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As SGPC demands release of Sikh prisoners after release of Rajiv Gandhi murder convicts, read how Khalistanis repeatedly attempted to kill him and might have helped LTTE

Anurag
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As SGPC demands release of Sikh prisoners after release of Rajiv Gandhi murder convicts, read how Khalistanis repeatedly attempted to kill him and might have helped LTTE

On November 11, following the Supreme Court’s orders to release convicts of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) issued a statement and demanded the release of Sikh prisoners. In a statement, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami questioned why similar release orders were not being passed in the cases of Sikh prisoners.

Dhami added that the community has been demanding the release of Sikh prisoners lodged in different jails for the last three decades, but the governments have not responded positively. He claimed, “There are many such cases in which the governments have been merciful to the prisoners with heinous charges like murder, rape, etc. On the other hand, injustice is being done to the Sikh prisoners.”

Dhami named Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, Gurdeep Singh Khera and Balwant Singh Rajoana in his statement and targeted Delhi Government, Karnataka Government and Central Government, respectively, for not releasing the prisoners. He mentioned Tamil Nadu Government’s recommendation in the release of the assassinations of Rajiv Gandhi and questioned why other state and central governments failed to do the same for the Sikh prisoners. He said, “This discrimination is deeply hurtful to Sikh sentiments, about which governments should be serious.”

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal echoed the demand. In a tweet, he said, “Is there still a reason for not releasing Bandi Singhs who have completed their jail terms? If GOI needed any const ground to fulfil PM’s promise on Guru Nanak DevJi’s 550th Parkash Purab, SC provided it by setting Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins free. Release Bandi Singhs forthwith.” (Bandi Singhs means Sikh Prisoners.)

Jain Commission Report on Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination attempts

While Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE, the Khalistanig terrorists also attempted to take his life multiple times. One of the most famous threats given to Gandhi repeatedly by Khalistani terrorists and sympathisers was ‘Oh Rajiv teri maa maari aa, hun teri baari aa’ (Oh Rajiv your mother was killed and now it is your turn). This threat was repeated by several Khalistani terrorists during speeches, addresses and interviews.

Between 1984 and 1991, there were several attempts on Rajiv Gandhi’s life by Khalistani terrorists. The Volume III of The Jain Commission Report on Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination talked about the threats to Gandhi and his security. Chapters 8 to 10 of Volume III had details of Sikh extremists’ attempts on Rajiv Gandhi’s life.

The commission report noted that the threat to Gandhi’s life was from Sikh extremists living in India as well as foreign countries. It also pointed towards the role of Pakistani agencies in threat perception. The report stated that the threat to Gandhi’s life began before he became the Prime Minister and continued after he ceased to hold office.

They reported that following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the resentment against the Gandhi family among the alienated Sikhs came to focus. The alleged justification of anti-Sikh riots by Gandhi and the hanging of Satwant Singh (convict of Indira Gandhi’s assassination) and Kehar Singh (co-conspirator of Indira Gandhi’s assassination) added to the resentment.

Almost all the Sikh extremists and terrorist groups including Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK), Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and others expressed the desire to assassinate him at some point.

Domestic threats and assassination attempts on Rajiv Gandhi’s life

On October 2, 1986, there was an attempt on Gandhi’s life during Gandhi Jayanti but he escaped unhurt. A gunman named Karamjit Singh had fired shots using a country-made gun at Gandhi Samadhi at Raj Ghat, where PM Rajiv Gandhi, President Zail Singh and other dignitaries were present. Several bullets were fired, and Congress MLA Brijender Singh Mowai and former judge Ram Charan Lal were hit. Karamjit Singh was nabbed after he had fired several rounds, most of which missed as he was using a poor-quality country-made gun.

In 1987, a Khalistani terrorist Harjinder Singh Jinda was arrested for the assassination of Congress leader Lalit Maken. During interrogation, he revealed after killing Maken in 1985, he was assigned to assassinate Gandhi, but he could not succeed.

Intelligence Bureau reports suggested that in January 1988, KCF terrorist Daljit Singh visited Delhi along with Sukhdev Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Kanwaljit Singh to plan an attack on Gandhi. They allegedly procured four 2-inch mortars, 2 rocket launchers, 20 shoulder-firing missiles and 2 115 mm mortar guns from Pakistan. Apart from these deadly weapons, they allegedly got their hands on SMGs or stun guns, LMGs, assorted small weapons and over 150 China-made AK-47 rifles. The plan did not bear any fruit.

