Home Blog Page 3474

KFC Pakistan had also extended support to pro-terror message calling for secession of Kashmir in 2021

OpIndia Staff
-
0
KFC Pakistan had also extended support to pro-terror message calling for secession of Kashmir in 2021

After automotive manufacturers Hyundai and Kia Motors drew flak for supporting secessionism in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, American fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) also came under the scanner for its pro-terrorism social media post.

In a tweet posted last year on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, the fast-food giant’s Pakistan company gave a call to separatists to pursue their sinister goal of disintegrating Kashmir from the Indian territory. “The cravings for freedom are heartfelt,” it said.

It must be mentioned that Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed annually on February 5 by Pakistan to extend their support to Islamic terrorists and Kashmiri separatists, operating from Indian soil.

Screengrab of the contentious tweet by KFC Pakistan

A similar message was posted by KFC Pakistan on its official Facebook page on February 5, 2021. The American fast-food chain did not delete either of the social media posts, at the time of writing this report in 2022.

Screengrab of the Facebook post by KFC Pakistan

However, this year, while the Hyundai Pakistan and Kia Motor’s Pakistan dealer showed their solidarity with pro-terror, KFC Pakistan did not.

Indian netizens call for boycott of KFC after old tweet on Kashmir resurfaces

Although KFC Pakistan did not share any pro-terrorism post on ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ this year, Indian social media users were miffed at the brazen interference in India’s geopolitical affairs and dissemination of Pakistani government propaganda by the American fast-food chain. Demands to boycott KFC India also began gaining momentum on social media.

“KFC doesn’t think Kashmir is India’s integral part. We make sure that it won’t be part of Indian Market. Boycott KFC India,” wrote popular Twitter user Wali.

Another popular Twitter user, Rosy, said, “All the Termites Doing Business in India, Taking Our money & Singing Pakistan Tune on Kashmir Have to be Thrown out. After Hyundai, Its KFC. NO MORE BUSINESS FROM INDIA FOR THESE COMPANIES. Boycott KFC.”

One Vinay tweeted, “Kashmir belongs to who? KFC India. We Indians do not accept anti national companies in our country. Boycott this ***hole #BoycottKFC.”

Another Twitter user vowed to not spend a dime on the American fast-food chain over its pro-Pakistan stand on Kashmir.

“Goodbye @KFC_India, you may leave. Kashmir is an integral part of my country India and you don’t need to poke your nose into it,” tweeted one Ashutosh Pandey.

“We all needs to unite against this International conspiracy against India,” remarked another Twitter user while supporting call to boycott KFC India.

After the old post went viral, KFC India issued a statement apologising for the post made by KFC Pakistan.

“We deeply apologize for a post that was published on some KFC social media channels outside the country. We honour and respect India, and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all Indians with pride,” it said.

Hyundai, Kia face boycott call over tweet on Kashmir Solidarity Day

Every year on 5th February, Pakistan tries to reinforce its propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir by observing ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, under the guise of which it continues to extend support to the Kashmiri separatist movement that is funded and supported by the Pakistan state. It was launched by Nawaz Sharif as the Pakistani Prime Minister in 1991.

Similar tweets supporting Islamic terrorism in Kashmir were posted by Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors on their official social media platforms, following which they received overwhelming flak from netizens.

PM Modi tears into Congress’ ‘Garibi hatao’ facade, exposes how they made 17 crore poor people ‘rich’ in 2013

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi tears into Congress’ ‘Garibi hatao’ facade, exposes how they made 17 crore poor people ‘rich’ in 2013

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Lok Sabha for the reply to Motion of Thanks to President’s Address talked about how Congress’ ‘Garibi Hatao’ (eradicate poverty) has remained only a political slogan.

At around 1 hour into the speech, PM Modi talks about the inflation and how the same has been under control in India despite the covid situation. PM Modi talks about how Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of independent India addressed the country from the Red Fort and said how we any event in other part of the world affects prices in India. “He addressed nation and said that sometimes even a fight in Korea affects us. Because of which prices of things increase. This was Nehruji, India’s first Prime Minister,” he said.

“The first prime minister of the country surrendered to prise rise in front of the citizens of the country. He further said that if something happens in America, then even that affects prices in India,” he said. PM Modi said how back then when globalisation was not this high, the menace of price rise was so much that Nehru had to surrender himself to it and admit it from the Red Fort.

