The persecution of Shia Muslims in Sunni-majority Pakistan is not a new phenomenon. Shias who constitute 20% of the Muslims in Pakistan and are often targeted during Muharram processions. While there has been a general decline in violence against Shiites since 2013, sectarian attacks continue unabated in several pockets of the country.
Though both Shia and Sunni Muslims had supported the partition of India to create a Muslim country for themselves known as Pakistan, there has been a lot of enmity between these two sects of Islam, not just in Pakistan, but in many Islamic countries.
Recently, a Shia shopkeeper was murdered in Pakistan’s Karachi, allegedly by Deobandi radical elements.
In light of recent anti-Shia demonstrations in the Islamic republic, the Shia Muslims took to Twitter to narrate their harrowing experiences.
A Twitter user (@Zahara Kazmi) recounted, “I was 6 years old, and this happened at school right after the anti-shia riots that ended in burning my house and the houses of a dozen other shias in KPK, they wrote the same thing “shia kafir” on the burnt and demolished walls of my beloved home.”
I was 6 years old, and this happened at school right after the anti-shia riots that ended in burning my house and the houses of a dozen other shias in KPK, they wrote the same thing “shia kafir” on the burnt and demolished walls of my beloved home.
In another tweet, a Pakistani national wrote that she was just 8 when her classmates informed her that killing a Shia would guarantee a house in ‘paradise.’ She stated that according to Sunni beliefs, the number of such houses equal to the number of Shias being killed by Sunni Muslims.
I was 8 when classmates told me you get a house in Paradise for each Shia you kill. https://t.co/hFUcTVrrFZ
Another user, Saim Rizvi, experienced the sectarianism when he lived in Germany with his Pakistani friends. He wrote, “I never had experienced this until I moved in a student hostel in Germany, where a bunch of Pakistani students mutually decided to avoid eating with me. Avoid praying together, avoid the food I cooked and they ask others to do so. Later I was alone and they preserve their Islam.”
I never had experience this until I moved in a student hostel in Germany, where bunch of Pakistani students mutually decided to avoid eating with me. Avoid praying together, avoid the food I cooked and they ask others to do so. Later I was alone and they preserve their Islam.
Journalist Sarah B Haider reminiscenced how she was labelled as a Kafir (derogatory term for non-Muslims) and ‘gande log‘ (dirty people) by fellow Sunni Muslims. “I was 12 when a bunch of girls in our class started calling me and another Shia classmate “kafir,” “ganday log,” and other things. I never mentioned anything about my faith, my name said it all. Told our teacher, she said: “You all should treat ‘non-Muslims’ kindly,” she tweeted.
I was 12 when a bunch of girls in our class started calling me and another Shia classmate “kafir,” “ganday log,” and other things. I never mentioned anything about my faith, my name said it all. Told our teacher, she said: “You all should treat ‘non-Muslims’ kindly.
Another Pakistani user stated that he was in 6th grade when he learnt about the anti-Shia sentiment in Pakistan. He therefore chose to hid his identity as Shias were ‘often humiliated’. He further added, “I had to sit quietly and watch my fellows get the same treatment. A never ending cycle of pain.”
It started in 6th grade. So as time went by I just hid the fact I was one but those who openly expressed that they were shia were often humiliated and I had to sit quietly and watch my fellows get the same treatment. A never ending cycle of pain.
Recounting the public humiliation, one Wajahat Zaidi wrote, “Class 6. Can’t remember the age. Whole class(excluding girls) loudly chanted Shia Kafir while pointing towards me.”
Class 6. Can’t remember the age. Whole class(excluding girls) loudly chanted Shia Kafir while pointing towards me.
On Friday, thousands of Sunni extremists hit the streets of Karachi to lead anti-Shia protests, thereby escalating tensions between the two Islamic sects and sparking fears of a series of violent events. The rally took place near the Jinnah Mausoleum, also known as Mazar-e-Quaid. The Sunni extremists were affiliated with anti-Shia groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan.
Several videos of the said protests have come to light. In one such video, Sunni extremists atop buses can be seen waving flags and shouting Anti-Shia slogans. “Kafir, Kafir Shia Kafir (Infidels, infidels, Shia infidels)”, the demonstrators were heard as saying. In another video, Sunni extremists associated with Sipah Sahaba can be seen pelting stones at an Imambargah (congregation halls for Shia Muslims during ceremonies) during their demonstrations in Karachi.
