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The Hindu bats for PFI, accuses Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind of pandering to BJP, here is why it is problematic

Dibakar Dutta
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The Hindu bats for PFI, accuses Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind of pandering to BJP, here is why it is problematic

The crackdown on radical Islamist outfit, Popular Front of India (PFI) and the arrest of over 100 of its members by the Modi government has riled up certain section of the society. One of them irked by the development seems to be a journalist associated with the English daily ‘The Hindu’, Ziya Us Salam.

In an article dated September 28, Ziya lamented how the Islamic organisation, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, has maintained silence over the government’s crusade against PFI. The journalist then used statements made by members of another Islamist outfit, Jamaat-e-Islami, to make a case for the PFI.

Citing Jamaat’s President Syed Sadatullah Hussain, he tried to suggest that the ban on PFI was ‘selective, unjustified and undemocratic.’ Ziya then again quoted Jamaat to claim that the ‘culture of banning organisations’ violated fundamental rights that are enshrined in the Constitution.

Screengrab of the news report by The Hindu

‘The Hindu’ journalist failed to mention why the Modi government was forced to ban the outfit in the first place, including the event that was the final nail in its coffin. Ziya also skirted incidents of systemic violence, vandalism, and killings orchestrated by its members.

In a follow-up article on Saturday (October 1), he went on a tirade against Jamiat Ulama-e-Hindu for being a mute spectator to the government action against PFI. The Hindu journalist went on to suggest that the Islamic organisation is pandering to the BJP.

“Quietly, unobtrusively, the oldest Muslim organisation in the country, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is warming up to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Without making any formal announcement about it or lending explicit support at the time of elections, the Jamiat has been happy to support the BJP…” he wrote.

Screengrab of the news report by The Hindu

Ziya further added, “…Be it the recent ban on Popular Front of India or the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to start a survey of non-regular madrasas. Much of the support is hush-hush though.”

‘The Hindu’ journalist accused Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind of washing their hands off the ‘PFI crackdown’ in its entirety. He also lambasted the Islamic organisation for being hands-in-gloves with the BJP and supporting the survey of unregistered madrassas in Uttar Pradesh.

“The new political tone of the Jamiat comes as a surprise, considering the body has been softly but consistently aligned with the Congress since Independence though in recent years in U.P. at least, it has never been too far from extending tacit support to the Samajwadi Party,” he stated.

Quoting one Jamiat member, he suggested that the Islamic organisation has been forced to reach an ‘existential compromise’ with the ruling BJP. However, nothing can be further from the truth.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and its history of defending terrorists

While the BJP has been firm on the issue of nationalism and defending the country’s integrity from both internal and external threats, the same cannot be said about Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind.

The Islamic organisation has a history of providing legal support to Muslims accused of terrorism cases for over a decade now. It has defended its actions, saying that they provide legal services to ‘innocent Muslims’.

The legal cell, set up by JUH president Maulana Arshad Madani in 2007, takes up the cases and enlists lawyers to defend the terror accused in the courts. According to a New Indian Express report, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has offered its services to around 700 accused.

What is worrying about such interventions is that they have been able to get acquittals of at least 192 terror accused since 2007. Most of the acquittals did not take place owing to the proven innocence of the accused. Instead, the Muslim men were released due to a lack of evidence or shoddy investigation by the police.

Some of the other cases in which Jamiat has come forward to provide legal aid to terror-accused:

  1. Lashkar Connection Case (Abdul Rahman V/s State SLP)
  2. ISIS conspiracy case Kochi (State of Kerala v/s Arshi Qureshi & others)
  3. ISIS conspiracy case Mumbai (Arshi Qurashi & others v/s State of Maharashtra)
  4. ISIS conspiracy case (State of Rajasthan v/s Sirajuddin)
  5. 26/11 Mumbai attack case (Syed Zabiuddin v/s State of Maharashtra)
  6. Chinnaswamy Stadium Bomb Blast Case (State V/s Qatil Siddiqui and others)
  7. Jungli Maharaj Road Pune Bomb blast case (A.T.S. v/s Asad Khan & others)
  8. Indian Mujahideen Case (Maharashtra VS Afzal Usmani & others)
  9. Zaveri Bazar Serial Blast (State v/s Azaz Shaikh and others)
  10. SIMI conspiracy case (Madhya Pradesh) State V/S Irfan Muchale & others)
  11. Jama Masjid Blast Case (Delhi State V/s Qateel Siddqui Others)
  12. Indian Mujahideen conspiracy case (State vs. Yasin Bhatkal & others) Ahmedabad Serial Blast Case 2008 (State V/s Jahid & Others)

While the usual suspects are busy peddling conspiracy theories and batting for radical Islamist outfits, those acquainted with the Modi government’s track record of last 8 years are unlikely to fall for it.

