BR Ambedkar was at the epicentre of the political debate during the winter session of the Indian Parliament, which concluded on 20th December this year.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Amit Shah based on the false premise that the latter insulted BR Ambedkar.
He went on to claim that those who believed in Manusmriti would definitely have problems with the Father of the Indian Constitution. The Gandhi scion also made outrageous claims about the holy Hindu text.
Given that BR Ambedkar holds great significance in the context of Indian electoral politics, it is not uncommon for politicians to harp on his name and strengthen their caste-based vote bank.
Although Rahul Gandhi suggested that a believer in Manusmriti would have a problem with the Constitution, it is interesting to note that BR Ambedkar cited Manu to garner support for his Hindu Code Bill in 1949.
The legislation aimed to provide equality by ‘reforming‘ Hindu personal laws including those governing inheritance, marriage, and succession.
Manusmriti and women’s inheritance as guiding light for Hindu Code Bill
BR Ambedkar had contended that giving women rights in property was stated by Smritikars such as Rishi Manu. During the constituent assembly debate on 24th February 1949, he infamously said [pdf]
“There is no doubt about it that the two Smritikars whom I have mentioned Yagnavalkya and Manu, rank the highest among the 137 who had tried their hands in framing Smritis. Both of them have stated that the daughter is entitled to a one-fourth share. It is a pity that somehowfor some reason custom has destroyed the efficacy of that text: otherwise, the daughter would have been, on the basis of our own Smritis, entitled to get one-fourth share.”
He further blamed the Privy Council for prioritising customs over laws, in the absence of which Manusmriti would have empowered women and their inheritance rights years ago.
“I am very sorry for the ruling which the Privy Council gave. It blocked the way for the improvement of our law. The Privy Council in an earlier case said that custom will override law, with the result that it became quite impossible to our Judiciary to examine our ancient codes and to find out what laws were laid down by our Rishis and by our Smritikars. I have not the least doubt about it that if the Privy Council had not given that decision, that custom will override text, some lawyer, some Judge would have found it quite possible to unearth this text of Yagnavalkya and Manusmriti, and women today would have been enjoying, if not more, at least one-fourth of the share of their property.“
While upholding the views of Rishi Manu, BR Ambedkar emphasised,
“However, this is the position, namely, so far as the daughter’s share is concerned, the only innovation that we are making is that her share is increased and that we bring her in the line with the son or the widow. That also, as I say, would not be an innovation if you accept my view that in doing this we are merely going back to the text of the Smritis which you all respect.“
On Sunday, 22nd December, the Maharashtra Police registered a complaint against two persons identified as Jahir Nazir Sheikh and Naziya Nazir Sheikh for brutally assaulting a woman to death in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
As per the initial information obtained by OpIndia, the woman who died was the wife of Jahir and the daughter-in-law of Naziya, and has been identified as Simran. The sections imposed against the accused persons include 80 (dowry death), 85 (cruelty against women by a husband or his relative), and 3(5) (joint criminal liability by multiple people acting together to commit a crime) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023.
The FIR copy obtained by OpIndia reveals that the accused persons constantly assaulted the deceased woman and forced her family, especially her mother for money. The duo harassed the woman and also forced her to perform obscene activities for money. Notably, the harassment has been taking place since their marriage in June this year, however, the incident came to the fore only after the woman video-called her mother seeking help.
The woman, hailing from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, who was already a mother to a 4-year-old boy got married the accused Jahir on 22nd June 2024. After around a month, she started complaining about the harassment that she had to face at the hands of Jahir.
The complaint that has been filed by the mother of the deceased says that Simran used to often visit her in Gwalior and during her trips, she used to complain about Jahir. The deceased woman would accuse Jahir of physical assault and harassment for demands of dowry.
“I used to send him money online so that my daughter could remain safe. He used to also assault my grandson who had been staying with Sheikhs after my daughter’s marriage to Jahir. Simran had also once told me that Jahir used to force her to perform derogatory activities for money,” the mother of the deceased woman stated in the complaint.
Recently, on the 19th of December, the deceased made a video call to her mother crying for help. She said that she was two months pregnant and that her husband accused Jahir and his mother Naziya were physically assaulting her. She stated that Jahir had forced her to eat some substance after which her health had deteriorated.
“She was crying for help. I could see on the call that Naziya had held my daughter in a position and Jahir was kicking on her stomach. After she told me that she was forced to eat something, I immediately sent some money for treatment. I pleaded for her rescue but the duo continued to assault her. She too was screaming for help,” the mother of the deceased said in the complaint.
