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Makers of the film ‘Pippa’ apologise after facing backlash over AR Rahman’s rendition of ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’

OpIndia Staff
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Makers of the film ‘Pippa’ apologise after facing backlash over AR Rahman’s rendition of ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’

On 13th November (Monday), the makers of the recently released film ‘Pippa’ issued a public apology in regards to the controversy surrounding AR Rahman’s rendition of ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’, originally written by Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The production house of the film, Roy Kapur Films took to their official Instagram handle to issue a public apology and clarified their stance over the entire episode.  

In their official response, the makers of the biographical war drama film claimed that their rendition was a “sincere artistic interpretation” that was done after “securing the necessary adaptation rights” from the late poet’s estate. Stating that if their rendition hurt the sentiments and caused distress they tender a sincere apology. 

Notably, music composer AR Rahman received criticism for his rendition of Nazrul Islam’s popular patriotic song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’. After reportedly securing adaptation rights, AR Rahman recreated his own version of the song for the movie Pippa which was criticised by many including prominent Bengalis and Bangladeshi personalities like Chandra K Bose, Grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who called the “distortion of the revolutionary song an act of sacrilege”.

Similarly, Author Taslima Nasreen also pointed out that AR Rahman changed the music of the “Bengali legendary poet”. Anandbazar Online in its report quoted Bengali music director Devjyoti Mishra, reportedly a friend of AR Rahman, who called the reworked song a “nightmare”. 

The patriotic song against the British Raj was written by Kazi Nazrul in June 1922 at the request of freedom fighter Chittaranjan Das’s wife. The original tune is like a marching song whereas Rahman’s version sounds instrumental, melodious, and playful.

Further, Pippa makers in their statement added that they have deep respect for the original composition and for the Late Mr. Kazi Nazrul Islam. The makers said that Nazrul Islam’s contribution to the musical, political, and social landscape of the Indian subcontinent is immeasurable. 

On their part, they created this album as a tribute to the men and women who dedicated their lives to the liberation of Bangladesh and keeping in mind the sentiments of their struggle for freedom, peace, and justice, the statement added.

They argued that during the making of this rendition, they faithfully followed both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed with the Late Mrs. Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Mr. Anirban Kazi.

Nonetheless, the makers stressed that they offer sincere apologies if their interpretation has ‘hurt sentiments’ or caused unintended distress. 

“We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective if our interpretation has hurt sentiments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies,” the statement concluded.

The Film ‘Pippa’ starring Ishaan Khatter and Mrunal Thakur, was released on Amazon Prime Video on 10th November. It is based on real-life events that took place during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which led to the birth of Bangladesh. It has based the story on the book ‘The Burning Chaffees’ by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta.

Moreover, the movie’s title pays homage to the amphibious war tank, the PT-76 (Palavushi Tanka), nicknamed “Pippa” for its ability to float on water akin to an empty tin of ghee. The film narrates a story of patriotism and traces the coming of age of Captain Balram Mehta (essayed by Ishaan) of the 45 Cavalry Tank Squadron. The film revolves around the valour and bravery of Balram Mehta and the Indian Armed Forces as they engage in a war for the liberation of another country.

Kerala: Convict Ashfaq Alam given the death penalty for rape and murder of 5-year-old girl in Aluva

ANI
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Kerala: Convict Ashfaq Alam given the death penalty for rape and murder of 5-year-old girl in Aluva

The Ernakulam POCSO Court in Kerala on Tuesday awarded the death sentence to Ashfaq Alam for the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Aluva, nearly four months after the incident that sent shock waves across the State.

Additionally, Alam was awarded five counts of life sentences for the remainder of his natural life under five sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

He was sentenced to five years for destroying evidence, three years for drugging the minor, life imprisonment for raping the minor and received the death penalty for the murder and rape of the minor.

“These five life sentences will run concurrently,” read the court judgment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 7,20,000 on Alam, a migrant labourer hailing from Bihar.

The court sentenced the accused under various sections of the IPC, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.

