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‘Gautam Navlakha is a part of the ISI nexus’: NIA opposes bail plea of the Bhima Koregaon violence accused

Gopal Tiwari
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‘Gautam Navlakha is a part of the ISI nexus’: NIA opposes bail plea of the Bhima Koregaon violence accused

On 22nd February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the bail plea filed by the urban naxal Gautam Navlakha in the Bombay High Court saying that the accused had connections with a Pakistani ISI agent arrested in the US. The court will hear the next arguments on this bail petition on 27th February 2023.

NIA contended, “Gautam Navlakha was introduced to a Pakistani ISI General for his recruitment by Ghulam Nabi Fai on the direction of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), showing his nexus and complicity with Ghulam Nabi Fai and Pakistani ISI.” Further the NIA has also submitted that “Ghulam Nabi Fai was arrested by the FBI in July 2011 for accepting funds from ISI and Pakistan Government, but failed to report the origin of those funds, as required by US law.”

NIA further said, “It is established that, accused Gautan Navlakha had written a letter to the Hon’ble Judge of the US Court, trying Ghulam Fai’s case for clemency. Accused Gautam Navlakha had also submitted letters to Hon’ble US Court on behalf of Fai.”

While arguing against the bail plea by the urban naxl accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, NIA has quoted the ISI connection of the accused as said in the charge sheet against Gautam Navlakha in October 2020.

The National Investigation Agency in its charge sheet claimed that accused Gautam Navlakha had links with Pakistan’s notorious intelligence agency ISI and he had sought mercy for ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai, who is convicted in the United States for terror funding.

The charge-sheet further mentions that Navlakha was introduced to the Pakistani ISI General Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai on the instructions of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was in touch with the ISI agent over phone and email.

Gautam Navlakha sought clemency for Pakistani ISI agent in US court

Navlakha had reportedly visited the United States thrice in the period between 2010-2011 and written to a US district court judge seeking clemency for Fai, who was arrested by the FBI in 2011 on the charges of accepting funds to the tunes of several million from the ISI and the Pakistan government.

Citing the US court order from 2012, the NIA charge-sheet read: “Ghulam Nabi Fai was arrested by the FBI in July 2011 for accepting funds from ISI and Pakistan Government, but failed to report the origin of those funds, as required by US law. It is established that, accused Gautam Navlakha had written a letter to the Hon’ble Judge of the US court trying Ghulam Fai’s case for clemency. Accused Gautam Navlakha has also submitted letters to Hon’ble US court on behalf of Fai.”

Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case

The Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case pertains to an event organised at Shaniwar Wada called Elgar Parishad on December 31, 2017. The following day, i.e January 1, 2018, large scale violence broke out at Bhima Koregaon, where lakhs of Dalits had gathered to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, won by the British Army—comprising mostly soldiers from Dalit community—against the Peshwas in 1818.

An FIR was filed in connection with the violence on January 8 after which Pune Police kickstarted a probe into it. According to the police, arrested ‘activists’ claiming that the event was organised as a part of alleged Maoist activity and the accused were members of the proscribed group.

‘Young and energetic’ journalist reaches the wrong terminal of Mumbai airport, blames Modi. Here is how to check your terminal

Nirwa Mehta
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‘Young and energetic’ journalist reaches the wrong terminal of Mumbai airport, blames Modi. Here is how to check your terminal

One Ujjwal Trivedi, who identifies himself as a ‘young and energetic’ journalist, on Wednesday, took to Twitter to share his woes about inadvertently reaching the wrong terminal at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mumbai International Airport and proceeded to question PM Modi and India’s development story.

Trivedi said he was taking an early morning flight from Mumbai to Bangaluru and he reached ‘Mumbai International Airport’ because his ‘boarding pass’ said so. However, upon reaching, he was informed by the CISF there that he had reached the wrong terminal and his flight will depart from the domestic terminal. At this point, Trivedi gets flabbergasted and after a lot of hurdles manages to reach the domestic terminal because he was ‘young and energetic’.

However, he put up a word of caution for PM Modi and the ministry of civil aviation to be clearer in communication especially when we are moving ahead by leaps and bounds and even hosting events such as G20 summits. He said that his ticket clearly said that his flight was from the international airport, when in fact, it was taking off from the domestic terminal.