The commission report also pointed towards an alleged attempt to blow up an aeroplane in which Gandhi and other VIPs were travelling. Labh Singh’s group of KCF was named in the attempt. They allegedly procured sophisticated weapons from Canada for the attempt on Gandhi’s life.

On March 29, 1988, Gandhi visited Amritsar with other VIPs. As per the commission report, Sikh extremists in their teens allegedly asserted their determination to kill Gandhi. As per Financial Times correspondent John Eliot, Giani Jagir Singh of Golden Temple asserted they would kill Rajiv and Ribeiro. A large cache of weapons, including RPG-7 rockets, AK-47 rifles, and explosive devices, were recovered from the possession of extremists.

In May 1988, a Khalistani terrorist identified as Gurbax Singh Sahota alias Budha visited Punjab to attempt the assassination of Gandhi.

Prominent Khalistani terrorists whose names came to the fore at that time were Gurnam Singh Bundala, Member Council of Khalistan and Convenor of All Indian Sikh Students Federation(AISSF), Dr Jagdish Singh Buttar(AISSF) and Sukhdev Singh Jhamke (KCF). Suicide squads from Jalandhar, Tarn Taran and Bathinda, were reportedly formed for the assassination attempt. Furthermore, underground members of AISSF, Subeh Singh and Jagjit Singh, were assigned tasks to create disturbance in Bathinda to cause distraction and plan attacks on VVIPs.

In 1988, there was an indication that Sikh extremists based in Pakistan got hold of 2 to 6 stringer missiles that they allegedly procured from Afghan Mujahideens. Adequate protection for then-PM Gandhi’s aircraft was provided in light of the threat.

In August 1988, intelligence agencies received input that a group of 63 infiltrants entered India to make an attempt on the lives of Gandhi and Buta Singh by the end of October 1988.

In September 1988, when Gandhi was scheduled to visit Punjab, there were intelligence reports that suggested KCF had communicated with its members that Gandhi might visit Golden Temple secretly. Later, KCF was assigned the task of eliminating Gandhi if he visited the Golden Temple Complex. Reportedly, Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh might have been offered to Punjab Police personnel to place an explosive device under the rostrum from where Gandhi was scheduled to deliver his address. There were alleged plans by Panthic Committee and KCF to blow up a vehicle in the vicinity of PM’s route during his visit to Punjab.

In December 1988, arms and ammunition were allegedly smuggled into India to attempt the assassination of Gandhi on January 26, 1989. The attempt was not fruitful.

In January 1989, Jaswinder Singh Hundal of the Khalistan movement in North America and a member of ISYF attempted to enter India to conspire with the assassination of Gandhi.

In February 1989, it came to light that two Air Force Personnel from IAF station Ambala were approached by a “common friend” in 1985 at a marriage party. The commission report noted, “they had shown their keenness to serve “cause of Sikh Panth” by attempting the life of former PM.”

In April 1989, Ajit Singh Qadian of AISSE declared the days of Rajiv Gandhi were numbered while talking to a group of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). In the same month, Pakistan-based leaders of BTFK allegedly asked its cadres in India to use 6KM to 8KM range missiles to cause damage to PM House, Parliament House, Hindu localities and Connaught Place in Delhi.

In July 1989, so-called Area Commander Bakshish Singh of KLF received a letter from one Sarbjit Singh, who expressed his keenness to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi provided he was given Rs 5 crores and weapons.

In December 1990, 24 Sikhs from Punjab were allegedly sent to New Delhi to assassinate prominent personalities, with Gandhi being the prime target. However, attempts were neutralised by the security forces. It came to light that a BTEK (Manochahal group) terrorist Satnam Singh was tasked to assassinate Gandhi.

Babbar Khalsa terrorists in allegiance to gangs of Madha Singh, Dharam Singh Kashtiwal and Sukhdev Singh Chhabra were allegedly assigned the task to attempt the assassination of Gandhi during the election campaign in Delhi. Babbar Khalsa group in the UK also allegedly planned the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and his son Rahul Gandhi using unconventional methods, including poisonous gloves.

On May 14, 1991, Harpreet Singh Rangi and Sukhbeer Singh Khanna attempted the assassination of Gandhi but failed. They had attended two public election rallies at Shahdara, New Delhi and then at Faridabad. Khalistan National Army was believed to be behind the attempts.

Two incidents were crucial before the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. On May 17, 1991, a public meeting that Jagdish Tytler was addressing was attacked. On May 19, 1991, Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was attacked by Khalistani terrorists. Two police personnel and a bystander were killed. Following the incidents, the Intelligence Bureau recommended NSG escort Rajiv Gandhi on May 20, 1991. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991, while the process to provide him NSG escort was underway.

