- 2 days ago
In this episode of India First, India Today's Gaurav Sawant covers major developments in West Bengal and Delhi. The court-mandated demolition drive at Delhi’s Turkman Gate near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque turned violent earlier this week, where police arrested 11 individuals for stone-pelting and spreading misinformation. Petitioner Preet Sirohi and representatives from the BJP and Samajwadi Party debate the legality and timing of the demolition, with BJP spokesperson Charu Pragya defending due process.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening, you're watching India First. I'm Gaurav Savant.
00:04After the demolition of the illegal construction around the Turkman Gate Masjid,
00:11now the effort is to identify the illegal construction around the Jama Masjid in Delhi.
00:18Because who's benefiting from that illegal construction?
00:22The commercial activity that's going on, where is the money coming from?
00:26Where is that money going? Are certain individuals enriching themselves?
00:31That's the petition that is being looked at very closely.
00:35We'll talk about that in greater detail.
00:37But there's a big story coming in.
00:38There's a big story that's coming in from Bengal.
00:42It's the big, big political story of the day.
00:45And a massive showdown over enforcement, direct rates and searches
00:50at the Political Consultancy Indian Political Action Committee or IPAC.
00:55hired by the Tridumul Congress and IPAC has now moved the Calcutta High Court
01:02seeking an immediate stay on searches and raids by the Enforcement Directorate.
01:08The matter has been urgently mentioned before the High Court
01:12and is slated for an early hearing.
01:15We are told tomorrow.
01:16This comes after the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the residence of Prateek Jain,
01:22the head of IPAC that the Tridumul Congress says is their IT chief
01:27and simultaneously at the firm's Kolkata office in connection with an alleged money laundering and coal-related scam.
01:37The Enforcement Directorate, of course, has said that it launched a series of searches and raids
01:44at 15 different locations nationwide because they are focusing on an organized gang
01:50that was also duping job seekers with bogus government jobs and posts.
01:56We are also being told that searches in connection with a 2020 case.
02:02This is a 2020 case of money laundering and a coal block and money out of there
02:09that's being investigated and looked at.
02:12In Kolkata, the Enforcement Directorate teams reached the IPAC's Salt Lake Sector 5 office,
02:17the consultancy for TMC's campaign and the IT's cell, Prateek Jain's residence.
02:23The raids took a political turn when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,
02:27she reached Jain's residence when the search was underway.
02:31And soon after cameras captured, the Chief Minister leaving with some files and a hard disk
02:36and then heading to IPAC office where party workers were also seen.
02:40And we are showing you some of those images, removing certain documents.
02:44Now, Mamata Banerjee, of course, has hit out at the Enforcement Directorate
02:47and at Union Home Minister Amit Shah,
02:49saying that this is TMC's internal data ahead of crucial Bengal Assembly elections.
02:55The hard disk has a list of candidates and their strategy that was taken illegally.
03:00The ED has also approached the High Court,
03:03alleging illegal interference by constitutional authorities,
03:08claiming that the Chief Minister was accompanied by senior state police officials.
03:12They obstructed a legal search.
03:14They have forcibly removed key documents and electronic evidence.
03:18The Enforcement Directorate has said this amounts to obstruction of justice,
03:22obstruction of their investigations under the prevention of the Money Laundering Act.
03:27The Enforcement Directorate insists this action is not political.
03:31No party office was targeted.
03:33No election link in the searches that they've carried out
03:36because their searches stemmed from a 2020 CBI case linked to coal smuggling syndicate,
03:42alleged Hawala transaction and financial links running into tens of crores of rupees.
03:50On the other side, Prateek Jain's family is preparing to file a counter-police complaint.
03:55Apart from going to the court, there's a counter-police complaint
03:58accusing the Enforcement Directorate of theft of documents during the raid.
04:02Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of misusing central agencies.
04:07We'll get you much more on this story.
04:09Listen in to reactions that are coming in.
04:11Listen in to the Chief Minister.
04:12Listen in to the response of Samik Bhattacharya of the Bharatya Janata Party.
04:16TMC and BJP reacting.
04:19Listen in.
04:19The Candid list, the party strategy, the party plan.
04:28Is it the duty of the ED and omission?
04:32Then no nasty home minister, the naughty home minister who cannot protect the country
04:38and he's taking away all my party documents.
04:42If I read the BJP party office, what will be?
04:47What will be the result?
04:50They don't have any, they didn't have any guards.
04:54One side, the SIR case, they are deleting all the names of the Bengal people.
05:00More than two core people.
05:031.5 core people have been called.
05:051.5 core people have been deleted without any asking their details.
05:16They are using WhatsApp only.
05:19And because of election, they are collecting all my information of my party.
05:24What is happening today?
05:25I think it is a chilling message to the nation.
05:27What is happening in West Bengal right now?
05:30The constitutional head.
05:31Well, I think it's just a mess.
05:52I think…
06:00It's a black day for...
06:02And there's more breaking news coming in.
06:10We are getting a reaction from the West Bengal Chief Minister,
06:14West Bengal Governor.
06:16The West Bengal Governor has hit out.
06:17He's taken a jibe at the Chief Minister saying,
06:20Vinash Kale Vipreet Buddhi amidst this high voltage ED versus Mamata Banerji drama.
