Owaisi slams BJP, Congress over 'dharma sansad' hate speech cases 2
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress over the issue of alleged hate speeches delivered in ‘Dharma Sansad (religious council) in the states ruled by the two parties. “Dharma Sansad held Uttarakhand discussed eliminating Muslims.
Similarly, Dharma Sansad held in Raipur also talked about eliminating Muslims. In Uttarakhand, BJP is in power and Congress in Chhattisgarh, but no action is being taken by the two governments against anyone,” said Owaisi.
“People say I give provocative speeches, I do not give provocative speeches, I just provide the proof of being alive. If saving the Constitution falls under inflammatory speech, so we will keep talking like this,” he added. Owaisi made the comments on Tuesday while addressing a rally in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad.
This comes days after Chhattisgarh Police have arrested Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj for his alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and provocative statements against minorities at ‘Dharam Sansad’ held in Raipur on December 26. Meanwhile, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case of alleged hate speech delivered during ‘Dharma Sansad’ held in Haridwar.
Haridwar police have registered an FIR against Yeti Narasimhanand, Sagar Sindhuraj, Dharm Das, Annapurna and Wasim Rizvi aka Jitendra Tyagi in connection with the case.
Varanasi: A small ancient city became the epicentre of politics; it is a major change 4
The government should be praised where credit is due. While on one hand, they are playing the Hindutva card in order to attract the votes of people who consider their religion more important than public welfare but at the same time, what the BJP government is doing in Varanasi, even just for the sake of getting votes in the UP election is still a commendable job. Not the entire Varanasi is modified and changed. Still, it’s the same, garbage piles, clogged streets, encroachments and above all too much commercialization. Temple complexes are still unclean. You will find stray dogs and cows roaming within the temple complexes, dirt accumulating here and there, water running down from an unknown source. While Modi hasn’t turned Varanasi into Kyoto or even Gujarat yet, there is no denying that things have changed here, though not by the magnitude the outsiders may expect.
Varanasi (Kashi) is the most ancient city in the world and one of the Holy places for Hindus because of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Holy River Ganga, according to the Hindu Mythological beliefs if you take bath in Ganga then you will be pure. People take the water of Ganga to their homes for the purification of the place where they live.
Today after so many development activities completed & so many in its last stage of completion & many new projects also launched & on the ground lots of changes can be noticed, still, Ganges is much cleaner than before. Modi Launched the program Namami Ganga for the purification of the Ganga water. In fact, he made one separate Ministry for Ganga and then the in charge of that ministry was Uma Bharti but after the three years when Modi realized that the work is not up to the mark then he transferred that department to Nitin Gadkari, and some progress could be seen.
The National Waterway developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) will generate around 1.55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, thereby impacting the rural economy positively. As part of the NW-1 project, the Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) has been constructed on River Ganga in Varanasi. The project is expected to create 55,000 employment opportunities in UP and 50,000 each in Bihar and Jharkhand, he added. Also, it will benefit local communities and farmers along the banks of the Ganga.
Modalities of ferry services, small jetties and vessels are being worked out to facilitate the movement of smaller cargo like agricultural products like bananas, marigold flowers, betel leaf, and vegetables. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is working with State Livelihood Missions for imparting skill training to youth, boatmen and other community members so that they could benefit from the employment opportunities.
From the ghats to railway stations, public places are becoming more bearable and cleaner now. Thanks to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, certain places of Varanasi like BHU and Assi Ghat are being paid attention, and are much cleaner. Though this needs to spread over the whole town, and this is the responsibility of the municipality.
Upcoming elections forced to pull the socks; BJP is trying its level best to deliver something so that they can talk about hardcore development. Old rulers of the state, BSP and SP keeping no stone unturned, Congress trying its hand and Priyanka Gandhi successfully revived Congress’s fate in Uttar Pradesh. AAP is not very active this time, thousands of Volunteers of BJP and Congress working for their respective leaders in the state, online promotions, social network campaigns, news, word publicity, everything is random for both the ministers. Without a strong performance in this belt, the BJP will not be able to come anywhere near the 272-seat target it has set, and it feels that Modi attending some rallies induce some kind of a swing. BJP policymakers feel that with the western UP already polarized, they need one more boost for eastern UP, so as to bag the entire state. For Yogi people have mixed reactions, e is most hated by some and loved by few.
