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The Asia Cup Saga continues: Sri Lanka may host the tournament as India refuses to play cricket in Pakistan

Anurag
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The Asia Cup Saga continues: Sri Lanka may host the tournament as India refuses to play cricket in Pakistan

On May 9, Pakistani cricket fan Farid Khan, who has worked with Pakistan Super League and Lanka Premier League and founded Cricket Den, wrote a long and “heartfelt” note to the President of the Asian Cricket Council and Honorary Secretary of BCCI Jay Shah, requesting him to let the Indian cricket team play matches during upcoming Asia Cup in Pakistan.

Pakistani fan’s note to Jay Shah. Source: Twitter

The cry for help came after the reports that the Asia Cup will most likely move out of Pakistan and will be held in Sri Lanka. Pakistan may not even participate in the tournament if it moves out to another country. Earlier, there were reports that the tournament may take place in the UAE. The final decision is to be taken by the end of May.

Are Pakistani fans living under the rock for too long?

Farid expressed his dismay that the Indian cricket team did not visit Pakistan since 2008. However, he missed a crucial point about why the team never went to Pakistan. After the deadly Mumbai terror attack of November 26, 2008, the so-called cricket diplomacy stopped between the two countries.

He further claimed that being a regular fan of India and Pakistan has nothing to do with the geopolitics and politics of either country. Interesting to see Farid talking about no interest in geopolitics when he used the term “Azad Kashmir”, which the Pakistanis use for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, in March 2023 when an earthquake hit the area.

Farid used “Azad Kashmir” for PoK but he claims cricket fans have nothing to do with geopolitics. Source: Twitter

Farid claimed the sportsmen have acted as ambassadors and bridges between the two countries. Either Farid lives under some rock, or he is completely cut off from news reports because the sportsmen from Pakistan have shown their anti-India colours on countless occasions. There is no need to go back in the far past either.

In a recent interview, former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad said, “If you are destined to die, you will die. Life and death are in the hands of the Almighty.” Miandad wanted India not to care for the security of its players and let them visit Pakistan even if there were death threats. Is such a statement anywhere close to building bridges or acting as an ambassador?

Furthermore, Miandad had angrily asked India to “go to hell” in February this year when the reports came out that it was almost definite that Indian Cricket Team would not visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup. That is very “parliamentary” of the ex-cricketer to say about India.

Pakistan categorically said it would boycott World Cup 2023 if India refused to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

Chronology of India’s Objection to Pakistan Being Asia Cup Host

It all started in June 2020 when Pakistan was expected to host Asia Cup 2020. At that time, India objected to Pakistan being the tournament host. A meeting occurred between ACC and PCB, after which PCB said it would let  Sri Lanka host Aisa Cup 2020.

Owing to Covid-19, the tournament was postponed to June 2021, and Sri Lanka was to host the tournament. However, in March 2021, India qualified for the final match of the World Test Championship, which clashed with the June 2021 schedule of the Asia Cup. The tournament was again postponed to 2023.

Pakistan was scheduled to host the 2022 Asia Cup, and ACC postponed the tournament till 2023, so multiple meetings were held to decide who would host the Asia Cup in 2023. In October 2021, Ramiz Raja, then-PCB chairman, confirmed Pakistan would host Asia Cup 2023.

In October 2022, BCCI secretary and ACC President Jay Shah announced India would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament because of the political tension between the two countries. He added the Asia Cup would be held at a “neutral venue”.

Irked by the statement, PCB called for an emergency meeting with the ACC board. PCB claimed the statement would impact Pakistan’s participation in World Cup 2023 and other ICC tournaments in the 2024-2031 cycle.

In December 2022, Ramiz Raza said Pakistan might consider withdrawing hosting rights.

Since February 2023, there has been an argument between PCB, ACC and BCCI about the venue of the Asia Cup. Initially, it was proposed that the tournament could be shifted to UAE. However, later reports suggested Sri Lanka may host the tournament. Notably, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have supported the move.

Anti-India statements will not help

Former Pakistani cricket Shahid Afridi recently targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking about Asia Cup. On May 5, he reportedly said, “Ever since Modi has come to power, you can’t expect anything from him in Pakistan’s favour. I am only talking about Modi. I have no expectations from him whatsoever. He will only harm us; I don’t see him doing anything in our (Pakistan’s) favour.”

His statement came only weeks after he called on PM Modi to allow cricket matches between the neighbouring countries on the sidelines of Legends League Cricket. In another statement, he blamed the Indian government for not letting players visit Pakistan.

