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I am begging you, please don’t do this: Kapil Sibal begs SC to not send Chidambaram to Tihar jail, request accepted, for now

OpIndia Staff
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I am begging you, please don’t do this: Kapil Sibal begs SC to not send Chidambaram to Tihar jail, request accepted, for now

The Supreme Court gave temporary relief to P. Chidambaram in the INX Media case after it said on Monday that the senior Congress leader won’t be sent to Tihar jail for now. Kapil Sibal, representing his party colleague, begged the Court to not send his client, P Chidambaram to Tihar. “I am begging of you. Please don’t do this. Protect me till you hear this case. He shouldn’t be sent to Tihar,” Sibal requested the judges.


The Apex Court also directed Chidambaram to approach the trial court for interim protection. If his bail is rejected by the trial court, his CBI custody will be extended for another three days.


Arguing for his client, Sibal had said, “Put me under house arrest or give me interim bail. Protect me for 3 days. Lay down whatever conditions deemed appropriate. The world won’t turn topsy-turvey in next three days.”


P Chidambaram was arrested on August 21 and sent to Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) custody in connection with the INX Media case. Earlier, he had been remanded for 4 days twice, and his second remand was to end on the 30th of August when A Delhi court extended the CBI custody of the Congress leader by another three days till 2nd September. His custody ends today, therefore, he is expected to approach the trial court for protection later in the day.

Bengaluru: Probe initiated against Church of South India for allegedly selling defence land to metro rail

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Probe initiated against Church of South India for allegedly selling defence land to metro rail

An FIR was registered against the Church of South India (CSI) on the 20th of August by the Cubbon Park Police Station for allegedly ‘cheating’ the defence ministry by selling 7,426 square metres of its land located in the All Saints Church complex to the Bengaluru Metro Project without its knowledge and consent. Investigation on the matter is underway.

“We are inquiring into the Defence Ministry’s complaint that the CSI had illegally sold a portion of its land, leased to it over a century ago, for the metro project and collected Rs 60 crore compensation from its operator (BMRCL),” Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Chetan Singh Rathore told IANS.

“We have asked both the parties to submit us all documents pertaining to the prime land to ascertain its rightful owner, as they (records) date back to 1860s when the city was under the British rule and the Mysuru Wodeyars were the owners of public lands then,” said Rathore.

“As preliminary investigation has also revealed that both the parties have contested the land ownership in a city civil court, we will wait for its outcome before proceeding with the case,” added Rathore.

“As KIADB is the state-run agency dealing with sale and purchase of lands for industries and infrastructure projects across the southern state, it has vetted the documents the CSI submitted for acquiring it and compensating for it suitably,” BMRCL official YBK. Chavan told IANS.

“If the Defence Ministry claims that the land was leased to the CSI in the 1860s, the onus is on it to prove that it was its owner and submit the lease agreement they both would have entered into over 130 years ago” Rathore asserted.

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) had acquired the disputed land for the construction of the Vellara Junction underground station from Dairy Circle to Nagawara. In total, BMRCL acquired 3,618 sq meters of the church land occupied by tenants such as Tom’s Hotel and Fatima Bakery. It had paid Rs 60 crore as compensation to the Church of South India.

“In the 1860s or subsequently till the mid-1940s, where was the Indian government and the defence ministry to claim that the land in the All Saints Church premises belonged to it unless it was an open land and inherited by the transfer of assets from the British regime,” a Church official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

A Defence Official said that legal action would be taken against CSI for breaching the lease agreement and Rs. 60 crore would be demanded as compensation for selling the land without taking permission from appropriate authorities.

The Hindu spreads fake news on JNU’s review of Professor Emeritus, changes date of meeting from 2018 to 2019

OpIndia Staff
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The Hindu spreads fake news on JNU’s review of Professor Emeritus, changes date of meeting from 2018 to 2019

As the left-liberal ecosystem continues its outrage over the review of Romila Thapar’s continuation as Professor Emeritus by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), The Hindu resorted to blatant lie to claim that rules were changed recently to target the historian. In a report published yesterday, the publication wrote that the decision to review the continuation of emeritus professors who are above 75 years of age was taken in a meeting held in last month, which is not correct.

