Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar, who is on a three-day visit to India, denied on Tuesday that Hindus and Sikhs are being targeted in Afghanistan. Atmar said that the violence against Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan was not ‘persecution per se’. “The violence against Afghans, unfortunately, did not spare our minorities either. So, it is not a kind of persecution against specific minorities per se. It’s the general violence against the entire nation and unfortunately, this part of the population has been disproportionately affected”, Atmar said.
Atmar described Hindu and Sikhs as proud citizenry of Afghanistan
Atmar described Hindus and Sikhs as ‘proud citizenry’ of Afghanistan adding that it would be the responsibility of the government to provide them with protection and security. “They are citizens of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is proud of them. It has been like that for centuries and will be like that. It is the responsibility of not just the Afghan government, but the Afghanistan people too to protect their federal brothers”, he said.
Atmar held talks with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on security and economic cooperation and collaboration on efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. While interacting with the media, Atmar described India as a ‘legitimate partner in peace-making’.
A group of Sikhs had returned to India last year
Last year in July, India had said that would facilitate a settlement of Afghan and Sikh community members facing security threats in Afghanistan. There are reportedly around 1000 Sikhs and Hindus left in Afghanistan. A group of 11 Sikhs had arrived in India from Afghanistan including Sikh leader Nidan Singh Sachdeva who was abducted by Islamists, after the enactment of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The government of India facilitated their arrival to India, seeking permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
The numbers of religious minorities living in Islamic countries have been diminishing due to persistent violence and persecution. This is the reason that the Indian government enacted the CAA to provide Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities in neighbouring Islamic countries.
Ahead of Ramzan, the Muslim community has been up-in-arms against the French government over the alleged restrictions against ‘Halal chicken’. The mass resentment against the government was spearheaded by reports that suggested that France may restrict Halal chicken slaughter from July this year.
In a statement released by the directors of Paris, Lyon and Evry Mosques on Thursday (March 18), they cited an order by the Ministry of Agriculture to claim that Islamic principles were being ‘compromised’ by the Government of France. The order (DGAL/SDSSA/2020-72), dated November 23 last year, laid down technical guidelines for the slaughter of animals.
The three mosques claimed that it was impossible to follow the guidelines mandated for halal poultry slaughter in light of the new rules of the Ministry of Agriculture. They claimed that the new guidelines sent a negative message to the large Muslim community. “These precautions are a serious obstacle preventing people from freely practising their religion,” they added. It must be mentioned that these mosques have the power to issue Halal certifications in the country.
What do the rules say?
According to Middle East Eye, the new rules enforced stricter adherence to the use of electric shocks to stun chickens prior to their slaughter. The guidelines issued by France’s Ministry of Agriculture mandated the industrial process of electronarcosis, the use of electricity to paralyse the poultry. One of the mosque authorities alleged that the ‘electrocution rule’ would lead to the death of chicken before its slaughter, and therefore make its consumption ‘Haram (forbidden).’
Claims alleging that France will be issuing a ban on halal chicken this summer have caused a flurry of debate and confusion online.
For the ‘Halal slaughter’ of the poultry, the animal must be alive before its throat is ‘expertly slit’ by a Muslim butcher. Then, the blood of the animal must be drained from the body prior to its consumption. It is important to point out that the circular issued by the French government makes exceptions for religious rituals. As such, stricter adherence to ‘electronarcosis’ would not affect the way ‘Halal slaughter’ is conducted. The French Union for Muslim Consumers has also debunked claims of the ban on Halal chicken.
Despite this, the directors of Paris, Lyon and Evry Mosques had warned of legal action to safeguard their ‘fundamental right’. This has also created panic among the Muslim community, with many pre-maturely labelling the move as ‘Islamophobic.’ The statement made by the three mosques have led to factually incorrect reports, claiming that ‘Halal chicken’ will be banned from July onwards.
Screengrab of the factually incorrect report by FR24
Muslims outraged over misleading reports of ‘Halal chicken’ ban
One Twitter user (@ABroNextDoor) asked, “France to ban halal chicken slaughter??? What a weird country man”
Screengrab of the tweet
Another Twitter user discovered ‘Islamapobia’ after reading factually incorrect reports of chicken ban. “France banning halal chicken is the weirdest form of Islamophobia I’ve seen…How you mad our chicken is clean.”
Screenshot of tweet
Another user claimed, “France banning Halal chicken in July? Do they think that’ll stop Muslims from being Muslim?”
