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Dalits are Hindus too: Here’s how Leftist media is hellbent on alienating Dalits from their Hindu identity

Jinit Jain
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Dalits are Hindus too: Here’s how Leftist media is hellbent on alienating Dalits from their Hindu identity

Dalit leader and former BJP MP Hari Manjhi recently asserted that Dalits are also Hindus and slammed the media for weaving an insidious narrative where Dalits are differentiated from their Hindu brethren. 

“We Dalits are also Hindus. Why is the media making such a stupid narrative,” Manjhi tweeted in response to a tweet by news portal ANI wherein it made a distinction between a Dalit and a Hindu while informing about the appointment of two deputy chief ministers in Punjab. 

The ANI tweet that drew the ire of Manjhi said, “Two deputy CMs will be appointed along with CM in Punjab. 1 Hindu and 1 Dalit MLA to be appointed for the post.”

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra also expressed his stern disapproval over the tweet saying, “In my opinion, doing so is not appropriate in terms of unity and social harmony of the majority Hindu society. ANI is widely regarded as an authoritative source of news in the media firmament.”

The Home Minister also sought action and asked the news agency to punish the culprits in case exclusion of Dalits from the larger Hindu community was done intentionally. “I request the management of the news agency that this mistake should be rectified immediately. If anyone has done this intentionally, then strict action should be taken against him,” he said. 

The tweet by ANI had gone viral soon after it was posted, with a raft of social media users taking strong objection over the blatant segregation of Dalits from Hindus. They alleged that Dalits are an integral part of the Hindu community and to pitch them as a separate community is akin to promoting the pernicious agenda of the left that seeks to undermine the Hindu majority by sowing seeds of discord within its various sects. 

Media’s skulduggery in segregating Dalits from the larger Hindu community

Segregation of Dalits from Hindus is a distinction without a difference but something that has been studiously projected by the left intelligentsia and their collaborators in the media industry for the last several decades. The left “intellectuals” have assiduously asserted that Dalits and Hindus are too disparate communities. This narrative is then promoted ad nauseam by pliant media organisations to normalise the notion that Dalits and Hindus do not belong to the same larger group. 

As a part of this effort, the left-leaning media enthusiastically highlights the Dalit identity of a victim of an atrocity or a leader elevated to a prominent position, without identifying them as Hindus. Their Hindu identity is intentionally swept under the rug lest it would undercut their meticulous effort of deracinating Dalits from their Hindu roots. 

Additionally, the left-leaning media organisations indulge in fear-mongering and paranoia to fuel dissension between Dalits and Hindus. Seemingly ordinary incidents are twisted by giving a caste spin to them so that the narrative of Dalits living under a constant threat of persecution at the hands of “upper caste” Hindus could be reinforced. 

For instance, the media organisations would rush to identify a victim of an assault as a Dalit, without obviously highlighting his Hindu roots. They would then point out the “upper caste” of the assailant to paint the incident as an act of caste discrimination, even though the motive of the said crime had got nothing to do with the victim’s caste. This is done with the ulterior aim of widening the social fissures and peddling a false narrative.

Intersectionality: The significance of mentioning the identities of victims and perpetrators

While several media houses and Left intelligentsia are driven by their motive to break the Indian society, the rationale behind highlighting the caste identity of Dalit victims has a separate origin altogether. The theory essentially believes that the victim would have been at a lower risk had her identity not been that of a Dalit and hence, mentioning the caste identity is essential as even if the crime is not motivated by caste animosity, the victim was at a higher risk by virtue of her caste. This sociological concept is called as ‘Intersectionality’, the point where multiple identities of an individual meet. 

Intersectionality is thus a theoretical framework for understanding how aspects of one’s social and political identities (e.g., gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, etc.) might combine to create unique modes of discrimination. So when a Dalit victim is identified by his/her caste identity, it is an acknowledgement of the fact that his/her caste has played a role in the discrimination or atrocities meted out on him/her. In addition to this, in such cases, the identity of the perpetrators also holds significance since the crime is committed on the premise of existing caste inequities. The media houses, therefore, fall over themselves in case the perpetrator of such atrocities happen to be Hindus. 