The report said that in the meeting held on 23rd August, the Executive Council had decided to revise the guidelines for emeritus professor designation. As the Hindu deliberately omitted the year, it implies that the meeting took place on 23rd August 2019, less than two weeks ago. The report suggested that the rules were amended very recently. This report was further used by many people on social media to propagate a lie.

It is a lie because the said meeting took place on 23rd August 2018, ie, one year ago, and not last month as The Hindu is reporting. The provision for review of emeritus professors is mentioned in the Academic Rules and Regulations of the university, which was updated on 31st March 2019.

A document published on 31st March 2019 can’t contain a provision if it was not finalised by that date, therefore it is not possible that the said amendment was done in August this year, it was done before March 2019.

Now if we go to the page containing the rules and regulations regarding the conferment of ‘Professor Emeritus’ title at JNU on page number 58, we can see that the footnote on the page says “approved vide Resolution No. 6.10/EC/23.08.2018”, which means the amendments to the provisions were made on 23rd August 2018, not 2019 as The Hindu and many others are claiming.

In the 275th meeting of the Executive Council held on 23 August 2018, the EC had amended the rules governing the Professor Emeritus title. It was decided that once such a professor attains seventy-five years of age, their continuation will be reviewed by considering their health status, willingness, availability, needs of the university etc. For this purpose, the EC will appoint a sub-committee for each existing Professor Emeritus above the age of 75 years, which will examine each case as it deems fit, including by interaction, inviting latest CV, peer group views etc. This decision was taken so that more positions can be made available for other potential candidates.

It is important to note that the decision was taken in a meeting of the Executive Council of JNU, which consists of 23 members. Apart from the Vice-Chancellor and the Rector of the university, the EC includes deans of difference studies, teachers at JNU and members from outside the JNU who are all academicians at various educational institutions. It was not a unilateral decision taken by one person or by the union government, it was a decision unanimously taken by the Executive Council of the Jawaharlal Nehru.

It may be noted that most other media houses have mentioned that the rules were amended last year, but still, The Hindu chose to spread fake news. The news reports also mention that the registrar of JNU had written to Romila Thapar in July this year, asking her to submit her CV as per new regulations. Thapar had admitted to receiving the letter in July, but The Hindu wants people to believe that the rules were changed in August 2019.

Sikhs launch massive protest outside Pakistan embassy against forced conversions, effigy of Imran Khan burnt

OpIndia Staff
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Sikhs launch massive protest outside Pakistan embassy against forced conversions, effigy of Imran Khan burnt

A group of members of the Sikh community on Monday launched a massive protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to protest against the forced conversion of Sikh girls in Pakistan, reports ANI.

Reportedly, the protesters were seen burning effigies while demanding protection of the Sikh families residing in Pakistan amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Sikh community members were trying to submit a memorandum at the Pakistan High Commission when they were stopped. As they were stopped, the angry protestors launched violent protests near the premises of the Pakistan embassy.

The police forces posted outside the Pakistan High Commission struggled to contain the protesters behind the barricades while the Sikh protesters climbed over the police posts and raised slogans against Pakistan.

Addition to Sikh protests, people belonging to different faiths and communities took out a march in Delhi on Sunday to protest abduction, forceful conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl to a Muslim man in Pakistan.

They walked from Teen Murti Bhavan to Pakistan High Commission in solidarity with the girl.

“Atrocities are being committed on Hindu and Sikh girls in Pakistan. We will never tolerate it,” All India Hindu Sangharsh Committee president Sachin Mehra.

In a separate protest, activists of Bajrang Dal Hindustan on Sunday set fire to the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Amritsar and called for solidarity between Hindu and Sikhs to protest against the continued lack of action by the Pakistani government on the abduction of the Sikh girl.