Uttar Pradesh is a very important state for BJP, BSP and SP. But since there is a division of votes it is possible for an individual to get elected to the Parliament (or to the Legislative assembly) with just about 22 to 30 per cent of the total votes cast. This is a regular but unwelcome aspect of elections in caste-ridden states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier the Congress was benefiting from the division of votes. Now BJP may be a beneficiary. But there is still uncertainty.
Meanwhile, good roads,24 hrs. electricity, many new road projects like ring road, airport to junction railway station road etc., all roads in the city have lights now, underground wiring, incinerator and ghat cleaning, many trains from Varanasi to different places of India, trade facilitation centre, many colonies now got interlocking brick roads, sewer connection to every house. These are the things that can fetch a fortune for BJP. But demolished temples and traditional houses of people may dent Yogi’s votes. Above all Brahmin, Voters are not happy with BJP and whichever side they go, that party wins.
BJP has done some development in Kashi but otherwise, irresponsible leaders of the party never established any communication with people. They never visited their constituency, Yogi failed at various levels. Let’s see how BJP regains power in 2022.
Varanasi demolitions hurt localities; old temples lost in the rubble 6
Manikarnika crematorium in Kashi and there was once Jalasen Ghat and Bhikhari Mahal, which is being demolished to make “Gangadwar”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project in his constituency to alter the topography of the ancient city has not gone well with his voters. Local Varanasi people complain that dozens of small and medium-sized old temples, most built-in residential complexes, were destroyed along with the scores of shops and ‘Bhavan’s’ to clear the way for the project.
They see the demolitions as a loss to the Hindu cultural heritage of the city. At least 296 structures have been identified by the government for demolition to provide direct access to the temple from the Ganga.
The mood can be gauged outside Gate No. 3 of the Mughal-era Gyanvapi Mosque, which shares a boundary with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Entire Varanasi is dug and demolished and the modern structures make it look like a concrete jungle. The most common voice among the critics is that demolition is ruining the mainstay of Varanasi, its heritage structures and narrow lanes. Many are irked by the demolition of temples and historic structures of Kashi. Various taxes were imposed and unnecessary modernization of the city.
Suresh Pratap Singh, a senior journalist from Varanasi wrote a book “Udtaa Banaras” dedicated to the warriors of the Save the Heritage and Temples movement, who fought to protect the Pakkappa culture and civilisation of the Harappan brothers, in Ganga Valley. “Whenever I see temples getting demolished and gods getting dumped in debris, why heart stops breathing its pain.”
Kashi resident Ram Ayodhya Singh said, “By destroying the originality of Kashi, Brahmarakshas has proved that Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are also man-made. Those who destroy and distort should know what is called creation and beauty?”
Ganesh Shankar Upadhyay, head priest of the Kashi Karvat Mandir says, “The modus operandi of the project disregards the heritage of Varanasi and feels consent was not acquired before the demolition drive. “I am not against development. But since it is a religious site and development is taking place in the name of religion, development must also be based on it,” he added.
Kanhaiya Tripathi, Save Ganga activist, regrets that despite the scale of demolition, pro-Hindu groups have not come out in protest like they should. “After an initial protest by several groups and some religious heads, the campaign against the corridor seems to have fizzled out, with locals giving in to the pressure of better compensation. He also hit out at the alleged hypocrisy of the BJP leaders.”
Sharad Shukla said, “Modi has become modern Aurangzeb, Baba Vishwanath has been branded, religious goods have become tourism, we are hurt.”
Varanasi residents in the holy city, who were displaced by the ambitious projects, were not so enthused when the old structure was demolished for modern constructions. Many families are displaced by Modi’s ambitious project.
“We were a joint family and lived together happily till our property was taken up for the corridor. Now, we live separately at different places in Banaras. Not only did our century-old family property get dismantled but our joint family, too, got broken,” said Varanasi resident Prabhat Singh.