The accused Ashfaq Alam who was arrested on Friday, July 28 on the same night of the crime, was present in court when the Additional District and Sessions Judge K Soman pronounced the judgment.

The conviction and sentence were handed down within four months of the incident.

The Ernakulam Court had begun hearing the matter on September 7. Charges were framed and read over to the accused on September 16, following which a trial began on October 4. Alam was convicted for his crime on November 4 and the punishment for the crime was pronounced today.

On July 28, a 5-year-old girl was kidnapped from her home at around 3 pm and raped in Aluva municipality, which comes under Ernakulam district in Kerala. Later, she was murdered and was dumped in a marshy area near Aluva market, police said. After a thorough investigation, the suspect in the crime was arrested.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police, which probed the case had submitted an 800-page charge sheet against the accused in a POCSO court on September 2.

The investigation and trial were completed over a period of three months.

Kochi police said that CCTV footage from the day of the murder helped them arrest the accused and crack the case.

The child was found after a coordinated search conducted by police and locals the locals who also saw the accused kidnapping the child. The child’s family had been living in Edapparum and surviving on miscellaneous jobs for the last decade.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had termed the incident an “isolated one” and accused the Opposition in the state of only trying to ‘tarnish’ the image of the government.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Man claims he received threats for being in ‘live-in relationship’ with his girlfriend without divorcing wife; court refuses to help by terming it bigamy

OpIndia Staff
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Man claims he received threats for being in ‘live-in relationship’ with his girlfriend without divorcing wife; court refuses to help by terming it bigamy

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday (13th November) ruled in an important decision that a couple living together without getting a divorce from their previous marriage cannot be categorized as being in a “live-in relationship” or an association similar to marriage. The court went on to say that such an arrangement would constitute bigamy under Sections 494/495 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. 

“It seems that the purpose of this petition is to avoid criminal prosecution for adultery… The real intention behind this petition is to seek validation from the court for their actions,” the court noted.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari made these remarks while dismissing an appeal filed by a Punjab couple seeking court protection. The couple claimed that their relationship was putting their lives in danger. The duo also stated that they were adults and that the female was born in January 2002 and the male partner was born in 1996.

The couple stated that they had been in a “live-in relationship” since September 2023 and that while the male partner’s family approved of their relationship, the female partner’s relatives were against it and threatened them. Fearing for their safety and freedom, the couple petitioned the High Court for protection.

The court noted during the hearing that the male partner was already married and had a two-year-old daughter. He hadn’t gotten a divorce from his current wife. According to the court, “the male partner is engaging in a lustful and adulterous life with the female partner without obtaining a valid divorce from his previous spouse, which may constitute an offence punishable under Sections 494/495 (bigamy) of the IPC.”

Furthermore, the court dismissed the couple’s allegations of life-threatening threats as unsubstantiated and lacking in detail.

‘BhuPay karo’: Union Minister Anurag Thakur slams Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel over 508 crore bribery allegations in Mahadev App case

ANI
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‘BhuPay karo’: Union Minister Anurag Thakur slams Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel over 508 crore bribery allegations in Mahadev App case

 Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and said that if people involved in the Delhi Liquor Scam couldn’t escape, nobody involved in the Mahadev App would be able to escape.

Anurag Thakur held a press conference in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

“After the Mahadev app scam, Chhattisgarh CM is hiding his face. If the people involved in Delhi’s liquor policy scam were not able to escape, here too, no one would be able to escape. ‘Paisa Kamao…Bhupay karo’ this continued for 5 years. Betting continued and the Chief Minister’s office continued providing protection to the accused. 508 crore rupees were collected from Mahadev App. Now there will be neither Congress government nor corruption,” Anurag Thakur said.

Continuing his attack on Congress, Thakur said that if people want guarantees they would take the guarantees of PM Modi.

“I want to tell the youths if you want to take guarantees, take those of (given by) PM Modi. What the Bhupesh Baghel government was not able to give in five years, we will give within five weeks on the occasion of former PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee’s birthday on December 25. This is PM Modi’s guarantee,” he added.

He also announced that if the BJP government forms in Chhattisgarh, women in the state will get the cylinder for Rs 500 irrespective of the increase in price.

