On Thursday, the Taliban extended their support to the Muslim girls wearing hijab in Karnataka and praised them for standing up for the “Islamic values” amid the Karnataka hijab row.
“The struggle of Indian Muslim girls for hijab shows that hijab is not an Arab, Iranian, Egyptian or Pakistani culture, but an Islamic value for which Muslim girls around the world sacrifice in various ways and defend their religious value”, tweeted Inamullah Samangani, the Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. We are using the term ‘spokesman’ rather than the usual ‘spokesperson’ because there are no women officials under the Taliban.
This is a day after hijab donning Muslim girl students in Karnataka declared that they consider hijab as their first priority and education as secondary. Samangani added that it was pleasing to see Muslim women stand for their religious values and make sacrifices to defend it in various ways, especially in the ‘secular world’.
Samangani had shared the image of the black burqa-clad girl in Karnataka who had raised Allahu Akbar slogans. Her photo had gone viral on social media.
Screenshot of Twitter post by Inamullah Samangani
He also sharply retorted to a response by one Pakistani named Saleem Javed, who was insisting that the Muslim girls in Karnataka are protesting for ‘secularism’. Samanganin told Javed that he is a ‘fake secularist’ and by claiming that the Hijab girls support ‘secularism’ he is displaying ‘enmity with Islam’.
Screenshot of Twitter post by Inamullah Samangani
Inamullah Samangani’s praise for the burqa girls was supported by many other senior Taliban officials like Suhail Shaheen, IEA’s official spokesman at the Qatar office. He amplified the Taliban’s support to the Muslim girls demanding to wear hijab in violation of their college dress code.
Screenshot of Twitter post by Inamullah Samangani
Under Taliban rule, its burqa or jail/death for women
It is pertinent to note that in August last year, the Taliban in Afghanistan had ruled its first indication after coming to power that they would make hijab compulsory for women in Afghanistan if not burqa. Suppressing the rights of women, it had also ordered the televisions to stop airing shows featuring women artists and had reiterated that women scribes must cover up themselves.
According to reports, several Afghan women had staged protests against the Taliban’s hijab rule by wearing colourful outfits. They stood against the group’s interpretation of Sharia law. However, Taliban gunmen raided the homes of women’s rights activists in Kabul and arrested them, for demanding basic rights.
It is indeed interesting to see that the so-called ‘left-liberals’ and the Taliban want the same thing, women covered up.
Karnataka: Muslim girls demand exemption from uniform dress code, want to wear hijab to class
The hijab controversy in India erupted last month when a government college in Karnataka denied entry to eight women wearing hijab and ruled that students will have to follow the uniform dress codes and that hijabs won’t be allowed inside the campus. The Muslim women then filed a petition in High Court seeking permission to attend classes with hijab, stating that it is their ‘fundamental right’ granted under Article 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and ‘integral practice of Islam’.
The college authorities have been trying for weeks to convince the girls to follow the dress code and attend classes. But the girls have been adamant to wear hijabs inside the classroom, demanding that the college must allow them exemption from the dress code. The college has stated that they have over 100 Muslim students but there are only 8 particular girls, who never donned hijab earlier, who now suddenly want to wear hijabs inside the classroom.
Hindu students have been objecting to the hijab demand and have stated that if the college allows hijabs, they will start wearing saffron shawls inside classrooms too.
While the Court is yet to rule it’s judgement, the ‘left-liberals’ and the Islamic fundamentalists are supporting and instigating the Muslim girls to violate the established rules on uniform dress code.
The ongoing Hijab controversy in Karnataka seems to be not ending any time soon, as the civil society members, the Hindu groups, have now stepped up their protest against the provocative act of Muslim students to violate the existing uniform guidelines enforced by the state government.
The Muslim students, backed by the PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, have been disobeying the uniform dress code rules and insisting on wearing the Islamic attire of Burqa inside the classroom. The college authorities in Udupi have been pleading the girls to follow the dress code and start attending classes, but the Muslim students have made it clear that Hijab is the priority for them and the college should bend to their demands.
In response, Hindu students have also launched a protest, saying that if Muslim girls are allowed an exemption to the dress code on religious grounds, they will be coming to college with saffron shawls too.
Earlier, we had reported that several girl students had joined the boys to protest by wearing saffron shawls. Last week, videos had gone viral in which girl students adorning saffron shawls took a march to protest against hijabs. In addition, they chanted Jai Shri Ram slogans to show support to their fellow students who were not allowed to enter campus for wearing saffron shawls.
Speaking to the media, the Hindu girl students have raised pertinent questions about the discrimination they will face if the government allows Muslims to wear hijab inside the campus.
One girl student said, “They claim that they wear Hijab because of the bad-mannered looks of the male students. Are we not girls too? Don’t we need protection? What about (Hindu) girls?