Screengrab of the tweet
While Muslims outrage over fake news of ‘Halal chicken’ ban, the directors of Paris, Lyon and Evry Mosques are yet to clarify on the matter or retract their misleading statements.
In Europe, some animal rights activists claim that the Jewish ‘Kosher’ and Muslim ‘Halal’ practices of slaughtering animals is less ‘humane’ than standard European practice of stunning the animals before killing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has invoked UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) against suspended Mumbai Police cop Sachin Vaze. Vaze is accused of planting an explosive-laden car outside the residence of Reliance Group chief Mukesh Ambani on February 25, 2021. Maharashtra ATS had on Tuesday revealed that Vaze destroyed key evidence to cover his tracks.
Days after the car was discovered, the owner, Mansukh Hiren was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Initially it was reported as suicide, but further investigation pointed towards a murder. His wife had accused Vaze of killing him. Maharashtra ATS has also said that Vaze was directly involved in Hiren’s murder.
Earlier, video footage recorded outside the Crime Branch surfaced, in which Sachin Vaze was seen with Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the bomb-laden Scorpio. The footage was recorded on February 26, a day after the bomb-laden Scorpio was detected outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai. Vaze was driving Hiren to the Crime Branch. Mansukh Hiren was seen sitting next to Vaze in the Land Cruiser Prado – the vehicle which has been seized by the NIA.
On March 23, the Russian Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine exporter AGP Limited threatened Pakistan to re-export the 50,000 doses if the government does not set the desired price of the company. According to the reports, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) recommended the price for two doses of the vaccine at PKR 8,449. The importer was not happy with the price. The importer also said that selling the shipment to another country was also on the table as an option if a reasonable price is not fixed.
Geo TV quoted an anonymous source saying, “The government is already under harsh criticism for the price recommended by DRAP’s pricing committee at Pakistani Rs 8,449. It was calculated on the basis of a landing cost of USD 30, but people are comparing it with the cost of the Russian vaccine in India and criticising the government for fixing a higher price as compared to the neighbouring country.”
AGP Limited’s official told Geo TV that the Pakistani government’s price was not affordable as there was an additional landing cost, distributor margin, storage, and transportation cost. Also, the hospitals and institutions will also take service charge which will add up to the price.
Earlier, the Pakistani government had asked the DRAP pricing committee to reconsider and reassess the Maximum Retain Price of the vaccine after AGP Limited showed dissatisfaction over the price recommended. The government officials said that AGP wanted a retail price between PKR 12,000 to PKR 13,000 that would include the landing cost, freight charges, cold storage and other expenses.
Covid-19 in Pakistan
So far, Pakistan has reported 637,042 cases of Coronavirus. A total of 13,965 people have died of complications associated with the infection. Pakistan has recently imposed a complete ban on travel from 12 countries, including Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were tested positive on March 20.
Violence swept Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan neighbourhood last week following the interfaith marriage between a Hindu man and a Muslim woman. A bloodthirsty mob of Muslims descended the locality where the Hindu man lives and reportedly indulged in riots and violence. Now, several media reports claim that the call for violence was given by none other than a friend of the Muslim woman named Sabina.
According to the reports, the Muslim woman’s family members claim their daughter’s friend Sabina was amongst those who was most angry with the marriage. It is alleged that in her seething rage, she had hatched the conspiracy against the duo. It is also being reported that she was present during the riots and was actively inciting the miscreants. Sabina is currently absconding and the police have launched a search operation to arrest her.
The reports further mention that Sabina has close relations with almost all Muslim families in Sarai Kale Khan. She is known to incite people in the name of religion. In the past, she had tried to give communal flair to what was just a petty squabble between two neighbours.
After the interfaith couple tied the knot, Sabina had met and instigated many people against the duo. Not only this, but it is also being alleged that she had reportedly asked people to kill the couple as soon as the duo enter Sarai Kale Khan. The victim’s father alleged that after threats were issued against them, he decided to stay at his relative’s house. Despite this, the Muslim mob unleashed the attack on his colony. Police have named 8 people in this case, out of which 5 people have been arrested. Three people, including Sabina, are absconding.
Hindus, including Dalits, attacked by a bloodthirsty Muslim mob in Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan
Hindu residents of Harijan Basti at Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi were attacked on Saturday night by a Muslim mob following the interfaith marriage between a Hindu man and a Muslim woman.
