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120 organizations, opposition, activists and pet journalists plan to create tensions ahead of election results, conspire to get the polls cancelled by court after PM Modi’s victory

अनुपम कुमार सिंह
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120 organizations, opposition, activists and pet journalists plan to create tensions ahead of election results, conspire to get the polls cancelled by court after PM Modi’s victory

Neelu Vyas Thomas, who calls herself a journalist and is associated with Ajit Anjum’s YouTube channel has made some alarming disclosures. Now, instead of believing in democracy, the group that opposed mobs and protested against mob lynching is inciting society to anarchy. However, this is not a novel development as a pattern can be discerned if one looks at Shaheen Bagh, the farmers’ agitation, or even Rahul Gandhi’s remarks overseas.

The votes for Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be counted on 4th June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to be re-elected for a third term in office. The opposition did form the I.N.D.I. Alliance, but the JDU of Nitish Kumar, the RLD of Jayant Chaudhary, and the SBSP of Om Prakash Rajbhar withdrew from the coalition. TMC is not part of the alliance, while AAP is contesting against the alliance in Punjab.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted over 200 rallies and roadshows and had interviews with over 80 media outlets while very few opposition leaders—aside from Tejashwi Yadav—were observed undertaking any considerable groundwork.

Neelu Vyas Thomas in the video claimed that training is being provided for all opposition counting agents and that arrangements are underway for handling exit polls. Furthermore, she asserted that plans are in place for a large-scale protest in the event that vote fraud is discovered after which the election might be invalidated and legal action pursued. In other words, it indicates that the opposition would not accept the glorious festival of democracy.

What kind of training are the polling agents receiving? It’s possible that the counting centres will have a similar situation to that of Chhapra, Bihar, where two people were killed when Rohini Acharya, the RJD candidate and daughter of former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, arrived and provoked violence during the polling. The security personnel must exercise extreme caution if this is the case. It’s possible that polling agents are being instructed to generate conflict and create tensions.

The opposition knows exactly how to take advantage of social media for this. Fake footage will be shared on social media, and if there is a technical issue, it will be magnified to the point where it appears that electronic voting machines (EVMs) nationwide have been breached, leading to harassment of the counting staff. On the day of counting, we should be ready to put an end to this kind of social media trickery. The identity of the polling agents needs to be looked into in advance.

As per Neelu Vyas Thomas, the other crucial point is that arrangements are being made for the management of exit polls. We would like to inform you that all TV stations and survey organizations will release their exit polls on the evening of 1st June, after the conclusion of the seventh and final phase of voting. These polls will claim to indicate the number of seats that each party could obtain. The opposition is obviously aware that the BJP would be shown as winning an overwhelming majority as it is also the ground reality.

It’s true that the opposition knows it is losing. During the exit polls, their TV channel representatives would unnecessarily rant, distort the facts and make inflammatory comments. Their frenzied responses will not match the questions. The media outfits will be labelled “Godi Media” based on the numbers they project. It is obvious what his spokespeople will do on the day of the exit polls, given the manner in which former Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi insults even women by dubbing reputable journalists as “chamcha” and “chamchi.”

The third significant point made by Neelu Vyas Thomas is that the election can also be taken to the doors of the judiciary. Notably, there is nothing unprecedented in it. The opposition brought every issue before the Supreme Court, ranging from the repeal of Article 370 to the purchase of Rafale fighter jets. However, the apex court maintained the decision to revoke Article 370 in addition to giving the Modi administration the green light on the Rafale agreement with France.

Leaders including Arvind Kejriwal of the AAP and Hemant Soren of the JMM were imprisoned and only put into judicial custody upon the court’s directive. Afterwards, fingers are being pointed at the court regularly. Be mindful that this is not happening only now. The highest court has been the target ever since Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi delivered the Ram Mandir judgment in November 2019. The “Babri is alive” trend is a part of this campaign.

The fourth and most hazardous statement made by Neelu Vyas Thomas concerns the “Jan-Andolan” (people’s protest). What does the opposition consider a mass movement? Delhi was held captive by the women of Shaheen Bagh for three months. The ‘farmers movement’ led to a one-year occupation of Delhi’s boundaries and cost the states of North India Rs 500 crore a day, while businessmen incurred a Rs 200 crore loss as a result of Shaheen Bagh.

Muslims were instigated through the Shaheen Bagh riots by spreading false information about CAA throughout the nation. Jats and Sikhs were stirred up by the ‘farmers protest’ which was taken over by pro-Khalistan elements. The national tricolour was insulted on Republic Day when the Khalistani flag was raised on the Red Fort. More than fifty individuals were killed in the Delhi riots which were rooted in Shaheen Bagh unrest. Schools and temples were targeted.

The prosperity of a nation’s society is a prerequisite for it to become a superpower. How can any country grow into a superpower if its citizens lack financial resources? This is why the nation’s capital is frequently taken hostage in the name of movements as it kills two birds with one stone. First, they gain media attention and second businessmen endure huge losses. The government will face more challenges and the opposition will be happier as business declines.

What does the Gandhi scion interpret “Jan-Andolan” to mean? It is worth recalling that in May 2022, he voiced that the BJP had thrown fuel throughout India and one spark would be enough to burn the entire country while addressing a conclave in London. He had stated that India is not on the right path at the moment, citing divisiveness in the country and the BJP’s hold on the media. Ponder, what other reason could there have been to visit overseas and make such demeaning comments about our nation?

What plot lies ahead now? There will be anomalies on the day of counting, according to 120 groups that identify as civil organizations. They have also raised concerns about the Election Commission and the voting process. Additional meetings are scheduled by those people, who already met for six hours with the goal of undermining the Election Commission. There is currently an attempt to set off riots under the pretext of “civil society.” While all voting numbers are made public, it is falsely claimed that the Election Commission is withholding the information.

