Kejriwal BJP Delhi Chief

Will See How Far Kejriwal Can Run: BJP Delhi Chief

Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed a CBI probe into alleged procurement and supply of spurious and non-standard drugs in government hospitals and mohalla clinics in the national capital, the BJP’s Delhi chief Virendraa Sachdeva on Friday said he wanted to see how far the AAP convenor can ‘run’ from ongoing investigations.

The Delhi CM has already skipped three summonses by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with the excise policy case, accusing the BJP-led Centre of nursing ‘political vendetta’ and using central agencies at its disposal to hound and harass Opposition leaders.

Speaking to ANI on Friday, the BJP’s Delhi chief gunned for Kejriwal, saying, “We welcome the (MHA’s) decision to institute a CBI investigation into the supply of below-standard drugs to government hospitals in the national capital. The probe will throw new light on the reasons why such low-quality medicines were supplied to government hospitals, thereby endangering the health of patients. It will also reveal the extent of kickbacks to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues. This scam tantamounts to playing with public health. It is shameful.”

“We will see how far and how much Kejriwal can run from ongoing investigations,” Sachdeva added.

Earlier, on Friday, the MHA recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged procurement and supply of spurious and non-standard drugs in hospitals run by the Delhi government and mohalla clinics, sources said.

Further, according to sources, the MHA also directed the CBI to register an FIR into the supply of ‘sub-standard’ drugs to government hospitals in the Capital.

Delhi government’s Directorate of Vigilance had on December 26 written to the Union Home Ministry, requesting it to assign the investigation into the supply of “sub-standard” drugs to state-run hospitals to the CBI.

AAP leader and Vigilance Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj wrote to the Health Secretary over the allegation of sub-standard drugs at public hospitals and the primary health clinics, which the AAP government has often highlighted as an illustration of its model of governance, urging the latter to procure alternative arrangements.

“It has been brought to my notice that the Vigilance Department, GNCTD, has directed the secretary (health) to immediately remove the five drugs that were ‘not of standard quality’, from the stock where they have been supplied,” read Bhardwaj’s letter to the Health secretary.

“It was observed that in the recent past, certain essential consumables like absorbent cotton wool and rolled bandages were found ‘not of standard quality’ and were removed from the stock where they were supplied. The hospital authorities then did not make any alternative arrangements for the same and consequently, patients were inconvenienced since they were required to buy these consumables out of their own pockets,” it read further.

“Since the aforementioned five drugs, which are to be removed from the stock, are also essential in nature and required for treatment of the hypertensive disorder, seizure disorder, gastritis infections and respiratory diseases, hence, alternative arrangements should immediately be in place to make them available so that the general public is not inconvenienced and the treatment of patients is continued uninterrupted,” Bhardwaj wrote to the Health secretary.

“You are directed to inform me regarding the alternative arrangements made by DGHS and the hospitals for making available the five medicines, amlodipine, levetiracetam, pantoprazole, cephalexin and dexamethasone, of standard quality and their fresh stock position in the healthcare facilities, at the latest within a week,” the letter stated further.

Earlier, Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena wrote to the Home ministry, recommending a CBI inquiry in the matter. (ANI)

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Bilkis Bano

SC Notice To Centre, UP On Pleas Challenging Notification On Ban On Halal Certification

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government on a plea seeking the quashing of notification wherein manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of halal-certified products were banned in the state.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta sought a response from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Uttar Pradesh through Hazratganj Police Station and Food Safety and Drug Administration in two weeks.

Two petitions were filed by Jamiat Ulama-E-Maharashtra and Halal India Pvt. Ltd. seeking direction to quash the November 18 notification of Uttar Pradesh’s Food Safety and Drug Administration and FIRs registered against them.

Petitions challenged a ban imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government on the “manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of halal-certified products” on November 18.

Lucknow police had registered an FIR on November 17 at Hazratganj police station against some organisations, production companies, their owners and managers as well as other unidentified people involved in unnecessarily extorting money in the name of halal certification and promoting enmity in the name of religion and also funding different anti-national, separatist and terror organisations.

Petitioners said FIR was registered against them and they have been implicated despite the fact that they have no role whatsoever to play in relation to the issuance of halal certification.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench asked the petitioner, “Why should we entertain it under Article 32? Does the High Court not have jurisdiction to examine this?”

The counsel appearing for the petitioner said Uttar Pradesh’s ban has national implications and its impact on inter-state trade and commerce. The ban also affects the freedom of religion, counsel added.