The complainant further added that she called multiple times to find out about her daughter’s health after the initial call got disconnected. Later, she was informed that her daughter had been taken to the hospital where she was declared dead by the doctors.
The complainant has demanded strict punishment against the accused and said that the dead body of the girl was lying at the hospital for around 2 days. On the other hand, local reports suggest that the accused Jahir assaulted the deceased suspecting that the child she was carrying was not his. Jahir accused the woman of bad character and assaulted her.
The woman was a divorcee and was a mother to a 4-year-old. She was earlier married to a person identified as Baba Sayyed and after the divorce met Jahir who made her fall in ‘love’ with him. However, after she was two months pregnant, he began accusing her of bad character indicating that the child she was carrying was not his.
A police complaint in the given case has been filed and the duo have been booked under relevant sections of the law. No information on the arrest has been obtained yet.
Preparations for Prayagraj Maha Kumbh-2025 are in full swing. Meanwhile, sages and ascetics from many Akharas are coming to participate in the world’s largest religious assembly. Akhara is a place of practice with facilities for boarding, lodging and training, both in the context of Indian martial artists or a Sampradaya (tradition, spiritual lineage, sect or religious system) monastery for religious monks.
Bhairav Akhara is among these akharas. It is also called Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara and is the biggest of the 13 akharas. This is an akhara of Naga sanyasis (warrior monks and worshippers of Lord Shiva also known for their ash-smeared bodies) and holds the glorious history of spirituality and prowess. It is also a reason why Naga ascetics always carry weapons with them including sword, trishul, spear and farsa. They have reportedly fought wars with all the invading forces from the Mughals to the British. There is also an armory in the Juna Akhara, which houses weapons as old as 400 years. Naga sadhus leave their abode with these weapons during Kumbh celebrations.
Purpose of setting up Juna Akhara
Juna Akhara is one of the seven Akharas of the Shaivite Sect. It was established in Karnaprayag, Uttarakhand in 1145 AD, and the first monastery was built there as well. However, some Hindu scholars believe that it was founded in 1259 and was registered in government records in 1860. Lord Shiva or his Rudra avatar, Lord Dattatreya, is the idol of Juna Akhara. Its headquarters and center are located in Varanasi, while the ashram was constructed close to the Mahamaya temple in Haridwar.
Moreover, the Akhara is situated in all major Hindu cities including Ujjain. There are around 5 lakh Naga sadhus in the Akharas. The Akhara was set up to challenge the dominance of the Jain and Buddhist sects. The Naga sadhus were trained in the arts of war and weapons along with being well-versed in scriptures to help in the rise of Hinduism and the Akhara has been running since then. It was formed under the guidance of Adi Shankaracharya and later fought against the Muslim invaders.
Struggles against Abdali, Nizam and Mughals
According to legend, the Naga sadhus of the Akhara defended the temples and monasteries by resisting the Mughals. It is also stated that Ahmad Shah Abdali, an Afghan conqueror and tyrant, proceeded to pillage Gokul after plundering Mathura-Vrindavan, but the Nagas stopped him. As a result, his dream to loot Gokul remained unfulfilled. Naga sadhus also launched a fierce conflict with the Nizam of Junagadh in Gujarat.
The Nizam and his army were routed by the Nagas. He was also reported to be impressed by the military skill of the sadhus. He eventually had to bow before them and invite them to a treaty. The guardian of the Juna Akhara, Mahant Hari Giri, disclosed that the akhara’s sanyasis visited the Nizam to negotiate a treaty. They were invited over dinner under the pretext of handing over Junagadh to them. However, he poisoned their food and killed them. Hundreds of sanyasis lost their lives as a result and those who survived created Juna Akhara.
The valor of the Naga ascetics is narrated in another tale. Jahangir, the Mughal invader, is rumored to have planned to attend the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. The Shaivite and Vaishnava ascetics then constructed a pyramid together and engaged in a covert battle from it. This involved a monk ascending the pyramid who used a knife to stab Jahangir. Their rage for the Mughals was irrepressible. Ashta Kaushal Mahant Yogananda Giri of Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara highlighted that the Naga monks who carry arms and weapons fought against the Mughals. This was followed by their revolt during the rule of the British. He added, “We call these weapons scissors, which are revered by us.”
How does one become a Naga sadhu
One must complete a 12-year training ritual to become a sanyasi of the Akhara. A person who makes this commitment is known as a Brahmachari. The individual then learns the Akhara’s customs and regulations during brahmacharya. One must serve the guru (Spiritual teacher and guide) throughout this time. The Brahmachari is initiated as a Naga sadhu in the Kumbh after the 12-year commitment is honored.