06:28We're getting a response from a reaction from the Governor of West Bengal
06:34saying, Vinash Kale Vipreet Buddhi.
06:38At a time when Mamata Banerji is accusing the ED of being a handmaiden
06:43of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP saying,
06:48this is as direct an evidence of Mamata Banerji directly intervening
06:54and interfering with ED investigations by taking away and forcibly taking away
07:01a hard disk and documents as part of when an ED investigation and searches were happening.
07:09This is now a massive political and legal battle being fought both on the streets
07:14and politically in courts of law legally.
07:18Clearly, Mamata Banerji is not intimidated.
07:21She rushed to the IPAC office and Jain's residence,
07:24recovered some papers, recovered a hard disk,
07:26the ED accusing her of interfering in ongoing coal scam investigations
07:30where raids are being conducted in multiple locations from Delhi to Bengal.
07:35Okay, let's quickly listen in to the Governor.
07:37I'll get you more on the story.
07:38Let the law take its calls.
08:01Can a Chief Minister intervene during raid and seize some papers from that office?
08:12That is now subjudice.
08:15I, as Governor, will not comment on matter, which is subjudice before the court.
08:19Enforcement Department already lost a complaint to the High Court
08:23that Chief Minister intervened during raid.
08:27What do you say?
08:28Matters in the High Court, I am not a higher court.
08:31Comment on that.
08:33As a Governor, how will you describe this incident?
08:38I can only say what is happening around me now as reported by you.
08:43Of course, for the explanation,
08:44Binash Kali, Vibiridh Bhutti.
08:48But is it natural that a Chief Minister
08:52rush to the investigating agencies,
08:54investigation and intervene
08:56and sees some files
08:58and everything,
08:59mobile phone from the spot?
09:02How will you do this?
09:03Calcutta High Court is surprised to the matter.
09:06Let the court take a decision this case.
09:09Have you seen this kind of resident in other states?
09:12So, the Governor very clearly says,
09:17Binash Kali, Vipreet, Buddhi
09:19to what's happening around him.
09:22I quickly want to bring into this conversation,
09:24India Today's Indrajit Kundu joining us live
09:26from the IPAC office in Kolkata.
09:28Munish Pandey covers the Enforcement Directorate
09:31and our investigative agencies.
09:33He's joining us on this broadcast.
09:34Indrajit, to you first,
09:37what's the latest situation on ground?
09:39TMC appears to be fighting this
09:41not just legally in courts of law tomorrow,
09:43but also on the roads right now.
09:50Well, that's right.
09:51You know, Mamata Banerjee's ploy at this point
09:54is very, very clear.
09:55They want to take the fight head-on
09:57against the BJP politically.
09:59And that's why Mamata Banerjee has said
10:00that the central agencies are being used
10:03at the behest of Home Minister Amit Shah.
10:06And this is nothing but intimidation tactics.
10:08She said that the BJP is trying to steal
10:10vital political information about their plans
10:14and blueprint for the upcoming elections
10:16using the central agency.
10:18This is the allegation.
10:19And that's the reason why she went inside Pratik Jain's house
10:22and retrieved some documents
10:24and then went to the IPAC office
10:26and sat there for about three hours
10:29till such time Pratik Jain himself went there.
10:32So the Trinamal Congress on its part
10:34trying to take this up politically.
10:36Mamata Banerjee will be out on the streets of Kolkata tomorrow.
10:38She will be doing what she does the best,
10:40leading from the front
10:41and reading a protest march in Kolkata
10:44from South Kolkata to Hajra Moore,
10:47which is not very far away from her residence.
10:49At the same time,
10:50the Enforcement Directorate has now approached
10:52the Calcutta High Court
10:53and so has the IPAC
10:55or the Indian Political Action Committee.
10:57They have also approached the High Court
10:59seeking a stay on this entire,
11:01you know,
11:02Enforcement Directorate search operation
11:04at their premises.
11:05So it will come up before the High Court tomorrow,
11:07expected to come up before the High Court tomorrow.
11:09So one,
11:09you have the legal battle in the court
11:11and of course,
11:11the political battle on the streets of Bengal.
11:14Oh, absolutely.
11:15And Munish caught in the crossfire
11:17or, you know,
11:18one very significant role
11:20in this entire battle
11:21is being fought by the Enforcement Directorate.
11:24How are they responding to allegations
11:25that their actions are politically motivated
11:28just ahead of crucial Bengal Assembly elections
11:30and any details of the files
11:33that were taken away
11:36either by the Chief Minister,
11:37the hard disk
11:38or some papers that we saw
11:39were being moved into
11:41either her car
11:42or her cavalcade?
11:44That's the information that we have?
11:45Well, Gaurav,
11:48what we've witnessed today
11:49is unprecedented.
11:51It's historic.
11:52Nowhere in the past
11:54we have seen that
11:54whenever a search is being conducted
11:56by any central agency,
11:57be it by the CBI
11:58or the ED
11:59or by the Income Tax Department,
12:01any person on such position
12:03as the Chief Minister of the State
12:06has intervened
12:07in any of these searches.
