Home Blog Page 5244

Pakistan enacts law to supervise Islamic material in textbooks, Ulema Board approval to be mandatory for Islam-related content

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pakistan enacts law to supervise Islamic material in textbooks, Ulema Board approval to be mandatory for Islam-related content

The Pakistani provincial assembly on Tuesday passed a law that mandated that no material related to Islam can be published in the textbooks unless it is approved by the Muttahida Ulema Board, Pakistan. The assembly unanimously passed the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (Amendment) Bill 2020 tabled by MPA Khadija Umar of the ruling party’s ally, PML-Q.

As per the Amendment, content in the textbook or part of curriculum related to Islam in Islamiyat, history, Pakistan studies, Urdu literature or any other subject will have first have to seek approvals from the Muttahida Ulema Board, Punjab before publishing it. The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board will be obligated to take the approval from the Ulema board.

The amendment also offers teeth to the board of religious scholars to recommend bans on books that do not conform to their religious worldview. The bill mentioned that it would be advisable to get advance approvals from the Ulema Board instead of getting recommendations later.

Congratulating the house on the passage of the bill, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi extolled the enacted law claiming it protected Khatm-i-Nabuwwat while closing the doors of evil being spread in the books regarding Islam. “We wanted to protect the coming generations. This country came into existence in the name of Islam and we cannot compromise on controversial content,” he said.

Earlier, as the day’s assembly proceedings started, the speaker expressed displeasure over Senior Food Minister Aleem Khan’s absence from the session. He said he could not do anything if the minister was in Islamabad but he should have been in the House.

Pakistani Minister for Education, Murad Raas said in the house that the matter of forbidden books had come up with the board twice earlier and cases were book against those responsible for publishing blasphemous material. He further added that 30 committees in his department were working to examine all the textbooks.

Raas also said that even Pakistani citizens can file their grievances against the objectionable content published in the textbooks by lodging their complaints through Whatsapp, website and landline numbers. He added that his department did not encompass reference books, which was under the scope of the law and home departments.

Uttar Pradesh govt approves ordinance against cow slaughter, stringent punishments included. Read details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttar Pradesh govt approves ordinance against cow slaughter, stringent punishments included. Read details

The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved to pass an ordinance aimed at protecting the cow and preventing crimes related to cow slaughter. The UP cabinet approved the Cow-Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.

According to the reports, the proposed amendment includes a penal provision of imprisonment ranging from one year to ten years for physical damage to the cow and fine from Rs one lakh to Rs three lakh in cases related to cow slaughter. The UP government will bring amendments to the Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said the proposed law also has a provision that allows authorities to publicise pictures of the accused in their neighbourhoods or a prominent public place if they escape after committing the crime.

Illegal transportation will be penalised

Under section 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, the driver, operator and the owner of the vehicle shall be charged for the illegal transportation of bovine animals. The proposed law will punish if there is a danger to their lives through physical damage or mutilation. 

The accused will also have to bear the cost related to the maintenance of the seized cattle for a year or till the animals are released, whichever earlier. In addition to that, if the life of cow in danger is put at risk by not providing food and water with the intention of endangering their life, rigorous imprisonment will be awarded for at least one year, which may extend to seven years.

In case if someone is found guilty again under the new act, even after conviction, he shall be punished with double penalty provided for the offence committed for the second time.

DMK MLA J Anbazhagan dies due to coronavirus related complications

OpIndia Staff
-
0
DMK MLA J Anbazhagan dies due to coronavirus related complications

DMK MLA J Anbazhagwan who tested positive for Chinese coronavirus a few days back has succumbed to the illness. Since 3rd June, he was on a ventilator in Rela Institute & Medical Centre in Chromepet, Chennai, where he took his last breath on Wednesday. He is the first legislator in Tamil Nadu to have died of the virus which has infected almost 3 lakh people in India claiming lives of over 7,500 people.

