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#BoycottHyundai trends in India after South Korean car maker’s unsatisfactory statement on ‘Kashmir solidarity’ post

OpIndia Staff
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#BoycottHyundai trends in India after South Korean car maker’s unsatisfactory statement on ‘Kashmir solidarity’ post

Hours after Hyundai failed to provide a satisfactory response for the ‘Kashmir solidarity’ message uploaded on social media platforms by its dealer in Pakistan, Indian netizens initiated a social media campaign to boycott the South Korean automotive manufacturer.

‘#Boycott Hyundai’ began trending on Twitter as lakhs of people displayed their angst against the automobile manufacturer for posting a pusillanimous clarification after outrage swept the micro-blogging platform over social media posts that undermined India’s territorial integrity.

One CA Ashutosh Soni informed that he had cancelled the booking of Hyundai Verna after witnessing the anti-India stance of the company. He wrote, “I booked Hyundai Verna a month ago & it was due to be delivered this month but after seeing #HyundaiPakistan post, supporting separatism in #Kashmir, India, cancelled the Verna & called the Honda outlet and taken the delivery of Honda City today itself. #BoycottHyundai, that’s it!”

Another Twitter user stated, “That’s why Make in India is necessary. My next car will be Tata Motors. Bye Bye Hyundai India. #BoycottHyundai”

IPS Arun Bothra, who commands a sizeable following on Twitter, said, “In my personal capacity and with limited reach, I request everyone not to buy a #Hyundai vehicle. First time supporting a boycott call. Lets #BoycottHyundai. They have no respect for our national sentiments. The half-hearted statement below tells that they have no remorse also.”

“We have sacrificed Brave Soldiers and innocent unarmed Civilians … Their sacrifice is more precious to us Indians. Say NO to खटारा. Be Indian Buy Indian,” wrote retired Army General KJS Dhillon.

Author Neeraj Atri pointed out that he was initially confused between a Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. The boycott campaign has solved his problem, he added.

Host Richa Anirudh emphasised that the statement of Hyundai India did not serve any purpose. “Be clear and apologise for PakistanHyundai tweet and make them apologise too or else we Indians shall continue to #BoycottHyundai! You decide!” she said.

The Background of the Controversy

On Saturday (February 5), automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company courted controversy after the firm’s Pakistani dealership called for the disintegration of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.

It all started when in a tweet, Hyundai Pakistan Official (@PakistanHyundai) wrote, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.” The tweet was accompanied by a picture of a boat in Dal lake and the word ‘Kashmir’ juxtaposed with a barbed wire.

Contentious social media post by Hyundai Pakistan

A similar message was posted by Hyundai Pakistan, both on its official Facebook and Instagram pages. Interestingly, Hyundai Pakistan demanded the secession of Indian territory on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ when the Pakistan government extends support to jihadi elements operating from Kashmir.

Indian netizens were miffed at the brazen interference in India’s geopolitical affairs and dissemination of Pakistani government propaganda by the South Korean automotive manufacturer. However, on questioning Hyundai India whether it endorsed the stand of Hyundai Pakistan, the firm responded by blocking the Indian netizens.

Hyundai suffers boycott calls on Twitter after its Pakistani dealer posted Kashmir solidarity message
Hyundai India blocks netizens after being quizzed over its pro-terrorism stand

Several users are reaching out to the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking stringent action against Hyundai India. In order to save its face, the automotive manufacturer put out a clarification on social media. Far from apologising to Indian citizens, Hyundai India’s statement reeked of arrogance.

In a statement, Hyundai India said that it has been committed to the Indian market which has been its second home for over 25 years now and alleged that the ‘unsolicited’ social media post linking Hyundai Motor India ‘offends’ it commitment and service to India. The company said that they have a zero-tolerance policy for insensitive communication and ‘strongly condemned’ such view.

However, it is not yet clear why they blocked Indian citizens on Twitter for questioning its stand and asking for accountability on the contentious social media post by its Pakistani counterpart. On not getting a proper response from the South Korean company over its pro-terrorism stand, Indian social media users vowed to boycott the firm and look for alternate options.

‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’: Pakistani propaganda of keeping the Kashmir pot boiling

Every year on 5th February, Pakistan tries to reinforce its propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir by observing ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, under the guise of which it continues to extend support to the Kashmiri separatist movement that is funded and supported by the Pakistan state. It was launched by Nawaz Sharif as the Pakistani Prime Minister in 1991.

Since then, anti-India groups and individuals and Pakistani dispensation have used the day to convince Kashmiris to incite violence. So-called solidarity ‘rallies’ are held in Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan.

Unlike the past, there were no public processions/rallies, special prayers in mosques, or marches on the streets of Kashmir this year. The situation in the valley has improved as this narrative has failed to elicit any output from the general public or separatist movements, both of which have been considerably weakened since the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019.

Karnataka Edu Minister debunks media reports on separate classrooms for Muslim students, says students must follow dress code

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka Edu Minister debunks media reports on separate classrooms for Muslim students, says students must follow dress code

On February 7, BC Nagesh, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Sakala, Govt of Karnataka debunked the reports that suggested the Government PU College provided separate ‘classrooms’ for Muslim girl students that refused to remove hijab while attending classes.

In a tweet, Quoting ANI’s tweet, Minister Nagesh said, “This is not correct fact. Students protesting outside campus were allowed inside the campus as a courtesy. They were asked to wear uniforms & attend classes. They, however, chose to sit in a separate room & continue the protest. Students must adhere to dress code to attend classes.”

Speaking to OpIndia, BC Nagesh said, “The reports of providing separate classrooms is fake and misleading. The students were sitting outside. As a courtesy, the college administration provided them with a room to sit and instructed them if they wanted to attend classes, they had to remove the hijab. However, the students continued to protest and refused to attend classes.”

The minister added as per the 1983 Karnataka Education Act, the institutions have the right to decide the dress code. “There are over 100 Muslim students in that class. All of them are attending classes peacefully. Everything was running smoothly until 15 days ago when a few students demanded they should be allowed to attend classrooms in hijab. Some organizations are brainwashing them. I am not sure why they are behaving like this.”

When asked if the Education Ministry will stick to their stand about dress code, BC Nagesh said, “Yes, there is no reason change our stand. The petition is pending in court as well. If the court gives any directions, we will adhere to them, but till then, the Education Ministry is not changing its stand.” The minister further said media should be careful while reporting such cases and added, “There are a lot of rumours going around in North Indian media. The media houses should understand their responsibility and avoid misleading reports.”

‘We are not attending classes’

In an update, ANI reported that the students claimed they would not remove the hijab until the court passed orders.

The news agency quoted one of the protesting students saying, “Won’t remove our hijab until High Court orders. They (administration) won’t allow us in classrooms with hijab, so we’ll sit outside in halls. Classes not going on for us, we are just sitting here.” Another student said, “College Principal and faculty met us and asked if we want to go to classes by removing hijab, they also took our attendance.”

The hijab controversy

The controversy first erupted in January 2022. Several Muslim students were denied entry to classes in a Udupi college because they were wearing hijab. Social media platforms were rife with videos of college authorities refusing to allow burqa-clad students inside their institutions. The college authorities had then argued that the hijab was not a part of the uniform dress code suggested to the students. Management under the new state guidelines had asked girl students to skip wearing hijab while in college. Eight girl students have constantly refused to follow the guideline as they claimed it prevented them from practising their faith.

The Karnataka High Court has agreed to hear a plea arguing that Muslim women wearing hijab should be permitted to attend classes. The petition was filed by a Muslim student, asking the High Court for a direction to allow wearing a hijab in college, stating that it is her “Fundamental Right” granted under Article 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and “integral practise of Islam”.

Hindu students have jumped into the controversy as well. They have registered their protest against hijab by donning saffron scarves. In a Government Junior College in Kunadapur, around 100 Hindu students came to the college with saffron scarves around their necks to protest against Muslim girls continuing to wear hijab to the college. On Saturday, in solidarity with their classmates, girl students also hit the streets by wearing saffron shawls to protest against the attempts of Muslim students to vitiate the secular atmosphere in the college by deliberately violating the rules and regulations.