The victims told OpIndia that the mob attacked them with swords and knives and sticks. Attempts were also made to set houses on fire. “They were taking out petrol, someone noticed them and threw something at them after which they fled,” one of the victims told us.
The rioters also entered the houses of Hindus to attack them, they said. All the members of one particular family were injured. Two women told us that they were lucky because they happened to be awake and therefore, could take prompt action to save themselves. Many others were not. We were told that the rioters also pulled one of the women by her hair.
The Health Ministry in a statement today stated that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) through its genome sequencing showed a new “double mutant variant” of the Coronavirus along with several variants of concern (VOCs), including foreign variants, are spreading in India.
The INSACOG is a collection of 10 National laboratories designated by the Health Ministry in order to carry out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses and correlate epidemiological trends with genomic variants.
“Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by states/UTs. These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. 1 sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 States of the country.” the Health Ministry said.
The INSACOG laboratories were responsible for the genome sequencing and analysis from the samples of arriving international travellers, contacts of those positive for VOC and community samples from most of the states.
“The analysis of samples from Maharashtra has revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations. Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. These mutations have been found in about 15-20% of samples and do not match any previously catalogued VOCs. These have been categorized as VOCs but require the same epidemiological and public health response of “increased testing, comprehensive tracking of close contacts, prompt isolation of positive cases & contacts as well as treatment as per National Treatment Protocol” by the states/UTs,” the Health Ministry added.
The Health Ministry shed more light on additional VOCs, “From Kerala 2032 samples (from all 14 districts) have been sequenced. The N440K variant that is associated with immune escape has been found in 123 samples from 11 districts. This variant was earlier found in 33% of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana. This variant has also been reported from 16 other countries including UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now these can be at best said to be variant under investigation.”
In its press release, the Health Ministry made clarified, “Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish a direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some states. Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyze the situation.”
The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department of Rajasthan have unearthed an alleged Gaushala Scam worth crores of rupees. As per the reports, the during verification drive in Jaisalmer, the department found that 12 out of 25 cow shelters were taking grant from the central and state government, but they did not have even a single cow. The department has initiated a probe in the case.
Over 62 lakh paid to six cow shelters without a single cow
As per reports, the directors of the 12 cow shelters where not even a single cow was found were taking grant from the state and central governments under different schemes. Out of these 12, six notified the department that they had 1814 cows and received over Rs.62 lakhs in the last year alone. The department has issued notice to all cow shelters and demanded an explanation.
Kothari Uththan Sansthan’s Gaushala had received Rs.14,29,200 last year by claiming they were taking care of 416 cows. Not a single cow was found.
Janj Vikas Sansthan‘s Gaushala had received Rs.12,07,800 last year by claiming they were taking care of 345 cows.
Rata Baba Gaushala Vikas Sansthan‘s Gaushala in Lakha village had received Rs.6,48,000 last year by claiming they were taking care of 201 cows.
Aman Gaushala in Mangliyon ki Dhani, Chandhan had received Rs. last year by claiming they were taking care of cows.
Gul Raushan Gaushala in Jaisurana had received Rs.11,61,000 last year by claiming they were taking care of 333 cows.
Chanane Vikas Evam Seva Sansthan‘s Gaushala in Jaisurana had received Rs.10,78,200 last year by claiming they were taking care of 315 cows.
Lack of facilities in the shelters
As per the reports, the department found that there was a gross lack of basic facilities in the majority of the cow shelters. As per the rules, all cow shelters must have an arrangement for shade, food and water. These cow shelters are majorly used for the old, sick and stray cows. However, the department was able to find proper facilities in only four shelters. In 20 shelters, there was not even an arrangement of shade.
The declining number of cows in the shelter
The department noticed that the number of cows was on the decline in many shelters. According to a report in Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, in some of the shelters, only 10% of cows were there compared to the last year.
In Khawaja Gareeb Nawaz Gaushala, the department found only 26 cows compared to 273 last year.
In Vrindavan Gaushala, there were only 77 cows compared to 208 last year.
In Mohammad Gaushala, there were 205 cows last year, but this year the number declined to 72.
In Pannodharay Gaushala, the number of cows declined from 203 to 71.
In Aaidaan Gaushala, there were only 30 cows compared to 325 last year.
In Jaisan Kadri Gaushala, the department found only 230 cows compared to 535 last year.
In Deen Mohammad Gaushala, there were only 170 cows compared to 381 last year.
In Jannat Gaushala, 80 cows were found instead of 418.
In Sikandar Gaushala, only 50 out of 455 cows were found.