She also asked the authorities about what is the purpose of making a common uniform for all the students? “It means that everybody is equal. In a college or school, all students are equal. If they (Muslims) can be allowed to wear Hijab, we will also wear saree, kumkum, and flowers,” the girl said.
The girl student also stated that they hope the court will uphold justice and will not show bias towards Muslims. She also stated that they have no objection to the Muslim girls wearing hijabs or burqa outside the college or even at their homes. “But in the campus, the uniform dress code has to be followed by all students”, she asserted.
“Let them wear Hijab; we are not against it. But, they should not be allowed to wear it inside the campus and class. We will treat them with respect and equality, we do not treat anybody as Hindus or Muslims. Have we ever differentiated them based on religion? No? When we treat them as friends, why do they say the hijab is ours? This is different. If this continues, we know what to do,” the protesting student said.
The way these young girls pass the message across and make their stand without high emotions is something to be imbibed. Highly appreciable.
“If they are giving a judgement, the judgement should be about equality for everyone.”
Another girl student also voiced her opinion on the issue, saying that she had come out of college to fight for equality for everyone.
“If they want to wear Hijab, let them wear and come, but only till the entrance of the campus. We are all one. Women are all one. If they want to follow their religion, they can do it at home. If she does not wear a hijab inside her house, why should she wear it outside? Who will look at her in a bad manner? Are we not girls too? So no one would see them in a bad way. So when they come to school, they need to remove it. If they come with Hijab, we will also wear sarees as even we have a right to follow our religion. If they follow the rules, we will also do it. We are all equal,” the saffron shawl-clad girl student added.
“We have come out of college and fighting for equality for everyone.”
A Hindu student noted that they were are all students, and there should be some uniformity. The girl student asserted that it is not right to discriminate against the students.
“Wearing a hijab will lead to discrimination between students; we do not like it. When we sit together in class, there should be a feeling of equality. We are all friends. We do not need to get into any discrimination that one is Muslim and the other is not. Till today, we did not even know that some of these girls are Muslims. All of a sudden, they have started wearing hijab”.
“We have come out of college and fighting for equality for everyone.”
Hijab controversy turns violent, schools, colleges closed for 3 days
The protest of some Muslim girls against the uniform regulations in educational institutions has now taken a dangerous turn in Karnataka after several incidents of stone-pelting and clashes. The government has declared the closure of the schools and colleges as the High Court hears the petition filed by a Muslim girl.
Interestingly, though the narrative over the entire controversy is about the hijab, which is the headscarf that covers the hair and neck, the Muslim girls are usually seen in full-body black burqas.
Yashpal Suvarna, the Vice President of the College Development Committee, said that even though 150 Muslim students are studying in the college, none of them has made this demand. According to him, eight girls, allegedly belonging to CFI, wanted to create a controversy.
Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Primary & Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh also said that they suspect that the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of the PFI, is instigating the Muslim students in the ongoing Hijab controversy.
Earlier, a report revealed how the notorious radical Islamic outfit Campus Front of India (CFI) – the student wing of Popular Front of India and banned radical terror outfit Jamaat-e-Islam Hind counselled Muslim students to orchestrate the Hijab controversy in Karnataka.
Delhi riots accused Asif Iqbal Tanha in a Twitter Space was found discussing and admitting how he has been in discussion with Muslim organisations in Delhi over the burqa/hijab controversy in Karnataka. A recording of the Twitter Space was shared by Twitter user TheAngryLord.
This is Asif Iqbal, a student leader in Jamia Milia & a member of Students Islamic Org. He's admitting of mobilizing Muslims for another Shaheen Bagh type, or worse, protest in Delhi on #HijabBan.@DelhiPolice@HMOIndia you've another headache coming your way.#Hijabpic.twitter.com/Q5CPv0OyEh
The Space titled ‘Karnataka Hijab Row: Will High Court Provide Justice?’ hosted by Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), student’s wing of Islamic organisation Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, an offshoot of Jamaat-e-Islami. SIO has also been advising the Muslim students in the ongoing Hijab controversy, as per the admission of Muslim students, along with Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and its students wing Campus Front of India (CFI).
Tanha was one of the Speakers on the Space where he could be heard saying, “We should not limit this issue (burqa row) to just Karnataka and spread it across to India. Centre of agitation, especially Delhi… Since today morning when the video went viral, which was very disturbing, I have been speaking to various Muslim organisations and social activists on what we can do about it in Delhi on this issue. I am getting positive feedback that we should do something.”
He further said that those organisations agreed to do something about it. “We will raise our voice in solidarity and hit the streets. Okay, so Allahu Akbar trended all day today on Twitter but even today you can go anywhere… I met a lot of students in Okhla where Muslims students and residents who live here in Okhla were not aware of what was happening in Karnataka on the hijab issue. At least we need to take this issue to every home. It is a matter of our right, our identity. We said the same thing in CAA and triple talaq that this is an attack on Muslim women, Muslim identity and on Sharia. Similarly, this is an issue of hijab. Today in Karnataka, tomorrow can be elsewhere,” he added.
