandit Mishra’s remarks. He had said, “After reading a few verses, they become Katha Vachak. What do you know about Ladli Ji?… What right do you have to speak about Radha Ji when you know nothing about her? We live in her, and she lives in us. If you want to know Shri Ji, look into my eyes and see what Shri Ji is.”

Slamming Pandit Mishra’s remarks, Premanand Maharaj also emphasised the inseparability of Radha and Krishna. 

“Radha and Shri Krishna are not separate. Pradeep Mishra is talking too much. No one can save you from hell. You should be ashamed. The glory of the one whose fame you live on, eat from, and sing of, you do not understand,” he was quoted saying.  

Furthermore, the saint community in Barsana demanded an apology from Pandit Mishra within three days, a deadline that he had initially failed to meet.

Following the backlash, Pandit Mishra visited Barsana on Saturday to pay his obeisance to Radha and tendered his apology. Speaking with the media after his apology, Mishra said, “I have come here at the feet of Radha Rani. I offer my apologies if my words have hurt Braj people. I seek forgiveness from Radha Rani.”

Ramakant Goswami is the convener of the ‘Sant Panchayat’ in Barsana. He is also the former receiver of the Mukut Mukharvind Temple in Govardhan. He said, “Pradeep Mishra has asked for forgiveness in a prostrate position from Radha Rani, the chief deity of the Ladli Temple.”

Goswami said, “The chapter of opposing Mishra is now closed.” After asking for forgiveness as a devotee in the presence of a large number of devotees and police inside the temple, Mishra said that he came here at the call of Radha Rani.

Tripura: 11 Bangladeshi intruders including women arrested at Agartala railway station, 72 Bangladeshi nationals caught in less than 2 months

OpIndia Staff
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Tripura: 11 Bangladeshi intruders including women arrested at Agartala railway station, 72 Bangladeshi nationals caught in less than 2 months

Eleven Bangladeshi nationals including six males and five females were taken into custody by the authorities on the night of 29th June during a late-night operation at the Agartala Railway Station. They were apprehended by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) while trying to enter India illegally with preparations to take trains to Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Odisha among other destinations. A case has been submitted against them and they will be presented before the court on 30th June with charges of violating the Foreigners Act.

The infiltrators have been identified as MD Sujan Rana (20), Azizul Shaik (30), MD Limon (19), Nargis Akhtar (34), MD Yousuf Ali (35), MD Sahidul Islam (26), Nipa Mandal (27), Akhe Begam (35), Omi Akhtar (35), Sajib Ali (19) and Asma Biswas (36). “Agartala GRP (Government Railway Police) has registered a case in this regard and the accused will be presented before the court tomorrow. We can’t rule out the possibility of human trafficking attempts. We have started an investigation into the case,” stated Officer-In-Charge, Tapas Das. The Bangladeshi nationals were unable to provide a legitimate travel document to enter India during their interrogation.

The women planned to travel to Kolkata first, then board trains for their other destinations, according to the results of the preliminary investigation. Railway police began looking for the accused on the evening of 29th June, based on specific information that some Bangladeshis had crossed the international boundary in the Sepahijala area of Tripura and were about to board a train at the Agartala railway station. A few cell phones, some Indian and Bangladeshi currency along with a few Bangladeshi documents have also been confiscated by the authorities.

In less than two months, 72 Bangladeshi nationals, the majority of whom were women, were apprehended in Tripura. All of the intruders had entered India through unofficial means while looking for work in different parts of the nation. Authorities are being extra vigilant as a result of the incident, which has brought attention to the ongoing problems with illegal immigration across the border between Bangladesh and India.

Two Bangladeshi women Feroza Khatun (22) and Anamika Aktar alias Akhi (20) had been arrested on 27th June at the same station for similar violations. “We acted on a tip-off that two Bangladeshi nationals were trying to get out of the state. We arrested the two Bangladeshi women who had illegally entered India and were trying to board a train to Karnataka,” informed Tapas Das, Government Railway Police Station in-charge, Agartala Railway Station. An initial investigation revealed that the women intended to travel to Pune and some regions of Karnataka. They were brought before a local court and prosecuted for breaching the Foreigners Act.