Opposition leaders are included in these organizations along with former officials. This is the same elite that formerly claimed to be “intellectuals” and people believed anything they uttered. Now, no one is listening to them. YouTubers like Dhruv Rathi who repeatedly term Prime Minister Narendra Modi a ‘dictator’ are a part of this scheme. The opposition is actively spreading negativity in order to stifle public welfare programs, infrastructure projects and India’s positive international image.

Read the report in Hindi here.

Raghuram Rajan blames Arnab Goswami for Rahul Gandhi’s stupidity, calls him intelligent and brave instead

OpIndia Staff
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Raghuram Rajan blames Arnab Goswami for Rahul Gandhi’s stupidity, calls him intelligent and brave instead

In a recent interview, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan heaped praises on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Rajan blamed Rahul Gandhi’s 2014 interview with senior journalist Arnab Goswami for his “wrong portrayal” as someone incapable of thinking and leading.

On the 28th of May, in an interview with ThePrint, Raghuram Rajan was asked about his closeness with Rahul Gandhi and whether he advises the Gandhi scion. In response to this, Rajan said, “Rahul Gandhi is often depicted because of that totally disfiguring interview with Arnab Goswami way back, as someone who doesn’t have the capabilities to think and lead. I think that’s such a wrong portrayal in the sense that you know he’s smart, intelligent, and also brave. I think what people discount which they should not, is this is a family which has seen the grandmother assassinated, the father blown up,” Rajan said.

“To engage in politics, to be in the midst of crowds.. if I had that experience I would be hiding in a bed all the time. So I think there are a lot of attributes that are commendable…” Rajan added while eulogising the Gandhi scion.

In his seemingly not-so-successful bid to project Rahul Gandhi as a misunderstood ‘genius’, Rajan called Rahul Gandhi a “reasonable” leader with “strong conviction”.

When Arnab Goswami “frankly” destroyed Rahul Gandhi’s first “launch”

Interestingly, back in 2014, Rahul Gandhi gave his first-ever televised interview to the then Times Now editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami. The interview titled: Frankly Speaking With Arnab Goswami exposed the diminutive political acumen and proved to be nothing less than a disaster for Congress’s unannounced Prime Ministerial candidate. In the interview, Rahul Gandhi gave repetitive answers like RTI, Anti-Corruption Law, MNREGA, systematic failures etc and even tried to dodge Goswami’s questions about the then-Congress vice president’s views on the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, why he was avoiding a head-on contest with Modi etc. One of the most iconic moments of the interview was when Goswami asked Gandhi if it was right to seek an ‘apology from Narendra Modi for the 2002 Gujarat Riots but not apologise for the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots even as the Congress’, and Rahul Gandhi admitted involvement of some of his party leaders.

Raghuram Rajan’s admiration for Rahul Gandhi

It is interesting to note that this is not the first time that Raghuram Rajan has expressed his admiration and support for Rahul Gandhi. Back in December 2022, Rajan joined Gandhi in his controversial foot march Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan. In his admiration for Gandhi and disdain for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajan has at times resorted to spreading misinformation in the garb of criticising the Modi government’s policies like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Rajan back in 2016, called India a “one-eyed king in the land of the blind [Andhon mein kaana raja]” suggesting that India’s economic growth is accentuated because the global economic growth was weak.

In January last year, Raghuram Rajan described as a ‘young’, ‘curious’ and ‘smart’ man, who is in no way a “Pappu”. He said that the Congress leader has a “good sense of what the priorities are and a good sense of basic risks and being able to evaluate them…” Probably, Rajan should share his views on Rahul Gandhi’s destructive and divisive ‘priorities’ like caste ‘X-ray’ and wealth redistribution among others.

Guardian makes a brain-dead ‘documentary’ about Indian elections where they talk to other brain-dead people, spreads misinformation, lies and hate against Hindus and India

Raju Das
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Guardian makes a brain-dead ‘documentary’ about Indian elections where they talk to other brain-dead people, spreads misinformation, lies and hate against Hindus and India

With only the last of 7-phase Lok Sabha elections remaining, British media house Guardian has come up with a documentary to attack PM Modi. The video titled The fake news divide: how Modi’s rule is fracturing India was released on YouTube on 30 May, ahead of the last phase of polls on 2nd June, and it alleges that PM Modi’s regime has resulted in an increase in hate speech in India, a familiar accusation of the left-liberals against the BJP government.

The documentary is based on Guardian journalist Hannah Ellis-Petersen talking to the general public in India at various places, along with some known anti-BJP voices.

At the beginning of the 17-minute-long documentary, Hannah comments that ‘public places in India are so male-dominated’, saying not many women are seen. It is not sure which places in India were visited by Hahhah to come to this conclusion, but this shows how little she knows about the country. She may have seen fewer women at a place at a time, but it is definitely not the case for the whole country to claim that Indian public places are male-dominated. She herself talked to several women in the video.

While most people she talked to on the streets gave pro-Modi comments, the Guardian journalist turned to ‘influencers’ to get the responses she was expecting to get. She visits YouTuber Akash Banerjee in his studio, claiming he is ‘one of the few voices who still dare to criticise the Modi government’. Akash claims that the Modi govt is pushing hate regularly, and YouTube channels like his may be banned before or after the elections.

He claimed critics of the govt will be buried in paperwork after the elections, and just one slip by them will put them in jail. Despite these claims, critics of the Modi government thrive in India, getting millions of views on their YouTube channels and other platforms. On the other hand, it is the supporters of the BJP who are facing brutal govt action in non-NDA-ruled states.

Several such people have been put in jails in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra (during the Uddhav Thackeray govt) etc. In 2022, Tamil Nadu police arrested YouTuber Karthik Gopinath for collecting funds for a temple. Earlier this month police in DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu arrested YouTuber Felix Gerald, only because he had interviewed another YouTuber Savukku Shankar who was earlier arrested for allegedly speaking against senior police officers. BJP leader and YouTuber Manish Kashyap was arrested by Tamil Nadu police over a video but was acquitted by the court.