2 days ahead of ace lawyer Ram Jethmalani’s birthday on 14th September, the iTV network hosted the first edition of Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture Series on 12th September, which was broadcast on the group’s TV channel NewsX. The topic for the discussion was trial by media. India’s finest minds in the legal fraternity participated in the event conducted through video conferencing, which was hosted by Kartikeya Sharma, founder and managing director of iTV.
Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Jethmalani’s son and senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, Supreme Court judge Justice NV Ramada, KK Venugopal, Tushar Mehta, Fali S Nariman, Shri Soli J. Sorabjee, Kapil Sibal, Harish Salve, Abhishek Singhvi and Aryamana Sundaram spoke in the event.
Mahesh Jethmalani
Inaugurating the event and welcoming the speakers, Mahesh Jethmalani said that the objective of the lecture series is to promote excellence in bar, as well as to foster a passion among lawyers and common people about the constitution and the laws of the country. He presented the topic of the discussion, which is the most burning issue related to law and justice in recent times, ‘the pros and cons of trial by media‘. He said that a vital aspect of justice in criminal cases is a fair investigation and a fair trial.
Giving the example of the ongoing Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case and the high-profile media coverage of the same, Mahesh Jethmalani said that sometimes media houses seem to have obtained evidences which have not been gathered by even the investigating agencies. He wondered if such parallel investigation by the media in full public glare is in the interests of the justice or not. Jethmalani said that a line should be drawn between a laudable investigative journalism and a media witch-hunt. “Does the media believe in justice or in simply taking a position and depicting it as just?” he asked, saying that the panel members will share their views on the issue.
Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad delivered the first speech in the event, where he recalled his nostalgic memory of Ram Jethmalani, when he was a student activist during the JP movement in Bihar, and had protested against the Emergency. He said that Jethmalani had left his practice in India, went to the USA and started campaigning against the emergency there.
Ravi Shankar mostly talked about his memories with Ram Jethmalani. He narrated how once Ram Jethmalani had told him that he had come to India from Pakistan during partition with just Rs 10 in pocket but with an ambition and a vision. The minister talked briefly about the topic, saying that it also the expectation of people that investigation should be fair. Along with that, there is also a stake of the people of India in a fair investigation. “How to balance the two is a difficult question but the balance has to be achieved,” the minister added.
KK Venugopal
Attorney General of India K.K. Venugopal described Ram Jethmalani as brave and fearless, and a warrior in the legal field. Recalling Kerala bar association meeting in 1975, where Jethmalani was invited as the chief guest, Venugopal narrated how he had delivered a fiery speech attacking the Gandhi family and tearing Sanjay Gandhi apart. At that time people were afraid to even listen to such a diatribe against the Gandhi family, and a larger number of lawyers and reporters left the venue as Jethmalani was speaking, but he still finished his speech, Venugopal said.
Tushar Mehta
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta described Ram Jethmalani as a legend, a phenomena, and said that it is a befitting tribute by his son as the topic of the lecture series, media trial, was very dear to his heart. Nobody could have blasted media the way Ram did, at the same time he was a darling of the media, Mehta said. Calling Jethmalani a bundle of contradictions, the solicitor general reminded how he fought institutional corruption with full commitment and also appeared to defend people accused of corruption with equal amount of commitment.
Harish Salve
Senior advocate Harish Salve slammed the media for running media trial in criminal cases. He criticised the media for turning big criminal story coverage into a “circus”, but he also slammed investigating agencies for selective leaks to the media. He said that by evening on almost all media channels 5-6 ‘expert jurors’ promptly come to a conclusion of guilt and convict the accused.
Harish Salve said that media was invading the privacy of people in the name of transparency, and this system has to be changed if India is to be taken as a serious democracy.
He also said that investigating agencies clamour for arrest when they are given cases to probe. He claimed that the probe agencies tend to frame the person against whom media has made allegations. “Investigation agency feels it is their moral duty to see that the person against whom media has made its allegation is the culprit,’’ he said.
Although he criticised the role of media in reporting crime cases, he acknowledged that government control is not the solution. “The only way to fix this is not through the government because anything worse than reckless media is a government tamed media,” Salve added. He said that the media should be controlled by the courts, and courts have to lay down the Laxman Rekha which the media should not cross.
Salve said that he has been suggesting successive law ministers and I&B ministers to set up a tribunal, which will try cases of defamation and deliver judgement in 6 months. He said the trouble today is that media can slander people easily, and if defamation cases are file they go on forever, he said. Salve added that if defamation cases are settled within six months, it will help in taming the media. He said that a solution has to be found to protect private reputations from trial by media.