In the beginning, the guru administers the initiation amidst sacred chants and other religious rituals after which victory rites are performed followed by pind daan and other sacrificial rituals to mark the renunciation from material attachments. The process of becoming a Naga sanyasi begins after obtaining Ahuti Diksha. The sanyasi is welcomed into the fold after all the sadhus are assembled under the Dharma Dhwaj (symbol of Sanatan) during the ceremony.
The Digambara, a different guru, is named at this period. Nagas are then sent to work in the Akhara. Usually, Nagas wear Rudraksha and other ornaments around their necks and bodies as well as carry a sword, conch, and trishul in their hands.
On 22nd December (local time), President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed his desire to gain control of Greenland. In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that it was an “absolute necessity.” Notably, Greenland is a part of the North American continent but is part of the Kingdom of Denmark as an autonomous territory.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump announced that Ken Howery would serve as the ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. Howery, who is a co-founder of PayPal and a venture capital fund among other companies, served as ambassador to Sweden during Trump’s first term as President. In the post, Trump further added, “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
Source: Truth Social/Donald Trump
This is not the first time Trump has expressed interest in taking control of Greenland. In 2019, Trump indicated that he wanted to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Greenland is known for its natural resources and geopolitical relevance. His desire to take control of Denmark’s territory, however, drew severe backlash from Denmark’s leaders. The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, categorically said that Greenland was not for sale. During a visit to the island, she had said, “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously.”
Following Frederiksen’s remarks, Trump responded by cancelling a meeting with Denmark’s PM. Notably, there is a US Space Force base, Pituffik Space Base (earlier known as Thule Air Base), located on the northwest coast of Greenland. The island is located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the world’s largest island that is not a continent. The strategic location of Greenland and its close proximity to the Arctic and some countries, including Russia, make it desirable for the US.
Trump’s desire to control the Panama Canal
Not only Greenland, but Trump has also expressed a desire to take control of the Panama Canal. In one of his recent comments, he ‘threatened’ Panama to return control of the Panama Canal to the US. Trump expressed his dismay over the fees Panama charges for American vessels’ passage through the Canal.
Responding to his remarks, the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, said that his country’s independence was non-negotiable. Furthermore, he defended the fees charged for the passage of American vessels, asserting that they were not set “on a whim.”
The Panama Canal was constructed in 1914. Until 31st December 1999, it was the US that managed the Canal. On that date, the control of the Canal was handed over to Panama based on treaties signed in 1977. OpIndia’s detailed report on Panama Canal can be checked here.
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former IAS officer Puja Khedkar and also ordered to vacate the interim protection granted to her.
The bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former IAS officer Puja Khedkar, stating that the UPSC is regarded as a prestigious examination. It further observed that the incident in question represents a fraud not only against an organization but also against society at large. The court emphasized that interrogation is necessary to uncover the conspiracy involved.
As a result, the court ruled that the plea was dismissed, and the interim protection granted to Khedkar was vacated.
The court observed that, prima facie, the conduct in this case appears to be aimed at deceiving the organization. It noted that the individual was not a legitimate candidate for the benefits but had been obtaining them through forged documents. The court also highlighted that the father and mother held high-ranking positions, suggesting the possibility of collusion with influential individuals.
Khedkar is facing criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.
Khedkar through advocate Bina Madhvan stated that she is willing to cooperate with the investigation and submitted that custodial interrogation is not necessary. However, Delhi Police through Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Sanjeev Bhandari informed the court that the investigation is ongoing, and custodial interrogation may be required to uncover the larger conspiracy, adding that certain aspects of the conspiracy still need to be examined.
This name change was done in order to fraudulently avail more attempts, he added.
Earlier, Delhi Police opposed the anticipatory bail plea and informed the Delhi High Court that as the investigation progresses, a larger conspiracy is emerging in the matter.
Meanwhile, the UPSC withdrew its perjury applications, stating that it would file a separate independent application.
The UPSC alleged that Khedkar attempted to manipulate the judicial system and stated that, Puja Khedkar has committed perjury by filing a false affidavit and the intent behind making such blatantly false statement naturally appears to be an attempt for obtaining favourable orders, on the basis of the false statement.
UPSC stated that, the claim that the Commission collected her biometrics is absolutely false made with the sole aim and purpose of deceiving this Court for obtaining favourable orders.
The said claim is denied since the Commission did not collect any biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) during her personality test or carried out any attempts verification on the basis of the same.
The Commission has not collected any biometric information from any candidate during the Personality Test of the Civil Services Examinations held so far. Puja Khedkar recently filed anticipatory bail application in relation to a FIR registered against her for allegedly “faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts beyond permissible limit” in civil services examination.