Police in Congress-ruled Karnataka arrested ? user MumbaichaDon aka Bhiku Mhatre earlier this month for his comments against the Congress party’s election manifesto. West Bengal police have been arresting people for just sharing memes and cartoons featuring CM Mamata Banerjee. Action against journalists had reached dangerous levels in the MVA govt of Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP, with the most prominent case being the arrest of Arnab Goswami, and the fake TRP case filed against the Republic network.

The documentary also claimed that YouTubers and social media influencers who are ‘more sympathetic to Modi’ were personally rewarded by the prime minister. The Guardian was citing the first-ever National Creators Awards handed over by PM Modi in March this year. Guardian claimed, “Some of these influencers have pushed BJP’s agenda, used inflammatory language, and in some cases spread misinformation”. But the documentary didn’t name which of the winners were accused of doing this.

The claim that awards were given to pro-BJP influencers is completely baseless and false, as most of the influencers who were awarded are working in various non-political fields, and most of them are not known for their political views.

The categories under which the awards were given included celebrity creator, storyteller, green champion, cultural ambassador, agriculture, international, travel, fashion, gaming, food, education, health & fitness, tech, cleanliness etc. Most of these categories are non-political, and therefore the claim that only pro-BJP influencers were awarded is completely false.

Many of the winners are already well-known names on social media, like Aman Gupta as a celebrity creator and Kabita Singh for food, and it was no surprise that they own the awards in the respective categories.

Hannah Ellis-Petersen then talks to propagandist and Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha and other employees of the portal. The Guardian journalist claimed that Alt News faces relentless trolling from Right Wing for carrying out fact checks. Pratik Sinha claimed that mainstream media is pro-government and therefore it is easy to spread misinformation. He claimed that they have to be careful and the right wing makes it about them personally.

But the fact is, it is Alt News and its founders who have been targeting people personally. Pratik’s colleague Md Zubair caused nationwide riots and was responsible for the killing of several persons by Islamists after he targeted former BJP leader Nupur Sharma for her comments in a TV debate. Hindu activist Kajal Hindusthani received Sar Tan Se Juda threats from Islamists after Zubair launched an attack against her. The people associated with Alt News are also constantly targeting OpIndia, especially editor Nupur J Sharma.

After talking to the Alt News team, The Guardian moves to North East Delhi to talk about the 2020 riots. As expected, the documentary repeated lies about the riots and its background. It claimed that protests broke out after the Modi government proposed a citizenship law that excluded Muslims and that BJP leaders incited violence against the Muslims in response to the protests. It further claims that Hindu mobs targeted Muslims as a result of fake news on social media.

The fact is, it is the Islamists who have been accused of inciting the anti-Hindu riots, and several Islamist leaders are in jail with courts denying them bail repeatedly for the gravity of the crimes. The Hindus booked in the riots are only accused of carrying out retaliatory attacks, while Islamists are accused of planning and conspiring to carry the attack on Hindus.

Videos of Muslims attacking Hindus from the roof of the house of AAP leader Tahir Hussain went viral, petrol bombs and stones were found on the roof, and a court had found that he had instigated mobs to attack ‘kafirs’, but Guardian claims it was Hindus who attacked Muslims.

Guardian journalist Hannah Ellis-Petersen claimed that she tried to talk to Kajal Hindustani, but she stopped responding after initially agreeing to an interview. Hannah claimed Kajal refused the interview after OpIndia’s Nupur J Sharma tweeted about the Guardian interviewing people from the right wing to divide Hindus. But the fact is, right-wingers know the agenda of leftist anti-India media houses like the Guardian.

Hannah also claimed OpIndia editor Nupur J Sharma refused to talk to her after she contacted Sharma for an interview following an article on the Guardian team trying to interview Kajal Hindustani published on OpIndia. But this claim is incorrect, as the OpIndia editor had told her she could come on a podcast, but Hannah had declined this offer.

The Guardian documentary is a classic example of how an echo chamber works. Hannah talked to a few known Modi haters like Akash Banerjee and Pratik Sinha to claim that misinformation and hate speech have increased during the Modi government, without giving any proof of the claims. Interestingly, almost all common people that Hannah talked to said that the Modi govt is working for all, not just Hindus, but the voices of the common men were ignored by the documentary.

The Guardian repeats claims made by a handful of Islamist left liberals while ignoring the comments made by members of the public. The title claims to show how “Modi’s rule is fracturing India”, but apart from the interview of a few Modi haters like Pratik Sinha, the video has nothing to substantiate its claims. On the other hand, fake news is indeed a problem, but the video does not do justice to the issue at all, only repeating the false allegations that only RW spreads fake news.

Elections in Mexico: Over 200 people including 30 candidates killed in the deadliest campaign ahead of June 2 polls, dozens of others face threats and violence

OpIndia Staff
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Elections in Mexico: Over 200 people including 30 candidates killed in the deadliest campaign ahead of June 2 polls, dozens of others face threats and violence

A mayoral candidate has been shot dead at a campaign rally in Mexico’s southern Guerrero state, the latest in a string of attacks ahead of the 2nd June elections. On 29th May, Alfredo Cabrera was killed in the town of Coyuca de Benitez. An individual was seen approaching him at the campaign event and shooting him multiple times at close range in a video that was released by the local media. Two other candidates were shot the day before the latest attack. The final campaign rallies of the front-runners in Mexico’s presidential race were marred by widespread violence.

Alfredo Cabrera (Source: Billie Parker Noticias)

As per reports, at least 30 candidates contesting the elections have been killed since September 2023, although the official sources put the number at 22.