12:09Now, as far as Enforcement Directorate
12:11is concerned,
12:12what they are saying
12:13is that
12:14we are conducting the searches
12:15peacefully
12:16under Section 17
12:17of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
12:20As far as the allegations
12:21of seizing certain documents
12:24related to elections,
12:25the Enforcement Directorate
12:26maintains that
12:27all the searches
12:28are conducted
12:29and seizure operations
12:30are conducted
12:31under Section 17
12:33of Prevention of Money Laundering Act
12:34in the presence
12:36of two independent witnesses.
12:38So whatever they were seizing,
12:40they were asking Pratik Jain
12:42to sign on those documents
12:43that these are the documents
12:44which we are going to seize.
12:46These are the electronic evidence
12:48which we are going to seize
12:49and Pratik Jain
12:50was being asked
12:51to sign those documents.
12:53So they are claiming
12:53that it was nowhere
12:55linked to the elections,
12:57linked to the West Bengal elections.
12:59They were conducting searches
13:00in a 2022 matter
13:02related to money laundering case
13:04lodged against Anup Bhaji
13:06in a coal smuggling case.
13:07And the proceeds of crime,
13:10more than 20 crore rupees
13:12were received by IPAC
13:13through Anup Maji
13:15and several other entities.
13:17And because the proceeds of crime
13:19were identified,
13:20being given to IPAC,
13:22and that is why the premises
13:23were being searched.
13:24But as Induro rightly pointed out,
13:26Gaurav,
13:27more than a money laundering case,
13:29this has become a political case.
13:30And as far as
13:31Mamta Banerjee is concerned,
13:34she is going to take
13:35political mileage out of it.
13:36As far as ED is concerned,
13:38they have already filed
13:39a complaint before
13:40the High Court
13:41alleging that this was
13:42not only theft,
13:44but also certain evidence
13:47which was seized by the ED
13:48was snatched away
13:50by the Chief Minister
13:51and her staff.
13:53Keep tracking that story.
13:54We'll be reporting on this story,
13:56both what's happening on ground
13:57and in courts of law.
13:59Indrajit and Munish,
14:00for the moment,
14:01many thanks for joining me, gentlemen.
14:05And shifting focus,
14:07back to our top story.
14:09The Delhi Police
14:09have intensified
14:10their investigations
14:11into the role and actions
14:12of certain individuals
14:14being described as
14:15instigators
14:16of the Turkman Gate violence
14:19that focuses
14:20on online provocation
14:22and deliberate
14:23misinformation campaign
14:24after that
14:25anti-encroachment drive
14:27was targeted
14:28by rioters
14:29late at night.
14:31So around 30 stone pelters
14:32have been identified,
14:3311 have been taken
14:35in custody.
14:36Facial recognition software
14:38is being used.
14:39What we're being told,
14:41by now,
14:41the police have accessed
14:42400 clips
14:45and videos.
14:46Those in the social media,
14:48those in public domain,
14:49CCTV cameras,
14:51images that have been put out.
14:52Police are looking
14:53for more images.
14:54The investigations,
14:55the investigators
14:56are examining the role
14:57of a certain YouTuber.
14:59A YouTuber
15:00called Salman
15:01and another social media
15:03influencer called
15:04Ayman Rizvi.
15:06Police say
15:07the CCTV cameras
15:08and body cam footage
15:10show absolutely
15:11no damage
15:12to the mosque there.
15:14It contradicts
15:15viral claims
15:16made by certain individuals.
15:17Now,
15:18were these claims
15:18made deliberately
15:19to instigate a mob,
15:22to instigate violence,
15:24to target
15:24our security forces?
15:26And as these arrests
15:27continue,
15:27the Delhi High Court
15:28has given a nod
15:30for an encroachment survey
15:31around the Jama Masjid
15:35in Delhi.
15:36The opposition
15:36has alleged
15:37that only certain
15:38encroachments
15:40are being looked at
15:41and encroachments
15:42in areas dominated
15:43by a certain community.
15:45The BJP
15:45is saying
15:47law of the land
15:48must be followed
15:49irrespective
15:50of the religion
15:52or the individual
15:53or the entity.
15:55Amit Bharatwaj
15:56and Sushant Mehra
15:57bring you this report.
16:15What began
16:16as an anti-encroachment
16:17drive
16:17turned into violence.
16:19Rumors,
16:33lies,
16:34provocation
16:35and then stone pelting
16:36on law enforcement.
16:37Now the hunt
16:47is on for those
16:48who engineered
16:49the Delhi demolition
16:50dhanga.
16:51CCTV from
16:52Turkmangate
16:53tells a clear story.
16:56Stone pelters
16:56attack,
16:57police respond
16:58but never step
17:00near the mosque.
17:03Body-worn cameras
17:05puncture the propaganda.
17:07No entry,
17:09no breach,
17:10no damage
17:11to the mosque.
17:12Yet rumours
17:13were weaponised.
17:16Meet Salman,
17:17the YouTuber.
17:19As bulldozers
17:20rolled in,
17:21Salman rolled out
17:22fear.
17:23False claim,
17:24religious provocation.
17:27The drug
17:28fell down.
17:29It was very
17:30sad.
17:31The bulldozer
17:31went there.
17:33It was very sad.
17:34The night
17:34it was very sad.