“Congress has been winning elections since 1971 on the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’. Even after 40 years, poverty didn’t go anywhere but Congress government changed the definition of poverty. Speaker sir, the youth of the nation needs to know this,” he said.

PM Modi then took a dig at opposition leaders trying to create ruckus and said that they disrupt the speech when they know they’re going to get a huge blow. “They know that they are badly stuck. Speaker sir, after 40 years, the poverty didn’t go anywhere but the poor removed Congress. And what did Congress do? Congress changed the definition of poverty. In 2013, in just one stroke, they created magic on paper and made 17 crore poor people rich,” PM Modi said.

In 2013, the Planning Commission under the Congress led UPA had said that estimated poverty line set at Rs 27 a day for person in rural area and Rs 33 per day in urban area. That means, anyone earning more than those amount would not be considered poor. This had resulted in bringing down the number of poor people in India 37.2% of population to 21.9%.

Congress, AAP encouraged migrant workers from UP, Bihar to breach COVID-19 lockdown and head back to their native places: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress, AAP encouraged migrant workers from UP, Bihar to breach COVID-19 lockdown and head back to their native places: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

PM Modi on Monday slammed Congress, AAP and other opposition parties for instigating migrant workers from UP, Bihar to flout lockdown norms and head back to their native places amidst a raging coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks to President’s Address in Lok Sabha, PM Modi lashed out at the Congress in Maharashtra and the AAP government in Delhi for encouraging migrant workers from UP, Bihar to go back to their native places.

“At a time when countries around the world, the WHO, and the scientists were asking people to stay put, Congress in Maharashtra provided free tickets to Shramik workers to leave Mumbai,” PM Modi said while highlighting the role of the grand old party in fuelling the pandemic and brushing its hands off the responsibility of helping migrant workers from UP, Bihar.

“The Congress Party has crossed all limits in this time of COVID-19. During the first wave, when people were following lockdowns, guidelines were suggesting that people stay where they are, the Congress was standing at Mumbai Station and scaring innocent people,” he added.

PM Modi slams AAP government in Delhi for facilalitating the spread of COVID and leaving migrant workers in the lurch

PM Modi also trained guns on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, stating that they egged on the migrant workers to flee the national capital and provided them with buses.

“Those who are still in the Delhi Government used microphones, went to residential areas and told people to leave. As a consequence, COVID-19 spread rapidly in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” Modi said.

Delhi government exhort migrant workers to flee the national capital

In March 2020, days after the national lockdown was imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi government was accused of spreading unnecessary rumours and of sowing chaos by allegedly making announcements that there were buses at the UP border ready to drop individuals to their locations.

Basically, to do away with the migrant workers in the national capital amidst the pandemic, the AAP government allegedly spread the rumour that buses have been waiting at the UP borders to take them to their respective households. This impelled the mass exodus of these migrant labourers, who made a beeline at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in an attempt to return to their respective villages.

The reports said that the UP CM Yogi Adityanath had to stay up till late in the night to overlook the arrangements in order to help the stranded migrants, mostly hailing from UP and Bihar, to return back to their respective homes as soon as possible.

Your “ecosystem” doesn’t let your hubris go away, PM Modi takes a dig at Congress while taking the grand old party to the cleaners

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Your “ecosystem” doesn’t let your hubris go away, PM Modi takes a dig at Congress while taking the grand old party to the cleaners

On February 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, took a dig at Congress and counted how many years the grand old party has been out of power in states across India. PM Modi, while counting the achievements the current govt has made, including a gas connection, electricity connection etc., said if the Congress party leaders were connected to the roots, they would have seen the problem when they were in power. He then counted the years Congress has failed to form government in many states.

At around 10 minutes into the speech, he said, “It is unfortunate a lot of leaders are still stuck in 2014, and they are not ready to move on. You have found yourself in such a mental state that you are suffering the consequences. The public has understood you. Some have understood long back, some have understood recently, and some will understand in future.”

“When you give a lecture to the ruling government, you forget that you were in power for 50 years. Now see, the people of Nagaland last chose Congress in 1998. It has been 24 years. Odisha last voted for Congress in 1995. It has been 27 years since you did not get entry into the state. In Goa, you last won in 1994 with full majority, and it has been 28 years since then. The last time Tripura people voted for you was in 1988,” PM Modi said while suppressing a laughter.