The hospital issued a statement in which they said that Anbanhagan J was fighting for his life with severe Covid-19 related complications. He showed some signs of improvement on Monday. However, his health deteriorated rapidly due to pneumonia. Though doctors provided full medical support, including mechanical ventilation, he succumbed to illness at 8:05 AM on 10th June 2020. According to the reports, he was already suffering from chronic kidney disease, among other health problems.

Long political career of Anbazhagan

Anbazhagan was on the forefront of Covid-19 relief work. He had a long political career. In January 2020, he was suspended for three days from the Assembly for tearing a copy of the Governor’s address. He was elected from T. Nagar Assembly constituency for the first time in 2001 and served for five years. In 2011, he fought the election from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni’s seat and entered the Tamil Nadu assembly. In 2016, he was re-elected from the same constituency.

Tamil Nadu second worst affected state

After Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu is the second-worst affected state from coronavirus pandemic. The state has recorded a total of 34,914 patients as per the Ministry of Health’s data. Currently, 16,282 cases are active in the country and 18,325 have recovered. Three hundred seven people died due to Covid-19 related complications.

Anbanhagan J unfortunately died on his 62nd birthday which added to the pain among his followers.

Genetic research suggests link between blood type and susceptibility to coronavirus, says ‘O’ group less likely to get infected

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Genetic research suggests link between blood type and susceptibility to coronavirus, says ‘O’ group less likely to get infected

23andMe, a genetic research giant famous for its home DNA testing kits, has released the preliminary results of their ongoing genetic research on Covid-19. The researchers have suggested that the patient’s blood type has a significant role in deciding vulnerability towards Covid-19 infection. The study is based on 750,000 participants, including 10,000 volunteers who had been tested positive for the infection.

The initial findings of 23andMe research

  • The initial results suggest that the blood type O appears protective against the virus compared to other blood types.
  • Individuals with the O blood type are 9 to 18 per cent less likely to test positive for Covid-19 compared to other blood types.
  • When the researchers adjusted the results for ethnicity, age, BMI, and other existing health problems, the findings do not show any significant change.
  • The researchers narrowed down the results to healthcare and other frontline workers and found similar results. The findings suggested that even healthcare and frontline workers with O blood type are less likely to catch an infection or get severely ill.
  • The Rhesus factor i.e., blood type +ve or –ve do not have a significant role. Although an initial study suggested that blood type O is only protective of rhesus-positive blood types, further studies did not support the result.

Results supported by similar studies

On 2nd June, a pre-review form of similar research was published on MedRxiv. Doctors from Germany, Norway, Italy and Spain collaborated for the research. They collected blood samples from 1,610 patients who needed oxygen or had to be put on ventilators. Also, 2,205 COVID-negative patients donated blood samples for the research. They found that patients with blood type A are 50 percent more likely to need oxygen or ventilator.

On the other hand, patients with blood type O have a lower risk of catching the infection. Results from both researches complement each other. However, the researchers are not sure how blood type is playing its role in deciding the severity of the infection. A team at the University of Kiel in Germany extracted DNA from the submitted samples. Though they found spots that can be associated with severe Covid-19 cases, it is still unclear which gene on the locus on Chromosome 3 influences the progress of the disease. It will take some time to zero down to the specific gene that affects the disease.

Scientists worldwide are working together and sharing data to understand how Covid-19 spreads and affects the patients. The ongoing research will help in developing treatment and vaccine for the infection. 23andMe has invited more volunteers from the US to donate samples for their research.

Rahul Gandhi shares a video of cry for help by a journalist who works for company formed by ex-NDTV employee and advisor to Manmohan Singh

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rahul Gandhi shares a video of cry for help by a journalist who works for company formed by ex-NDTV employee and advisor to Manmohan Singh

On Tuesday, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to share a video of a Delhi-based journalist who narrated his ordeal and cried for help, stating that his entire family, including his kids, have been tested positive for coronavirus.

The Delhi-based journalist Ajay Jha, who works for a media outlet GoNewsIndia, said he and his family were in great difficulty. The journalist also said two persons from his family have also died due to coronvirus.