17:35The old masjid
17:36fell in one hour.
17:38And then
17:39the bulldozer
17:40went there.
17:40Many people
17:41were shot.
17:42God is very big.
17:44Every thing
17:44will be able to
17:45answer.
17:45Some people
17:46say it.
17:47And now,
17:48a woman
17:49on the police
17:50radar.
17:51Aiman Rizvi,
17:52resident of Jamia.
17:54Known face
17:55on social media.
17:56Her video
17:57of inflammatory
17:58content
17:58is under
17:59the lens.
17:59the
18:29The police are scanning nearly 450 videos.
18:4130 faces are identified, say sources.
18:45Five suspects were arrested on Wednesday.
18:48Six more picked up on Thursday.
18:50Total 11 in custody.
18:52At Turkman Gate, JCB drillers continue the demolition drive with illegal banquet hall brought down.
19:22Center, parking lot, shops, all of them were removed, brought down by bulldozers.
19:28Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has ordered a two-month survey of encroachments in and around Jammah Masjid.
19:35Illegal parking, commercial stalls, unauthorized constructions.
19:42All under the scanner.
19:43This is Jammah Masjid's gate number 2 and it has a gate number 1, gate number 7 and 3.
19:51It is the same way of parking, which is the medical center.
19:57This is the Meena Bazaar road, which is the Lalkilay side of the road.
20:01If you will see this road, you will see 4-0 and Atikraman.
20:04You will see this time, but MCD has its status report in the next two months.
20:10We will see that there are two months in the next two months in the next two months.
20:13Samajwadi Party MPST Hassan warns, selective action on religious sites could spark public unrest.
20:20We are doing a very selective work, especially if there are such work that are related to people's beliefs and beliefs.
20:33If there are such work, there will be a reaction to this.
20:38The Congress targets the BJP, calling the drive harassment.
20:43The BJP hit back, asking who provoked the violence.
20:48The Z aid of the shooting event.
20:50As a man in the West, they are also doing a healing effect.
20:53There has been a new relationship between the local people and the government.
20:55When you are taking place in the talks, you'll have an agreement to control and to assess the peace of the future.
20:57As a result of the system, people believe that they will not take the peace of the消過來 and put it into the relief.
21:03So, from bulldozers to stone pelters.
21:32From rumours to arrests.
21:36The crackdown widens.
21:38And with politics heating up and encroachments near Jama Masjid now under the court's scanner,
21:44this storm is far from over.
21:47With Amit Bharadwaj and Sushant Mehra, Bureau Report, India Today.
22:02That's escalating.
22:03Joining me on this special broadcast, Charu Pragya is a lawyer and the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janta Party.
22:08Dr. Shoaib Jamai is the AIMIM Delhi State President.
22:12He's also the chairman of the India Muslim Foundation.
22:15Ghansham Tiwari is the spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party.
22:18Preet Sero, he's the petitioner in the Turkuman case.
22:22He's also the founder of Save India Foundation.
22:24Yasho Vardhan Azad is former special director of the Intelligence Bureau.
22:28And Dr. Jamai, if I may begin with you, sir.
22:30Why the objection to a survey or demolition of illegal construction in certain areas,
22:36be it Turkman Gate or in the vicinity of the Jama Masjid?
22:39The allegation, sir, is that the management and close associates of the management
22:44appear to be using the mosque as a private income source, sir.
22:49Thank you, Gaurav.
22:53I just want to bring into the reality check.
22:57The thing is that after failing into the VJP's development plan
23:04on the issue of the developments in their...
23:11Sir, give me a moment.
23:13We'll just try and reestablish...
23:14The Uttar Pradesh model by Foundation and those who are serious
23:19and kind of the most biased kind of situation is going on in Delhi.
23:27If you see the list of the illegal religious structure in Delhi,
23:31there are more than 80 non-Muslim religious structures are there in Delhi.
23:37But we never went to the high court to ask them to demolish those structures.
23:42If we go to the court and ask to demolish those kind of structures
23:47which are already in the court, then what will be the scenario?
23:50Will they demolish?
23:51There are 80s.
23:53I will give you the 10, list of the 10 as of now, if you want.
23:56That's a very pertinent point you raised.
23:58So let me take it both to the petitioner and to Charu Pragya of the Bhatia Jantapati.
24:03As per the MCD norms, what will you do?
24:05Very pertinent point you raised, sir.
24:07So let me bring in these shadow organizations who have the shady characters,
24:12who have all those illegal things going on in their organization
24:15and they are bringing these kind of issues to feel the hatred in Delhi.
24:19This is very unfortunate and I think this kind of the activity
24:24which is going on is very dangerous for the Delhi and for the communal perspective.
24:28Okay, pertinent points you raised, except of course the threat
24:33that these activities are very dangerous.
24:36Sir, India, as you well know, will be ruled by rule of law.
24:40And Mr. Yasuo Vardhan Hassad can weigh in on that in just a moment.
24:43But Preet Singh Rohi, you're the petitioner in the Turkman Gate case.
24:47Your petition led to this joint survey of 36,428 square feet of encroachment
24:54at the Faiz-e-Elahi complex, if I may.
24:58What is your motive, sir?
