Mumbai, Oct 13: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) continued its investigation into suspicious activities linked to a WhatsApp group for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, conducting raids at five locations across the state and questioning several individuals, sources said.

During the investigation, the agency uncovered an international WhatsApp group comprising members from several countries, including Pakistan and Gulf nations.

The ATS is examining the activities of the group and the nature of the discussions taking place among its members to determine whether there are any links to suspicious activities, officials said.

Earlier on Monday, the Maharashtra ATS questioned a teacher residing in Rajapur in Ratnagiri district for several hours in connection with the case.

The teacher was released after the questioning, while the investigation continued into the WhatsApp group that reportedly included members from different countries, officials said.

According to the information received by the investigating agency, the group also had individuals associated with religious organisations as members.

Religious topics were reportedly discussed in the group, prompting the agency to examine the nature of these conversations and the possible activities of those participating in them.

The ATS suspects that the WhatsApp group could potentially have links to the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. However, no concrete information or evidence has emerged so far to establish a connection between the group and the outfit.

The suspected link remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the agency examines the available information.

The agency is seeking to determine the identities of those associated with the WhatsApp group and understand the nature of their interactions.

Investigation into the case is currently underway, according to the officials.

Mumbai, Oct 13: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said that those speaking against the country or engaging in activities he described as treasonous should be jailed, not merely have FIRs filed against them, as he accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest and undermine the country’s progress.

Speaking to media, Shinde described Monday as a “black day” in the country’s history, alleging that democracy and the Supreme Court had been disrespected by the Opposition’s protest march against the country’s highest judicial institution.

“Yesterday will be remembered as a black day in the history of the country because democracy and India’s highest judicial institution were disrespected. In India’s history, a protest march has never been taken out against the Supreme Court. This is an attack on the country’s highest judicial institution. They want to spread unrest and chaos in the country. This is a major, well-planned conspiracy,” he said.

Shinde alleged that the protest was part of an international conspiracy and accused the Opposition of attempting to obstruct the country’s development.

“I will say that it is an international conspiracy. Protesting with them is treason. The Leader of the Opposition works like a puppet. It is shameful that they are trying to hinder the country’s progress,” he said.

Claiming that the Opposition was attempting to tarnish India’s image internationally, Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and said the country was moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

“PM Modi has taken the country to great heights. He is taking the country forward towards Viksit Bharat by 2047. At a time when the economies of several countries have collapsed, he is taking India from the Fragile Five to the top five,” he said.

Shinde attributed the Opposition’s criticism to jealousy and said that 140 crore Indians stood with the Prime Minister. He also accused Opposition leaders of being desperate to return to power despite repeated electoral defeats.

He further criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident involving a woman journalist during Monday’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

A woman journalist had claimed that she was three months pregnant and alleged that Gandhi grabbed her hand and pulled her forward before his security personnel pushed her away while she was covering the protest.

Questioning Gandhi’s conduct, Shinde said it was inappropriate for the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to behave in such a manner and accused him of seeking publicity. He urged citizens to consider whether Opposition leaders were working to unite or divide the country.

“It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that they fail,” he said, referring to the Opposition.

Shinde also reacted to the controversy involving actor Imran Khan following his protest in Mumbai, alleging that forces were attempting to damage India’s reputation.

“The way people say that we will make the country as strong as China, what is this? What is the purpose and intention? The way the INDIA bloc is trying to stop the country’s progress, we have to make them fail,” he said.

Reiterating his demand for strict action against those he accused of acting against the country, Shinde said, “Not just an FIR, they should be put in jail if they are speaking against the country or engaging in treasonous activities.”

Referring to the Emergency, he said that people were now free to approach the Supreme Court, organise protests and express their views, unlike during the period when restrictions were imposed on the media.

Shinde also criticised Gandhi for allegedly comparing himself to Lord Shiva. He said such comparisons were inappropriate and warned the Opposition against what he described as provocative conduct.

Shinde further said those who compared themselves to Lord Shiva should remember the symbolism of the deity’s third eye, adding that the INDIA bloc and other Opposition parties would be reduced to ashes by its fire.

Mumbai, Oct 12: Shiv Sena national spokesperson Shaina NC said on Monday that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, thinks protesting is equivalent to ordering food items on a delivery app.

“For Rahul Gandhi, calling for protests is similar to ordering food on delivery apps. Call someone to protest; create inconvenience for people every day,” Shaina said while commenting on the ongoing unrest in the national capital.

“Honourable Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has said that the matter is sub judice; then why are you creating nuisance on the streets and not letting the court do its work?” she asked.

She added, “Rahul Gandhi lacks empathy and does not care about common people who would want to go to Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Secretariat, Barakhamba Road. They are getting affected.”

“The protestors don’t care about the Metros, traffic, security of the people,” she said.

She further said, “When the matter is in court, one must wait and respect the decision of the Supreme Court.”

Stressing the matter, she further said, “How long will you (Opposition) be able to mislead people through a false narrative? You are welcome to debate in the parliament, but don’t create chaos on the streets.”

Shaina further said that people are not attracted by names like ‘Thackeray’, ‘Gandhi’, and that the opposition has no vision, plans, or blueprints whatsoever.

On the detention of CJP leaders, Shaina said, “There is a stark difference between ‘detention’ and ‘arrest’. Everyone has the right to protest, but when it leads to unrest and riots, then the police will also have to take action.”

She praised the Delhi Police for not aggravating the protests, controlling the mobs and further protecting the common masses.

Reacting to PM Narendra Modi appeal to the country’s Gen Z to make use of the opportunities that come with Viksit Bharat and taking the world towards solutions, Shaina said that the Indian Gen Z are not the future but the ‘present’. With initiatives such as Startup India, MSME, and Lakhpati Didi, the PM has empowered all.

She further said that the youth of the nation should move forward in development and not indulge in chaos and unrest. Rather, one must understand that the need of the hour is education, security and ‘Atma-nirbharta’.