The duplicity of media when victims are Hindu Dalits and perpetrators are Muslims

By contrast, they refrain from placing emphasis on identities when the victim is a Hindu Dalit and the perpetrator of the crime is a Muslim. When the non-left highlights the identities in such cases, the allegation that is often levelled by left ideologues and media organisations is that non-left is blatantly ‘communalising’ an incident. 

Apparently, as per the Indian left’s understanding, incidents are communalised only when the perpetrators happen to be Muslims and victims Dalit Hindus. When it is the other way around, the media organisations feel no compunction in harping on the religious and caste identities of the victims and assailants, to insinuate that the crime had religious or caste motivations even when none exist.

Behind this transparent hypocrisy, lies the imaginary and farcical construct of Jai Bhim Jai Meem, which the opposition parties in connivance with their supporters in the media have fabricated to persuade Dalits to ally with Muslims and chip away at the unity of the Hindu community. To prevent the trope of Jai Bhim Jai Meem from falling apart, the media organisations consciously refrain from invoking religious and caste identities when a Muslim perpetrator is found to have committed an act of brutality against a Dalit Hindu because of his caste and religion.

The political agenda behind conjuring up artificial distinction between Dalits and Hindus

All these shenanigans are a part of a larger political agenda that aims to prevent the consolidation of the Hindu majority and thereby undermine their outsize influence on the country’s electoral politics. The goal is to exploit the heterogeneity of the Hindu community and divide the various sub-groups on account of their diversity. So Dalits are pitched against Hindus, Jats against Gujjars, Dravidians against the Hindi-speaking, so on and so forth, so that their allegiance to the larger Hindu community could be diluted and they could be perpetually enmeshed into petty sectarian conflicts. 

Political parties who have survived on minority appeasement for decades are also party to this insidious propaganda. They have enthusiastically partaken in the segregation of the Hindu community so that their opposition could be weakened while unabashedly continuing with their brazen pandering of the minorities. 

The efforts to cast Dalits as a distinct community, radically different from Hindus, intensified after PM Modi was elected as the Prime Minister of the country. After his ascension to the country’s highest post, PM Modi has managed to bind disparate Hindu groups into a single cohesive unit and exposed the vile propaganda of the left and its collaborators in the media. It was the first time in decades that an overwhelming section of Dalits consistently voted in favour of the BJP in the 2014 elections and other polls since then. 

This development and changing political dynamic has spooked the opposition political parties and their sympathisers in the media and the left ecosystem, who had gotten used to enjoying the privileges that came with having a favourable government at the centre—such as brokering ministries and landing plum positions in government-appointed committees or even better—be the recipients of prestigious government awards.

With the advent of PM Modi at the Centre, these media organisations and “intellectuals” were veritably stripped off of their privileges. They could no longer influence decisions taken by the government or have a say in policies formulated by them. In addition to this, the centre’s unapologetic move to do away with minority appeasement also gnawed away at the left’s “secular” sensitivities.

As they saw themselves being relegated to the fringes of the Indian political arena and found their convictions regarding “secularism” being fiercely challenged, the left-leaning “ideologues” and the conniving media took to fomenting internecine conflicts within the Hindu community so that their electoral supremacy could be subverted and a more pliant and heedful government could be installed at the Centre.

Pakistanis suffer a meltdown after England pulls out of Pakistan tour, days after being left red-faced by New Zealand team

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistanis suffer a meltdown after England pulls out of Pakistan tour, days after being left red-faced by New Zealand team

Hours after England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to withdraw both men’s and women’s teams from their scheduled tour of Pakistan, Pakistanis took to Twitter to cry foul over the cancellation. The development comes three days after the New Zealand cricket board recalled its team over security concerns.

Ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in UAE, the England Men’s team was scheduled to play 2 back-to-back T20Is on October 13 and 14. On the other hand, the Women’s team was scheduled to play 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs. On Monday (September 20) night, the ECB decided to pull a plug on their tour of October, leaving Pakistanis high and dry.

Pakistanis cry foul over ECB’s withdrawal from its scheduled tour

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raza lamented that the cricket fraternity had failed the county at a time when it needed them the most. “Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah,” he said. Furthermore, he claimed that it was a wake-up call for the Pakistan team to become the best in the world so that other teams line up to play against them.

Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar urged the team to fight it out against New Zealand in the T20I World Cup. “Ab painja laganay ka time aa gaya hai. Chorna nahi hai ab (We have to arm wrestle them. We are not going to spare the New Zealand team)”, he announced. Akhtar also claimed that the ECB’s snub was no ‘big deal’ and that the country had witnessed worse circumstances than that.

Pakistani columnist Farwa Munir blamed the ECB for being ungrateful and not returning the favour. “When people were dying in Your country with Covid_19 we go we play we save your cricket. But when it’s time that you come here to play with us but you pushed us back in 10 years. It’s selfishness,” Munir lamented.

Pakistani journalist Chaudhry Yasif too cried foul over the alleged ‘politicisation’ of cricket. While sharing a picture of Prince William and his wife Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, Yasif asked as to how Pakistan was safe for the royal couple but not the English cricketers.

Pakistani sports producer Zohain Hussain wrote, “ECB’s reason behind the withdrawal from Pakistan’s tour – ‘increasing concerns about travelling to the region’. If NZ’s unilateral decision was absurd, this is right up there, if not worse. #PAKvENG”

Other Pakistani netizens drew ‘sadistic pleasure’ from the heartbreaking losses suffered by the England cricket team during the 1992 World Cup and the 2016 T20I World Cup. While sharing pictures of the final match of the T20I World Cup between England and West Indies in 2016, one Jahan Zaib wrote, “Dear England, you deserved it.”

Another Twitter user shared the picture of the final match between Pakistan and England during the 1992 World Cup and wrote, “This moment seems so satisfying. #PakVsEng”

“The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments,” the ECB said in its statement while pulling out from the Pakistani tour.

It further added, “We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country. Their support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship.  We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022.”

New Zealand abandons cricket series in Pakistan citing security concerns

An hour before the start of the 1st ODI match with Pakistan at Rawalpindi on September 17, the New Zealand cricket team decided to ‘abandon’ their tour of Pakistan over security concerns. The ‘B’ team of New Zealand was scheduled to play a 3-match ODI series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, followed by a 5-match T20 series against them in Lahore. “However, following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure,” read a statement posted on the website of the New Zealand Cricket Board. 

Odisha: 20 tonnes of beef seized while being transported to West Bengal, Javed and Bapi Mandal arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: 20 tonnes of beef seized while being transported to West Bengal, Javed and Bapi Mandal arrested

The Odisha police on Sunday seized containers from two districts of the state transporting beef to West Bengal. One container carrying 20 tonnes of beef was caught on NH16 near Bilipada under the Kuakhia Police limit of Jajpur district.

As per a report in Organiser, one Javed Mandal (40) and Bapi Mandal (30) of North 24 Pargana district of West Bengal have been arrested in connection to the matter. 

Locals alerted Bajrang Dal and VHP activists 

Reportedly, the truck carrying beef broke down on NH16 near Bilipada. Local villagers around the location noticed blood flowing out of the container and alerted Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists immediately.

The local activists alerted the police. Upon interrogation, the driver and cleaner of the truck first informed that they were transporting fish. However, they later admitted to transporting beef.

The vehicle which had no valid documents was en route to Kolkata from Odisha’s Sambalpur district. The police arrested the duo after the activists gheraoed the police station and demanded strict action against them. 

“Tonnes of beef transported to WB”

Working president of VHP Jeypore district Akshaya Kuma Bal said, “Every day a large number of cows and tonnes of beef are being transported to West Bengal through NH 16. But both the police and the administration are not taking any steps to bring this to a halt.”

“We demand these activities be stopped. If the administration does not listen to our demand,  we shall be forced to come to the street,” he said further. 

Mehmood Khan and 4 others arrested

In another incident, Md Asiq, Mehmood Khan, Tuku Khan, SK Islam and Feeroj Ali Khan were arrested by Khordha police for transporting seven quintals of beef. 

Here too the beef was being transported to West Bengal. 

The Odisha government in 2018 had decided to intensify highway patrolling after identifying five districts as major cattle transport corridors. The state Home and Commerce departments had also planned to set up police check posts at major entry points along the inter-State border, create control rooms to receive complaints regarding illegal trafficking or movement of cattle and raise awareness on animal welfare laws.

However, the plan seems to have been ineffective in curbing the rampant illegal transportation of beef and cattle smuggling.