Harish Salve added that media must unearth cases where the system has failed the victims, but they should not run a parallel investigation and trial when the cases are actively pursued by the system.
Kapil Sibal
Congress leader and senior advocate Kapil Sibal also criticised the recent trend of trial by media, saying that it is nothing but breach of law, and it should be considered as contempt of the court. “Of late, the media acts as the court, passes judgement even before the court, pronounces its verdict,” he said. Sibal said that media has power as the 4th pillar of democracy, but to misuse this power is criminal.
The Congress leader who had a TV channel said that technology plays a very great role in terms of its reach and its influence, and the influence of mainstream media is both constructive and destructive. He added that social media is a jungle of words and images, where it is difficult to tell what is true and what is fake. “These platforms provide choices, but in that terrain, it is difficult to make a choice”, he said. Kapil Sibal said that all mediums and technology can be misused, and there should be always a Laxman Rekha to be drawn in respect of all human activity.
He also acknowledged the role of media in exposing crimes, saying that media in any form is an indispensable tool to detect crime, expose protection of criminals by the rich and the powerful, unearth facts and bring them in the public domain, build pressure that investigation is commenced, and further expose attempts by agencies to protect the accused. Sibal added that the role of media should be limited to discovery of facts during the investigation of a case. He mentioned some cases where media ensured that the guilty were punished, like the cases of Ruchika Girhotra, Jessica Lal, Priyadarshini Mattoo, Nirbhaya etc.
But now the problem is that media has taking such discoveries of facts as way of earning TRPs, resulting in not bothering about the credibility of the source, Sibal added. “They instead try to sensationalise the event, even if it takes distortion of facts. And the fact of the matter is that the media can make a hero turn into a villain in no time at all because of its enormous power,” he said.
Kapil Sibal said that sometimes media verdicts overshadow the court verdict, and the appearance of social media has deteriorated the situation further. “Today, the media has reincarnated itself into a public court. The new media presumes guilt, and the victim must prove his or her innocence,” he added.
The former union minister gave the example of 2G case to illustrate damage caused by trial by media. He said that the trial has acquitted all the accused, but in the entire process so much damage was done to the telecom industry that “a sector which was then live and kicking, which was earning profits, which was providing efficient service- is today under the debt of almost 5,000 crore.” He stressed that media should not be allowed to deliver verdicts at the stage of investigation, because it can influence the processes of the law.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Another Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi also participated in the event and talked about trial by media. He said that if the media claims the ‘exalted status’ of the 4th pillar of democracy, they also must be open to criticism just like the other three pillars. He said that while media has done a fantastic job on news gathering, investigation etc, the Indian news has plummeted in the wrong direction of the equation between sense and sensationalism, between news and noise, between civility and chaos, and between balance and extremism. He described the actions of India media as verbal terrorism, visual extremism, and content fundamentalism. He attributed the TRP race, revenue, politics, ambitious anchors, public baying for blood as the reason for the degradation of media.
Abhishek Singhvi pointed towards techniques used by TV channels, which included non-level playing fields in debates, verbal blood sport, the conscious invitation to biased and malicious panellists, strategic cutting of mics, one-sided themes etc. He said that serious news items are presented as crime thrillers, extremist and fundamentalist viewpoints are easily spoken by anchors and participants without bothering about their threats to democracy.
As a remedy for the situation, Singhvi said that time has come to name and shame. He said that the NBSA (News Broadcasting Standards Authority) must be more proactive, it must issue advisories more often, and those should be “followed not merely by snarling but by biting and fighting hard”. Only if few violators are made examples by the NBSA, a lot of it will stop.
Singhvi added that the NBSA guidelines should be recognised by the I&B ministry, and they should be notified under the Cable TV act and regulations. Because without that, it does not bind non-members, he added. Here it is interesting to note that NBSA was formed by News Broadcasters Association (NBA), an organisation of some news channels, not all. There is a rival organisation, News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), formed by Republic TV, TV9 Bharatvarsh, and around 50 regional channels.
He said that NBSA is failing because channels leave their membership. Therefore, Abhishek Manu Singhvi indirectly suggested that NBF members should be forced to follow the guidelines of their rival organisation, a clear attempt at controlling Republic TV headed by Arnab Goswami.