This was not the first time Shahid Afridi spewed venom against India. In February 2023, speaking to Samaa TV about Asia Cup, he said, “If anyone cannot stand on his own feet, then the decision to make such strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. India agar aankhe dikha raha hain or taking such a strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they can talk like this. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the courage. In the end, make yourself strong and then take decisions.”

During the Legends League in Qatar, Shahid Afridi sparked controversy by giving autographs on Indian Tricolour while keeping the flag on his thigh. Indian cricket fans slammed Afridi and called for action against the former Pakistani skipper, stating that disrespecting the flag in any form is a crime.

From time to time, Afridi has supported separatism in Kashmir. Characterising separatist leader and terrorist Yasin Malik as a freedom fighter of “Kashmir’s struggle”, Afridi painted Malik as a victim of “fabricated charges” even though Malik had pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against him.

“India’s continued attempts to silence critical voices against its blatant human rights abuses are futile. Fabricated charges against #YasinMalik will not put a hold on # Kashmir’s struggle for freedom. Urging the #UN to take notice of unfair & illegal trails against Kashmir leaders,” Shahid Afridi tweeted.

Shahid Afridi was also the star attraction of the Kashmir Premier League, which was held in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), where he warned BCCI during his stay.

For former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, a cricket match against India was always a ‘jihad.’

Former Pakistan cricket captain and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan had once said he viewed a cricketing contest against India not as a mundane match but as jihad. The revelation was made by former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarathy, who a Pakistani journalist once told that when he asked Imran Khan how he bowls with such fire against India, he responded, ‘Whenever I play against India, I don’t treat it as a game, I think of Kashmir and treat it as a jihad’.

Waqar Younis rant against Hindus

During a talk show last year, Waqar Younis praised the Pakistani players for offering Namaz at the ground. He was visibly gloating over the fact that Namaz was offered in “front of Hindus”. He said, “The manner in which Babar and Rizwan batted, sensible yet aggressive, the strike-rotation, the look on their faces, it was amazing. The best thing, what Rizwan did, Mashallah, he offered the Namaz on the ground surrounded by Hindus, that was really something very special for me.”

Shoaib Akhtar endorsed the two-nation theory

In an interview on the Indian channel Aaj Tak, Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently endorsed the two-nation theory that led to the partition of India. While speaking on a cricket show organised by the channel, Shoaib Akhtar said he believed in the two-nation theory. Shoaib Akhtar had lent his support to an extremist ideology as well. In a news chat show, Shoaib Akhtar advocated the Islamic supremacist fantasy of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, stating that Islamic forces will capture Kashmir and invade India.

Saeed Anwar had said all non-Muslims would be incinerated in hellfire

Former Pakistani batsman Saeed Anwar was another cricketer who supported Islamic supremacism and treated non-Muslims contemptuously. In a meeting, Anwar said all non-Muslims would be incinerated in hellfire, and it was the duty of Muslims to save them by converting them to Islam.

The list of anti-India Pakistani crickets is long and never-lasting. India has maintained its stand that diplomacy and terrorism cannot walk simultaneously. The Indian cricket team has not visited Pakistan since 2008 and has no plans to visit Pakistan anytime in the near future.

Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled for September.

“Ready to die than live under these duffers…” Imran Khan before his arrest

ANI
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“Ready to die than live under these duffers…” Imran Khan before his arrest

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was arrested by Rangers from outside Islamabad High Court Tuesday, had said earlier in the day that the Shehbaz Sharif government wants to put him in jail and he is ready for it.

“I am ready to die than live under these duffers, the question is are you ready? There is no case on me. They want to put me in jail, I am ready for it,” Imran Khan said in a video posted on his Twitter handle. 

“My reply to ISPR and attempts by PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement) and their handlers to arrest me for two reasons: one, to prevent me from campaigning because Insha Allah when elections are announced I will be doing jalsas; two, to prevent me from mobilising the masses for street movement in support of Constitution if PDM government and their handlers refuse to obey the SC and violate Constitution on holding of elections,” he added.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief doubled down on his allegations against a serving senior military officer, who Khan has accused on several occasions of hatching a plot to assassinate him.

In his video, Imran Khan replied to the ISPR and “attempts by PDM and their handlers” regarding his arrest. He said that he was departing for the federal capital as he was scheduled to appear before two courts.
His biting rejoinder comes a day after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that “irresponsible and baseless allegations” by Imran against the said military officer without evidence were “extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable”.