Foreign threats and assassination attempts on Rajiv Gandhi’s life

There were several attempts on Rajiv Gandhi’s life in foreign land too.

In January 1985, the Federal Bureau of Investigation found out that Khalistani terrorists based in New York were planning to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi. They aimed to bomb strategic locations, including nuclear plants in India. Three terrorists, identified as Gurpratap Singh Birk, Lal Singh and Ammand Singh, were found to be attempting to train cadres in the USA in the use of explosives, automatic weapons, chemical warfare and urban guerilla tactics. Reportedly, they were trying to get in touch with suppliers of C4 explosives and machine guns in India. In its report, the FBI said Gurpratap Singh Birk, Lal Singh and Ammand Singh were booked on charges of conspiracy to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi while he was in the US. Birk was convicted of seven years of imprisonment for conspiracy to carry military enterprise against India but acquitted on the count of attempting assassination of Gandhi as the evidence was found to be weak.

In April 1985, the FBI found out that the leader of a terrorist group attended the ‘World Sikh Conference’ in London. He started a campaign to arrange Gandhi’s assassination during his US visit and was willing to pay USD 60,000.

In June 1985, Gandhi had planned to visit Paris. There were plans to observe a hunger strike by the Sikhs and submit a memorandum to him. However, there were also rumours that there might be a possible attempt on Gandhi’s life. The French Authorities took effective preventive action against the threat.

In October 1985, an assassination attempt on Gandhi was unearned by British Police during his 2-day visit to the UK. Jarnail Singh Ranuana, Parmatma Singh Marwaha, Harminder Singh Rai and Sukhwinder Singh Gill were arrested in the matter. Ranuana was sentenced to 16 years, and Gill was sentenced to 14 years. However, the other two were acquitted.

Another plot was unearthed by British Police where an unknown Sikh had approached a British soldier to kill someone for a large sum of money. It was unclear if it was for Gandhi or someone else.

In November-December 1987, Panthic Committee member Wassan Singh Jaffarwal allegedly visited Pakistan and sought their support to send infiltrators in the guise of Hindus to kill Gandhi. The committee allegedly attempted to approach the Israeli government to hire Israeli commandos to attack VIPs in India and on foreign land.

In May 1988, a rally was organised by Damdami Taksal, Jatha Bhindran, ISYF, Council of Khalistan, Dal Khalsa and World Sikh Organisation at Hyde Park, London, to protest against Indian security forces’ action at Golden Temple (Operation Black Thunder II). Threats to Rajiv Gandhi’s life were issued during the rally.

During Gandhi’s visit to Pakistan to attend SAARC Summit, there were reports of a possible attempt on his life by Babbar Khalsa’s Talwinder Singh Parmar.

In October 1990, a close-door meeting was allegedly held at New Castle, UK. It was attended by Tarsem Singh Pattar, General Secretary of the ISYF(N), UK, Daljit Singh Shergill, Lakhwinder Sikh Malhi, Hardesh Singh (Norway) and one Malwinder Singh from the Federal Republic of Germany. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of attempting the assassination of Gandhi during electioneering.

The nexus between LTTE and Khalistani terrorists

As per the Jain Commission report, Intelligence reports suggested that the links between LTTE and Khalistani terrorists flourished as early as 1987. As per the information provided by RAW, “Some unidentified Sri Lankan Tamils in Oslo sympathetic to the LTTE have also come to notice for trying to establish contact with Sikhs there. In a recent conversation with the Sikhs, they reportedly sought to blame our Prime Minister for the recent developments and suggested the latter should be killed.”

The founder of the Khalistan movement, Jagjit Singh Chohan, had allegedly tried to bring all militant groups under one roof to fight the Indian government. As per the commission report, two LTTE representatives met him in London on January 22, 1988, to know his position in terms of an armed struggle. Chohan allegedly assured them to form a common policy for Sikhs, Tamils and Muslims.

In early 1988, young Khalistani extremists in Southall, UK, had allegedly approached LTTE extremists to procure weapons for Khalistani extremists in India, but it was not fruitful.

Though there were no clear indications that Khalistani terror groups provided support to the LTTE to assassinate Gandhi, the timeline of attacks on Congress leaders, repeated attempts on Gandhi’s life and the nexus between Khalistani elements and LTTE might point towards the possibility.

Amid divorce rumours, Pakistan-based OTT platform Urduflix announces reality show featuring Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik

OpIndia Staff
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Amid divorce rumours, Pakistan-based OTT platform Urduflix announces reality show featuring Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik

The couple, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, who made headlines last week for their separation, have now thrown their fans in surprise and puzzled. Reportedly the two will shortly be seen together on a reality show, even though the pair have not confirmed nor rejected the divorce rumours.

