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“This is the best time to invest in India”: PM Modi at World Economic Forum’s online Davos Agenda 2022 summit

OpIndia Staff
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“This is the best time to invest in India”: PM Modi at World Economic Forum’s online Davos Agenda 2022 summit

Prime Minister Modi on Monday, January 17, addressed the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda where he spoke on a range of issues, making a strong case for global investors to invest in India. In his speech, PM Modi spoke about India’s contribution in vaccinating the world against Covid-19, maintaining economic growth amidst tumultuous times, initiating reforms and improving ease of doing business in India, burgeoning technological advancement among other things.

PM Modi started his speech by emphasising how India had fought the COVID-19 outbreak and empowered the world in its fight against the pandemic by providing vaccines against the contagion. He also drew attention towards the world’s largest food programme undertaken by the Indian government, whereby it provided free foodgrains to 80 crore people of the country.

“In just 1 year, India has administered nearly 160 crore COVID vaccine doses. A democracy such as India has given the entire world a bouquet of hope. The bouquet contains – trust towards democracy, technology to empower 21st century and talent & temperament of us Indians,” PM Modi said.

Highlighting the technological development coupled with the Entrepreneurial spirit embodied by the country, PM Modi said it is the best time to invest in India. “This is the best time to invest in India, given India’s adaptability to new technology. Today, India’s youth have new energy for entrepreneurship. In 2014, there were just a few hundred registered startups. Today, the number has crossed 60,000, several of them unicorns,” PM Modi asserted.

PM Modi said the digital infrastructure developed and adapted by India in the last few years have become a strength to the nation, bringing to attention the Aarogya Setu App and CoWin portal that helped in tracking active COVID-19 cases and booking vaccination slots.

Talking about PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, PM Modi said it will integrate infrastructure, development and implementation, enabling seamless connectivity of goods, services and people.

On Ease of Doing Business, PM Modi said his government is pruning down unneccesary compliances and initiating reforms to attract investment from global companies. He said India has simplified corporate tax and reduced more than 25,000 compliance in the last year.

“We have reduced more than 25,000 compliances. We are working towards becoming the hub of global supply chains. We are also encouraging free trade agreements with many countries,” PM Modi said at the WEF summit.

“While following the path of self-reliance, India’s focus is not only on easing the processes but also on incentivising investment and production. With this approach, today, $26 billion worth of PLI schemes have been implemented in 14 sectors,” he added.

PM Modi also extolled India’s digital payments platform, stating it is the world’s largest, safe and successful payments method that saw 4.4 billion transactions taking place in December 2021 via UPI.

PM Modi said India is moving forward with the idea of “Make in India, Make for the world,” exhorting businesses across the world to invest in the ocean of opportunities offered by India. He said not just telecom, insurance, defence and aerospace, but India is also offering immense opportunities in the field of semiconductors as well.

Expressing concern over the global challenges facing the world, PM Modi said collective and synchronised action by every country is essential to counter them.

“The challenges that we have faced as a family is also increasing due to a change in the global order. For fighting them, collective & synchronized action is needed for each country. Disruptions in supply chains, inflation and climate change are similar examples,” PM Modi said.

Blow to Kejriwal: Guj Bizman Mahesh Savani leaves AAP permanently, folk singer Vijay Suvala leaves AAP to join BJP

OpIndia Staff
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Blow to Kejriwal: Guj Bizman Mahesh Savani leaves AAP permanently, folk singer Vijay Suvala leaves AAP to join BJP

Surat-based diamond businessman Mahesh Savani, who had joined Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat just last year, has not only quit the party but even left active politics permanently. He said that being active in politics was not letting him spend time with his family, business, social work and health and hence he decided to hang his boots in less than a year of joining AAP.

However, he has not yet categorically denied whether he will join the BJP. He said he was not holding any post in AAP and neither was he interested. He had earlier believed that he would be able to serve people by taking the plunge in politics, but he realised he was able to deliver even less after joining politics. Savani was one of the most prominent faces of AAP in Gujarat.

Along with Savani, 27-year-old folk singer Vijay Suvala too quit AAP today. Suvala, who is a Bhuvaji of Maldhari community from North Gujarat, joined the BJP earlier today in presence of BJP CR Paatil. Suvala was a prominent face in AAP and in charge of North Gujarat region for AAP.

