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‘No permission granted, Section 144 imposed’: AAP calls to ‘gherao’ PM Modi’s house against Kejriwal’s arrest, Police detain leaders from Patel Chowk

OpIndia Staff
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‘No permission granted, Section 144 imposed’: AAP calls to ‘gherao’ PM Modi’s house against Kejriwal’s arrest, Police detain leaders from Patel Chowk

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for a ‘gherao’ at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence to register its protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case on Tuesday, March 26.

The AAP leaders reached Patel Chowk but the Delhi Police detained Harjot Singh Bains, Punjab Minister and AAP leader, outside the Patel Nagar Metro station.

The Delhi police made announcements outside the Patel Chowk Metro station for the AAP protestors. The police said that section 144 had been imposed and that no permission had been granted to the AAP to carry out the protest. They urged the AAP leaders and workers to vacate the area within 5 minutes.

According to the Delhi Police, the security at PM Modi’s residence has been strengthened and they have not granted permission to the AAP to hold any protests.

Earlier on March 22, AAP leader Gopal Rai said that the party would “gherao” the Prime Minister’s residence on March 26 to register its protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

On Monday, when the entire country was drenched in the colours of the Holi celebration, the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party continued their protest against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case and did not celebrate the festivals of Holi.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said that they have resolved not to play with colours and celebrate Holi this year and appealed to the countrymen to join them in the fight against cruelty and evil.

“Holi is not just a festival, but a symbol of the victory of good over evil, a symbol of justice over cruelty. Today, every leader of the Aam Aadmi Party is fighting this evil, cruelty and injustice day and night. This year, Aam Aadmi Party has resolved that we will not play with colours, we will not celebrate Holi,” the AAP leader posted on X.

 A rally will be organised by the INDIA bloc on March 31 against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.

The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 night in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case.

Arvind Kejriwal was on March 22, remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate for seven days, i.e., till March 28, a day after he was arrested by the probe agency in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.

Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, last year the ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member.

(The news report has been published with inputs from a syndicated feed)

Opposition parties are using an age-old litmus test – push the Hindu community because they won’t react anyway – but here is why this is a self-goal for 2024

Virender Kapoor
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Opposition parties are using an age-old litmus test – push the Hindu community because they won’t react anyway – but here is why this is a self-goal for 2024

A Litmus test is no rocket science. Almost all those who were science students in school used this test to check the acidic or alkaline properties of a chemical given for testing.

One definition is that litmus is a water-soluble mixture of different dyes extracted from lichens. It is often absorbed onto filter paper to produce one of the oldest forms of pH indicator, used to test materials for acidity. In an acidic medium, blue litmus paper turns red, while in a basic or alkaline medium, red litmus paper turns blue.

This in a way is the ultimate test to certify the type of chemical you are dealing with, with 100% efficacy. 

In the Indian political arena, today the election buzz for general elections is rife. In this context, Litmus paper is in the hands of politicians and ballot paper is in the hands of the public- voters. While, the BJP the ruling party is sure that they will come back to power with a thumping majority- and so do others- the opposition still believes in luck, optimism and the adage – time tested- that ‘in politics nothing is impossible and anything can happen’. It is also widely believed that ‘one week can change things drastically in politics’. These notions do give hope to everyone to contest and dream big of a victory.

But you cannot push your luck in the opposite direction when you are desperate and hope like hell that something will work. Especially when things are very much against you and the wind is blowing in the opposite direction.

The opposition is hellbent on scoring a self-goal – which seemingly has been scored. So, it seems. Let me explain.

In a nation as large and as diversified as India, it is very difficult to connect 1.4 billion people and tie them in one single thread. Politics and religion is one such mix which has given results- electoral victory – in several nations in the long human history. Faith is blind and politicians are mostly not. When reason fails, faith begins is something serious to go by. Therefore, the religio-political thread has often been used with a great amount of success. Faith has a certain longevity which is not easy to explain. Why people worship someone in some way and not another is difficult to fathom.

In India the Hindus are in the majority – almost 80% of the population. They have not been vocal for a very long time and the Hindu faith is largely seen and perceived as peace-loving, ‘you mind your business and I will mind mine’. Seemingly passive.

Culture is also tied very closely to the Dharma and duty in Hinduism. Therefore, religion per se is not a simple chemical like acidic or alkaline in this case which can be put in a beaker and tested with a litmus paper. It is a very strong concoction of several chemicals. Maybe it is a solid rock of Gibraltar or an arctic glacier which is calmly sitting in one place. It can be an iceberg floating at a speed of .7 km per hour on average! Making it look still more docile. 