The show will stream on the OTT platform Urduflix and has the working title of ‘The Mirza Malik Show.’ Urduflix made the announcement on Instagram and tagged Sania and Shoaib. UrduFlix is Pakistan’s Urdu over-the-top (OTT) platform. The company posted a picture of the athletes on its Instagram account with the caption “The Mirza Malik Show very soon only on Urduflix.”

Sania is shown standing with her hand on Shoiab’s shoulder on the poster. The Burj Khalifa may be seen in the backdrop visuals. Currently, the pair is living in Dubai.

Urduflix is a Pakistan-based OTT platform which streams various shows that include Pakistani, Iranian, Arabic, Turkish etc content. It claims to be Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform.

While their fans are overjoyed by the news, others are also questioning whether the divorce rumour is a PR gimmick to promote the show. A fan wrote, “So divorce was for publicity purposes. Shame!” Another Instagram user commented, “But I heard they are divorced. What about that?” Replying to this comment, another user wrote, “It was all a publicity stunt to generate fame and money. Like always they achieved that!!!”

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik moved to Dubai after getting married in 2010. Izhaan, their son, was born in 2018. According to rumors, Shoaib Malik was cheating on Sania Mirza. Ayesha Omar, a model from Pakistan, has been connected to him. According to Pakistani media reports last week, the two are finalizing the legal processes to dissolve their marriage.

Don’t be surprised by the misogyny of Akhil Giri, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee herself has been accused of trivialising rape on multiple occasions

Dibakar Dutta
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Don’t be surprised by the misogyny of Akhil Giri, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee herself has been accused of trivialising rape on multiple occasions

Trinamool Congress Minister Akhil Giri is under the spotlight for his misogynist remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, who is the first member of the tribal community to hold the post of the Indian President.

Giri, who serves as the Minister for Correctional Administration, was recently heard as saying, “He (Suvendu Adhikari) claimed that I don’t look good. How beautiful is Suvendu? We don’t judge people by their appearance. We respect the office of the President (Draupadi Murmu). But have you looked at her face?”

His derogatory remarks have drawn the ire of social media users and politicians alike, who are now questioning the party for harbouring such a Minister.

Trinamool Congress has a history of misogynist behaviour, even though some of the party leaders are known to mouth platitudes about women’s empowerment. A big part of the problem is the TMC supremo herself, who has a history of victim blaming and has been accused of trivialising heinous crimes such as rape.

In April this year, TMC supremo Banerjee downplayed the brutal rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Nadia’s Hanskhali village. She claimed that ‘everyone was aware of the girl’s love affair, so one was left to wonder here whether it was an actual rape or pregnancy that went wrong’.

“As a layman, I am saying where would someone get the evidence of whether the girl was actually raped or pregnant. Or was there any other reason, like someone beat her up or she died of some illness?” Banerjee remarked.

“There was a love affair for sure, her family knew about it, and their neighbours also knew about it. Now if a girl and a boy love each other, I cannot punish them”, she cast aspersions on the case.

The West Bengal Chief Minister blatantly attempted to trivialise statutory rape, only because the prime accused in the case was the son of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Gajna Gram Panchayat member Samar Gowla.

The Infamous Park Street Case

From time to time, Mamata Banerjee had tried to insinuate that rape cases in West Bengal were motivated by political vendetta. She has often accused victims of lying and staging a ‘rape’ to defame her government.

The most glaring example of such problematic behaviour has been her remarks in the aftermath of the 2012 Park Street rape case. An Anglo-Indian woman, by the name Suzette Jordan, was raped in a moving car by five men on February 6, 2012, when she was returning home from Park Street in Kolkata.

Soon after the news surfaced, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee absolved the accused of all charges. She had dubbed the incident as ‘shajano ghotona‘ (concocted incident) that was allegedly ‘designed to malign the government.’

Three years later in 2015, a Kolkata Court upheld the rape charges in the Park Street case and found accused Nasir Khan, Ruman Khan and Sumit Bajaj guilty.

When Mamata Banerjee blamed malls and multiplexes for rise in rape cases

After another rape case in Burdwan’s Katwa in the same year, Mamata Banerjee again dismissed the rape allegations, even before the investigation was concluded.

“A political party is doing all this, shouting rape. They are playing this drama. Harmader diye natok shajachhe jatey Banglar nam kharap hochhe (They are staging an act to give a bad name to West Bengal)”, she was heard as saying.