While addressing media after joining the BJP, he said that it is like going home since his family has been a BJP supporter since past three generations. He also said that the BJP is unmatched. CR Paatil also referred to Suvala’s joining the BJP as ‘Ghar Vapasi’. Paatil further said that Suvala felt joining the other party (AAP) was a wrong step. While interacting with media, Suvala also said that 2,000 of his supporters who had joined AAP will also be joining the BJP.

Suvala had distanced himself from AAP work since some time citing professional commitments and had then resigned last week. Journalist turned AAP leader Isudan Gadhvi reportedly tried to convince him to stay back, but Suvala did not budge.

Prior to these two, former sarpanch Mahipatsinh Chauhan had also joined AAP in June last year and he left the party about two months back. AAP Ahmedabad city vice president Nilamben Vyas, too, quit AAP and joined the BJP.

University of Oxford names a building after Dr Lakshman Sarup, the first student to be awarded D.Phil on Sanskrit treatise on etymology

OpIndia Staff
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University of Oxford names a building after Dr Lakshman Sarup, the first student to be awarded D.Phil on Sanskrit treatise on etymology

The Balliol college at the University of Oxford has decided to name a new building after Dr Lakshman Sarup, The first candidate at Oxford to pass his thesis for a Doctorate of Philosophy (DPhil) degree. The college’s decision came after a move to name new buildings in the college campuses after notable alumni and academics who reflect the diversity, values and history of the College. 

In a statement released, Balliol College said, “Balliol’s newest buildings at the Master’s Field have been named after historic Balliol alumni and academics who reflect the diversity, values and history of the College. Block C1 has been named after Dr Lakshman Sarup (Balliol 1916).” Highlighting Dr Sarup’s contributions, the statement read, “Dr Lakshman Sarup (1894–1946) was the first student at Oxford to submit for a DPhil degree, which he was awarded in 1919 on the subject of Yaksa’s Nirukta, the oldest Sanskrit treatise on etymology.” The University of Oxford announced the decision on Twitter saying, “A new building in Balliol, Oxford has been named after Indian scholar Dr Lakshman Sarup.”

Dr Sarup who came to Oxford in 1916 as a recipient of the Indian state scholarship, had earlier obtained his MA in Sanskrit degree from Lahore’s Oriental College. Sarup was one of only two students who enrolled at the newly introduced DPhil course in Britain in 1917. After completing his thesis, he returned to India in 1920 where he was appointed as a Professor of Sanskrit Literature at Punjab University. His accolades also include the record of being appointed as the first Principal of the Oriental College of the University of Punjab.

Books written and translated by Dr. Laxman Sarup along with his thesis on the treatise Nirukta by Yaksa, written in the Rigvedic times.

Dr Sarup being an expert in Sanskrit, went on to study and translate the critical edition of a treatise ‘Nirukta’ written by Sanskrit Grammarian Yaksa in the Rigvedic ages. Nirukta – which means ‘pronounced’ deals with etymology – the knowledge of ascertaining the meaning of words and also involves the study of roots with archaic meanings.

Talking about his research thesis, the statement noted, “His DPhil was supervised by one of the foremost British scholars in the field, Arthur Macdonell, the Boden Professor of Sanskrit and a Fellow of Balliol. Sarup’s English translation of Nirukta was the first critical edition of the text, examining the contribution of ancient India and Greece to modern linguistics. He established that it was written sometime between 700 and 500 BCE.”

Malik Faisal Akram, the Texas synagogue hostage-taker, was a member of Tablighi Jamaat, probe underway on his ties to Pakistan: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Malik Faisal Akram, the Texas synagogue hostage-taker, was a member of Tablighi Jamaat, probe underway on his ties to Pakistan: Details

Malik Faisal Akram, the 44-year-old British national of Pakistani origin, who was gunned down by the FBI after taking four people hostage inside a Texas synagogue was reportedly a member of the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic organisation banned by Saudi Arabia and had travelled abroad for works related to the organisation.

Police in the United States and the United Kingdom are investigating his ties to Pakistan, as he was a frequent visitor to the nation where his father was born. Akram’s family has, however, denied his links with Pakistan saying that he was radicalised locally in Blackburn.