Lalji Yadav, a city resident, who lives in a lane near the project site, also alleged that several heritage buildings were bulldozed in the name of development. “Many of these structures had ornate carvings and should have been preserved. “Vikas ke liye Virasat ki aahuti di gayi hai” (Heritage has been sacrificed at the altar of development),” he said.
Pradeep Kumar Bhalla of Varanasi said, “As per information available no heritage buildings have been destroyed. Maybe some local buildings have been uprooted for better planning. Even to carry out changes in Heritage buildings, the national government has to take permission from the UNESCO world heritage committee. They will not allow any nation to destroy any heritage site.”
Khanday Imtiyaz, the Editor at Alternate Kashmir stated that “Recently Indian politics seems to be religiously centred. With the inception of BJP, the developmental progress has come to halt and the govt is after only two things either their Hindutva agenda or Pakistan as an enemy. Unfortunately, all other parties seem to have got influenced and instead of development on an economic, technological and social level, their politics have mainly reduced to who is better Hindu or anti-Hindu.”
Chander Sharma works at the Bank of India, says, “I have seen Varanasi pre and post-Modi. Earlier it was like any other congested overcrowded old City. Roads were narrow, plagued by encroachments, electric wires hanging overhead, potholed roads, dirty Ganga, ghats in a state of total neglect-dirty and uneven. I went to Varanasi again after attending Kumbh in Prayag. Ghats are now more beautiful than any other ghats in India, Ganga Aarti was the most wonderful and spiritual experience, all-electric wires have gone underground, roads are well paved and broader and above all, we could perform the most peaceful Abhishek in Vishwanath Temple.”
Bulli Bai app case: Vishal Kumar Jha and a lady from Uttarakhand detained 8
According to Mumbai police officials, the suspect is a 21-year-old civil engineering student and his father is believed to be a government servant. Within two days of a case being registered in the Bulli Bai app case, Mumbai police have arrested a suspect from Bengaluru.
The suspect is brought to Mumbai for questioning. Police officials said the 21-year-old had posted vulgar comments on the Muslim women after their pictures were posted on the Bulli Bai app.
The police have said that the main accused in the case is a woman who has been detained from Uttarakhand and that both the accused knew each other. The Cyber Cell of Mumbai Police on Tuesday continued its questioning of the 21-year-old engineering student detained from Bengaluru in connection with the ‘Bulli Bai’ app case.
“The main accused woman was handling three accounts related to the ‘Bulli Bai’ app. Co-accused Vishal Kumar opened an account by the name Khalsa supremacist. On Dec 31, he changed the names of other accounts to resemble Sikh names. Fake Khalsa account holders were shown,” a Mumbai Police official said.
“Police arrived in Mumbai with the suspect on Monday after detaining him from Bengaluru. He has not been arrested yet. Deputy Commissioner of Police of Mumbai Police Cyber Cell is himself questioning the accused,” said the police official.
The case has been registered against the unknown culprits under sections 153(A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion etc), 153(B) (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295(A) (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 354D (stalking), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 500 (criminal defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of Information Technology Act.
Mumbai Police Cyber Cell detained a 21-year-old engineering student from Bengaluru, in connection with the ‘Bulli Bai’ application case on Monday.
Mumbai Police has not revealed the identity of the suspect detained from Bengaluru yet, except for his age. Police have registered a case against unknown culprits under relevant sections of IPC and the IT Act.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police had also filed a first information report (FIR) against unknown persons based on complaints that doctored photographs of women were uploaded for auction on the ‘Bulli Bai’ application hosted by GitHub platform. On Sunday, West Mumbai Cyber Police station registered a case against the ‘Bulli Bai’ app developers and Twitter handles that promoted the app.
The case has been registered against the unknown culprits under sections 153(A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion etc), 153(B) (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295(A) (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 354D (stalking), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 500 (criminal defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of Information Technology Act.
'Bulli Bai' app: Attempt to kill two birds with one stone 12
The New Year hangover was yet to settle and the day began on a controversial note when photographs of more than 80 Muslim women were put up for auction on App called Bulli Bai. There was outrage on social media; those women victims demanded arrest; some demanded a probe and many have already condemned the outrage. Well, these were just the routine reactions to the action.
