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Christian evangelists try to enter Srisailam Temple with Bible

Two years ago in December 2019, four men were nabbed by the police for reading the Bible at a park close to the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple. Now, another incident has come to light where some people attempted to enter the the temple with Bible.

Devotees spotted some people, most likely to be Christian evangelists, in the “free darshan” queue. They informed the authorities who found that they had bible in their bags and trying to enter the temple. The Bible was seized and the evangelists were told to leave the premises immediately.

The Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh, one of the Jyotirlingam pilgrimage sites, seems to have come under the attack of two Abrahamic faiths. While on one hand shops are being allocated to Muslims within the temple premises, the temple has been repeatedly eyed by Christian evangelists for proselytization purposes.

In December 2019, police arrested four men – Peter, Timothy, Praveen and Joshua – who came to the park just adjacent to the Mallikharjuna Temple and started reading the Bible while clicking photos.

In September 2019, a vehicle with a flex banner having Bible verses and photo of YSRCP leader YS Rajashekar Reddy, the father of Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Reddy’s was spotted by devotees. It was found that the owner of the vehicle was a fanatic Christian.

With respect to the influence of Muslims in the sacred site of Hindus, the temple contractor Mohammad Razaq has been giving contracts to Muslim shop owners who have been allowed to put up shops within the temple premises.

BJP leader and Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh has alleged that Muslims have taken over the businesses in the temple town, with the support of Srisailam MLA Silpa Chakrapani Reddy. He also said that Razaq is a close confidante of Reddy and Razaq’s brother is also a TDP leader. He said that the brothers have been able to influence the affairs in the temple town no matter which party (TDP or YSRCP) is in power.

Raja Singh also alleged that Razaq’s wife who is a Hindu and runs a Goshala (cow shed) has been helping her husband in cow slaughtering for meat consumption. Razaq has several cases pending against him. He is said to have transported mutton in flower baskets used for bringing flowers to the temple. Recently gold and other precious items were discovered under a Shiva Linga in Srisailam’s Ganta Matam which is also reportedly have been taken away by Razaq.

India, NDB sign loan agreements worth $646 million for Andhra Pradesh road projects

The Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and the New Development Bank (NDB) on January 6 signed loan agreements of up to $323 million each for two projects. The first project – Andhra Pradesh Roads and Bridges Reconstruction Project – comprises widening 1,600 km of State Highways to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges on the State Highway network. The second project – Andhra Pradesh Mandal Connectivity and Rural Connectivity Improvement Project – comprises widening 1,400 km of district roads to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges on the district road network. The Government of Andhra Pradesh will implement the Projects through the Roads and Buildings Department.

The two projects are expected to improve mobility and connectivity to the socioeconomic centres, enhance transport efficiency, improve road safety and riding quality, and provide all-weather accessibility for the State’s road users. The projects would increase the roads’ daily traffic capacity to 15,000 passenger car units, which is expected to meet the projected traffic growth over the next 20 years.

The agreement was signed by Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, M. T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary, Transport, Roads and Buildings Department and Xian Zhu, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, NDB.

“India is committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth,” Baldeo Purushartha said in a statement. “The projects will contribute to the development of state infrastructure, enhance road connectivity and safety, and provide connectivity between adjoining Mandal headquarters and rural areas. The projects will also have a positive impact on employment generation and economic well-being.”

“The projects will expand the capacity of roads with high vehicular traffic, improve last-mile connectivity to ports and industrial hubs and enhance connectivity to rural areas contributing to the enhanced socioeconomic development of the State of Andhra Pradesh. NDB funding shall help to bridge the funding gap for road infrastructure development and will support the Government of Andhra Pradesh in its goal to enhance connectivity between socioeconomic centres”, said Zhu.

The tenor of each loan is 32 years, including a moratorium period of 5 years.

(Published from PIB)

Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board to provide aid to economically weaker Brahmin brides marrying within community

The Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board has come out with two initiatives, aimed to benefit Brahmin brides from economically weaker sections.

The ‘Arundhati’ scheme will provide ₹25,000 to newly-wedded Brahmin women from poor families who marry within the community. Brides marrying priests (Archakas and Purohits) will be provided an aid of ₹3 lakh under the ‘Maitreyi’ programme.

This scheme in Karnataka will be launched by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and during the initial pilot project stage, 500 brides from poor backgrounds will be able to avail the benefit of Arundhati scheme and the Maitreyi scheme will be extended to 25 brides.