Recently, Delhi Police registered a FIR on the basis of a complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) against Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar.
The Delhi High Court has also issued notice to suspended IAS trainee Puja Khedkar on an application moved by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) claiming that she made an incorrect assertion in the petition that she was not served the order of cancellation of candidature.
UPSC stated that communication regarding canceling her candidature was communicated to her on her registered mail ID. So she falsely submitted before the Delhi High Court earlier that the press release dated July 31 this year was not officially communicated to her.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
The Panama Canal which is one of the most important trade routes in the world is now at the centre of a major diplomatic firestorm that has drawn global attention. On 22nd December President-elect, Donald Trump warned to reassert U.S. control over the canal as he accused Panama of levying “exorbitant charges” to utilize the passage. Afterward, Jose Raul Mulino, the president of Panama launched a sharp rebuke in retaliation to the comments.
Trump demanded that the canal be returned to US control and lambasted Panama’s handling, telling Panamanian officials to “be guided accordingly.” The development transpired at his first significant rally in Phoenix, Arizona following his victory on 5th November. With many conservatives applauding, he also employed his remarks to commemorate his comeback to power. “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he expressed.
“The Panama Canal is considered a vital national asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s economy and national security. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for US commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to US ports. The United States is the number one user of the canal, with over 70 per cent of all transits heading to, or from, US ports,” he highlighted.
Trump then shed light on its history and conveyed, “Considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at huge cost to the United States in lives and treasure. 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction. Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States at the time of its building and understood the strength of naval power and trade. When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for one dollar, during his term in office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
“The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security.
If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama… pic.twitter.com/LLUO358P9Y
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 22, 2024
Trump added that shippers have to cough up “ridiculous” money to use the crucial transit route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. “It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage. Our navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed on Panama by the US. This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop.”
Additionally, he cautioned to prevent the canal from ending up in the “wrong hands,” citing possible Chinese influence on the passage. Interestingly, two ports on the Caribbean and Pacific entrances of the canal are managed by CK Hutchinson Holdings, a Hong Kong-based company.
“The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood. We would and will never let it fall into the wrong hands. It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. I’m not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly,” he pointed out.
Jose Raul Mulino, the president of Panama, swiftly rejected Trump’s remarks as an insult to his nation’s sovereignty. “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama),” he declared and added, “Panamanians may have different views on many issues. But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.”
He responded to criticism of growing canal prices without specifically mentioning Trump, claiming that professionals decide the tariffs based on supply-and-demand dynamics and operational costs. “The tariffs are not set on a whim,” he argued and then emphasized Panama’s autonomous initiatives to expand the canal over time to handle more ship traffic, noting that fee adjustments fund these improvements. Fees were reportedly increased to cover expenses and maintain the canal’s infrastructure after a difficult year in which droughts affected canal operations. Notably, the canal is key to Panama’s economy and generates about one-fifth of the government’s annual revenue.
“We’ll see about that,” Trump shortly responded, adding a picture of the US flag positioned in the canal zone with the phrase, “Welcome to the United States Canal.”
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 22, 2024
Brief history of Panama Canal
The concept of building a waterway to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans across the Panamanian isthmus was first proposed at least in the 1500s. King Charles I of Spain asked his regional governor to map a path down the Chagres River when explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa discovered that a small landmass separated the two oceans. France was ultimately the first country to attempt the task.
The construction crew began work on a proposed sea-level canal in 1880 under the direction of Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had previously built the Suez Canal in Egypt. The French soon realized that they faced a formidable challenge. There was no effective method to prevent the spread of malaria and yellow fever while the constant rains created massive landslides. De Lesseps redirected work toward a lock canal after realizing too late that a sea-level canal was too difficult, but funding was withdrawn from the project in 1888.
President Theodore Roosevelt’s push and the US Isthmian Canal Commission’s discussions led to the United States’ $40 million purchase of French assets in the canal zone in 1902. The US pushed its military might behind a Panamanian independence movement when a planned treaty concerning building rights in what was then Colombian territory was rejected, and eventually negotiated a settlement with the new government.
Large ships at one of the Panama Canal’s locks. (Source: Britannica)
The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which gave America exclusive and permanent sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone, was signed with Panama on 18th November 1903, after the United States recognized the Republic of Panama on 6th November of the same year. Panama received $10 million and a $250,000 annuity starting nine years later in return.
The massive project started to come to an end in 1913, and after numerous hurdles and difficulties, the Panama Canal formally opened on 15th August. Nearly 240 million cubic yards of rock and gravel were dug up during the American construction phase, and approximately 3.4 million cubic meters of concrete were used in total to build the locks. However, many people lost their lives while constructing the Panama Canal.