“There were 19 paper leaks in Rajasthan. Only Congress people got employment in Chhattisgarh. We will not let paper leaks happen. We will give employment to youth. There will be PSC exams like UPSC, with honesty. India is the fastest growing economy in the world and now we are at the 5th position too. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi that all your guarantees have failed in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh. What guarantee will one give to someone who has no guarantee of his own?” Anurag Thakur said.

“We will buy 21 quintals per acre of paddy for Rs 3100 and the remaining bonus of Rs 300 for 2 years will also be given by December 25. A bonus of up to Rs 45 will also be given on tendu leaves. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, free treatment worth Rs 10 lakh will be provided and 500 new Jan Aushadi centres will also be opened for affordable medicines. 4 crore families got permanent houses in the country through PM Aawas Yojana. But arrogant Bhupesh Baghel did not allow the 18 lakh houses given by Modi ji to be built,” the Union Minister added.

Chhattisgarh is voting in two phases, with the first phase of 20 seats having concluded on November 7. The remaining 70 seats will go for polling on November 17. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

AMU-ISIS link deepens: Mother-in-law of ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ mastermind Wajihuddin works at AMU, Rakib did M.Tech from AMU before joining ISIS

राहुल पाण्डेय
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AMU-ISIS link deepens: Mother-in-law of ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ mastermind Wajihuddin works at AMU, Rakib did M.Tech from AMU before joining ISIS

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested 4 terrorists associated with the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ on 11 November 2023 (Saturday). So far, 7 people in this module have been arrested in November alone. The arrested terror suspects have been identified as Abdullah Arshlan, Maaz bin Tariq, Naved, Wajiuddin, Rakib Imam, Noman, and Mohammad Nazim. 

While some of them are still studying at Aligarh Muslim University, a few of them have passed out and are now doing jobs or businesses. The ATS also revealed that the mother-in-law of arrested Wajihuddin Ali Khan, who was pursuing PhD at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh, is working as a nurse at the university.

ISIS terrorist Wajihuddin Ali Khan’s mother-in-law is a staff nurse at AMU

The Uttar Pradesh Police’s ‘Anti-Terrorism Branch’ (ATS) had apprehended Wajihuddin Ali Khan on November 7 from Durg, Chhattisgarh. This was considered the biggest arrest in the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ case so far. Wajihudding was also connected to the Pune ISIS network.

Wajihuddin is originally from Durg in Chhattisgarh. Wajihuddin came to Aligarh about 10 years ago. He was pursuing his PhD at AMU. Wajihuddin used to teach social science subjects (history, geography, and civics) to his junior students including Hindu students in Aligarh. He was known as ‘Amir’ by those who embraced his ideology. The word Amir is considered the title of a king among Muslims.

According to information received by OpIndia, this dates back to the year 2010 when a radical Islamist named Harish Farooqui, who is being monitored by the NIA (National Investigation Agency) and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, was trying to establish a terror network in Aligarh. In his group back then, Harish Farooqui was known as ‘Amir.’ Farooqui is a former student of AMU and is considered to have played an instrumental role in setting up the SAMU Group. He has been on the run since Shahnawaz, who was linked to the Pune ISIS network, was arrested by the Delhi Police.

After some time Wajihuddin came in contact with the radical elements of AMU. Wajihuddin was a gifted speaker who quickly established himself at SAMU (Students of AMU group).

Gradually Wajihuddin started giving provocative speeches not only to radicalise and instigate youths against their religion but also the country. He said several objectionable things against the Hindu religion.

Wajihuddin Ali Khan was an Islamic preacher associated with the Al Haya Min Allah campaign and group and used to preach ‘Haya’ extensively. In our report, we discovered how he used to go from place to place at AMU with a portable mic and talked about following Islamic principles. In fact, one of Wajihuddin’s speeches was shared by Students of AMU on its page during anti-CAA protests. The speech was given during Jinnah’s poster row before anti-CAA protests. SAMU said it was relevant during those protests as well. Wajihuddin was extensively active during anti-CAA protests. 