The Delhi riots accused further added that SIO cadres are on the ground and working on the same in Karnataka. “Our JIO are regularly hitting the streets and even asking our sisters in other cities like Mumbai where they have protested. As a Muslim organisation we are taking this issue seriously,” he said.
He's a Radical Islamist, openly welcoming Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, still living openly in Okhla
In other Space where discussion was going on about “Are Indian Muslims free?” he could be heard saying, “I want to give you good news that Ashraf Ghani has resigned. Thanks to Allah and slowly the Taliban is working towards establishing Islamic Emirates.” To this, others in the room chanted ‘Alhamdulillah’ (praise to the God). Tanha had further said that we (Indian Muslims) should learn from them (Taliban) on how one must fight to get the freedom. This Space was likely hosted on 15th August 2021, India’s Independence Day when the Taliban took over Afghanistan.
Asif Iqbal Tanha’s role in February 2020 Delhi anti-Hindu riots
Asif, a Jamia Millia Islamia student and member of the Student Islamic Organization (SIO) since 2014, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in May 2020 for purportedly being a part of a larger conspiracy behind the February riots in northeast Delhi. Asif Iqbal had admitted to orchestrating riots and a march of 2500-3000 people from Gate no 7 of Jamia Millia Islamia on December 12. He revealed that Sharjeel Imam gave a provocative speech to encourage ‘protestors’ to execute a ‘chakka jam’ on December 13.
Asif had confessed to organising a ‘Gandhi Peace March’ on December 15 from the Jamia metro station to the Parliament via Zakir Nagar and Batla House. It was named ‘Gandhi Peace March’ so that others are lured into joining it, he had said. Asif Iqbal also confessed to provoking people to break through the police barricades since the cops lacked the ‘guts’ to stop them.
He also admitted that he delivered provocative speeches at several places in the country, including Kolkata, Kota, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ujjain, Indore, Jaipur, Patna, Sabzibagh, Araria, Samastipur, Ahmedabad to mobilise common Muslims to protest against the Indian government and not to shy away from engaging in violence if such a need arose.
A crime report has been registered against 27 accused Muslims and 100 other unknowns in the Rupesh Pandey murder case in Hazaribagh on 8th February 2022. Manish Jaiswal, BJP MLA of Hazaribagh city has come forward in support of the victim’s family and is continuously raising this issue from his Twitter account.
Rupesh Pandey was murdered by a mob of Muslims in a fight that emerged at the time of Saraswati Puja’s Idol Visarjan on 6th February 2022. The 17-year old son of Sikandar Pandey was part of the religious procession which faced unexpected opposition from the mass of Muslims while passing from an area called Lakhna Dulmaha Imambada of the Nai Taand village in Hazaribagh. The spot comes under the Barhi police station. The mob engaged in the ruckus with the Hindu devotees. In this, Rupesh Pandey was badly beaten. He was declared dead when taken to the hospital.
When asked about how did it all happen, Manoj Ratan Chauthe, SP Hazaribagh could not give any satisfactory answer. He said that the police are investigating the case and the situations are under control now. However, the local people have specifically named the killers which include Mohammad Aslam, Mohammad Anis, Mohammad Kaif, Mohammad Gufran, Mohammad Chand, Mohammad Osama, Mohammad Ehtam, and Mohammad Nahid. The case registered in the police station names 27 such accused. Besides, 100 other unknowns have been booked in this case.
Meanwhile, the state BJP leaders and local BJP MLA have jumped in to support the Pandey family. Jharkhand state BJP president Deepak Prakash has said that the way this mob has surrounded the Saraswati Visarjan procession and launched a violent attack to kill Rupesh Pandey, it must be called a crime of mob lynching and the accused must be charged for the same. He also alleged that the state government is saving the culprits.
MLA of Hazaribagh city, Manish Jaiswal of BJP has taken this to Twitter. He has changed his display picture and set a photo of the deceased Rupesh Pandey over there. He also attended the cremation of the deceased boy. He has tweeted “Incapable Jharkhand government has interrupted the internet services in Hazaribagh, Giridih, Chhatra, and Ramgarh. This is extremely painful and shameful. Fight for justice is going on. I assure Rupesh Pandey’s name will be echoed in the assembly.”
भाग 1️⃣
अक्षम झारखण्ड सरकार द्वारा पिछले 2 दिनों से हज़ारीबाग, गिरिडीह, कोडरमा, चतरा, रामगढ़ में इंटरनेट सुविधा बंद रहने के दौरान के घटनाक्रम ⬇️
He has also posted a video of the cremation of the deceased boy. He has further said in his tweet “I resolved to stand shoulder to shoulder with the victim’s family in this very sad time and extend all possible help to the family. The entry of my car on the narrow road should not cause any inconvenience to the villagers and for this reason, reached the village by a two-wheeler of a colleague.”