Around 5,600 of the 56,000 labourers who were hired between 1904 and 1913 were reported deceased, however, the true number is likely far higher, as the French only documented hospital-related deaths. The United States spent roughly $375,000,000 on the Panama Canal, which included $10,000,000 paid to Panama and $40,000,000 paid to the French when they decided to abandon the project. It was the most expensive construction endeavour in American history at the time.
The Panama Canal, which was strengthened by the construction of the Madden Dam in 1935, was an essential part of the 20th century’s expansion of international commerce routes. A 1977 pact between U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos marked the beginning of the shift to local authority, and on 31st December 1999, the Panama Canal Authority took complete control. After a period of joint administration, Panama finally gained complete control of the canal from Washington in 1999. It was hailed as an important milestone in foreign policy at the time.
Significance of Panama Canal
The canal, which was named one of the seven wonders of the contemporary world by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994, witnessed its one millionth passing ship in September 2010. According to 2019 data, 13 per cent of the Panama Canal’s traffic consisted of cargo from or to China, while 66 per cent of its cargo flow started or ended at a US port, indicating that the United States remains the Canal’s largest customer.
The transit through the Panama Canal of the 72k dwt tanker Sauger
The Panama Canal measures 300 meters in width and 80 kilometres in length. One set of locks and two sets of rivers are part of the canal. The rivers and locks allow ships to move from the Pacific to the Atlantic or from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It serves as a key component of international maritime transportation. As an essential connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal allows ships to circumnavigate the dangerous and time-consuming journey around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. The canal even lessens the environmental impact of international sea transportation by offering a bypass and reducing carbon emissions.
The safe, effective, and dependable operations of the Panama Canal are of great importance to the United States. The strategic importance of the canal goes beyond its economic advantages and includes defensive capabilities, diplomatic links, national security, and logistical resilience. By reducing the distance between ports on the Americas’ east and west coasts, the canal promotes more effective trade and transit. The majority of transiting ships, roughly 72% are traveling to or from American ports.
Ships can save a significant amount of time and fuel by transiting the canal. The goods can be delivered sooner because of the decreased transit time. For industries with just-in-time supply chains, perishable items, and time-sensitive cargoes, this perk is especially remarkable. The canal assists in the passage of a variety of goods, including dry bulk, containers, chemical tankers, LPG carriers, LNG, vehicles, refrigerated freight, general cargo, and passengers. As such, it is essential to worldwide supply networks.
Moreover, the Panama Canal is strategically significant. It improves trade between Asia and North America, fostering closer ties between the two continents. Prior to the canal’s completion, a ship sailing from Los Angeles to Europe would have to either cross the Strait of Magellan or follow the South American coast to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, which is the southernmost point. Others would travel north along the coast after circling Cape Horn before making the journey to Europe. The canal cut the voyage down by almost 8,000 nautical miles. Naturally, this resulted in large financial savings because a trip from beginning to end would be completed considerably faster, saving on fuel and all other operating expenses that rise over time.
Last week, on 17th December, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared that refusing permission for the establishment of a modern slaughterhouse claiming the religious background of the city is entirely unacceptable. The said judgment was delivered by Justice Pranay Verma. The judge emphasised that a State Government notification under the MP Municipalities Act, 1961, that specifically declares a 100-meter radius as a sacred area, does not refer to the entire city as sacred.
As per the reports, permission to establish a slaughterhouse was sought by an individual identified as Sabir Hussain. Following the judgment, the court ordered the Municipal Council of Mandsaur to issue an NOC to Hussain to set up a slaughterhouse for buffalo slaughter and meat trading. Hussain reportedly had filed a petition in the High Court challenging a refusal by the Chief Municipal Officer of Mandsaur who he claimed had denied permission for a slaughterhouse stating the religious nature of the city.
Hussain had submitted an application to the Municipal Council seeking a NOC under Section 264 of the MP Municipalities Act, 1961, to establish a slaughterhouse beyond the 100-meter radius of the sacred area as designated by the 2011 State Government notification. The council however rejected his application stating the underway procedures to locate a suitable land for the modern slaughterhouse.
It added that granting permission to establish a slaughterhouse would offend and hurt the religious sentiments of the citizens of Mandsaur. The council further raised concerns over the potential law and order situation of the city as cited by the City Superintendent of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of City Kotwali, Mandsaur.
Hussain then referred to a 2017 High Court judgment that permitted the establishment of a temporary slaughterhouse until a modern one was set up and demanded that similar directions be issued in the given case.
