On Tuesday, The Kerala Story makersVipul Shah and Sudipto Sen moved to the Supreme Court against the decision of the West Bengal government to ban the film in the state. The petition additionally challenged the Tamil government’s decision to impose a de facto ban on the film by issuing an ‘alert’ anticipating protests in conjunction with the film’s release, as a result of which multiplexes in the state refused to screen it.
[BREAKING] Makers of The Kerala Story move Supreme Court against explicit ban in West Bengal, de facto ban in Tamil Nadu
Through the plea, the makers of the film have not only opposed the arbitrary action taken by the West Bengal government against the release of the movie in the state but have also asked the Tamil Nadu government to provide protection to the theatre owners in the state against miscreants so that they agree to screen the film in their property.
Notably, on Monday, May 8, The Kerala Story producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah reacted to the announcement made by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, where she said the state banned the film to “maintain peace”. Reacting to the statement, Shah said he would take appropriate legal action if West Bengal or any other state bans the film.
The film’s makers Vipul Shah and Sudipto Sen had also decided to take the Tamil Nadu multiplexes to court after the latter chose to stop screening the film.
Mamata Banerjee banned the film in West Bengal
On May 8, WB CM Banerjee banned the film in the state to maintain “peace”. Though the film’s name is ‘The Kerala Story’, she said ‘The Kerala Files’ for unknown reasons. “West Bengal govt has decided to ban the movie ‘The Kerala Story’. This is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state,” news agency ANI quoted her as saying.
Tamil Nadu theatres stop screening The Kerala Story
The multiplex theatres in TN had decided to drop the movie citing the law and order situation arising due to the protests against the film as well as a poor response to the film in the state.
This came after Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman and his supporters staged protests against the screening of the film in the Anna Nagar Arch near Skywalk Mall in Chennai on Saturday. Police apprehended NTK cadres following a protest inside a theatre opposing the screening of The Kerala Story.
Seeman claimed that The Kerala Story was made to denigrate Muslims and portray Muslims as terrorists.
The Kerala Story screenings were cancelled in various Kerala districts on the day of its premiere. Two previously scheduled shows in Kochi were cancelled. The movie was also boycotted by theatre owners at Kochi’s Lulu Mall and Centre Square Mall. Similarly, theatres in the districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur, and Wayanad opted not to screen the film.
The recently released film has become a hot topic of discussion because of its sensitive topic, including terrorism, love jihad, and ISIS. While the film has received appreciation from all walks of society, a specific section opposed the film claiming that it shows the state of Kerala in a bad light. However, while hearing the plea against the film, the Kerala High Court categorically said if anyone would feel offended by the film it should be the terrorist organisation ISIS.
The movie ‘The Kerala Story‘ revolves around the tragic reality of ISIS brides, with Adah Sharma playing the role of one Shalini Unnikrishnan, who is brainwashed by her Muslim friends and gets converted to Islam. She later travels to IS (Islamic State) controlled area with her spouse.
On Monday (May 8), a woman chopped off the genitals of an Islamic cleric after he tried to rape her. The incident took place in Baralimari village in the Morigaon district of Assam.
As per reports, the accused was identified as Osman Ali. He is a native of Dhula village in the Darrang district of Assam. The victim is said to have acted in self-defence after Ali reportedly forced himself on her.
The accused had reportedly come to the Baralimari village to help a ‘childless couple’. But when he entered their house, he tried to rape the woman. The victim managed to grab a sharp object and cut off his private parts.
Osman Ali’s Penis slashed, while trying to rape a female……???
Admitted in Guwahati Medical College for treatment.
When the news of the incident spread, Osman Ali was rushed to the Morigaon Civil Hospital. He was later referred to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for further medical attention.
Muslim Maulvi got his penis chopped by wife
In June 2021, it was reported that the wife of an Islamic cleric named Maulvi Vakil Ahmed chopped off his penis for wanting to marry for the third time.
The said incident took place in the Shikarpur village Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bhaurakala police station area. The accused was identified as one Hazra, the Maulvi’s first wife.
Hajra informed the police that Ahmed wanted to marry for the third time while she had been planning to get her unmarried daughter married first.
A heated argument ensued between the two, post which Hazra attacked him with a knife and chopped his private parts off. The police have arrested the accused, seized the murder weapon, and sent her to jail.
On Tuesday, May 9, the Assam government led by CM Himanta Biswas Sarma informed that it has decided to form a committee that will thoroughly investigate whether prohibiting the practice of polygamy by Muslim men in the state falls within the purview of the state government.
Speaking to ANI, the CM said that his government intends to prohibit polygamy through a state act rather than the UCC.