Punjab: Family of Faridkot firing victim awaits justice, says neither Captain nor Channi did anything

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Family of Faridkot firing victim awaits justice, says neither Captain nor Channi did anything

A man named Sukhraj Singh has been sitting in a protest demanding justice for his father. Singh is the son of Krishan Bhagwan Singh, who died in a police firing case of October 14, 2015, in Behbal Kalan during a protest against an alleged sacrilege incident of Shri Guru Granth Sahib that had happened some days prior.

According to a report in News18, Singh has been waiting for justice since 2015 against the police personnel who opened fire at the protesters leading to the death of his father.

Around 50 days ago, Sukhraj realized there was no hope left for getting justice from the outgoing Congress government for his father. He put up a tent alongside Faridkot highway and sat in protest of the state government. He told News18, “Neither Captain Amarinder Singh nor Charanjit Singh Channi gave us justice. Captain was removed for inaction in sacrilege and police firing cases. Channi did nothing too.”

In 2017, then-Congress’s CM face Captain Amarinder Singh, had met Mohinder Singh, father of the late Krishan Bhagwan Singh. He said, “Captain Amarinder Singh came to me and told me that when his government is formed, he will put the culprits in jail in 20 days. Rahul Gandhi had also come. Arvind Kejriwal also came. No one gave us justice.” He said Congress came to power with the promise to punish the culprits of the sacrilege and police firing cases, but they did not take strict action.

Death of Krishan Bhagwan Singh

In 2015, Ang (pages) of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were found scattered outside Gurudwara Sahib in Bargari. Demanding action against the culprit, people of the Sikh community sat on protests. At Kokkapura and Behbal Kalan, police opened fire against the protesters. Two protesters, Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjeet Singh Bittu had died on the spot at Behbal Kalan.

The state government formed several Special Investigation Teams to investigate the police firing case of Behbal Kalan. Sukhraj Singh said, “The SIT led by Kunwar Pratap Singh charge-sheeted some accused, but the court has not framed charges against them yet. A new SIT was formed by the High court last year to do a time-bound probe into the conspiracy, but that the SIT has not even visited us or done any probe here.”

Sukhraj had met Captain Amarinder when he was CM. He also met CM Charanjit Singh Channi and raised the matter. However, neither Capt Amarinder nor CM Channi acted strictly on the sacrilege and police firing incidents. Sukhraj claimed the Channi government did not do anything in the matter, the family stated. Calling the elections meaningless for his family, he said the governments are useless, and the system has not changed.

‘Krishan was sitting peacefully when he was shot’, says family

Mohinder Singh said his son was sitting peacefully on the protests against the Bargari sacrilege incident. However, the police opened fire all of a sudden resulting in his death. He said, “Police had ‘langar’ with us at the incident spot. I was present there. But on the SSP’s instructions, they suddenly opened fire and told me to run away, but they had already shot my son by then. Another boy from a nearby village was also shot dead. No one came to us later. On our name, Captain (Amarinder) became the CM. But he never came back to us. Our hope is now only on the people to get justice, not the government. We have no hope for elections or parties — the real culprits of the incidents have not been punished.”

The political atmosphere around sacrilege cases

It is notable that Congress came to power claiming they would take strict action against the culprits of sacrilege cases. The inaction from the government mixed with instigation by the religious leaders has led to four murders in alleged sacrilege cases in 2021 alone, six in total since 2015.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, chief of the Punjab State Congress, has been a frontrunner demanding action from the Badal government when they were in power in 2015. Congress came to power, and SITs were formed one after another but did not result in any concrete action. When Capt left the post of CM, he had dared now-CM Channi to act against Badals and said the matter had to be solved legally rather than politically.