Interestingly, Wajihuddin Ali Khan extended his support to PFI and Sharjeel Imam on his Facebook profile. As of now, Wajihuddin’s Facebook profile stands either locked or suspended.

Wajihuddin got married in Aligarh. His mother-in-law is a nurse posted at Aligarh Medical College. It is said that she was greatly influenced by the religious ideas of Wajihuddin. Wajihuddin has two brothers-in-law, one of whom is a minor currently studying in class 12 while the other is often ill. Wajihuddin was living at his mother-in-law’s house for about 3 months before his arrest.

Notably, before Wajihuddin was arrested, ATS had also searched Wajihuddin’s mother-in-law’s home. That time his wife was in the Durg.

Wajihuddin along with Abdullah Arshlan, another ISIS terrorist apprehended by UP ATS in connection with the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ case ran SAMU’s YouTube channel. Wajihuddin himself has posted all his speeches on this channel.

Wajihuddin had discovered an alternate escape route after learning about the arrest of his associates. Instead of taking the train directly from Aligarh, he first went to Mathura. From there he took the train to Durg. However, ATS finally caught him from Durg in Chhattisgarh.

Rakib Imam- one of the 7 arrested ISIS terrorists joined ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ after doing his M-Tech from AMU

Rakib Imam holds an M.Tech degree from Aligarh Muslim University in mechanical engineering. He completed his course in 2020 and started teaching the students at the university. It has been told that Rakib Imam has also taught at the Islamic Mission School, Aligarh. This is the same school which was in the year 2018 issued a show cause notice for portraying Indian fugitive and radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik as “an important Islamic personality” in a textbook published for Class 5.

Islamic Mission School in Aligarh stoked another controversy last year when it allegedly expelled a three-year-old girl from the school for not wearing a hijab. The father of the girl had in his complaint stated that neither Hindi was taught nor the national anthem was sung in the school. He further said in his complaint that his daughter is still unable to recognize Hindi words. When he talked to the girl about this, he came to know that only Urdu was taught in the school.

Rakib, in his LinkedIn profile, also describes himself as a JEE/NEET faculty at the Avanti Learning Centre.

Rakib is originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district. OpIndia made numerous calls to the numbers listed on the school board. Unfortunately, no one answered the phone. We will update the report as soon as we hear from the school.

Who is Noman Siddiqui, who was arrested along with Rakib Imam

Noman Siddiqui, who was arrested along with Rakib Imam on November 11, is originally a resident of Sambhal district. He has an ancestral business of fish farming in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.

Anti-Hindu speeches were made

In a video accessed by OpIndia, Abu Bakr Fazili, associated with SAMU, can be heard declaring that he accepts the rule of Allah and not of any human being. He had reportedly said this in a speech he gave in AMU’s Kennedy Auditorium in the year 2015. In this speech, it was announced to crush those who come in the way of Islamic rule. Apart from this, objectionable comments have been made about the Hindu religion in many other videos. Wajihuddin can also be seen on the stages in these videos.

Many terrorists of ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ still absconding

The ATS is looking for several terrorists belonging to the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ who are still evading arrest. Faizan Bakhtiar, Abdul Samad Malik, Rizwan, and Harish Farooqui are prominent names among them. The family of Harish Farooqui resides in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. Faizan Bakhtiar is from the Prayagraj area, whereas Abdul Samad Malik is originally from Sambhal. The ATS is working to apprehend these suspects based on details given by the arrested terrorists during interrogation.

Mumbai: Raees Shaikh and Waseem Khan wear burqa to loot valuables from Muslim houses, arrested after CCTV evidence

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Raees Shaikh and Waseem Khan wear burqa to loot valuables from Muslim houses, arrested after CCTV evidence

A pair of thieves has been arrested by the MIDC police for committing theft at several houses in Mumbai. The accused have been identified as Raees Abdul Ahad Shaikh, 36, and Waseem Khalid Khan alias Billa, 33.

The two accused used a burqa to hide their identity and used the cover to avoid suspicion and evade the police. However, they were caught unawares in a CCTV footage of one of the households they had targeted.