The severe protests against the Pakistan government come after 19-year old Jagjit Kaur was kidnapped and forced to marry a Muslim man in Pakistan. Reportedly, the Pakistan man, who forcibly converted and married Sikh girl is affiliated to 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s proscribed terror outfit Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD).

Following this, there were some reports that the Pakistan police had arrested 8 members and the victim Sikh girl had returned home. But, the family of the girl denied these claims. They have stated that the girl was never brought home and the reports of the arrest of kidnappers are also incorrect.

The kidnapping incident had drawn the attention of Sikhs worldwide and sparked anger in the community. The matter had raised a huge furore in India with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

Strongly protesting against the horrific act, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh had slammed Pakistan PM Imran Khan for ensuring the safety of minorities in his country. Expressing disgust over the incident, Captain Amarinder Singh requested External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar to strongly take up the matter with his Pakistani counterpart over the forced conversion of a Sikh girl into Islam.

Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh too had echoed similar sentiments and demanded Imran Khan to take strong action in this case. He had also tweeted that every religion is beautiful and that people should not assume God’s responsibilities and let god decide which religion one is born into.

Supreme Court stays fine imposed on Vishal Dadlani, Tehseen Poonawalla by HC for mocking Jain monk Tarun Sagar

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court stays fine imposed on Vishal Dadlani, Tehseen Poonawalla by HC for mocking Jain monk Tarun Sagar

The Supreme Court issued a notice today in which it stayed an order passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court which had fined Music composer and Aam Aadmi Party supporter Vishal Dadlani and Robert Vadra’s relative Tehseen Poonawalla with Rs 10 lakh for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of the Jain community by their tweets on Jain monk Tarun Sagar.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had on May 1, 2019, quashed the FIR filed against them by the Haryana Police, admitting that there was no criminal offence made out, but had imposed costs of Rs 10 lakh on both Vishal Dadlani and Tehseen Poonawalla for their offensive Tweet.

The duo was booked by the Haryana Police in August 2016 and a case was registered “for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and other offences” under Sections 295-A, 153-A and 509 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) at Ambala Cantonment police station.

In August 2016, Dadlani had tweeted his displeasure at the ‘colossal idiocy’ of ‘some naked monk’ addressing the Haryana assembly. His tweets did not go down well with the Jain community and to damage control, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain had to tweet apologies on behalf of Dadlani. Meanwhile, Congress supporter and Robert Vadra’s relative Tehseen Poonawalla had also made offensive remarks on the Jain monk.

Tarun Sagar is a Jain monk of the Digambar community and these monks do not wear clothes. He had addressed the Haryana Assembly when the duo made these offensive remarks.

Following public outcry by a number of netizens, Dadlani eventually apologized for his tweets. To this end, he issued a public statement of apology and also met the Jain monk personally to seek his forgiveness. However, Poonwalla, on his part, submitted that he did not regret making the tweets. He contended that by doing so, he had not committed any criminal offence.

India counters Pakistan at South Asian Speakers’ Summit as terror state attempts to raise Kashmir bogey, Maldives speaker loses cool too

OpIndia Staff
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India counters Pakistan at South Asian Speakers’ Summit as terror state attempts to raise Kashmir bogey, Maldives speaker loses cool too

The Speaker of the Maldives Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed on Sunday rebuked the Deputy Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Qasim Suri at the Future Goals Summit in Maldives Parliament as he raised the Kashmir issue in the country’s Parliament.

Nasheed shouted after Suri didn’t stop despite repeated requests to let India raise a point of order. The Indian delegation was then told to raise their point on Suri’s statements.

Despite being reminded several times that Kashmir is India’s internal matter, Pakistan going by its penchant, once again raised the Kashmir issue at the Future Goals Summit in Maldives Parliament. India once again cuts Pakistan to its size.


Maldives is currently hosting the 4th South Asian Speakers’ Summit on ‘Achieving the Sustainable Goals’ (SDGs). As part of India’s delegation, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha were in Male to attend the meet.