Did Lata Mangeshkar refuse to sing Ambedkarite songs? Here is what we know

Gopal Tiwari
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Did Lata Mangeshkar refuse to sing Ambedkarite songs? Here is what we know

Within hours of her demise, the name of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar got dragged into a controversial-cum-malicious discussion wherein it was being claimed that she had refused to sing Ambedkarite song. Lata Mangeshkar was a Bharat Ratna in every sense of what it means to be one. She has left behind her, a legacy of thirty thousand songs in many different languages. Therefore it becomes necessary to address this malicious gossip being shared on social media after her death.

A strong nationalist, believer, and supporter of Hindu culture and identity, Lata Mangeshkar had always been a personality that usually stayed away from any controversy. She did not need any cheap tricks to become popular. She never took shortcuts to success and toiled hard to attain excellence in the art she is known for. That is why she stands tall as an inspiring figure for any upcoming artist. Proficient in every genre of music, she had inherited music from her father Master Deenanath Mangeshkar. Her father was a Konkani Saraswat while her mother was Gujarati. With a family believing in unity, and not in differences, she carried a feeling of harmony in her blood.

After her death, a particular section of so-called activists of the neo-Ambedkarite cum Naxalite movement have claimed that she was a symbol of Brahminical thought doctrine which is one of the so-called oppressive thoughts.

It is a common rumour that Marathi Dalit artists and poets had approached Lata Mangeshkar to sing a song on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (Bhim Geet) and she had refused to sing any such song. The names of the poets and artists start from Waman Dada Kardak who is very well known for the Vidrohi songs he wrote. The list includes stalwarts of the Dalit Panther movement Namdeo Dhasal and Raja Dhale. Often a reference of an alleged informal talk by Waman Dada Kardak is given to base this theory on. In this so-called memoir, Waman Dada Kardak had reportedly said that he went to Lata Didi’s house to request her to sing a Bhim Geet. Waman Dada Kardak is further quoted to have said that she offered him a delicious meal but refused to sing a Bhim Geet.

Words are put into her mouth as “Tya Mahardyache gaane mi ganar nahi” which means I will not sing a song of that Mahar (it is a caste) person. This whole theory does not have any concrete base except for such hearsay things. Lata Mangeshkar lived for 92 years. In these many years, there has not been any credible interview of any artist who has repeated such allegations. Even after her demise, while making such claims, no concrete proof as such is being presented by the so-called Dalit activists to support their claim. Even when she was alive, such claims were being made in programs organized by educational campuses like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Lata Mangeshkar has been a voice that united the nation in the toughest of the times like the 1962 war against China. It was her voice that made Nehru shed tears, most probably realizing the blunders he had committed, rather than just in memory of the brave soldiers. Terming classical music, which Lata Mangeshkar had inherited from her father Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, as Brahminical is also a fashion among these neo-Ambedkarites. This is why any classical singer is termed as the carrier of so-called oppressive Brahminical notions. But the only probable fact in this matter, if at all it is true, is that either she never had any such offer or she would be waiting for better lyrics in the offered Bhim Geet if any, as she was very keen on the poetry inherent in the songs she chose.

It must be noted here that another talented singer from the current generation Adarsh Shinde who too hails from a so-called Dalit background sings Bhim Songs as well as commercial songs in mainstream films too. He is trained in classical music under the guidance of his Guru Pandit Suresh Wadkar. Will these neo-Ambedkarites abandon him too, for following the traditions of a so-called Brahminical art of classical music?

Lata Mangeshkar proudly wore her Hindu identity on her sleeves time and again. If she was so much under the influence of the so-called fanatic Hindu song, then how did she go on to sing a song like “Hey Ishwar Ya Allah” in a film named ‘Pukaar’ composed by A. R. Rahman? It is possible only in a parallel universe in the imaginations of some sober-pretending woke Naxalite who claims himself to be the savior of the constitution, democracy, brotherhood, and whatnot. Moreover, Lata Mangeshkar had publicly expressed her respect towards Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

On Dr Ambedkar’s birth anniversary in 2017, she had put up a tweet remembering him and paying respects.

