New Delhi: Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's children, Aakashi and Shantanu Bhatt, recently took to social media to mark the fourth year of their father's incarceration and express their sentiments about his wrongful conviction. In a heartfelt post, they shared their memories, their disappointment with the justice system, and their unwavering support for their father's fight for justice.

Reflecting on the 20th of June, the day their lives turned into a never-ending nightmare, Aakashi and Shantanu recalled the court proceedings, which they believe were subverted by the regime, leading to a vitiated trial. They lamented the lack of due process, the disregard for evidence, and the denial of the opportunity to present defense witnesses, all aimed at silencing their father's voice.

The post also emphasized Sanjiv Bhatt's unwavering commitment to fighting for justice for the victims of hate and violence, highlighting his decades-long battle for truth and accountability. Aakashi and Shantanu expressed their deep admiration and pride for their father, acknowledging him as their role model and the epitome of courage and reason.

While acknowledging the support they have received from many, the post also touched upon their disappointment with the apathy, fear, and greed displayed by some segments of society, which they believe failed to protect their father and stand up against injustice.

As the family commemorated the fourth year of Sanjiv Bhatt's wrongful conviction and the fifth year of his vindictive incarceration, they vowed to continue their fight for justice. Their message reiterated their determination to resist and overcome the challenges they face, echoing their father's unwavering spirit in the pursuit of truth and accountability.

The heartfelt post by Aakashi and Shantanu Bhatt shed light on the personal impact of their father's wrongful conviction and the family's continued struggle for justice. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and the enduring resilience of those who fight for truth.

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Jerusalem, Nov 5: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival. Netanyahu cited “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust” between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.

“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister,” Netanyahu said. “Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister.”

In the early days of the war, Israel's leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. But as the war dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged. While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for a diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the Hamas group.

Gallant, a former general who has gained public respect with a gruff, no-nonsense personality, said in a statement: “The security of the state of Israel always was, and will always remain, my life's mission."

Gallant has worn a simple, black buttoned shirt throughout the war in a sign of sorrow over the October 7 attack and developed a strong relationship with his US counterpart, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

A previous attempt by Netanyahu to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu. He also flirted with the idea of dismissing Gallant over the summer but held off until Tuesday's announcement.

Gallant will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister who was a junior officer in the military. Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu rival who recently rejoined the government, will take the foreign affairs post.

Netanyahu has a long history of neutralising his rivals. In his statement, he claimed he had made “many attempts” to bridge the gaps with Gallant.

“But they kept getting wider. They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy - our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it,” he said.