According to official sources based in London, Akram hailed from the Jhelum district in Punjab, Pakistan, and his family had emigrated to the UK nearly 50 years ago. He was currently living in Blackburn, a large industrial town located in Lancashire, England. He was married to a Gujarati Muslim woman and has five sons and a daughter.

His father is well-known in London’s Muslim community, and his family has political ties through to Malik Irfan, a Labor Party councillor.

In addition, Akram briefly headed the Rondell Street Islamic Centre in London, also known as Reza Masjid, where primarily Muslims of Pakistani origin worshipped.

He is a known participant in pro-Palestine demonstrations and rallies for Guantanamo Bay detainees, and he supports Jihad.

Malik Faisal Akram the 12-hour siege at the synagogue in Texas was banned for raving about 9/11 just hours after the attack

Reports suggest that earlier, Akram was prevented from entering Blackburn Magistrates’ Court after threatening and assaulting court officials on multiple occasions. He was said to often wreak havoc in the courtroom, even though he wasn’t scheduled to appear before the judge. The Lancashire judges’ committee decided to ban him after giving him a warning for raving about the 9/11 tragedy just hours after the heinous terror attack that claimed over 3,000 lives.

In what traspired, Akram had stormed in during a live-streamed Sabbath service and kept members of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville captive for almost 12 hours. He had allegedly demanded to speak to jailed terror mastermind Aafia Siddiqui, known as Lady Al-Qaeda.

It may be noted that Aafia Siddiqui, also known as Lady Al Qaeda, was married to the nephew of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a Pakistani national and the prime accused in the 9/11 attack. Several pan-Islamic jihadist groups have made attempts in the past to secure the release of Siddiqui

Meanwhile, according to media reports, the early stages of the siege were live-streamed on the synagogue’s Facebook page, which was broadcasting the day’s service when the gunman stormed in. Faisal, who was reportedly armed with “backpacks containing explosives”, had demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui — who police say he referred to as his sister. 

After agreeing to release one of his hostages, two others were spotted fleeing through a side door, being pursued by Akram, who was brandishing a handgun. An FBI rescue team assaulted the building shortly after, and Akram was killed in a shower of bullets at 10 pm on Saturday night.

Muslim man among 3 booked for selling Chinese kite string, ‘Liberals’ claim MP govt’s action has communal undertones: Here’s the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim man among 3 booked for selling Chinese kite string, ‘Liberals’ claim MP govt’s action has communal undertones: Here’s the truth

The Madhya Pradesh police have booked three people and demolished the illegal structures where they were selling glass-coated Chinese kite string after a 20-year-old woman died in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday after a glass-coated Chinese manjha (kite-thread) slit her throat. The accused on whom the action was taken were identified as Abdul Jabbar, Ritik Jadhav and Vijay Bhavsar.

As soon as the news was reported, without even bothering to read or figure out the full truth, some members of the usual gang of the ‘left-liberals’ rushed to Twitter to play the Muslim victimhood card. They argued that the MP police’s actions were completely communal as they only acted against the shopkeeper since he was a Muslim.

Almost all media outlets, even those on the left, such as The Print, included the names of the accused, making it obvious that the action was taken against two Hindu shopkeepers in addition to a Muslim. Still, a few ‘liberals’ like Radio Mirchi RJ Sayema, NDTV’s Gargi Rawat Ansari, and Ahmed Khabeer, a journalist for Jamia Times, were quick to conjecture that the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh specifically targeted shop owners because they belonged to ‘different faith’.

Jamia Times journalist Ahmed Khabeer was the first one to peddle the ridiculous claim with his Tweet that read: “In MPK Ujjain, after the death of a student from Chinese manjha, the police and municipal team got the JCB run at the house of ‘Abdul Wahab’. He was a shopkeeper selling manjha, this is justice under the Shivraj government.”

While he completely overlooked the names of the other accused persons, he particularly mentioned Abdul Waheb’s name in quotes, implying that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s administration is hostile against Muslims in the state.

What was next, RJ Sayema and NDTV’s Gargi Rawat Ansari were quick to follow suit. They lapped up Ahmed Khabeer’s misleading claim. Deliberated out of her obvious hate for BJP, RJ Sayema too called the action “blatant and outrightly communal.”