Four Bangladeshi women and one Indian national were reportedly nabbed by Government Railway Police at the Agartala railway station on 26th June, just before they were about to board trains that would take them to Ahmedabad and Pune. The arrested individuals were identified as Meem Sultana (23), Rubaiya Sultana alias Asha (20), Ritu Begam (28), and Jyoti Khatun (20), all residents of Bangladesh. The Indian citizen was identified as MD Kashem Miah (24) from Tripura’s Sepahijala.

According to reports, the infiltrators had entered India unlawfully from Bangladesh and some of them planned to go to Ahmedabad while others aimed to take a train to Pune. Their unauthorized entry and transit into India are believed to have been facilitated by the captured Indian national. The accused were scheduled to appear in His Majesty’s Court, the next day after the GRP lodged a complaint at the Agartala Police Station.

Seven Bangladeshi people, including two women and a ten-month-old child, were caught by the Railway Police at Agartala Station on 23rd March for illegally crossing into India. According to Tapas Das, the Officer-in-Charge of the Government Railway Police at Badharghat, two of the inmates had disguised themselves as women to hide their true identities. They confessed to being citizens of Bangladesh during questioning. They were arrested before could board a train to Chennai. Authorities reported that the offenders have been trying to utilize the Northeastern state as a gateway to travel to major cities including Chennai and Kolkata.

(With inputs from ANI)

Andhra Pradesh: Suspicious death of 17-year-old girl at madarsa in Vijayawada triggers outrage, family denies claims of health issues

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: Suspicious death of 17-year-old girl at madarsa in Vijayawada triggers outrage, family denies claims of health issues

On 28th June, a 17-year-old girl named Karishma died under mysterious circumstances at a madrasa in Ajit Singh Nagar, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The incident has triggered significant controversy and unrest in the area. The parents of a girl student have raised suspicions of foul play and alleged that there were injuries on her body and they were called after six hours of the incident. On the other hand, the Madarsa administration said she fell ill due to food poisoning.

Karishma was a native of the village Angaluru near Gudivada in Krishna district. She joined the madrasa to study Arabic and Urdu a year ago. On the day of the incident, she fainted and was rushed to the Government General Hospital (GGH) where she was declared dead. The madarsa is being run by a man named Syed Shahid Parveez under Niswan Educational and Chairtable Trust.

A case of suspicious death under Section 174 of CrPC was registered by the police after shifting the dead body to the GGH mortuary. Police official investigating the case said in a statement, “A suspicious death case has been registered, and the body was handed over to the family after post-mortem. The investigation is on.”

Shaikh Mastan Bi and Maabu Subhani, parents of Karishma, suspected foul play. They staged a protest at Madarsa and GGH mortuary on the night of 28th June. Karsihma’s mother, Mastan Bi said, “My daughter’s health condition was good, and she did not suffer from fever. Food poisoning was not the cause of death.” She demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.

Upon learning about the incident, local authorities including Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials and police reached Madarsa to investigate the matter. There are 66 students at the madrasa from different districts including Guntur, Khammam, Krishna, and Eluru.

While the madrasa officials claimed Karishma fell ill due to food poisoning, local authorities said they did not find any evidence to support their claim. There were concerns that other students also suffered food poisoning and were taken to the hospital. Andhra Jyothi report suggested that around eight other students suffered food poisoning.

Reportedly, the madrasa was running without any official permission as told by NTR District Education Officer (DEO) UV Subba Rao. District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr M Suhasini confirmed other students were healthwise stable.

Speaking to the media, Ajit Singh Nagar Circle Inspector, Guru Prakash said that the cause of Karishma’s death was unknown and the police were waiting for the RFSL report. The body was handed over to the family after postmortem. Meanwhile, officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) raided Madarsa and found around 100 KG of rotting meat from the freezer that had been lying there for several days. The samples were sent for laboratory examination.