If you go beyond the said controversy and look into the matter, you will find two targets, one is the Sikh community because the App’s major language is Punjabi and the logo is the turban. The victims are Muslim women. Earlier also when West Bengal elections were due, a similar kind of app #SulliDeal emerged from nowhere, there was a huge uproar on social media until the App got banned and culprits were scot-free.
Uttar Pradesh elections are approaching, BJP is apprehensive about the win. They tried their level best to create ruckus during Farmer’s agitation. Maximum farmers are Sikhs. BJP It cell and supporters tried changing the narrative of protest calling them Khalistani terrorists but could not succeed in creating hate or anger against the community. Most Sikh’s don’t support the BJP. Among Sikh’s only a few Khatris/Arora Sikh’s support BJP. Jat Sikh’s are mostly Anti-BJP, Uttar Pradesh to Haryana Jats are the dominant voters. By creating the App in the Punjabi language and making it the logo of the turban logo, the App developers thought of bringing Sikhs in a bad light.
BJP is already anti-Muslim; the right-wing supporters openly spew venom against the Muslim community. Hindutva leaders called for Muslim genocide in Haridwar. Right-wing activist Suresh Chavhanke gave a call to “fight, die and kill if required” to make India a “Hindu nation.” BJP expected riots like situations but Muslims did not fall for the bait. Their plan to create a riot-like situation failed. In spite of such derogatory statements Home Minister, Amit Shah maintained mute mode and as we all know Narendra Modi never speaks about the burning issues in the country.
To irritate Muslims, again the row surrounding the app named ‘Bulli Bai’ is similar to last July’s ‘Sulli Deals’, in which nearly 80 Muslim women were put up ‘for sale’. The ‘Bulli Bai’ app was created on the Microsoft-owned open software development site GitHub. For those who don’t know, ‘Bulli’ is a derogatory word used for Muslim women in local slang.
Twitter has suspended an account that had been sharing links to the app hosted on GitHub. The Twitter handle had the same name as the objectionable app. Earlier in June 2021, another app with a name similar to the one currently under investigation had appeared on GitHub with pictures of Muslim women captioned ‘deal of the day’.
Subsequently, on 7 and 8 July, police in Noida and Delhi had registered separate FIRs against unknown persons in the case, but nothing has come out of the investigations so far. The incident went viral when a woman journalist shared an image of her being sold on the Bulli Bai app as ‘deal of the day’. Taking to Twitter, the journalist said it was “very sad that as a Muslim woman you have to start your new year with this sense of fear and disgust.” Quratulain Rehbar, a journalist from Kashmir, was also listed on the ‘online auction’.
The app pulled photos from the social media profiles of Muslim women without consent. The pictures were put up for display as the visitor’s “deal of the day.” The uploading of pictures on the ‘Bulli Bai’ app was similar to the ‘Sulli Deals’ upload in July last year. The ‘Bulli Bai’ app worked just the same way as Sulli Deals did. Once opened, a Muslim woman’s face was randomly displayed as ‘Bulli Bai’.
Two FIRs were filed by the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police in the Sulli Deals incident last year after photos of Muslim women were misused, but no concrete action has been taken against the perpetrators so far. It isn’t clear if the same rules were used in ‘Sulli Deals’ and are being invoked in the case of ‘Bulli Bai’ to ask the hosting platform to identify the user for taking action. Now Mumbai cyber police have initiated a probe. The controversial app Bulli Bai has been blocked by the hosting platform GitHub following complaints of objectionable content.
The social media platforms made noises but smart minorities did not fall into the trap by getting into violence or making any move to call for riots. One more attempt failed, but we need to be more cautious because all these things will keep happening till 2024.
Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com
'Bulli Bai' row: Mumbai Police takes cognisance of online harassment of Muslim women on the app 14
When Sulli Deals got banned, ‘Bulli Bai’ is the new thriller for haters. Muslim women with a celeb presence on Twitter have been singled out and their photos are being displayed as ‘Bulli Bai’. A journalist, who is one of the women named in the app, said that Muslim women have had to start the year with a “sense of fear and disgust.” Soon after the social media outrage, the Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised the matter on Twitter. She also requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and Mumbai Police to take action.