At least sixteen people have died as a result of attacks on mayoral candidates and their entourages in Chiapas this month. Among them were Lucero Esmeralda López Maza, a 28-year-old who was running for mayor of the town of La Concordia, and her sister. According to officials, three more mayoral candidates from municipalities throughout Chiapas suffered injuries in three separate attacks. On 12th May, in the village of Chicomuselo, some 20 miles from the Guatemalan border, 11 people—mostly members of one family—were massacred.

Nine people lost their lives in two attacks against mayoral candidates in the southern state of Chiapas just last week. Both of the contenders made it through. Six individuals, including Lucero Lopez, a mayoral candidate, and a kid, were slain in an ambush that occurred earlier this month following a campaign event in the nearby municipality of La Concordia. A mayoral candidate was fatally shot last month, shortly after she started her campaign.

Relatives of mayoral candidate Bertha Gisela Gaytán mourn during her funeral in Celaya, Mexico, on 3rd April. (Source: Mario Armas/Getty Images)

With around 200 public employees, lawmakers, and candidates killed so far in this campaign, it has been the most brutal election in the country’s history. As organized crime groups compete for power in government, hundreds more have left or requested protection, further undermining Mexican democracy. At least thirty mayoral candidates have been murdered since September 2023 as the country gears up to vote as criminal gangs seek expanded control in states where cartels already wreak havoc.

Over 20,000 positions are up for grabs in the poll and a high-profile race that will most likely see Mexico elect its first female president, the nation’s largest vote ever has resulted in one of the most dangerous election cycles in recent memory. The citizens also expressed that they are most concerned about public safety.

The Latin American nation is going to decide between Xóchitl Gálvez, a former senator for the major centre-right party or Claudia Sheinbaum, a close associate of left-wing incumbent Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The front-runner, Sheinbaum, declared to the assembled supporters in Zócalo Square, the heart of Mexico City, that the country has “changed profoundly for the better” since President Obrador was elected in 2018 while Gálvez has slammed President Obrador for the nation’s high level of organized crime.

Violence has impacted politicians from all political parties, but it has particularly harmed municipal officials and candidates. It is the state’s least protected stratum as well as the place where criminal organizations look to make agreements with law enforcement to bolster their hold on the surrounding area and its companies. After accounting for threats, kidnappings, disappearances and other acts of intimidation against not only candidates but also current and former public officials and “collateral” victims like family members, the Mexican consulting firm Integralia has declared that the current campaign season is the bloodiest in recent Mexican history.

A member of the Mexican National Guard stands at the perimeter of a crime scene where a passenger was shot dead inside a bus in Celaya, Mexico, in February. (Source: Fernando Llano/Associated Press)

As of 1st May, Integralia had reported 560 victims of political violence, up from 389 during the 2017–18 campaign and 299 during the 2020–21 midterm elections. As of a 28th May revised report, it listed 316 attacks or threats against candidates. Similar to previous election cycles, this one too has not seen violence directed towards well-known contenders for high-profile positions like governorships or the presidency, however, those vying for city government positions are caught in the crossfire.

Gangs try to fund their own candidates and then threaten or even kill those who oppose them. Criminals striving for control over smuggling routes, extortion targets, municipal finances, and other opportunities in their territory, or plazas, might be aided by corrupt police officers and other incentives from crooked mayors. Local politicians are susceptible to pressure from cartels more so than governors and other senior legislators.

One of the largest industrial cities in the state of Guanajuato, Celaya has a population of 500,000 and is the target of conflict between several factions. About one homicide has occurred in Celaya for every thousand residents annually since 2020. It is the most dangerous city in Mexico to work as a police officer as at least 34 cops have died there in the last three years.

When it comes to illegal attempts to influence elections and infiltrate the state, attacks on politicians are merely “the tip of the iceberg.” Violence affects a larger spectrum of actors and goes beyond the campaign trail. Attacks of this nature have increased over the past several years, remaining unaddressed by any political party. It is increasingly difficult to maintain that free and fair elections are being held in various parts of Mexico due to the stronghold that crime has established there.

Lessons from Indian democracy

The largest election festival in the world, held in India every five years, contrasts sharply with Mexico’s historically deadly elections. More than 96.88 crore voters nationwide registered to vote in the general election of 2024. “The conduct of our election, our election management is such that it can be a learning process for other democracies. Big universities of the world should carry out a case study on the Indian elections. This year, almost 64 countries in the world are going to the polls. There should be a comparison of elections between India and other countries. This year’s festival of democracy is not only in India but around the world,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated after casting his vote in Gujarat.

The world’s largest elections are effectively organized and concluded by a nation that is more diverse than any other place on Earth. On the other hand, the countries which can’t even fathom handling such challenges and diversity find it difficult to hold elections without a violent cloud hanging over them. This demonstrates not only the effectiveness of India’s electoral system but also the people’s confidence and faith in the country’s democracy.

Conversion to Christianity under garb of relief work: What is ADRA, org run by a Church that is to get Rs 2.26 crores of EU’s ‘humanitarian aid’ for Manipur

Anurag
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Conversion to Christianity under garb of relief work: What is ADRA, org run by a Church that is to get Rs 2.26 crores of EU’s ‘humanitarian aid’ for Manipur

On 30th May, the Government of Manipur categorically refused to accept aid announced by the European Union for the families which suffered from hailstorms and heavy rain earlier this month. EU had claimed that aid worth €250,000 (over 22.6 million Indian rupees) was made for the state of Manipur via humanitarian partner ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), which is a ‘humanitarian agency’ operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In a post, the EU specified that the amount will benefit “1500 most vulnerable families” in Manipur.