Singhvi said that there is an urgent need of an independent ratings agency. He said the 44000 TRP meters installed in the country to measure viewership is too less. He also called for creating a Chinese wall to eliminate conflict wall in the media. He remined that the Broadcasting Bill is languishing in the parliament for almost 25 years since 1997, and stressed that this bill should be passed.
Aryamana Sundaram
Advocate Aryamana Sundaram said more than ‘media trial’, the issue is of ‘pros and cons of increased influence of media in ongoing investigations and trial’. He said that it is not right to blame only media, as media is driven by public opinion. He said that public listens to the fourth pillar because other three pillars have failed.
He that today media has become a creator of public opinion. While earlier it was said that let the guilty get away in nine cases out of ten just to save one innocent, today media wants to say let nine innocent men be hanged but dont let one guilty get away. He said that the media has become the voice of the public.
Sundaram said that if the other three estates were functioning properly, the fourth estate, the media, would not have become like this. He said the institutional failure is responsible for the current situation of trial by media, as public has lack of faith on the system. “There is public perception that corruption has entered the judiciary, there is no doubt that there are extreme delays in justice, there are no doubt that people who will be brought to book will take about 29 years to be completed”.
Due to this low public perception about police and courts, media comes forward and tells that they are interested in getting the justice. “There is a complete loss of faith in the absolute fairness and integrity of all institutions, including judiciary because of delays and corruption”.
Sundaram concluded by said that it is a fact that media has become a public court, and media has started portraying itself as a court of public opinion. Media is also determining what the public opinion should be. Media is doing that because public has lost faith in looking anywhere else. He said that it is wonderful that media is a watchdog of public opinion and public interest, but let the media not become a guard of brain treating the public as blind and trying to leave them alone around. He also called for improving other institutions so that media does not have to take on their roles.
In conversation with Outlook, Congress leader Dr Udit Raj, with a massive fan base online, said that the ‘BJP IT cell’ is trying to create a rift between him and Congress leadership by pitching him as the party president. He accused the ‘BJP IT cell’ of running Twitter hashtags demanding him to take over the responsibilities from Sonia Gandhi. Speaking to OpIndia’s Nirwa Mehta, @Being_Humor, whom Raj has accused of being ‘BJP IT cell’, the digital activist reveals why he has extended his relentless support for the tall leader.
#UditRajForCongressPresident has been trending in social media after the reshuffle in Congress. What do you make of it?
It has not happened after the reshuffle. The hashtag has been trending for over 2 weeks now, the reshuffle has only intensified it. It’s a genuine demand by Udit Raj Ji’s fans. Shri Udit Raj Ji has been vocal about people’s issues with real and justified substance in his demands, which isn’t seen in Rahul Gandhi’s statements.
In his interview to Outlook magazine, Udit Raj has said that he’s a mass leader that’s why he’s being targeted. Do you think he’s a mass leader?
Over one lakh tweets with #UditRajForCongressPresident and #JusticeForUditRaj are testimonies of his huge fanbase, however, I wish to draw your attention to even a bigger picture, his fans come from all age groups, cutting across caste line. He is being humble for calling himself just a mass leader and not Tsunami (or Aandhi). Check out some of the images that prove his mass appeal.
Do you think his interview with Outlook was a pressure tactic to get noticed by the ‘high command’ at Congress?
Absolutely, In more than one of his answers, he not only tried to get noticed but also attacked Congress’ high command. He also said that he has informed Rahul Gandhi but he has not responded yet, smartly indicating Congress doesn’t listen to Dalit leaders. Upon asking that veteran Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge also dropped from Gen. Secy. position of AICC, Udit Raj said Kharge is still a Rajya Sabha member. Read between the lines and you know the former MP’s demand.
Do you think Congress even acknowledges his existence?
Doesn’t matter. Congress is an opportunist party. They denied the existence of Lord Shri Ram, but when PM Modi on 5th August did Ram Janmabhoomi Pujan they started taking credit of Ram mandir. When Congress will realize the power of Udit Raj Ji they’ll start worshipping him.
Why are you trending this?
I alone can’t do anything, I along with Shri @Amit_Gujju Ji, just raised our voices and million, and million of fans of Udit Raj Ji’s fans joined me and it became a mass movement. As if they all were just waiting for someone to start. Perhaps because so many people have seen Congress talking about Dalits and attacking BJP for not giving enough representation to Dalits, and they now want Congress to live by example. You must have noticed that Udit Raj ji has also said in his recent interview with Outlook that Congress needs to do more in terms of Dalit representation.