Muslim women with a celeb presence on Twitter have been singled out and their photos are being displayed as ‘Bulli Bai’. A journalist, who is one of the women named in the app, said that Muslim women have had to start the year with a “sense of fear and disgust.”
The app, now taken down, displayed more than 100 women ‘for sale as maids’, with victims saying they have little hope of action by police. Once again, Muslim women were targeted and harassed by an unidentified group on the internet by uploading their photos and auctioning them online. The photos were uploaded on an app called GitHub by the name of ‘Bulli Bai’ on Saturday (January 1, 2022). Two FIRs were filed by the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police in the ‘Sulli Deals’ controversy last year after photos of Muslim women were misused, but no concrete action has been taken against the perpetrators.
Speaking to Afternoon Voice, Mumbai Police DCP Cyber CrimeDr Rashmi Karandikarsaid, “Today we have a meeting with CP regarding the same. We will address this issue technically.”
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police officially said, “They have taken cognisance of the matter and that concerned officials have been asked to take action. Mumbai cyber police have initiated a probe in connection with the objectionable content.”
“The app ‘Bulli Bai’ works just the same way as ‘Sulli Deals’ did. Once you open it, you randomly find a Muslim woman’s face being displayed as Bulli Bai,” a social media user said.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, “Such things are very unfortunate, this hate-mongering looks politically inclined. We want justice to be delivered and no women should go through such gruesome virtual attacks. I wonder why Home Minister Amit Shah is a mute spectator? He should have taken objection and investigated such Apps and ban them on priority; he should seek reports from Delhi police for failing to take any action despite registering an FIR. One more FIR is made in Uttar Pradesh; CM Yogi Adityanath should immediately act against the culprits by delivering justice to the daughters of India. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Police are already investigating the issue.”
“Anything derogatory against Women is condemnable and reprehensible which deserves to be punished seriously. India has been a land that has been respecting women and, in some sects, they are placed on a pedestal as Goddess. Most of the Hindu casts and sub casts rever a lady’s position as Mother and Goddess – Devi. So also, in Christianity Mother Mary is revered for having given this world Jesus Christ. Merely because some of our population rever the Islamic Faith, it does not give a license to these Rabid individuals to degrade women. It is highly reprehensible and severe punishment deserves to be meted out to the offenders,” said Adv Satish Maneshinde.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Communal forces consider sexual violence as their weapon. Those who sow the crops of hatred are committing sexual violence by targeting women based on identity, they are anti-society, constitution and country. Our Prime Minister not taking action against such people shows the anti-women ideology of his government.”
Mehbooba Mufti, leader of PDP said, “Appalling that the criminals behind such derogatory & demeaning actions against Muslim women are given a free run. Whether its open calls for genocide of Muslims or targeting Muslim women online, it is clear that these fringe elements enjoy the patronage of those in power.”
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik told Afternoon Voice, “I have personally met the state home minister Dilip Valse Patil and demanded a probe. This is beyond annoyance to see vocal Muslim Women being auctioned online in Sulli Deals & Bulli Bai. I’ve also had a telephonic conversation with two such victims. I am shocked to see a level of hate and anger against a set of women. Maharashtra police will nab the culprits soon. Maharashtra will always stand with the daughters of the nation.”
“The Right Wing in India has been instrumental in creating a rift in the social fabric of the Nation, especially by creating unpleasant social behaviour against the Muslim community, in line with preachings of the likes of Golwalkar. In recent times VHP, Bajrang Dal type of RSS outfits have had posed problems for all minorities in India, this needs no clarification. Even Retired Army officers like Maj Gen GD Bakshi and Lt Gen SP Sinha have been ultra-vocal against Muslims and have faced social Backlash. Godi Media has been raging war-like situations against the Muslim community. I recollect BJP leaders insulting Kashmiri Muslim women post Article 370 abrogation. Many BJP leaders have been caught in sex rackets. The literate yet uneducated segment of Right-wing society flares up nuisance such as these ‘Sulli Deals’ creating unwarranted mayhem. In a country such as ours, women are worshipped as Goddesses and it’s against our cultural traditions to demean women. “Beti Bachao” is much needed, against such mindless Right-wing people, who are unethical and sort of Anti-Indian Ethics,” Nishant Varma, a political analyst said.