The Congress MP sharing the video of journalist, tweeted, “For the millions of my sisters and brothers like Ajay, we share your pain. We will do everything to protect you. We will overcome this together”.

In the video, the distressed journalist, who is in the home quarantine, also added that his father-in-law and mother-in-law passed away due to the coronavirus and authorities only picked up their dead bodies from his home after a long time.

“Everyone is coronavirus positive in my house – my wife, my two daughters – In the last 10 days, two have died. My wife’s father died and two days ago, her mother also died in this house. The body was kept for a long time, but no one picked it up,” Ajay Jha said in the video shot on a mobile phone.

Jha also alleged that there was no accountability in the system in Delhi as far as dealing with coronavirus pandemic was concerned.

“Everyone is putting the onus of responsibility on others. Kejriwal and the government is claiming that all facilities are there, but the truth is that there is nothing. People are now bhagwan bharose,” the journalist said

The journalist appealing for help said, that his family is in trouble and wanted help to come out of the difficult situation. “I have two daughters – one is nine-year-old and the other is five-year-old. We are trying to be strong but don’t know what will happen. We need help and medical treatment. Hope the people will listen and come forward to help us,” the journalist said in a heart-wrenching video.

Ajay Jha works for Pankaj Pachauri’s GoNews

Incidentally, the journalist in the video worked for a news outlet named ‘Go News’ run by Congress-era journalist Pankaj Pachauri. Pankaj Pachauri was a journalist with NDTV, later also worked as the media advisor of former PM Manmohan Singh.

Ajay Jha has also posted videos on social media reporting on the recent campaign launched by Congress party to draw public support for the people suffering due to the lockdown imposed due to coronavirus.

In another video, Ajay Jha had reported how Congress party was gearing up to launch a ‘SpeakUp’ campaign to help raise the voice of the poor, migrants, small businesses and the middle-class people of the country.

My own son is trying to kill me: Bihar’s Akhtar Imam nominates pet elephants as his legal heirs, alleges threat from family

OpIndia Staff
-
0
My own son is trying to kill me: Bihar’s Akhtar Imam nominates pet elephants as his legal heirs, alleges threat from family

Days after the tragic incident in Kerala where a pregnant elephant met a slow, painful death after consuming pineapples filled with explosives, another news from Bihar has brought some positivity for animal lovers.

Akhtar Imam, a resident of Phoolwarisharif near Patna in Bihar has reportedly handed over his assets to his two pet elephants, Rani and Moti. As per reports, Imam has made the elephants his legal heirs.

Runs animal welfare trust named ‘AERAVAT’

The 50-year-old Imam, who has stated to media that he had inherited the elephants and has been living with them on his farm. Imam, who also runs a trust named Asian Elephants Rehabilitation and Wildlife Animal Trust (AERAWAT), has stated that he has officially nominated the two elephants as his legal heirs and all that belongs to him, house, bank balance and land, will be owned by the two elephants after his death. He has stated that he has done it to ensure that the elephants do not suffer after his demise.

Imam has stated that if the elephants die, the assets will go to the AERAWAT trust that he is in charge of.

Disputes within family, son is trying to steal from him

Imam has also stated that his wife had divorced him and half of his assets were handed over to her. However, Imam’s son named Miraj alias ‘Pintu Nalayak’ nurses an enmity towards him and is planning to kill him with help from some smugglers. He has alleged that his own son wants to steal the elephants and his assets.

Imam has also stated to the media that his own son had earlier implicated him under false charges of raping his girlfriend for which he even had to go to jail for some time. But Imam was later exonerated as there was no evidence. Imam has stated that pained over the activities of his only child, he had finally decided to give his assets to his elephants who have been his faithful companions over the years.

Imam has stated that he has done the necessary paperwork and documentation at the Danapur registry office to ensure that the elephants inherit his assets.

Imam insists that the elephants are like his own children and he wants them well taken care of after he is gone. He has also stated that the elephant Moti had once saved his life from armed smugglers.

