Days after the unprecedented gas leak from three underwater pipelines of the Nord Stream system, a Chinese diplomat took to Twitter on Saturday (October 1) to insinuate an American hand behind the incident.
Cao Yi, the former Chinese ambassador to Iraq and Lebanon, mocked the US administration for allegedly sabotaging the natural gas pipeline and pretending to not know about it. The archived version of the tweet can be accessed here.
He wrote, “Who hates the Russian pipelines? USA. Who tried to stop them (from) being built? USA. Who said they would destroy them? USA. Who benefits from their destruction? USA. Who destroyed them? We have no idea.”
In late September, explosions took place in the Baltic Sea, off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm. The incident led to leaks in both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines that connect Russia and Germany.
As per reports, the pipelines were not transporting gas during the time of the explosion although they were filled with gas. In the aftermath of the incident, huge gas bubbles (up to 1km in diameter) were spotted on the surface of the Baltic Sea.
The European Union and the United States have labelled the underwater explosions as an act of sabotage but did not directly name Russia. Kremlin denied any involvement in the incident and expressed grave concern.
Adrienne Watson, White House National Security Council spokeswoman, remarked, “We’re not going to let Russia’s disinformation distract us or the world from its transparently fraudulent attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.” said Friday.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has blamed the United States for sabotage. “American liquefied natural gas suppliers should be celebrating the manifold increase in LNG supplies to Europe,” he said.
Vladimir Putin also accused the Anglo-Saxons, who earlier imposed sanctions on the country, for damaging the Nord pipelines. Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has pointed out that the Nord Stream pipeline incident is the biggest single release of methane ever recorded.
On October 1, The Wire columnist Arfa Khanum Sherwani expressed her dismay as Hindus have been showing resistance to the entry of non-Hindus, especially Islamists, from entering Garba Pandals. In several locations, Hindu organisations like Bajrang Dal have asked the Garba organisers to check ID cards before letting anyone inside the Garba pandals. In a tweet, Sherwani wrote, “Hindutva Fascists are mocking, discouraging, threatening and even beating up Muslims who are/want to participate in celebrations of Hindu festivals. They are destroying the last bit of whatever has remained of India and its composite culture.”
Hindutva Fascists are mocking, discouraging, threatening and even beating up Muslims who are/want to participate in celebrations of Hindu festivals. They are destroying the last bit of whatever has remained of India and its composite culture.
Idol worship is a sin in Islam and the garba events during Navratri are a form of worship to the Goddesses. While many have tried to appropriate the religious festival as a cultural one, the fact remains Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated across India and beyond by Hindus.
Arfa’s tweet, however, triggered a large section of Muslims who were not happy with the idea of Muslims participating in the garba and Navratri festivities. AIMPLB member and President of Sharia Committee, Hyderabad, Dr Asma Zehra Tayeba said, “Surah Kafiroon clearly says “Lakum Dinukum Waliya Deen”.Tumhare liye Tumhaara Deen Hamare liye Hamara Deen. Why are you Dancing in their Religious festival?”
Tweet by Dr Asma Zehra Tayba. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Misrai Ali said, “When Hindu Festivals have become toxic pockets of concentrated Hindutva pride and violence against Muslims, you should be more critical of participating in such places.”
Tweet by Misrai Ali. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Ahadun said, “At least for the sake of self-respect people like Arfa should stop participating in the festivals of other religions.”
Tweet by Ahadun. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Shahid Raza said, “Why Muslims want to go in their festivals?? For Muslims isn’t permissible to attend other religions’ rituals. Recently some Bajrang Dal people beat Muslim men for attending/watching Garba. If Muslims didn’t want their festivals then this incident not happened.”
Twitter user Hamad said, “Sorry Arfa but what’s the need for Muslims to participate in Hindu festivals. A true Muslim must be far away and least bothered about them. For you is your religion and for me is my religion. (Surat Al Kafiroon).”
Tweet by Hamad Albartani. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Abubakar Sheikh said, “Beating anybody is not fair but Why u want to participate in other religion’s festival. U must respect their faith but why do u need to participate in it.? Is anybody stopping you to celebrate independence day together?”
Tweet by Abubakar Sheikh. Source: Twitter
Twitter user MuslimPain said, “We don’t want to participate in H festivals as islam doesn’t permit it so stop selling things on our behalf. Just say you wanted to go and they are mocking you.”
Tweet by muslimpain. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Shifa Seeker said, “SHAME on this mentality of yours,where you want to defend this unislamic & sinful act under the garb of culture. Muslims protect ur #Imaan that is the last bit & the only thing that can, save you from facing the wrath of Allah.”