During a rally on Saturday, the PTI chairman had once again named a senior intelligence official for orchestrating plans to murder him. “I am on the roads despite verifiable threats to my life. I have already escaped an assassination attempt once. On the second occasion, I was able to sniff out murder planning,” he had said.

This was not the first time the ex-premier has made these claims. After an assassination attempt last year, Imran had held Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and the senior intelligence official as being responsible for the bid to assassinate him and demanded they resign.

“Before I leave, I want to say two things. Firstly, the ISPR has issued a statement that the institution has been disrespected — the army has been disrespected [by] naming an intelligence officer who has tried to kill me twice,” Imran Khan said.

“ISPR sahib, listen to me carefully. Respect is not [confined] to a single institution; respect should be for every single citizen.

“This man tried to kill me twice and whenever an investigation is carried out, I will prove that it was this man and there is a whole gang with him,” Imran said, adding that the nation was well aware of who was standing with the officer in question.
“My question is: [Despite being] a country’s ex-prime minister — because this man’s name has come forward — [why was] I unable to register a first information report (FIR)?” he added.

Imran Khan said that the truth would only surface once an investigation is carried out. “If he was innocent, it would have been revealed,” the PTI chief said, terming the officer in question to be such a “powerful personality” that he was unable to register a case despite being in power in Punjab.

He said that two senior police officials had refused to become a part of the joint investigation team (JIT) formed by the Punjab government to investigate the attack on his life in Wazirabad. “Who was behind it? Who was this powerful?”

He alleged that when the JIT determined that three shooters were involved in the incident, the team itself was “sabotaged” and that four Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials changed their statements.
“The prosecutor general investigated. He said action should be taken against the four because they tried to sabotage [the JIT]. Who was behind them? Who was this powerful?”

Imran Khan further claimed that he would prove that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had taken over the Judicial Complex in Islamabad the night before he went to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case in March.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chairman has already claimed that he did not disembark from his vehicle because “unknown people” were positioned and there with plans to kill him.

“I will prove that ISI [officials] were present in CTD uniforms and lawyers’ garb. I will prove that a brigadier, who I will not name, was there to monitor everything. What was the ISI doing there?” Imran Khan said that the mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif had also taken the names of the intelligence officer and the gang that he was a part of, yet no investigation was carried out as he was a “holy cow” and, therefore, above the law.

“ISPR sahib, when an institution takes action against black sheep, it improves its own credibility. An institution which catches corrupt people strengthens itself,” he said that action is taken when a doctor or an employee does something wrong at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital (SKMH).

“It is my army, my Pakistan not just yours. It is our army,” Imran asserted. He also lamented the crackdown against those who were vocal about their criticism of the military establishment, stating that it was in fact harming the institution.

Imran Khan went on to say that there was also no need to call in a heavy contingent of police and other officials during his appearance before the courts in Islamabad.

“If someone has a warrant, come to me directly […] I am prepared to go to jail […] spending so much money as if a major criminal… is coming to Islamabad. Do us a favour and don’t stage such a drama and directly provide a warrant,” he said, asserting that he was mentally prepared to go to jail.

He also said that the plan hatched by “Dirty Harry” involved a gang of people, adding that if God willed, he was ready to die at their hands. He ended his video by calling on the nation to “get ready”.

In a shocking turn of events, PTI chief Imran Khan, who was present at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for two hearings on Tuesday afternoon, was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

Islamabad police released a statement quoting Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan as saying that Imran had been arrested in the “Qadir Trust case”.

The police chief also said that the situation in Islamabad was “normal”, adding that Section 144 had been imposed in the city and action would be taken against violators.

After the Tosha Khana scandal — which related to controversy over auctioning of 112 precious gifts which Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi retained at nominal prices from the treasure-house — another scandal, against the ousted PM, his wife Bushra Bibi, and their close aides Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari and Zaheer Ud Din Babar Awan, has emerged exposing the malpractices, legal lacuna, financial speculation, and operational matters of the Al-Qadir University Project Trust (AQUPT).

“Former PM Imran Khan has been abducted from Court premises, scores of lawyers and general people have been tortured, Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location, CJ Islamabad High Court has ordered Secy interior and IG police to appear within 15 min in the court,” tweeted PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry.

PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry had initially confirmed news of Imran’s arrest to Dawn.com that had also prompted IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to direct the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary and the additional attorney general to appear before the court within 15 minutes.