As per reports, Imam has written to the local forest officer and police SP that he fears a life-threatening attack from his own family members who want to take over his assets and prevent him from leaving his assets for his elephants.

After Muslims complain about ‘idol worshiping’, PUBG removes a mode from their mobile game that allegedly involved it

OpIndia Staff
-
0
After Muslims complain about ‘idol worshiping’, PUBG removes a mode from their mobile game that allegedly involved it

After the latest version of the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) video game sparked a huge controversy among Muslim players the developers have now rolled back the update. The Muslim players had accused the game developers of promoting ‘idol worshipping’.

Reportedly, the controversy erupted after PUBG released a new feature titled ‘Mysterious Jungle’, which triggered a backlash in Islamic societies for allegedly pushing forms ‘idol worshipping’.

The online game PUBG Mobile had released a latest ‘Mysterious Jungle’ mode and it is reported to be exclusive to the ‘Sanhok’ map. The reason for the outrage was due to a feature present in the new update where players can pray in front of a totem in order to restore their health.

It is pertinent to note that any form of ‘idol worshipping’ is prohibited in Islam. The idolatry has been considered as the “worship of false gods” and is forbidden in Islam. 

Following this update, many Muslim players took it as an insult to their religion as idol worship is prohibited in Islam. The took to Twitter to slam the creators of PUBG for promoting idol worshipping and asked fellow Muslims to uninstall PUBG.

Another user asked Muslims to uninstall PUBG, if he was a true Muslim.

Outrage in Muslim-majority nations

A number of preachers from the Middle East had also warned against the recently released PUBG update, in which players appear worshipping idols. The preachers had demanded authorities to act swiftly to save children from these concepts.

According to Gulf News, Dr Bassam Al Shatti, Professor of faith at the College of Sharia, Kuwait University, said video games feature many pros and cons, but PUBG has violated Islamic beliefs regarding prostration and bowing to idols, and this is the greatest sin in Islam because prostrating and bowing is worship and glorification solely and exclusively to Almighty Allah.

Another Islamic preacher, Dr Rashid Al Alimi, Professor at the College of Basic Education, added that these games are dangerous for Muslims since they can create generations who do not know Tawhid or the defining doctrine of Islam, which declares absolute monotheism – the unity and uniqueness of Almighty Allah as the creator and sustainer of the universe.

“The special draw of gaming that makes it the preferred pastime of so many millions of kids and adults is not just entertainment, it is dangerous because it teaches them polytheism, so they prefer it and become addicted to it,” said Al Shatti.

Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, Dr Aref Bin Mazyad Al Suhaimi, Professor of Faith in the College of Da’wah and Fundamentals of Religion at the Islamic University said, “Islam promotes tolerance, balance, equality, consensus, reformism, and all things that take the middle path to materialise the best interest of people. So Sharia permits games that have a preponderant interest, such as shooting, racing, swimming, horse riding, etc.,” he said.

PUBG removes the new mode after backlash from Muslims

Following the outrage by Muslims,  South Korean firm Bluehole Inc, which developed the PUBG, has removed the ‘Mysterious Jungle’ mode from the game.

PUBG Mobile has released a statement regarding the controversy, stating that, “This new Jungle Adventure Mode was causing dissatisfaction among various players due to some of the dynamics of the mode. PUBG Mobile also said that they respect the traditions, cultures, and practices of their players and continue to value them. They are trying their best to provide a safe and better playing environment and experience to all players across the globe.”

The insistence of Muslims bullying and threatening creative developers to follow the principles of Islam to develop products that are in line with Islam is a disturbing trend. The attempt to ‘Halal-ise’ every product may now pressurise creative technicians such as game developers, movie makers to seek Halal certification for every product they develop.

Pakistan: Blackout in Karachi triggers ‘Indian planes coming’ fear, residents confuse PAF planes as Indian fighter jets

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pakistan: Blackout in Karachi triggers ‘Indian planes coming’ fear, residents confuse PAF planes as Indian fighter jets

Late night on Tuesday, panic gripped across Pakistan after several social media users tweeted that the Indian Air Force fighter jets had crossed the Line of Control and flew over Karachi, leading to authorities in Pakistan blacking out the city.