Did BJP IT Cell ask you? Or did anyone else ask you to?
No, I am not even remotely connected to BJP IT Cell. However, if paid good I’ll consider being a part of it. I am getting messages (DM) in million from the Udit Raj Warriors (popularly known as Uditians). Uditians are ready to be deployed at the service of great leader and visionary.
You clearly appear anti-Congress, so why should people believe that you genuinely support a Congress leader of tall stature like Udit Raj?
I may appear against Congress and its ideology but I am always in a favour of a strong nationalist and competent opposition, which Congress has failed to provide. Now coming to Dr. Udit Raj Ji, for him the country has always been above politics and that can be established by the fact that he along with his party (Indian Justice Party, having 4 crores active members) chose to leave the party and switched to BJP. In 2019 again, amidst the strong pro-Modi wave, he realised that the Congress under Rahul Gandhi isn’t strong enough to take on Modi on its own. He took the burden upon himself to reinvent the sinking ship. Hence, after empowering BJP he switched to the Congress. I see Dr. Udit Raj Ji has the potential and charisma to not only be Congress president but also world president and eventually take over the galaxy.
The last time a Dalit was Congress president, Sitaram Kesari, he was mistreated. Do you secretly hate Udit Raj and want him mistreated?
You have not understood Dr. Udit Raj Ji well. He’s like Daya of CID, can break door whenever he wishes. It’s his power that when the #UditRajForCongressPresident was trending, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had to leave the country to divert the attention.
Till when do you plan to run the campaign?
We are not stopping anytime soon. In fact you’ll see more support on the ground after the COVID situation is over. We are also planning to buy Jantar Mantar spot for the next four years (Kejriwal should look for another place). We will ensure that the support and campaign intensifies with time and Congress is forced to make Dr. Udit Raj Ji not only the Congress President but also the PM Candidate of Congress for 2024 elections.
On Sunday, a Special Cell of the Delhi police has reportedly arrested erstwhile JNU ‘scholar’ Umar Khalid in connection to the Delhi Anti-Hindu riots. He was booked under the newly amended Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and will be produced before the Court today.
As per reports, Khalid was earlier summoned at the Special Cell office in Lodhi Colony on Saturday. He was questioned on Sunday by the cops till 1 pm. The JNU ‘scholar’ was eventually arrested in the evening. The Delhi police informed that a chargesheet will be filed against him in the upcoming days.
Umar Khalid has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). https://t.co/EaA7fKLd6g
Umar, along with several other rabble-rousers such as Jamia media coordinator Safoora Zargar, RJD’s youth wing president Meeran Haider, Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal and several others have been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly instigating the violence that swept over large swathes of the northeast Delhi in February earlier this year.
the Delhi Police Crime Branch in its FIR dated 6th March 2020 stated that the anti-Hindu riots that took place in North East Delhi between 24-26 February during the visit of US President Donald Trump were preplanned. The FIR copy stated that the anti-Hindu riots conspiracy was hatched by ex-JNU student Umar Khalid and his associates who are linked with two groups. As part of the conspiracy, Umar Khalid gave provocative speeches at two different locations and appealed to people to take to streets during the visit of US President Donald Trump so that the propaganda that minorities are oppressed in India can be internationalized.
Umar Khalid dismisses allegations against him
In his defence, advocate Trideep Pais, representing Umar Khalid in courts, claimed on Saturday that the accusations of conspiracy are ‘fabricated’, ‘false’ and obtained under duress. On September 4, Umar Khalid addressed a press conference wherein he alleged that supporters of the ruling BJP were differently treated by the law than common people. He alleged that evidence was being manufactured against those who criticise the government. You can read in detail what he is accused of here.
A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the recognition of same sex marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act. The petition has been filed by Abhijit Iyer Mitra, Gopi Shankar M, Giti Thadani and G Oorvasi and the matter will be heard by Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan.
The petitioners claim that Hindu Marriage Act permits any two Hindus to solemnise their marriage and therefore, homosexuals should also have the right to marry and have their marriages recognised.
Petitioners are Abhitjit Iyer Mitra, Gopi Shankar M, Giti Thadani and G Oorvasi .