“The court’s attention is required on whether a notification of this nature can be issued and second whether entities carrying out this exercise as accredited bodies under the aegis of the commerce ministry can be subjected to prosecution, only on grounds that such a certification is there. Such a position, however, has not been taken for practices of other religions or denominations like kosher. This will also have a significant impact on health, and on religious practices,” the advocate told the bench.

The petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-E-Maharashtra stated that FIR levies serious allegations against it for promoting halal products by which the companies are trying to bring communal differences among the consumers.

The petition stated that notification is “arbitrary and based on unreasonable classification”, said the petition adding that the manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of halal-certified products were banned with immediate effect in Uttar Pradesh from the view of “public health”.

“The notification is manifestly arbitrary as it capriciously excludes only halal certification while other certifications such as Jain, Satvik and even kosher have not been included within the purview of the said notification, indicating that it arbitrarily singles out one certification on the basis of religion which is an impermissible classification,” the petition said.

The notification has been issued without any adequate principle to determine as to how halal certification is adversely effecting public health, which is again vague, arbitrary and unreasonable, it added.

“It is submitted that the notification disincentivises the food preference of one particular religion without any rational basis and is therefore contrary to the secular fabric of the nation,” the plea further said. (ANI)

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Japan PM Fumio Kishida Modi

Modi Writes To Japan PM, Condoles Loss Of Lives In Earthquake

In the wake of the major earthquake in Japan on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased.

As per sources, PM Modi told the Japanese PM that he is deeply anguished and concerned to learn about the major earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, 2024.

PM Modi added, “I express my deepest condolence to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives. We stand in solidarity with Japan and its people affected by the disaster.”

PM Modi also said “As a special strategic and global partner, India values its relationship with Japan, and is ready to extend all possible assistance at this hour.”

At least 64 people were killed in the massive earthquake of 7.5 magnitude that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas in central Japan on Monday, Kyodo News reported. The rubble and severed roads still prevent search and rescue operations in the quake-hit regions.

The earthquake has caused structural damage and fires in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture. However, the full extent of the disaster caused by the powerful earthquake remains unknown.

The northern area of the remote Noto Peninsula was restricted access for more than 24 hours after the earthquake, although the Meteorological Agency of Japan cancelled all tsunami advisories along portions of the country’s western coast on Tuesday.

Following a disaster emergency meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida informed the media that the location was no longer accessible due to a wrecked road.

According to fire department officials, 25 buildings, including houses, have collapsed in Wajima City, NHK World reported, adding that firefighters have also been pressed into the ongoing rescue operations across locations.

A total of about 200 buildings, including shops and houses, are believed to have been burned around Asaichi Street, a popular tourist spot. The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture around 4.10 pm (local time), at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles). (ANI)

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Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)

EC Refutes Congress’ Allegations On EVMs

Refuting the Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh’s allegations on Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the Election Commission of India (ECI) said that the Commission has “full faith” in the use of EVMs in the election.

The reply comes after Jairam Ramesh wrote a letter to the Election Commission seeking an appointment to meet the delegation of INDIA bloc leaders to discuss the issue of Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT).

Responding to Congress leader, the ECI stands firm asserting that literature in the public domain on EVM including the latest updated FAQs (85 Questions) answers all reasonable and legitimate aspects of the use of EVMs adequately and comprehensively.

“Rule 49A and 49M of Conduct of Election Rules 1961 governing VVPAT and handling of paper slips were introduced by INC on August 14, 2013.”  

“While responding to an earlier letter dated 09.08.2023, ECI earlier also on 23.08.2023 comprehensively addressed all queries and detailed material including updated FAQs, EVM Manual, Powerpoint presentation on EVM, Status paper on EVM, legal backing of the EVM ecosystem and the judicial validation through various judgments of Supreme Court and various High Courts over a credible 40 years journey of EVMs,” it said. 

The Commission further said that the recent letter dated December 30, 2023, does not raise any un-responded issue on EVM/VVPAT. 

“Memorandum dated August 9, 2023, has already been duly replied on August 23, 2023. Further, para wise reply to issues raised due to incorrect and inadequate appreciation of material available in the public domain in a follow-up letter dated 2nd October 2023 by Omar Hooda, in an individual capacity, is further replied by Annexure I to this letter covering all aspects of EVMs like non-tampering, non-hacking, microcontrollers, end-to-end verifiability, legal provisions, counting, technical competency, manufacturing, source code etc,” ECI responded to Congress leader.