RJ Sayema’s Tweet

NDTV journalist Gargi Rawat Ansari went on to question the legality of the action taken against the shopkeepers’ illegal structures. She too scoffed at the MP govt saying, that for them, the action was justified since a Muslim shopkeeper was involved.

NDTV journalist Gargi Rawat Ansari’s Tweet

These three so-called intellectuals presumably later decided to read the news in-depth and realised that the Madhya Pradesh police operation was not geared at the Muslim community in particular because the other two accused were Hindus. Left completely red-faced, they went on to present an even more absurd explanation to cover up their dozy aspersions against the BJP government in the state

“Deleted a previous tweet as 3 shops have been demolished in Ujjain. But the issue remains over taking such action as a punishment for selling illegal Chinese string for kites. It’s not the legal course,” Gargi Rawat wrote in her subsequent Tweet.

RJ Sayema went in as well, attempting to save herself. “This has happened with three shop owners who belong to different faith so can’t be called communal. Hence deleting this tweet. However, destruction of property can never be justified,” wrote the Radio Mirch RJ.

“The Ujjain administration has also taken similar action against two more people, Vijay Bhavsagar and Ritik Jatav, in this case, but this cannot be the way of justice,” opined Jamia Times journalist Ahmed Khabeer.

It probably becomes imperative for the likes of such people to know that following the woman’s death, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had issued directives to all districts to take strict action against people selling Chinese string as it was illegal to produce, sell and use the Chinese Manjha in the state.

Madhya Pradesh govt bans production, sale and use of Chinese manjha ahead of Makar Sankranti

In December 2021, the Madhya Pradesh state authorities had put a temporary ban on the production, sale and use of Chinese manjha (thread made of nylon or synthetic material for flying kites) ahead of Makar Sankranti. District collectors of Indore, Ratlam, Mandsaur and Ujjain had notified the ban separately ahead of Makar Sankranti.

The ban was imposed by the Mandsaur collector through a notification on December 21, 2021, under section 144 of the CrPC and any violation of the ban was punishable under section 188 of the IPC (disobedience of any order duly promulgated by a public servant), much in the same way as Covid restrictions are imposed by district collectors in the state and persons violating them are penalised.

Abdul Jabbar, Ritik Jadhav and Vijay Bhavsar booked for selling banned Chinses Manjha

Meanwhile, speaking about the case, City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Pallavi Shukla said three people, identified as Abdul Jabbar, Ritik Jadhav and Vijay Bhavsar, have been booked under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), and Chinese string has been seized, following which illegal structures in their homes were razed.

The arrest and the demolition were done after the gruesome death of a 20-year-old Ujjain girl named Neha Anjana. She was reportedly driving her Scooty and crossing a bridge when the kite string slit her throat on Saturday. The people present on the spot took her to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared her dead.

Kejriwal congratulates Delhi for the first electric bus in Jan 2022, after targeting to run 1,000 such buses by June 2019

OpIndia Staff
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Kejriwal congratulates Delhi for the first electric bus in Jan 2022, after targeting to run 1,000 such buses by June 2019

On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the first electric bus in Delhi, over more than three years after the AAP supremo had claimed that over 1,000 electric buses would be plying the roads of the national capital by June 2019.

The Delhi Transport Corporation introduced the electric bus, which is built by JBM Auto. By mid-February, DTC expects to introduce 50 electric buses, with the goal of having 300 additional E Buses on Delhi roads by April. Kailash Gehlot, the Delhi Transport Minister, and Neeraj Semwal, the DTC’s CMD, were also present at the occasion.

“It’s an important measure to control pollution, 300 such E-buses will start by April, the target is to reach 2,000” CM Kejriwal said in the event. “We’re planning charging infrastructure from the past 2 years & have adequate infrastructure for bus charging in the city.” Transport Minister Gehlot added.

Kejriwal had targeted to deploy over 1,000 electric buses in Delhi by June 2019

It is worth noting that the first electric bus hit the streets of Delhi more than 3 years after Kejriwal had claimed that by June 2019 over 1,000 electric buses will be plying on the roads of the national capital.

In a tweet dated 12 July 2018, Kejriwal shared a news report that said the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi would deploy over 1,000 electric buses by June 2019.

Source: Twitter

Interestingly, while Kejriwal declared to run 1,000 electric buses in Delhi by June 2019, the tenders for 140 electric buses were issued more than two years after the slated date, in October 2021. Tenders were floated by the Delhi transport department in October last year for the induction of 140 low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses, with the objective of reinforcing the public transport fleet and keeping the growing pollution of the city under check.