When something looks so cool and inert, you tend to take it lightly- it is a harmless thing or a creature- doesn’t look dangerous. So let us try it out. 

They are treating it like laughing gas – aka- Nitrous oxide in a political context which is no laughing matter.

But that is where the problem is. The opposition, and political parties across the country have been constantly nudging this mighty entity and testing for its reactions which were to their satisfaction ‘not much’. It is like a kid nudging a big animal sitting in a park thinking he will never attack him.

I feel they have tested it with litmus paper time and again- yet misinterpreted the colour. Colour of things to come.

Multiple attacks on a community

So much has been said so many times by so many people against so many people of the majority community without much reaction that the opposition political parties are convinced that Hindus can be taken for granted. Attacking Sanatan Dharam, attacking Bhagwan Ram, Ram Mandir sthapna, Sri Krishan, trying to cast a divide and even Bhagwa colour so sacred to the entire continent et al did not invite any wrath! So, carrying on regardless is the way to go for them- they feel they are driving in the right lane. 

They compared Sanatana dharma -the oldest belief in the Indian sub-continent- with “dengue” and “malaria” and said that it should not just be opposed, but “eradicated”. “Few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only was the spirit”.

One reason for driving in the wrong lane is that you want to commit suicide or the other reason is to bang your car into the guy coming from the opposite side thinking that you get killed but would cause serious damage to the other car as well. (MAD- Mutual Assured Destruction). Here the first option seems to be right –‘death by litmus’. Anyway, the vehicle coming from the opposite side is a tank and you are driving a Maruti 800. So go try your luck.

BJP has constantly, consciously but surely made the right moves- first they did not react very harshly against them and let them pick up the wrong litmus paper; second they kept on ticking the right boxes to create a victory potion.

‘Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake’, it is said.

The Hindu and cultural resurgence is almost complete- opposition seems to have added to this cause by rampant uncalled-for remarks against peace-loving religion which even the world is acknowledging today.

Outrage over Elon Musk’s reaction to ‘third world’ comment on India, how the ‘What’s wrong with India’ trend started as a smear campaign

OpIndia Staff
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Outrage over Elon Musk’s reaction to ‘third world’ comment on India, how the ‘What’s wrong with India’ trend started as a smear campaign

On the 25th of March, Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), found himself at the centre of online outrage after his comment on an X post calling India “third world”.

An X user @Rothmus shared a news report of a white woman gangraped in 2018 in India while she was seeking a cure for depression. Along with the news report screenshot, the X user wrote, “I blame Eat, Pray, Love for making white women believe the third world is a cure for their depression.”

Reacting to this, Musk commented, “Yeah”.

This, however, did not go well with Indian X users and soon an outrage erupted in response to Musk’s comment in a way affirming India as a third-world country.

Replying to Elon Musk, @theskindocotor wrote, “It’s a story from six years ago. While such incidents are unforgivable, they unfortunately occur everywhere. I can provide plenty of examples from the US as well. It’s appalling to see India being slandered based on a few incidents. If you’re looking for a pattern, consider this: In just 2024, ten Indian/Indian-origin students have been killed in the US. But since they were Indians, it doesn’t matter.”

Notably, a 33-year-old Latvian woman Liga Skromane who came to Kerala back in 2018 was drugged and raped before being brutally murdered by two men. On 20th April 2018, her decomposed body was found hanging from a tree near Kovalam Beach. According to reports, she had gone missing from an Ayurvedic treatment centre. The police had arrested two accused drug peddlers and booked them under relevant sections of the IPC and NDPS Act. In 2022, the accused duo were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Another Indian X user responded, “I blame Hollywood for making brown women believe that a racist & rapist country like USA can give them a good life.” The X user attached a 2019 news report about an Indian-American woman raped and murdered in Chicago.

One @coolfunnytshirt wrote, “I hope you realize this type of silly assertions leads to the normalization of such racist incidents in USA.” The X user added a report to highlight the rising number of mysterious deaths of Indian students in the United States.

Meanwhile, an X user pointed out that the date in the news report shared in the original post was deliberately cropped to ensure higher engagement. “It’s a story from 2018. Date carefully removed from the original screenshot to maximize engagement,” @YieldObserver wrote.