Rejecting the council’s argument, the court stated, “The reason as has been taken in the return that Mandsaur is a religious city hence permission for establishment of a slaughterhouse cannot be given is wholly unacceptable. The issue is regulated by specific legal provisions and even the notification which has been issued by the State Government on 09.12.2011 has declared an area of only 100 meters in radius to be a sacred area. Only for the issuance of such a notification can the entire city not be considered a sacred area. The stand as taken in the return by the respondent hence cannot be accepted
The Court further criticised the Council’s reliance on police recommendations as it noted that the legal provisions under the Municipalities Act should also be looked upon.
Justice Verma also stated that the Council’s underway procedures to locate suitable land for the modern slaughterhouse did not exempt it from its responsibility to issue a NOC.
The Court then ordered the administrative authorities to issue NOC to Hussain provided the latter succeeds in obtaining necessary permissions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Continuing their drive against child marriage and other social evils, the Assam Police arrested 5348 persons across the state in last two years and registered 5842 cases.
According to the data shared by Assam police, the first drive was launched against child marriage in February 2023 and the second drive was conducted in October 2023.
Assam police arrested 431 persons in the third phase drive on the night of December 21-22 across the state and registered 345 cases. In the first phase drive, police arrested 3425 persons and registered 4387 cases, in the second phase, police arrested 913 persons and registered 682 cases.
M. P. Gupta, ADGP (CID) said that, as per the direction of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, fulfilling his vision, Assam Police has been continuously fighting against the evil of child marriage.
Gupta said that the main goal was to eradicate the social evil of child marriage by 2025.
“The goal is to eradicate the social evil of child marriage by the end of 2025. In this regard 2 numbers of special drives have been conducted earlier in the month of February, 2023 and again in the month of October, 2023. In the first drive against child marriage all over Assam 4,387 cases were registered and 3,425 persons were arrested and in the 2nd drive conducted in the month of October 2023, 682 cases were registered and 913 persons were arrested. In continuity to curb the social evil of child marriage and as per the direction the Chief Minister of Assam, Assam Police launched the 3rd special drive on 21st December, 2024 throughout the state,” the ADGP said while speaking to ANI.
Further, he added that in the current drive a total of 345 cases had been registered in which most of the accused were husbands, family members and Kazis who performed the marriage rituals.
“In the current drive 345 cases were registered and 431 persons were arrested. The arrest include the accused husbands, family members, and the Kazis who performed the marriage rituals. In the first 2 drives 5,181 cases were charge sheeted and it accounts to 95.2% of the cases registered. As a result of these special drives against child marriage. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has come down drastically in the state of Assam,” M. P. Gupta said.
According to the data of Assam police, in the third phase drive, police arrested 68 persons in Dhubri district, 52 persons in Barpeta district, 42 in South Salmara Mankachar district, 22 each in Kamrup and Karimganj district, 21 each in Darrang and Hailakandi district.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Since Sheikh Hasina’s exit from Bangladesh in August 2024, the propaganda news portal The Wire has consistently downplayed the issue of violence against Hindus roiling the neighbouring country. Through a series of reports, op-eds, and interviews, The Wire diminished the severity of the targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities by framing them as politically motivated rather than religiously driven. Though the publication acknowledged the attacks on minorities, it frequently shifted the focus to so-called misinformation by Indian right-wing groups and broader political narratives. Here is an analysis of 10 reports, interviews, and op-eds published by The Wire since August 2024 that clearly show the intention to downplay the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
On 21st December, The Wire published a report quoting the Bangladeshi government’s official response to the Ministry of External Affairs’ reply in the Lok Sabha. The ministry stated that there were 2,200 incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh in 2024. The Bangladeshi press wing, as quoted by The Wire, claimed that there were only 138 incidents of violence between January and November 2024. Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organisation from Bangladesh, provided the numbers.
Source: The Wire
It further claimed that the figures presented by the MEA were close to the numbers published by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, which recorded 2,010 incidents of violence in just 16 days between 4th August and 20th August. Downplaying the incidents of attacks on Hindus and other minorities, the report quoted the press wing as stating that between 5th August and 8th August, there was no government in the neighbouring country. Indirectly, the press wing attempted to evade responsibility, and The Wire followed it. It is unclear on what basis the Bangladeshi government and The Wire dismissed the stats provided by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad.
In an op-ed authored by Partha S. Ghosh published in The Wire on 12th December, the author conspicuously downplayed the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He dismissed concerns about the deteriorating communal situation in the neighbouring country and portrayed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s accusations of genocide against Hindus as “politically motivated” and “exaggerated” to suit her Indian hosts.