Jharkhand: Violence erupts in Hazaribagh-Koderma after Muslim residents protest against Saraswati Visarjan procession, one minor dead

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Violence erupts in Hazaribagh-Koderma after Muslim residents protest against Saraswati Visarjan procession, one minor dead

On February 6, violence erupted in different parts of Jharkhand during Saraswati Puja and Moorti Visarjan. A minor lost his life in Naitand village, Hazaribagh, eight people got injured as Muslims stopped the Saraswati Visarjan procession that was allowed only after the police’s intervention.

Minor died in Hazaribagh

A 17-year-old boy identified as Rupesh Pandey went to attend a procession going for Murti Visarjan after Saraswati Puja. It is unclear how the scuffle broke between Rupesh and members of the other community. He got severely injured during the scuffle, after which he was rushed to a hospital in the Barhi region. Rupesh, who was the only son of his parents, was declared dead on arrival by the medical officer at the hospital.

When the locals learned about his death, violence broke out between the two communities. Hundreds of Police personnel have been deployed to control the situation. Vehicles were burnt during the violence. Four people have been arrested by the police in the case. the police had to fire several rounds to disperse the crowd.

Violence in Koderma

Violence erupted in Markacho, district Koderma during the Sarawati Visarjan procession. As per reports, the violence erupted when members of the Muslim community objected to overplaying DJ during the procession. Eight people, including a child, were injured during the violence. The police said the situation was under control.

Saraswati procession stopped by protesters in Jamtara

In another incident, some local Muslims allegedly stopped the procession of Saraswati Murti Visarjan in Firkoria village, Karmatand Police Station area, Jamtara. The police were informed about the incident. SHO Raushan Kumar reached the spot with the heavy police force and cleared the path for the procession.

Reports suggest the same path was being used for such procession for years, but nothing of this sort had happened earlier. The police tried to convince people of the particular community, but they did not allow the procession to move further. Mohammad Gulzar Anjum, CO, Karmatand, tried to pacify the situation and argued that as the road and lake were government properties, no one could stop the procession. However, the mob refused to budge from their position.

Speaking to OpIndia, CO Anjum said it was a minor scuffle between the two communities. The administration laid down several proposals, but none of the sides was ready to agree to the proposals. In the end, he had to take a stand. He offered to take the idol himself on his shoulders and dared them to stop him. It was only then the path was cleared for the procession.

Mass conversions and problem of Islamic fundamentalism on the rise in Jamtara: BJP functionary Sumit Sharan

OpIndia also spoke to Sumit Sharan, District General Secretary (Jamtara), BJP Jharkhand, who said such incidents of scuffle between the two communities have increased in the recent years. He said, “Small children were carrying out the procession. It was heartbreaking to see them being stopped by Muslims.”

Elaborating about the mass conversions and the problem of fundamentalists in the region, Sharan said, “There are some villages that have been completely converted to Islam in the last few years. Many residents have turned fundamentalist resulting in communal tension.”

Sharan also accused the local MLA Irfan Ansari of turning a blind eye to the entire episode where Muslims objected to Hindus carrying out Saraswati processions. “Local MLA Irfan Ansari has not spoken a word about the incident. Such matters should be above politics. The dual nature is not going to work. He often goes to the temple to show he is with Hindus too, but when such incidents happen under his nose, he is not saying a word,” Sharan said.

Internet services down

The administration barred internet services in all three districts where the violence erupted are Hazaribagh, Kordema and Giridih. The internet service was barred at around 4:30 PM on Sunday for 24 hours. The administration said they took the step to control the spread of fake news that might have amplified the violence.

Kishan Bharwad case: 26 people were on target of Islamists, Maulvis including Yati Narsinghanand, Jitendra Narayan Tyagi alias Wasim Rizvi

OpIndia Staff
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Kishan Bharwad case: 26 people were on target of Islamists, Maulvis including Yati Narsinghanand, Jitendra Narayan Tyagi alias Wasim Rizvi

Shocking revelations have come to the fore in the Kishan Bharwad murder case. As per a report by News18 Gujarati, investigating agencies have uncovered profiles of as many as 26 people including Yati Narsinghanand of Dasna temple in Ghaziabad and Jitendra Narayan Tyagi, formerly known as Wasim Rizvi.