Several PFI members went to Syria to join ISIS and become Jihadis, reveals NIA document on the banned group

OpIndia Staff
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Several PFI members went to Syria to join ISIS and become Jihadis, reveals NIA document on the banned group

In a major development in the probe against the Popular Front of India (PFI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said that several members of the now-banned joined the Islamist terror organisation ISIS. In order to dodge the security dragnet, they took a long circuitous route before reaching the conflict zones like Syria to engage in Jihad.

Notably, the Modi government on Wednesday banned the Islamist organisation and its associate for 5 years. The central government maintained that the outfit operated as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

There have been instances of youths being killed or arrested on foreign land and then deported back to India, according to an NIA document on the probe against the group after a series of raids across the country that led to the ban.

In 2017, Kerala Police obtained information indicating that several Muslim youths had immigrated to Syria and that some of them planned to support ISIS in their struggle. The majority of the defendants in the case were PFI members.

Kerala youths were allegedly recruited to join ISIS by Hamza, a Gulf returnee. According to officials, Hamza developed relationships with PFI supporters who already had anti-national or anti-establishment views in order to carry out his objectives.

Md Sameer alias Abu Safvan, the divisional president of the PFI, is accused of devising and communicating the plan to leave India and enter Syria after seeking refuge in different countries in order to eventually join ISIS in Syria.

According to the officials, the accused travelled to Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Turkey during this time as he awaited the final order to join the jihad in Syria.

Later, two PFI commanders, Abdul Manaf alias Abu Fathima and Mohammed Sameer alias Abu Safvan died in Syria while engaging in jihad. Five people, including the mastermind, were detained by the Kerala Police while the probe dragged on before they joined ISIS, they claimed.

17 people were charged by the Kerala Police with supporting ISIS or Daesh. Hamza, the case’s suspected mastermind, was a “hardcore Salafi disciple” who had previously spoken in favour of the Taliban and ISIS.

The officials claimed that Hamza persuaded Mohammed Sameer and Abdul Manaf, both PFI members, to perform the “hijra” from the land of the “Kafirs” following the declaration of the Islamic Caliphate in Iraq and Syria, PTI reported.

Other PFI cadres like Shajahan VK, who was charged in another terror case, and Mohammed Shajil were brainwashed with ISIS doctrine by Sameer.

On December 12, 2015, Mohammed Sameer and his family travelled to Saudi Arabia under the guise of conducting an “Umrah.” He instructed other PFI associates to flee India where criminal proceedings were already pending against them before sneaking into Syria. Later, it was claimed that Sameer was killed in Syria. Meanwhile, Abdul Manaf aka Abu Fathima, a vitriolic PFI leader, crossed the Turkish border into Syria and joined ISIS.

Manaf died while fighting in Syria as well. Additionally, Mohammed Shajil and Shajahan VK persuaded some of their close friends in PFI to join ISIS. They travelled to Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran in order to reach Turkey, and they awaited directions from ISIS handlers to join ISIS.

Only Mohammed Shajil and his family, however, were permitted to enter Syria. Shajahan VK and his family were deported to India after being detained by Turkish officials. Shajahan VK attempted to obtain a false Indian passport to rejoin ISIS after spending some time in hiding.

Shajahan VK was able to persuade Abdul Khayoom and Abdul Razak to join ISIS in his second effort with the aid of a man named Midlaj alias Abu Misab, who was also enlisting young people for ISIS, according to the officials.

Only Abdul Khayoom was able to enter Syria out of the three, and he reportedly died there. Shajahan and Abdul Razak were returned to India through deportation. They were detained by Indian police in New Delhi as soon as they arrived.

Hamza also persuaded Manauf Rehman to join ISIS. However, he was later stopped at the airport in Mangalore when he attempted to leave India. Officials claimed that once Hamza was detained, information received from him verified their intentions to join ISIS.