भाग 2️⃣
यह मेरा संकल्प था की इस बेहद दुख की घड़ी में पीड़ित परिवार के साथ कंधे से कंधा मिला कर खड़ा रहूं और परिवार को हर संभव मदद करूं…
संकरी सड़क पर मेरी गाड़ी के प्रवेश से गाँव वासियों को किसी प्रकार की असुविधा ना हो और इस कारण एक सहयोगी के दोपहिया वाहन से गांव पहुंचा… pic.twitter.com/z7WtF2ErEo
Manish Jaiswal further added “Attended the cremation, paid tribute to Rupesh and met the family members of the victims. Our demands are 1. Action should be taken under the Mob Lynching Act. 2. Speedy trial through fast-track courts to punish the guilty at the earliest. 3. ₹ 50 lakh compensation should be given to the family.”
भाग 3️⃣
दाह-संस्कार कार्यक्रम में उपस्थित होकर रूपेश को श्रद्धांजलि दी व पीड़ित परिजनों से मिला, हमारी मांगे:
• मॉब लिंचिंग कानून के तहत कार्रवाई हो। • फास्ट ट्रैक कोर्ट के माध्यम से स्पीडी ट्रायल द्वारा दोषी लोगों को जल्द से जल्द सजा मिले। • परिवार को ₹50 लाख मुआवजा दी जाए। pic.twitter.com/zDFjYV8CMK
Considering repeated incidents of hate crimes against Hindus, he has also announced raising funds to help the victims. He has said in his tweet “A fund was formed to provide justice to Rupesh and it was decided that if the family is unable to fight the battle for justice due to poverty, then Hindu society will fight Rupesh’s fight through this fund to get justice. I have announced to give 51,000 to this fund.”
भाग 4️⃣ रूपेश को न्याय दिलाने के लिए एक कोष का गठन किया तथा यह निर्णय लिया गया कि गरीबी कारण अगर परिवार न्याय की लड़ाई लड़ने में असमर्थ हो जाता है तो न्याय दिलाने के लिए हिन्दू समाज द्वारा इस कोष के माध्यम से रूपेश की लड़ाई लड़ी जाएगी। मैंने इस कोष में 51,000 देने की घोषणा की है। pic.twitter.com/3sVdyj9foj
Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday spoke to ANI on a host of issues concerning the nation, including the upcoming assembly elections in five states, BJP’s prospects in the elections, farm laws, the dominance of dynasty politics, Congress and AAP treachery during the COVID-19 crisis among other things.
In a 70-minute long interview, PM Modi expressed confidence in BJP’s victory in all 5 states in the forthcoming assembly polls. The Prime Minister declared that BJP will be defying the old trend of political parties not retaining power in Uttar Pradesh this year, assuring that his party will win the assembly elections with a thumping majority.
PM Modi exudes confidence on winning polls in all 5 states
In his interview with ANI’s Smita Prakash, PM Modi on Wednesday exuded confidence in winning assembly elections in all 5 poll-bound states. PM Modi said BJP will emerge victorious in elections in all five states—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur—adding that the party will rack up the majority seats in all the states.
“I have felt a BJP wave in all the states. We will win with an overwhelming majority and people in the 5 states will give us an opportunity to serve them,” Modi said.
Explaining the mantra behind BJP’s poll success, PM Modi said the party learnt from its mistakes and failures, which ultimately guided it towards victory. He said even losses suffered by the party were contemplated upon and treated as opportunities to improve themselves.
“BJP began winning after losing again & again. When we win, we try to connect to grassroots & leave no stone unturned in winning hearts. We look for hope even in loss. For us, polls are like open universities with opportunities for new recruitments & to polish ourselves,” Modi added.
BJP will defy the trend of political parties not retaining power in UP: PM Modi
PM Modi also dispelled the notion of an anti-incumbency setting in states where BJP is in power. He said there is ‘pro-incumbency’ instead of anti-incumbency and people are once again going to elect BJP to power. The Prime Minister cited the example of Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP won in the 2014, 2017 and 2019 elections—both in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls.
Alleging that BJP would defy the trend of political parties not retaining power in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi said, “The people of Uttar Pradesh have junked the old theory of ‘ek bar aao, ek bar jao’ (come to power once and then go). The BJP has itself experienced that it was accepted in 2014, then the people saw our government’s work and we again got elected in 2017, and similarly in 2019 as well. Now in 2022, they will again see our work and again accept us.”
PM Modi said the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh prioritised the security of people and brought an end to the mafia and Gunda raj. He averred that women in the state can step out even after dark which symbolises the trust that people have in the Yogi Adityanath government. He further added that goons in today’s Uttar Pradesh are scared of committing crimes and are surrendering to the police.