H S Sachidananda Murthy, Chairman of the state’s Brahmin Development Board was quoted saying in reports that the family availing the scheme has to produce a certificate citing they are from the economically backward class. The couple has to be married for at least five years and it should be their first marriage. 

But the board will also be taking several other measures to alleviate the Brahmin community. 4,000 participants aged between 8-80 years will be given ₹500 for getting trained in “Sandhya Vandana” and pooja rituals.

The board also will spend ₹14 crore to provide scholarships to 5,800 students from the community.

US Congress certifies Biden win, Trump vows “orderly transition”

The US Congress on Thursday officially certified President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win in the November 2020 election, in a session that was marred by pro-Trump supporters besieging the Capitol. The final votes in Congress confirm that Biden will be the 46th president of the United States — despite some Republican lawmakers’ challenges and the rampage caused by Trump supporters which resulted in the death of at least 4 people, including a female USAF veteran. Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration is slated to be held on January 20.

Some House and Senate Republicans had planned objections against certifying the Electoral College votes in at least three states — Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania — but several of the lawmakers dropped the idea after the protestors.

US President Donald Trump on early Thursday morning pledged an “orderly transition” when President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20, according to a statement released by White House social media director Dan Scavino.

This statement is the first time President Trump is publicly acknowledging that he would leave office on January 20. It came shortly after Congress certified Biden’s victory.

“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said in the statement. “I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again”, the statement continued.

President Trump’s Twitter account and his accounts on other social media platforms have all been temporarily suspended since Wednesday.

Breaking: Sasikala expected to be released on Jan 27

In what could trigger another round of interesting political events, reports have come that Sasikala could be released on January 27.

The parties representing Sasikala were quoted saying in a report that there is a possibility of Sasikala getting released on January 27 who is spending her time in Parappanna Agrahara jail following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

Supreme Court is concerned farmers protest could spread COVID19 just as Tablighi Jamaat meet

As the situation of the farmer’s protest does not seem to ebb, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday (7 January) asked the Centre what it has learnt from the Nizamuddin Markaz congregation earlier this year that led to the spread of COVID-19.

The apex court observed that the same situation may arise with the protesting farmers if “precautionary measures” are not taken to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Right now thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab along with some professional political activists and politicians from the left are camped at various Delhi borders. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “You must tell us what is happening?”

The other jurist on the bench are Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian further enquired, whether farmers protesting at various Delhi borders are taking precaution to contain the spread of Covid-19 the Solicitor General response was in the negative.

After hearing the AG, the top court observed that the congregation of farmers around the Delhi border it could potentially become a situation like the Nizamuddin Markaz congregation in the national capital in March last year. 

The court then asked the Centre to file a report on the steps taken so far to contain Covid and issued a notice on a plea filed by Supriya Pandita through advocate Omprakash Parihar.

The top court expressed its concern and noted if precautions are being taken against the spread of Covid in large gatherings and ensure Covid-19 does not spread and asked the Centre to ensure guidelines are strictly followed.

Supriya Pandita was the same litigant who had filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the role of Centre, Delhi government and Delhi police for allowing the huge congregation, including foreign delegates who had come from many Islamic countries at Nizamuddin Markaz, which risked the health of people amid Covid-19.

BJP National Women’s Wing President comes down heavy on DMK for its treatment of women

BJP National Women’s Wing President Vanathi Srinivasan lashed out at the DMK in a series of tweets in light of the recent episode where the DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of M.K. Stalin, made vulgar remarks on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Recalling the instance when late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi made lewd remarks at T.N. Anandanayaki, the BJP leader wrote that what was started by the grandfather (Karunanidhi) is being continued by the grandson (Udhayanidhi Stalin).

T.N. Anandanayaki was an elected member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Congress party. During a debate, Anandanayaki had rhetorically asked “where was Dravida Naadu?” to which Karunanidhi in sitting in the Assembly had replied “We will know when we untie the string”.

Mrs. Vanathi Srinivasan in her tweet said that it was the tradition of DMK to derogate women. She also pointed out the recent incident where DMK hooligans hounded and harassed Poongodhai, a woman who had posed a question to DMK chief M.K. Stalin during the ‘Gram Sabha Meet’.

She also recalled another appalling incident when a DMK women was pinched in the hip by fellow party cadres, saying that these instances have been treated as business as usual by the party. She said that such attacks are undertaken to prevent women from entering politics.