Source: X

Rejecting the donation, the Chief Secretary of Manipur stated, “A news report has been circulating in the media and different social network platforms about the EU providing 250,000 euros to (Rs. 2.25 crore) assist victims of a severe storm in Manipur. This is false and untrue and as far as the State Government is concerned all financial requirements in connection with the recent storm are being met from the available National Disaster Response Fund and the State Disaster Response Fund.” Furthermore, it was highlighted that the state government has been collaborating with the relevant Deputy Commissioners, security personnel, and public volunteers to carry out necessary relief efforts related to the storm and the humanitarian work has not been handed to any Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or civil society organizations. The press release added, “A sum of Rs.30 crore has already been sanctioned by the State Government to the Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts.”

What is Adventist Development and Relief Agency or ADRA?

ADRA is the worldwide humanitarian branch of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Interestingly, it is present not only in India but also in 100+ other countries including Nepal and Bhutan. The organisation uses humanitarian projects related to relief, healthcare and education networks around the world. Interestingly, there is evidence that the organisation, which is run by a church, uses these activities to convert vulnerable people to Christianity.

On its website, ADRA India flaunts that it is a 20-million strong community and deliver “relief and development assistance to people in 107 countries “regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association.” It read, “In India, we have been implementing humanitarian and development projects that help the most vulnerable in India for close to thirty years. Registered in 1992 as a Society, ADRA India focuses on key developmental aspects like public healthcare, education, livelihood generation, humanitarian and emergency response, and protection of vulnerable groups. By partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments, we are able to deliver culturally relevant programs and build local capability for sustainable change.”

Conversion activities via humanitarian work via ADRA and other orgs under Seventh-day Adventist Church in India and neighbouring countries

Now coming to evangelist activities by the organisation, Ezras Lakra, who is the president of Northern Indian Union of Seventh-day Adventists since November 2010, said in a statement during the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 13 world divisions during the second of three Spring Meeting sessions in 2016 that direct evangelism is not possible in countries like Nepal and Bhutan as proselytizing is forbidden in these countries. Furthmore, he pointed out that in India, centres of influence focus on public service and health program was drawing a positive response to their evangelist activities. “Bible study cards are offered, and the availability of prayer at the centers attracts even non-Christians.” he said.

In September 2022, Adventist Review published a detailed article on how Maranatha Volunteers International’s India crew were constructing churches along with schools and water wells. In 2022 itself, the group built 25 out of 30 planned churches by September and four were in progress. Some of them were built in Manipur as well. Special dorms for boys and girls were built in the schools so that the students could live on the premises. Inaugurating one of such dorms at the Pola Adventist School in Jharkhand, Lakra praised the group and said, “Maranatha has set a benchmark for us in how to work for the Lord. We need to proceed in the same way in India.” The report noted that several water wells were being drilled in several states across India including in Manipur, a project that was started in 2019. Notably, Maranatha has constructed more than 2,400 structures in India, the report suggested. Maranatha Volunteers International is a supporting ministry of Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their main aim is to built churches and schools in developing nations. These structures are used for evangelism by the organisation.

Seventh-day Adventist Church has strengthened its presence in Nepal, India’s neighbouring country that has been facing the issue of conversions for years. In 2016, Ezras Lakra and others went to Nepal and inaugurated six new churches mainly rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. During the inauguration, they converted 14 people. In another village bordering China, they reportedly converted eight people in a similar ceremony. These events illustrated how the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been involved in conversion activities in Nepal for years in the guise of humanitarian activities.

Notably, in 2015, when the earthquake struck, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church rushed to humanitarian work. At that time, there were over 8,000 active members of the Church spread over 106 congregations. Ted NC Wilson, president of the Adventist world church saw it as a signal of “Christ’s return”. He said, “The human suffering breaks our hearts and moves us with deep sympathy for the thousands of families who have experienced loss. May this be an opportunity to show Christ’s ministry of love and compassion in all that we do as we see more of this disaster happening signaling the nearness of Christ’s return.” During that time, a hospital built by the Church was extensively used to treat patients. It is obvious that after getting saved by a missionary hospital, a soft corner is built in the hearts of the locals. It gets much easier to brainwash them to convert.

A March 2024 report suggested how Seventh-day Adventist Church has been strengthening its presence in Nepal. Several church leaders Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church reportedly added “new territories” to Nepal, which was added to NSD in late 2023. Reportedly, they found Nepal to be one of the challenging nations to convert people but their leader Yo Han Kim said, “But with God’s wisdom and guidance, we shall fulfil together the task He has given us.” OpIndia has extensively covered the issue of conversions in Nepal that can be checked here.

ADRA’s humanitarian activities give shield to evangelism

During our research into ADRA’s activities, we found an interesting article written by Jay Edison who is a retired ADRA International director of Health from Ossupee, New Hampshire, US. In the article, he discussed how some of his friends were perplexed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s significant investment in humanitarian activities through the ADRA without any evangelistic components. He highlighted that the humanitarian efforts by ADRA easily managed to skip the scrutiny that came with traditional Adventist health evangelism. He emphasised that ADRA’s activities such as providing safe drinking water embody the church’s philosophy of healthful living, which in large helps to spread the word of “Jesus” without getting noticed by the authorities. He gave examples of several countries like Russia and Kyrgystan where ADRA’s humanitarian efforts helped in spreading the word about Christianity without overt proselytizing.

Controversies around Seventh-day Adventist Church

There have been several controversies around the Seventh-day Adventist Church in India. In April 2024, 57 year old pastor Reverend May Wald was accused of sexual harrassment by a 17-year-old Nepali girl. he was arrested and booked under POCSO Act. May Wald served at “The Seventh-day Adventist Church” in the Mathigiri neighbourhood. The victim and her family have been living in the same region. The subsequent action was taken after she complained to the officials of the Krishnagiri District Child Protection Committee which resulted in a formal complaint being lodged at the Hosur All Women Police Station. A comprehensive inquiry that followed verified the accuracy of the accusations made against Reverend May Wald.