Various social media users took to Twitter express their fear over another Indian Air Force action inside Pakistan. According to the local residents of Karachi, the city was put under ‘blackout’ after rumours of Indian Air Force fighter jets went close to Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

Pakistani journalist Wajhat Kazmi, took to Twitter to express his fear after social media users pointed out that Indian fighter jets were hovering around the port city of Karachi. Kazmi said that it was after 27th Feb 2019 – the night of Balakot airstrike, he was hearing PAF jets patrolling the sky and hoped that situation was not serious.

Wajahat’s tweet

Salman Manzoor, a Karachi resident also shared a video on Twitter claiming that Pakistan Air Force had begun “JF17 Thunder” and Mirage” patrolling over Karachi and the border areas of Sindh after the formation of Indian jets was identified near LOC.

Similar videos from Karachi have emerged on social media platforms claiming that IAF jets had indeed crossed LoC and flew over Karachi, which resulted in the blackout of the city.

However, Pakistan Armed Forces has remained tight-lipped over the issue and its propaganda arm ISPR has yet to put any official statement over rumours of Indian Air Force jets crossing the LoC and the subsequent patrolling of PAF jet over Karachi and other parts of Sindh. The Indian Air Force has denied any such activity. In fact, it seems that the Pakistanis mistook PAF aircrafts for IAF aircrafts.

Meanwhile, social media users in India did not leave the golden opportunity to take a dig at Pakistani citizens. Ever since Balakot strikers occured, the Pakistani citizens have begun to be fearful of another action by the Indian Armed Forces, which was evident by their reaction on social media on Tuesday night following the rumours of IAF jets crossing LoC.

Many netizens from the country took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the Tuesday’s ‘blackout’.

A user named Rahul reminded Pakistan of its bravado by posting a tweet put out by Pakistani Air Force just a day before the Balakot airstrikes, that stuck deep inside the Pakistan.

Image Source: Rahul
Indians have no chill.

Meanwhile, Pakistanis on Twitter continued to put up a brave face to claim that they are not afraid of Indian Armed forces.

One Pakistani said the community which is not afraid of corona cannot be scared by the ‘toys’. If you want biryani, we will send it through China. In an unrelated note, India responded to ceasefire violations by Pakistan earlier this morning. Pakistanis somehow thought that their country panicking is India’s shamelessness.

Pakistan violates ceasefire

Following the scare along the Line of Control, the Pakistanis have resorted to their usual tactics of violating ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nowshera sector on Wednesday.

Reportedly, the Pakistan army resorted to small arms firing and intense mortar shelling along the LoC at Nowshera Sector of Rajouri district at around 7.30 am on Wednesday. The Indian Army has also retaliated to Pakistan’s shelling.

Why are some journalists so eager to defend Rahul Gandhi when questions are asked to him: Babita Phogat takes jibes at Congress’ love for China

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Why are some journalists so eager to defend Rahul Gandhi when questions are asked to him: Babita Phogat takes jibes at Congress’ love for China

While the standoff at the LAC with Chinese troops has stirred up a diplomatic puddle between India and China, there is also a fierce rhetoric playing on the social media between the ruling party and the opposition. Meanwhile, wrestling champion Babita Phogat lashed out at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged ‘love for China’.

She wrote on her Twitter account, “One thing I want to ask Rahul Gandhi. Is he inclined towards India or China? Nowadays his love for China overflowing. Does he have no faith in India?”

Phogat had hinted at the Congress party’s strange fixation with China.

Reacting to this, Congress’s Media coordinator Radhika Kheda wrote, “One thing to ask you too. Do you worry about the security of the country or Modiji’s failure?”

On this, Babita Phogat replied saying, “Tell Rahul Gandhi Ji that this is new Hindustan, one that enters and kills inside the premises of enemy. We have faith in our leadership and military. Please explain this to Rahul Ji that excessive use of sugar is bad for health. Congress seems to be terrified of Modiji that is why they are resorting to China to gain political mileage?”