“We are not going through Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but we want to ban polygamy under a State Act. Assam Government has decided to form an expert committee to investigate whether the State Government has the authority to prohibit polygamy in the region. Assam Government wants to ban polygamy in the state,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
"We are not going through Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but we want to ban polygamy under a State Act. Assam Government has decided to form an expert committee to investigate whether the State Government has the authority to prohibit polygamy in the region. Assam Government wants to… pic.twitter.com/z7PRsXF3vH
According to the Assam Government, the committee will be tasked with scrutinising the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937, as well as Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, in relation to the directive principle of state policy for a uniform civil code.
The government said that the committee will engage in extensive discussions with all stakeholders, including legal experts, to arrive at a well-informed decision.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also took to Twitter to inform about his government’s decision to form the aforementioned committee to scrutinise the legality of the practice.
The Assam Government has decided to form an expert committee to examine whether the state Legislature is empowered to prohibit polygamy in the state. The committee will examine the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937 read with Article 25 of the Constitution…
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at No.1 State Guest House, Koinadhara, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the committee will consist of legal experts, and they will discuss with Islamic scholars and others to build consensus.
“I have studied it over the last weeks and found that Polygamy is not an essential Islamic practice. Our target is both direct and indirect polygamy, men keep other wives without marriage, and this is worse than direct polygamy. Polygamy we are banning, but what about such de-facto polygamy? We want to attack both formal and informal polygamy. The committee will suggest ways to curb both.
The CM added that the legality of how to overcome this practice has to be examined. “Be it Hindu or Muslim, no one supports polygamy but the 1937 Shariat Act is in there and now legal experts will have to analyse and see how we can overcome that. Whether it needs the President’s assent or a state act is enough. For all this, the committee will comprise legal experts who would engage in extensive discussions with all stakeholders to arrive at a well-informed decision,” Sarma said.
The Himanta Biswa Sarma government also issued a press note on the said proposal, wherein it gave examples of several cases to assert how the issue of polygamy and its legality has constantly engaged several High Courts.
It was also stated that the topic of polygamy was challenged in the Supreme Court during the Shayara Bano case. The Supreme Court, however, had not ruled on polygamy and had only ruled on triple talaq, according to the note.
It may be recalled that on 26 February 2016, Shayara Bano filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the practice of triple talaq, halala and polygamy. This prompted the Modi government to file a petition against triple talaq based on her petition. Her petition wanted the court to strike down those Islamic practices on the premise that they violated Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. On August 22, 2017, the Supreme Court in a landmark judgement outlawed the practice of talaq-e-biddat or Instant Triple Talaq.
The court, had, however, not passed any ruling on the Islamic practices of polygamy and nikah halala then saying, “Other questions raised in the connected writ petitions, such as polygamy and “halala” (and other allied matters) would be dealt with separately.”
The note further asserted that the practice of ‘polygamy’ infringes on the fundamental rights of Muslim women under Articles 13, 14 and 21 of the constitution of India.
In addition, the Assam government stated that India is a signatory to various international conventions and covenants, such as the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and others, which state that polygamy violates the dignity of women and should be abolished wherever it exists.
‘Muslim daughters should be made doctors, engineers, not child-producing machines’: Himanta Biswa Sarma bats for UCC in Karnataka
It may be recalled that even while addressing an election rally at Ujire in Belthangady district in poll-bound Karnataka recently, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, had advocated for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Karnataka. The BJP leader emphasised the significance of the Uniform Civil Code, calling it the only solution to end the practice of ‘polygamy’ that is Muslim men marrying multiple women.
“Muslim women and daughters are made to marry over four times. We have to bring Uniform Civil Code. Muslim daughters should be made doctors, and engineers, not child-producing machines,” said the Assam CM.
Assam CM says polygamy, and instant talaq must be prohibited
Earlier also, the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared categorically that the Assam government is quite clear about prohibiting Muslim males from marrying multiple women. According to him, no Muslim male should marry more than one woman. “It takes one wife, one husband, and two children to live a happy life,” he said.
On May 9, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta disputed the credibility of the Press Freedom ranking of India given by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). As per RSF, India slipped 11 positions from the 150th rank in 2022 to the 161st rank in 2023. While hearing the Bikil Bano case in the Supreme Court, Justice KM Joseph remarked that India is in the 161st position in the Press Freedom ranking. SG Mehta countered it by saying the ranking depends on who gives it.
SG: Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, Divya Bhaskar.. are all well read..
SC modifies order: we also direct publication of public notice for effectuating service on unserved respondents on Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh. Notice shall indicate the date of hearing as July 10, 2023
A Bench headed by Justice KM Joseph was hearing the challenging plea remission granted by the Gujarat government to 11 convicts of the gang rape of Bilkil Bano and the murder of her family in the 2002 Gujarat Riots.
The court ordered directing publication of notice for effectuating service on unserved respondents in the case. The court ordered to publish the public notice in one Gujarati and one English language newspaper indicating July 10, 2023, as the next hearing date.