The footage reportedly shows one of the accused wearing a burqa inside a house they were stealing from. The family’s domestic help had gone to receive their daughter from school and when she returned, she found the bedroom ransacked.

A mid-day report quoting the MIDC police revealed that valuables and cash worth around Rs 4.5 lakh were missing. The victim has been identified as Zaheer Ansari, 45, from Andheri’s Marol area.

The accused would generally target Muslim households, as per reports. One of the accused named Shaikh would wear the burqa to blend in and would remove the same once he entered the targeted house. According to a report, the accused said wearing a burqa made it easier to conduct illicit activities.

It was also easier for them to hide stolen valuables and cash inside a burqa. The accused often targeted households that were frequently closed.

Shaikh would then search the house for valuables and steal them while Khan, the other accused, would be stationed outside to alert Shaikh if anyone approached.

Shaikh’s latest theft which landed him in the police net was to repay an acquaintance who had bailed him out from jail.

An officer from the MIDC police reportedly said, “Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone X Datta Nalawade, Senior Police Inspector (PI) Satish Gaikwad, Assistant Police Inspector (API) Manoj Darade, and Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Anandrao Kashid, the investigation team comprised Constable Gautam Bade, Head Constable Tanaji Avhad, Constable Tushar Jadhav, Constable Ashol Avghade, Constable Prakash Shinde and Constable Dinesh Lokhande. The duo was found in Jogeshwari East, Bandra Plot area, and arrested.”

Cases have been filed against the duo reportedly in 18 police stations across Mumbai and Palghar. Shaikh was arrested by the Kandivali police a few months ago and released on bail this month.

According to a police source cited by mid-day, one of Shaikh’s acquaintances paid for his bail in exchange for repayment of double the bail amount. Shaikh planned a theft on 3rd November to repay the acquaintance.

More than 1,700 Jewish Harvard alumni threaten to withdraw donations to the University over antisemitism on the campus

OpIndia Staff
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More than 1,700 Jewish Harvard alumni threaten to withdraw donations to the University over antisemitism on the campus

A growing number of Jewish alumni and students from Harvard are expressing their concerns over the rising antisemitism in the University. More than 1700 such alumni have written a letter to the University President Claudine Gay and the Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana.

In their letter, open to signature by more alumni, the group has demanded that the management crackdown on antisemitism on campus or they will stop donations to the university. So far, over 1,700 members of the Harvard College Jewish Alumni Association (HCJAA) have signed the open letter that condemns anti-Israel protests at the university campus amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

According to media accounts, the group was formed last month in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel on 7th October. During those attacks, over 1,200 Israelis, predominantly civilians were subjected to brutal killings, torture, and assault. The attack by Hamas terrorists marked the largest single-day massacre of Jewish individuals since the Holocaust.

In their open letter, the Jewish alumni group expressed disappointment that thirty Harvard student groups “justified” the 7th October terror attacks and claimed that Israel was responsible for it. 

The HCJAA group’s open letter states, “These horrific events were met with acclaim by over thirty Harvard student groups, who called the intentional slaughter of civilians ‘justified’ and claimed that Israel was ‘solely responsible.’ This deluded romanticisation of violence has been matched by calls for more violence and the obliteration of the state of Israel ‘by any means necessary’.” 

The letter added, “We never thought that, at Harvard College, we would have to argue the point that terrorism against civilians demands immediate and unequivocal condemnation.”

The alumni group also criticised Harvard for remaining silent during the anti-Israel and antisemitic protests. It said, “We never thought we would have to argue for recognition of our own humanity.”

According to the organisers, the HCJAA is the first Jewish alumni association in the history of the university and asked the university to formally recognise the HCJAA as a university-sanctioned special interest group (SIG).

An organiser of the HCJAA, Rebecca Claire Brooks told Fox News Digital that their group is the first Jewish alumni association in the history of Harvard University. They are calling on Harvard University to take urgent action to protect Jewish students on campus and curb hate speech and antisemitism.