Ironically, while on X, Elon Musk is agreeing to assertions that India is a third-world country, on the ground he has been trying to launch Tesla in India, the very same so-called ‘third world’.

The said X post slandering India using a years-old case and the subsequent outrage over Musk’s comment warrants recalling the recent online smear campaign “What’s wrong with India?”.

As OpIndia reported earlier, this malicious online campaign run by foreign social media accounts aimed at showing India in a negative light, targeting and ridiculing it for prevalent social and civic issues such as disregarding lane discipline and traffic signals, breaking rules and queues, public urination, food habits, the presence of homeless beggars on crowded streets, instances of eve teasing, drunk driving, fraud, corruption, drug trafficking among others. Notably, while these issues plague most of the countries around the world but were used specifically by detractors against India to paint a negative image about the country and discredit giant strides it is making, especially in the past 10 years.

The “What’s wrong with India?” campaign, however, was soon “hijacked” by Indian X users who shared videos from outside India to illustrate how no country is perfect and each of them is facing a unique set of challenges defined by their socio-economic conditions, historical traditions, and social ethos.

Notably, the Indian X users questioned Musk why Indians do not have access to the Community Notes. Many users had pointed out that although Indians can sign up for community notes to become contributors, however, their profiles were not approved despite signing up nearly a year ago.

‘UPA didn’t utilise a single rupee from NIRBHAYA fund’: Smriti Irani hits back at Jairam Ramesh for his rant on WCD Ministry

OpIndia Staff
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‘UPA didn’t utilise a single rupee from NIRBHAYA fund’: Smriti Irani hits back at Jairam Ramesh for his rant on WCD Ministry

On 25th March, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, launched a vigorous defence of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the center in response to allegations leveled by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Irani listed the central government’s achievements in women empowerment since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge in 2014.

In a long social media post, Ramesh criticised the Ministry, claiming the government failed to provide justice to the country’s women. He accused the government of incompetence and apathy and promoting an anti-women mindset over the past decade.

Union Minister Irani systematically addressed Ramesh’s allegations and argued that the central government under PM Modi’s leadership has significantly enhanced women’s safety and welfare. She countered the Congress leader’s narrative of negligence with data and examples of the initiatives undertaken by her Ministry. Irani pointed out that in the past decade, women have become confident that justice will be served, leading to an increase in reporting of crimes against women. It was in response to the allegations that the crime against women increased in the past decade.

She further highlighted the Modi government’s efforts, including successfully utilising the NIRBHAYA Fund. She stated that the said fund has supported 40 nationwide projects since 2014. Furthermore, she said that the government has allocated Rs 7,212.85 crore as of the fiscal year 2023-24. Out of these funds, 75% have been efficiently employed in various initiatives run by the central and state governments. Irani pointed out that though the NIRBHAYA Fund was set up under the UPA government, “not a single rupee was deployed from this fund until the watershed year of 2014”.

Furthermore, she informed about introducing the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) with the 112-ERSS number, which is operational across all states and Union Territories. She said the ERSS number has managed over 30-34 crore calls since its launch. Additionally, the Women Helpline, operational since 2015 under the NIRBHAYA Fund, has aided over 71.31 lakh women. The Helpline number has handled over 1.39 crore calls, which shows that the government of India, under PM Modi, is committed to providing immediate and accessible assistance to distressed women.

Addressing the issue of women empowerment via employment, she spotlighted the increase in the Female Labour Force Participation Rate, which rose by 4.2% to 37% in 2023 as per the 2022-23 PLFS Report. She underlined the government’s financial support to women via the MUDRA loan scheme, where 69% of the recipients are women. She also highlighted that the Stand-Up India initiative has seen 8% of its beneficiaries as women showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.

Countering the allegation of neglect and low pay of Anganwadi workers, Irani detailed the enhancement of their honorarium and the provision of additional benefits, including insurance schemes, COVID insurance coverage and more.

Jairam Ramesh’s targeted Modi government over women empowerment

In a long post, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh launched an attack on the Ministry of Women and Child Development under Union Minister Smriti Irani. He claimed that the Ministry failed in women empowerment under PM Modi’s leadership.

In his post, he accused the government of a rise in crime against women, inability to fund the initiatives for women, inability to use the NIRBHAYA Fund, neglect of Anganwadi workers and more.

Jairam Ramesh’s post targetting Central Government came in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The polling for the General Elections is scheduled to take place in seven phases starting from 16th April 2024. The results will be announced on 4th June 2024.