Source: The Wire
Ghosh acknowledged the stronghold of pro-Islamic forces in Bangladeshi politics but diminished the gravity of the violence. He questioned the authenticity of reports from Bangladesh regarding the attacks on Hindus and other minorities, attributing them to “fake news” or “Hindutva propaganda.” Furthermore, he claimed that the communal situation in Bangladesh is no different from that in India and indirectly shifted the focus from the targeted violence faced by minorities in Bangladesh to criticising the BJP-led central government in India. He wrote, “As such, when the BJP, which has been ruling India for ten long years with its avowedly anti-Muslim politics, tends to shed tears for the minorities in a neighbouring country it sounds rather ironical.” In doing so, he minimised the plight of the victims and sidestepped the responsibility of addressing the issue at its core.
Source: The Wire
Even in regular reports, The Wire did not miss any opportunity to portray day-to-day life in Bangladesh as “normal” while accusing the BJP of circulating videos of “violence” against minorities in India. In a report published on 10th December on declining trade between Bangladesh and India at Petrapole in West Bengal, The Wire quoted a trader from Bongaon, Tapan Saha, who, according to the portal, claimed that “everyday life in Dhaka seemed normal” to him and that it was puzzling to see videos of unrest shared by the BJP on social media, which were absent from Bangladeshi media.
Source: The Wire
In another report published on 5th December, The Wire effectively downplayed the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh by amplifying the narrative of interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and other Bangladeshi officials. The report highlighted allegations made by Yunus, claiming that reports of attacks on minorities were “exaggerated” and part of a “fabricated narrative” spread by India and other global powers.
Source: The Wire
It further cited Yunus’s claims that Durga Puja was celebrated “peacefully” despite anticipated troubles, portraying Indian concerns as unfounded. The Wire subtly diverted attention from the plight of minorities to Bangladesh’s grievances over incidents such as the Agartala protest. Notably, the protest and the alleged attack on the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala had already been condemned by the Indian government.
Source: The Wire
Interestingly, on 3rd December, The Wire published a report citing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who claimed that “anti-Bangladesh sentiment” has been fuelled in India. Citing a post on X by Rahman, The Wire quoted him saying, “Since the fall of autocrat Sheikh Hasina, there is an increase of inflammatory media commentary and political rhetoric against Bangladesh coming from certain Indian quarters. There is now an echo chamber filled with misinformation, fuelling persistent anti-Bangladesh sentiment.”
Source: The Wire
Notably, Rahman, currently living in the United Kingdom under forced exile, is the prime convict and mastermind of the 21st August 2004 terrorist grenade attack on the Awami League’s political rally. Having fled to London in 2008, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the grenade attack in 2018. However, on 1st December, the Bangladesh Supreme Court quashed all lower courts’ decisions against him in the 2004 attack.
Ironically, while Rahman alleged the existence of anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India, he called for a boycott of Indian products. In early 2024, he orchestrated a campaign against India, primarily on social media platforms, using the hashtag #IndiaOut.
On 29th November, in an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Zafar Sobhan, editor of the Dhaka Tribune, downplayed the severity of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by asserting that the situation has “far improved” compared to previous months.
During the discussion on the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, Sobhan criticised the sedition charges as “out of line, unwarranted and unwise” but simultaneously shifted focus to blaming Indian politicians and media for allegedly exaggerating the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Source: The Wire
He cited Bangladesh’s transition following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and echoed interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s dismissal of reports on Hindu persecution as “propaganda,” subtly minimising the targeted violence against minorities. The Wire’s report on the interview noted him saying, “Our neighbour, our friend, our ally needs to understand that Bangladesh is a country in transition, and after the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina ‘autocracy’, there will be a period of uncertainty and instability, but, importantly, it’s being brought under control.”
In an alleged fact-checking report published by Prothom Alo and featured on The Wire on 19th August, the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh were effectively downplayed by citing a study from Rumor Scanner. The report accused Indian media outlets and individuals of spreading communal misinformation. The report scrutinised social media posts that allegedly misrepresented incidents in Bangladesh as attacks on Hindus, yet it failed to adequately address several incidents of violence or the plight of the Hindu victims.
Source: The Wire
By focusing heavily on debunking misinformation from Indian sources, the report shifted attention away from the real concerns of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The report even accused OpIndia of spreading misinformation while downplaying the extensive reporting done by the portal highlighting attacks on Hindus following Sheikh Hasina’s exit.