Brooks said, “Around the country, we are seeing the intense cyberbullying of Jewish students calling for the death of all Jews, screaming at and targeting Jewish students, death threats on Jewish students, disruptive rallies that involve incitements to violence, projections of antisemitic messages onto campus property, and at times, open hostility toward Jewish students and Israeli students by professors and faculty in the course of class.”

The open letter also listed several steps to deal with antisemitism at Harvard. Through their letter, the Jewish alumni group argued that the university should enforce its code of conduct on students and groups that have been targeting Jews with statements like “Jews should be gassed” and “all Jews are colonisers deserving of death.” 

They also demanded that the university should adopt the definition of “antisemitism” as articulated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). 

The letter further recommended, “An immediate plan and robust commitment by the College and University to curb the dissemination of hate speech and to limit the disruptiveness of rallies so that they do not interfere with students’ abilities to participate in their classes, to enter into their dorms, and to move peacefully through the campus.”

It is important to note that Harvard has been facing severe criticism since 34 student organisations signed a statement that was issued by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups. The controversial letter began by blaming the “Israeli regime” for “all unfolding violence” in the hours after the unprecedented attack. 

Days after the attack, President Gay initially released a brief message asserting that she condemns Hamas’ attacks, however, she did not explicitly denounce the student groups’ controversial opinion. Later, she announced the creation of an advisory council to combat antisemitism on Harvard’s campus.

Earlier on Thursday (9th November), Gay wrote a letter to members of the Harvard Community, in which she reaffirmed Harvard’s commitment to “protecting all members of the community from harassment and marginalisation.”

High-profile billionaire alumni, such as Bill Ackman from Pershing Square and former Victoria’s Secret CEO Leslie Wexner, have already warned that they might stop donating unless Harvard addresses the issue. Now, a significant number of alumni, have also announced that they are considering withholding their donations.

A separate pledge from Harvard alumni declared that they would only donate one dollar to Harvard until substantial reforms are implemented.

Brooks added, “Since delivering our open letter to the University, growing numbers of alumni have also spearheaded a one-dollar pledge campaign as a means of voicing their disappointment and heartbreak with the University, as well as their desire to see the reforms asked for in the open letter carried into fruition.”

As per Fox News, around 148 alumni have publicly committed to the One Dollar Pledge.

British ISIS terrorist from ‘The Beatles’ group sentenced to 8 years in prison over terrorism charges

OpIndia Staff
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British ISIS terrorist from ‘The Beatles’ group sentenced to 8 years in prison over terrorism charges

A Muslim convert suspected of being a part of the IS death squad dubbed ‘The Beatles’ was sentenced to eight years in prison on Monday (13th November) in the United Kingdom. Aine Leslie Davis, 39, of London, was sentenced to six years in prison at the Old Bailey for keeping a firearm and two years for funding terrorism.

He admitted the charges last month after the Court of Appeal denied his request to dismiss them. Davis was deported from Turkey in August and detained upon arrival at Luton airport after serving a 7-and-a-half-year sentence for terrorist group membership.

Notably, he has always denied any involvement with The Beatles cell which had tortured and beheaded Western hostages in Syria between 2012 and 2015. In 2022, a French journalist who was abducted by the Islamic State in Syria testified that his captors had forced him and other hostages to perform a grotesque version of the Eagles’ song ‘Hotel California,’ called ‘Hotel Osama.’

At the trial of terrorist El Shafee Elsheikh in 2022, a 33-year-old former British national, Nicolas Henin remarked, “It was terrifying for us, a joke for them.” Henin is one of several former prisoners who testified in federal court against a member of the notorious kidnapping and murder cell of ISIS known as the “Beatles.”

The Islamic State terrorist group known as “The Beatles” was composed of four British terrorists. The members of the group were called “John,” “Paul,” “George,” and “Ringo” by their hostages, who modelled the group after the English rock band The Beatles.

The terrorist group was responsible for the beheadings of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning, in Iraq and Syria in 2014. In Western Raqqa, Syria, the group also held more than 20 Western hostages. They allegedly tortured captives with electroshock weapons and subjected them to mock executions and waterboarding.

