Archives for 2024

New Delhi: Khalistani seperatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a fresh warning, urging passengers to avoid flying Air India between November 1 and 19. The threat, according to Pannun, is linked to the 40th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots.

Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), had made similar threats last year around the same time. His recent warning comes amid increased security concerns as airlines in India have been facing multiple hoax bomb threats in recent months.

This development coincides with the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, following allegations by the Canadian government that India is targeting Khalistani elements within its borders. The diplomatic row intensified after the killing of Khalistani seperatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, an incident for which India has denied any involvement.

Pannun’s previous threats included a claim in November 2023 that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be shut down on November 19, warning passengers to avoid flying Air India that day. He has also been involved in other high-profile threats, such as an alleged plan to attack the Indian Parliament in December last year.

Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, has been designated a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020. He has been charged with criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In a related incident, on October 17, the United States charged a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, a claim India has dismissed as baseless.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (October 21) dismissed a petition seeking to replace the term ‘Hindutva’ with ‘Bharatiya Samvidhanatva’ (Indian Constitution).

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, heading the bench, refused to entertain the plea filed by Dr. SN Kundra, stating, “No sir, we will not entertain this.” When the petitioner attempted to make further submissions, the CJI responded, “This is a complete abuse of the process.”

The bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, dismissed the petition.

Vancouver: India’s high commissioner to Canada has denied any involvement in the murder of a Canadian Sikh leader who was killed in British Columbia last year even though the Canadian government has named him as a person of interest in the assassination.

Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was expelled last Monday along with five other Indian diplomats, said in an interview on CTV’s Question Period Sunday that the allegations are politically motivated.

“Nothing at all,” Verma said when asked if he had any role in in the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was killed outside a cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. “No evidence presented. Politically motivated.”

Four Indian nationals living in Canada were charged with Nijjar’s murder and are awaiting trial.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police went public this week with allegations that Indian diplomats were targeting Sikh separatists in Canada by sharing information about them with their government back home. They said top Indian officials were then passing that information to Indian organized crime groups who were targeting the activists, who are Canadian citizens, with drive-by shootings, extortions and even murder.

Verma denied the Indian government was targeting Sikh separatists in Canada.

“I, as high commissioner of India, have never done anything of that kind,” he said.

Any action taken by Indian officials in Canada was “overt,” said Verma.

In the interview Verma condemned Nijjar’s death.

“Any murder is wrong and bad,” he said. “I do condemn.”

Verma also pushed back on comments made by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly that compared India to Russia. She said Canada’s national police force has linked Indian diplomats to homicides, death threats and intimidation in Canada.

“Let me see the concrete evidence she’s talking about,” said Verma. “As far as I’m concerned, she’s talking politically.”

India has rejected the Canadian accusations as absurd, and its foreign ministry said it was expelling Canada’s acting high commissioner and five other diplomats in response.

Verma said “not a shred of evidence has been shared with us” about the Canadian allegations.

The RCMP has said attempts earlier this month to share evidence with Indian officials were unsuccessful.

Verma said the RCMP had not applied for the proper visas to visit India.

“A visa needs to be affixed,” he said. “For any government delegation to travel to another country, you need an agenda to go by. There was no agenda at all.”

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil. The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against an Indian government employee Thursday in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

In the case announced by the Justice Department, Vikash Yadav, who authorities say directed the New York plot from India, faces murder-for-hire charges in a planned killing that prosecutors have previously said was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada.

“An indictment is not a conviction,” Verma said. “It will follow its judicial process.”

India has repeatedly criticized the Canadian government for being soft on supporters of what is known as the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India but has support among the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada.

The Khalistan movement supports the establishment of an independent Sikh state in India.

The Nijjar killing in Canada has soured India-Canada ties for more than a year, but Verma doesn’t expect this will impact business relations between the two countries.

“I don’t see much impact on non-political bilateral relations,” he said.

Nasheman news

Maid arrested for mixing urine in dough after being caught on camera by employer in Shanti Nagar

Ghaziabad (UP): A maid working for a real estate businessman for eight years has been arrested for allegedly mixing urine in the dough used to make rotis, police said.

The maid, identified as Reena (32) from Shanti Nagar Colony here, was caught on camera committing the alleged act, police said.

The incident came to light when Rupam, house owner Nitin Gautam’s wife, noticed her family members experiencing liver problems. Suspecting a foul play, she began monitoring the maid’s activities in the kitchen. Gautam secretly recorded a video using his mobile phone, which captured the maid allegedly mixing urine in the flour.

Based on the complaint and evidence filed by the family, police lodged an FIR regarding the matter on Monday and arrested Reena on Tuesday.