Furthermore, in February 2023, members of Southeast India Union of Seventh-day Adventists in Vandulur, Chennai, accused the church administration of misappropriation of funds, offensive remarks, sexual abuse and more. They staged protests outside the church to voice their complaints. The Seventh Day Adventist Church near Iraniyamman Temple, which owns twenty-seven schools and properties valued at crores came under investigation amid grave charges of dubious fundraising practices.

A sit-in protest was organized by some members of the community against the administration, asserting that they were using dishonest tactics in connection with building projects including schools and churches. Protesters, who declared they had a right to inquire of the administration on years of embezzlement and deception amounting to crores of rupees, were angry that the church would not answer their questions and had locked the gate to prevent them from entering.

Additionally, a woman accused the church of sexual abuse and uttering disparaging comments regarding caste. She unveiled that despite other women departing earlier, she was made to stay until six o’clock in the evening, given extra work to complete, and received 500 rupees from White David, the manager, for no apparent reason. She further disclosed that White David along with another person, Daniel Devadoss harassed her over her eight years of employment as a cleaner by spewing crude comments and inquiring about her personal life. She was fired from her work after things became extremely ugly and they accused her of stealing.

Seventh Day Adventist Church under Home Ministry’s radar

In 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences of four Christian associations this year. It is mandatory to have FCRA clearance from the Home Ministry for any organisation to receive foreign funds. Besides, two Christian donors, namely, Seventh Day Adventist Church and Baptist Church are also under the watch of the Ministry. Both of them are US-based. As per The Hindu report, an official said that as the probe was on, concerns were raised regarding the impact of U.S.-based evangelical donors including the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

I.N.D.I. Alliance leader Azam Khan sent to jail for 10 years for assault and criminal conspiracy by Rampur MP-MLA Court, fined Rupees 14 Lakhs

OpIndia Staff
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I.N.D.I. Alliance leader Azam Khan sent to jail for 10 years for assault and criminal conspiracy by Rampur MP-MLA Court, fined Rupees 14 Lakhs

I.N.D.I. Alliance member Samajwadi Party’s leader Azam Khan has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the MP-MLA court of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The decision against Azam Khan has come in the case of assault and criminal conspiracy in Dungarpur Basti. The second accused in the case, Barkat Ali, has been sentenced to seven years of imprisonment with ₹6 Lakhs fine.

The matter pertains to Dungarpur Basti, and the complainant Abrar had lodged a case of forcible entry into his house in 2019. He also said there was loot, issue of life threats, and demolition of his house using bulldozer.

In 2019, people living in Dungurpur Basti filed 12 cases against the veteran Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in the Ganj police station on charges of looting, theft, assault, among other sections. Out of these 12 cases, the decision has come in 3 cases. The Samajwadi Party leader has been acquitted in two cases, while in one case he has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Azam Khan is currently lodged in Sitapur jail in Uttar Pradesh. In the current case, the court has found Azam Khan and contractor Barkat Ali guilty, and both were sentenced on Thursday, May 30..

During the hearing in the case, the veteran Samajwadi Party leader was connected from Sitapur jail via video conferencing. Notably, 108 cases have been registered against Azam Khan, out of which 80 cases are currently under trial. Azam Khan has been sentenced in six separate cases during the past 17 months.

On October 18, 2017, the Samajwadi Party leader’s son Abdullah Azam and wife Tanzeen Fatima were sentenced to seven years at Rampur MP/MLA court for using a fraudulent birth certificate. On July 14, 2023, Khan was convicted by a Rampur court for hate speech during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. On February 14, last year, a Moradabad court sentenced Azam Khan and his son Abdullah to two years in a 15-year-old case for traffic obstruction. On October 28, 2022, Khan was sentenced to three years in prison by a Rampur court for hate speech from 2019.

Meet LN Danwade, non-judicial member of Juvenile Justice Board who asked Pune Porsche road rash accused teen to write an essay as bail condition

OpIndia Staff
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Meet LN Danwade, non-judicial member of Juvenile Justice Board who asked Pune Porsche road rash accused teen to write an essay as bail condition

In the high-profile Pune Porsche hit-and-run case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will investigate the conduct of the Juvenile Justice Board members to examine whether the norms were followed in granting bail and imposing conditions for the same. Dr LN Danwade, a non-judicial member of JJB, has come into focus as he had issued bail orders for the accused teenager, prompting the government to constitute the SIT.

It was LN Danwade who asked the 17-year-old accused to write a 300-word essay on road safety as a bail condition. This absurd bail condition and celerity in granting bail to the teen, who on 19th May allegedly killed two people with his high-speed Porsche car, brought the case to the focal point in the media and soon it sparked a nationwide discussion. The JJB’s apathy towards the deceased victims outraged the nation into pondering if it was the time for crucial judicial reforms. The leniency demonstrated in punishing the accused shocked even the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis.

As the case snowballed, the Juvenile Board on 22nd May heard the case again and after hearing arguments from both sides, decided to cancel bail and sent the accused to observation home till 5th of June.

Notably, LN Danwade passed the controversial order since the Principal Magistrate and the second non-judicial member were not present due to a holiday. A Juvenile Justice Board consists of a judicial member, a Principal Magistrate, and two non-judicially appointed members who are social workers.

LN Danwade had served as superintendent at Balagram ‘SOS’ Children’s Village in Raigad before joining the Juvenile Justice Board. During his tenure, a minor girl allegedly committed suicide resulting in his suspension. He then moved to Pune and joined the Pune Bal Kalyan Samiti. The recommendation was made by a senior official from the Women and Child Development Commissionerate. He was appointed to the Juvenile Justice Board after working for the Pune Bal Kalyan Samiti for three years.

It has been reported that LN Danwade flouted the rules and unilaterally granted bail to the accused within half an hour without consulting the JJB’s supervisory officer. Danwade heard the bail plea alone even as the board members are required to be present during the hearing. In addition to this, LN Danwade did not, reportedly, take inputs from Chief Magistrate Manasi Pardeshi and second-appointed member KT Thorat.