In Turkey, one of the terrorists was killed and another was arrested and imprisoned in November 2015. Two were apprehended in early 2018, transferred to US military custody, and sentenced to life in prison in the United States in 2022.

Between 2012 and 2015, several European journalists and charity workers were released after ransoms were paid but the Americans were beheaded and films of their deaths were broadcast by IS for propaganda purposes.

Notably, ‘John’ from the group was later identified as Mohammed Emwazi, ‘George’ was jihadist Alexanda Kotey, and the other two were identified as El Shafee Elsheikh ‘Ringo’ and Aine Lesley Davis ‘Paul’. Jihadi John was killed in a drone strike in 2015, the other two are serving life in the US, and Aine Leslie Davis was sentenced to eight years in prison on Monday (13th November).

Anti-India Jeremy Corbyn, whom Rahul Gandhi met in 2022, refuses to call Hamas a terror group despite being asked at least 19 times: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Anti-India Jeremy Corbyn, whom Rahul Gandhi met in 2022, refuses to call Hamas a terror group despite being asked at least 19 times: Details

Former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn while being interviewed by Piers Morgan on Talk TV refused to call Hamas a terrorist group despite being asked at least 19 times. The 1-minute 43-second clip doing the rounds on X, formerly Twitter, shows Piers Morgan grilling Corbyn in clear words, “Are Hamas a terror group?”

Jeremy Corbyn remains visibly uncomfortable through the course of questioning and even gets annoyed and attempts to circle around the question but fails to reply in clear words. All he manages to say is that he does not approve, support or welcome Hamas. And yet Corbyn is unable to call Hamas a terror group.

When Morgan says that it’s a critical question, Corbyn, unable to answer, says, “Are you done yet?” Morgan points out that the UK considers Hamas a terror group and asks Corbyn if he agrees and if should they stay in power. Corbyn, rolling his eyes, says that everybody knows what they are.

He then tells Morgan, “Can we have a discussion? Is it possible to have a rational discussion?” and then tries to corner the show host. At one point Corbyn does appear to attempt to answer but only finds it in himself to appropriate his reply by saying that “a ceasefire means both sides (interrupted)”.

It is only natural for Jeremy Corbyn to not be able to call out terrorists because he is known to support them. In the past, Corbyn has referred to Hamas and Hezbollah, radical Islamic terrorists, as ‘friends’, a statement which he later said he regretted but vowed that he would not stop talking with them.

In return, Corbyn received a ringing endorsement and a “salute” from Hamas. “We have received with great respect and appreciation the solidarity message sent by the British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to the participants in the mass rally,” Hamas said in a statement.

Jeremy Corbyn has a long and chequered history of supporting terrorists and extremists everywhere. Whether they were from Ireland or Kashmir, Lebanon or Gaza, Corbyn has always found a soft spot for them.

Corbyn has often supported Kashmiri separatists against India with the same narrative that is used by Pakistan on the matter. Anti-semitism and racism are also some of the many allegations levelled against Corbyn.

Moreover, Corbyn was at the protests held by Islamists in the UK on 11th November, when the country was marking Armistice Day. Piers Morgan mentioned the same and asked Corbyn about the anti-semitic elements who were changing hateful slogans at the so-called protests.

“I am concerned about the ones who were chanting death to the Jews, the ones who were wearing Hamas regalia, the one (interrupted)..,” the show host asked when he was interrupted by a second panellist, the former general secretary of UK Len McCluskey.

Jeremy Corbyn justified the presence of hateful elements at the 11th November march by saying that a large number of Jews were also protesting simultaneously. And yet, when the host asked Corbyn if he as condemned Hamas, Corbyn says, “Of course I have on every speech, on every speech that I have made I have utterly condemned the killing of October 7th and it was a taking of innocent life, it was totally wrong under any circumstances.”

And immediately he jumps to the next sentence taking a 180-degree u-turn saying that you don’t bring back the tragedy of those 1400 deaths by killing 10,000 people in Gaza. At this point, Piers Morgan shoots the question. “Do you think Hamas should stay in charge of Palestinians in Gaza?” Morgan asks Corbyn.