‘Threats to Hinduism imaginary, says Home Ministry’ – How RTI query by a Congress supporter was used to spread misinformation by TOI

OpIndia Staff
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‘Threats to Hinduism imaginary, says Home Ministry’ – How RTI query by a Congress supporter was used to spread misinformation by TOI

On Monday, The Times of India published a news report titled “RTI: Threats to Hinduism ‘imaginary’, says Union home ministry” that claimed that the Union Home Ministry led by Amit Shah has ‘categorically stated’ that Hinduism faces no threats.

The news report was originally filed by news agency IANS, but The Times of India was the major national publication to carry and amplify it. Among others who carried this news item were Hindi daily Dainik Jagran and Congress party’s mouthpiece National Herald.

The report was used by many on social media to take political potshots at the BJP and to further propaganda like ‘Hindus can never be victims’. However, a closer look at the said ‘news report’ reveals that it is full of misinformation and work of propaganda in itself.

The news report was allegedly based on an RTI reply given by a Union Home Ministry official to a query filed by a certain Mohnish Jabalpure from Nagpur, who is identified as an ‘RTI activist’ in the news reports. The report though relies much on Mohnish’s interpretation of the RTI reply rather than the actual reply.

RTI reply on ‘Threats to Hinduism’ was twisted in news reports

Firstly, the fact is, evident from the published news reports itself, that the Union Home Ministry never used the word “imaginary” in its RTI reply. That claim was made by the alleged RTI activist and the media put that in the headlines without critical examination of that claim.

Home Ministry official had essentially said that the Ministry doesn’t keep records of any crime or information categorized as being possible threats to various religions. Therefore it was not in a position to give details of or list ‘threats to the Hindu religion’, which is what the RTI query sought.

It should be clear that government indeed doesn’t categorize any pieces of information in such a manner in their records. In all probability, a similar answer would be given for any RTI query that seeks details of ‘threat to Islam’ or ‘threat to liberal values’ for example. Such topics are in the realm of political debates, not record keeping.

Further, it is a basic logical fallacy to assume that ‘absence of evidence is evidence of absence’ that somehow escaped the media outfits and the alleged RTI activist. That is, even if one assumes that Home Ministry has no record or evidence of threats that Hindu religion faces, it doesn’t prove that no such threats exist. Therefore, twisting this RTI reply to mean that threats are non-existent or ‘threats are imaginary’ goes against basic accepted logic and is a mischievous act.

The ‘RTI activist’ is a self-declared Congress supporter

The alleged RTI activist Mohnish Jabalpure, who framed this question in a way that can be spun to mean ‘threats to Hinduism imaginary’ is not some independent RTI activist but an active and vocal supporter of the Congress party.

The Twitter bio of Mohnish reads “congress whistleblower” and his account is full of him sharing praises for Congress party and its leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh. Mohnish regularly shares even tweets by junior Congress leaders from Maharashtra, painting him a loyal Congress supporter rather than some independent activist. All other tweets by him are against the BJP or the RSS. It is likely that he filed this RTI query and then twisted the reply for political gains.

Therefore, the mainstream media, especially the Times of India, used words of a Congress supporter to claim something that was never categorically said by the Union Home Ministry in the first place.

Canada: Justin Trudeau set to return as Prime Minister again, CBC projects

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Justin Trudeau set to return as Prime Minister again, CBC projects

Canada’s ruling Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is all set to form the government. In the tightly held race, Canadian state run media has projected that Trudeau’s party will likely form the next government. It is yet not clear whether it will be a minority government or a majority one.

Trudeau launched his campaign sometime in mid-August with decent amount of lead in the polls. However, since the decision to conduct elections were carried out even as Canada was in middle of fourth wave of coronavirus pandemic, his support started to decline. Further, questions about his past also cast shadows on his victory.

At the time of this report, about 1.6 million votes have been counted and Liberals have about 38% of the ballot cast. The conservatives stand at 33% and NDP at about 16%. The Green Party has got about 2.5% votes and People’s Party of Canada (PPC) has over 4.7% vote share. However, things are not too clear as some results are still pouring in.

With Amarinder Singh out of the way, Nehru-Gandhi family enjoys holiday in Shimla: Report

OpIndia Staff
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With Amarinder Singh out of the way, Nehru-Gandhi family enjoys holiday in Shimla: Report

Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi is headed for a vacation to Shimla along with her son Rahul Gandhi, according to a TOI report. The development comes not long after the resignation of Amarinder Singh as the Chief Minister of Punjab.