In 2013, during a debate in the West Bengal legislative assembly about the rising cases of rapes in the State, the CM insinuated that it was due to an increase in the population of the State. She had also blamed modernisation, an increase in shopping malls and multiplexes for rising rape cases.

Akhil Giri gets away with mere lip service

When Mamata Banerjee herself has made disparaging comments about rape victims, it, therefore, comes as no surprise why Akhil Giri was able to get away after mocking the physical appearance of President Droupadi Murmu.

TMC brushed off its responsibility by putting out a tweet of ‘condemnation’ and not taking any concrete action against its motormouth leader. And this bolstered the politician to use his apology to further rationalise his statements.

“I respect President. I mentioned the post & made a comparison to respond to Suvendu Adhikari, I didn’t take any name. He had said Akhil Giri looks bad in his appearance. I’m a Minister, took oath to office. If something is said against me, it’s an insult to Constitution. I said ‘President’, I didn’t take anyone’s name,” he had justified.

For all those who are outraged by the remarks of Akhil Giri, there is little hope of grievance redressal within the Mamata Banerjee-led-Trinamool Congress since the culture pretty much stems from the top.

Madhya Pradesh: 3 children separated from parents during lockdown converted to Islam, FIR filed against children’s home operator Haseen Parvez

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: 3 children separated from parents during lockdown converted to Islam, FIR filed against children’s home operator Haseen Parvez

On Saturday (November 12), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman Priyank Kanoongo informed that a case of religious conversion of three children in a children’s home has come to notice in NCPCR’s recent investigation in Madhya Pradesh. 

Kanoongo took to Twitter to inform about the incident and wrote, “During an inspection of a child welfare centre in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, a case was found where the operator was changing the names and religion of three children,” he tweeted.

Haseen Parvez, the operator of the centre, changed the religion of the three children to Islam, changed their names to Muslim ones and got their Aadhar cards made. He also claimed himself to be their guardian of the children and put his name on their Aadhaar cards. One of the children was reportedly renamed Shahrukh.

The matter came to light during an inspection of the centre by NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo after receiving an oral complaint. When he talked to the children, they said that their original names were different which have been changed at the centre. After that, Kanoongo ordered a probe and confiscation of records.

According to media reports, the incident occurred in the Gauharganj area. The three siblings who converted to Islam are all minors, aged 4, 6, and 8. The converted minors involved two girls and one boy.  These children are said to be from Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district and belong to a Hindu family under the OBC category.

During the lockdown amid the Corona pandemic in the year 2020, all three were separated from their parents in the Mandideep area. They were found roaming around near Bhopal, and they were sent to Raisen Child Welfare Committee by the Bhopal Child Welfare Committee. As the parents of the children could not be located, they were handed over to the Children’s Home in Gauharganj run by Navjeevan Samajik Sanstha. It was decided that they will stay at this centre until their parents can be located.

Taking benefit of the absence of their parents, the Children’s Home operator Haseen Parvez converted them to Islam. He claimed that the person who brought the children to the centre had said that they are Muslims.

An FIR has been filed against the centre’s operator Haseen Parvez. This child centre is a government-funded private entity. Kanoongo stated that the operator will be restricted from operating a similar facility in the future.

In meanwhile, the father of the children has been located, but there is no information of the mother yet.

Mukesh Ambani joins the race to buy English Premier League club Liverpool FC

OpIndia Staff
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Mukesh Ambani joins the race to buy English Premier League club Liverpool FC

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has joined the race to purchase the prestigious English Premier League football team Liverpool FC. The present owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), decided to put the club up for sale earlier this week. They bought Liverpool FC for 300 Million Pounds back in 2010. If Mukesh Ambani wants to buy the club, he will have to beat off competition from companies in the Middle East and the United States.

According to a report by Mirror, FSG wants to sell the club for £4 billion. The amount is unlikely to faze Ambani as the 8th richest person in the world is worth $90 Billion and he loves to invest in sports. In addition to being the commercial partner of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Mukesh Ambani, chairman of RIL and the second-richest industrialist in India, has also backed Indian Super League for Football in India. Ambani also owns Mumbai Indians, the most successful side in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. ​

A statement from FSG read, “There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumors of changes in ownership at EPL clubs and inevitably, we are asked regularly about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool.”

It further said, “FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions, we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club.”

The Anfield team has seen tremendous success under FSG in recent years, with Jurgen Klopp’s team finally winning the Premier League for the club, their first league title in 3 decades. The club also went on to win the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and European Super Cup titles over the last three years. ​

However, FSG has not always given a black cheque book to the manager to buy players in the transfer window as they have been required to sell players to raise money before buying. However, with Ambani’s wealth, the shackles might be off their transfer activity and the club may become more adventurous in the transfer market.