While media has been trying to talk to LN Danwade over the matter, he has been avoiding them. Videos have surfaced showing him running away from reporters. Notably, in one of the videos, he is seen riding a scooter without a helmet. This suggests that he has no high regard for traffic laws.

When Times Now reporter Abhishek Awasthi managed to confront him, he said that the ‘everything is judicial’ and he does not want to say anything.

As reported earlier, on the 19th of May, the 17-year-old son of a rich builder killed two young motorcycle-borne engineers Aneesh Awadhia and Ashwini Koshta while driving his swanky Porsche car under the influence of alcohol. The accused tried to flee after hitting the deceased victims, however, locals caught hold of him, and thrashed him before turning him over to the police. While two innocent people lost their lives, the accused teenager who is the son of builder, Vishal Agarwal of Brahma Realty and Infrastructure, got bail within 15 hours of his arrest.

The Juvenile Justice Board asked him to work with a traffic police official for 2 weeks and attend psychiatric counselling sessions. The teen was also asked to write a 300-word essay on road accidents and create traffic awareness boards.

The Maharashtra government has now formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the conduct of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) members. The role of the police also have also come into question in the case, and two cops have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Police Inspector Rahul Jagdale and Assistant Police Inspector Vishwanath Todkari mishandled the investigation and failed to inform the wireless control room about the incident in time, as per Pune police. Two doctors of a Pune hospital along with a hospital staff also have been arrested for swapping the blood sample of the accused, to prove that he was not drunk. The doctors used the blood of the teen’s mother to perform the tests, and discarded the blood sample of the accused.

Canadian University Faculty Association passes Hinduphobic motion against ‘caste system’ even after Toronto District School Board could not show one instance of discrimination

Shraddha Pandey
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Canadian University Faculty Association passes Hinduphobic motion against ‘caste system’ even after Toronto District School Board could not show one instance of discrimination

On the 28th of May, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association (OCUFA) passed a Hinduphobic resolution titled “Caste Discrimination” to ‘condemn’ the caste system, caste-based ‘discrimination’ and ‘colorism’. OCUFA also directed its member organisations to include caste discrimination in their anti-discrimination policies.

“Whereas the Caste system is rooted in classism and was reinforced through colonial practices and promotes discrimination against people born to lower castes, especially Dalit or ‘untouchables’. Whereas the Caste system, while rooted in India, has travelled with the Indian diaspora and its effects are felt throughout the diasporic community in Canada including direct impacts on our own members who come from lower Castes,” the resolution read.

“In keeping with OHRC’s policy position on caste-based discrimination dated October 26, 2023, BE IT RESOLVED THAT OCUFA condemns the Caste system, Caste-based discrimination and colorism and calls on our member organizations to include Caste-based discrimination in their respective anti-discrimination policies and collective agreements,” the resolution added. 

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has said that the Canadian Hindus were not consulted before passing this motion. Notably, the OCUFA resolution is yet another attempt at weaponizing caste to gaslight Hindus and slander Hinduism.

“Shocking to see the flawed colonial trope of “caste” pushed again in Canada–this time by @OCUFA with no input from #CanadianHindus of course. CoHNA has repeatedly raised concerns about such motions that selectively single out and profile #Hinduism and create #Hinduphobia. CoHNA has raised concerns on the weaponization of #caste for years now. Reminder- there’s NO data showing systemic caste discrimination in Canada or US. Much of the “proof” used to create the initial narrative has fallen apart-e.g. #EqualityLabs Survey or Cisco Lawsuit,” CoHNA said.

The Hindu advocacy organisation further suspected the influence of Professor Chinaiah Jangam of Carleton University. Jangam’s social media activities indicate his support for urban naxals like Rona Wilson, the 2020 Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots “mastermind” Umar Khalid and pro-Congress leanings.

“We suspect the influence of privileged academics like Prof Jangam, @Carleton_U who spread false information that a regular person can easily identify castes by last names. Such biased narratives create a presumption of guilt for all #CanadianHindus,” CoHNA added.

TDSB adopted a resolution recognising the existence of caste discrimination in Toronto schools, fails to provide a single case of caste oppression

The OCUFA motion came even as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) failed to show a single evidence indicating systematic caste-based discrimination in Canada last year. It is pertinent to recall that in March 2023, the TDSB passed a resolution recognising the ‘existence’ of caste discrimination in the city’s schools. TDSB had acknowledged its lack of expertise on caste-related issues. The resolution was passed with six trustees voting in favour and five voting against it. The resolution was proposed by the South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network of Canada (SADAN).

Interestingly, SADAN’s founder and TDSB’s trustee, Yalini Rajkulsingam had back then said that the hypothesis is tested and available data is analysed before. “In Seattle, 4% of the community identify as South Asian. At the TDSB, we are at 22%, she said. However, despite the significant presence of South Asian residents in Canada, not a single documented case of caste oppression/discrimination was provided. Probably that is why most of the trustees who voted in favour of this resolution gave the justification “Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it is not there.”

TDSB cancelled book event with Yazidi ISIS survivor saying it would ‘offend’ Muslims

While the Toronto District School Board was quick to pass a resolution over caste discrimination without any substantial evidence of the same, back in 2021, it had cancelled a book event by the Yazidi Nobel Prize-winning author Nadia Murad. TDSB’s hypocrisy could be comprehended from the bizarre justification it gave for cancelling the event. The Board said that the ISIS survivor’s book would “promote Islamophobia” and ‘offend’ the Muslim students. Nadia Murad was taken as a sex slave in 2014 by the Islamic State terrorists in Iraq.

Other than Canada, attempts have been made to target the Hindu community putting it under additional legal scrutiny in the USA. In February last year, the Seattle City Council in the USA passed a resolution to establish ‘caste’ as a protected category under the City’s non-discrimination policy.