While passing the order, Justice KM Joseph remarked, “We are 161 in terms of journalistic freedom,” to which SG Mehta responded, “Depends on the person giving the ranking, I can also have someone give the number one ranking to India…so it totally depends.”
The dubious press freedom ranking by RSF
Reporters Without Borders’s recently published press freedom ranking is based on old misleading reports and dubious data. In the recent ranking, India has been put at 161st rank, 11 ranks down from the previous ranking, which was 150. Interestingly, Reporters Without Borders has put India below authoritarian governments like Pakistan on the list.
RSF claimed the central government is spending more than 130 billion rupees (Rs 13,000 crores) or 5 billion euros a year on print and online media ads alone. OpIndia had filed an RTI seeking information on the ad spent by the central government on different platforms, including print, outdoor advertisements, social media, radio and television. Per the reply sent by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India, the figures are nowhere close to what RSF has claimed.
Contrary to what RSF claimed, the reply to OpIndia’s RTI categorically showed that the Modi government had reduced its ad spending considerably over the years. In FY 2014-15, it spent Rs 682.32 crores. In the next four years, the ad spend stood above Rs 900 crores. However, After the Modi government came back to power in 2019, the money spent on ads was reduced to less than half and stood at Rs 348.07 crores in FY 2019-20, followed by 209.34 crore in 2020-21, 136.05 crores in 2021-22 and 126.58 crores in FY 2022-23 till December 31, 2022.
RSF claimed GoI spent Rs 13,000 crores only in print and online media ads. In reality, the ad spent on all formats (television, print, radio, outdoor, digital cinema, SMS, internet and misc) since the Modi government came to power stood under Rs 1,000 crores. It has been using the numbers for over a year but did not care to check the data provided by the government.
KM Joseph sparked controversy recently after he smiled at the calls for the genocide of Hindus. During a hearing on hate speech in the apex court, SG Mehta said pointed out the statements made against Hindus and informed the court about a call made by a DMK leader to butcher all the Brahmins. Justice Joseph smiled at this submission, according to legal media portals. When Mehta said that this was not a matter which should be laughed at, Justice Joseph asked if knows who Periyar was.
Furthermore, when advocate Vishnu Jain asked about the “Gustaakh e Rasool ki ek hi saza sar tan se juda sar tan se juda” slogan heard in Muslim rallies. Justice Joseph made another comment, saying, “Action has an equal reaction,” seemingly saying that the hate speeches by Muslims are the results of hate speeches by Hindus.
On Tuesday (May 9), the BJP accused the West Bengal police of disrupting the screening of the movie ‘The Kerala Story’ at Forum Rangoli Mall in Belur in Howrah.
In a series of videos that have now surfaced on social media, uniformed personnel were seen having a heated argument with movie go-ers. The armed cops also pulled the collar of some men and dragged them away.
While speaking about the development, BJP leader Rakesh Singh said, “Mamata Banerjee is trampling on civil liberties and freedom of speech with impunity in West Bengal. This video is reportedly from Rangoli Mall under Howrah Police Commissionerate.”
This was much needed#MamataBanerjee is trampling on civil liberties and freedom of speech with impunity in West Bengal. This video is reportedly from Rangoli Mall under Howrah Police Commissionerate.
— Rakesh Singh राकेश सिंह ?? রাকেশ সিং (@RakeshSinghKol) May 9, 2023
He called for the restoration of law and order in the State and emphasised, “People are getting assaulted for wanting to watch a movie…Mamata Banerje’s Police against innocent audience who turned there only to watch a movie passed by Censor Board is in complete violation of the basic fundamental rights.
BJP media panellist Ashutosh Jha said, “Overaction of Police against innocent audience who turned there only to watch a movie passed by the Censor Board is in complete violation of the basic fundamental rights.” He sought the intervention of the West Bengal Governor into the matter.
This video is reportedly from Rangoli Mall under Howrah Police Commissionerate.
Overaction of Police against innocent audience who turned there only to watch a movie passed by Censor Board is in complete violation of the basic fundamental rights.
BJP karyakarta Amit Thakur said, “Mamta Banerjee Police are Stopping people from watching the #TheKeralaStory This behaviour is unacceptable. We all should support the film.”
Vice-President of BJP Yuva Morcha, Priyanka Sharma, said, “Howrah Police Harassed & Dragged out public who went to watch #TheKeralaStoryMovie at Rangoli Mall. Their crime was they just want the Re-fund of the tickets.”
She pointed out, “Mamata Didi’s police treat criminals very gently, but use their power towards innocents.” It must be mentioned that Sharma was once arrested for posting a ‘Met-gala themed meme’ of Mamata Banerjee.
Opindia reached out to the Forum Rangoli Mall but they refused to answer our question and disconnected the call.