The petition states that as per HMA, a marriage can be solemnised
between 'any two Hindus' and therefore, the right to get married should not be confined to
heterosexual couples.@Iyervval
“That it is further submitted that despite the fact that there is absolutely no statutory bar under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 and the Special Marriage Act of 1956 against gay marriage, the same are not being registered throughout the country and also in Delhi,” the plea claims. “As a result of the same, there are many benefits that would otherwise be available to heterosexual married couples that are not available to them,” it stated.
The claim that Act does not mandate that a marriage is between a man and a woman appears to be unfounded. Section 5(iii) clearly mentions that a marriage between two Hindus can be solemnised if the groom is 21 years old and the bride is 18 years old at the minimum. It is a clear indication that the Act recognises marriage only between a man and a woman.
Section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act
The petition filed by advocates Mukesh Sharma and Raghav Awasthi states, “…the non-recognition of the rights of gay couples, especially when their sexuality has been recognised as such as valid by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India is violative of various provisions of the Constitution of India as well as various conventions that India as a sovereign State is signatory to.”
“That Right to Marry is also stated under Human Rights Charter within the meaning of the right to start a family. The Right to Marry is a universal right and it is available to everyone irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender identity,” it added. The petition also argued that denial of the Right to Marry is in violation of the Right to Equality and Right to Life as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
A horrific incident of child abuse has come to light in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan in which a Muslim ‘Tantrik’ was caught abusing and beating up a minor girl in the name of exorcism. The accused has been identified as Mehboob Qureshi.
A video had gone viral recently in which the accused was seen brandishing his sword as he beat up a 16-year-old girl. Reportedly, the cleric used to step on the neck of these minor children and beat them up on the pretext of removing ghosts from their body.
“महबूब कुरेशी उर्फ़ तलवार बाबा, भूत भगाने के बहाने लड़कियों को पैर से कुचलता था और बाल पकड़ के घसीटता था” pic.twitter.com/cWm0d0AT9S
In the above video, it can be seen that a minor girl was dragged by her hair and kicked by the Muslim cleric. The minor girl can also be heard shouting and screaming as Qureshi abused her in the name of exorcism.
According to investigation by the police, it has been revealed that the incident took place about a month ago in Kanwakhera Kachchi village near Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The police have begun their search to nab the accused, who has now absconded. The accused Mehboob Qureshi belongs to Jahazpur.
The police said that Qureshi had rented a house along with the parents of the kid. The accused had carried out the act on the minor kid in the presence of her parents, said Rajasthan police. As the video of the horrific incident went viral on social media, the locals informed the police regarding his presence that led to an investigation.
In the past, the Police has also investigated allegations of prostitution against Qureshi. The accused had begun prostitution at a place in Jahazpur. Following complaints by local, the police had put an end to it. An image has also gone viral on the internet where he can be seen in the colours and symbols of the Congress party. That image is from an election campaign in December, 2018.
Mahesh Bhatt has a long history of controversies attached to him. Several old skeletons have come out in the last few days since his name appeared in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. One such controversial subject was of his son Rahul who was also named by 26/11 conspirator David Headley during interrogation. Headley wanted to recruit Rahul to ISI. As per media reports, Headley asked Rahul not to go to South Mumbai on the day of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai that left 166 people dead and hundreds of other injured.
The 2012 interview
In 2012, Times of India interviewed Rahul Bhatt in which he made some explosive statements about his father, Mahesh Bhatt. In his interview, he claimed that Mahesh never considered him like his son and wanted to name him ‘Mohammad.’ Many people did not believe him when he says so, but according to him, it was true. It was his neighbours who requested her anglo-Indian mother not to let Mahesh name him Mohammad as Mahesh will have several chances to show his secularism.
If Rahul was named Mohammad, he would have never seen the outside world after 26/11
Rahul claimed that if he would have named Mohammad, no one would even know who his father was. He believed when his name appeared in the 26/11 case, if he had named Mohammad, he would have been thrown in Tihar with no scope of coming out. He blamed his father for not considering or treating him as his son. Rahul said it was his behaviour that allowed to him come in contact with Headley. If he had been a better father, the situation would have been a lot different. Those times and circumstances were challenging for him. He had no one to show the right path. He said though he knows he should not say, but Mahesh treated him like an illegitimate child.