PTI’s official Twitter account also shared the video of Imran’s lawyer, saying that he was “badly injured” outside the IHC.


It also shared a video of visuals from Imran’s alleged arrest. “Pakistan’s brave people must come out and defend their country,” the party said. 

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

As Islamists try to link PM Modi with ‘hate’ over The Kerala Story, here is why his mention of the movie has hurt them

Amit Kelkar
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As Islamists try to link PM Modi with ‘hate’ over The Kerala Story, here is why his mention of the movie has hurt them

A raft of Islamists on Tuesday (May 9) attacked a social media user after he shared a screengrab from the recently released movie ‘The Kerala Story‘, asking girls to be wary of religious zealots amidst them.

“If you are a part of any group like this…RUN!” a Twitter user who goes by the handle @erbmjha tweeted, along with the picture from The Kerala Story of a group of girls, with one of them dressed in a burqa, who plays the character of an ISIS terrorist in the movie, recruiting unsuspecting women for waging jihad for the Islamic State.

The tweet predictably raised the hackles of several Islamists, including Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, infamous for dog-whistling against Nupur Sharma last year that triggered Sar Tan Se Juda rallies across the country, leading to the deaths of at least 6 Hindus, including Kanhaiya Lal, Umesh Kolhe, and others.

Zubair juxtaposed @erbmjha’s latest tweet on ‘The Kerala Story’ with his old tweet expressing gratitude to PM Modi for following him on Twitter. The co-founder of Alt News, known for his tendency to distort and manipulate statements to serve his agenda, alleged that the tweet was intended to dissuade girls from befriending a Muslim girl, and the Twitter user is proud of being followed by the Prime Minister.

While Zubair tried to insinuate that the Twitter user was encouraging girls to avoid being friends with a Muslim girl, he conveniently missed out on revealing that the image was from ‘The Kerala Story’, a movie that showcases the horrors of Islamic radicalisation and how vulnerable women are targeted by Islamists, including women, in their goal of converting the non-Muslims and brainwashing them for terrorism.

The woman in question, as highlighted by the Twitter user, plays the character of an ISIS terrorist tasked with the responsibility of recruiting women to disseminate the Islamic State’s ideology and enlist them for the organisation’s jihad to establish a Muslim caliphate in the world.

The Twitter user cautions girls from being friends with folks working for terror outfits like ISIS and urges them to dash if they come across anyone who resembles the terror recruiter shown in the movie. 

But instead, Zubair manipulated it to play the Muslim victimhood card and unwarrantedly linked PM Modi to ‘hate’ perhaps because the movie ‘The Kerala Story’ depicts the harsh reality of the menace of Islamic radicalisation afflicting society. 

Nevertheless, the targeting of the Prime Minister over a post made by a random social media user reflects the deep-seated hatred of the Prime Minister and the sting caused by his mention of the film ‘The Kerala Story’ during his election rallies in poll-bound Karnataka, another Southern Indian state in the throes of Islamic fundamentalism, especially with the hijab controversy when Islamists vigorously defended the deeply oppressive and patriarchal practice of veil.

Earlier last week, PM Modi spoke about The Kerala Files at a public rally, annoying Islamists and leftists who had been staunchly opposing the movie and attacking it as propaganda, even though it depicts the reality of ISIS brides, corroborated by many Western publications and media houses that covered the Islamic State.

PM Modi’s mention of the movie naturally angered the Islamists and leftists since he has a greater reach due to his popularity, high position and significant responsibilities, and what he says has more acceptability and credibility than a bunch of whiners ranting and raving on Twitter and other social media platforms badmouthing the movie.

With the Prime Minister throwing his weight behind a film that brings to the fore a social evil less talked about, the Islamists are perturbed that his endorsement would draw more people to the theatres and acquaint them with the reality of Islamic radicalisation that they had sought to sweep under the rug and dismiss it as the figment of non-left’s fertile imagination. The likes of Zubair and his ideological compatriots are distraught that they would no longer be able to hoodwink people with manipulations, gaslighting, and other forms of psychological perversions after PM Modi referred to the movie in his speech.

From making overtly false claims against the movie, attacking it as propaganda to dismissing the sufferings of the women as imaginary, from obsessing over the number of victims of love jihad to the dismissal of Islamic radicalisation by ISIS, Islamists thought that they could silence the non-left, especially the Prime Minister, and chip away at the credibility of ‘The Kerala Story’ movie by shouting Islamophobia, playing Muslim victimhood, and employing other such ruses.