‘Partygate’ scandal fallout: Will Rishi Sunak replace Boris Johnson as the next Prime Minister of UK?

OpIndia Staff
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‘Partygate’ scandal fallout: Will Rishi Sunak replace Boris Johnson as the next Prime Minister of UK?

As the current Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson continues to be in the muddy waters following the Partygate scandal, reports of his likeliness to resign have emerged. British media reports, opinion polls, as well as many Conservatives in the UK, have echoed the name of Indian-origin MP and current Chancellor Rishi Sunak as the favourable name to become the next Prime Minister.

The incumbent PM Johnson has been facing a lot of public and political anger for his ‘bring your booze’ party hosted at 10 Downing Street during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Criticism held against Boris Johnson has been high, both from the Tory and Labour quarters and there have been increasing demands for his resignation. Johnson’s inability to crack down on the crisis has been flagged by several Tory MPs as well. Amidst the ongoing probe regarding Johnson’s involvement in the party, The PM had earlier apologised before the house for the same.

The results of the probe by Sue Gray are expected this week.

The apology did not calm the storm enough. Several Conservative MPs are demanding an explanation from Johnson and have warned to withdraw their support. Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tim Loughton wrote on Twitter, “I have regretfully come to the conclusion that Boris Johnson’s position is now untenable, that his resignation is the only way to bring this whole unfortunate episode to an end, and I am working with colleagues to impress that view on No 10.”

Rishi Sunak seen as favourable replacement for Johnson

Since the Partygate controversy, The name of Rishi Sunak has made rounds as a favourable replacement for the position of UK’s next Prime Minister. He was always seen as a successor to Johnson, and now after the Partygate episode, his likelihood of sailing the sinking Tory ship has increased. According to the online gambling Platform Betfair, long-time favourite Rishi Sunak topped the betting lists, with a considerable pushback against Boris Johnson. “In terms of a replacement, long term favourite Rishi Sunak still heads the betting at 15/8, with (Foreign Secretary) Liz Truss at 11/4 and (Cabinet Minister) Michael Gove at 6/1 the next two most likely alternatives should the PM vacate Number 10,” Betfair’s Sam Rosbottom told agency – Wales Online. In a poll conducted by YouGov.com, 46% of respondents agreed that Rishi Sunak will be better as Tory Leader than Boris Johnson.

While talking about the contrast between Sunak and Johnson as leaders, The Spectator’s deputy political editor Katy Balls wrote, “The Chancellor could bring a seriousness to the role that Johnson has lacked. He has spent the past week meeting with MPs to discuss the cost of living crisis, and using these meetings to underline his credentials as a low-tax Tory who is only raising taxes under duress.”

Who is Rishi Sunak?

An Oxford and Stanford University graduate, UK born Sunak is The MP for Richmond in Yorkshire who first entered the UK Parliament in 2015. He is the son of an Indian-origin pharmacist mother, Usha and a General practitioner (GP) father Dr Yashvir Sunak.

Interestingly, Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Infosys giants Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy, and the couple has two young daughters Krishna and Anoushka. He quickly rose to the high ranks among Conservatives for his fierce Brexit stand.

Since February 2020, he is heading the Finance Ministry as Chancellor of the Exchequer and has a presented budget that has been termed ‘monumental’. Across political circles in the UK, Sunak has admiringly been called ‘Prime Minister in the waiting’.

Abu Dhabi airport drone attack: Two Indians, one Pakistani killed in UAE explosion, Yemeni Houthis claim responsibility

OpIndia Staff
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Abu Dhabi airport drone attack: Two Indians, one Pakistani killed in UAE explosion, Yemeni Houthis claim responsibility

At Abu Dhabi’s new International Airport, a potential drone attack has been reported. Three fuel tankers reportedly burst in the Musaffah region, according to local media. A fire was observed near the new Abu Dhabi International Airport shortly after. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strike.

As per the latest reports, one Pakistani national and two Indian nationals have lost their lives in the attack. Besides, six others have reported injuries ranging from light to media, said Dubai-based WAM news agency.