24:59Are you just targeting places of worship of a particular community?
25:05Mr. Shoye, you know, as I say, is that there are many temples
25:09or other religious places that are also illegal.
25:13Have you targeted them too?
25:14Mr. Shoye, I think the answer is better.
25:19I think I'm going to tell you the channel of the community
25:21that I am going to tell you about this.
25:22I think this whole complex is three parts.
25:25A, B, and C.
25:27A part is the which is the footpath,
25:30which is the 212 square feet land,
25:32which is the PWD and the encroachment.
25:34The part B is the 36,428 square feet.
25:37The MCD land is the which is the encroachment.
25:39It will be clear that it will be encroachment or not.
25:43It will be clear that we have to go to the church.
25:45There are two parts.
25:45The third part is the C part,
25:47which is the center of the church,
25:49which is the center of the church,
25:51which is the center of the church,
25:51which is the center of the church.
25:52The left wing of the church.
27:07Give me a moment.
27:12Mr. Jamai, just give me a moment.
27:13Ghansham Tiwari, the court directed a two-month survey also around Jamaa Masjid on the 7th of January, 2026, stating,
27:21if there is any illegal construction, appropriate action shall also be taken.
27:26They've directed a factual survey.
27:28Verification is to happen.
27:31Now, even in this case, in Turkman Gate, sir, when legal facts were known, why would your party MP go there?
27:39Why would rumours be spread in your view that Masjid is being targeted?
27:45When it was very clear, Masjid was not targeted, only illegal encroachment was being demolished.
27:53Shouldn't political leaders be more careful or was the Samajwadi party leader looking for ulterior gains, sir?
28:01Good evening, Gaurav.
28:02To you, the viewers and fellow co-panelists.
28:04There are three important things.
28:05One is basic application of common sense in a democracy.
28:08The basic application of common sense by Delhi Police and the BJP government would be that
28:13Praveen Khandelwal, who is a member of parliament from Chandni Chowk constituency, as a public representative,
28:19should have been there.
28:20The basic use of common sense is that the MLA from that constituency, whose father was also an MLA,
28:26he is a reputed leader from that constituency, should have been there, should have been taken in confidence.
28:31The third basic application of mind is that as your videos show, right now in daytime,
28:36the demolition is going on.
28:38Is there any problem?
28:39No.
28:40Is Delhi Police a brigade of thieves?
28:43No.
28:44They are Delhi Police.
28:45They are the arm of the state.
28:46What is the need to go there on a winter night at midnight?
28:50Did the court say that you should be there on midnight?
28:53So Delhi Police go there in midnight, allowing rumours to circulate, allowing pictures of bulldozers to circulate,
29:00without taking into confidence the public representatives, in a state which already has a bad name for BJP government.
29:08Okay, both Charu Pratia and Mr. Yashowardhan Azad seem to be disagreeing with you on two different aspects.
29:15And when I interviewed the Delhi Police Joint Commissioner, he told me there were multiple meetings that were held
29:20with the Area Aman Committee, multiple meetings.
29:23The question is, who peddled the fake news?
29:26Who peddled the fake news?
29:27Sir, we put out…
29:28Harap, can I get my turn to speak, please?
29:31Okay, Charu Pragya wants to comment.
29:33Sir, I am coming back to you, but Charu Pragya hasn't intervened, neither has Mr. Yashowardhan Azad.
29:38Charu Pragya, what was the need to go late at night to do this?
29:42And are only places of religious worship of the minority community being targeted, ma'am?
29:50Good evening, Gaurav.
29:52Now, illegal encroachments in my city don't get religious immunity.
29:58Let nobody forget that.
30:00Only constitutional scrutiny has been happening.
30:03This was a strict compliance with the orders of the Delhi High Court.
30:08Let that not be misunderstood at all.
30:10Let me tell you a few more things.
30:11On the 22nd of December, when MCD put up notices, no notice was put up for the mosque itself.
30:19No notice was put up for the mosque.
30:20For all those who were taking the mosque into account and spreading fake news knew perfectly well
30:26that because the notice had not been put up, the mosque is not going to be touched.
30:30So those who talked about the mosque being raised down did it deliberately.
30:36Were they trying to provoke communal tension because it suited their political narrative?
30:40I don't know. I'll wait for the police to find out.
30:42Let's also remember that 36,000 square feet of public space in Delhi belongs to the people of Delhi.
30:50Strictly to the people of Delhi.
30:51And for years you've encroached upon it, you sat upon it.
30:55You're building a barat gar, you're building a rickshaw station, you're building a personal house.
30:59You're building a house.
30:59Is that what public infrastructure is for?
31:02And then tomorrow, who's going to be responsible for blocking emergency accesses?
31:07Who's going to be responsible for hindering sanitation infrastructure?
31:11So on and so forth.
31:13Also, you know, there is, after repeated verification, this demolition was carried out.
31:21Repeated verification was done.
31:23Sufficient time was given to people to vacate the area.
31:27And to answer Ghansham's question, why at night?
31:29Do you know that there is absolutely no mandate or law or case law in any of the courts which say that there is a strict time for demolition?
31:39Old Delhi, Purani Delhi is a very, very crowded area, Gaurav.
31:42In that crowded area, people are always milling around.