Videos from the Armistice Day march by “pro-Palestinians” show Islamists vandalising British structures, reading Namaz on the streets,

Corbyn, again finds himself in a tough spot and says that it is not for us to decide who is in charge of the Palestinians. Len McCluskey joined to suggest how to get Hamas once and for all. And the onus that he puts on Israel recommending that the latter should give what Hamas wants.

“Get the Israeli government to comply with international law, withdraw from the occupied territories, dismantle the illegal settlements and build a viable Palestine,” McCluskey suggests. When countered by Morgan asking why would that stop Hamas, he says that because “there would not be a need for Hamas”.

Piers Morgan also hit Corbyn’s raw nerve when he said “You used to call them (Hamas) friends” referring to the Labour leader’s statement in the past where he called Hamas and Hezbollah his “friends”. He kept denying during the interview that he did.

The anti-India inclinations of Jeremy Corbyn and his meeting with Rahul Gandhi

In May 2022, Rahul Gandhi met Jeremy Corbyn during his visit to Britain. Interestingly, Gandhi chose to visit Corbyn, despite the latter’s controversial past, most notably his anti-India stance. He has always supported Kashmiri separatists and perpetuated Pakistan’s rhetoric on the subject of Kashmir. During his time as the head of the Labour Party, his party’s MPs tried to interfere in the Kashmir issue several times, repeating Pakistan’s talking points. The Labour Party even passed a resolution asking for international intervention in Kashmir and a call for a UN-led referendum during Corbyn’s tenure.

Corbyn himself directly tried to interfere in Kashmir through the Congress party when he met their representatives to discuss the issue of Kashmir, though neither Corbyn nor Congress was in power at that time.

Deoband: Maulana Syed Arshad Madani demands separate schools for Muslim girls fearing their ‘conversion’

OpIndia Staff
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Deoband: Maulana Syed Arshad Madani demands separate schools for Muslim girls fearing their ‘conversion’

On Monday (13th November), Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Syed Arshad Madani urged the Muslim community to establish separate schools for Muslim girls in India. Maulana Madani said that the Muslim girls are being targeted deliberately and that they need to go to separate Muslim schools. He was speaking at a one-day conference held in Deoband by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

According to a report by Amar Ujala, around 500 Jamiat officials from 17 districts of Western Uttar Pradesh participated in the one-day conference organised at Madani Memorial Public School located on Kasimpura Marg on 13th November. During the conference, Maulana Syed Arshad Madani made controversial statements on a variety of issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict and rising communalism.

Madani said during the conference that ‘communalism’ in India has increased due to the Israel-Hamas war. “The Palestinian people are fighting for their freedom, while Israel wants to enslave them. Freedom of any country is not achieved just like that but by making sacrifices,” he said.

According to Maulana Madani, innocent people are dying as a result of Israel’s ‘barbaric’ actions. Even innocent children’s blood is being shed, but one cannot turn away from the truth, which is that Palestine will live free. People who raise communal slogans, according to Maulana Arshad Madani, should consider that they are destroying the country rather than making it prosperous. As a result, everyone should work to prevent the country from going down this path.

Maulana Madani further said that the condition of India is so bad that even a small vehicle collision can lead to murder. He also said that Muslim girls are being converted. “It is clear that in Hindu religion, marriage of one caste cannot happen with another caste. Then why are Muslim girls being targeted? Therefore, Muslims should establish separate schools and colleges for their daughters,” Maulana Madani was was quoted as saying.

Officials from 17 districts, including Ghaziabad, Shamli, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Aligarh, Moradabad, Aligarh, Meerut, Baghpat participated in the one-day conference of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind.

The conference was presided over by provincial president Maulana Ashad Rashidi and conducted by Mufti Ashfaq Qasmi. Maulana Habibullah Madani, Maulana Azhar Madani, Maulana Mufti Khadimul Islam, Hafiz Abdul Quddus Hadi, Asif Qureshi, and others also participated in it.

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