In a report published by The Wire on 18th August, which mentioned Bangladesh’s claims that reports of attacks on its Hindu minorities were “exaggerated,” the historical data presents a contrasting reality. While The Wire cited a so-called fact-checker to contest Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the declining Hindu population in Bangladesh, official Bangladeshi data shows a significant decline in the minority population.
Source: The Wire
The “Percentage Distribution of Population by Religious Communities” indicates a drop from 33% in 1901 to 10.5% in 1991, with the 2022 census confirming a further reduction to just 7.95%. HM Shah, while distributing citizenship certificates to Hindu refugees in Gujarat under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), highlighted the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, attributing the decline to forced conversions and systemic discrimination.
In an op-ed by Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee published in The Wire on 17th August, the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are downplayed by framing the violence as political rather than religious. Bhattacharjee echoes interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s rhetoric, suggesting that Hindus asking for special safeguards were “compartmentalising their demands” and detracting from a nationalistic “humanist aspiration.”
Source: The Wire
While acknowledging the violence, the op-ed misrepresents it as an extension of political retribution linked to the Awami League rather than targeted religious persecution. Furthermore, it accuses Indian right-wing groups of making a mockery of Bangladeshi Hindus’ suffering by allegedly exaggerating their distress to foster animosity against Indian Muslims. The author went ahead and compared the Islamist organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned by Bangladesh, with RSS in India. He wrote, “Just as the RSS says there are no minorities in India, the Jamaat’s ‘emir’ says no one is a minority in Bangladesh as everyone is equal before the law.” By prioritising critiques of Indian narratives and advancing a universalist framework, the op-ed categorically downplayed the gravity of the attacks and the specific vulnerabilities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
In an op-ed by Ram Puniyani published in The Wire on 15th August, the author severely downplayed the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by portraying them as politically motivated rather than religiously targeted. Though he acknowledged that there were attacks on Hindus, the author emphasised narratives of pluralism and democratic progress in Bangladesh.
Source: The Wire
He claimed that Yunus and student groups were “protecting” Hindu temples. Simultaneously, he criticised the Indian response and accused right-wing groups and media of spreading misinformation, which fuelled Islamophobia in India and perpetuated divisive rhetoric.
Source: The Wire
His extensive focus on “Indian propaganda” and conflating the violence with broader political unrest diminished the severity of targeted attacks on Hindus. He attempted to shift the narrative towards communalism in India rather than addressing the root causes of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
Simultaneously, he criticised the Indian response and accused right-wing groups and media of spreading misinformation, which fuelled Islamophobia in India and perpetuated divisive rhetoric. His extensive focus on “Indian propaganda” and conflating the violence with broader political unrest diminished the severity of targeted attacks on Hindus. He attempted to shift the narrative towards communalism in India rather than addressing the root causes of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
The Wire kept its emphasis on the claims of exaggerated reports and Indian propaganda, setting a narrative to deflect attention from the alarming persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Historical data highlights a significant decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh, but The Wire, instead of verifying the statistics itself, relied on another propagandist portal’s report to downplay the population decline. Throughout its reporting, The Wire remained more invested in criticising the Indian response rather than holding the interim government in Bangladesh accountable.
On Monday (23rd December), three Khalistani terrorists were injured in a police encounter in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.
They were initially treated at the Community Health Centre in Puranpur, before being shifted to the district hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.
The Khalistani terrorists neutralised in the police encounter included Gurwinder Singh, Virendra Singh, and Jasanpreet Singh. They were wanted for attacking a police post with a grenade in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
VIDEO | Pilibhit Encounter: "The three injured accused were referred to the district hospital after initial treatment at CHC Puranpur. However, the CMO and his team confirmed that they dead upon arrival here. Two AK47s, two foreign made Glock pistols and a huge cache of… pic.twitter.com/lihFwb1zgS
As per the initial reports, these Khalistani terrorists were associated with the banned Khalistan Commando Force. The authorities have recovered two AK-47 rifles and two Glock pistols from their possession.
The police acted upon the tip-off and gheraoed the region to restrict the terrorist movement. Following this, the police asked the terrorists to surrender.
On their refusal, a major scuffle happened between the police and the accused persons after which the encounter was executed in which three terrorists were put to death.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar commented on the matter and confirmed that the operation was conducted as a part of joint efforts put in by the Punjab Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The UP police were informed that the terrorists had been hiding in the Pilibht district and that they were wanted in Punjab after they attacked a police post in Gurdaspur.
“We first asked them to surrender. But they failed to surrender. After this, a major scuffle occurred between the authorities and the terrorists following which the encounter was executed. The injured terrorists were taken to the hospital for treatment but they were declared dead. This is the result of our joint efforts,” he said.