To prove his point, he shared a screenshot of what he referred to as his ‘boarding pass’.

Ujjwal Trivedi’s ticket

However, if one notices properly, the above is an itinerary, that is details of his tickets. Here is a full screenshot of his ticket retrieved from the Akasa Air website with help of PNR which can be seen in the above screenshot.

Ujjwal Trivedi’s ticket

As one can see in the above screenshot, his ticket has details that his flight departs from Mumbai T1 – which is the domestic terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Terminal 2 at the airport is used for international flights, however, a small number of domestic flights also operate from there.

Mumbai only has one airport that serves commercial flights, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. However, it has terminals, T1 and T2, for domestic and international flights. This is usually the case for all international airports. For example, Ahmedabad has Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. However, the same airport premises has a domestic terminal and an international terminal. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has three terminals, T1, T2 and T3.

Various flights operate from various terminals in such airports with multiple terminals. When one books a ticket from a particular airport with multiple terminals, the terminal number is mentioned on the boarding pass. One obtains a boarding pass by carrying out web check-in and getting a copy of the same, or by approaching the check-in counter at the airport. The departure terminal number is also displayed on various flight booking sites and the airline’s website/app. Generally, the assigned terminal for a flight does not change.

Ujjwal Trivedi mistook the two different terminals at the Mumbai airport to be different airports. But actually, they are separate terminals located in the same airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mumbai International Airport. When international flights from an airport, it is called an international airport, it does not mean it serves only international flights. While different terminals provide customer services to different airlines and flights, the operational part remains centralised. All flights still use the same runways, controlled by the same ATC tower using the same radar and other services. In fact, most airports also have separate cargo terminals, but they are still parts of the same airport.

Indigo boarding pass

This is what the boarding pass looks like. As one can see, it has details of the departure of flight, from which terminal at the departure airport to which terminal at the destination airport. In the above case, the flight took off rm Terminal 1 (T1) of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and arrived at Terminal 1 (T1) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. However, both these terminals are ‘domestic’ terminals, i.e., usually, domestic flights take off from there. But, they are both part of the same international airports.

The ticket, as well as the boarding pass, have clear details of the terminals from which the flight will depart, and on which terminal the passenger will arrive at the destination airport. This is standard international practice and caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware. It is not PM Modi or Civil Aviation ministry’s job to educated ‘young and energetic’ journalists to see where to find details of their terminal on their ticket.

In case of airports such as Delhi, the airport runs a shuttle service connecting the two terminals. Delhi airport’s terminal 2 and terminal 3 are also connected such that one can walk between to terminals. Similarly, Ahmedabad airport also has a walkway connectivity between two terminals.

Surat: Woman commits suicide, audio of conversation with her father blaming in-laws goes viral on social media

OpIndia Staff
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Surat: Woman commits suicide, audio of conversation with her father blaming in-laws goes viral on social media

A 29-year-old woman, Monica Vekaria of the Varaccha area, Greater Surat, Gujarat, committed suicide recently. Her father has filed a complaint against her in-laws for abetment of suicide. As per reports, Surat police have made few arrests in the matter. Now, an audio of the conversation between Monica and her father has gone viral on social media. In the phone call, the woman accused the family of her in-laws for forcing her to take the ultimate decision.

The conversation between the daughter and father took place shortly before her death. During the conversation, Monica said that though she wanted to live, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law mistreated her. She also alleged they might kill her.

Excerpts of the conversation between the two:

Monica: Dad, where are you?

Father: I am here in the office.

Monica: I feel like I want to live, but my uncle, my mother-in-law, and Jasmine are mistreating me.

Father: Why are you saying this?

Monica: I want to live, but it seems like they will kill me, put something in my food….My mother-in-law threatens that my girl is mamlatdar.

Father: Even if she says, what are you doing?

Monica: I feel terrified.

Father: Whatever happens, you have to stay there quietly. Refrain from getting confused.

Monica: So disconnect the phone now.

Father: Stop calling so much.

In the audio, Monica was crying and saying she wanted to live, but her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and Jasmine misbehaved with her. “I want to live, but it feels like someone will kill me or put something in my food. My mother-in-law threatens me. I feel terrified,” she told her father. To which her father said she need not worry. He also insisted that she has to live with her in-laws quietly.