Uttar Pradesh: Rizwan, Shahrukh, and Imran steal Kaali idol, Sheshnag, and lamps from a Hindu temple, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Rizwan, Shahrukh, and Imran steal Kaali idol, Sheshnag, and lamps from a Hindu temple, arrested

In Uttar Pradesh’s Agra district, police have arrested 3 persons, identified as Shahrukh, Rizwan Qureshi, and Imran on charges of theft inside a temple. From the culprits, the Police recovered items stolen from the Hindu temple, including a Maa Kaali idol, bells, a lamp (Diya) used for doing Aarti, and a Sheshnag idol. The incident reportedly took place on  November 9 and all three accused were arrested on Friday (November 12). One of the accused is said to be a member of the Minority Morcha of a political party.

The reported incident took place in the Lohamandi police station area.  Hemant Kumar Prajapati, a local resident filed the complaint following the theft in the temple. According to his complaint, on the morning of November 9th, the lock of the main gate of Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Pul Chhinga Modi was found broken. According to Hemant, everything was scattered on the temple floor that morning. Tarun Sharma, a priest, is said to be present when they went inside and discovered that many of the temple’s articles had been stolen.

According to the complainant, the police were immediately notified about the incident. As per the complaint, the money in the donation box, Kaali Maa statue, bells and the lamp used for performing the aarti, the yellow metal Sheshnag idol, the lamp, the electric drum used for performing the aarti, two buckets, fans were all missing. In his complaint, Hemant Kumar demanded that the police take strict action against the unknown thieves.

The police registered a complaint against unknown thieves under Section 380 of the IPC based on Hemant’s complaint. After further investigation, the police identified Rizwan, Shahrukh, and Imran as the perpetrators of the crime. The majority of the items stolen from the temple were also recovered from them.

According to the police, additional legal action is being taken in accordance with the rules. According to reports, all three accused had planned to sell the goods stolen from the temple but were caught before they could do it.

Navbharat Times journalist claims UPI and Digital payments not working anywhere in Gujarat except Ahmedabad, found to be false

Gopal Tiwari
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Navbharat Times journalist claims UPI and Digital payments not working anywhere in Gujarat except Ahmedabad, found to be false

Journalists from news channels across the country are rushing to Gujarat because of the Gujarat Assembly elections. Most of them are seen covering the news of their main subject of interest i.e. Gujarat elections, while some are forced by their habits and are seen trying to tarnish the image of Gujarat in some way or the other. Recently, a journalist made ridiculous claims about digital and UPI payments in Gujarat which are completely baseless.

Navbharat Times journalist Mithilesh Dhar Dubey, who calls himself ‘Bhadohi Wallah’ on Twitter, made this claim alleging that digital payments do not work in the state. Warning journalists coming to Gujarat for reporting on Gujarat elections, he tweeted, “Warning/suggestions for journalist colleagues coming to Gujarat reporting – Bring enough cash. Besides Ahmedabad, the facility of payment from Google Pay, Phone Pay, Paytm, etc. is negligible in other districts. The facility for payment by card is also very low.”

After Mithilesh tweeted this, Abhiyan magazine’s reporter Arjav Parekh replied, “This is absolutely wrong. Digital payments have also reached villages and towns in Gujarat. We live in Gujarat, we know.” In response, the Navbharat Times journalist wrote another claim in a replying tweet that read, “I am in Rajkot. If there is a facility for digital payment in the Honest restaurant – one of the most famous food chains in Gujarat – tell me. From Ahmedabad to Rajkot, I saw it. This is just an example. In UP Bihar, even a Bhujiawala also takes online payment.”

Fact-check by OpIndia

As a journalist and as a Gujarati, I also know that these claims of Mithilesh are false, yet we, OpIndia, thought of directly fact-checking this attempt of tarnishing the image of Gujarat.

A local source, Ram Sinh Zala, who lives in Rajkot, was contacted by OpIndia. At first, he tried to find out the truth of this claim on the call. After that, Zala said, “This is a baseless claim. The digital payment option has been going on here for years not only in hotels but also on small lanes.”

Ram Sinh Zala asked OpIndia to give him just 10 minutes and said, “I’m just going to an Honest restaurant outlet nearby and checking for your to know what is the truth.” After some time, Ramsinh Zala reached the outlet of the Honest Restaurant on Kalavad Road in Rajkot and from there made a video call to show us that digital and UPI payment facilities are available there.