‘Have some shame…You are daughter of Muslim’: Islamists attack actress Soha Ali Khan for celebrating Holi with her husband and daughter

OpIndia Staff
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‘Have some shame…You are daughter of Muslim’: Islamists attack actress Soha Ali Khan for celebrating Holi with her husband and daughter

On Monday (25th March), a group of Islamists descended on the Instagram profile of Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan and abused her for participating in the Hindu festival of Holi.

Khan had posted a reel on her Instagram account wherein she was seen playing with water and colours with her husband Kunal Khemu and child Inaaya Naumi Khemu. Several other family members of the actress were also seen participating in the Hindu festival.

“Colour me happy because…holi hai!!!” Soha Ali Khan wrote. At the time of writing, her Instagram reel had over 3.8 lakh likes.

One set of Islamists abused the Bollywood actress for playing Holi during the month of Ramazan. Others humiliated her for marrying a non-Muslim and going against the tenets of Islam.

“You must not have fasted today…Great,” mocked one Mohammed Umar. One Riya went on an unhinged rant, “Your late father destroyed the family line by marrying a nonbeliever and the result is you and your siblings so far from Islam ! He must be answering in his grave about his actions.”

The radical Islamist further claimed, “You have still chance to repent your actions otherwise you will also like him regret your actions. Turn towards Allah SWT. Understand your religion.”

Screengrab of the comments

The account also wrote, “Have some shame…You are the daughter of a Muslim.”

One Islamist named Hyder claimed that Soha Ali Khan and her child had turned polytheist (mushrik). He further added that the actress will have to answer Allah and her grandfather on Doom’s Day (Qayamat). “Shameless,” wrote one Samar Nausheen.

Screengrab of the comments

One ‘Nida’ wondered how a Muslim could marry a Hindu in India in the 21st century. Another Islamist inquired how could Soha Ali Khan play Holi during Ramzan and inquired whether or not she is Muslim.

“Even though they are Muslim, we can say they are haram ki aulad,” wrote one user ‘@alquama_ujhari’

Screengrab of the comments

One group of Islamists reprimanded the Bollywood actress and Muslims of India for celebrating Holi during Ramzan.

Screengrab of the comments

“The family members of Saif Ali Khan are Hindu (for virtue of playing Holi). Why do they keep Muslim names?” remarked another Islamist.

Screengrab of the comments

This is not the first time that a Muslim actor or actress has been abused by their radical co-religionists for participating in a Hindu festival. OpIndia had earlier reported how Shah Rukh Khan was humiliated for visiting Shirdi Sai temple and celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi.

Telangana: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy visits Chengicharla village where Muslim mob attacked Hindu tribals for playing Holi songs during Namaz

ANI
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Telangana: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy visits Chengicharla village where Muslim mob attacked Hindu tribals for playing Holi songs during Namaz

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy visited Chengicherla village on Tuesday and spoke to the tribal victims after members of two groups belonging to different communities pelted stones on Sunday following arguments over playing loud music near a religious place.

“I strongly condemn the midnight attack by the fanatic communal mafia on Tribals including women at Changicharla village in Ghatkesar, Telangana yesterday. I visited the village and spoke to the victims, assured my full support in immediate medical treatment and in providing food. I call upon the authorities to immediately book the culprits, take stringent action and let the rule of law prevail.” Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy posted on X.

On Sunday, in the Pital Basti of Chengicherla, while celebrating Holi, a few people installed speakers while the Namaz was ongoing. Some individuals asked them to stop the sound, leading to an argument between two communities, which escalated into an attack on each other. This incident occurred today at 4:15 p.m., the police said.

The confrontation on Sunday resulted in injuries to three individuals.

Earlier on Monday, BJP workers staged a protest at around 11 am, said police.

According to the police, the BJP protestors engaged in a heated argument with the cops. Videos of the protests showed that police resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowd.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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

‘Mosque is a den of adultery’: 23-year-old girl who left Islam to adopt Hinduism accuses her four uncles and a Maulana of gangraping her

राहुल पाण्डेय
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‘Mosque is a den of adultery’: 23-year-old girl who left Islam to adopt Hinduism accuses her four uncles and a Maulana of gangraping her

A 23-year-old girl who left Islam to adopt Hinduism recently filed a complaint of gang rape against her relatives and a Maulana (Muslim cleric) in Delhi. According to the victim, she had personally witnessed a Maulana raping girls inside a mosque after which she decided to leave Islam. The victim has alleged that her four maternal uncles and a Maulana were among those who gang-raped her. Later, four burqa-clad boys carrying weapons left her naked in Delhi. The incident took place on 13th March 2024. The police registered an FIR on 17th March at the Old Delhi police station regarding this matter. 