He further said that in UP, Bihar and Gujarat, Congress came to power in 1985. Similarly, in West Bengal, Congress was last elected in 1972 by the people.

PM Modi was interrupted by the opposition leaders. He said, “I would have agreed to what you are saying if you have stayed within your limit and did not use the podium for your own agenda. The Parliament should be used for the people and not for the benefit of the party. It is our compulsion to answer you.”

He continued, “In Tamil Nadu, you came to power in 1962. You take credit for creating Telangana. But the people of Telangana did not approve of you since its creation. It has been 20 years since Jharkhand was created. But you could not form a government on your own and keep trying to enter from the backdoor.”

He added it is not about the election results but about the intent and sincerity of these leaders. Why are the people of India rejecting them after being in power for decades? The people did not let you enter once they rejected you. Taking a dig at the well-oiled support system Congress has, he said, “If we lose one election, the ecosystem keeps talking about it for months. But in your case, even after getting defeated so many times, neither your ego leaves nor the ecosystem lets your ego leave.”

PM Modi further said that since Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary has been reciting quite a few couplets recently, even he would like to say one. He said, “woh jab din ko raat kahein turant maan jao, nahi maanoge to woh din mein nakab odh lenge, zaroorat hui to haqikat ko thoda bahut marod lenge, woh magroor hain khud ki samajh par beinteh, inhein aaina mat dikhao woh aaine ko bhi tod denge. (If they call day, night, agree with them… else they will cover their faces. They would twist the facts. They are egoist, do not show them mirror, they will break it).”

The House erupted in applause after the couplet recital by PM Modi even as the opposition tried to create a ruckus.

‘Visiting Churches in Goa is nonsense’: Read Darul Uloom’s interesting Fatwas before NCPCR shuts down their website

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Visiting Churches in Goa is nonsense’: Read Darul Uloom’s interesting Fatwas before NCPCR shuts down their website

The name of Darul Uloom Deoband has surfaced again after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) sent a letter to the Saharanpur District Magistrate requesting that action be taken against Darul-Uloom Deoband for issuing controversial fatwas and making illegal assertions about the rights of children under Indian law.

The move followed after a complaint was lodged against the Islamic seminary over their often problematic and even illegal opinions on subjects related to children and their education.

Darul Uloom Deoband has a lengthy history of releasing contentious Fatwas. Deobandi Islam is reported to be the most prevalent kind of teaching in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with many prominent Afghan and Pakistani Taliban leaders having attended Deobandi seminaries. A huge number of inquiries on the website of Deoband’s Darul Uloom seek answers from the Deobandi school on queries regarding family, health, marital relationship and others. Here are some of the most often asked and followed questions on the website. One should take a look to find out what the Muslims across are most concerned about.

Visiting abandoned Churches as tourist is ‘non-sense’

source: Darul Uloom website

A person has asked if he can visit Churches in Goa that are abandoned and holding no Christian prayers at present. He was answered that it is nonsense to visit such places. “It is mentioned in hadith that the good effect of one’s Islam is that he gives up nonsense things.” the last sentence of the answer read.

‘Honesty and piety have no value if the person with such virtues does not follow Islam’

A person sought a response to his question regarding the lifestyles of non-Muslims who are devout and honest in character. He was told that if one’s honesty or piety does not have Islamic roots, it lacks credibility. Also, it is due to people’s ignorance that they do not convert to Islam despite knowing about it. Everyone must believe that Islam is the sole religion and that Allah is the one God, the replay said.

Cadbury chocolate is Haram!

A very minor but intriguing topic arose: is it legal to eat Cadbury chocolate knowing that it lacks Halal certification? The answer was straightforward: avoid consuming anything that does not have confirmation of being Halal.

Sin bigger than Kufr and Shirk

Another inquiry was, ‘Is there any sin that will take a Muslim to hell other than kufr and shirk. In response, it was mentioned that there can be no bigger sin than Kufr and Shirk. Kufr in Islam refers to ‘non-faith’ and Shirk refers to ‘allegiance to multiple gods.’