The experiences made him stronger
Rahul said that he used to feel like Andy Garcia of Godfather 3. It was scary for him to miss those experiences, but the truth is it made him stronger. He always felt insecure, and there were resentment and despair in his attitude. At the time of the interview, he claimed that he moved out of every emotionally painful situation and was in a much better position in life. Rahul had said, “I don’t want to play any Victim Card. But the truth is that Mahesh Bhatt never did anything for me. I am not a bitter person, but a better person, and the reason is only my father.” Mahesh Bhatt has four children. Alia and Shaheen Bhatt from his wife Soni Razdan and Rahul and Pooja Bhatt from his wife, Kiran Bhatt. Most of us have heard about Alia, Pooja and Shaheen, but Rahul Bhatt is sort of an unknown name to the world.
Days after the highly publicised war of words with the Maharashtra government and the ruling Shiv Sena, actress Kangana Ranaut met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday.
While speaking to ANI, the actress said, “I met Governor Koshyari & told him about the unjust treatment I’ve received. I hope justice will be given to me so that the faith of all citizens including young girls, is restored in the system. I am fortunate that the Governor listened to me like a daughter”
#WATCH I met Governor Koshyari & told him about unjust treatment I’ve received. I hope justice will be given to me so that the faith of all citizens including young girls, is restored in the system. I am fortunate that the Governor listened to me like a daughter: Kangana Ranaut pic.twitter.com/aZRohVVUhi
Kangana Ranaut also tweeted about the meeting. She said that she explained her point of view to the governor and also requested that justice be given to her, as it will restore faith of common citizen and particularly daughters in the system.
A short while ago I met His Excellency the Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari Ji. I explained my point of view to him and also requested that justice be given to me it will restore faith of common citizen and particularly daughters in the system. pic.twitter.com/oCNByhvNOT
Following the demolition of her office by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra governor had summoned the Principal advisor to the Maharashtra CM, Ajoy Mehta, on Wednesday and expressed his displeasure over the incident.
Maharashtra government at loggerheads with Kangana Ranaut
The Kangana vs Shiv Sena standoff escalated after Shiv Sena leaders, as well as NCP leaders, threatened Kangana Ranaut for referring to Mumbai as Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir after Azadi slogans were spotted on graffiti. Later, the Mumbai Commissioner of Police also ‘liked’ a tweet abusing her. Shiv Sena MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut even referred to her as ‘haramkhor ladki’. After the misogynist and sexist tirade against her, Raut claimed ‘haramkhor’ means ‘naughty
In recent years, it has emerged that the male Catholic leadership, from priests up to bishops, have been the main violators of their organization’s nuns. Nuns, in case you do not know, are Catholic women who decide to take a vow of poverty and dedicate their life entirely towards Jesus. They believe in living a life like Jesus, serving the poor and needy. They take this vow in the form of a literal marriage to Jesus.
Part of that vow involves a vow to celibacy, meaning they cannot have any relation with a man. So imagine the shock of a nun who is taken advantage of by a parish priest in her district who forces her to have intercourse with him, in violation of her vows. That is the story of Sister Lucy Kallapura. Between 2014 and 2016, she said in a police complaint that a bishop of the church, Franco Mulakkal forced her to have sexual intercourse against her will. It was rape, in other words.
He is now head of the diocese in Jalandhar, where he resides to this day. It took a long time to have charges filed against him. Some Catholic organisations and Christians came together in support of Sister Lucy to move the Kerala high court to issue an arrest warrant against Bishop Mulakkal but to no avail. Mulakkal was eventually arrested, but was given bail in 2018. He was arrested again in 2019 and was again given bail this year. We pray that he gets the justice he deserves.
Sister Lucy had to go through quite the ordeal to make sure her complaint was heard. Her FIR complaint filed in Kottayam was deliberately acted upon slowly. Then after her complaint was taken up by the Kerala High Court, she and other nuns who backed her up experienced great harassment by their own parish priests and by its leadership. Sister Lucy was starved, browbeaten, and not allowed to do any sort of work such as sewing clothes or any work serving the poor. She was kicked out of the convent and has appealed to the Vatican to allow her to stay in the order, to no avail.
Other than a handful of Catholics and other Christians, her story has fallen on deaf ears within the Catholic and Christian fold. It is a question of image. The Catholic church does not want to look bad. In an era of rampant sex scandals worldwide, the Catholic church does not want to have another big scandal tarnish this steadfast institution.
It is only steadfast due to ill-gotten wealth, forced conversion of Europeans (then later the natives of North and South America), theocratic rule of the Catholic church into the 18th century and undue influence on the world stage. The Protestant churches are no longer anti-Catholic, with the exception of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Even so, what is their excuse for the indifference shown to Sister Lucy?