“When people discuss security in UP, they think of their troubles during previous govts, mafia raj, Gunda raj, the manner in which musclemen had status and shelter in govt. UP saw this from close quarters, women couldn’t step out,” PM Modi added.
PM Modi holds dynastic politics as the biggest threat to democracy
Talking about dynasty politics prevalent in India, PM Modi said it is the biggest threat facing democracy today. In a scathing attack against dynasty politics, PM Modi said it severely compromises the talent coming into politics.
“When a party is run for generations by a family, there’s an only dynasty, not dynamics. Starting from J&K, where there’re two parties run by two separate families, you can see a similar trend in Haryana, Jharkhand, UP and Tamil Nadu. Dynastic politics is the biggest enemy of democracy,” PM Modi said.
In his exclusive interview with ANI, PM Modi explained his “fake Samajwadi” swipe at Samajwadi Party during the Uttar Pradesh assembly campaigning, adding that the party was concerned with nothing but ‘parivarvad’. He further added that he had received a letter in the past that said Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh had 45 people from the family who held various positions.
Congress party compounded COVID crisis by dishing out free tickets, AAP indulged in fearmongering: PM Modi
PM Modi also pulled no punches in attacking the opposition parties for compounding the COVID-19 crisis facing the country during the first lockdown. He accused the Congress party of giving free tickets to people to go home at a time when around the world, health organisations were recommending people to stay put and avoid travelling.
He also lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi for indulging in fearmongering and leaving migrant workers in the lurch. PM Modi said AAP exhorted people to leave Delhi, who left the national capital only to be stranded at the UP border. It was Yogi Adityanath government, PM Modi said, who prepared 10,000 buses to facilitate their journey to their respective native places.
“Congress party offered free tickets to people to go home. It would have taken 1-2 days, the facilities would have been readied. Instead, Yogi Ji had to prepare 10,000 buses. AAP in Delhi spread fear, the videos are there,” PM Modi said.
It is worth noting that PM Modi had similar remarks during his address in Lok Sabha earlier this week. PM Modi had then slammed Congress, AAP for instigating migrant workers from UP, Bihar to flout lockdown norms and head back to their native places amidst a raging coronavirus outbreak.
Farms laws legislated to benefit farmers and withdrawn in the interest of nation: PM Modi
PM Modi also spoke on the farm laws that touched off protests along the Delhi Border for almost a year. He said the agriculture bills were brought for the benefit of farmers and were removed in the interest of the nation.
“I have said this before and I am saying it again—farm laws were brought for the benefit of farmers—and they have now been withdrawn in the interest of the nation. I don’t think this needs to be explained anymore. Future events will make it clear why these steps were necessary,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi also stated that he has always worked for the welfare of the farmers and they have always supported him.
“I am someone who is on a journey to win the hearts of farmers. I understand the pain of farmers with marginal landholdings. I have always tried to win their hearts,” he said. “I have won the hearts of farmers from across the country and they have always supported me,” he added.
Modi slams Rahul Gandhi, says the Congress leader does not listen, nor does he sit in House
In a frontal attack against Rahul Gandhi who had accused the Centre of not giving details of unemployment, Indo-China border dispute and other issues, PM Modi said the detailed answer for the questions were given by respective ministries and he had also spoken on the subjects whenever and wherever it was necessary.
“I have stated facts on every subject and spoken on every subject on the basis of facts. On some subjects, our external affairs ministry and defence ministry have given detailed answers and wherever it was necessary, I had also spoken. How do I reply to a person who does not listen, and does not sit in the House?” PM Modi said.
We believe in taking everyone along and following the mantra of ‘Unity in Diversity’: PM Modi
On being asked about allegations levelled by the opposition leaders that the current government is against diversity, PM Modi said that he believes in taking everyone along and following the mantra of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
“ “I take efforts to take everyone along and I firmly believe it is the only way for the nation to progress. We believe in Unity in Diversity. But unfortunately, some leaders are now using the concept of diversity against each other for vested interests. We want unity among diversity,” PM Modi affirmed.
The statement came in the wake of allegations levelled by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin and Mehbooba Mufti that the government does not respect the diversity of the country.
Inbreeding has been creating a series of health problems in children for decades in Pakistan. The problem is not limited to Pakistan as a country, but it is a concern among Pakistanis across the world. In a recent report in DW by S Khan, the author discussed how Pakistan is facing many medical challenges due to the high rate of cousin marriages.
In Pakistan, inbreeding is resulting in an unusually higher number of genetic disorders among children. Despite being aware of the consequences, cousin marriages are still a norm in many communities in the country.
They are aware but still practice cousin marriage
DW talked to one 56-year-old Ghafoor Hussain Shah who works as a teacher and has eight children. A resident of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Shah was married to his maternal cousin in 1987. Out of eight children, three suffer from disorders. One of his son’s brain could not develop to normal size. One of his daughters has hearing problems, while another daughter has a speech disability.