Three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the industrial Musaffah region near ADNOC storage facilities, according to Abu Dhabi police, while a fire broke out at an Abu Dhabi International Airport construction site.

“Initial investigations found parts of a small plane that could possibly be a drone at both sites that could have caused the explosion and the fire,” police said in a statement on state news agency WAM.

The Houthi movement in Yemen, which is affiliated with Iran, claimed responsibility for the strike on Monday morning. The Houthi movement’s military spokesperson is reported to have stated that the organization has begun a military offensive against the UAE and that more information will be released soon.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the strike happened amid tensions between the Houthis and a military coalition commanded by Saudi Arabia and backed by the UAE. Prior to scaling down its military involvement in the region, the UAE exerted significant influence on the Yemeni forces it supplied and trained.

Yemen’s Houthi militants launched similar strikes on two important oil sites in Saudi Arabia on September 14, 2019. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have risen as a result of the attacks.

Women’s masturbation to bathing after sex: Darul Uloom Deoband’s Sharia-compliant advice on sexual queries by Muslims

OpIndia Staff
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Women’s masturbation to bathing after sex: Darul Uloom Deoband’s Sharia-compliant advice on sexual queries by Muslims

A flood of inquiries on the website of Darul Uloom Deoband seek answers from the Deobandi school to some of the world’s most serious concerns regarding women in Islam. From masturbation to wearing a headscarf to clandestine sex, these questions cover a wide spectrum of issues. These inquiries are based on the Shariah concepts of Haram and Halal, which mean Illegitimate and Legitimate, as per Sharia law respectively. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular queries on the website.

Marriage with a ‘non-kitabi’ woman

A frantic husband inquired about the validity of his marriage to a German woman since she does not believe in Islam and he does not want to divorce her at any cost. If the lady did not believe in the essential beliefs of Islam and Allah as the one God, he was advised to keep away from her.

Printing the name of the bride in the Walimah invitation card

The legitimacy of the bride’s name on a marriage ceremony invitation card was a source of contention. The answer said that the bride’s name should not be written on the invitation card. This means that the bride’s name should not find a mention in the card printed to invite guests for a feast organised for her own wedding.

A marriage proposal from families where the father earned money from a banking job in India

‘Is it OK to accept marriage offers from families whose father earned money from a banking position in India, and is it desirable to marry in such a family?’ one of the most frequent types of queries ask. The response of Darul Uloom Deoband was that those who are nurtured by haram money are frequently lacking in instinct and morality and as a result, it should be avoided.

Can Muslim women Masturbate?

A lady inquired about the practice of masturbation and if it is legal, as in permissible as per Islamic law to do so. She demanded scriptural references that could be verified. Darul Uloom told her to avoid such actions, which are considered a sin in Islam.

Bathing compulsory after Intercourse

The question here read “I am here to place my question for clarification as it comes to my mind very often, being a married woman. If a woman is getting fingered only in her vagina to be pleased by herself or by her husband, still not getting pleased properly nor does her fluid come out. Is ghusl (bath or cleaning) fardh in such a situation? She was answered that” If a woman fingers her vagina without lust and neither she feels aroused after insertion nor gets discharged then in such a case ghusl (bath) will not be needed, but it is advisable to bath if the act is done by the husband.

Wearing modern clothes and taking modern education

Another person expressed worry over his 14-year-old sister’s embrace of modernism and failure to follow Islamic guidelines. She was subsequently sent to an Islamic institution by her family. Darul Uloom told that his efforts to modify her institution were beneficial and that she would soon begin to despise contemporary ideas and embrace Islamic norms of behaviour.

Unlawful sexual relationship by sister

Another brother worried if it was legal for his brother-in-law to stay with his sister after she had had unlawful sex with someone else. He was told that as long as the person she had sex with was not one of her in-laws, she is allowed to stay with her spouse.

Controversies around Darul Uloom Deoband

The Sunni Deobandi Islamic movement started at the Darul Uloom Deoband, an Islamic institution in India is quite popular among Muslims all over the world. It is located in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, in the Saharanpur district. Deoband has a lengthy history of releasing contentious Fatwas. Darul Uloom Deoband had backed a fatwa issued by Saudi Arabia in January 2018. It stated that it was haram for women in Islam to watch a football match.