Eating with a Hindu allowed in Islam?

The question here needs to be quoted verbatim. “Is eating with a Hindu (office colleague) allowed in Islam? (1) Sitting on one table eating own food (2) Food cooked by a Hindu (I am sure not allowed to eat as I heard it from Dr Zakir Naik) But my friends still want to re-confirm from the authentic scholars.” The person was answered that one will be rewarded if one eats own food in a way that the Hindu is attracted to Islam. Furthermore, he was advised not to eat anything prepared in a Hindu household because it may have been prepared with ‘haram’ ingredients and may have been ‘offered to their gods’.

source: Darul Uloom website

Difference between Islam and Hinduism

A query came up on the difference between Hinduism and Islam if both Worship black stones, the Hindus – the Shivling and The Muslims – the black stone in Kaba. The query was responded admonishing that one should never equate these two things together. The stone in Kaba is in the periphery and is not worshipped the way Shivling is worshipped. “You are wrong; Hajr Aswad (the Black Stone) is installed on the outer wall of Ka’ba, not inside it. The inside look is just like a room of masjid. The Hindus worship Shiva Ling while Muslims neither worship the Ka’ba nor of Hajr Aswad (the Black Stone), rather they worship only Allah and consider Him alone worthy of worship.” the answer read.

‘Women reading news is un-Islamic‘

A question that most people would term misogynistic came up on the website that whether one can listen to news dictated by women through radio. The answer was that women have been prohibited to speak loudly and with men who are not their ‘mehram’ and it is not right for them to speak on public broadcast. The Darul site further says that a woman’s voice is something that should be ‘hidden’ and it is wrong for her voice to be heard by men who are not her ‘mehram’.

source: Darul Uloom website

Darul Uloom Deoband is an Islamic seminary (Darul Uloom) in India that is the birthplace of the Sunni Deobandi Islamic movement. It is situated in Deoband, a town in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district.

The NCPCR has raised objection to Deoband’s content regarding the issues of child rights, adoption and education of children. Over several issues, Deoband has been found to be propagating views that are illegal under Indian law and negatively affect the safety and wellbeing of children.

NSUI’s Nadeem Khan throws Congress flag on Rahul Gandhi’s convoy, watch video

OpIndia Staff
-
0
NSUI’s Nadeem Khan throws Congress flag on Rahul Gandhi’s convoy, watch video

On February 6, National Student Union of India (NSUI) member Nadeem Khan threw a Congress Party flag on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy in Punjab. Khan was detained by the police. At the time of the incident, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar was driving the car while Navjot Singh Sidhu and CM Charanjit Singh Channi were sitting in the back seat. Gandhi was going to Ludhiana by road.

The incident happened when Gandhi rolled down the window to greet the party workers cheering from the roadside. Suddenly, a worker, identified as Nadeem Khan, threw a flag at him. Gandhi then rolled up the window. When the police questioned the worker, he alleged that he got swayed by emotions and threw the flag at Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to OpIndia, the officer-in-charge, Gurvinder Singh, of Dakha Police station, said the reports of attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are misleading. No such incident happened. He said, “I was on duty near the spot where the incident occurred. It was not an attack on the Congress leader, but NSUI workers tried to give their flag to Gandhi.”

Security breach in PM Modi’s convoy

There was an incident of a security breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy when he was travelling to Hussainiwala, Punjab, to address a rally. His convoy had to stop for 20 minutes on a bridge because of the alleged farmers protesting at one end of the bridge. Later, his convoy turned back, and PM’s address was cancelled. Reports revealed Punjab Police was aware of the possible protestors blocking the road but did not take appropriate action to clear the path.

Meet Dr Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the first woman vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Meet Dr Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the first woman vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University

After the successful tenure of M Jagadesh Kumar, Dr Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has been appointed as the next Vice-chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Pandit is a professor of politics and public administration at Savitribai Phule University, Pune and holds a doctorate in International Relations from JNU.

Dr Santishree started off as a brilliant student born to Dr Dhulipudi Anjaneyulu, Author, Journalist and retired civil servant and Prof. Mulamoodi Adilakshmi, a Professor of Tamil and Telugu at the Leningrad Oriental Faculty Department in (then) USSR. In her higher secondary Std. 12th examinations, she stood first in the state of Tamil Nadu.