Department initiated probe
The Department of Animal Husbandary and Dairying has initiated a probe in the case. Dr Umesh Wargantiwar, Senior Veterinary Officer, said, “As per the government’s guidelines, officers were doing verification of the number of cows in the shelters in Jaisalmer for tagging. During the verification, the officers were shocked to learn that in many shelters, there were no cows and remaining did not have proper arrangements.” He further said that report on six cow shelters has already been sent to the senior officials, and the report on the rest of the cow shelters will be sent soon.
Dr Manoj Mathur, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry department, said, “According to the regulations when a cow shelter applies for the grant, the department checks land papers and bills to check their eligibility for the grant. The money must be used for the welfare of the animals.” He further added that if the officers find any lack of facilities during the verification process, they guide the cow shelter directors about the steps they should take for improvement.
Today the Bombay High Court allowed Arnab Goswami’s petition against Mumbai Police’s investigation into the Television Rating Points (TRP) scam to be admitted, whilst also granting the Republic TV Editor protection against police arrest.
The Bombay High Court Division Bench of Justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale gave directions to the Mumbai Police, requiring them to send a three-day advance notice to Arnab Goswami prior to taking any coercive actions against him in the course of the investigation. Arnab is free to approach the court against any such notice by the Mumbai Police. This will act as protection against any arbitrary arrest of Goswami.
The Bench noted the seriousness of Goswami’s allegations, observing that “Serious malafides have been alleged by the petitioner (Arnab Goswami).”
The Chief Public Prosecutor representing the Mumbai Police informed the court that Mumbai Police will complete the investigation within 12 weeks. The court adjourned the case to June 28, and framed the following questions as issues of the case to be decided.
1. Whether the prayers made for quashing of FIR can be entertained in the absence of the petitioners being arraigned as accused.
2. In the absence of the petitioners being made as accused in respect of the FIR, whether the petition can be entertained for transfer of investigation to the CBI and direction not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner as also their employees and agents.
3. Whether the respondents (Mumbai Police) can be permitted to keep the sword of investigation hanging over the heads of petitioner for indefinite period without them being arraigned as accused.
4. Whether the Investigating officer can continue the investigation by invoking the widely worded clause of “suspect”
5. Whether the prayers in the Writ Petition can be entertained only on the grounds of serious malafides against the petitioners, when they are admittedly not accused in the FIR.
However, the court refused to stay the proceedings against Arnab Goswami and his channel. The court said that since neither the channel nor Goswami are made accused yet and there is no clarity from the investigating agency on the status of whether they will be made accused or not, the investigation would not be stayed at this stage. Earlier the court had expressed unhappiness over the police investigation in the case, saying that despite investigating the matter for over three months, the Mumbai Police had not unearthed any evidence against Republic channel.
It may be noted that the Mumbai Police continues to probe Republic TV in the TRP case despite having no evidence against the network. The original complaint and the FIR had both named India Today as the channel bribing households with BARC viewership tracking devices to watch their channel, but from the beginning, Mumbai Police chose to prosecute Republic TV instead. Recently Enforcement Directorate had also said that India Today had bribed to increase its viewership, while the central agency didn’t accuse Republic Network of doing so.
Amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country, with Maharashtra being the number one contributor, several celebrities and leaders are testing positive for the infection. The latest name among the infected is of actor Aamir Khan. His spokesperson has issued a statement that he was tested positive for the infection. He said, “Mr Aamir Khan has tested positive for Covid 19. He is at home in self-quarantine, following all the protocols, and he’s doing fine. All those who came in contact with him in the recent past should get themselves tested as a precautionary measure. Thank you for all your wishes and concern.”
Aamir Khan has tested positive for COVID-19. He is at home in self-quarantine, following all the protocols and he’s doing fine. All those who came in contact with him in the recent past should get themselves tested as a precautionary measure: Spokesperson of Aamir Khan. pic.twitter.com/85j4MDmadr
The actor has informed his staff and all those who came in his contact in recent days to take the test and necessary precautions. He urged everyone to follow the guidelines provided by the government. The actor has been busy with the shooting of his upcoming film Laal Singh Chaddha and will resume the shooting after recovery.
Khan recently left social media
After his 56th birthday, actor Aamir Khan had announced on all his social media pages that he is quitting the platforms.
Aamir Khan’s last post on social media before quitting all platforms.