Despite being aware of what inbreeding could lead to, he has to follow the tribal custom and fine spouse for his children within his extended family. His family medical history includes an array of genetic disorders, including deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, blood disorders and more.
There are several cases like Shah in Pakistan. According to a report in Dawn, there is a village named Mian Kalay in Pakistan where inbreeding is a common practice. Mohammad Gul, a resident of Mian Kalay, has a 36-year-old daughter Salma Bibi who was born as a flaccid baby. She cannot walk properly and needs assistance from her family members as she is too weak to control her motor functions. Dr Kashif Ali Khan of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, told Dawn that cases like Salma are hard to be treated as these rare genetic disorders.
Studies show a high rate of consanguineous marriages in Pakistan
In 2013, the University of Leeds, in association with the University of Bradford, published a study titled “Key factors in understanding differences in rates of birth defects identified” [Study] in which they discussed how consanguineous marriages were behind congenital disabilities in children in up to 77 per cent cases.
According to a study titled “Identifying Genes Responsible for Intellectual Disability in Consanguineous Families” [PDF] by Zafar Iqbal, the rate of consanguinity is very high in Pakistan (>60%). It further added 17% to 38% of the consanguineous marriages in Pakistan are between first cousins. The study stated it is one of the main causes of infant mortality in Pakistan. If the child survives, there is a high chance the child either would have a genetic disorder or would develop a health problem in the long run.
Pakistani institutions like Kohat University of Science & Technology maintain the genetic mutation database of Pakistan. It identifies and tracks different types of mutations and disorders caused mainly by inbreeding among Pakistani children. It has over 1,000 mutations on record in 130 different kinds of genetic disorders that are found in different regions, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan, FATA, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
According to experts, the most common genetic disorder found in children in Pakistan is Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that bars red blood cells from absorbing oxygen.
Religious leaders refuse to support health experts
Health experts in Pakistan have tried to convince clerics to spread awareness about genetic disorders and health issues linked to cousin marriages. However, the clerics bluntly refuse to provide any support. According to these religious leaders, inbreeding is in accordance with Islamic Sharia law and the traditions of Prophet Mohammad. The belief system is strongly in favour of inbreeding. So much so if someday the government decides to ban cousin marriages, it would face resistance from the public.
Cousin marriages beyond borders
The problem of inbreeding is not limited to Pakistanis living in Pakistan alone. Cousin marriages are common in Pakistani communities in other countries as well. According to a 2015 report in The Telegraph, Pakistani communities in Britain have an alarmingly high number of cousin marriages leading to genetic disorders in children. The report suggested such marriages are also common among Arabs and Africans living in the UK.
Another report from 2008 suggested Pakistani community is responsible for 3% of births in the UK. However, due to a high number of cousin marriages, the Pakistani community is responsible for 30% of the children born with recessive genetic disorders. The same report suggested 55% of Pakistanis living in Bradford were married to their first cousin.
As Punjab gears for the assembly polls, an altogether different topic is occupying the talks among the Dalits in the state. The Dalits in the state, who have converted to Christianity, are facing an identity crisis. Though they have embraced an alien faith, they are availing benefits of various government schemes as Dalits, the identity they carried earlier. So these people are now identifying themselves as Dalits and Christians simultaneously.
According to a report by Indian Express, the Christians who account for about 1.26% of the state’s population as per the 2011 census have no elected representative in the state assembly. The Gurdaspur district has the largest number of Christians in the Punjab state. Major political parties in Punjab seldom allot tickets to Christians. The most popular religion in the state is of course Sikhism. For the last so many years, there has not been a single Christian MLA in the state assembly.
As per the report, the Christians in the state are primarily of three types. Firstly, the ones whose forefathers converted to Christianity in the period of the British Raj. Secondly, the ones who are under the influence of various Deras. They are mostly poor and illiterate people. Then comes the class of Dalits practising Christianity. These people are not formally converted Christians but they practice the religion. There are no pan-state Christian leaders who can influence all the three major types of Christians in the state. Even so, there is no popular Christian face who has the patronage of the Church in the state.
UP’s face of Dalit politics, Mayawati has marked some presence of her party BSP in Punjab. The former general secretary of her party Rohit Khokhar has told Indian Express that 98% of the Christians in the state come from Dalit backgrounds. Now a leader of AAP, Rohit Khokhar has said that he too has become a practising Christian but he is still a part of the caste system. According to him, irrespective of the faith he believes in, either Sikhism or Christianity, the effects of the caste system do not fade away. He also batted for reservations to these sections of society.
While speaking to Indian Express, Rohit Khokhar said that these people don’t even want to convert officially because they get the benefits of reservation while sticking to the original faith at least on paper. He further added “If there is some issue of religious persecution, a person would vote as a Christian. If there is some Dalit rights issue, they may vote as Dalit.”