They further stated that it is reiterated that material made available by ECI in the public domain on EVMs, including the latest updated FAQs, adequately and comprehensively covers all reasonable and legitimate aspects of the use of EVMs in the Indian election. 

“The current letter dated 30th December 2023, said to be in sequence of the earlier letters, has no new assertions or reasonable and legitimate doubts which require further clarifications,” it said. 

The Election body further stated that current EVMs in use in Indian elections are compliant with the extant legal framework created and strengthened by the successive Union Governments of the day and jurisprudence evolved over 40 years by the Constitutional Courts of India. 

“Anything beyond existing legal framework and established jurisprudence is beyond the singular domain of the Commission,” it added. 

“It is not out of place to mention Writ Petition (Civil) 6635/2021 and CM 20855/2021 in Delhi High Court and SLP (Civil) 16870/2022 filed against use of EVM/VVPATs in Indian election, wherein High Court and Supreme Court of India had not only dismissed the petitions but imposed cost of Rs 10,000/- and Rs 50,000/- respectively on the petitioner for filing publicity seeking frivolous petition,” it said. 

The Commission further said that as mentioned various aspects related to VVPAT are sub judice in the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition. 

“Needless to further reiterate that political parties and candidates are associated at every stage of handling EVMs, starting from FLC, storage, movement, training, randomisation, commissioning, mock polls, start of poll, close of poll, counting etc,” it added. 

The Commission further said that based on the outcomes of the elections conducted using EVMs, legal framework, established jurisprudence, technical security and administrative safeguards, the Commission has full faith in the use of EVMs in elections.

“It is beyond any explanation that out-of-context references are being made to other Countries and their Constitutional Courts about the use of EVMs in elections. Based on the outcomes of the elections conducted using EVMs (Annexure-II), legal framework, established jurisprudence, technical security and administrative safeguards, the Commission has full faith in the use of EVMs in elections,” it stated. 

Earlier on January 2, Jairam Ramesh wrote a letter to the Election Commission seeking an appointment to meet the delegation of INDIA bloc leaders to discuss the issue of Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT).

The letter stated, “…a request for an opportunity for a 3-4 member team of INDIA party leaders to meet with you and your colleagues and talk a few minutes to put forward our point of view on VVPATs. Surely, this is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate request.”

As stated in the letter, the INDIA parties’ delegation requested several times for a meeting to discuss Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)-related concerns through a memorandum.

Referring to ECI’s clarification of the delegation’s memorandum as ‘generic’, the letter stated, “There was no meeting or hearing provided to the INDIA Parties’ delegation despite repeated requests.”

“On October 2, 2023, a follow-up representation was sent by us through counsel. The representation raised specific concerns which remained unaddressed in the ECI’s clarification of August 23, 2023. No response was received on the same,” the letter mentioned.

The letter added that the delegation sought an appointment again on December 20, 2023, to “discuss and provide suggestions on the use of VVPATs” based on a resolution passed at the meeting of leaders of INDIA parties held on December 19, 2023.

“We have been trying to meet with the ECI to hand over a copy of this resolution and have a discussion but have not been successful so far in doing so,” the letter stated.

The fourth meeting of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, held in Delhi on December 19, 2023, passed the resolution on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the suspension of MPs from Parliament.(ANI)

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Mamata Banerjee Modi

Modi Extends Greetings To Mamata On Her B’day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended birthday greetings to West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee on her birthday.

Born in 1955, CM Mamata Banerjee turned 70 today.

Taking to ‘X’, PM Modi wrote, “Best wishes to West Bengal CM Mamata Didi on her birthday. Praying for her long and healthy life.

Banerjee has been serving as the eighth Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011. She is also the first woman Chief Minister of the state to have assumed the office.

She founded the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) in 1998 after separating from the Congress. She is often referred to as ‘Didi’ (elder sister).

Banerjee also served as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Bhabanipur from 2011 to 2021.

In 2021, she lost to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Suvendu Adhikari, thereby becoming the third Chief Minister having lost an election from her constituency, after Prafulla Chandra Sen in 1967 and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in 2011. (ANI)

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Shastri Asaduddin Owaisi

Shastri Calls Owaisi’s Safeguard Mosques Remark His Fear

Bageshwar Dham’s Peethadhishwar Dhirendra Shastri on Friday lashed out at AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent lost ‘Masjid’ remarks and said that this shows Owaisi’s “fear” and this should remain.

“This just shows his fear. We don’t want to build temples on Masjids but want to reconstruct temples. If he has this fear then I pray this fear should remain inside him,” Shastri told ANI on Friday.