“During interrogation, the maid initially denied the allegations. However, upon being confronted with the video, she confessed to her actions. The maid claimed she was motivated by revenge after being frequently scolded by her employer for minor mistakes,” said ACP Wave City Lipi Nagaich.

Reena has been booked under Section 272 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the BNS, said the officer.

Similar incidents of human waste, including urine and spit, being added to food items have been reported from several places in the state.

In wake of such incidents, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday announced it will soon introduce a new law against sellers who “hide their identity” and mix human waste or inedible material in food items and beverages.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud

New Delhi: Advocating Ayurveda as essential for maintaining holistic health and wellbeing, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Thursday said his association with Ayurveda began when he contracted COVID during the pandemic period and relied solely on the traditional system of medical treatment and holistic approaches for recovery.

Addressing the International Conference on Advancements in Research and Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda organised by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), he said during the second and third waves of the pandemic, when he had contracted COVID he did not take allopathic medicine at all.

“I am a strong advocate of Ayurveda and a holistic lifestyle. My association with AYUSH began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when the value of preventive healthcare became more important than ever.

“During the second and third waves of the pandemic when I contracted COVID, I did not take any allopathic medicine at all. Instead, I relied solely on Ayurvedic treatments and holistic approaches, further solidifying my belief in its healing potential,” the CJI said.

He said Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that emphasises balance in the body, mind and spirit. Detoxification and life optimisation are foundational principles in Ayurveda and essential for achieving long-term health, he said, underlining that in today’s fast-paced world, it is also a strategy for managing stress and improving the quality of life.

CJI Chandrachud highlighted four key postulates as a curtain raiser for the conference. Firstly, he said there is a need to discuss if our infrastructure is ready to support Ayurveda’s growing demand.

He said the infrastructure at the AIIA is nothing short of impressive. With two campuses and six extension centres, AIIA has successfully served over 2.8 million patients through 44 specialty outpatient departments (OPDs), he said.

The CJI said this achievement not only highlights the scale of AIIA’s operations but also highlights its commitment to delivering high-quality care to a diverse population. Moreover, AIIA offers advanced postgraduate and PhD programmes, which are vital in nurturing the next generation of Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers, he added.

“What truly stands out is AIIA’s dedication to expanding its reach through its extension centres located in various prestigious sites, including one situated at our Supreme Court. These centres not only provide crucial patient care but also play an essential role in educating the public about the benefits of Ayurveda,” Chandrachud said.

By enhancing accessibility and awareness in such influential locations, AIIA helps demystify Ayurvedic practices and promotes a deeper understanding of holistic healthcare among citizens, legal professionals and policymakers alike, he said.

He emphasised that research also plays a pivotal role in strengthening the foundation of Ayurvedic practices. “It allows us to validate and adapt ancient wisdom to meet contemporary health challenges,” he said.

The launch of the Ayush Research Portal marks a significant advancement for Ayurvedic research and education, he said, adding that this comprehensive platform houses an impressive collection of over 43,000 research articles, serving as a robust resource for scholars, practitioners and anyone interested in the scientific validation of Ayush principles and practices.

He stressed on ensuring equity and equality in access to Ayurveda. “Equity and equality in healthcare are fundamental principles that ensure every individual has the opportunity to receive the medical attention they deserve,” he said.

Recent reports from the National Sample Survey indicate that 95 per cent of rural and 96 per cent urban Indians are now aware of the traditional systems of medicine. This growing awareness not only reflects the increasing demand for Ayush systems but it also highlights the expanding role of Ayurveda in the health and wellness landscape of India, the CJI said.

Access to essential treatments is a fundamental aspect of the right to health, closely aligned with Article 21 of our Constitution, he said.

This commitment to equitable healthcare is further supported by international law, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which recognises the right to the highest attainable standard of health, he said.

The Article 12 of the ICESCR obligates states to take necessary steps to ensure that everyone can enjoy this right, reinforcing the importance of equitable access to medical care for all individuals, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status, the CJI said.

“Given this context, there is a pressing need for equity in healthcare access across all communities,” he said, as he urged all stakeholders to collaborate in creating initiatives that ensure equitable access to Ayurvedic treatment and education.

One of the drawbacks of modern medicine, he highlighted, is the ease with which the drugs are available over the counters and this ease of availability of drugs is one of the serious problems which is confronting our society.

“Because we tend to self medicate on drugs which should be used as last option, not as the first option… Almost every little virus that we contract on the turn of the season is self limiting because the power of the body and mind which nature has given it is so strong.