As per the report, one of the 26 names is also of an Editor of a news channel. Multiple investigative agencies including Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad, Telangana Police and others have joined the probe in Ahmedabad. Earlier, Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) had arrested Delhi-based maulana Qamar Ghani and seized the electronic gadgets in his office. The bank accounts are being investigated for the same.

As per an Indian Express report, ten of the 26, whose profiles were found on the phone are BS Patel, Pankaj Arya, Pushpendra Kulshreshtha, Mahendrapal Arya, Rahul Arya, Radheshyam Acharya, Updesh Rana, Upasana Arya, Sajan Odedara and RSN Singh. 

As per the report, from Maulana Ayyub’s mobile phone, about 26 profiles have been obtained. Investigation is being carried out to find out whether these people were also on the target. Maulana Ayyub was arrested from Ahmedabad’s Jamalpur and is accused of providing the gun to the killers of Bharwad. Police is investigating whether these people were also on the radar of assassination like Kishan Bharwad.

Earlier on Saturday, a magisterial court in Dhandhuka sent three main accused to 10 more days of police remand.

Kishan Bharwad murder case

On 25th January 2022, Dhandhuka youth Kishan Bharwad was shot dead by two bike borne assailants after he had shared a social media post that contained visual depiction of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims find the image of Prophet Muhammad offensive and killing those who commit such a ‘blasphemy’ is allowed and encouraged by Islamists.

Following Kishan Bharwad’s murder, at least 6 clerics have been arrested from across India. A total of 8 people have been arrested in the case till now. Multiple agencies are investigating the case and they suspect a larger conspiracy in the murder case.

UK: ‘Jihadi’ Imam, who supported Al-Qaeda terrorist Aafia Siddiqui and murder of Salman Taseer, allowed to open nursery school

OpIndia Staff
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UK: ‘Jihadi’ Imam, who supported Al-Qaeda terrorist Aafia Siddiqui and murder of Salman Taseer, allowed to open nursery school

A radical Islamic cleric by the name of Muhammad Asim Hussain has been granted permission to operate a kindergarten for children by the education regulator in the United Kingdom, reported Daily Mail. This is despite the fact that Hussain had openly expressed his support for Pakistani Al-Qaeda terrorist Aafia Siddiqui and the murderer of former Pakistani Governor Salman Taseer.

As per reports, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED) ignored his past record and gave a green signal to the cleric in January to start his nursery. Imam Muhammad Asim Hussain then took to Instagram to welcome the decision.

He wrote, “It all started with an idea around 4 years ago as part of my vision for Al-Hikam and today a huge milestone was reached. It wasn’t meant to be 4 years ago for a number of reasons but the idea never left my mind and last January after the podcast on the role of masjids in the 21st century, I began the process to set up an Islamic ethos based children’s nursery.”

The cleric added, “A lot of time, effort, money and resources has been invested in setting up the childcare setting and after a year of hard work, yesterday Ofsted granted us official registration to open ‘Little Wisdoms Nursery’ in Bradford at Al-Hikam. This is amazing news for our local community!”

The radical Imam informed that his ‘Little Wisdoms’ nursery will operate from Monday to Friday between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm. He emphasised that the nursery will initially enrol 3 to 4-year-olds before admitting 2-year-olds eventually. Hussain is the founder of Al-Hikam mosque. He was ousted from his role in 2019 over allegations of misconduct. He was reappointed in 2020.

Contentious views of Muhammad Asim Hussain

Daily Mail reported that Imam Hussain told his followers to attend an event in 2015 to express solidarity with Al-Qaeda terrorist Aafia Siddiqui. He had announced that the event would emphasise the supposed ‘injustice’ committed against the terrorist.

It must be mentioned that Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence for attacking US Army and FBI personnel in Afghanistan. In 2008, she was detained by Afghan authorities. According to the Department of Justice, they had found a number of items in her possession, including handwritten notes that mentioned a mass-casualty attack.