As the inauguration of the Ram Temple is nearing, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on January 1, appealed to the youth of the Muslim community to be watchful of the activities done by the BJP-led Centre and said that masjids in the country should remain inhabited.

With reference to Babri Masjid, Asaduddin Owaisi said that the place where the holy Quran was recited for the past 500 years is not in their hands anymore.

“Young people, I am telling you, we have lost our Masjid and you are seeing what is being done there. Don’t you have pain in your hearts ?,” Owaisi said at a programme in Bhavani Nagar.

“The place where we sat and recited the Quran for 500 years is not in our hands today. Young people, don’t you see that a conspiracy is taking place regarding three- four more mosques, in which the Sunheri Masjid (Golden Mosque) of Delhi is also included? After years of hard work, we have achieved our position today. You have to pay attention to these things,” he added.

AIMIM chief further stated that young Muslims have to remain alert and united.

“Maintain your support and strength. Keep your mosques populated. It may happen that these Masjids are taken away from us. I hope the young man of today who will be the old man of tomorrow will keep his eyes ahead and think hard about how he can help himself, his family, his city, and his neighbourhood. Unity is a strength, unity is a blessing,” Owaisi added.

As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir will be held over seven days, starting on January 16. On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’ in the afternoon.

The foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was laid by Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.

It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019 on the Ayodhya dispute paved the way for the construction of a grand Ram temple.

Following the apex court verdict, the Centre set up Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra’ Trust to take all decisions regarding the construction of a magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya. (ANI)

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Indian Navy Ship Rushe

Vessel With 15 Indians Onboard Hijacked, Indian Navy Ship Rushes For Rescue

The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms responded swiftly to the hijacking attempt on board a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier after it received a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel on Thursday evening, the Indian Navy said in an official statement on Friday.

In response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched an Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel.

The aircraft overflew the vessel on Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew.

As per the Indian Navy, Naval aircraft is continuously monitoring the movement of the vessel and Indian warship INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render assistance.

The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies and MNFs in the area, Indian Navy said. (ANI)

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Maliwal Begins Her Rajya Sabha Stint With Hanuman Temple Visit

AAP Nominates DCW Chief Swati Maliwal For Rajya Sabha

The Political Affairs Committee of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced the nomination of Delhi Commission for Women chief and senior party member Swati Maliwal for Rajya Sabha elections in Delhi scheduled to be held on January 19.

With the six-year term of three Rajya Sabha MPs from Delhi ending this month, voting to elect the new members will take place on January 19.

The three members – Sanjay Singh, Sushil Kumar Gupta and Narain Dass Gupta – will be retiring on January 27.

However, ND Gupta and jailed senior leader Sanjay Singh will be re-nominated as well while Sushil Kumar Gupta, as per the party said, has expressed his intent to redirect his focus towards the electoral politics of Haryana.

ND Gupta is the party treasurer and Sushil Gupta is the AAP President of the Haryana unit. The state is expected to go to polls later this year.

“Chaired by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, the committee decided to endorse two existing members for re-nomination, whereas Sushil Kumar Gupta expressed his intent to redirect his focus towards the electoral politics of Haryana,” the party said.

Swati Maliwal is a women’s rights activist and the current Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Before joining DCW, Maliwal worked as the advisor to the Chief Minister of Delhi on public grievances. Maliwal was a core member of the Indian Against Corruption movement.

Maliwal has been associated with various campaigns and movements aimed at combating violence against women, advocating for stricter laws, and promoting gender equality.

A Delhi court on Thursday, meanwhile, allowed party leader Sanjay Singh to sign re-nomination documents from jail. Sanjay Singh, a senior Aam Aadmi Party leader is an accused in a money laundering case related to the Excise policy case and was arrested on October 4, 2023, by the Enforcement Directorate.

His bail plea was dismissed by the trial court on December 22, 2023 and stated that, the Court is of prima facie view that the case against him is genuine. Evidence shows his involvement in the alleged offence of money laundering. There are reasonable grounds for believing that he is guilty of the alleged offence of money laundering.” (ANI)

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YS Sharmila Joins Congress

Ready To Take Any Responsibility: Sharmila After Joining Cong

A day after joining the Congress party, Congress leader YS Sharmila on Friday said that she is ready to shoulder any responsibility given to her by the party’s high command.

Earlier in the day, Sharmila called on Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the latter’s residence in the national capital.