But the Prime Minister threw a curveball at them by invoking the movie in his political rallies and drew the attention of a large section of the population who may have been indifferent or unaware of the film. The movie has had a fantastic weekend, smashing records and having a stupendous box office collection, beating the likes of commercial and big-budget films such as Shehzada. Word of mouth, chiefly after PM Modi’s mention of the movie, has contributed towards pulling crowds to the theatres, enabling a virtuous cycle of positive reviews reinforcing its box office performance.

The Kerala Story touches upon several aspects of the perils of Islamic radicalisation: how sleeper cells act as the agents of terror outfits to lure unsuspecting and vulnerable people for terror activities, love jihad where non-Muslim women are lured into a relationship by men who conceal their identities, the scourge of religious supremacism that mandates the believers into bringing the entire world under the fold of Islam, and so on.

But most importantly, the movie has been one of the few honest attempts to depict the problem facing the country without watering it down with ‘secular’ filters and diluting the essence and import of the story. It has been the chief cause of anxiety among the Islamists that their jealously guarded truth about radicalisation has come out in public. And the Prime Minister’s mention of the movie has also only served to rattle them further.

Army to have a common uniform for officers of Brigadier, above ranks from August 1

ANI
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Army to have a common uniform for officers of Brigadier, above ranks from August 1

In an attempt to do away with differences in the Officers’ uniform from the rank of Brigadier and above, the Indian Army have decided to adopt a common uniform irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment.

According to official sources, the move is aimed at bringing a common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, which goes beyond the boundaries of regimentation. 

“This will also reinforce the Indian Army’s character to be a fair and equitable organisation. The decision was taken after detailed deliberations during the recently concluded Army Commanders Conference and extensive consultations with all stakeholders,” they said.

“The changes will be implemented from August 1 this year. There is no change to the uniform worn by Colonels and below-rank officers of the Indian Army,” they added.

Sources further said that the move is aimed at promoting and strengthening common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, beyond the boundaries of regimentation.

There would be a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment.

“The headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will now be standardised and common. The flag-rank officers will now not wear any lanyards,” they said.

“A standard uniform will ensure a common identity for all senior-rank officers while reflecting the true ethos of the Indian Army,” sources explained.

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

After Atiq Ahmed episode, Allahabad HC bars media interactions with Mukhtar Ansari, directs UP Police to ensure ‘full security’ to him

OpIndia Staff
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After Atiq Ahmed episode, Allahabad HC bars media interactions with Mukhtar Ansari, directs UP Police to ensure ‘full security’ to him

The Allahabad High Court has instructed the state police to provide ‘full security’ for former MLA Mukhtar Ansari weeks after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on live television while being led away by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The court also prohibited journalists from speaking with him.

The Court on May 3 took into consideration the fact that Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were killed on April 15 by three individuals who posed as journalists. The division bench of the court was led by Justices Dr Kaushal Jayendra Thaker and Shiv Shanker Prasad.

In response to a petition submitted by Ansari’s wife Afsha Ansari in 2021, the court instructed the concerned officials, including the state director general of police, to give Ansari “full security” while he would be moved from one jail to another and while being produced before any court from that jail and while travelling there or to any other location.

“Media person would not be permitted to interview him. He would be accompanied by police personnel during his ingress and egress from jail,” said the bench. “Though we are not against media taking interview of the accused persons but looking to the recent episode this restriction would be in the interest of the under trial prisoner for their safety and security,” the Court further clarified.

Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead on April 15 while they were being taken to the hospital. The three accused individuals who fired several shots at the duo surrendered immediately before the police present at the spot and were subsequently taken into custody.

Atiq Ahmed was murdered only a few days after Asad Ahmed, his third son was killed by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in an encounter in Jhansi along with his aide Ghulam Muhammad. Both Asad Ahmed and Atiq Ahmed were named as accused in the Umesh Pal murder case.

The court was hearing a petition that Mukhtar’s wife, Afsha Ansari, who is currently missing, had filed in 2021. In her petition, Ansari requested that the court order the state government and other relevant officials “to provide adequate safeguards and protection” to her husband while he is detained or when he appears before any court in the state. Upendra Upadhyay, an attorney, presented the case in court on behalf of Afsha Ansari.

The state government replied in an affidavit saying that “jail authorities and the police are taking every precaution for the security of the petitioner’s husband while keeping him in jail or bringing him outside the jail to produce him before the trial court.” 