As per reports, Monica got married six years ago. She lived with her husband, Tanish Vekaria, in Israel for a few years. Recently, they came to India for his brother’s wedding. Her family alleged that her in-laws were consistently harassing her. They also alleged her husband had an extramarital affair, and they forced her to divorce him. The family alleged their daughter was poisoned.

The girl’s father said, “From her conversation, it seems my daughter has been tortured for some time now. However, she lived there with understanding. She did not take it seriously initially, but from her statement, it appeared she was being tortured for a few days. Even before her death, she spoke to me. Finally, my daughter has been killed.”

Monica’s family has filed a complaint against seven members of her in-laws’ family at Surat Police Station. An FIR under the section relevant to the abetment of suicide has been registered, and so far, three accused have been arrested. The remaining four are absconding. Police have initiated a process to bring her husband, India, who is currently living in Israel.

Nitish Kumar capable of leading Bihar as CM even in 2030: JD(U)

OpIndia Staff
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Nitish Kumar capable of leading Bihar as CM even in 2030: JD(U)

On February 22, senior party leader KC Tyagi stated that Nitish Kumar could be the CM candidate even in the 2030 Assembly election. The statement came a day after JD (U) National President Lalan Singh declared that the chief ministerial candidate for the grand alliance in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election would be decided at that time.

Tyagi said, “Nitish’s health is fine, and his political career is also rising. JD(U) means Nitish, and he is fulfilling his responsibilities well as there is no challenge to his leadership.”

Following Lalan Singh’s remarks, Tyagi stated that JD(U) president played a vital role in joining the grand alliance. His statement should not be misunderstood. Speaking on the performance of JD(U) in the elections and Upendra Kushwaha’s resignation from the party, Tyagi stated JD(U) won 118 seats in the 2010 state assembly elections and formed government independently. He said, “I do not believe that the party’s support base broadens or shrinks due to the inclusion or exclusion of any leader. Nitish’s image and capability are not in doubt.”

Notably, Kushwaha resigned from the party and accused Nitish of mortgaging the party in the hands of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD by projecting deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav as his political successor. Later, Kushwaja formed Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD).

After joining hands with the ‘great alliance’ to form government in Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar has shown special affection for deputy CM Yadav. He has stated the RJD leader would take care of the state in the future. He also stated in 2025, Tejashwi would lead the grand alliance in state assembly elections. His statement irked several leaders in the party and led to Kushwaha’s resignation on February 20.

Before quitting, Kushwaha called on JD(U) president Singh to convene a national executive meeting to clarify if any deal was made before the party joined the grand alliance to form a government in the state. Notably, there are speculations that Nitish Kumar is planning to enter national politics in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and form an alliance with the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If it happens, Tejashwi Yadav will probably become the Chief Minister of the state.

Pakistan: 17-year-old Hindu girl in Sindh kidnapped and converted to Islam; police claim she converted of her own will

ANI
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Pakistan: 17-year-old Hindu girl in Sindh kidnapped and converted to Islam; police claim she converted of her own will

A 17-year-old Hindu girl in Pakistan’s Sindh was kidnapped and converted to Islam.

The minor is a resident of Naukot, Mirpur Khas district in Sindh province in Pakistan. According to her family, the girl was kidnapped on February 15 from Naukot market where she had gone with her younger brother to purchase vegetables.

Her younger brother said the girl was being taunted by one Rouf, a resident of Umerkot and his two friends. On February 15, when the siblings reached Naukot market, Rouf along with his friends forcefully took the girl away with them.

The girl’s father Ramesh Bheel said that the Naukot Police only made entries in the records of missing persons and had not registered the FIR against Rouf and his friends.

Bheel said that the police personnel stressed that she must have left with Rouf of her own will and he should wait another week before a kidnapping case can be registered against the accused.

On February 19, Naukot Police called the father and gave him a copy of the certificate dated February 18 which mentioned that the girl had embraced Islam of her own free will. Police said the girl’s name has also been changed after the conversion.

According to Inspector, Naukot Police Station, “the girl in a telephone call confirmed her acceptance of Islam and said she desires to reside with Rouf’s family in SamandKhala, Umarkot.”