There was a list of various locations such as Plum Island, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, including in the items. According to DoJ, she was being held in an unsecured manner when she grabbed a rifle from US Army personnel and fired it at the officers interviewing her. An FBI agent and a US Army officer were injured.

In March 2016, Muhammad Asim Hussain lamented the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, the security guard who killed Pakistani Governor Salman Taseer in 2011 on charges of blasphemy. While calling it a ‘dark day in the history of Pakistan’, the Imam justified his actions by saying that Qadri was ‘martyred in the way of Allah’.

Ofsted alerted about the radical Islamist nature of the Imam

Executive director at the Counter Extremism Project, David Ibsen, had said, “Al-Hikam should not be permitted to educate young British citizens in its nursery when there is a track record of espousing objectionable and oppressive beliefs.”

While reacting to the article by The Daily Mail, Ofsted informed that they will re-examine the permission granted to Imam Muhammad Asim Hussain.

A spokesperson for the education regulator stated, “We have been alerted to these concerns and are looking into them. While we are unable to share information about individual providers, we take safeguarding concerns very seriously and consider all the information we receive.”

NCPCR orders shutting down of Darul Uloom Deoband’s website for issuing misleading, illegal fatwas on child rights issues

OpIndia Staff
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NCPCR orders shutting down of Darul Uloom Deoband’s website for issuing misleading, illegal fatwas on child rights issues

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Saharanpur District Magistrate for initiating action against Darul-Uloom Deoband for issuing fatwas and making misleading statements on issues of child rights. The action came after a complaint was registered against the Islamic seminary about their questionable views on matters pertaining to children and their education in January.

In a notice issued to the District Magistrate of Saharanpur in UP, NCPCR has found that Darul Uloom Deoband has been issuing illegal and misleading fatwas, which are published on its website. The Saharanpur DM has been ordered to examine the website of Darul-Uloom Deoband and remove the content which contradicts the provisions of the law. 

Earlier in a complaint filed against the Islamic seminary, it was alleged that unreasonable fatwas were published on Darul’s website pertaining to adopting a child, education in madrasas, school syllabi, etc.

Taking cognizance of this complaint the Child rights body has cited a similar example stating, “In one of the fatwas (969/969/M=09/1436, Darul Uloom Deoband states that adopting a child is not unlawful but merely by adopting a child, the ruling of the real child shall not be applicable on him rather it shall be necessary to observe Shariah Purdah from him after he is mature. The adopted child shall get no share in the property and that the child shall not be an heir in any case,” In this case, the NCPCR has pointed out how this provision contradicts both the Hague Convention on Adoption and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

Similar fatwas pointed out by the complainant concerning school book syllabus, college uniform, education of children in “un-Islamic atmosphere”, corporal punishment, etc, have been addressed by NCPCR in its order. Pointing out the dichotomy between personal fatwas and laws of the land, the NCPCR letter reads, “After examining the response to the queries, it is observed that the rights of children are blatantly disregarded. For instance, in one of the replies, it is said that teachers beating children is allowed however, corporal punishment in schools is prohibited under the RTE Act, 2009,”

The Child rights body plans to initiate action against Darul Uloom Deoband for violating provisions of the Constitution of India, Indian Penal Code, Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and Right to Education Act, 2009. A report has been sought by the NCPCR from the Saharanpur DM in ten days. It is not for the first time that the bizarre content on Darul’s website has mired controversy. Earlier, The Deobandi school had audaciously answered questions concerning the legitimacy of female rights in Islam, a compilation of which can be read here.

Students wearing hijab to be given separate rooms, no entry in regular classroom: Karnataka College’s decision

OpIndia Staff
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Students wearing hijab to be given separate rooms, no entry in regular classroom: Karnataka College’s decision

At the Kundapura govt PU College in Udupi, Karnataka, a decision has been made for Muslim girls who insist on sitting in class wearing hijab. Girls wearing hijab will be given a separate room by the college administration where they can sit as a result of this decision. However, they will be admitted to the class only if they remove their hijab and wear the mandatory uniform.