PFI cadres were being trained to infiltrate RSS and gather sensitive information to share with Islamic nations: Report

OpIndia Staff
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PFI cadres were being trained to infiltrate RSS and gather sensitive information to share with Islamic nations: Report

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, banned Islamist group Popular Front of India (PFI) was establishing a cell to infiltrate the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). PFI commanders were training around 50 members. The STF has obtained evidence from the WhatsApp and PC of PFI members Mohd Faizan, Mohd Sufian and Rehan, who were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday from Anchramau in Lucknow.

Members of PFI were not only given information about Hindu gods and goddesses, but they were also adequately taught about the RSS’s shakha and tactics, so their agents may join the RSS and obtain vital information. The STF is now searching Achramau and nearby villages in pursuit of Arshad, the local chief and kingpin who raised the PFI army.

During questioning by intelligence authorities, the detainees Faizan, Sufiyan, and Rehan revealed that the major goal of this PFI infiltration was to keep a watch on the operations of RSS as well as to get classified material. The information was to be passed on to Islamic nations via their masters.

PFI was entirely committed to undermining the country’s internal power and making India an Islamic nation as soon as possible by unifying Muslims. That is why, by recruiting an increasing number of radical Muslim youngsters in PFI, they were inciting them to reject non-Islam religions by teaching them the lesson of religious bigotry, so that Muslims may govern the entire country alone.

Now, as a result of the intelligence agencies’ actions in the village of Anchramau, hundreds of individuals connected to PFI in Behta and other areas have fled into hiding. On Tuesday, after Rehan was taken into custody, his wife Arshia Jahan began yelling and claiming that her husband had connections with PFI.

Ban on Popular Front of India

On September 27, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and banned the Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associated or affiliated fronts with immediate effect for a period of five years.

It is worth noting that PFI and its sister organisations are present in over 17 states across the country. In several states, police and the NIA have filed over 1,300 criminal cases against PFI cadres and front outfits. Some of these cases were also filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act/UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, and other serious IPC provisions.

The NIA and ED, as well as state police, have conducted raids at more than a hundred PFI-related premises across the country during the past several weeks. OMA Salam, the organization’s commander, was one of more than 150 PFI cadres who were taken into custody or put under arrest.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann left red-faced after a song on alcohol nostalgia plays during his visit to Gujarat for Navratri

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann left red-faced after a song on alcohol nostalgia plays during his visit to Gujarat for Navratri

Aam Aadmi Party leaders are campaigning for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly Elections in full swing. Among the prominent leaders, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann has also been visiting the election-bound state frequently. On October 1, CM Mann attended one such program and tried his hands on Garba dance and Bhangra.

However, things went awkward for the AAP leader when the singer on the stage sang the popular Punjabi song ‘Apna Punjab Hove, Ghar Di Sharab Hove’ originally sung by legendary Punjab Singer Gurdas Mann. In the song, the singer is getting nostalgic about his time back home in Punjab and remembering how people brew homemade liquor.

Notably, CM Mann has been struggling with an alleged alcohol problem and recently, it was rumoured that he was allegedly deplaned in Germany as he was under the influence of alcohol. Also, Gujarat is a dry state, which means, sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat.

In a little over one minute video shared by AAP supporters and leaders themselves, CM Bhagwant Mann could be seen doing the Garba in the beginning. However, at the 0:49 timestamp, the singer started singing “Apna Punjab Hove” and expected CM Mann to dance over the tunes, but the lyrics made him visibly awkward, and he just stood there with a smile on his face. Within 10-seconds, CM Mann decided to leave the stage.

Interestingly, several AAP leaders and supporters shared the video praising CM Mann and completely missed the point of how it was visibly problematic for the Punjab CM. AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar praised CM Mann for Garba dance.

AAP leader Rajesh Sharma called it “super” performance and said he “really enjoyed” the performance.

Twitter user Siddharth praised CM Mann for his dancing skills.

Twitter user Dr Safin also praised him for trying his hands on Garba.

A few Twitter users, however, pointed out Gujaratis might have mocked CM Mann with the song. Twitter user Oye Jahazi said, “Gujjus are trolling him or what? Singing “Apna Punjab hove, Ghar di shraab hove” when Bhagwant Mann was dancing on the stage.”

Notably, during an election event, AAP leaders were also greeted with the chants of “Modi Modi”. It is unclear if both videos are from the same or not.