Darul Uloom Deoband deemed the installation of CCTVs unlawful in May 2018. According to them, it is forbidden in Islam to install CCTV cameras unless they are “really necessary”, hence Muslims should avoid having CCTV cameras installed. In May 2010, clerics from a Deobandi school issued a fatwa proclaiming that men and women cannot work in public offices together unless the women are ‘properly dressed’.

Complaint to child rights body NCPCR

In a recent incident, a complaint has been lodged with the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) over ‘controversial’ and ‘misleading’ fatwas issued by the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on children’s rights.

The complaint has a list of fatwas, which are published on their website, and has asserted that these fatwas are ‘unlawful’ and violate the rules of the law.

The NCPCR stated that it had received the complaint and investigated the replies to the questions asked by persons, finding that they did not comply with the country’s laws and acts. The commission has also written to the Saharanpur District Magistrate, highlighting the Islamic seminary’s review of responses to people.

In the past, Deoband has also issued many bizarre Fatwas. They had asked Muslim women to not let shopkeepers touch them while trying on bangles and has prohibited DJ and music in Muslim weddings.

BKU president Naresh Tikait regrets supporting the SP-RLD alliance, Rakesh Tikait says his brother was “misunderstood”

OpIndia Staff
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BKU president Naresh Tikait regrets supporting the SP-RLD alliance, Rakesh Tikait says his brother was “misunderstood”

Hours after the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait extended his support to Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls, his brother, Rakesh Tikait, issued a clarification saying they are not supporting the SP-RLD alliance and there was a ‘misunderstanding’ among people regarding the same.

“We didn’t extend any support, people have made a mistake in understanding,” Rakesh Tikait said.

Rakesh Tikait, who was at the vanguard leading the farmers’ protest against the Modi government’s farm laws contradicted his brother’s claim, who had rallied behind the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Clarifying that BKU has not favoured any political alliance, Rakesh said that his party would communicate the same through their official social media handle.

“If someone comes to our house, we say ‘we are with you’. We are not telling anyone whom to vote for. We have decided that we will not support anyone. Even if we are against the government, everyone (the people) knows what they have to do,” Tikait said.

“Leaders of different parties are reaching the village, so everyone is being told that you should contest the elections”, added Rakesh Tikait.

Interestingly, the about-turn by Rakesh Tikait came in the wake of Naresh Tikait’s comments extending support to the SP-RLD alliance. Several videos of Naresh voicing his organisation’s support for the SP-RLD coalition in the upcoming UP assembly polls have been doing the rounds on the internet.

Naresh Tikait regrets extending support to SP-RLD in UP polls

Soon after Rakesh Tikait refuted his brother’s claims, Naresh Tikait backtracked from his stance and expressed regret over his statements. After backing the SP-RLD alliance’s candidates, Naresh Tikait said that he shouldn’t have made such statements.

“I said something that I shouldn’t have. Kisan Samyukt Morcha is supreme and I’m not above it. If any candidate comes here, I will give my blessings but no one should seek endorsement,” said the BKU president.

When asked whether they would be extending support to BJP in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls 2022, Naresh Tikait added: “BJP candidates are not our enemy, anyone can visit and seek my blessings but no one should seek endorsement.”

Videos of Naresh Tikait announcing support to SP-RLD in UP polls surface

Interestingly, only yesterday, a video emerged in which Naresh Tikait was heard throwing his weight behind the SP-RLD alliance for the much-awaited Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls despite the Samyukta Kisan Morcha issuing a warning that any farmer organization that will contest the elections will have to leave the United Front.

Naresh Tikait had reportedly sent out messages to both the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in the state of Uttar Pradesh encouraging them to contest the upcoming elections calling it a matter of prestige.

A meeting was also organised in this regard at the Kisan Bhavan in Tikait’s native village Sisauli in the Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh. Rakesh Tikait was also present in this meeting, where support to the joint candidates of SP and RLD, fielded from Budhana and Meerapur found a special mention.

SP and RLD announce to contest Uttar Pradesh polls together

Meanwhile, on January 15, Saturday, the RLD and Samajwadi Party alliance announced its second list of seven candidates for the assembly elections. In this list, all the candidates belong to the RLD. On January 13, Thursday, the first list of 29 candidates was released in which the Samajwadi Party has named its 10 candidates while RLD has been given 19 seats. The RLD candidates have been announced in 26 seats so far.

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