“I met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge because I joined the Congress party yesterday. The party is thinking of giving me some responsibilities on which we had a discussion and I said I’m ready to take any responsibility given to me,” she said while speaking to the reporters.

Earlier on Thursday, YS Sharmila, the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy and daughter of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy joined the Congress after merging her party, YSR Telangana Party, into Congress.

She was inducted into the party by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of former party president Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders, including the general secretary of the organisation, KC Venugopal.

Speaking on the occasion, Sharmila said it gave her immense pleasure that the YSR Telangana Party has merged with the Congress. She said, her father late YS Rajasekhar Reddy not only served the Congress party his entire life but also gave his life serving the Congress party.

Sharmila said that she had decided to join the Congress as it was the only true and largest secular party in the country. She said, it always upheld the culture of India serving all sections and uniting the people of India.

Sharmila added that she was deeply pained and anguished over what happened in Manipur. She said this can always happen if a party like Congress is not in power.

She went on to disclose that it was her father’s dream to see Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India and she was glad that she was going to be a part of making that happen.

She said that whatever role the Congress party will give her, she will perform it with loyalty, integrity and diligence.

Welcoming her into the party, the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said- “We welcome Smt. Y. S. Sharmila in the Congress party. The strong emotional bond that the Congress party enjoys with the people of Andhra Pradesh shall be strengthened further. Our efforts to rebuild the party shall continue, and we will re-establish the long-cherished vision of ‘Indiramma Rajyam’ and ‘Rajanna Rajyam’ for social justice, welfare and development for all”.

Rahul Gandhi said, “We reaffirm our dedication to work for the progress of the people of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and the entire country, together.” (ANI)

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Hindu Temple Defaced in California

Hindu Temple Defaced In California With Pro-Khalistan Graffiti

A Hindu temple in Hayward, California, has been defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti. This incident at Sherawali Temple comes weeks after the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California was defaced by anti-India graffiti.

The Hindu American Foundation has reported that Sherawali Temple in California was defaced with pro-Khalistani graffiti. It has also shared a picture of the defacement.

In a post shared on X, the Hindu American Foundation stated, “#Breaking: Another Bay Area Hindu temple attacked with pro-#Khalistan graffiti. The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement just two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir attack and one week after a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area. HAF is in touch with temple leaders and in contact with @AlamedaPD & @CivilRights.”

The Hindu American Foundation also highlighted the importance of installing working security cameras and alarm systems, considering the rising threat from Khalistan supporters.

Taking to X, the Hindu American Foundation stated, “We are once again encouraging all temple leaders to download the @HinduAmerican temple safety guide https://hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HAF-Temple-Safety-Secuirty-Guide.pdf… The guide specifically discusses that temple graffiti qualifies as a hate crime and also the importance of installing working security cameras and alarm systems in view of the rising threat from #Khalistan proponents as well as the omnipresent risk from anti-Hindu actors.”

Earlier in December, suspected pro-Khalistan activists had allegedly defaced the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California, police said. The exterior wall of the Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti.

The Newark Police Service had started an investigation into the vandalism. “One of the devotees, who lives close to the shrine, discovered anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the building, and the local administration was immediately informed,” Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson for the temple administration, told ANI.

The spokesperson added the temple authorities were ‘shocked’ to find the anti-Indian graffiti on its wall. Shedding more light into the incident, Jonathan Arguello, a police captain for the city of Newark, said the ‘targeted act’ was being investigated.

“Based on the graffiti, we believe it was a targeted act, and it’s going to be investigated with full thoroughness. I can also tell you that as a member of the Newark Police Department and the Newark community, we’re deeply saddened when these types of acts occur, and we think they’re senseless and they have no room. We won’t tolerate them here in Newark. So today, I wanted to make sure that you understand how seriously we take these situations and know that we will investigate as thoroughly as possible with utmost care and sensitivity. I can also tell you that officers are currently investigating this via evidence collection,” the captain told reporters during a press conference.

The police official said to piece together the chain of events leading to the act of defacement, the footage from surveillance cameras in the neighbouring residences were being looked into.

“Our policies that any acts of violence or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given the utmost care. We’re handling this investigation as a hate crime at this point, based on our conversations with you and the physical evidence we’ve seen,” he said.

The US State Department had condemned the vandalism of the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in California. It welcomed the Newark Police Department’s efforts to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

In a post shared on X by the official handle of the US State Department for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs stated, “We condemn the vandalism of Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in California. We welcome efforts by the Newark Police Department to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.” (ANI)

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