As the discussion was underway, Pakistan’s delegate Qasim Suri chose to raise the issue of Kashmir before the house. He said: “We cannot ignore the oppression of Kashmiris.” The moment Suri went on to raise Kashmir in his speech the house descended into protest.

India lodged a blistering attack against Pakistan’s move. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh said: “We strongly object to raising of the internal matter of India in this forum. We also reject the politicisation of the forum by raising issues which are extraneous to the theme of the summit.”

Singh further exhorted that Pakistan should first and foremost stop supporting terrorism. “There is a need for Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism and all kinds of state support to the same in the interest of regional peace and stability. Terrorism is the biggest threat to the entire humanity in the world today,” he said.

India also stressed that the summit was meant to discuss sustainable development goals and hence remarks made by the Pakistan delegate should be deleted from the record. “This forum is only meant to discuss SDGs. This [Pakistan’s comment] should not be a part of the proceedings. I strongly object this part should be deleted,” Harivansh Narayan Singh said.

As India kept blasting Pakistan, Pakistani Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri rose in protest and launched an angry rant against India. India unruffled by her worthless rants went to castigate the terror state.


Raising a point of order again, the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman retorted that a country responsible for committing genocide against its own people, the Bangladeshis, has no moral right to raise the issue of Kashmir. “Excellency, I would like to ask what moral rights this country has to raise issues related to human rights? The world knows how they committed genocide in a part of their own country and that country is now a separate entity called Bangladesh.

“Since they have raised the human rights issue of Kashmir, I would like to state facts that Pakistan has occupied our part of Kashmir known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “This Pakistan-occupied Kashmir comprises 2 areas, the so-called Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) which Pakistan has illegally occupied through armed action in 1947.

“Pakistan has kept people of this region guessing on their status. As a constitutional entity, the so-called ‘AJK’ is unique. It has been given the trappings of a country with a President, a Prime Minister and a Legislature of its own. But the so-called AJK is neither a country nor a province,” he said, as Marri was on her feet again protesting India’s remarks.

The Karachi Agreement (April 28, 1949) truncated POJK and brought more than 85 per cent of the land, strategically important for its connectivity with China and control of rivers, under Pakistan’s direct control. From the time of the Karachi Agreement, the so-called AJK President and Prime Minister have enjoyed only titular power, that too at the pleasure of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs”, Harivansh said.

Amid the commotion, Speaker Nasheed tried to calm down the two sides, as the Pakistani representative, Qurat ul Ain Marri continued her fulminations.

The tension between India and Pakistan has escalated after India went ahead with its audacious decision to abrogate Article 370 which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir and also bifurcated the state into two union territories.

Frustrated Pakistan has been running pillar to post to garner some global support against India, this time using the Kashmir issue, but has fallen flat in every attempt. Such is its frenzied condition, that their Prime Minister has gone about to declare a nuclear war against India. However, what is amusing here is that the country which does not have money to pay it’s own electricity bills and depends on ‘donkeys’ to run its sinking economy is threatening India with a nuclear war.

Rajiv Gandhi govt threw out Hindu monarchy in Nepal, paving way for Communists and Chinese clout, reveals ex-special director of RAW

OpIndia Staff
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Rajiv Gandhi govt threw out Hindu monarchy in Nepal, paving way for Communists and Chinese clout, reveals ex-special director of RAW

In a startling revelation made by the former R&AW special Director, Amar Bhushan in his book ‘Inside Nepal’, an inside account has been given on how Indian security establishment launched a covert operation to bring down Hindu monarchs in neighbouring Nepal, paving the way for constitutional democracy, reports DNA.

The book gives an inside story of the nature of covert operations that were launched to ensure that Nepal was not destabilised by hostile forces after Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) during the Rajiv Gandhi government had brought down absolute monarchy system in neighbouring Nepal.

Reportedly, the R&AW operations were not just limited to ensure unity among various political parties with different ideologies but also raising assets in Nepal to carry out operations under utmost secrecy.