“Udhayanidhi Stalin making such remarks on Sasikala who must be of his mother’s age is not just disgusting but also highly condemnable. But such condemnation cannot be expected from M.K. Stalin.” she said adding if whether Durga Stalin [Udhayanidhi Stalin’s mother] will come forward and condemn the actions of her son.

Al Qaeda fighters from India and Bangladesh ready to carry out attacks: Intelligence

25 Islamist Terrorists Who Prove Education Doesn't Prevent Radicalization jihadi terror

An Indian intelligence report has alerted the security establishment that Al Qaeda fighters from India and Bangladesh are getting ready to carry out coordinated attacks along with the Haqqani network in the Af-Pak region. 

As per report, around 130 Al Qaeda fighters along with Haqqani network, an offshoot of the Taliban that enjoys support from the Pakistan’s military, is planning to attack the Af-Pak region.

“Approximately 130 Al-Qaeda fighters belonging to India and Bangladesh have graduated after training from Al-Qaeda’s military centre located at Miranshah in North Waziristan, Pakistan on October 30. The graduates are likely to be shifted to Khost, Paktia, Pakitka, Kunar, Logar, Nuristan and Kabul provinces to carry out coordinated attacks along with Haqqani Network fighters,” the report said.

A report that was published by the United Nations last year had stated that there are 150-200 members in Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent or AQIS from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The 26th Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said in the report that there are an estimated 400-600 Al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan.

The UN report identified the following areas in Afganistan like Nirmuz, Helmand and Kandahar in Afghanistan — where the AQIS was working under Taliban.

Indian intelligence agencies have been vigilant and have been keeping a close eye on of AQIS in India and closing down on local modules and recruits that have been active in the last few years within the country.

Indian Army Chief receives 1 lakh bullet-proof jackets four months ahead of schedule

On Wednesday (January 4), Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik handed over the 1 lakh Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) to Army Chief General M M Naravane at a ceremony in New Delhi, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Naik said the government will ensure that “the best of weapons and protective armour” are provided to the soldiers and the Modi government places high emphasis on the operational safety of soldiers and it has honoured its commitment of protecting their “precious lives” while fighting the enemy.

Naik assured that “the government will ensure that our soldiers will be provided with the best of weapons and protective armour and such requirements will always remain uppermost in priority”.

He also singled out and appreciated SMPP Pvt Ltd who had manufactured the BPJ and more importantly the company fulfiled the order of the first one lakh BPJs four months ahead of the delivery schedule.

The minister called the induction of these BPJ as a significant moment because it is an indigenous product manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Also, the company is exporting the product all over the world and working towards making India a global hub for the supply of such defence items.

The minister said that he is very happy that the BPJ has been appreciated by Indian soldiers who are using them on the borders and in countering insurgency.

Will blow RSS headquarters and kill Mohan Bhagwat says Maharashtra State Kisan Mahasabha secretary Arun Bankar

The ongoing farmer’s protests took a turn for the worst when Arun Bankar, secretary of Maharashtra State Kisan Mahasabha who called himself a revolutionary since his student days, publicly threatened to blow up the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur and kill RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat if the Modi government did repeal the farm bills.

If that was not enough, Bankar declared that either PM Modi should withdraw the farm acts or he must commit suicide. The video of his speech has now gone viral on the internet.

Bankar also challenged the government if it had the courage to fire bullets on farmers which have not been the case because there has not been even the slightest initiation of violence on the part of Modi government. 

Following his hate speech, a complaint has been lodged against Arun Bankar in the Betul Kotwali. An FIR has been lodged under Section 505, 506 after a complaint by BJP District President Babla Aditya Shukla. 

The historic farm laws which most states and farmers have welcomed has not only become a political issue but it has started to take the shape of a threat to national security with several groups threatening violence and issuing death threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Already, several cell towers in Punjab have been damaged or destroyed by protesters along with professional agitators. 

Leaders of political parties such as Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are rubbing shoulders with people who are issuing death threats to PM Modi. It is ironic when one protester said Modi’s fate will be just like Indira Gandhi who was assassinated by her Sikh Bodyguards in October 1984 due to operation blue star and the subsequent assassination led to the Sikh pogrom of 1984 Delhi riots.

If that is not enough, the ugly head of the Khalistani movement has reared and many pro-Khalistani elements have now hijacked the farmer protests.