An online payment facility is available in theHonest Restaurant. Image Source: Ramsinh Zala

When OpIndia spoke to the employee of that Honest restaurant, it was found that not only this but also at every Honest outlet in Gujarat and across the country, digital and UPI payment facility has been available for many years. He further said, “Yes, sometimes it may happen that the facility is not available temporarily due to some technical reason, but it happens just once or twice a year, that too for an hour or two.”

Netizens come together to refute this false claim

There was a lot of anger among Gujaratis against this unsubstantiated claim of the Navbharat Times journalist on Twitter. People also gave him a lot of evidence in response to his tweet.

RTI activist Sujit Hindustani, in his reply, posted a photo of a sugarcane juice shop in a village on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway where digital and UPI payments are accepted, Sujit Hindustani wrote in his tweet, “Please don’t spread lies. Digital payment is being accepted even by small people.”

Another Twitter user @Aalapshukla wrote, “I live in Ahmedabad. I have to travel from Jamnagar to Daman Palanpur and leave in my car with just two 2000 notes in my pocket. There is no need to pay with those two notes anywhere. Only mobile UPI is enough to pay.”

@Jaypal551983 wrote, “Stop spreading these false rumors. Digital payment facility is available all over Gujarat. Stop spreading false and incomplete information.”

The anger among the people due to this false claim was no less. A user named @Jagdish96068228 warned Mithilesh in his tweet that read, “Now do duty in Gujarat only by wearing a mask on your rotten face, otherwise Gujaratis will slap on the face, you liars.”

@i_m_prapti put up a poll on the tweet by Mithilesh and asked the people whether digital payments are available everywhere in Gujarat or not. So far, 351 people registered their responses, out of which 94% of people said that digital and UPI payment facility is available everywhere in Gujarat.

A user named @just_hu02 wrote in a sarcastic tone, “Journalists spreading false news should be suspended for 1 year. His social media ID should also be suspended for a year.”

Thus, an OpIndia investigation reveals the truth that the claim made by Navbharat Times journalist Mithilesh Dhar about digital and UPI payments in Gujarat is not only misleading but also completely false. It is just an attempt to tarnish the image of Gujarat just before the elections.

AAP leader climbs atop electricity transmission tower after being denied a ticket for MCD polls, says party sold tickets for Rs 3 Crores

OpIndia Staff
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AAP leader climbs atop electricity transmission tower after being denied a ticket for MCD polls, says party sold tickets for Rs 3 Crores

On Sunday, Haseeb ul Hasan, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor in East Delhi Municipal Corporation, climbed to the top of an electricity transmission tower in Shastri Park, saying that party executives have seized his documents. It is said that he was denied a ticket for the forthcoming Delhi municipal body elections, and as a result, he vowed to kill himself and climbed the tower.

Hasan alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party sold the ticket to Deepu Chaudhary for Rs 3 crores and then wanted money from him. Since he could not afford to pay the amount, he was denied a ticket.

He said, “Aam Aadmi Party’s Durgesh Pathak and Atishi will be responsible if something happens to me, or if I die. They have my original documents, including my bank passbook. Tomorrow is the last day for filing nominations but they are not giving my documents to me.”

Police officers, firefighters, and BSES officials, as well as ambulances, arrived at the scene and asked Hasan to come down. At 10:51 AM, fire personnel received word that someone had climbed an electricity tower in the Gandhi Nagar area.

Around 3 PM, Hasan came down, claiming that AAP leaders had returned his documents due to media pressure. “Durgesh Pathak, Atishi, and Sanjay Singh would not have returned my papers if the media had not come. I will file my nomination tomorrow,” Hasan said. When questioned if he would run as an independent candidate, Hasan replied he wasn’t sure.

Haseeb ul Hasan had earlier jumped into an overflowing sewer drain at Shastri Park in March this year. Speaking to reporters, the nominated AAP councillor stated that the drain had been overflowing for some time and that, despite numerous complaints, the local MLA had failed to resolve the situation. As a result, Hasan chose to shoulder the load and demonstrate his point. His followers afterwards bathed him in milk while chanting anti-BJP slogans around him.

The AAP released its initial list of candidates on Friday, followed by a second list of 117 candidates the following day. The 250-ward MCD heads to the polls on December 4, and the ballots will be counted on December 7.

Madhya Pradesh: Man kills girlfriend in resort, posts videos on her Instagram saying “Bewafai Nahi Karne Ka”

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Man kills girlfriend in resort, posts videos on her Instagram saying “Bewafai Nahi Karne Ka”

On November 8, a man killed his 22-year-old girlfriend in a room at Mekhla resort, which is under the jurisdiction of Tilwara police station in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh. After the murder, the man posted a video on social media confessing to the crime.