Amar Bhushan, with a phoney name ‘Jeevnathan’ for the Chief of Eastern Bureau of R&AW, was tasked to strengthen the fledgeling unit, recruit and run spies to throw out monarchy system run by King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

The then Rajiv Gandhi’s government had decided to support the people’s movement in Nepal by attempting to pull down the Hindu monarchs. The Nepal Kingdom, which had shared an affinity towards India for centuries due to its cultural and religious linkages was meant to be replaced by a ‘people’s movement’ supported by India’s external spy agency- R&AW.

After several rounds of diplomatic manoeuvres to pressurise King Birendra of Nepal failed, the Rajiv Gandhi government hastily resorted to putting blockade of food supplies to force the King to institutionalise the democracy.

As pressure began to mount on King Birendra, he tried to offset already strong India’s influence by seeking help from China. Rajiv Gandhi government not only antagonised the Hindu kingdom of Nepal but also gave an opportunity to Chinese communists to meddle in Nepal, which resulted in a new strategic and geopolitical headache for India’s security establishment.

Amar Bhushan’s book echoes the same as the Chinese presence in Nepal was a double whammy for India as it never wished Chinese footprints in the neighbourhood. Finally, the task to ensure democracy was entrusted to R&AW Chief AK Verma, who went on to appoint his best spy- Jeevnathan to carry out Nepal’s operation.

Bushan alias Jeevnathan immediately took the charge of Nepal, assured the R&AW chief that he will finish the job left incomplete by the diplomats. The book further reveals that R&AW spent considerable time in luring Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal also known as Prachanda to join hands with other political parties to put up a united fight against the monarchy. Prachanda later went on to become Prime Minister of Nepal twice in 2008 and 2016. Prachanda, a communist is known for his close relations with China, has often played his China card to keep India in check.

The book states that it took months and several rounds of meetings in dangerous hideouts of Maoist leader to finally win him over. Initially, Prachanda had his own doubts about R&AW intentions and during a meeting, he had even raised a question to Jeevnathan regarding India’s concerns for peoples democracy in Nepal, the book states.

Modi govt to reach target of 8 crore Ujjwala LPG connections six month ahead of deadline, to increase scope of scheme

OpIndia Staff
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Modi govt to reach target of 8 crore Ujjwala LPG connections six month ahead of deadline, to increase scope of scheme

In a big boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s welfare initiatives, the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, a mission to providing free cooking gas connections to the poor, is likely to achieve its target of 8 crore household connections six months prior to the deadline, reports Hindustan Times.

According to the report, the Ujjawal scheme has reached 8 crore poor households six months before the deadline set to reach that target and the scheme is likely to be expanded to cover more underprivileged families ahead of key assembly elections later this year.

Ujjwala is among one of the flagship schemes of the Modi government which was widely seen to have contributed to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s return to power at the Centre with a bigger majority in 2019 elections.

“Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is likely to achieve its target of 8 crores connections this month ahead of the March 2020 deadline. As on date August 26, more than 7,96,81,650 connections have been already provided under the scheme. In all likelihood, the scheme will soon be extended to cover more underprivileged households,” one of the officials said.

In February, the Union Cabinet had increased the target under the scheme from 5 crore connections to 8 crore household connections with a March 2020 deadline. It allocated an additional Rs. 4,800 crore to fund the enhanced target. However, the target has been achieved six months prior to the deadline.

In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the PMUY nine months before the last assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in the state’s Ballia district. The scheme played an important role in BJP’s return to power in Uttar Pradesh after over a decade.

The Modi government had initially allocated Rs. 8,000 crore for the scheme and the target was to ensure 5 crore connections in three years starting from the 2016-17 financial year, officials said.

Reportedly, a petroleum and natural gas ministry spokesman confirmed the 8 crore target would be achieved in advance. “Government of India has reimbursed Rs. 10,675 crore to oil marketing companies under the scheme. The process of providing connections is underway and the target of 8 crore connections is likely to be reached soon by the OMCs,” he said.