The girl’s father now fears that he may not meet her daughter anymore as she would be married to her kidnapper when she turns major in three months.

Abduction, forcible conversion to Islam and marriage of Hindu girls, mostly minors to Muslims, continue unabated in various areas of Pakistan, particularly in Sindh without invoking any concern and attention of the administration, human rights organisations, mainstream media and social media platforms in Pakistan.

Australian Sikh Association demands AUD 40000 back from UK’s Khalsa Aid, says money was never used for charity work in India

OpIndia Staff
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Australian Sikh Association demands AUD 40000 back from UK’s Khalsa Aid, says money was never used for charity work in India

A letter, seeking the return of funds to the tune of AUD $40000 (INR 22.64 lakhs) from Khalsa Aid, has been doing the rounds of the internet.

Dated November 20, 2022, the letter accused the pro-Khalistani ‘charity’ organisation of not having a Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence to collect foreign funds. It bore the signature of one Albel Singh Kang, the company secretary of the Australian Sikh Association (ASA).

Addressed to the management of ‘Khalsa Aid UK’, the letter said, “Australian Sikh Association had donated AUD $40000 for flood relief in Punjab’s Mand Area to Khalsa Aid UK.”

Screengrab of the letter by ASA

It emphasised, “But it has been brought to the Australian Sikh Association’s attention that Khalsa Aid UK has never applied for FCRA to send funds to Punjab from the UK.”

While accusing the pro-Khalistani outfit of not sending money for relief work, the letter added, “Nor has Khalsa Aid UK sent any money from the UK to India. All the photos that we see of Sangar’s efforts in India are from funs collected locally in India.”

Albel Singh Kang sought the return of funds from Khalsa Aid UK, saying that he believed that the donation was not used for flood relief work. “Please do not point to your audited charity statements on Charity Commission in UK, we know how understaffed these agencies are,” he highlighted.

While slamming the ‘charity’ outfit, the letter concluded, “Please also do not lobby community members to represent you on your behalf. Australian Sikh Association will collaborate directly with Sangat and Gundwara Sahib in Mand Area to provide belated flood relief.”

Khalsa AID had received AUD $40k from Glennwood Gurdwara Sahib

Opindia found a post on the timeline of the verified Facebook page of ‘Khalsa Aid International’ wherein it was seen thanking the ASA and the Glennwood Gurdwara Sahib for their charitable donation.

The post dated October 26, 2019, read, “Punjab Floods…Sydney Sangat from Glennwood Gurdwara Sahib donated generous amount of AUD $40000 towards Panjab flood relief. Our thanks to all Sangat and Management Committee of Glenwood Gurdwara Sahib / Australian Sikh Association. Thank you”

The post was also accompanied by pictures of Gurdwara officials handing over a large cheque to the ‘Khalsa Aid UK’ volunteers.

Opindia however could not trace the source of the letter, bearing the letterhead of ASA. As such, we have written a letter to the Gurdwara officials seeking their comments on the same. The article will be updated once we receive their reply.

‘Sign of weak and coward people’: Manish Sisodia after home ministry sanctioned prosecution against him in snooping case

OpIndia Staff
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‘Sign of weak and coward people’: Manish Sisodia after home ministry sanctioned prosecution against him in snooping case

In the Delhi Feedback Unit (FBU) snooping case, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) authorized the prosecution of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia under the Prevention of Corruption Act on 17 February. The request for prosecution sanction from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been approved by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, who then passed it to the MHA.

Sisodia called the action ‘cowardly,’ adding that fabricating evidence to hurt opponents is a sign of weakness and cowards. “Many more allegations will be made against the Aam Aadmi Party as it grows,” tweeted the deputy chief minister of Delhi.

According to the CBI report, the alleged surveillance team was led by Manish Sisodia. “Till now, CBI, ED (Enforcement Directorate) and Delhi Police have registered 163 cases against us. However, BJP has not been able to prove even a single case. About 134 of these cases have been dismissed by the courts and in the rest of the cases also, the BJP-led Centre has been unable to provide any evidence. These cases are politically motivated,” AAP government has said earlier, refuting the charges.