31:45This was a safe time to go and carry out the demolition activity.
31:47So let me quickly bring in, Yashaw Ardhan, Azad.
31:49But one second, one second, Gaurav.
31:50One very important point I want to still raise.
31:53Everybody is still talking about a legally mandated constitutional demolition of illegal structures.
31:58Why are they not talking about police people being attacked?
32:02Five police personnel are behind bars.
32:04And I'm also going to take a moment to thank Preetbhai for standing fearlessly in the face of all the people who are trying to spread communal tension in our country.
32:13All of them, including Samadbadi party leaders who are giving false and misleading statements.
32:18Are they only targeted at dharm vishesh or one particular religion?
32:23No, absolutely not.
32:24But this was not for the dharm vishesh or a religious construction at all, Gaurav.
32:29This is what I'm trying to say.
32:30Okay, Yashaw Ardhan Azad.
32:30Quickly, Yashaw Ardhan Azad, since time is at a preview.
32:34Yashaw Ardhan Azad.
32:35Okay, Yashaw Ardhan Azad.
32:36You've heard both Shoaib Jamai and our other panellists.
32:43Do you think there's merit in that argument that peace committees were not involved, locals were not involved, they were not informed, and this was a deliberate action to target minorities?
32:52First of all, the High Court gave the order about 12 days back or 13 days back.
32:57There, after the police did meetings with all the peace committee people, and normally it is done.
33:04There is no issue on that point of view.
33:06Third, the police has full operational capability, and the decision is completely with us, with them, when to do it.
33:18In most of these anti-encroachment operations, there's a huge problem.
33:22If night, there was a problem like this, you can imagine what would have happened during the day.
33:28Number four, all these social media people who have been creating trouble, they must be arrested.
33:35Gone are the days when a lawful enforcement action taking place, and people just throw stones at them.
33:41There was no business for any politician to be there when an enforcement action is done.
33:47But...
33:47Shoaib Jamai, quickly respond.
33:49No, no, no.
33:49Okay.
33:49But one more point, one more point, which is very important.
33:54And you made a very bold question, which was not answered by anybody.
34:00Why is it that only religious places encroachment of one kind are targeted?
34:07Why is it that 86 places mentioned by the municipal corporation of the Hindu worships are not being done?
34:14So, it is a biased action, and no wonder it will create divisions in the society.
34:20Oh, absolutely.
34:21Because the strong arm of the law must apply equally to all.
34:26And Dr. Shoaib Jamai...
34:27Dr. Shoaib Jamai...
34:28Got it.
34:28Let me bring in Dr. Jamai.
34:30I'll quickly take one intervention of all our guests.
34:33But Dr. Jamai, I want to understand from you, sir.
34:35All these chaps who are, you know, spreading misinformation and absolute lies on social media, they should be arrested?
34:43They should be booked under stringent sections of the law?
34:46Gaurav, I just want to thank Yeshwad Al-Ajadji that he mentioned that 86 places, religious places of Hindus have been named by the municipal corporation, but not been demolished.
35:00This creates a division and the hopelessness in the society, creates fear in the society.
35:04And that's misinformation, sir.
35:06Again, the mosque has not been demolished.
35:08It's only illegal encroachment around the mosque.
35:10So, I'm making that distinction in my broadcast so that our viewers go back better informed.
35:16Let me complete it.
35:17But I agree with the Yeshwad Al-Ajadji that who peddled the fake news on the social media must be brought into justice.
35:24Then please, do it in the case of Preet Shirohi.
35:28The petitioner himself peddled the fake news five days ago in his Facebook social media post that this mosque, Dargah Faiz-e-Hilahi, mosque, will be dhawast.
35:39Okay, I have to bring in, since you made a specific point about Preet Shirohi.
35:46Okay, Mr. Shirohi, you want to quickly respond?
35:50I can't call it demolition of people.
35:51Then ask him, he is the same person who's here.
35:53Okay, Mr. Shirohi, you made your point.
35:56Preet Shirohi.
35:57Preet Shirohi.
36:27Preet Shirohi.
36:34Political leaders should not be there when administrative action is happening.
36:44I want to bring in, okay, Ghancham Tiwari, quickly, sir, the last 30 seconds I have on this part of the show, Ghancham Tiwari, political leaders should not be there, especially those who are not from that constituency, sir.
36:55Do you agree they should not be there because your leader, certain videos are under investigation.
37:00BJP claims he was inciting trouble, sir.
37:03That's what is their claim.
37:04We have no independent verification.
37:06In a state where Kapil Mishra is minister and a party where Batenge Katenge is their mantra, this party does not bring trust to common people.
37:15When police enters at midnight, when people like Preet Shirohi has a very clear agenda and when a basic Google search will tell you that in Delhi, in Yamuna floodplains alone, there is massive, massive 75% encroachment, 7,362 hectares of land out of 9,700.
37:33So encroachment is a story, town to town, city to city across the country.
37:37BJP and BJP government, if they choose to breach public trust, enter at midnight, allow a space to those who are going to spread fake news, it is important that leaders are going to breach public trust.
37:51BJP cannot...
37:52Fair enough.
37:53Let us see what police investigations reveal about the presence.