Mohandas Shenoy, the spokesperson for the PU College Development Committee, told the media that the 135-year-old college could no longer be publicly humiliated because of a frivolous controversy. Muslim girls who are protesting outside and wearing hijab will be given a separate room to sit in and study. However, they will only be allowed to join the regular classroom if they remove their hijab.

‘Latest visuals’ from the college shared by ANI showed some students wearing not ‘hijab’ but the full-body black burqa inside the campus.

While speaking, Shenoy urged parents to support the college administration by fulfilling their responsibilities, and students to adhere to the institution’s dress code.

Notably, since the hijab controversy erupted at PU College in Udupi, Karnataka, the college has been the subject of frequent debate. The police had also apprehended two people from the area the day before. Rajab and Haji Abdul Majeed were the ones identified. Both of them had firearms retrieved by the authorities. Three more suspects are being sought by the Police.

The recent Hijab Controversy in Karnataka

The Hijab controversy, which started at a school in Udupi, Karnataka, has now spread across the state. On the morning of February 3, more than 20 hijab-wearing female students were prohibited from entering Bhandarkar College in Kundapur, Karnataka’s Udupi district. The PU College problem first came to light on January 2, 2022, when six Muslim female students insisted on wearing hijab in the classroom, in violation of the uniform rule.

Because the girls refused to remove their Hijabs, openly flouting the uniform mandate, numerous boys preferred to go around campus wearing saffron scarves in order to protest this. They were all denied entry because their clothes differed from the standard uniform permitted at the institution.

Since early January, the state has convened a committee to evaluate the matter and make a judgment on pre-university college uniforms across the state.

Minister debunks media reports

Earlier today, some media outlets had published reports claiming that the hijab/burqa-clad students were given a separate classroom. Karnataka Education Minister has stated that it was a misleading claim and the said students were only given a room as per courtesy since they have been sitting outside the campus.

He added that the college authorities had tried to convince the said students to follow the uniform rules and attend classes, but the students refused. The minister and the college authorities have clarified that the students will be allowed in classrooms only when they are in uniform.

Muslims had boycotted the Hindus prior to the Hijab dispute in the same area

The ironic part is that two months before this occurrence, Muslims in Udupi had boycotted Hindus. The fundamental reason for this was opposition to cow slaughter. According to sources, on October 1, 2021, Hindu Jagran Manch held a big demonstration against cattle theft and cow slaughter in Gangoli, Taluk. The event drew tens of thousands of people, including fishermen, seafood vendors, and women.

Following this, the Muslims in the vicinity banned the purchase of fish from Hindus at Gangoli market, and a few months later, the college conflict occurred. Now, Hindu girls have shown up at school wearing saffron scarves, saying that if Muslim students are allowed exemption from the college dress code, they will flout the rules too. 

NRIs come together, carry out car rallies to garner support for the BJP back home in upcoming state assembly elections

OpIndia Staff
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NRIs come together, carry out car rallies to garner support for the BJP back home in upcoming state assembly elections

Ahead of the upcoming elections in 5 key Indian States of Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, non-resident Indians (NRIs) have come out in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Activist Gaurav Patwardhan took to Twitter to share visuals of one such car rally in Silicon Valley in the United States. Several cars were decorated with posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also carried BJP flags and Indian tricolour.

Another video of a mega rally in the Bay area of the United States was shared by Twitter handle ‘NRIs4Bharat’. The Twitter account informed that the rally was particularly in support of BJP for UP Assembly elections.

Earlier in November 2018, the ardent Indian-American supporters, popularly known as the U.S. chapter of the overseas friends of the BJP, lobbied for the BJP by campaigning over phone calls and through social media to get Modi re-elected in 2019.

Elections set to commence from February 10

On January 8 this year, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for the Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 States, namely, Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. While briefing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra informed that the elections in the poll-bound States will commence from February 10, 2022, to March 7, 2022.

Elections in the State of Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in 7 phases, followed by Manipur with 2 phases. Elections in Goa, Uttarkhand and Punjab will be conducted in a single phase. The votes will be counted on March 10, 2022. 

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