Following AAP’s victory in Delhi in 2015, the Feedback Unit was established within the vigilance division, to inform the government about updates on various activities in different departments so that the government functions smoothly. However, it has been alleged in the CBI report that the unit was instead used to spy on political opponents. Reportedly, the unit snooped on union ministers, opposition political parties, MPs, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, media houses, leading businessmen and even judges of courts. The CBI had sought sanction to register FIR against Sisodia in the case.

The Aam Aadmi Party has denied the allegations calling the allegations politically motivated. Tha party said that there is no evidence to support the allegations.

Notably, the AAP leader Manish Sisodia is already on CBI’s radar in the liquor policy case where cartelization and monopolies were taking place in the liquor trade under the Delhi government’s new liquor policy.

Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore served legal notice for her song ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore served legal notice for her song ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’: Details

On Tuesday, February 22, the ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’ fame singer Neha Singh Rathore has been served a notice by the Kanpur Police for allegedly inciting hatred amongst the people through her song video. The Kanpur Police has asked Rathore to clarify whether she has penned the lyrics of the second part of the ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’ song released on February 16. 

Tuesday night, a team of Kanpur police officers went to Neha Singh’s residence and gave her a notice in accordance with Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

In the notice, the police sought information on details regarding her video. The police enquired as to whether she was featured in the video and, if so, whether she was the one who uploaded the videos. The police have also enquired as to whether or not she owns the Twitter account and YouTube channel where the video was uploaded. The police have also probed on whether she is still standing by the lyrics that she wrote for the videos if that is the case. Has the lyricist obtained your consent if she has not written the lyrics? the notice served by Kanpur police stated.

She was also questioned by the police if she is aware of the negative impacts of the video on society. In order to avoid registering a case against her under the IPC and CRPC, the UP Police have given her three days to respond to a letter asking for an explanation. “You are obligated by law to declare your position on the song, which has stoked conflict and tension in society. So, you must submit your response within three days of receiving the notice,” the notice from the UP Police stated.

Notice served by Kanpur police

The singer uploaded a video of the moment she received the notice. The singer asked the police when she received the notice, “Who is troubling you to do this?”, in the background a voice is heard saying, “aap karwa rahi hain.”

Neha Singh Rathore’s latest song questions the Uttar Pradesh government following the deaths of two women, 45-year-old Pramila Dikshit and her 20-year-old daughter Neha in a bulldozer drive in Kanpur Dehat. Initially, it was said that the women immolated themselves. The deceased’s family, however, has stated that the duo did not set themselves on fire, but rather the SDM directed Lekhpal to set fire to their house, where the duo got trapped and was charred to death.

Chhattisgarh: Aslam kills his wife Kahkshan two days after nikah, then commits suicide

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: Aslam kills his wife Kahkshan two days after nikah, then commits suicide

On February 21, a man identified as Aslam Ahmed killed his wife Kahkshan Bano and later committed suicide. The couple were getting ready for the reception when the incident happened. The nikah (Islamic wedding) occurred between the two on February 19. As per reports, they got into an argument before the reception. Agitated, Aslam took a sharp weapon and fatally injured Kahkshan. He then committed suicide.

As per reports, the incident occurred in the Tikrapara area of Brijnagar, Raipur. The couple and relatives were getting ready for the reception. The couple was in their room when they got into an argument. The groom’s mother noticed screams coming out of their room. She rushed to the room, but it was locked. She informed the family and relatives, who broke into the room’s window to look inside and noticed both lying on the floor.

The police were informed about the incident. Raipur police reached the spot and took the bodies into their custody. The reason behind the murder-suicide is still unclear, and the police are investigating the matter.

In a statement, a relative of the groom said, “The groom was not in a good state of mind since yesterday. I do not know why he took such an extreme step. We were getting ready for the reception.” As per the IBC24 report, when the bride’s family reached the groom’s house and learnt about the incident, they tried to set the house on fire. The police intervened to stop them.