37:56Kaurav, 10 seconds, please.
37:57Yes, Charupragya.
37:58Kaurav, there was absolutely no violence till Samajwabi party MP Nadvi did not turn up there.
38:05He is the one who instigated violence.
38:07Soon we will have CCTV reports and I assure you, this is what will come out.
38:11This violence was instigated.
38:13It was not organic.
38:14Secondly, what is Gansham talking about?
38:16Common people don't trust this government.
38:18The common people have chosen this government three times in a row, including in your state of Uttar Pradesh, Gansham.
38:24So please don't think common people are silly.
38:26The important thing here is, the news that is being peddled by the Indian opposition today is one which causes communal clashes in our country, which causes policemen to be attacked in our country.
38:38And I still haven't noticed any condemnation coming for that from any of the people who are opposing this demolition on your show today.
38:46But I also want to quickly bring in Yasuo Vardhan Azad on people who are instigating, you know, the targeting of the security forces or the police.
38:55If there were people who spread rumours, sir, harshest possible action under law should be taken, whether they're YouTubers or influencers or whoever is spreading misinformation here, sir.
39:06Absolutely, Gaurav, this is a high court order.
39:10Forget anything else.
39:11If there is a law enforcement in pursuance of any legal order from the high court, all these people should be proceeded against.
39:19Gone are the days when this could be done because there was no CCTV, there was no AI face identification, etc.
39:26Absolutely, irrespective of who you are, you know, howsoever high you may be, the law is above you and that has to be strictly enforced in the most transparent manner.
39:38And we'll be tracking that story very closely.
39:39I want to thank all my guests.
39:41Tensions on the high seas have skyrocketed after the United States intercepted an oil tanker flying the Russian flag on the high seas in North Atlantic Ocean.
39:51And the US has done this to two vessels.
39:53What will Russia do?
39:56How will Russia respond?
39:58And is there no rules of the sea anymore?
40:02Is it just might is right?
40:06Global tensions are sharply rising after US seized oil tankers linked to Venezuela, one of them flying the Russian flag.
40:15High seas enforcement in dramatic fashion.
40:19Super tanker at sea.
40:21Helicopter overhead.
40:23US Coast Guard personnel rappelling onto the deck.
40:30Russian flagged tanker, Marineria, intercepted.
40:34US officials say the sanctioned tanker was tracked for two weeks.
40:39It altered its route to evade enforcement and was seized before any Russian escort arrive as a part of the Venezuelan oil blockade.
40:46The US also seized the Panamanian flagged M Sofia carrying Venezuelan crude oil.
40:54The message from the US is clear.
40:57The blockade is in place anywhere in the world.
40:59Two oil tankers, two oil tankers, two overnight, were seized by the United States of America, stateless or sanctioned because the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of unsanctioned or stateless, sanctioned or stateless vessels continues.
41:13That leverage will continue as Secretary Rubio outlined.
41:17So our military is prepared to continue this.
41:21The second phase will be a phase that we call recovery.
41:24And that is ensuring that American, Western and other companies have access to the Venezuelan market a way that's fair.
41:29Also, at the same time, begin to create the process of reconciliation nationally within Venezuela so that the opposition forces can be amnestied and released from prisons or brought back to the country and begin to rebuild civil society.
41:43Russia has issued a sharp condemnation of the U.S. action.
41:48Russia says it is monitoring the U.S. military boarding of the vessel and has demanded humane treatment for those on board.
41:55Moscow insists the rights of Russian citizens must be fully respected and has called for their prompt return home.
42:02The Russia Foreign Ministry says the vessel was sailing under the Russian flag and was boarded in open sea.
42:08It maintains that freedom of navigation applies and international norms must be upheld.
42:15But it does not end there.
42:17Washington is tightening the screws further.
42:20A bill expected to pass in the U.S. Congress would allow tariffs of up to 500% on countries purchasing Russian oil.
42:28This escalation comes just days after U.S. action linked to Venezuela.
42:34Oil has become the flashpoint.
42:36Sanctions the strategy.
42:37And the U.S.-Russia standoff is once again pushing global stability to the brink.
42:44With Geeta Mohan and Pranayopadhyay, Bureau Report, India Today.
42:51And joining me now on this special broadcast is Ambassador Yash Sina, India's former ambassador to Venezuela.
42:57Ambassador Sina, the seizure of a Russian flag vessel, a tanker, it's opened a very crucial debate.
43:05Can unilateral U.S. sanctions be enforced worldwide in international waters?
43:10If this is normalized, will other powers, be it China, be it Russia, may adopt similar tactics in their spheres of influence?
43:19Is that a major cause for concern?
43:20Yeah, Gaurav, thank you for having me on your show.
43:24I think it's very clear that what is happening now is a breakdown of the rules-based international order.
43:33The whole architecture that was assiduously built by the United States and other Western powers is now collapsing because now the philosophy seems to be might is right.
43:46So, I think we need to be very careful and see how things develop.
43:53But the situation after the abduction of President Maduro and his wife and I think emboldened the U.S. perhaps to take similar action elsewhere, I don't know.
44:06But Russia is a big country and a very powerful country and I do hope that there is no further escalation and the matters are resolved through dialogue.