After this, the Print’s Zainab Sikandar replied to Phogat, “Phogat madam, first understand the meaning of nationalism. The nation is India, not the BJP. And reduce the dialogues. This is not an Aamir Khan film. It is a matter of foreign policy.”

The BJP leader replied to her, ” If love for China is nationalism then I congratulate Congress on that. Complimenting the enemy country and speaking bad for own country. Such foreign policy can be a strategy for Congress only. The leadership of the country is in strong hands and we are proud of the army of the country. Rest, the film was made when the tricolor was raised.”

When Babita continued to question Congress and Rahul Gandhi, another journalist, Prashant Kanuajia entered the discussion and questioned Babita’s film ‘Dangal’ that was a super hit in China. Babita replied, “I have earned something for the country. Unlike you who tarnish the image of the country. I have upheld the glory of India even while in China. What to do with a journalist like you who is sold in the hands of the Congress.”

It is notable here that most ‘liberals’ and Congress leaders often try to peddle the narrative that it was Aamir Khan’s movie ‘Dangal’ that made the Phogat sisters ‘famous’. While the reality is that the movie was based on the Phogat sisters’ achievements and their stellar contribution to Indian sports.

Noting that so many defenders of Rahul Gandhi have jumped to question and attack her, Babita Phogat wrote, “The questions are being asked to Rahul Gandhi. but some particular journalists are coming to answer. Is it because brother Rahul Gandhiji does not know how to answer a question? There can be no compromise with the honor and self-respect of the country. Congress should understand this very well. The love for China and Pakistan will destroy the Congress party one day.”

Babita used the Hindi term ‘Pattalkaar’, a jibe at dishonest journalists who compromise with the ethics of their profession for favours and monetary gain.

Rahul Gandhi and China

The Gandhi-scion, not once but twice, was caught meeting Chinese officials, raising suspicion among the policymakers regarding the intent of his secretive meeting with the Chinese.

The first meeting had taken place in 2017, when Rahul Gandhi had a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui, especially at a time when India and China were in the middle of a stand-off at Doklam. At first, the Congress party had denied such meetings and had termed news reports suggesting that the Gandhi-scion had indeed met Chinese officials as ‘fake news’.

Again in 2018, Rahul Gandhi had himself revealed regarding the secret meeting with a couple of Chinese ministers during his trip to Kailash Mansarovar in September 2018. The meeting was kept secret initially but later Rahul Gandhi had revealed the details of the meeting accidentally leading to people to speculate even more as to why both the Congress party and China were trying to hide the meeting.

It is notable that Wrestling champion Babita Phogat had joined the BJP last year before the Haryana assembly elections. She had contested elections from the Dadri assembly and had lost.

Maharashtra: BMC Deputy Commissioner Shirish Dixit dies of coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Maharashtra: BMC Deputy Commissioner Shirish Dixit dies of coronavirus

Shirish Dixit – the deputy commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, who was forefront at battling the coronavirus in Mumbai has succumbed to the Chinese pandemic on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the 55-year-old Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had tested positive for coronavirus only on a day before but was asymptomatic.

Shirish Dixit was the chief engineer of the water supply project and his department was responsible for ensuring a smooth supply of water to Mumbai. Dixit also held the additional charge of the special engineering department.

Dixit had played a key role in the setting up of coronavirus facilities such as the NSCI Dome and at the Race Course.

On Monday morning, the family members of Dixit had called health services after he was feeling unwell. By the time the team arrived at his Mahim home, the BMC official had died.

Reportedly, a total of 55 BMC employees have died in the city because of coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Mumbai coronavirus tally reached a total of 51,100 positive coronavirus cases. The death toll in Mumbai has reached 1760.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded 120 coronavirus death in the state as it crossed the 90,000 cases mark. The death toll in the state is 3,289.

1...5,2435,2445,245...7,571Page 5,244 of 7,571