“Yet in today’s time patience is limited and people are becoming less and less tolerant. People are driven to accepting solutions which may work overnight but may damage the body mind in the long run. And that is where I believe that Ayurveda has a great potential to remind people not just to attend to the problems of the moment but to speak of your life and suggest remedies which will have a long lasting benefit to our existence,” he said.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

New Delhi: India on Thursday said it had shared with the Canadian government security-related information regarding members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and other gangs, seeking their arrest, but so far “no action” has been taken by Ottawa.

“They have taken no action so far, which are our core concerns. And, there is a political motive behind it, which you know… No action taken on our security concern,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.

He said this in response to a query during his weekly briefing here as he fielded a volley of questions on India-Canada ties, a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a Commission of Inquiry.

Jaiswal, in response to another query, said “as far as my information is concerned, there are 26 extradition requests (from India) pending with the Canadian side” over the last decade or more.

The MEA spokesperson said the current diplomatic row with Canada has been precipitated by the Trudeau government’s “baseless” allegations, and reiterated that “no evidence” has been shared in support of Ottawa’s charges against New Delhi.

“We will say that as far as the allegations are concerned, PM Trudeau’s own admission yesterday would indicate the value as regards our stance on the allegations. We will naturally reject false imputations against our diplomats,” he said.

Testifying before the public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, Trudeau on Wednesday acknowledged that he had only intelligence and no “hard evidentiary proof” when he alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.

The MEA early on Thursday reacted to this and said what it has heard only “confirms” New Delhi’s consistent stand that Canada has “presented us no evidence” in support of the serious allegations Ottawa chose to level against India and Indian diplomats.

“So far, Canada has not given evidence in support of the very serious allegations levelled against India and Indian diplomats,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA spokesperson’s comments assumes significance given the claims made by Canadian prime minister during the inquiry.

Testifying before the public inquiry, Trudeau claimed the Indian diplomats were collecting information on Canadians who are in disagreement with the Narendra Modi government and passing it to the highest levels within the Indian government and criminal organisations like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

On a query on extradition requests from India, the MEA spokesperson said that besides the 26 extradition requests, there are several “provisional arrest requests of several criminals, which are also pending with the Canadian side”.

“Some of the notable ones who have been charged with terror and related crimes, I would like to name them. They are, Gurjeet Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Lakhbir Singh Landa and Arshdeep Singh Gill. They are wanted in terror charges, as I told you. And also some related charges,” Jaiswal said.

Provisional arrest information has been sought by India under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

The five criminals (named during the briefing) are fugitives whose extradition “we have sought”, he said.

To a query on whether Nijjar’s name was on the extradition list, Jaiswal clarified that it wasn’t.

He added that New Delhi had shared “security-related information with the Canadian government regarding gang members, including those of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and requested them to arrest them and/or to take due action as per the law”.

While India had exchanged and given this information, “so far no action has been taken by the Canadian side on our request. This is very serious,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Jaiswal said it is really strange how “the people who we asked to be deported, on whom we asked that action be taken, we are being told that they are the ones…or the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is blaming the Indian side, that these people are committing crimes in Canada, for which you are to be blamed. So this is a contradiction in terms, which we don’t understand”.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.

“On Lawrence Bishnoi gang, other gangs, syndicates, a few years ago and recently too, have told Canada and requested for their provisional arrests. So, far no action has been taken, neither any arrest made,” the MEA spokesperson said.

And, New Delhi has repeatedly said this, these people who are indulging in anti-India activities over there, encouraging separate forces, and strictest of actions should be taken against them, Jaiswal said.

“But, in this matter, they have brought forth the idea of freedom of speech and said, they can’t do anything in this regard. This is baseless from our side,” he added.

During the briefing, he was also asked if India has reached out to its allies including the US, the UK, Australia on this issue, to which he said, “no talks with them yet”.

Asked where he saw this bilateral relationship going, Jaiswal said, “Well, to tell you very frankly, India-Canada economic ties are very strong and vibrant. We have a lot of Canadian pension funds… invested here, we have a large Indian diaspora in Canada, which is a bridge through which we maintain very strong people-to-people links with Canada”.

“We have a large, possibly the largest cohort of international students in Canada as well. This particular crisis has been precipitated by Trudeau government’s baseless allegations,” he said.

And, Canada is a major beneficiary of all these linkage, “strong linkages that we have”, the MEA spokesperson said.

On a query about reports that the Indian high commissioner and five other diplomats were asked to leave Canada, Jaiswal said subsequent to India’s decision to withdraw its envoy and other diplomats, “we saw that there was a communication from the Canadian side, asking them to leave by 11:59 pm on October 19. But, we had withdrawn our diplomats before their decision”.

India on Monday expelled six Canadian diplomats and also announced withdrawing its high commissioner from Canada after dismissing Ottawa’s allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Nijjar.

Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year.