List of instances when Bhagwant Mann was caught allegedly drunk

In 2015, former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav alleged that Mann had attended Parliament sessions while being under the influence of alcohol. In a statement, he said, “I discovered it first in July 2014 when AAP had a meeting of all its Lok Sabha candidates. Mann was sitting next to me and was smelling of alcohol. I mentioned it to Arvind Kejriwal, and he nodded. Around this time, I heard rumours that Mann was going to the Lok Sabha sessions drunk.”

In October of the same year, former Granthi of Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, allegedly noticed that Mann was drunk. He was attending the bhog ceremony of the Faridkot firing victims. Mann was asked to leave the stage, and the incident caused the party embarrassment at the national level.

In 2016, AAP leader Harinder Singh Khalsa accused Mann of being drunk in the house. In the same year, Mann live-streamed his trip to Parliament and published the video on Facebook. His actions triggered outrage from other house members as he breached security by shooting a video of the Parliament allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Later in the same year, Mann had allegedly turned up at the funeral of Manmeet Alisher in an inebriated condition.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Charanjit Singh Channi have accused Mann of being a drunkard.

In 2018, Bhagwant Mann went to address an election rally at Gol Diggi in Bhatinda. When it was Mann’s turn to speak, Mann could not even stand.

In April 2022, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) alleged that the Punjab chief minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Singh Mann had entered Takht Damdama Sahib in a drunken state on the occasion of Baisakhi, which was celebrated across the country on April 14.

In January 2019, Bhagwant Mann had promised he would not drink anymore. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal called it a ‘great sacrifice for the people. By that time, Mann, MP from Sangrur, had faced much criticism over his drinking habits. Though the promise made by a leader was supposed to be fulfilled, things allegedly did not turn in his favour.

‘Apna Punjab Hove’ song

The Punjabi song ‘Apna Punjab Hove, Ghar Di Sharab Hove’ was originally sung by legendary singer Gurdas Mann. The song talks about the essence of Punjab’s houses and culture. It talks about home-brewed whisky and how the singer misses both house and the liquor along with homemade food, friends, family and culture while being away.

Amusingly, AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been in the soup recently over allegations of irregularities and procedural lapses in the new liquor policy implemented by the Delhi govt last year. You can read in detail about it here.

From Neeraj Chopra to PV Sindhu to foreign diplomats: All roads lead to Gujarat for Garba and Navratri

OpIndia Staff
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From Neeraj Chopra to PV Sindhu to foreign diplomats: All roads lead to Gujarat for Garba and Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated with traditional fervour for nine days and in these nine days, the devotees of Maa Durga offer prayers and do worship or Upasana in the form of Garba dance which though is popular across the country, holds special significance in Gujarat.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister arrived in Gujarat’s Vadodara, also known as the state’s culture capital with at least 50 ambassadors and high commissioners to take part in the ongoing Navratri celebrations.

“Great to see Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Vadodara for the Navratri experience. Look forward to participating in the celebrations tonight,” Jaishankar, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, tweeted on his arrival.

Dr. Jaishankar also performed the Aarti and sought the blessings of Goddess Amba. “Seeking the blessing of Maa Amba ji at the Navratri in Vadodara,” he tweeted.

Dr. Jaishankar did not miss the opportunity to showcase India’s cultural richness and colors to the diplomats of several countries.

“I played Garba for the first time and really liked it. This is a great festival,” Russian ambassador Denis Alipov told ANI.

Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Farid Mamundzay told ANI, “I thank all Gujaratis from the people of Afghanistan for giving us such love & respect.

Ambassador of Nepal to India, Dr. Shankar Sharma expressed his delight to meet India’s EAM Dr. S Jaishankar. Sharma also expressed his amazement that over 40,000 people danced in rhythm.

“Delighted to meet External Affairs Minister Shri @DrSJaishankar ji during Navratri celebrations in Vadodara, Gujarat today.  Amazed to see about 40,000 people dance in rhythm and to live music. The event continues for nine days (Navratra),” Sharma tweeted.

“On Sunday, they all will be at Kevadia (to see the Statue of Unity and other attractions) and stay overnight there. This is a great opportunity for them to understand Gujarat,” the external affairs minister told PTI.