The state further stated in the affidavit that one inspector, two sub-inspectors, two head constables, eight constables, and two drivers will be employed to provide security when Ansari leaves from custody. The state added that the additional superintendent of police in Ghazipur had been designated as the nodal official responsible for ensuring perfect security while bringing the petitioner’s spouse before the court.

Additionally, the court was told that Ansari has been given “maximum security” in the Banda jail and that “the security has been provided in accordance with the norms and standard provided in Chapter-XXXV of the Jail Manual”.

The jail has a total of 70 CCTVs in place, and both the inspector general of jails and the inspector general of police keep an eye on them.

The bench stated that it requests the UP Director General of Police, who was a respondent in the case, “to ensure the safety of the petitioner’s husband as he is apprehending threat to his life in the jail, where he is incarcerated”

The crime empire of mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has crumbled in the last few years but there was a time when he was one of the most dreaded names in the world of crime in Uttar Pradesh. His clout and terror were such that not only police officials but even District Magistrates and politicians feared him.

Political patronage under governments by the BSP and the SP emboldened Mukhtar at his peak. Mukhtar Ansari roamed around freely in open jeeps brandishing guns and weapons, but no one had the courage to stop him. For more than 15 years, he contested and even won elections from jail. This representative of people, booked under scores of cases of ransom, kidnapping, murders, etc., for all these years, has operated his crime syndicate with impunity from jail.

However, with BJP coming to power in the state in 2017 and Yogi Adityanath becoming the chief minister, the crackdown on Mukhtar Ansari intensified. The UP government was quick to bring in a new law aimed at dealing a blow to organised crime networks. Properties worth Rs 192 crore related to Mukhtar and his gang members were either demolished or attached.

Today the same mafia Mukhtar Ansari is lamenting in jail and is living his life in fear. Despite the fact that the court last month sentenced him to ten years in prison in the Krishnanand Rai murder case, there are still numerous cases against him awaiting judgement. The gangster had committed murders in the years 1978, 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1992. OpIndia has chronicled Mukhtar Ansari’s entire criminal record here.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI chief Imran Khan arrested from outside the Islamabad High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI chief Imran Khan arrested from outside the Islamabad High Court

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI chief Imran Khan has been arrested from outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Pakistani Rangers, news agency ANI quoted Pakistan’s Dawn News as reporting today (May 9, Tuesday). Imran Khan had reportedly gone to the Islamabad HC to seek bail in multiple FIRs registered against him.

According to local media, the PTI chairman was taken in a black Vigo by the law enforcement agency.

The PTI chief reportedly has been arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case of the National Accountability Bureau as well as the Toshakhana case.

Islamabad Police, meanwhile, took to its official Twitter handle to confirm that Imran Khan was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case, adding that the situation is under control.

Taking to his Twitter, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry alleged that Khan had been “abducted” from the court premises while a score of lawyers and general people had been “tortured”.

“Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location,” he claimed.

“They are torturing Imran Khan right now…they are beating Khan sahib. They have done something to Khan sahib,” PTI leader Musarrat Cheema shared a video where she is making this statement.

In March this year, a Pakistan court judge had said that he would halt the arrest of the country’s former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case, only if Khan surrendered in the court.

Additionally, reports emerged that the court in Islamabad cancelled Imran Khan’s arrest warrant after intense clashes between police and the former prime minister’s supporters outside the judicial complex.

A report published in Dawn read legislators from the ruling coalition filed the reference last year, alleging that Imran had not disclosed information about the gifts he had received from the Toshaskhana (during his tenure as prime minister) and the money from their alleged sales. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reached the conclusion that the former premier had in fact made “false statements and erroneous declarations” about the presents on October 21.

The Toshakhana is a division of the Cabinet Division that houses presents that foreign dignitaries and the heads of other states have given to monarchs and officials.

Imran was declared ineligible according to Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution, according to the order.

The ECP then submitted a copy of the reference to the Islamabad Sessions Court, requesting that Imran be charged with a crime for allegedly lying to officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries while serving as prime minister, Dawn reported. 

‘Old scores would be settled when the govt changes’, Twitter user ‘The Sajjad Mughal’ booked for issuing threats after the death of Atiq Ahmed

OpIndia Staff
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‘Old scores would be settled when the govt changes’, Twitter user ‘The Sajjad Mughal’ booked for issuing threats after the death of Atiq Ahmed

The Prayagraj police in Uttar Pradesh have lodged an FIR against a Twitter handle ‘The Sajjad Mughal’ for posting a threatening message over the killing of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed. The case was lodged on Monday (May 8) after instructions were issued in this regard by ADG (Law and Order) and SP Cyber Crime.