Tweet by Shifa Seeker. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Talktoamuslim said, “Why would sane Muslims go in places where they are not welcome? In present majoritarian set-up, it’s foolish to insist on joining their festivities.”
Tweet by talktoamuslim. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Omar Abbas Hyat said, “Why would/should any Muslim impose himself/herself in someone else’s religious festivals?”
Tweet by Omar Abbas Hyat. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Mohammad Salman condemned Arfa’s desire to attend the Hindu festival and questioned why she wanted to attend festivities of other religions. He further added that a person’s self respect in his/her own hands.
Tweet by Mohammad Salam Sam. Source: Twitter
Tweet by Amir Sultan. Source: Twitter
Twitter user Israil Shaikh said a Muslim should not go to a Hindu festival. He emphasized that a Muslim should not even look at a Hindu festival.
Twitter by Israil Shaikh. Source: Twitter
Surah Al Kafiroon is the name of 109th chapter of Quran invokes the ‘unbelievers’ (kaafirs) where Prophet Muhammad had declined to compromise on idolatry.
Sherwani has spewed venom against the Hindu religion and culture
Sherwani spewed venom against the Hindu religion and culture in the past. Not too long ago, in December 2018, Arfa Khanum Sherwani called chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ communal. In her tweet, she said, “Yes ‘, Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is communal. Because it forces a certain mythological idea of the motherland being a Devi, a deity, this may suit your faith and religious philosophy but not people who believe in monotheism- one God. It is a majoritarian slogan.”
Arfa has called the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki jai” communal. Source: Twitter
She clearly showed her anger over the “forcing” depiction of the country as a ‘deity’. Interestingly, Garba is a form of worshipping Maa Durga during the Navratri festival. Maa Durga is a Hindu Goddess, a deity of the highest form. On the one hand, Sherwani was irked that Muslims were asked to worship a deity, and on the other hand, she wanted Hindus to let Muslims come and join the festivities of worshipping a deity. The way Sherwani wanted to have ‘ladoo in both hands’ is astonishing.
Suzlon Energy’s Founder, Chairman and Managing Director Tulsi R Tanti passed away on 1 October 2022. He suffered a heart attack and passed away soon after. He was 64 years old.
Suzlon Energy statement
The same was announced by the company through a statement. Born in Rajkot in 1958, Tanti was one of the promoters of Suzlon Energy which he founded in 1995.
A magistrate in Islamabad issued an arrest warrant for Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf leader and Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan on 30th September 2022. The warrant was issued by Senior Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim after Imran Khan didn’t appear in court in a case filed against him for allegedly threatening a female judge.
Imran Khan is accused of threatening District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry while addressing a public meeting on 20th August 2022 in Islamabad. Following his remarks, a case was registered against him on August 20. Imran Khan was booked under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code in the FIR against him, including 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 189 (threat of injury to public servant), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
The PTI chief is also facing contempt of court charges for his comments against Judge Zeba Chaudhry. Imran Khan had made the comments against the judge for approving his aide Shahbaz Gill’s two-day police custody on August 17. Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff was arrested on sedition charges for making comments against the army. The former PM had said that the judge should “prepare herself as action would be taken against her”.
In the controversial August 20 address, Imran Khan had also threatened to file cases against Islamabad’s inspector general of police and deputy inspector general of police, accusing him of inhuman treatment of Gill in custody.
According to the police, when the Islamabad High Court dismissed terror charges in a case filed against Imran Khan for his statements, the matter was sent to a sessions court, and the former Pakistani prime minister did not receive bail there. The police further said that as Imran Khan didn’t attend the last court hearing, the warrant was issued to ensure that he is present during the next hearing.
Imran Khan was charged with terrorism on the allegation of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for terrorizing the federal capital’s additional sessions judge, Zeba Chaudhry. Following Imran Khan’s address at the PTI rally in Islamabad’s F9 Park in August, a first information report (FIR) was filed with the Margalla police.
However, on September 19, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the removal of terrorist sections from the lawsuit filed against the PTI head for threatening a woman judge and Islamabad police personnel. After the Islamabad High Court (IHC) withdrew the terrorism charges against him, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) instructed Imran to move the sessions court for temporary bail since the subject did not fall under its purview.