Roshan Joseph used to be the Gurdaspur district Congress president until as recently as two months before. He has now joined the Akali Dal. According to him, the community is gradually going away from the congress party. He said “As chief minister, (Akali Dal veteran) Parkash Singh Badal started celebrating Christmas as a state-level function in 1997. The party had gone a long way in gathering the community’s support.”
Anwar Masih is close to Akali Dal’s veteran leader and minister Bikram Singh Majithia. In 2014, he was appointed to the Subordinate Service Selection Board, which does recruitment for the government. Rohit Khokhar has claimed that the Christian community is feeling betrayed by Akalis after the case filed against Anwar Masih in 2020. It is notable that Masih was booked over recovery of 197 kg heroin from a residential building he owned.
Rohit Khokhar has also claimed that there is an AAP wave in the state. The wave also encompasses the Dalits in the state. But as the Congress party has made a Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi its face, this may dent AAP’s performance in Punjab. According to him, with Channi being the CM candidate, a group of Dalits who are determined to vote in favor of AAP can give their vote to Congress.
Many Christian leaders in the state are contesting the upcoming elections as independent candidates. Dominik Mattu is one of them. He is contesting from Dera Baba Nanak. He has been denied a ticket by the Punjab Lok Congress of the former CM Captain Amarinder Singh. Another independent candidate Sonu Jaffer is contesting the elections from Ajnala. He was also denied the ticket. He said “There are around 42,000 Christian votes in Ajnala out of a total of 1.5 lakh. I had claimed a ticket from AAP this time. I expected a ticket from Congress in 2017. It is discrimination against the community that no party gives them a ticket.”
इस बार पंजाब में कई ईसाई नेता किसी प्रमुख दल से टिकट नहीं मिलने के कारण निर्दलीय तौर पर चुनावी मैदान में हैं https://t.co/0czRWDmFH6
This way, Punjab is witnessing a new type of leaders in the state who on the one hand complain of being denied the ticket and hence the representation being a Christian; while on the other hand claim that the Christians in the state are entitled to get the benefits of reservations and other government schemes as they are originally Dalits.
The attempt by Rahul Gandhi to politicise the Prime Minister’s recent event in Hyderabad where he unveiled the Statue of Equality of Saint Sri Ramanujacharya seems to have backfired as he was firmly rebutted by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy
Earlier in the day, the Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Wayanad, Kerala had tweeted, “Statue of Equality is Made in China. ‘New India’ is China-nirbhar?” This came after media reports saying that the Statue of Equality was made in China.
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G Kishan Reddy responded stating that the Statue of Equality was commissioned more than 8 years ago when the Congress was in Government both at the Centre and in the state of Telangana. Reddy also pointed out that as it was a private spiritual entity that had built the statue and that the government did not have any say in where they chose to source the material from or where they built it.
The Minister tweeted “1. Statue of Equality is a project of a private spiritual entity conceived 8+ years ago. 2. At that time Congress was in power in both centre & state. 3. 100% funds were raised privately & GoI provided NO financial support. 4. The statue preceded PM’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
1. State of Equality is a project of a private spiritual entity conceived 8+ years ago
2. At that time Congress was in power in both centre & state
3. 100% funds were raised privately & GoI provided NO financial support
It is notable that My Home Group of Industries, a private company, had signed a contract with a Chinese firm for the construction of the statue. The company had also donated the land where the statue has been installed, and the entire cost of the project, around ₹1000 crore, has been met with donations from the public.
The Government had provided no funding as the entire amount was raised privately. The Minister also pointed out the chronology as the Prime Minister had announced the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-reliant India campaign) in 2020 and the statue of EQuality preceded this campaign. It may be worth noting that it was on 12 May 2020 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a call to the nation giving a kick start to Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. On that day he announced the Special economic and comprehensive package of INR 20 lakh crores – equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP – to fight COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also said that this trigger-happy tweeting only exposes Rahul Gandhi’s own ignorance and shallowness. The Minister also stated that these continued statements by Rahul Gandhi without knowing facts continues to sink himself and reduce his party to dust. The Minister also alluded to the Memorandum of Understanding that the Congress party had signed with the Communist Party of China, saying “It’s also quite ironical coming from a party that signed an MoU with the CPC”.
1. State of Equality is a project of a private spiritual entity conceived 8+ years ago
2. At that time Congress was in power in both centre & state
3. 100% funds were raised privately & GoI provided NO financial support
On the 5th of February, the Prime Minister was in Hyderabad to inaugurate the 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality’ that commemorates the 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya. The Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekhar Rao had skipped welcoming the Prime Minister at the airport and chose to send Mr. Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Minister of Fisheries as the Minister-in-Waiting to receive the Prime Minister. The Chief Minister and his son were conspicuously absent from the inauguration event.