44:20Unless the U.S. thinks it's far superior even to Russia, because so far, actions of America against Venezuela or Russia against Ukraine were against non-nuclear weapon states.
44:32Now, this is action between two nuclear weapon states and in the past only India-China or India-Pakistan have had this kind of a scenario, not at sea, but two nuclear weapon states, you know, locking horns like this.
44:45Well, if you go back in time, then you remember the Cuban crisis and the standoff.
44:52No, I don't think it will come to that because the U.S. and Russia have multiple channels of communication.
44:58But the fact is that if the U.S. can, you know, board a tanker 4,000 miles away, it certainly has the capability.
45:10It is in many ways the sole superpower and by far military the strongest.
45:17So, that's why I said, you know, might is right.
45:19If that is applied, then the U.S. can do anything, anywhere.
45:23So, I think that is a concern, not just, it shouldn't be a concern for Russia only.
45:27It should be a concern for everybody.
45:29And perhaps everyone will be waiting to see what Russia's response would be.
45:35So far, we're told it's only being said that it's a violation of the 1982 U.N. Convention on Laws of Sea.
45:43They've demanded that Russian citizens on board be well looked after.
45:48It's also being described by some as 21st century piracy by the United States of America.
45:53But, does Moscow have a strong legal case or will they also have to show might is right or they'll be perceived as very weak, especially since they're engaged in Ukraine?
46:06Well, of course, Russia has a strong legal case because, you know, not only the UN clause of Laws of the Seas, but, you know, in terms of the U.N. Charter and others, I think what is happening is this is an exercise in U.S. exceptionalism.
46:24It's something that their national laws prevail over any and everything.
46:28Now, they have obviously sanctioned Venezuela and the oils are sanctioned, but that's a U.S. sanction.
46:36But implementing that 4,000 miles away from its coastline is something that is new, I would think, and dangerous also because, you know, might is right is something that others can also then, you know, China can do that elsewhere.
46:55So, I think we need to step back, basically.
47:01All of us, all the countries, the commentary of nations needs to set back, step back and introspect and see where we are heading.
47:11And we are heading into uncharted territory and it is dangerous territory at that point.
47:16All indications, as of now, seem to indicate that the U.S. does not intend to step back.
47:23And after their operations in Venezuela, has the United States openly challenged China and Chinese investments in Venezuela, saying, this is my territory.
47:34These are my backwaters.
47:36You dare not spread your sphere of influence here, first with the Panama Canal, then with Venezuela, and now they're challenging the Russians, saying, I am the most powerful navy, even in the North Atlantic Ocean or in these waters or in the entire Western Hemisphere.
47:54Dare not do anything when it comes to America.
47:57No, but I think what I read was that there was considerable help from the British and the American...
48:04Yes, the British Defence Minister.
48:06So, you know, I mean, NATO itself, you look at, on one hand, the U.K. is supporting the U.S.
48:16On the other hand, the U.S. is threatening another founding member of NATO, Denmark.
48:21Denmark.
48:21So, I think we are in a very unusual situation and things are pretty unpredictable at this time.
48:30And what do you see happen, you know, will this NATO unity, will it be there, in your view, when it's Denmark versus the United States of America?
48:41Or, has Trump, you know, Trump's made it very clear, there is no NATO without the United States of America?
48:49China wouldn't be scared of NATO without the United States of America?
48:52And Europe knows that.
48:54So, whatever they may say, the moment America says something, that becomes the law, even for Europe.
49:01Well, you know, I think, I don't think it will come to that as far as Denmark is concerned, at least I hope not.
49:07But, and I read today that Secretary of State Rubio may be traveling to Denmark.
49:14So, I think the best solution, and being a former diplomat, the best solution is always to have a dialogue and try and see how to resolve matters.
49:25The U.S. interest in Greenland is not new, but certainly the actions threatened are new.
49:32So, I think there needs to be a dialogue all around, I think, not just between Denmark and the U.S., but a dialogue all around and see how U.S. action can, you know, be circumscribed within international law.
49:46Now, I mean, I know that they are in touch with, but at least they claim to be in touch with Chelsea Rodriguez and the Venezuelan leadership.
49:56But I don't know how that's going to pan out either, because, I mean, what the Americans are claiming and then what Chelsea Rodriguez says publicly, it is very confusing.
50:06Oh, it indeed is. But do you think that the United States, emboldened by what's already happened vis-a-vis Venezuela and on the high seas in the North Atlantic Ocean,
50:15will next move in for a regime change in Iran or, you know, forcibly take control of Greenland either ways?
50:23What happens first, in your view?
50:24Well, Iran, they've been trying for many years. It's nothing new.
50:29But with the latest round of protests there and the economic situation rather dire, it'd be fertile ground for the U.S. to intervene or meddle.
50:39But I don't know whether that will happen. The regime in Iran is quite well entrenched, even though they have faced multiple blows in recent times.
50:55But I think, I personally feel it'd be dangerous to intervene all over the world, because after all, you know, you're not the global cop.
51:04So you've got to stop pretending that you're the global cop.
51:07Absolutely. But let's see, very interesting times we live in, great times to report, a great story that's happening all around us.
51:14Ambassador Sina for joining me here on this India First special broadcast. Many thanks.
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