The PTI leader earlier today filed an affidavit before the IHC in the contempt suit about threats made against the additional district and sessions judge. The former prime minister assured in the affidavit to the court that he would never again take any action that would diminish the stature of any court or the judiciary, particularly the subordinate courts. The PTI leader stated that he is willing to take additional steps to satisfy the court in this respect and that he would fully adhere to what he indicated before the court in the last hearing. He wrote that he “might have crossed a red line while making a public speech”.
The affidavit was demanded by the court at a hearing on September 22, when Imran promised to apologize to Chaudhry after the PTI leader criticized her for allowing Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case. Imran was spared from jail because of his promise to apologize.
Yesterday, Imran Khan had reached the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry to personally apologise for his comments, but could not do so as she was not present in the court. He informed the officials of the court that he came to apologise.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting for the post of Congress President, is accused of copying the logo of Australia’s Network 10 for his manifesto for the upcoming Congress presidential elections. Tharoor had recently presented his manifesto that entailed ten tenets aimed at “revitalizing the congress”.
A Twitter user who goes by the username @unraveaero spotted the plagiarism and tagged the official Twitter handle of Shashi Tharoor. “That 10 is the logo of Australian TV Network 10,” he tweeted.
In his manifesto, Shashi Tharoor outlined his plans to revitalize the party through decentralization and internal restructuring if he wins the election.
The senior politician filed his candidacy at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi.
Notably, On September 30, Shashi Tharoor sparked outrage after netizens noticed that the manifesto depicted a distorted map of India, with a portion of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire Lakshadweep missing from India’s map.
Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor’s manifesto for the election shows a distorted map of India, part of J&K omitted from Dr Tharoor’s manifesto.
The huge gaffe was rectified by Shashi Tharoor’s office after it was brought to their attention, but they showed no remorse for their egregious blunder. Tharoor’s office tweeted an updated map of India shortly after publishing the initial manifesto that included the previously deleted region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tharoor opted to criticise the BJP and everyone else who pointed out that he had distorted the Indian map, despite the fact that he had made the error himself.
And as for the BJP trolls who have been alleging that this is part of a Congress (& my personal) design to “dismember India”, it doesn’t deserve a response, but here’s a reminder of what i said at the @IPUparliament in 2018 as an @INCINdia MP: https://t.co/ujmbaAQPHYhttps://t.co/LTyWNi46VP
In an exclusive interview with ABP News on September 30, Tharoor stated that the “high command” culture’s expiry date has come closer. He said that it was time for the party to make decisions from the bottom up rather than the top down. Earlier, he claimed, every decision was made at the top, which was improper. Tharoor responded, “Elections in our party are very good for India’s democracy,” when asked why he was contesting. This is not a fight of enemies, we have worked together. Elections are being fought amicably by all parties. India needs a strong opposition.”.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s largest bank, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), faced secondary liabilities in a terror funding case in the United States in which the complainants alleged that it helped and encouraged Al Qaeda terrorism and participated in a conspiracy to carry out attacks that killed or injured around 370 people.
According to the local report, Judge Lorna G Schofield stated that the bank needed to face liability under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act as a party that ‘aids and abets, by knowingly providing substantial assistance, or conspires with the person who committed such an act of international terrorism’.
The judge stated that the complainants in three unified cases adequately alleged that the attacks were scheduled or approved by a Foreign Terrorist Organization such as Al Qaeda or syndicates Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Afghan Taliban, including the Haqqani Network, and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
“The complaints also show that the bank knowingly and substantially helped al-Qaeda and its proxies evade sanctions and engage in terrorist acts, which satisfies the knowing assistance requirement”, the Judge stated adding that the bank placed terrorists or those linked to terrorists on a ‘good guy list’ of people ostensibly pre-cleared for reduced scrutiny of their transactions.
Judge Schofield further ruled that the claims were adequate to establish that HBL participated in a conspiracy to perpetrate the assaults. She denied the plaintiffs’ allegations of the principal involvement, however, because none of the claimed financial services supplied by HBL was acts of international terrorism.
The HBL issuing the statement in the matter, however, said the charges against it were baseless, adding that the bank was fiercely disputing them. “The public record is clear that HBL is unwavering in its commitment to combating the financing of terrorism, and as has been well documented its extensive global implementation of anti-money laundering compliance controls has been highly successful and lauded by regulators around the world”, the statement read.
HBL stated in its statement added that its motion was successful in two ways- the court rejected the major responsibility claim and significantly restricted the case. “The court also stated secondary liabilities will be evaluated following due legal proceedings and no judgment was passed by the court on this matter”, HBL added.