Another official requesting anonymity said the government plans to set a new target after achieving the 80 million connections. “The idea is to provide free gas connections to every family under the below poverty line. An announcement to this effect would be based on the assessment of PMUY after the 8 crore target is met.”

The state-run OMCs have received more than 10 crore applications from prospective consumers under the scheme and hence there is a scope to extend the scheme after it achieves the current target. The eligible beneficiaries will now be chosen after a proper verification process to ensure that they do not already have connections in the names of their other family members.

According to the officials, the scheme has offered the poor clean cooking fuel option as about 86% of the beneficiaries, who have got the connections at least a year back, have bought second refills. Their average gas consumption is about 4.8 cylinders per annum, they said.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to provide LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections to poor households. Under PMUY, a subsidy of Rs. 1,600 for a deposit-free LPG connection is provided to an eligible poor household, besides an interest-free loan to purchase a stove and refills. Eligible households will be identified in consultation with state governments and Union territories. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

A connection is provided in the name of an adult woman member of a poor family and the beneficiary has an option to avail a connection with a 14.2kg or a 5kg cylinder. Eligible households will be identified in consultation with state governments and Union territories. For the first, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is implementing a welfare scheme.

I used to hit sixes with bat, now I’ll kill humans with sword: Dawood’s relative, former Pak cricketer Javed Miandad goes on a rant

OpIndia Staff
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I used to hit sixes with bat, now I’ll kill humans with sword: Dawood’s relative, former Pak cricketer Javed Miandad goes on a rant

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan continues with his war-mongering fantasy, the epidemic seems to have spread across the terrorist state of Pakistan as former cricketer Javed Miandad has gone on a ranting spree by claiming that he will now kill humans with a sword.

A video has gone viral on social media in which former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad can be seen spewing venom against India. In the video, he can be seen brandishing a sword and calling for a Jihad as he claims to show solidarity with Kashmiris.


Javed Miandad, closely related to underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, was seen in a demonstration wearing the Pakistan cricket team’s jersey, can be heard saying that if he can wield a bat, he can also wield a sword.

“Kashmir bhaiyo fikar mat karo hum aapke saath hai. Mere paas balla bhi hai, pehle chakka maara tha, ab yeh [sword] bhi hai (Kashmiri brothers don’t worry. We are with you. Earlier I used a bat to hit a six, now I can use this sword)” Javed Miandad said. Miandad through his war-mongering clearly displayed the Jihad culture that is deeply entrenched in the Muslim societies, especially in Pakistan.

As Miandad wraps the sword in his hand, a voice in the background can be heard saying, “Balla bhi tez tha ab talwar bhi tez hai. (The bat was sharp, now the sword is sharp)”.

Excited again, Javed Miandad proudly shows off his sword and shouts that if he can use a bat to hit a six, then why cannot he use the sword to kill a man.

This is not the first time Javed Miandad has made controversial remarks. Earlier, he had promoted violence by asking Kashmiris to pick up arms. After India decided to abrogate Article 370, a frustrated Miandad had claimed that the Indian government was “coward” and that Pakistan has not kept a nuclear arsenal for a show but to deploy on India.

Earlier, the former Pakistan cricketer had said that he will visit the Line of Control (LOC) with other sportspersons to propagate peace at the border but instead went there to propagate the usual war-mongering rhetoric to bay blood of the Indians.

It is not just Javed Miandad, earlier another cricketer, Shahid Afridi had tweeted in support of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to show solidarity with Kashmiri’s on Friday in the wake of abrogation of Article 370. He had also announced his visit to LOC and shaheed’s home.

The terror state of Pakistan which is facing tremendous pressure and humiliation following its global isolation has triggered it to resort to war-mongering and incite Muslims to pick up arms on the pretext of Jihad. With mounting pressure on Pakistan, a desperate Pakistan will resort to such terror and fear-mongering tactics to put pressure on India and other countries to seek intervention in the issue of Kashmir.