Preeti Sharma Menon leader of AAP said, “In a country where the Prime Minister follows social media abusers’ women are just not safe on social media. But I never thought the trolls will fall so low, to sell profiles of Muslim women! I can’t imagine what those women must be going thru, to have their photos and profiles circulated like this. I hope Maharashtra govt acts.”
Nandita Thakur said, “I am totally against any such activities/threats of rapes or stalking of women on social media irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or political affiliation. We are living in a world where any crime against women is immediately segregated into various sections like caste, religion, political ideology and then accordingly reactions come. Since the ‘Sulli Deals’ or ‘Bulli Bai’ target were Muslim women without even any investigation Right wingmen were blamed by left-wing activists and Liberals. Last year when Sulli Deals happened the blame was put on the Right-wing but later on, one Zaved Alam‘s name cropped up with his telegram chats with Zubair. With the elections in UP, Punjab and other states, this is a clear attempt to polarise the election, create a negative image of India and BJP internationally. Before Jumping to conclusions Leftists and Liberals should wait for investigation agencies’ reports. In the past, even I was threatened with rape on Twitter, not just me but the person who had threatened to rape my mother and my daughter (which I don’t have). Derogatory remarks were made by a fan of the then Congress Social Media warrior and now Rajya Sabha MP. Women from all sides face such threats, abuses since we stand divided. It’s high time women issues are seen as women issues and not as Hindu-Muslim, upper caste-lower caste, North-South women issues.”
Adv. Abha Singh said, “Our heads should be held in shame. I am shocked to read that Muslim women are on sale with their faces on Apps like Bulli Bai. Some mischievous people trying to humiliate strong and empowered women to create a bad blad in Hindus and Muslims. I hope that the Police take action under 295A of the IPC for spreading hatred and creating a rift between two communities. An FIR is registered against these culprits with vested interests. Interpol can be helpful as these sites have overseas registration. A year before Sulli deals was trending but no Action was taken against it. Let us stand against these miscreants trying to divide women into communal lines.”
Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani said, “In our country where women are worshipped goddesses, today getting auctioned on Apps. The deals are set for them and people are silent on such serious issues, is it because they are not the women of your family? Is this new Indianness? Are these your principles, are these your values? History will not forgive your criminal cowardice.”
Mohammed Zubair of Alt News stated, “They’ve at least 100 Influential Indian Muslim women’s photographs. @wannabesigmaf Twitter handle that had tweeted about it. Have archive links and screenshots of deleted tweets. It’s easier for Twitter to find who’s behind. Please file a Police complaint in Mumbai, Not Delhi. You must have seen the investigation by Delhi Police when there was a complaint last year for a similar case. Mumbai Police took 3-4 days to arrest a person who gave rape threats to cricket’s daughter from his anonymous account.”
Deepali Sawant a social media buff said, “This is a sponsored project to please those special voters in the election. The ultimate goal is achieved, now they only need a few more complaints and strong responses from minorities and of course the media to deliver it to every corner of Uttar Pradesh where CM Yogi/Reliance Jio could not procure internet. Also, special Hindi media will explain the matter to non-English speaking voters about it so they also enjoy the achievement of their elected government.”
Bilal Vazir, a social worker said, “Who really in this day and age, where one is busy with one’s own Job, has so much time to make an App to spread Hatred, can’t be a normal person. This looks like a politically motivated attempt to incite communal violence; Police must investigate the Politician’s angle behind this. The hate against minorities is increasing at a rapid rate. I don’t know whether the government will take any action or not. But whatever is happening puts India at shame.”
Arif Bilal a businessman said, “Previously some nonsense work like hate speech was virtually ignored. But personally, my hope for the present government is very low. Who has the time to look at these silly postings on the garbage apps, only those renting their empty minds to hate-mongering? But the media have a vested interest in keeping these types of news alive. They want some TRP and politicians want violence.”