According to the complaint, the victim is originally from the Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh. For the past 3 years, she has been residing in Mumbai where she works as a makeup artist and fashion designer. Her father passed away in 2012 while her mother and twin sister continue to reside in their hometown. After the death of her father, the victim grew up in her maternal uncle’s village, Deeppur, in Moradabad district. During her childhood, she received her education at a Madrasa.

In the complaint, the victim has further stated that her maternal grandfather Anwar Hussain, and maternal uncle Mehboob Ali have around 350 bighas of land in Moradabad. After the death of her maternal grandfather and uncle, the victim’s mother is the heir to this land. 

However, her mother’s cousins Imtiyaz, Irfan, Afsar, and Asrar Hussain have been intending to have possession of the ancestral land. According to the complaint, they had kept her mother under their control for nearly 14 years. However, when she found a job in Mumbai, she took her mother with her, rescuing her from their influence nearly nine months ago.

According to the complaint, the victim came to Moradabad on 29th February to get the paperwork for her land. While she was en route to the courthouse, her maternal uncles Imtiyaz, Irfan, Afsar, and Asrar Hussain, kidnapped her. After abducting her, they took her to their village, where they physically assaulted her—kicking, slapping her, and hitting her with a belt. They later took turns to gang-rape the victim. 

The complaint further alleges that during the time of her captivity, acquaintances of the four accused uncles, Latif, Maulana Irfan, Haji Asif, Zakir, and others also gang-raped her several times for 2 days. 

As per the complaint, while raping her, the accused physically assaulted the victim and hit her where she had inked tattoos of Hindu deities. After gangraping the victim, the accused stripped her naked and made her sit naked on a train bound for Delhi. During her train journey, she was forced to sit naked as four burqa-clad boys accompanied her and they had weapons on them, the complaint alleges.

When the train stopped at Old Delhi, the victim somehow managed to escape from the perpetrators and save her life. On the complaint of the victim, the Delhi Police has taken action against all the accused under sections 376D, 342, 365, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, since the incident occurred in the jurisdiction of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, the case has been sent to the Shahzad Nagar police station in the Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh for further action.

The girl alleges that there was a conspiracy to kill her by throwing her off the train on the tracks. The victim thanked Lord Krishna for saving her life. OpIndia has accessed the FIR copy filed in this case. While talking to OpIndia, the victim’s lawyer Sangeeta Talwar said that no one has been arrested yet. All the accused are absconding.

Gharwapsi: The victim had adopted Hinduism a year ago

OpIndia has several videos containing the victim’s claims. In one video, the victim claimed that she did Gharwapsi and converted to Hinduism one year ago. She stated that she had personally witnessed the Imam of the Jamiya Masjid located in Naderbagh’s Madiya area supplying girls and raping them. The victim also claimed to have seen many condoms lying at the Imam’s place, and she had even recorded a video of it.

The victim also claims that in that village, instead of cremating the bodies of Hindus after their death, they are buried. In the video, the girl also mentioned that she has filed complaints against illegal activities taking place in the mosque. In one video, the Imam can be heard advocating severe punishment in Islam for those who convert to Hinduism. In another video, the Maulana can be heard urging the victim to repent.

Mass killings, rapes, and plunder in ‘East Pakistan’: Bangladesh commemorates anniversary of Pakistani General Tikka Khan’s genocidal ‘Operation Searchlight’

Paurush Gupta
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Mass killings, rapes, and plunder in ‘East Pakistan’: Bangladesh commemorates anniversary of Pakistani General Tikka Khan’s genocidal ‘Operation Searchlight’

Bangladesh is solemnly marking the 52nd Genocide Remembrance Day today, 25th March 2024. The nation and its citizens have been constantly urging the Global community to mark the day as ‘International Genocide Day’. The tragic day highlights the Military excesses and brutalities carried out by Pakistan Army, including mass killings, rapes, and destruction in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

The Pakistani army carried out ‘Operation Searchlight’ on the night of 25th March 1971. It was a brutal military manhunt to crush the surging nationalism among Bengali-speaking people in East Pakistan following the election mandate of 1970. The Pakistan Army resorted to mass massacre and genocide of Bengali Hindus and freedom-seeking Bengali Muslims to create a reign of terror and scare Bengalis into submission. 