According to the report, the Gandhi family went to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s residence which is situated at the outskirts of Shimla. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was already there in her Shimla Cottage where she was later joined by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi had apparently taken a flight to Chandigarh and then reached the cottage by road. Rahul Gandhi made his way to Shimla after taking part in the oath-taking ceremony of the new Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

The Gandhi family gathering in Shimla happens soon after the resignation of Amarinder Singh on Saturday. The former Punjab CM had told the media that he felt humiliated by the manner in which he was treated by the Congress party. Amarinder Singh had also said that he did not expect that the events would turn out that way because of his association with Sonia Gandhi and her children.

The news of the Nehru-Gandhi family vacationing in Shimla after his exit is unlikely to go down well with the former Punjab CM. This is not the first time, however, that Rahul Gandhi has been found holidaying on inappropriate occasions.

During the peak of the ‘farmer protests’ in December last year, he had gone to Italy to allegedly meet his grandmother. In 2019, a few months after the Congress party’s defeat in the Lok Sabha General elections, Rahul Gandhi had gone on a vacation to Bangkok in October. The same month, he also went for a trip to Indonesia.

England pulls out of Pakistan tour just days after New Zealand recalled its team over security concerns

OpIndia Staff
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England pulls out of Pakistan tour just days after New Zealand recalled its team over security concerns

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday said that the board has decided to withdraw both, men’s as well as women’s, teams from the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

This comes just days after New Zealand cricket board recalled its team touring Pakistan for first time in 18 years over security concerns.

As per ECB, the board convened a meeting over the weekend when the decision to not go to Pakistan was taken. “Earlier this year, we agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October, adding a short women’s tour with double headers alongside the men’s games,” the ECB said in a statement. However, the ECB ‘reluctantly’ decided to withdraw both the teams.

“The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments,” The ECB said in a statement.

The ECB said that owing to this, touring under these circumstances would not be ideal for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where performing well remains a top priority for 2021.

“We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country. Their support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship.  We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022,” The ECB said.

Dilip Ghosh made national Vice-President of BJP, Sukanta Majumdar replaces him as West Bengal party president

OpIndia Staff
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Dilip Ghosh made national Vice-President of BJP, Sukanta Majumdar replaces him as West Bengal party president

West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has been appointed the National Vice President of the party on Monday. He is an elected representative from the Medinipur Lok Sabha Constituency.

Sukanta Majumdar has replaced Dilip Ghosh as the new West Bengal BJP President.

Baby Rani Maurya, former Uttarakhand Governor, has also been made a national vice president of the BJP.

The decision to replace Dilip Ghosh as the state BJP president comes days ahead of the by-poll elections for the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking reelection to the assembly after losing in Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari. Priyanka Tibrewal has been nominated by the BJP for the by-poll election.

The party has been hit with a wave of defections to the TMC in recent days. Recently, Asansol MP Babul Supyiyo had joined the TMC. “Mamata Banerjee presented with a fantastic opportunity so that I could continue my public life in West Bengal and can resume my public life with grace and purpose… And I can continue singing. There’s going to be a lot of flak, a lot of memes… But the opportunity is worth the challenge,” Supriyo had said.

‘Not allowed to meet Saheb’: Asaduddin Owaisi to contest Gujarat polls, cries foul after not being allowed to meet don Atique Ahmed

OpIndia Staff
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‘Not allowed to meet Saheb’: Asaduddin Owaisi to contest Gujarat polls, cries foul after not being allowed to meet don Atique Ahmed

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has been denied permission to meet gangster Atique Ahmed, accused of 103 murders and currently serving jail time in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With an eye on next year’s Assembly Elections which the AIMIM has decided to contest, Owaisi is on a one-day trip to Ahmedabad. Owaisi had sought permission to meet Atique Ahmad at the Sabarmati Central Jail during his visit to the city.

Denying permission for the same, Rohan Anand, Superintendent, Ahmedabad Central Prison said, “It is kindly intimated that as per the jail rules, meetings are permitted only with blood relatives or lawyers arguing the case. In light of the jail rules and the prevalent Covid epidemic, the permission for the meeting is regretfully denied.”