Apart from the ambassadors and diplomats and politicians, Indian athletes also enjoyed Garba and Navratri festivities. India’s badminton star PV Sindhu could not keep herself away from getting mesmerized by the Gujarati culture. The athlete was seen enjoying Garba in traditional Gujarati attire.

Tokyo Olympics gold medallist and India’s Javelin sensation, Neeraj Chopra took part in a Garba event in Vadodara. Chopra was seen sporting a traditional Gujarati jacket. He also performed the Aarti and enjoyed Garba as well.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalist and wrestling star Bajrang Punia also participated in Navratri celebrations and played Garba in traditional Gujarati attire.

Devotees pray to Goddess Durga during the Hindu festival of Navratri and observe fast (vrat). Throughout the nine nights and ten days, Hindus worship the Maa Durga in her nine manifestations. The celebration this year began on September 26 and will conclude on Dussehra, October 5.

Indonesia: 129 dead, over 200 injured as riots erupt in stadium after league soccer match

OpIndia Staff
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Indonesia: 129 dead, over 200 injured as riots erupt in stadium after league soccer match

According to reports, more than 129 people were killed and 200 were injured as pandemonium and violence erupted late Saturday during an Indonesian league soccer match between two of the country’s most famous clubs. Several confrontations were reported between supporters of the two rival soccer clubs inside the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java province, after the Indonesian Premier League game finished with Persebaya Surabaya defeating Arema Malang.

The altercations that arose shortly after the game concluded late Saturday night forced police in riot gear to deploy tear gas, causing panic among supporters, according to East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta.

Videos posted on social media late at night from inside the stadium showed supporters clad in red and blue rushing the pitch and battling with Indonesian security officers, who looked to be wearing riot gear. When they fled to one exit, several individuals were crushed and suffocated. 

Thirty-four individuals died at the Kanjuruhan stadium, with the remainder dying in hospital, and 180 were injured. Two cops were among those killed. East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta said the death toll is expected to rise further since many of the about 180 hospitalized victims’ situations were worsening.

East Java’s Kanjuruhan Stadium, which has a capacity of 42,500, is frequently used for soccer matches. The number of spectators in the stadium for Saturday’s late-night game is yet unknown, but video and photos taken by fans throughout the event show crowded seats.

Zainudin Amali, Indonesia’s sports minister, told KompasTV that the government will reassess stadium safety, including the potential of banning spectator entry. Following Persebaya’s 3-2 victory, the top league in Indonesia, BRI Liga 1, has suspended play for a week and launched an investigation, according to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

Next May and June, Indonesia will host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Additionally, it is one of three nations vying to host the Asian Cup, the continent’s version of the Euros, in 2019, after China denied the option.

Chinese diplomat mocks the US after the destruction of Nord Stream Pipelines

OpIndia Staff
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Chinese diplomat mocks the US after the destruction of Nord Stream Pipelines

Days after the unprecedented gas leak from three underwater pipelines of the Nord Stream system, a Chinese diplomat took to Twitter on Saturday (October 1) to insinuate an American hand behind the incident.

Cao Yi, the former Chinese ambassador to Iraq and Lebanon, mocked the US administration for allegedly sabotaging the natural gas pipeline and pretending to not know about it. The archived version of the tweet can be accessed here.

He wrote, “Who hates the Russian pipelines? USA. Who tried to stop them (from) being built? USA. Who said they would destroy them? USA. Who benefits from their destruction? USA. Who destroyed them? We have no idea.”

In late September, explosions took place in the Baltic Sea, off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm. The incident led to leaks in both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines that connect Russia and Germany.

As per reports, the pipelines were not transporting gas during the time of the explosion although they were filled with gas. In the aftermath of the incident, huge gas bubbles (up to 1km in diameter) were spotted on the surface of the Baltic Sea.

The European Union and the United States have labelled the underwater explosions as an act of sabotage but did not directly name Russia. Kremlin denied any involvement in the incident and expressed grave concern.

Adrienne Watson, White House National Security Council spokeswoman, remarked, “We’re not going to let Russia’s disinformation distract us or the world from its transparently fraudulent attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.” said Friday.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has blamed the United States for sabotage. “American liquefied natural gas suppliers should be celebrating the manifold increase in LNG supplies to Europe,” he said.

Vladimir Putin also accused the Anglo-Saxons, who earlier imposed sanctions on the country, for damaging the Nord pipelines. Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has pointed out that the Nord Stream pipeline incident is the biggest single release of methane ever recorded.