The operation had a military objective to disarm the Bengali personnel in the military, paramilitary, and police forces, and capture key installations including armoury, radio station, and telephone exchange as well as arrest/kill intellectuals and Bengali politicians in East Pakistan. 

The operation was led by then-General Yahya Khan of Pakistan and put in action by General Tikka Khan, who was the then martial law administrator of East Pakistan.

During ‘Operation Searchlight’, the Pakistani forces brutally killed the Bengali members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, and teachers of Dhaka University. They opened indiscriminate firing at unarmed civilians killing thousands, set houses and properties ablaze, and looted business establishments. 

Notably, it was the same night when Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made the proclamation of independence before he was arrested by the Pakistani troops and subsequently flown to West Pakistan.   

In his book ‘Witness to Surrender’, Pakistani Major Siddiq Salik had described ‘Operation Searchlight’ saying, “The gates of hell had been cast open.” Salik worked as the Pakistan military’s spokesman in the then East Pakistan. 

Destruction inside key cities with heavy military weaponry

On 25th March 1971 at around 11 PM, the Pakistani Army rolled tanks, armoured cars, and trucks as well as sent countless troops to Dhaka University, the Central Shaheed Minar, the Race Course (where the Kali Mandir was situated), Hotel Intercontinental, and Old Dhaka among other strategic locations. These units destroyed the Kali Mandir in the centre of the Race Course and the Central Shaheed Minar.

Throughout the city, Pakistani army personnel killed thousands of people including academics, students, and sleeping rickshaw pullers at close ranges. The eminent academicians killed on the fateful night included venerable GC Dev and the scholar Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta. As per official records, the Students of Dhaka University were lined up, shot, and then dumped into mass graves. 

A large contingent of Pakistan forces also made its way to Dhanmondi where its clear objective was to take Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into custody. After arresting him, the Pakistan army took him to an under-construction national assembly building in the Second Capital area (today’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar). 

Subsequently, he was transferred to Adamjee College located in the cantonment, where he spent the night before being relocated to Flagstaff House. Three days later, he was transported to West Pakistan and confined in solitary in Mianwali jail.

The Chuknagar massacre

While the genocide continued for over next nine months, the Chuknagar massacre was one of the most horrifying incidents of mass killing as part of General Tikka Khan’s ‘Operation Searchlight’. Apart from destruction in cities and streets of erstwhile East Pakistan, even those who tried to flee repression were targeted. 

Facing an acute shortage of food and resources, as well as a brutal crackdown involving killings and mass rapes, thousands of Bengalis rushed towards the Indian border via Khulna from places like Barisal, Bagerhat, and Faridpur. Bengalis from all across East Pakistan attempted to converge at Chuknagar (in Bangladesh) and adjacent areas by crossing the Bhadra River to enter Indian territory.

However, the then chairman of Atlia Union Ghulam Hossain reported this mass influx to a Pakistani military platoon in Satkhira. Subsequently, a large contingent of troops, divided into three units, rushed to Chuknagar (lies in East Pakistan territory/Bangladesh). 

One unit marched for Malopara-Raipara, the second went after the Chuknagar bazaar, and another went for the Bhadra river bank to surround the Bengali civilians from all sides. There the three units opened indiscriminate firing, leading to one of the largest and most brutal pogroms. Men, women, and children who tried to hide behind trees, and in boats, were hunted down and shot dead from close ranges. From temples, playgrounds, school premises, and rivers, every place had witnessed horrifying scenes of mass dead bodies lying scattered everywhere. As per reports, the death count ran in several thousands, turning the Bhadra river red with the blood of unarmed Bengalis. 

The massacre ignited Bengali nationalism further and after getting assistance from Indian Army, the Mukhti Bhahini and Awami League managed to liberate Bangaldesh. 

In 2017, the Bangladeshi government officially recognised 25th March as Genocide Day to reflect on the horrific events of that fateful night in 1971 and has since been trying to press the international community to recognise the day as ‘International Genocide Day’. 

Bangladesh’s parliament noted, “It is Parliament’s opinion that March 25 be declared Genocide Day to commemorate the genocide conducted by the atrocious Pakistani forces on the black night of March 25, 1971, and necessary steps are taken to have the Day recognised internationally.” 