Mamata Banerjee bans ‘The Kerala Story’ in West Bengal
On Monday (May 8), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee banned the movie ‘The Kerala Files’ (sic) in West Bengal, citing the need to maintain ‘peace’ in the State.
“West Bengal govt has decided to ban the movie ‘The Kerala Story’. This is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence, and to maintain peace in the state,” news agency ANI quoted her as saying.
Mamata Banerjee had referred to the said movie as a ‘distorted film’ during a press briefing at Nabanna after lashing out at Director Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files.
The movie ‘The Kerala Story‘ revolves around the tragic reality of ISIS brides, with the lead actor Adah Sharma playing the role of one Shalini Unnikrishnan, who is brainwashed by her Muslim friends and gets converted to Islam. She later travels to IS (Islamic State) controlled area with her spouse.
Two days after the Tanur boat accident occurred causing 22 deaths and 10 injuries, including 11 children, it has come to the fore that Kerala Ministers, V Abdurahiman (Minister of Fisheries), and P. A Mohammed Riyas (Minister for Public Works Department and Tourism) had ignored the complaints about the registration of the Atlantic boat issued to them by the boat operator.
One fisherman of Tanur and the boat operator Mamujin Puraikkal Muhajid said that he had complained about the illegality of the boat Atlantic when Ministers P A Muhammad Riyas and V Abdurahiman had arrived for the inauguration of the floating bridge in Tanur. He said Minister V Abdurahiman scolded him while Minister Riyas ignored the complaint.
“I told them that the boat had no registration. Minister V Abdurahiman asked if he was the one who decides that the boat has no registration. When told Minister Riyas about it, he asked to file a written complaint with his PA, but no further steps were taken after that,” Muhajid stated. The floating bridge in Tanur was inaugurated on April 23.
The boat overturned on May 7 claiming 22 lives
The leisure boat Atlantic capsized in Ottumpuram Thooval Theeram beach in Tanur, Malappuram, Kerala, India, on May 7, 2023, in the late evening. The event aboard a boat carrying 37 passengers resulted in 22 fatalities and 10 injuries, including 11 children.
Both the chief minister and the prime minister expressed their profound sadness over the horrible incident. As a gesture of respect for the victims, the Kerala government proclaimed May 8, 2023, as a day of official mourning and postponed all official events.
The relatives of the deceased would each receive financial aid worth Rs 2 lakh, from the central government. Also, the affected families would get cash aid totalling Rs. 10 lakhs as declared by the Kerala government.
Meanwhile, a case was registered against the boat’s owner Nasar for culpable homicide and he was arrested on 8 May from Kozhikode. It was reported that he had gone into hiding after the incident.
BJP demands the resignation of the Minister for a serious lapse
Taking cognizance of the incident, the Kerala BJP has slammed Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas and demanded his resignation for serious lapses resulting in the Tanur boat tragedy on Sunday that claimed 22 lives.
K. Surendran, the state BJP president, said that “no proper action was taken after the Thekkady tragedy” in 2009 when 45 people drowned at a well-known resort in Thekkady, the majority of them were tourists from neighbouring states. According to Surendran, the Tanur disaster would have been averted if appropriate measures had been adopted in response to the Thekkady catastrophe report.
“Riyas has to quit taking moral responsibility. If proper action was taken, 22 lives could have been saved. The only thing in Kerala that happens is rhetoric and advertisements… there are no effective guidelines for the operations of houseboats… No one has any clue of how many houseboats are there in Kerala or are there any effective monitoring being done,” the BJP leader added.
“There is no system in place to prevent such tragedies as no one is interested in safety and security. We demand a proper probe and subsequent action based on the probe,” Surendran said.
Minister P. A Mohammed Riyas is son in law of CM Pinarayi Vijayan, has a controversial past
It is important to note that Minister Mohammed Riyas who contested elections and won from the Beyopre constituency is son-in-law of CM Pinarayi Vijayan and was inducted into the Ministry by the CM in May 2021.
It is also pertinent to note that Mohammed Riyas was associated with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and has an extremely controversial past. Mohammed Riyas, who rose through the ranks in the Left serving in the Students’ Federation of India, the DYFI, and then CPI-M, has been accused of orchestrating violence in Kerala.
In fact, in March 2021, Riyas was sent to judicial custody for orchestrating violence near the Air India office in Kozhikode to protest against the air tariff hike and reduction of in-flight services by the national carrier. A case was registered against four people, including Rajesh, for breaking the law after the DYFI protests had turned violent. The two accused, including Pinarayi Vijayan’s son-in-law Mohammed Riyaz, was later granted bail in the case.
Riyaz is also infamous for leading ‘beef cooking’ protests after the centre sought to regulate cattle purchase and sale.
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.
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)
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.
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)