Saudi Arabia's decision to ban Tablighi Jamaat has sent ripples across South Asia 16
Saudi Arabia’s decision to ban the Tablighi Jamaat has sent ripples across South Asia. Over the past two weeks, news of Saudi Arabia banning the Islamic religious revivalist movement the Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) and branding it a terrorist group has elicited much interest in the media across South Asia, according to The European Foundation for South Asian Studies.
Saudi religious leaders have for long viewed the TJ as “deviants”. Part of the reason for the ban was that the TJ does not see eye to eye with the kingdom’s own established revivalist movement, popularly referred to as Wahhabism. Established in 1926 by the Sufi Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandhlawi, of Chisti Tariqa, in the Mewat region of India, it began as an offshoot of the Deobandi movement.
The reaction of countries such as Pakistan, which condemned the Saudi decision to ban the TJ, and of several Muslim religious bodies and personalities across the sub-continent, that also took umbrage to it, left little doubt that the ban was on none other than the TJ, according to the European Foundation for South Asian Studies. Meanwhile, the Saudi ban threatens to adversely impact the TJ’s sizeable presence and its activities in South Asia.
Further, the Pew Research Center, for example, drew attention to the fact that some TJ followers have been accused of having ties to radical networks. On the other hand, Pakistan was quick to react to the Saudi ban, and it adopted a rather confrontational tone towards a patron nation that it is still working on mending frayed relations with.
Also, the assembly of the Pakistani province of Punjab, in which Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party is in majority, unanimously adopted a resolution calling the TJ a force for good. The merits or otherwise of the Saudi decision notwithstanding, the ban will certainly impact upon the TJ’s activities in South Asia. In addition to the Saudi regime’s dislike of the TJ as brought out afore, the winds of change that are flowing through the Saudi Kingdom may also have played their part in the decision being taken, according to the European Foundation for South Asian Studies.
Influential BJP leaders from Maharashtra lobbying for NCB official Sameer Wankhede in Delhi, alleges Nawab Malik 18
Maharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik on Sunday alleged that some influential BJP leaders from Maharashtra are Lobbying for Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede at the level of Union Home Ministry for the further extension of his tenure, which came to end on December 31 last year.
Addressing a press conference, the NCP leader said, “Despite negative report against Sameer Wankhede for his wrongdoings, some influential BJP leaders are pursuing with the Union Home Ministry to change his negative report to positive and get him an extension in NCB. Let them do that. After the order is issued, we will seek information under the RTI and expose the manner in which it has been done.”
Malik alleged that that NCB zonal director Wankhede is deliberately planting some news and is also, deliberately saying that he does not want an extension. He further alleged that the NCB officer continued his wrongdoings despite a series of exposes by him and they are still trying to trap innocent people. “The NCB is still trying to trap innocent people. After October 2, I exposed many wrongdoings of NCB, but that these frauds of NCB are still going on,” he said.
He also released two audio tapes about the purported talk between the NCB officer and witnesses asking them to give their backdated signatures in one case registered in June 2021 in which the panchanama was already carried out. “I have released two audiotapes consisting of conversations between the witnesses and the NCB officers. NCB is putting pressure on the witnesses to come to the office and sign in the matter. Already panchanama (record) has been completed but now NCB is demanding backdated signature from the witnesses,” he alleged.
“I will expect the DG NCB to conduct a probe into this and take action against the concerned officers,” he added. The Maharashtra Minister said he has not been restrained by the High Court for exposing wrongdoings in the NCB in the defamation case filed by the NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede’s father Dnyandev Wankhede.
“I will not be scared but will continue to expose wrongdoings of NCB in future too,” he said. Malik further said NCB had formed the SIT and also vigilance committee to probe the wrongdoings and complaints made by him against Wankhede and other officers with regard to extortion and ransom in various cases.