Cricket is temporary, hate for Hindus is permanent: Pakistani ‘journalist’ casually mocks Gaumata and Lord Vishnu during analysis of T20 World Cup Final

OpIndia Staff
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Cricket is temporary, hate for Hindus is permanent: Pakistani ‘journalist’ casually mocks Gaumata and Lord Vishnu during analysis of T20 World Cup Final

On Saturday (29th June) night, a Pakistani ‘journalist’ named Sohrab Barkat went on a Hinduphobic tirade during his analysis of the India Vs South Africa match of the T20 Cricket World Cup final.

He was heard casually mocking Hindu sentiments by invoking the sacred cow (Gaumata) and Lord Vishnu (one of the principal deities of Hinduism).

“They were supposed to lose against England. However, they performed magic and got away with it. At one time, it was confirmed that India would lose the game,” the Pakistani ‘journalist’ claimed.

“I had even written that Gaumata could not save Indians today. Even if Lord Vishnu would have come to play directly, he could not saved India from losing the match,” Sohrab Barkat brazened out.

He had claimed, “This match was gone and there was no question of turning things around.” It must be mentioned that India went on to win the T20 Cricket World Cup Final against South Africa by 7 runs.

This is not the first time that such an incident has come to light. Recently, former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal abused Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh for virtue of being a Sikh and claimed that he should not be allowed to bowl after 12 o’ clock.

India using Taliban networks to neutralise Pakistan-based terrorists: Former CIA official Sarah Adams

OpIndia Staff
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India using Taliban networks to neutralise Pakistan-based terrorists: Former CIA official Sarah Adams

Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) targeting officer and author Sarah Adams has said that the Indian government or the intelligence agencies are providing money to the Taliban and employing their networks to kill Pakistan-based anti-India terrorists who have been waging jihad in Kashmir. India has allegedly targeted leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Al Badr Mujahideen.

Sarah Adams was speaking on Shawn Ryan Show, the video of which was uploaded on 10th June on YouTube. She claimed that India has given the Taliban $10 million and has been taking care of the personal security of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada (the supreme leader of the Taliban). She claimed that India could also be behind the killings of the pro-Khalsitan elements.

She stated, “So I was trying to find the US money but then there’s all these other pots of money right and so then you’re kind of like okay what’s happening with them? India does this thing where they give a little bit of money. I told you how there’s Mullah Yaqoob, Mullah Omar’s son, he has another brother Daud. India kind of works with him and they give him money. It’s just kind of like the little things they do with the Baloch like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan). It’s like the things they do to poke Pakistan. They have that going on which I knew about. Then I heard they gave $10 million to Mullah Yaqoob. They went up a step and it’s like well what’s this 10 million for and what are they doing with it? The 10 million went to fund the Gecko base. I’ve never worked in the Gecko base. So it is now the location of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada’s personal security.”

Sarah Adams mentioned, “It’s like the Indian government or you know probably Intel service is funding his personal security. This makes no sense and it’s not even tons of money compared to what we’re putting in so I have all these questions. What is India getting and also really what’s the Taliban getting because they don’t give a damn about $10 million? This is going to sound like the craziest thing ever but what the Indians and the Taliban are doing, I kid you not, India is using the Taliban’s network to assassinate Kashmiri militants in Pakistan.”

The ex-CIA officer revealed, “They’re using the Taliban networks and then they’re doing these assassinations. They’re happening all over Pakistan like in Lahore, Karachi and other parts. This is really risky for the Taliban if people find out. It seems like it could rock the boat. They are using their networks and are the Taliban networks that good to take out senior Kashmiri people? Maybe and maybe they’re not. The interesting part and my theory is that India gains what they’re gaining. These are terrorists and some of these guys they wanted for 30 years. I went through a list of 18 of them. I don’t know if they’re all dead. Pakistan could have heard India had come to kill them and put some of them in a safe house. So there are 18 targeted. I went through all 18 to make sure I knew who they were because I’ve worked on Kashmir forever and to see what group they were. I went through all of them and they were the groups you can imagine, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and the last one was Al Badr Mujahideen.”