There is enough evidence to state that the Statue of Equality was conceived when the Congress Party was in power at both the Centre and the state. The website of the Statue of Equality states that “HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji laid the foundation stone for 216 Feet “Statue of Equality – Samatha Murthi” in the sprawling new 45 acre area in JIVA Campus in Sri Ramanagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad on 2014 May 2nd Akshaya Thruthiya Day – One of the most auspicious days in a year, the day on which any good program started will meet with great success.”
The Lok Sabha results were announced only on 16th May 2014 which brought the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government at the Centre with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. Moreover, as the foundation stone was laid on 2nd May, it means the statue was planned much ahead. The Twitter account of the state of equality also shows that it was created in March 2014 showing that a significant amount of planning was already done.
It is notable that the construction of large metal statues is a highly specialised job, with very limited orders in a year. Therefore, there are only a few Chinese companies with expertise in this field. The website of the Statue of Equality states that initially, they had approached Chinese firm Aerosun Corporation Art Statue Sub-Company, as this company is most prominent in the field. However, later few more Chinese companies, and an Indian company had also joined the bid. After considering all the proposals, the contract with signed with Aerosun for the construction of the statue. The MoU with the company was signed on 14th August 2015.
During the construction of the Statue of Unity also, the world’s tallest statue, it was claimed by the Congress party that it was made in China. However, that was a fake claim, as most of the work for the statue was done by Indian firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in India. However, the outer bronze layer of the statute was made by a Chinese firm, for same reason as stated above, only a few Chinese firms have the expertise needed for that job. It was found that none of the 15 major bronze foundries in India was capable of building the outer cladding, after which L&T had initiated global tenders.
A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking the court to give directions to the Tamil Nadu government for the regularisation and relocation of temples constructed on poramboke lands (government lands) and water bodies.
The Madras High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy heard a PIL filed by T Elango, leader of Hindu Munnani in Tamil Nadu, who sought directions against the DMK-led state government. The petitioner said that the ongoing temple demolition drive by the state government was motivated and not based on any transparent policy. The petitioner also sought a stay on the demolition drive by the state.
Senior Advocate Sai Deepak, appearing for T. Elango, urged the High Court to intervene and direct the state government to submit the guidelines it follows to carry out the demolition of unauthorised religious structures.
The counsel referred to previous Supreme Court judgements that directed the states and union territories not to entertain illegal religious constructions on public streets, public parks or other public places. Advocate Sai Deepak argued that the concerned High Courts should supervise the implementation of this order.
According to the petitioners, more than two dozen temples have been demolished in the last two months. Recently, the Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu had also destroyed a 40-year-old temple structure by claiming that it was situated near a waterbody. Similarly, the government authorities bulldozed a 1000-year-old temple in Thanjavur.
The petitioners argued that there were two issues pertaining to the demolition drive. First is compliance with the apex court order about framing the policy for dealing with illegal religious structures—secondly, the discriminatory nature of the ongoing demolition drive that targets temples alone.
The petitioners also stated that the current demolition drive targeted the temples alone. They pointed out an instance of a mosque illegally constructed in public land, however, the government did not take discriminatory actions fearing political backlash, the counsel argued.
Advocate Sai Deepak also contended that the temples constructed at the site are not responsible for floods in the region. However, the court disagreed by claiming that any unauthorised construction will have detrimental effects.
Hearing the petitioner, High Court asked the petitioner to file a detailed affidavit on how the current demolition drive for removing encroachments has been religiously discriminatory.
Another incident of kidnapping and raping of a minor girl has taken place in Uttarakhand. A youth named Shamsuddin had kidnapped a 16-year old minor girl from Dehradun. He had taken her to many places and was finally found in Ludhiana where he was arrested.
According to a report by Jagran, Shamsuddin is a native of Piran Kaliyar of Haridwar. He was living in Dehradun as he worked there as a mason. Shamsuddin had kidnapped the 16-year old victim in October 2021. On 28th October 2021, the victim’s father had registered a complaint in the Vasant Vihar police station. The station in-charge Naresh Rathaud has informed that a case was registered after this complaint and investigations were started. The police could not locate the accused. The accused had turned his phone off.
As the police followed the case for the next three months, they received the information that the accused is in Ludhiana of Punjab. On Sunday, 6th February 2022, a team of Dehradun police arrested him from Ludhiana in Punjab. During interrogations, the accused has informed that he kept the kidnapped minor girl at various places and raped her for three months. The police station in-charge has informed that charges of rape have been framed against the accused and POCSO will also be applied. Medical check-ups of the accused and the victim are being done.
The number of incidents of Muslim youth kidnapping and raping minor girls, particularly Hindu girls, has been increasing in Uttarakhand. In another similar incident that has happened in the Vaani Vihar area, the accused Muslim youth Sohail has reportedly kidnapped a 14-year old girl and fled away. The Vaani Vihar police station in-charge Amarjeet Singh has informed that the victim’s father has registered a complaint in this case and further investigations are being done.