Muslim Twitter users attack The Wire journalist for suggesting Muslim participation in Garba during Navratri

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim Twitter users attack The Wire journalist for suggesting Muslim participation in Garba during Navratri

On October 1, The Wire columnist Arfa Khanum Sherwani expressed her dismay as Hindus have been showing resistance to the entry of non-Hindus, especially Islamists, from entering Garba Pandals. In several locations, Hindu organisations like Bajrang Dal have asked the Garba organisers to check ID cards before letting anyone inside the Garba pandals. In a tweet, Sherwani wrote, “Hindutva Fascists are mocking, discouraging, threatening and even beating up Muslims who are/want to participate in celebrations of Hindu festivals. They are destroying the last bit of whatever has remained of India and its composite culture.”

Idol worship is a sin in Islam and the garba events during Navratri are a form of worship to the Goddesses. While many have tried to appropriate the religious festival as a cultural one, the fact remains Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated across India and beyond by Hindus.

Arfa’s tweet, however, triggered a large section of Muslims who were not happy with the idea of Muslims participating in the garba and Navratri festivities. AIMPLB member and President of Sharia Committee, Hyderabad, Dr Asma Zehra Tayeba said, “Surah Kafiroon clearly says “Lakum Dinukum Waliya Deen”.Tumhare liye Tumhaara Deen Hamare liye Hamara Deen. Why are you Dancing in their Religious festival?”

Tweet by Dr Asma Zehra Tayba. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Misrai Ali said, “When Hindu Festivals have become toxic pockets of concentrated Hindutva pride and violence against Muslims, you should be more critical of participating in such places.”

Tweet by Misrai Ali. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Ahadun said, “At least for the sake of self-respect people like Arfa should stop participating in the festivals of other religions.”

Tweet by Ahadun. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Shahid Raza said, “Why Muslims want to go in their festivals?? For Muslims isn’t permissible to attend other religions’ rituals. Recently some Bajrang Dal people beat Muslim men for attending/watching Garba. If Muslims didn’t want their festivals then this incident not happened.”

Tweet by Shahid Raza. Source: Twitter

Reportedly, the Muslim youth who were allegedly beaten up had entered the garba venue under fake Hindu names.

Twitter user Hamad said, “Sorry Arfa but what’s the need for Muslims to participate in Hindu festivals. A true Muslim must be far away and least bothered about them. For you is your religion and for me is my religion. (Surat Al Kafiroon).”

Tweet by Hamad Albartani. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Abubakar Sheikh said, “Beating anybody is not fair but Why u want to participate in other religion’s festival. U must respect their faith but why do u need to participate in it.? Is anybody stopping you to celebrate independence day together?”

Tweet by Abubakar Sheikh. Source: Twitter

Twitter user MuslimPain said, “We don’t want to participate in H festivals as islam doesn’t permit it so stop selling things on our behalf. Just say you wanted to go and they are mocking you.”

Tweet by muslimpain. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Shifa Seeker said, “SHAME on this mentality of yours,where you want to defend this unislamic & sinful act under the garb of culture. Muslims protect ur #Imaan that is the last bit & the only thing that can, save you from facing the wrath of Allah.”

Tweet by Shifa Seeker. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Talktoamuslim said, “Why would sane Muslims go in places where they are not welcome? In present majoritarian set-up, it’s foolish to insist on joining their festivities.”

Tweet by talktoamuslim. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Omar Abbas Hyat said, “Why would/should any Muslim impose himself/herself in someone else’s religious festivals?”

Tweet by Omar Abbas Hyat. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Mohammad Salman condemned Arfa’s desire to attend the Hindu festival and questioned why she wanted to attend festivities of other religions. He further added that a person’s self respect in his/her own hands.

Tweet by Mohammad Salam Sam. Source: Twitter
Tweet by Amir Sultan. Source: Twitter

Twitter user Israil Shaikh said a Muslim should not go to a Hindu festival. He emphasized that a Muslim should not even look at a Hindu festival.

Twitter by Israil Shaikh. Source: Twitter

Surah Al Kafiroon is the name of 109th chapter of Quran invokes the ‘unbelievers’ (kaafirs) where Prophet Muhammad had declined to compromise on idolatry.