Sarah Adams is an award-winning targeting officer and global threat advisor with a wealth of domestic and international experience, according to Wolf Global. In addition to supporting risk reduction and crisis management initiatives, she concentrates her practice on intelligence and investigations. She has previously worked with the US Government’s intelligence operations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. She has also held positions in the government and nonprofit sectors.

Maharashtra: Nasirullah rapes minor boy inside madrassa, absconds after committing the crime

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Nasirullah rapes minor boy inside madrassa, absconds after committing the crime

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 on 24th May this year when the victim was studying in the madrassa. Nasirullah sexually assaulted the minor boy and performed ‘unnatural sex.’

The accused, who stays in the same madrassa, has been absconding since the incident. It has come to light that the victim has been feeling unwell ever since the incident took place.

He refused to go back to the madrassa after visiting his house. On further inquiry by his mother, the victim narrated the ordeal faced by him.

The woman thereafter filed a complaint with the Shanti Nagar police, leading to the registration of an FIR against Nasirullah. 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.

Karnataka: Mirza Sarfaraz detained after 13-year-old pregnant rape victim dies

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Mirza Sarfaraz detained after 13-year-old pregnant rape victim dies

On 28th June, a 13-year-old rape victim girl died at KBN Hospital in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. The victim’s mother said that a group of five to seven men visited her house and abducted the victim several times in the last eight months and raped her. Public TV report suggested that the culprits gave death threats to the victim to keep quite. The matter came to light after she got pregnant. The relatives of the victim and Dalit Sene activists staged a protest outside the hospital and blocked the road for an hour. One of the suspects is identified as 30-year-old Mirza Sarfaraz, resident of Baland Farvez Colony, has been detained by the police for interrogation.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Commission of Police (Law and Order) Kanika Sikriwal said that the victim was eight months pregnant and admitted to a private hospital on the night of 27th June. On the afternoon of 28th June, she developed complications and passed away due to multi-organ failure.

Vartha Bharathi’s report suggested that the victim was admitted to the hospital after she experienced abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. The family came to know about her pregnancy after she was admitted to the hospital. When the victim was asked about it, she said that Mirza Sarfaraz raped her multiple times. The complaint in the matter has been registered on the mother’s complaint.

A case in the matter has been registered under Sub Urban Police Station under POCSO ACT. The body of the victim was shifted to Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences for post-mortem.

Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward: Virat Kohli announces retirement from T20 Internationals

ANI
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Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward: Virat Kohli announces retirement from T20 Internationals

Following the second ICC T20 World Cup title win, star India batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is, going out on a high with a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the title clash against South Africa.

A fine exhibition of death bowling by trio of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya and stupendous knocks by Virat Kohli and Axar Patel helped India end their ICC trophy drought, securing their second ICC T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Barbados on Saturday.

Speaking after the game in a post-match presentation, Virat said, “This was my last T20 World Cup, this is exactly what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel like you cannot get a run and this happens, God is great. Just the occasion, now or never kind of situation. This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that cup. Not something that I was not going to announce even if we had lost. Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward. It is been a long wait for us, waiting to win an ICC tournament. You look at someone like Rohit, he has played 9 T20 World Cups and this is my sixth. He deserves it.”

After managing just 75 runs in the first seven innings of the competition, Virat stepped up when it mattered the most, scoring 76 in 59 balls, with six fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 128.81.

Virat has ended the ongoing edition with 151 runs in eight innings at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 112.68, with one fifty.

In 35 T20 World Cup matches, Virat has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His best score is 89*. He is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament.

In 125 T20I matches, Virat scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties and a best score of 122*. He ends the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India’s position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.

Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.

In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2 and then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the game. A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik (3/20) made a fine comeback in death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs.

Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought.

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

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