Clearly, Bishop Mulakkal did not adequately ‘resist temptation’. When Christians deal with the problem of sin, often they turn to the verses of Matthew 18:8-9: “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell”.
During the regime of Justice Party in Tamil Nadu in the 1930s, under the British rule, the blatantly anti-Hindu party which was the pre-cursor to the Dravidian parties of Tamil Nadu, fueled by divisive missionary forces, worked hard in showing the DevaDasi system in poor light to India and finally banned the system in the Madras Presidency which covered the entirety of Tamil Nadu and significant portions of the other three south Indian states today.
The Devadasi system is a very ancient system in India whose references can be found in many scriptures including the “Kovil Ozhugu”, the record of activities maintained by authorities of the Sri. Ranganatha Temple of Srirangam. From these sources, we clearly understand that even Kings gave away their daughters in marriage to the deity of a temple of their choice where these women, protected by the temple and the rulers lived a life of austerity in service of the deity of the temple. The range of services included simple things like making garlands to the deity to institutionalized training in dance and music which readied the girls to dedicate their talent in front of the deity during festival times.
This holy tradition did come under minor misuse during the British times due to the lack of protection of the women involved and absence of patronage by the colonial Government. The Justice party, which was fueled by the divisive tactics of the Church, was ready to paint any minor issues within the Hindu Sampraday as evil those days. They outlawed the system of Devadasis rather than working on reforming the system.
While the women who fell prey to lustful men in the Devadasi system where typically taken advantage by the rich Zamindar types in town, the case of nunneries is even more serious. The accused and convicted mostly turn out to be desperate priests of the Catholic Church themselves which tells one that the Church itself is ill-equipped protect the nuns. This serious lack of security for the nuns is going unquestioned by anyone today for two reasons:
The clergy of the Catholic Church themselves want to hush the matter as explained above in the story that was brought to light by Sister Lucy.
The majority of Hindus in India, unlike the Justice Party atheists, consider the whole issue as out of scope for them to even comment on as it’s the internal matter of the Catholic Church.
But, it’s time that the majority in India stops thinking of this issue as “None of our business” and take cognisance of the harm this inflicts on gullible women in the broader society. It’s time to ask for justice for the nuns and question the idea of continuing the nunneries and the need to continue the tradition that is no longer kept sacrosanct by the clergy of the catholic church. It’s time for it to go in India. This is screaming for Government’s intervention.
Author: Maya Ram was born to a Hindu father and Christian mother and raised in America by two Indian immigrants. When she was young, she was forced to embrace Christianity by her mother and struggled with it but embraced Sanatan Dharma later on. She works in the field of health technology, but also writes for various outlets.
The anti-Shia sentiment in Sunni-majority Pakistan has been on a drastic rise. On September 6, a shopkeeper in Kohat city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan was gunned down by an unidentified miscreant.
Reportedly, the victim has been identified as one Qaisar Abbas. He was a Shia Muslim by faith. In the CCTV footage that has gone viral on social media, an assailant barges into the store and fires shot at Abbas from a point-blank range. The victim is then collapsing on the chair while the other customers in the shop rush out for help.
CCTV footage of assassination of #Shia shopkeeper Qaisar Abbas in Kohat, KP province. No claim of responsibility yet, but the likely culprits are members of local #Deobandi militant outfits or their splinters. pic.twitter.com/M9JNShnW16
While no groups have claimed responsibility for the crime, the role of local Deobandi sponsored militant outfits are suspected behind the murder. A picture of the deceased, lying on a stretcher and soaked in blood, is also doing the rounds on the internet.
The corpse of Qaisar Abbas (Photo Credits: Twitter/ Hanif Abbas)
Sunni extremists lead anti-Shia protests in Pakistan
On Friday, thousands of Sunni extremists hit the streets of Karachi to lead anti-Shia protests, thereby escalating tensions between the two Islamic sects and sparking fears of a series of violent events. The rally took place near the Jinnah Mausoleum, also known as Mazar-e-Quaid. The Sunni extremists were affiliated with anti-Shia groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan.
Several videos of the said protests have come to light. In one such video, Sunni extremists atop buses can be seen waving flags and shouting Anti-Shia slogans. “Kafir, Kafir Shia Kafir (Infidels, infidels, Shia infidels)”, the demonstrators were heard as saying. In another video, Sunni extremists associated with Sipah Sahaba can be seen pelting stones at an Imambargah (congregation halls for Shia Muslims during ceremonies) during their demonstrations in Karachi.