The Twitter user shared a video clip wherein Atiq Ahmed’s son Ali Ahmed, currently lodged in Naini jail, was seen addressing a gathering and claimed that the wind would change in Uttar Pradesh when the BJP government in the state loses power. He added that Atiq Ahmed’s son Ali would settle old scores and avenge the death of his father. He also asserted that the name Prayagraj would be reverted to Allahabad.

In a tweet posted in Hindi on April 25, the user wrote, “Atiq’s lineage has not ended. Atiq’s son Ali is still alive. God willing, the situation and government will change, then the city will again be called Allahabad, and all scores will be settled.”

When this tweet (the archived version can be viewed here) started going viral, UP’s ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar, taking cognizance, sent a letter to Prayagraj’s cyber crime station and directed them to take action. After this, the cyber cell of the police registered a case against that Twitter handle under section 505 and section 66 of the IT Act.

Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed were accused in the Umesh Pal murder case. Umesh Pal was a witness in the Raju Pal murder case of 2005. Umesh Pal was killed by Atiq Ahmed’s henchmen on 24th February 2023. Atiq’s son Asad Ahmed led this planned murder.

Vivek Agnihotri sends legal notice to Mamata Banerjee for defaming ‘The Kashmir Files’. Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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Vivek Agnihotri sends legal notice to Mamata Banerjee for defaming ‘The Kashmir Files’. Here is what happened

On Tuesday (May 9), film director Vivek Agnihotri sent a legal notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her defamatory remarks about his movie ‘The Kashmir Files.’ A copy of the notice was posted by him on his official Twitter handle.

“For the reasons best known to you alone, when the movie was released on 11-03-2022, you made statements before media, which was telecasted and broadcasted on several television channels and newspapers, wherein you called said movie a “conspiracy” and that it is mostly fiction and planned,” the notice read.

It further stated, “You had tweeted the same and also made a statement on the floor of the assembly without taking the name of the movie. You further stated that the movie is funded and created and that there is a conspiracy to create unrest. You also urged the people not to watch the movie.”

The legal notice sent by Vivek Agnihotri pointed out that the statements made by Mamata Banerjee caused grave damage to the reputation of the director and impacted the profit of the movie.

It added how the director was abused and threatened with FIRs by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers following the announcement of his 2024 movie ‘The Delhi Files.’ It also highlighted the cancellation of the book signing event of Vivek Agnihotri in Kolkata.

In his legal notice, Vivek Agnihotri said that Mamata Banerjee made baseless allegations about his movie being funded by the BJP and that she has falsely accused him of defaming Kashmiri people.

“With stroke of single statement made by you, all the hard work, commitment, truthfulness of my clients and appreciation received by them has got damaged bringing bad name to movie and my clients and the same is irreparable,” it emphasised.

The legal notice sought either authenticated proof from Mamata Banerjee to substantiate her claims or an unconditional apology and withdrawal of her defamatory statements.

The Background of the Controversy

On Monday (May 8), West Bengal CM courted controversy by labelling ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story’ as ‘distorted movies.’

During a press conference at Nabanna (State Secretariat), she claimed, “If the political party play with fire, casteism or divide and rule…Why this “Kashmir Files’? To humiliate one section. What is this Kerala File? Though I do not support the CPI (M) because they are working with BJP.”

“I am talking about the people…Instead of me, it was their duty (CPIM) to criticise it…That BJP is showing ‘The Kerala Files’…A distorted story,” Banerjee brazened it out.

The West Bengal CM went on to allege that the movie’s cast was sponsored by the BJP, which came to Bengal to promote ‘The Kerala Story’. She suggested that movie makers have no qualms about making Kashmir Files and supposedly ‘condemning’ Kashmiri people.

“What is the fault of people? We respect each and everybody. That is our Constitution. Now they are defaming the Kerala people and State. Their narrative is to defame the Bengal also,” Mamata Banerjee concluded.

The demonisation of ‘The Kashmir Files’

‘The Kashmir Files’ film takes viewers back to 1989, when due to rising Islamic Jihad, a huge conflict erupted in Kashmir, forcing the Kashmiri Hindus to flee the valley.

Ever since the movie hit the theatres, it came under attack from the left-liberal cabal and politicians accused of minority appeasement. They sought to denigrate the movie and term the real-life incidents showcased in it as the figment of the director’s imagination.