“I would like to know what happened to the investigations by SIT and vigilance committee of NCB. The NCB should release their reports. No matter how much you save, we will expose such people and punish them,” he warned. Malik alleged that a PR agency has been deployed to carry out a misinformation campaign against him. “A section of press recently carried the news that NCB has moved to the High Court seeking quashing of the bail granted to my son-in-law Sameer Khan. But the papers, which were unsigned, were released by the PR agencies. Why NCB has singled out and taken this decision against Sameer Khan when there are six accused in the case? We are ready for a legal battle and we have already filed a petition with a plea to quash the NCB case against Sameer Khan,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also took strong objections against photos of women put up for online auction on apps and sought immediate action against them. “Some Muslim women, who are vocal on various issues, are being targeted. Some of them are from Maharashtra. I will write to the Home Minister and seek action against these apps,” he said.
Story of school dropout Abhijeet Dhananjay Sarag becoming Kalicharan 20
Abhijeet Dhananjay Sarag, born in a middle-class family of Shivaji Nagar, the old city of Akola, Maharashtra. He belongs to the Bhavsar community. His father Dhananjay Sarag has a medical shop in Jain Chowk. Kalicharan aka Abhijeet Sarag studied in Shivaji Nagar Parishad School till class VIII only. Due to a lack of interest in studies, his parents sent him to Indore at his aunt’s place.
It was here that he learned to speak Hindi from Marathi. Apart from this, He started visiting Bhayyuji Maharaj’s ashram, he started taking interest in ashram work. While volunteering his services at the ashram, he came in touch with Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. He took Diksha from his Guru Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. There, he learnt to speak Hindi and started leaning towards spirituality. He started to be known as ‘Kalicharan Maharaj’ after that.
Kalicharan soon moved to an ashram in Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu, where he claimed to have seen a vision of Rishi Agastya, one of the most revered saints of Hindu mythology. He says it was this that inspired him to become a sadhu. Kalicharan, is in his mid-40s, his exact date of birth is unknown, but some reports suggest he was born in 1973.
In 2020, Kalicharan became a social media sensation after videos of him singing the Shiva Tandav Strotra went viral. The video was from Bhojeshwar Shiv Temple in Madhya Pradesh. His popularity secured the path for many such videos. One of the professionally rendered videos of his singing Tandav Stotra has gained over two crores views on YouTube. From YouTube popularity, he got his entry into the saffron clan.
Kalicharan Maharaj is quite popular and many of his videos chanting Mantras and Slokas from Hindu scriptures have gone viral. He had tried his luck in civic polls in 2017 but did not succeed. There were rumours that he would contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Kalicharan has been in news recently after the Chhattisgarh government filed FIRs on him over the statements he made at the Raipur Dharma Sansad. He had criticized MK Gandhi and had held him responsible for the partition of India and the brutal massacre of lakhs of Hindus.
Many Hindus religious organizations started inviting him, he became the talk of the town with his red robe with a round tilak on his head and is a Shiv and Kali devotee. He was famous within Hindu fanatic groups. On December 30, Kalicharan was arrested by Raipur Police for criticizing Mahatma Gandhi during a speech in the ‘Dharm Sansad’ event in Chhattisgarh.
Kalicharan booked a guest house in Khajuraho but did not stay there; instead, he went to a rented house some 25 km from Khajuraho to dodge the police, who had been looking for him since the day a case was filed against him. To evade the police from tracking, all his close aides had also switched off their phones. Finally, some of his close friends tipped off the Police about his whereabouts. Police laid a trap and caught him.
Initially, he tried to save himself by making calls to various sources, then he argued with police, and finally surrendered to them. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra alleged the Chhattisgarh Police violated inter-state protocol by arresting Kalicharan from the state without informing local police and asked the Madhya Pradesh police chief to take up the matter with his Chhattisgarh counterpart.
He received widespread criticism from the ruling Congress government in Chhattisgarh. Sushil Anand Shukla, the state Congress communication wing head said that the use of such words against Mahatma Gandhi was highly objectionable.
This is not the first time that Kalicharan has made provocative speeches. On December 19, he made derogatory comments about Christians and Muslims at an event in Pune, prompting the police to register a case against him and five others. He is a hardcore hate monger and created a lot of unrest between communities.