The news comes as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has increased pressure on Islamabad to take action against terror funding flowing from its territory. The Paris-based watchdog has also suggested that Pakistan might be removed from the grey list if it works effectively against terror organizations.
However, this is not the first time that the bank has come under the lens of transactions relating to terror funding. Earlier in 2017, the bank had been fined $225 million for various violations of New York’s regulatory provisions. In addition, the bank agreed to surrender its license to operate a branch in New York and wind down its activities there. The branch had been operational since 1978.
On Friday, September 30, the Mumbai police registered a case against Maharashtra’s former Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and two of his aides for threatening to kill a man after the latter sent a video to the minister wherein he was heard insulting the Hindu god and goddesses.
The FIR was registered against the out-on-bail NCP leader and his aides at Chembur police station late on Friday night after a Chembur resident approached the police with a complaint against the NCP leader. He confirmed that he received the death threat on the phone after he sent the video to Chhagan Bhujbal.
The FIR was filed under section 506 of the IPC based on the phone calls and WhatsApp messages provided by the complainant.
“If you send the video to Bhujbal sahib, I will come home and shoot you, people from the state will kill you,” said the complainant while talking about the threat.
“Based on the complaint filed by the man, an offence under Sections 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) was registered against Bhujbal and two others,” the official said on Saturday.
“The complainant said he was threatened for forwarding two videos to Bhujbal, in which the latter allegedly spoke against Hindu religion,” he added.
Taking note of the issue, BJP MLA Ameet Satam criticised Bhujbal and requested an extensive investigation.
Tagging Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and DY CM Devendra Fadnavis, Satam Tweeted, “Tainted @ChhaganCBhujbal shud b further investigated fr his links with underworld & PFI other than corruption! Just now FIR regd against him by a businessman fr giving threats to kill ! Time 2 fix such anti national, anti social , corrupt leaders. @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis.”
Tainted @ChhaganCBhujbal shud b further investigated fr his links with underworld & PFI other than corruption! Just now FIR regd against him by a businessman fr giving threats to kill ! Time 2 fix such anti national, anti social , corrupt leaders. @mieknathshinde@Dev_Fadnavis
It may be recalled that the NCP leader and the former Deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal has had an extremely tainted past. In 2016, Bhujbal was arrested for several criminal offences including criminal misconduct, conspiracy, and cheating, among others.
Several series of raids were conducted at the properties owned by Bhujbal and his family across Maharashtra. The agency issued a provisional attachment order then, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), against the two assets which are owned by Bhujbal’s firm, which were estimated to be at Rs 55 crores.
It’s often said habits die hard. While serving in jail, it was alleged that Chhagan Bhujbal had extended favours to the prison doctor who in turn changed his medical papers without the knowledge of Arthur Road Jail CMO and recommended that he get admitted there for some other serious reason rather than a simple tooth treatment.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Urban) Ranjit Patil had then ordered a Director General of Police (DGP) level probe into allegations of VIP treatment being accorded to some detainees in lieu of monetary considerations at Arthur Road Jail.
On Friday, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), a Pakistan government ally and member of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), challenged Pakistan’s Transgender Protection Act, 2018, at the Federal Shariat Court (FSC). The court has set October 3rd as the date for the appeal’s preliminary hearing.
The party contested the law and demanded that it be ruled incompatible with Islamic Shariah, arguing that no law that conflicts with the Quran and Sunnah can be passed in the Islamic nation. The JUI-F has filed the petition in the Federal Shariat Court challenging the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
A JUI-F spokesperson said the party would continue its struggle against this act on every platform. The petition comes days after the Transgender Act Amendment Bill 2022 was presented in the house by PTI Senator Fauzia Arshad. The bill has been sent to a relevant standing committee of the parliament.
The law, which Pakistan’s Parliament enacted in 2018, forbids discrimination against transgender persons in social places including schools and workplaces. It also guarantees their rights to vote, inherit property, and run for office.
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) ruled some of the sections of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act to be against Sharia, and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also filed a court complaint opposing the legislation, which sparked controversy across the nation. CII had said that many sections of the Transgender Act are not in conformity with Islamic teachings and could add to social problems in the country.
Conservative lawmakers and social media users allege that the law supports same-sex unions, cross-dressing, and gender reassignment surgery. Additionally, they assert that since the law’s passage in 2018 more than 23,000 individuals have altered their gender. The law, according to JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman, is against the Sunnah and the teachings of the Holy Quran, and he intends to change it in parliament.