Javed Akhtar’s Lahore visit for Faiz Festival triggers ‘Aman Ki Asha’ enthusiasts who want to guilt trip India to ‘helping’ Pakistan which hasn’t asked for help

Dibakar Dutta
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Javed Akhtar’s Lahore visit for Faiz Festival triggers ‘Aman Ki Asha’ enthusiasts who want to guilt trip India to ‘helping’ Pakistan which hasn’t asked for help

The ‘Aman ki Asha’ gang has woken up from its deep slumber after lyricist Javed Akhtar made headlines for criticising Pakistan for its role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Akhtar, who had recently been to Lahore to attend the Faiz Festival, had also claimed that there was intolerance on both sides of the border. The vicious cabal, which has been selling the mirage of peace to common Indian citizens, sought to exploit the opportunity.

They suggested that it was time to mend the relations with the hostile neighbouring country and extend the olive branch and help them out ‘in time of crisis’. This despite India being at the receiving end of Pakistan’s nefarious designs from time to time. This ‘time of crisis’ is the unprecedented economic crisis the country is facing where people are rioting over flour. However, despite this, Pakistan has not yet sought help from India and continues its anti-India rhetoric while staying silence on cross-border Islamist terrorism.

Leading the pack of wolves was none other than ‘journalist’ Barkha Dutt. In a tweet, her news portal ‘Mojo Story’ said, “In Pakistan, Bollywood lyricist #javedakhtar was asked to back the message of ‘love & brotherhood’ back to #India to build friendly relations. His reply is viral now.”

Paedophile-accused Hasan Suroor, who happens to be a regular columnist at The Times of India, put the onus on India to improve bilateral ties with Pakistan.

In a propaganda-laden piece, he tried to guilt-trip the Indian government into helping the ‘vulnerable people of Pakistan’, despite the fact that their condition is the result of their own doing.

After all, when their leaders vowed to eat grass in exchange for developing an atomic bomb, the public readily obliged in the hopes of avenging India.

‘Filmmaker’ Vinod Kapri had also hailed Javed Akhtar for supposedly showing the mirror to Pakistan on their own soil. To keep the bait of ‘Aman ki Asha’ rolling, another filmmaker Pooja Bhatt suggested that relationships can be mended only through 2-way initiative.

“For truth to stay alive, there must be two sets of people. One who is ready to speak the truth and the other to listen to it. one is not possible without the other,” she had claimed. Pooja Bhatt also hailed the Pakistanis for their ‘exceptional’ ability to acknowledge the unadulterated truth.

The troupe by the ‘Aman ki Asha’ brigade into forcing India to come to Pakistan’s rescue is not a new phenomenon. They saw an opportunity and seized it. Even prior to Javed Akhtar’s address at Faiz festival, the groundwork was being laid in all earnest. Many had appealed to PM Modi and EAM Dr Jaishankar to help bail out the ‘neighbour’ as if their bad economic policy decisions were India’s responsibility. There are various international institutions Pakistan could reach out to for financial support where many have strict action against terrorism as primary concern and criteria. Moreover, Pakistan is also on friendly terms with China which has funded many infrastructural projects in the country.

Interestingly, Pakistan has sought no help from India and continues to raise the ‘Kashmir bogey’ in the hopes of getting back at us. Despite economic hardships, PM Shehbaz Sharif had vowed, “Pakistan will continue to lend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmir cause, until its freedom from Indian oppression.” He had flexed Pakistan’s nuclear muscle power against India even as his countrymen riot over food.

Pakistan clearly does not seek peace with India. It has backstabbed us whenever we tried to extend the olive branch. The Kargil War of 1999, the Mumbai terror attack of 2008, the Uri and Pathankot attacks and the Pulwama suicide bombing attacks are a testimony to its sinister agenda. Despite that, there have been the ‘liberal’ lobby from India side who wants to continue exchange with Pakistan, be it films, singers, musicians or cricket. We are made to believe that art and sports should be independent of politics, but why should it if the artists and cricketers do not keep politics away from their sport?

We have seen Pakistani cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar dream about Ghazwa-e-Hind, Islamic conquest of India and other Pakistani players spew venom and hatred on Indians and Hindus. If their cricketers and artists have such clarity in their anti-India stand, why should India live in this make-believe world of MK Gandhi where one has to ‘offer another cheek’ when one is slapped on one.

For a beleaguered nation that clearly did not learn its lesson in the past 76 years, the ‘Aman ki Asha’ facade cannot hide the truth that peace is impossible with Pakistan. India can and should not have any cultural exchange till terror export from Pakistan to India stops.

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