The murder came to light after the main suspect in the case posted a video on social media displaying the girl laying in a pool of blood on a bed in a hotel room, with the man saying “Bewafai Nahi Karne Ka (do not be unfaithful)”. It implied that he killed her because she was cheating on him. (Potentially sensitive content, viewers’ discretion advised)

The video was taken immediately after assaulting the girl by slitting her throat, and she was still alive at that time, as she can seen be taking her last breaths in the video. According to police, the video was posted on the victim’s Instagram account on Friday.

The victim has been identified as Shilpa Jhariya, a Jabalpur resident from Barela. Later, the suspect posted another video in which he said he killed the girl because his business partner urged him to do so.

All the videos were reportedly being posted from the Instagram account of the victim. They appear to have been removed from the account. There are still many photos on the Instagram of the victim which have been posted post her murder.

Abhijeet Patidar, the perpetrator, said in the video that he and his partner manage a business in Patna. Abhijeet alleged that his girlfriend was also having an affair with his business partner. She allegedly forced them to provide her Rs 12 lakh before running away to Jabalpur. Abhijeet continued by saying that his partner had asked him to kill her.

According to TI SL Jhariya of the Tilwara police station, it was found during the investigation that the deceased had come to the resort on Sunday with a man by the name of Abhijeet Patidar. Additionally, the pair had provided each of their own identity cards for authentication.

The deceased woman’s identity was recorded as Rakhi Mishra on the ID, which the authorities later found to be a counterfeit. When resort staff members were questioned, it was learned that on Sunday, the lady spent some time with Patidar before leaving, while Patidar stayed at the resort.

On Monday, nevertheless, the woman went back to the resort. The victim woman was still inside the resort when the man later left. The staff used a master key to unlock the door after the woman didn’t open the door until Tuesday morning, only to discover her laying blood-soaked.

Immediately after being alerted, the police launched an investigation into the matter. Searches are being conducted for the man who stayed in the victim’s room. According to SHO Jhariya, CCTV footage is also being examined for any clues relevant to him.

The fact that the young man boarded a cab to the resort has also come to the attention of the cops. On Monday, the accused and the lady boarded a cab to travel to the Mekhla resort. The cab driver was questioned by the police, and they also recorded his testimony. It is reported that the driver provided the police with a significant amount of information. Police also said that Abhijeet Patidar is from Gujarat, not from Patna.

‘Let Josh Butler and Alex Hales fail’: Pakistani Girls pray for their team’s victory at T20 World Cup final, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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‘Let Josh Butler and Alex Hales fail’: Pakistani Girls pray for their team’s victory at T20 World Cup final, video goes viral

The final match of the ICC T20 World Cup is being played between Pakistan and England on Sunday, 13 November 2022. It is being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. After the initial setback in this match, the condition of the Pakistan cricket team looks fragile. Meanwhile, a video of Pakistani girls is becoming increasingly viral on social media, in which the girls are seen praying for the victory of the Pakistan cricket team.

In the viral video, the girls are seen in school uniforms. The girls are also holding the Flag of Pakistan in their hands. In the video, a girl is seen praying for Pakistan’s victory and talking about the poor performance of England batsmen, on which other girls are seen saying ‘Ameen’.

In the video, the girl says, “Let Josh Butler and Alex Hales fail” to which the other girls say ‘Ameen.’ The next, the girl says “Let Mohammad Rizwan hit sixes” after which the other girls sitting there once again say ‘Ameen.’ Not only this but in the video, the girls are also seen praying for the courage of Pakistani bowlers to pick England’s wickets, to give strength to Babar Azam for hard-hitting, and for no rain in the match.

However, even after this, the condition of Pakistan remains very critical. Be it captain Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan and Haris, top order batsmen of Pakistan failed miserably in front of England bowlers. This is the reason why Pakistan has scored just 137 runs at the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs against England. That is, England now has a target of 138 runs.

England has scored 71 after losing 3 wickets in 10 overs so far, and the winning target is not very far for them.

After losing the first two matches, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals were over. But, after South Africa’s defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, Pakistan reached the semi-finals. In the semi-final match, they defeated New Zealand. Now, they are playing the final match against England, who reached the final by defeating India.

Pakistan and England have won the T20 World Cup once each. Pakistan became the world champion of T20 cricket in 2009 and England in 2010. That is, whichever team wins the final on Sunday, November 13, 2022, will become the T20 World Cup winner for the second time.

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