He said, “Hey guys, thank you so much for all the love and warmth on my birthday. My heart is full. In other news, this is going to be my last post on social media. Considering that I am SO active anyway, I have decided to drop the pretence. We will continue to communicate as we did before. Lots of love, always.”
Recently while talking to paparazzi in Mumbai on why he left social media he said he was anyway never active and will continue to communicate with everyone like before but without social media. He said, “I live in my own world and have no presence on social media. I don’t even post anything.”
He further added, “I am not saying goodbye as I am around. We used to communicate before social media too. And now media will have bigger role to play in helping me communicate with my audience, as I will be reaching out to them through the press. I think you guys should be happier now.”
The Pune Rural Police has filed an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with an alleged objectionable tweet about the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.
The FIR was filed at Baramati Taluka Police station based on the complaint registered by one Abhijit Bhanudas Jadhav, an NCP functionary. A police officer privy to the details of the case revealed that the complainant had approached the police station over an objectionable tweet posted by a user after Sharad Pawar’s recent press conference and about a reply to that tweet.
“The content in both the tweet and reply is of objectionable nature. We have launched a probe into these accounts,” said the police officer as quoted by The Indian Express. The FIR was filed under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.
According to BJP leader Suresh Nakhua, social media user Vedashree is one of the persons against whom the FIR is lodged. Vedashree had quoted a tweet posted by columnist Shefali Vaidya in which she had mocked Sharad Pawar after he was caught like a deer in a headlight when journalists questioned him about Deshmukh attending a press conference while being in hospital.
Vedashree had tweeted, “Look at his frustration, as if he has been made to sit on a hot pan…thoroughly enjoyed it.” It is also alleged that the other person against whom the complaint is lodged by the NCP functionary could be author Shefali Vaidya, who has been a vocal critic of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. However, it is not certain Ms Vaidya has been named in the complaint.
Vedashree’s tweet
Quoting the video of Sharad Pawar’s press conference where he was confronted with conflicting facts about Anil Deshmukh, Ms Vaidya had posted a tweet asking how much is he going to lie.
Social media users raise questions after facts do not add up with Sharad Pawar’s claims
After former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh alleged that tainted police officer Sachin Vaze had a meeting with Anil Deshmukh wherein he was asked by the Home Minister to extort money from business owners in Mumbai, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had come in the defence of Deshmukh, alleging that he was in the hospital from February 6-16 and was later under quarantine from February 16 to 27.
Addressing the media amid a political storm over former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh’s corruption allegations against the home minister, Pawar said, “Anil Deshmukh was in the hospital from February 5 to 15 and from February 15 to 27, he was in home isolation in Nagpur.”
Pawar was caught off-guard when the journalists told him that Deshmukh had attended a press conference during the said time period. During the press conference, when journalists and reporters informed the NCP chief that Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had organised a press conference on February 15 and that he was not in a hospital, Pawar appeared baffled as he reiterated his statement that Deshmukh was hospitalised during the said period. Pawar then went on to chastise the reporters for diverting the issue.
Several other discrepancies were also highlighted by social media users, further raising questions over the veracity of claims made by Sharad Pawar in the press conference.
Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s appallingly low tolerance to dissent and its penchant for suppressing Freedom of Expression
Ever since the Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power in Maharashtra, it has displayed little tolerance for criticism and dissenting views. Freedom of Expression of citizens has been suppressed as the politicians have demonstrated eager alacrity to prosecute people for criticising and mocking them. Those who have dared to raise their voice against the government and their leaders have been attacked and assaulted. Complaints have been filed against them so they can be legally prosecuted.
Recently, in a despicable incident, Shiv Sena goons assaulted a senior citizen for allegedly criticising Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The video was uploaded by one Prashant Jagtap, who identifies as ‘Shivsainik’ and handles the party’s social media. In the said clip, the goons could be seen surrounding the victim from all sides and blackening his face with ink. The victim has been identified as Shirish Katekar, who is an RSS Swayamsevak from Pandharpur in Maharashtra.
In September 2020, a Navy officer was assaulted by Shiv Sena goons in Maharashtra for sharing a cartoon on WhatsApp. The WhatsApp forward was allegedly a satirical cartoon featuring Uddhav Thackeray and his allies Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi government also went to great lengths to prosecute social media users Sameet Thakkar and Sunaina Holey for making seemingly innocuous remarks that raised the hackles of the Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders.
In 2019, just after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government came to power in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena goons beat up a man and tonsured his head for criticising Uddhav Thackeray.