IPL 2024: Full schedule of the tournament released, entire tournament to take place in India amidst Lok Sabha elections, final in Chennai on 26th May

OpIndia Staff
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IPL 2024: Full schedule of the tournament released, entire tournament to take place in India amidst Lok Sabha elections, final in Chennai on 26th May

On Monday, March 25, Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) released the complete schedule of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The tournament, which kicked off last week, will take place entirely in India even in light of the Lok Sabha elections taking place in the country at the same time.

The final of the tournament will be held in Chennai on May 26, while the eliminator and Qualifier 1 will be held in Ahmedabad on May 21 and May 22. The Qualifier 2 will also take place in Chennai on May 24.

Earlier, BCCI had announced the schedule for only the first two weeks of the tournament, till April 7. Now that the Election Commission has announced the polling dates for the elections, the BCCI has finalised the schedule for the remainder of the season keeping in view the polling dates in different states around the country.

The final match of phase 1 which was announced earlier, is scheduled to take place on April 7 between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The second phase will start without any delay next day on April 8 with KKR facing CSK at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai.

In the second phase, Delhi Capitals, who used Vishakhapatnam for their first 2 matches, will return to capital Delhi for the rest of their league matches. Meanwhile, Punjab will also be using the Dharamsala stadium for two of their matches along with their home stadium in Punjab. Rajasthan are another team using 2 states for their home matches, with Guwahati hosting two of their home games.

Notably, there were speculations that some of the matches may be held outside India this year due to Lok Sabha elections, and with security agencies stretched thin to ensure smooth elections. IPL has been held outside India during General Elections in 2009 and 2014 respectively, in light of the elections. However, in 2019, IPL was held in India despite coinciding with Lok Sabha elections.

The Lok Sabha elections start on April 19, and will be completed on June 1 through 7 phases of voting. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

After Supriya Shrinate, another Congress leader says ‘someone from his team’ called Kangana a ‘r*ndi’: Why they make no sense

OpIndia Staff
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After Supriya Shrinate, another Congress leader says ‘someone from his team’ called Kangana a ‘r*ndi’: Why they make no sense

After Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, another Congress leader, HS Ahir, who had posted an abusive remark against actor Kangana Ranaut, said that “someone from who had access to his X accounts had posted an absolutely disgusting and objectionable post, which has been taken down.”

Curiously, the language of his tweet was similar to what Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate had posted as outrage swept over her Instagram post asking Kangana Ranaut what’s her ‘rate’.

“Someone who had access to my X accounts posted an absolutely disgusting and objectionable post, which has been taken down,” H.S Ahir tweeted.

Congress leader HS Asir comes up with a bizarre explanation over his abusive post targeting Kangana Ranaut

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate posted a video blaming one of her ‘team members’ for her sexist post against actor Kangana Ranaut. “Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. One of these people had posted a very disgusting and objectionable post today,” Ms Shrinate said in a 1-minute 29-second long video posted by her on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I am trying to identify the person who did this. Also, the parody account created by misusing my name has been reported in X,” Ms Shrinate further claimed.

The tedious explanation came over a now-deleted post on Instagram by Congress National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate where she asked, “Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi me koi batayega? (Will someone tell me what the rate system in Mandi is?)” with a particularly racy picture of Kangana Ranaut.

Other Congress supporters and leaders, too, resorted to abuses and vile innuendos to discredit the actor who has made the plunge into politics with her candidature from Mandi.

As outrage swept social media, Ms Shrinate deleted the post from her official Instagram account and tried washing her hands of the incident by claiming that the said post was “uploaded by someone who had access to her accounts.”

She also tried to project her blame on her parody account, claiming that the whole mischief was started by it. However, she did not explain how the mischief started by her parody account reflected on her official Instagram account where she had shared a picture of Kangana Ranaut with sexual innuendos.

The curiously similar language notwithstanding, the explanation does not hold water, given that everything that is posted on behalf of politicians and leaders by their team is done only after their consent. While most prominent personalities don’t grant access to their personal social media accounts to their ‘team’, even if they do, they keenly follow how their account is being managed in order to communicate with their followers. The Congress leaders want us to believe that their ‘team’ launched a coordinated attack against Kangana Ranaut against their information, but their carefully scripted explanation in the wake of outrage hints that the ‘teams’ responsible for such disgusting posts had the imprimatur of their leaders to do what they did.

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