She holds a bachelors degree in History and Social Psychology as a Gold Medallist from Presidency College, Madras and Masters in Political Science from the same college. Her stint with the Jawaharlal Nehru University started when she obtained her pre-doctoral degree in M.Phil in International Relations from JNU in 1986, securing the first rank in the university. Her Doctorate in International relations was a thesis on “PARLIAMENT AND FOREIGN POLICY IN INDIA – THE NEHRU YEARS” which she completed at the young age of 28. Further, she went on to study Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University in Sweden.

Dr Santishree has also served as a member of think tanks, government departments and advisory boards in the country. In 2005, she was elected as a member of the National Committee on Reconciliation. She has also served as a member of the Global India Foundation, a national-level Think Tank. She was a member of the UGC Committee on Higher Education and Indicators from 2006-2008 and an Executive Committee member of the Indian Association for American Studies [IAAS] between 2010-2013. In her academic career spanning thirty years, she has guided around 29 PhDs while also serving as an external advisor to many universities across India.

Pandit has taught many papers on International Politics, Political Sociology with reference to India and Peace and Conflict Studies at Goa University.

Over her long years in the academic circle, Dr Pandit has been honoured with the Woman Educator Award from Youth Forum For Gandhian Studies in 2003, Veer Savarkar Award in Pune, 2010 and Wisetex award for Women leaders in the next decade for Education in 2004. As a well-travelled academician, the multilingual professor is fluent in six languages including Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi and English and can understand Kannada, Konkani and Malayalam as well. Pandit has also been a resource at the military intelligence training school, Pune on the Asia Pacific region and India’s security perceptions since 1995.

As an author, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has written four books – Parliament and Foreign Policy in India (1990), Restructuring Environmental governance in Asia-Ethics and Policy(2003) and two books co-authored with Dr Rimli Basu – ‘Cultural Diplomacy: Buddhism and India’s Look East Policy’ and ‘Retreat of the State: Implications of Drug Trafficking in Asia in 2012’.

Retiring VC Jagadeesh Kumar in an official statement has said, “It gives me pleasure to inform you that Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, department of politics and public administration, Savitribai Phule Pune University has been appointed as the next vice-chancellor of JNU. She is the first female vice-chancellor of JNU. My hearty congratulations to Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. I am handing over the charge to her today and wish her success in her new role.”

Centre had already provided security to Owaisi which he refused to accept, he even refused to accept upgraded security: HM Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Centre had already provided security to Owaisi which he refused to accept, he even refused to accept upgraded security: HM Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

Days after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was allegedly targeted in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh during an election campaign, Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah spoke about the matter in the Rajya Sabha.

He informed, “Two unidentified people had fired on the carcade. He came out safe but there were 3 bullet marks on the lower portion of his vehicle. The incident was witnessed by three witnesses. An FIR has been registered.”

Amit Shah stated that Asaduddin Owaisi had no pre-scheduled event in the Hapur district on the day of the firing incident. He added that no information was provided to the District control room by the Parliamentarian about his movement.

The Union Home Minister pointed out that Owaisi managed to escape unhurt and returned safely to Delhi. “Taking quick action two accused were arrested, two unauthorised pistols and an Alto car were recovered from them. Forensic team is doing a minute investigation of the car and the incident site, evidence being collected,” he said.

Amit Shah underlined that the government will re-assess the security threat to Asaduddin Owaisi. He added that Z category security and a bulletproof vehicle will be provided to the AIMIM chief. The Home Minister pointed out that Owaisi had refused to accept security provided by the Central government.

While urging the Hyderabad MP to accept security protocol, Shah concluded, “Home Ministry took report from State Govt immediately. On basis of earlier inputs from central security agencies,Centre had ordered to provide him security. But due to his unwillingness to avail security,Delhi & Telangana Police’s efforts to provide him security didn’t succeed.”

The attack on Asaduddin Owaisi

On Thursday (February 3), AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had alleged that four rounds of bullets were fired at his car. Images posted by him showed two holes on the two doors of his car, apparently created by the bullets fired at the car. He also said that the tyres of his vehicle were also punctured in the alleged attack.

Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order) informed that an illegal 9 mm pistol, which was used in the crime, was recovered. Five teams were formed to probe the case. Two accused were nabbed by the cops. Superintendent of Police (Hapur), Deepak Bhuker, stated that the assailants attacked Asaduddin Owaisi because they were offended by his “anti-Hindu” statements.

#BoycottHyundai trends in India after South Korean car maker’s unsatisfactory statement on ‘Kashmir solidarity’ post

OpIndia Staff
-
0
#BoycottHyundai trends in India after South Korean car maker’s unsatisfactory statement on ‘Kashmir solidarity’ post

Hours after Hyundai failed to provide a satisfactory response for the ‘Kashmir solidarity’ message uploaded on social media platforms by its dealer in Pakistan, Indian netizens initiated a social media campaign to boycott the South Korean automotive manufacturer.

‘#Boycott Hyundai’ began trending on Twitter as lakhs of people displayed their angst against the automobile manufacturer for posting a pusillanimous clarification after outrage swept the micro-blogging platform over social media posts that undermined India’s territorial integrity.

One CA Ashutosh Soni informed that he had cancelled the booking of Hyundai Verna after witnessing the anti-India stance of the company. He wrote, “I booked Hyundai Verna a month ago & it was due to be delivered this month but after seeing #HyundaiPakistan post, supporting separatism in #Kashmir, India, cancelled the Verna & called the Honda outlet and taken the delivery of Honda City today itself. #BoycottHyundai, that’s it!”

Another Twitter user stated, “That’s why Make in India is necessary. My next car will be Tata Motors. Bye Bye Hyundai India. #BoycottHyundai”

IPS Arun Bothra, who commands a sizeable following on Twitter, said, “In my personal capacity and with limited reach, I request everyone not to buy a #Hyundai vehicle. First time supporting a boycott call. Lets #BoycottHyundai. They have no respect for our national sentiments. The half-hearted statement below tells that they have no remorse also.”

“We have sacrificed Brave Soldiers and innocent unarmed Civilians … Their sacrifice is more precious to us Indians. Say NO to खटारा. Be Indian Buy Indian,” wrote retired Army General KJS Dhillon.

Author Neeraj Atri pointed out that he was initially confused between a Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. The boycott campaign has solved his problem, he added.

Host Richa Anirudh emphasised that the statement of Hyundai India did not serve any purpose. “Be clear and apologise for PakistanHyundai tweet and make them apologise too or else we Indians shall continue to #BoycottHyundai! You decide!” she said.

The Background of the Controversy

On Saturday (February 5), automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company courted controversy after the firm’s Pakistani dealership called for the disintegration of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.

It all started when in a tweet, Hyundai Pakistan Official (@PakistanHyundai) wrote, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.” The tweet was accompanied by a picture of a boat in Dal lake and the word ‘Kashmir’ juxtaposed with a barbed wire.

Contentious social media post by Hyundai Pakistan

A similar message was posted by Hyundai Pakistan, both on its official Facebook and Instagram pages. Interestingly, Hyundai Pakistan demanded the secession of Indian territory on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ when the Pakistan government extends support to jihadi elements operating from Kashmir.

Indian netizens were miffed at the brazen interference in India’s geopolitical affairs and dissemination of Pakistani government propaganda by the South Korean automotive manufacturer. However, on questioning Hyundai India whether it endorsed the stand of Hyundai Pakistan, the firm responded by blocking the Indian netizens.

Hyundai suffers boycott calls on Twitter after its Pakistani dealer posted Kashmir solidarity message
Hyundai India blocks netizens after being quizzed over its pro-terrorism stand

Several users are reaching out to the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking stringent action against Hyundai India. In order to save its face, the automotive manufacturer put out a clarification on social media. Far from apologising to Indian citizens, Hyundai India’s statement reeked of arrogance.

In a statement, Hyundai India said that it has been committed to the Indian market which has been its second home for over 25 years now and alleged that the ‘unsolicited’ social media post linking Hyundai Motor India ‘offends’ it commitment and service to India. The company said that they have a zero-tolerance policy for insensitive communication and ‘strongly condemned’ such view.

However, it is not yet clear why they blocked Indian citizens on Twitter for questioning its stand and asking for accountability on the contentious social media post by its Pakistani counterpart. On not getting a proper response from the South Korean company over its pro-terrorism stand, Indian social media users vowed to boycott the firm and look for alternate options.

‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’: Pakistani propaganda of keeping the Kashmir pot boiling

Every year on 5th February, Pakistan tries to reinforce its propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir by observing ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, under the guise of which it continues to extend support to the Kashmiri separatist movement that is funded and supported by the Pakistan state. It was launched by Nawaz Sharif as the Pakistani Prime Minister in 1991.

Since then, anti-India groups and individuals and Pakistani dispensation have used the day to convince Kashmiris to incite violence. So-called solidarity ‘rallies’ are held in Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan.

Unlike the past, there were no public processions/rallies, special prayers in mosques, or marches on the streets of Kashmir this year. The situation in the valley has improved as this narrative has failed to elicit any output from the general public or separatist movements, both of which have been considerably weakened since the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019.

Karnataka Edu Minister debunks media reports on separate classrooms for Muslim students, says students must follow dress code

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Karnataka Edu Minister debunks media reports on separate classrooms for Muslim students, says students must follow dress code

On February 7, BC Nagesh, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Sakala, Govt of Karnataka debunked the reports that suggested the Government PU College provided separate ‘classrooms’ for Muslim girl students that refused to remove hijab while attending classes.

In a tweet, Quoting ANI’s tweet, Minister Nagesh said, “This is not correct fact. Students protesting outside campus were allowed inside the campus as a courtesy. They were asked to wear uniforms & attend classes. They, however, chose to sit in a separate room & continue the protest. Students must adhere to dress code to attend classes.”

Speaking to OpIndia, BC Nagesh said, “The reports of providing separate classrooms is fake and misleading. The students were sitting outside. As a courtesy, the college administration provided them with a room to sit and instructed them if they wanted to attend classes, they had to remove the hijab. However, the students continued to protest and refused to attend classes.”

The minister added as per the 1983 Karnataka Education Act, the institutions have the right to decide the dress code. “There are over 100 Muslim students in that class. All of them are attending classes peacefully. Everything was running smoothly until 15 days ago when a few students demanded they should be allowed to attend classrooms in hijab. Some organizations are brainwashing them. I am not sure why they are behaving like this.”

When asked if the Education Ministry will stick to their stand about dress code, BC Nagesh said, “Yes, there is no reason change our stand. The petition is pending in court as well. If the court gives any directions, we will adhere to them, but till then, the Education Ministry is not changing its stand.” The minister further said media should be careful while reporting such cases and added, “There are a lot of rumours going around in North Indian media. The media houses should understand their responsibility and avoid misleading reports.”

‘We are not attending classes’

In an update, ANI reported that the students claimed they would not remove the hijab until the court passed orders.

The news agency quoted one of the protesting students saying, “Won’t remove our hijab until High Court orders. They (administration) won’t allow us in classrooms with hijab, so we’ll sit outside in halls. Classes not going on for us, we are just sitting here.” Another student said, “College Principal and faculty met us and asked if we want to go to classes by removing hijab, they also took our attendance.”

The hijab controversy

The controversy first erupted in January 2022. Several Muslim students were denied entry to classes in a Udupi college because they were wearing hijab. Social media platforms were rife with videos of college authorities refusing to allow burqa-clad students inside their institutions. The college authorities had then argued that the hijab was not a part of the uniform dress code suggested to the students. Management under the new state guidelines had asked girl students to skip wearing hijab while in college. Eight girl students have constantly refused to follow the guideline as they claimed it prevented them from practising their faith.

The Karnataka High Court has agreed to hear a plea arguing that Muslim women wearing hijab should be permitted to attend classes. The petition was filed by a Muslim student, asking the High Court for a direction to allow wearing a hijab in college, stating that it is her “Fundamental Right” granted under Article 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and “integral practise of Islam”.

Hindu students have jumped into the controversy as well. They have registered their protest against hijab by donning saffron scarves. In a Government Junior College in Kunadapur, around 100 Hindu students came to the college with saffron scarves around their necks to protest against Muslim girls continuing to wear hijab to the college. On Saturday, in solidarity with their classmates, girl students also hit the streets by wearing saffron shawls to protest against the attempts of Muslim students to vitiate the secular atmosphere in the college by deliberately violating the rules and regulations.

1...3,4733,4743,475...7,575Page 3,474 of 7,575