Sherwani has spewed venom against the Hindu religion and culture

Sherwani spewed venom against the Hindu religion and culture in the past. Not too long ago, in December 2018, Arfa Khanum Sherwani called chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ communal. In her tweet, she said, “Yes ‘, Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is communal. Because it forces a certain mythological idea of the motherland being a Devi, a deity, this may suit your faith and religious philosophy but not people who believe in monotheism- one God. It is a majoritarian slogan.”

Arfa has called the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki jai” communal. Source: Twitter

She clearly showed her anger over the “forcing” depiction of the country as a ‘deity’. Interestingly, Garba is a form of worshipping Maa Durga during the Navratri festival. Maa Durga is a Hindu Goddess, a deity of the highest form. On the one hand, Sherwani was irked that Muslims were asked to worship a deity, and on the other hand, she wanted Hindus to let Muslims come and join the festivities of worshipping a deity. The way Sherwani wanted to have ‘ladoo in both hands’ is astonishing.

Suzlon Energy’s Tulsi Tanti passes away following a heart attack

OpIndia Staff
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Suzlon Energy’s Tulsi Tanti passes away following a heart attack

Suzlon Energy’s Founder, Chairman and Managing Director Tulsi R Tanti passed away on 1 October 2022. He suffered a heart attack and passed away soon after. He was 64 years old.

Suzlon Energy statement

The same was announced by the company through a statement. Born in Rajkot in 1958, Tanti was one of the promoters of Suzlon Energy which he founded in 1995.

Pakistan: Islamabad magistrate issues arrest warrant against former PM Imran Khan in the case of threatening a female judge

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Islamabad magistrate issues arrest warrant against former PM Imran Khan in the case of threatening a female judge

A magistrate in Islamabad issued an arrest warrant for Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf leader and Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan on 30th September 2022. The warrant was issued by Senior Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim after Imran Khan didn’t appear in court in a case filed against him for allegedly threatening a female judge.

Imran Khan is accused of threatening District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry while addressing a public meeting on 20th August 2022 in Islamabad. Following his remarks, a case was registered against him on August 20. Imran Khan was booked under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code in the FIR against him, including 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 189 (threat of injury to public servant), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

The PTI chief is also facing contempt of court charges for his comments against Judge Zeba Chaudhry. Imran Khan had made the comments against the judge for approving his aide Shahbaz Gill’s two-day police custody on August 17. Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff was arrested on sedition charges for making comments against the army. The former PM had said that the judge should “prepare herself as action would be taken against her”.

In the controversial August 20 address, Imran Khan had also threatened to file cases against Islamabad’s inspector general of police and deputy inspector general of police, accusing him of inhuman treatment of Gill in custody.

According to the police, when the Islamabad High Court dismissed terror charges in a case filed against Imran Khan for his statements, the matter was sent to a sessions court, and the former Pakistani prime minister did not receive bail there. The police further said that as Imran Khan didn’t attend the last court hearing, the warrant was issued to ensure that he is present during the next hearing.

Imran Khan was charged with terrorism on the allegation of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for terrorizing the federal capital’s additional sessions judge, Zeba Chaudhry. Following Imran Khan’s address at the PTI rally in Islamabad’s F9 Park in August, a first information report (FIR) was filed with the Margalla police.

However, on September 19, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the removal of terrorist sections from the lawsuit filed against the PTI head for threatening a woman judge and Islamabad police personnel. After the Islamabad High Court (IHC) withdrew the terrorism charges against him, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) instructed Imran to move the sessions court for temporary bail since the subject did not fall under its purview.

The PTI leader earlier today filed an affidavit before the IHC in the contempt suit about threats made against the additional district and sessions judge. The former prime minister assured in the affidavit to the court that he would never again take any action that would diminish the stature of any court or the judiciary, particularly the subordinate courts. The PTI leader stated that he is willing to take additional steps to satisfy the court in this respect and that he would fully adhere to what he indicated before the court in the last hearing. He wrote that he “might have crossed a red line while making a public speech”.

The affidavit was demanded by the court at a hearing on September 22, when Imran promised to apologize to Chaudhry after the PTI leader criticized her for allowing Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case. Imran was spared from jail because of his promise to apologize.

Yesterday, Imran Khan had reached the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry to personally apologise for his comments, but could not do so as she was not present in the court. He informed the officials of the court that he came to apologise.

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