New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has said that it will take up for hearing on October 6 the matter of the caste census in Bihar after the petitioner’s lawyer mentioned before the apex court that the Bihar Government had published caste survey data. The matter was brought before a bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti.

The petitioner’s lawyer apprised the court that the Bihar Government has already published the caste survey data, prompting concerns and legal challenges from various quarters.

Petitioners

Among the petitioners are organizations like Ek Soch Ek Prayas and Youth for Equality, who have contested the legality and authority of the caste-based survey.

The Central Government also entered the legal fray, filing an affidavit with the Supreme Court, emphasizing that the Census Act, 1948, bestows exclusive authority upon the Central Government to conduct census-related activities.

The affidavit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uplift Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in line with constitutional provisions and applicable laws.

One of the petitions, represented by advocate Tanya Shree on behalf of petitioner Akhilesh Kumar, contested the Patna High Court’s dismissal of pleas challenging the Nitish Kumar government’s decision to conduct the caste-based survey. The High Court’s order was issued on August 1.

The petitioner had argued that the state of Bihar lacked the constitutional competence to initiate a caste-based survey and usurped the exclusive authority of the Union Government in conducting a census.

The petitioner had highlighted that the Bihar government’s notification dated June 6, 2022, and the subsequent appointment of a District Magistrate for supervision violate constitutional provisions, including the distribution of powers between the state and the union.

The petitioner contended that the entire exercise is without legislative competence and is riddled with malafide intentions.

Petitioner’s point of contention

The petitioner underscored that only the Union Government possesses the authority to conduct a census in India, rendering the Bihar State Government’s notification null and void.

The Patna High Court had previously dismissed similar pleas contesting the caste-based survey ordered by the Nitish Kumar administration.

The survey aims to collect data related to people of all castes, sub-castes, and socioeconomic conditions, covering an estimated population of 12.70 crores across 38 districts in Bihar.

Delhi Police raided the houses of senior journalists Abhisar Sharma, Sanjay Rajoura, Anindya Chakraborty and Paranjay Guha Thakurta this morning. His mobile and laptop were confiscated for investigation.

Delhi Police raids the houses of journalists Abhisar Sharma and Bhasha Singh, mobile-laptop seized

Action taken as soon as the day broke amid allegations of Chinese funding

Delhi Police raided the house of journalists Abhisar Sharma and Bhasha Singh associated with news portal News Click on the morning of October 3. This action has been taken in connection with the allegations of the news portal getting funding from China. Journalist Abhisar Sharma himself informed about the action. Has tweeted.

Abhisar Sharma tweeted, “Delhi Police reached my house in the morning and confiscated my laptop and mobile.

Journalist Bhasha Singh
Police has also raided the house of. Bhasha also gave information by tweeting. He wrote, “This is my last tweet. Delhi Police has confiscated my mobile.”

What was the whole matter?

A report in The New York Times alleged links between Neville Roy Singham, who financed the news website NewsClick, and the Chinese Communist Party. The report claimed that Neville Roy Singham’s network promoted disinformation and was pro-China. Influenced the mainstream narrative by promoting messages.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur had given information in a press conference regarding the raid on @newsclickin. He said that Singham financed NewsClick and he is being funded by China. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had started investigating New Delhi-based NewsClick in the year 2021 regarding foreign funding. According to the Indian Express report, the ED had raided the offices of Newsclick and the residences of its directors in connection with “allegedly received foreign funds totaling Rs 30.51 crore”.
Major action by Delhi Police in the case registered under UAPA Act

Search operation at some employees/journalists associated with an organization named News Click….

This search operation is going on in Delhi-NCR… This search operation is going on in the case registered under the UAPA Act by the Special Cell of Delhi Police…

According to Delhi Police source, search operation is going on at about 30 to 40 places…

Vadodara: In a shocking incident, videos have emerged from Gujarat’s Vadodara in which Muslims are seen playing DJ and shouting slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ during a procession on Eid-e-Milad. The video is doing rounds on social media. It can be seen in the video that the Muslims are shouting slogans of Sar Tan Se Juda in front of the Police that is seen walking along the procession for their security.

Gujarat Police swung into action after the videos went viral

Gujarat Police swung into action after the videos of the procession went viral on social media. There are reports that police have arrested around 20 youths and also the owner of the DJ. Earlier, three youths were arrested by the Police in connection with the matter. The accused were identified as Haider Khan Pathan, Sarfaraz alias Chhotu alias Kalia Ansari and Rahul Radheshyam Dhobi. Rahul is said to be the owner of the DJ band. All the accused are under custody and further investigation is underway.

They are trying to spoil the Hindu-Muslim unity and mutual harmony

Many people shared the video of the procession on social media and appealed Gujarat Police to take strict action against the culprits. The people said that the strictest and most appropriate actions should be taken against these anti-social elements as they are trying to harm the peace of Gujarat and they are trying to spoil the Hindu-Muslim unity and mutual harmony in the state. They are also insulting the tricolor as can be seen in the video.

‘Gustakhe Rasool Ki Ek Hi Saza – Sar Yan Se Juda’

As per reports, videos of the procession that are making rounds on social media are said to be from Fatehpura area in Vadodara and also from Vadodara Mansion. In one of the videos, a song was played that had the lyrics “Gustakhe Rasool Ki Ek Hi Saza – Sar Yan Se Juda” and another song was “Bharat Ka Bacha Bacha Mere Khwaja Ke Tukde Pe Palta Hai.”

Vadodara Police arrested 3 accused

Vadodara Police took to its social media account and said, “During Eid celebration on 29/09/23 objectionable song was played in a procession in City Police Station area. Upon noticing the same Vadodara city police registered an offence under IPC Sections 153A,153B,188,114,GP Act Sections 131,135 and immediately arrested 3 persons including DJ owner, Organiser of the procession.”