Bernie Sanders took pro-Jihad stance on Kashmir at an event organized by ISNA, an organisation with close ties to terror groups

OpIndia Staff
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Bernie Sanders took pro-Jihad stance on Kashmir at an event organized by ISNA, an organisation with close ties to terror groups

US politician Bernie Sanders recently took a pro-Pakistani stand on the Kashmir issue. While the decision to side with Jihadists isn’t really a surprise considering the fact that the Vermont Senator has a history of supporting violent dictators, it appears there’s a much darker aspect to the story.

The event where Sanders spoke was organized by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which was listed as a co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) Case by the US Government. The HLF and five of its prominent members were convicted by a Texas jury in 2008 for securing funds for the terrorist group Hamas.

Although it was later overturned by a Court, the Court observed, “The Government has produced ample evidence to establish the associations of CAIR, ISNA and NAIT with HLF, the Islamic Association for Palestine (“IAP”), and with Hamas. While the Court recognizes that the evidence produced by the Government largely predates the HLF designation date, the evidence is nonetheless sufficient to show the association of these entities with HLF, IAP, and Hamas.”

ISNA’s links to Radical Islam runs far deeper. Sami Al-Arian, one of its founders, was deported to Turkey due to his support for terror groups. Abdurahman Alamoudi, who led ISNA’s Political Awareness Committee was later convicted on terror charges. Not merely that, the US Department of Justice lists ISNA as a front for the Muslim Brotherhood.

In 2013, ISNA’s bi-monthly publication, Islamic Horizons, promoted Siraj Wahhaj, the imam of Brooklyn’s al-Taqwa mosque. Wahhaj was listed by the US Government as an “unindicted co-conspirator” for a trial related to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an act of terrorism that resulted in the deaths of six innocent Americans. In addition to that, ISNA was founded by people associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-e-Islami, a Pakistani organization with a close link to Islamic terrorists, according to scholars.

Furthermore, the publication in an earlier issue had also carried an advertisement for Islamic Relief requesting readers to donate $10 for Palestine. Islamic Relief was branded a front for Hamas by Israel after arresting the group’s Gaza program manager, Ayaz Ali, for providing “funds and assistance to various Hamas institutions and organizations.” Ali admitted that he had cooperated with local Hamas operatives. It has been associated with various other terror-supporting radicals.

The ISNA also has a history of homophobia. In July, 2017, ISNA had kicked out Muslims for Progressive Values, a pro-LGBT group, from its convention. Muzammil Siddiqi, ISNA’s president from 1997 to 2001, said he supported laws in countries where homosexuality is punishable by death.

Not only did Bernie Sanders speak at an event organized by an organization with close ties to Hamas, his campaign manager Faiz Shakir, too, was involved in an event related to the Holy Land Foundation. During his time at Harvard, he co-chaired the ‘Islamic Awareness Week’ as part of the Harvard Islamic Society (HIS). During the course of the week, an event was organized, the proceeds of which went to the Holy Land Foundation.

Faiz Shakir himself is an American born to Pakistani immigrants. Therefore, it’s unclear the extent to which his presumably pro-Pakistan bias contributed to Sanders’ comments on Kashmir. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who has embraced Pakistan’s policy of state-sponsored terrorism against India also addressed the event through a video conference. Pakistan has been receiving flak from the international community for continuing to harbour and nurture terrorists in its territory.

Shakir, too, has an extremely controversial past, to put it mildly. A journalist for FrontPageMag, Daniel Greenfield stated in one of his reports, “During his time at ThinkProgress, Faiz Shakir had repeatedly attacked the Jewish State, endorsing the Hamas aid flotilla to Gaza and attacking Israel’s attempts to defend itself against terrorists.” During his time at the ACLU, Shakir also opposed the anti-BDS resolution

The fact that Sanders took the pro-Jihad stand on Kashmir against India at an event organized by an organization with deep links to terror groups should be a matter of concern for all Americans.

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