In California last year, a Hinduphobic bill that ‘banned’ caste discrimination in the state was passed. However, it was rejected by Gov. Gavin Newsom who stated that it was “unnecessary,” noting that caste discrimination was already illegal under existing laws.

T20 World Cup: US Police on high alert after ISIS-Khorasan threatens “Lone Wolf” attack during India-Pakistan match

OpIndia Staff
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T20 World Cup: US Police on high alert after ISIS-Khorasan threatens “Lone Wolf” attack during India-Pakistan match

Every International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament awaits India vs. Pakistan match, and the T20 World Cup 2024 is no exception. On 9th June, the arch-rivals will square off at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. However, security services were placed on high alert prior to the intense match because ISIS-K had threatened to launch a “Lone Wolf” attack during the encounter.

Lone Wolf “is a particular kind of mass murder, committed in a public setting by an individual who plans and commits the act on their own.”

Therefore, during the game, the agencies intend to bolster security surrounding the arena. Security personnel would be keeping a close watch on everything in the area. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman disclosed that 100 extra security guards will be stationed at the event in addition to the regular crew. New York State Police have been “directed to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes,” according to a statement made by Governor Kathy Hochul on 29th May.

He added, “There is no credible public safety threat at this time. “We continue to monitor the situation closely. My administration has been working for months with federal law enforcement and Nassau County to ensure New Yorkers and visitors are safe.”

At the press conference, Patrick Ryder mentioned that more police would be deployed to the Eisenhower Park cricket stadium. He added, “We will go to every fine detail when it comes to the security and safety of the residents here.” There was some ambiguity on the magnitude of the threat expressed in a chat group by ISIS-Khorasan, the terrorist group that operates out of South and Central Asia as an affiliate of the Islamic State. “We make sure that we are on top of every situation that could potentially arise. Now to that end, we have taken many many precautions,” conveyed Bruce Blakeman while talking to reporters.

He emphasised, “Each and every day, Nassau County, as well as other communities and cities and counties and towns throughout the United States, receive all kinds of threats. We take every threat seriously. To that end, we have taken many, many precautions. As well as making sure that the stadium and the surrounding Eisenhower Park are safe, the parking areas are safe, and the watch areas are safe, we also are adding 100 additional police officers to our normal staffing for the rest of the county, just as a precaution.”

Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder reassured the people of impenetrable security while acknowledging the potential threat posed by a “Lone Wolf” attack. He expressed, “When you’ve got a game and a crowd as big as this, everything is credible. We will go through every fine detail when it comes to the security and safety of the residents here in Nassau County. I can guarantee you this is the largest security we’ve ever had to do in this county’s history, and I can also guarantee you the safest place to be in Nassau County on June 9 will be inside that stadium.”

According to Patrick Ryder, the terror group is “calling for that ‘Lone Wolf’ to act out” in a video that has gone viral. He added that they had been receiving threats from “ISIS-K” since April, “where it was a global and international style threat.” He highlighted, “Then it got a little bit more specific towards the actual game of India versus Pakistan but did not name the place and then yesterday, you all saw the video that went global, and they are calling for that ‘Lone Wolf’ to act out.”

He was alluding to a video that ISIS-K had placed on a British chat site that showed “an image of the cricket stadium at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County with drones flying over it showing the date, “9/6/2024,” when the India-Pakistan match is scheduled to take place.” County officials noted that “they’ve requested the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to make Eisenhower Park a no-fly zone for drones” in response to the drones being shown as attack vehicles.

The spectators were also guaranteed total security for the prominent game, according to the ICC which announced, “The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.”

The threat was initially publicized by the British publication Express, which also reported that Wembley Stadium and other sports venues throughout Europe are targets. It asserted that ISIS supporters are being urged to use strategies like drone attacks to target important events, including the Cricket World Cup.

The 30,000-seat World Cup Cricket venue was constructed especially for the championship and will share US matches with the Dallas stadium. The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to begin on 1st June this year with a warm-up match between India and Bangladesh.

Madhya Pradesh High Court legtimises Sharia, says that marriage of a Muslim man with ‘idolatress’ not valid even if registered under Special Marriage Act, would be ‘fasid’

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh High Court legtimises Sharia, says that marriage of a Muslim man with ‘idolatress’ not valid even if registered under Special Marriage Act, would be ‘fasid’

On Monday, May 27, Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that a marriage between a Muslim boy with a Hindu girl is not a valid marriage according to Mohammedan Law while turning down a plea for police protection to register an inter-faith marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, Bar and Bench reported.

Justice Gurpal Singh Ahluwalia, who adjudicated the matter, noted that a marriage between a Muslim boy and a Hindu girl would be treated as an irregular (or fasid) marriage under Muslim personal law.

The Court noted, “As per Mohammedan law, the marriage of a Muslim boy with a girl, who is an idolatress or a fire-worshiper, is not a valid marriage. Even if the marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, the marriage would be no more a valid marriage and it would be an irregular (fasid) marriage.”

The couple, however, wished to marry under the Special Marriage Act. Their counsel told the Court that neither the woman nor the man wished to convert to another religion for the marriage. The woman would continue following the Hindu religion, while the man would continue following Islam after their marriage, their counsel said.

The counsel also asserted that the inter-religious marriage, though prohibited under personal law, would be valid under the Special Marriage Act. The Special Marriage Act would override the personal law, the Counsel highlighted.

The Court proceeded to dismiss the couple’s petition after noting that they were neither willing to be in a live-in relationship without being married nor was the girl (Hindu person) willing to convert to the boy’s religion (Islam).

Advocate Dinesh Kumar Upadhyay appeared for the petitioners (inter-faith couple). Government advocates KS Baghel represented the State, while advocate Rahul Mishra represented the woman’s father.

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