“Why no action against them?” Kerala HC tears into Pinarayi Vijayan govt over boat tragedy

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“Why no action against them?” Kerala HC tears into Pinarayi Vijayan govt over boat tragedy

The Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday expressed shock over the recent boat capsize tragedy at Tanur in the State’s Mallapuram district that had claimed the lives of at least 22 people.

The court made the observation after initiating a suo motu case into the matter. The High Court also directed the Malappuram District Collector to file a report on May 12. The Court also sought the details of the port officer in charge of the area.

The court also criticised the Kerala Government for its inaction against officers responsible for the tragic boat incidents. “Why there is no action against them,” the court asked.

The Division Bench headed by Justice Devan Ramachandran observed, “This is not the first time. There would be some investigation or recommendations whenever there is an incident like this. Everything is forgotten. It’s happening again. People die. Nobody is responsible, except the operator. Who is in charge of inland navigation?”

“We do not know the details. We are proposing to initiate action. Some crime is registered. This has been done in this case also. But no operator can do all this on his own. It’s all because some support is received, either deliberately or otherwise. We have to come to the route of the problem. It’s shocking to see so many deaths and that too in a State like Kerala. Who is the port officer in that area?” the bench said further.

“There was no one to monitor even the police. Why? Our endeavour is to ensure that this will not happen in the future. Every time large lives are lost. Our heart is bleeding as several children died,” it said.

“Mahakavi Kumaranasan died by drowning, when Redeemer, the boat he was travelling capsized in River Pallana in 1924. Similar incidents are still happening. How many more will have to see?” the bench added.

The court concluded the order by saluting the people of Tanur, Parappanangadi, etc who risked their lives in order to save others. 

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

‘After listening to Ashok Gehlot, it seems like his leader is Vasundhara Raje, not Sonia Gandhi’: Sachin Pilot

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‘After listening to Ashok Gehlot, it seems like his leader is Vasundhara Raje, not Sonia Gandhi’: Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday took a sharp jibe at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, saying that his speech in Dholpur showed his leader “is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje Scindia”.

Gehlot had claimed that Vasundhara Raje was among BJP leaders who helped him save his government during the revolt by Pilot and some Congress MLAs in 2020 seeking change in leadership in the state. Addressing a press conference, Pilot also said that he has now understood why Gehlot “has not acted” on his allegations of corruption during the BJP government in the state.

“After listening to Ashok Gehlot’s speech in Dholpur, it seems like his leader is not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje Scindia… For the first time, I am seeing someone criticize MPs and MLAs of their own party. Praising leaders from BJP and dishonouring Congress leaders is beyond my understanding, this is absolutely wrong,” Pilot said.

“I have now understood why the CM (Ashok Gehlot) has not acted against corruption,” he added. Pilot’s attack amounts to an escalation of his conflict with Gehlot in the crucial state which will go to the polls by the end of this year.

The attack on Gehlot came a day before polling in Karnataka polls in which Congress is fighting a crucial battle.

Pilot,a former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister, announced that he will hold a five-day-long ‘Jan Sangarsh Yatra’ from Ajmer to Jaipur starting May 11. “This yatra is against corruption. Any further decision will be taken after this yatra,” he said.

Pilot had held a day-long fast last month, even as the party leadership had cautioned him against it, over his demand for action by the Gehlot government for alleged corruption during the BJP rule in the state. BJP leader Vasundhara Raje had countered Ashok Gehlot’s claims, saying Rajasthan Chief Minister is lying out of fear of losing the 2023 Assembly elections and his false allegations show he is rattled by the rebellion in state Congress unit.

Gehlot had credited Vasundhara Raje and two other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for having helped him save his government during the 2020 crisis when some Congress MLAs revolted.

“Gehlot’s statement against me is a conspiracy. Nobody can insult me as much as Gehlot has done. He is lying out of fear of losing the 2023 Assembly elections and has made such false allegations as he is rattled by the rebellion in his own party,” Raje had said. Addressing a programme in Dholpur on Sunday, Gehlot alleged that there was a conspiracy against his government.

“Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Shobha Rani and Kailash Meghwal knew their party people were toppling the government.

Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Kailash Meghwal had said that it has never been our tradition to topple the elected government on the basis of money. They did not support those who toppled the government due to which our government survived,” Gehlot had said. Both Pilot and Gehlot have taken potshots at each other in the past forcing the party leadership to intervene.

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

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