Expressing displeasure for not being granted permission to meet the dreaded gangster, Asadudding Owaisi hit out at the BJP government saying, “The people of Uttar Pradesh are also watching how we have been denied permission by the BJP government to meet Atique Saheb”.

Asked why he inducted gangster Atique Ahmad, accused in many criminal cases including murders and extortion, in his party, Asaduddin Owaisi defended the decision by saying that Ahmed is not convicted yet. “Let the court take the decision first”, said the AIMIM chief, once again evoking the ‘anti-Muslim’ or the ‘oppressed Muslim’ rhetorics, often peddled by Islamist apologists of the likes of Owaisi and left-liberals.

Owaisi said during a press conference that if a person’s name is Atique, Mukhtar, or Sahaab, he or she is presumed guilty unless proven innocent, whereas others are presumed innocent until proven guilty. These are the two analogies that illustrate how hypocrisy is being used.

Asaduddin Owaisi inducts mafia don Atique Ahmed and his wife Shaista Parveen into the party

Earlier this month, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi inducted mafia don Atique Ahmed (in absentia) and his wife Shaista Parveen into the party.

Ahmed, a five-time legislator and one-time MP, is facing over 100 criminal charges, including murders, kidnappings, illegal mining, extortion, intimidation, and fraud. In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered him to be transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Ahmedabad.

Police have taken action against his properties worth over Rs 200 crore so far. The Gangster Act was used to take these actions against Atique Ahmed. The Allahabad district government has attached Atiq’s and his accomplices’ properties in addition to demolishing the illegally constructed buildings by Atique and his associates.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had defended the decision to induct the dreaded mafia and his wife into his party by alleging that the BJP too had several lawmakers (37% MLAs in UP Assembly and 117 MPs in the Parliament) with serious criminal charges pending against them. He claimed, “…If a politician is named Pragya, Ajay, Kuldeep, Sangeet, Suresh or Kapil, he or she will be a lokpriya neta. But those named Atiq and Mukhtar will be (called) bahubali.”

According to reports, AIMIM would contest 100 seats in Uttar Pradesh after forming an alliance with Om Prakash Rajbhar’s Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha. Janta Kranti Paryu, Apna Dal (Krishna Patel), Rashtroday Party, Rashtriya Bhagidari Party, and SSBP are among the parties in the coalition.

Taliban bans IPL 2021 broadcast in Afghanistan for showing anti-Islamic content

OpIndia Staff
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Taliban bans IPL 2021 broadcast in Afghanistan for showing anti-Islamic content

Taliban has banned IPL 2021 from airing in Afghanistan as it might showcase anti-Islamic content to its people.

Former media manager of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Journalist M Ibrahim Momand hinted that the reason behind the ban was possibly anti-Islamic content being shown during the IPL broadcast. He said in a tweet, “Afghanistan national Radio Television will not broadcast the @IPL as usual as it was reportedly banned to live the matches resumed tonight due to possible anti-islam contents, girls dancing & the attendence of barred hair women in the Stadium by Islamic Emirates of the Taliban.”

According to reports, the ban was imposed and IPL telecast was halted from the start of the very first match since the restart played between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Taliban is known for its strong opposition to any form of entertainment including sports, music, etc. During the previous Taliban rule that ended in 2001, the Taliban militants had turned stadiums into public execution venues. Despite past horrors with sports, Cricket became fairly popular in Afghanistan in the recent times with the absence of Taliban. But the return of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Taliban back in power would likely bring end to the sport. Bashir Ahmad Rustamzai, Afghanistan’s new director general for sports refrained from answering anything on the future of women playing sports in Afghanistan and said that the decision would be taken by top Taliban leaders.

On September 9, Cricket Australia issued a statement that said if the recent media allegations against Taliban led Islamist government in Afghanistan that it will not support women’s cricket were proved to be true than Cricket Australia will not host the Afghanistan men’s team for the proposed test match in Hobart.

The statement released by Australian Cricketers’ Association said, “What is happening now in Afghanistan is a human rights issue that transcends the game of cricket. And while we would love to see players such as Rashid Khan play against Australia, hosting this Test match cannot be considered if that same opportunity to play the game is denied to Roya Samim and her teammates.” 

Reportedly Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission told the media “they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.”

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