For a long time, the situation of transgender people in Pakistan has been dire. The law passed in 2018 promised to transform the scene of gender-based discrimination in the country, but there has been no improvement in the situation of transgender people in Pakistan.
Many people in Pakistan see trans individuals as misfits, particularly in conservative areas where they are frequently sexually molested, raped, and even murdered. They also avoid enrolling in conventional schools in order to escape prejudice. While there is opposition to transgender legislation, a hotline for transgender persons has been established in an effort to protect them from discrimination and harassment.
The hotline comes as the Shehbaz Sharif government attempts to revise the transgender rights bill to allow trans persons to select their gender identity for previously issued government documents and national identity cards.
A mega demolition drive started on 1st October 2022 in Bet Dwarka of Gujarat. Religious and private commercial constructions on government lands were demolished using bulldozers in large numbers. In the first phase, a total of 15 encroached constructions were razed off. The operation was carried out in presence of a tight police force. Top officials of the department were also present in the area.
According to reports, the mega operation was jointly carried out by various departments including revenue, panchayat, maritime, police, and power supply department after receiving inputs that the recently banned radical outfit PFI’s connections are active in Bet Dwarka and illegal activities are being carried out by grabbing government lands forcefully under the name of religion. A convoy of 1000 police personnel was deployed for security.
गुजरात सरकार द्वारा आज से शुरू हुआ कृष्ण की नगरी बेट-द्वारका का सफाई अभियान, सरकारी जमीन पर बने अवैध स्ट्रक्चर हटाने का काम जारी इनमे कॉमर्शियल और धार्मिक स्ट्रक्चर्स हैं शामिल पहले चरण में करीब 15 लोकेशंस पर होगी कार्यवाही @indiatvnews@sanghaviharsh@COLLECTORDWK 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/TRL00Jgg4U
Encroachments on government land in Bet Dwarka had increased in the last few years and recently Mazars and other religious constructions had started mushrooming on the roads. Due to this, there was a demand to remove this illegal encroachment.
List of the constructions. Image Source: Twitter handle of Nirnay Kapoor
Since yesterday, a police convoy was stationed in Dwarka and top officials including IG, 3 SPs, 9 DSPs, 20 PIs, and PSIs were also present. The action started on 1st October in the morning to remove encroachments by bulldozers in Hanuman Dandi Marg and the Balapar area of Bet Dwarka.
Bet Dwarka is a small island located in the sea near Dwarka on the western coast of Gujarat. The island is spread over an area of 11 kilometres. The main occupation of the local people is shipping and fishing. Security agencies constantly keep an eye on drugs, illegal gold, fake notes, etc. coming through the sea route from here.
Meanwhile, after the recent ban on PFI, action was initiated against PFI and individuals associated with the organization across the country. According to reports, agencies have become alert and initiated action after this connection came to light in Bet Dwarka.
On Friday, some Muslim youths forcefully entered the Garba venue in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Muslim youths, however, fled as soon as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists arrived.
According to the reports, the matter pertains to the Garba function organised at Narayan Vatika Marriage Garden in Jaipur’s Murlipura Police Station area. Some Muslim youths arrived at the Garba venue and argued with the security guard to allow them entry. After the guard refused to allow them entry, the Muslim youths forcibly entered the Garba Pandal.
The guard informed the organizers about the incident and they decided to call the police. However, before police, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists arrived at the Garba venue and checked the identity cards of all the people present at the venue. The Garba program had to be stalled for one hour. Meanwhile, the Muslim youths escaped out of fear.
Notably, out of the five organizers of the Garba, two were Muslims. To this VHP and Bajrang Dal activists reportedly expressed strong objection. Following this, the name of Muslim organizers was removed from the posters and they were asked to leave the venue.
Meanwhile, Muslim youths were thrashed on Wednesday (September 28, 2022) in Ahmedabad and Indore after cases of men entering Garba pandals while hiding their identities were reported. The Muslim youths were making videos and clicking pictures of Hindu girls.
Seven Muslim youths were detained by the police on Wednesday at the Garba pandal of Pandharinath in Indore. According to reports, they were making videos of Hindu girls. At the same time, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists beat up Muslim youths who tried to enter the Garba pandal in Ahmedabad’s Sindhu Bhavan area.
Hindu organizations like VHP and Bajrang Dal are ensuring security checks at Garba Pandals to prevent miscreants from entering and disturbing communal harmony. According to the Bajrang Dal, Muslim men do not participate in Garba because of their devotion to Hindu deities. They attend Garba pandals with the nefarious motive of luring Hindu girls.
