Pakistani senators have expressed strong disapproval of the federal government’s recent move to enhance the powers of security forces in Balochistan. This decision follows the federal cabinet’s endorsement of amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, granting security personnel extensive authority for counterterrorism operations, Dawn reported.
The revised legislation, intended to bolster the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, includes provisions allowing for the detention of individuals suspected of terrorism or posing national security threats for up to three months.
The decision has ignited considerable controversy among lawmakers. Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi, a member of the National Party, criticized the government’s approach during a parliamentary session. He warned that the new powers, which include warrantless searches and arrests, could worsen the situation in Balochistan–a province already reeling from recent coordinated attacks.
Buledi emphasized that the recent escalation of violence in the region underscores the need for dialogue with disaffected Baloch youth rather than relying on stringent security measures, reported Dawn.
Buledi’s objections were underscored by his personal experiences. He recounted a recent incident where his party’s vice president was detained during a raid, describing the current environment as a ‘police state.’
He condemned the government’s actions, stating that they would likely exacerbate existing tensions rather than address the underlying issues. Buledi also criticized the amendment for its potential to facilitate enforced disappearances, a persistent problem in Balochistan.
Aimal Wali Khan, Chief of the Awami National Party, also voiced strong opposition. He warned that if the legislation is passed by parliament, it will face challenges in the Supreme Court on grounds of violating fundamental rights. Khan expressed concerns that the expanded powers could lead to further human rights abuses and undermine efforts to resolve the region’s longstanding issues, as per Dawn.
The controversy surrounding the ATA amendments highlights the ongoing debate in Pakistan about balancing security measures with human rights considerations in the context of counterterrorism efforts.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Today, 7th September 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous day when Pakistan constitutionally relegated the Ahmadiyya community as a non-Muslim minority. Incidentally, Ahmadiyya, a Muslim sect that was at the forefront of the creation of Pakistan, was (almost overnight) declared non-Muslim in Pakistan on the fateful day of 7th September 1974.
Notably, the ‘Ahmadiyya question’ had been lingering among the Muslim community for nearly a century. However large-scale sectarian riots broke out in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1974. The incident unfolded after the youths of the Ahmadiyya community clashed with Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT — the student wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami). These clashes incidentally took place at the Rabwa railway station, which was predominantly an Ahmadiyya town. It also housed the community’s spiritual headquarters.
According to a report in Dawn, an eyewitness (non-Ahmadiyya) told reporters that the incidents like the derogatory slogans against Ahmadiyyas and the retaliation were unprecedented. ‘Someone wanted this to happen,’ he said, without saying who that someone was, Dawn’s report added.
(A special committee was also formed for the said ‘Ahmadiyya question’, Image Source – Dawn)
Following the outbreak of riots and large-scale protests from radical Islamic organisations, the Pakistani Parliament succumbed. Its National Assembly finally decided to end the “Ahmadiyya question” once and for all. Accepting the demands of Islamist outfits, Pakistan officially excommunicated Ahmadiyyas from the fold of Islam, after initial reservations from the then-Pakistani PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who sent the issue to a committee.
(Compilation of Urdu media reports of 8th September 1974 from Pakistan, Source – Dawn)
While the passage of the bill declaring Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslims ended the string of violence, it led to an exodus of a large number of Ahmadiyyas who were actively involved in the fields of business, science, teaching, and civil service. These prominent Ahmadiyyas began to leave Pakistan in large numbers and they left behind the less well-to-do members of the community who to date face ethnic persecution and spate of violence and harassment from followers of other sects of Islam.
Who are Ahmadiyyas, their role in the creation of Pakistan?
Ahmadiyya Community is a sect of Islam that is often persecuted in Islamic countries because Islamic nations believe that the community is not “Muslim enough”. The Ahmadiyya movement is said to be a modern and puritanical reformist Muslim movement that emerged after the complete fall of the Muslim Empire in India in the mid-1800s.
The Ahmadiyya community was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He claimed that he was under divine instruction to fulfil the major prophecies contained in Islamic and other sacred texts regarding a world reformer who would unite humanity.
He announced to Christians awaiting the second coming of Jesus, Muslims anticipating the Mahdi, Hindus expecting Krishna, and Buddhists searching for Buddha, that he was the promised messiah for them all, commissioned by God to rejuvenate true faith.
However, after Mirza’s death, the Ahmadiyya split into two sects — the ‘Qadianis’ and the ‘Lahoris’. The Qadianis claimed that Mirza was a prophet. They accused all Muslims who did not accept him as being non-Muslims.
It is pertinent to note that a majority of Muslims consider the claim of prophethood a major and unpardonable sin. Incidentally, the Lahori faction also believes that Mirza never claimed prophethood.
Interestingly, several Muslim sects have levelled followers of other sects as being ‘bad Muslims’ (fakir) or outright heretics/infidels (kafir).
Nonetheless, while the ongoing persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan is tragic, it is indeed an internal problem of the Islamic community. With respect to the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, a fact that is lesser known is that the community was at the forefront of the creation of Pakistan.
One of the foremost advocates for Pakistan was Muhammad Zafrulla Khan who was an Ahmadiyya.
The Lahore Resolution of 1940 was authored by Khan himself. Commenting on his role, one commentator wrote, “[T]here needs to be a realisation that Jinnah was the ‘lawyer’ for the case of Pakistan. He argued for it and won. However, Jinnah was never the visionary or a revolutionary strategic thinker to guide the course of the nation. If anybody at all in Muslim League was a strategic thinker, it was Sir Zafarullah Khan, who was also the author of the Lahore Resolution, which for the first time chalked out the idea of Pakistan. Khan, however, belonged to the then Islamic sect of Ahmadis and thus his role over the years was kept a secret, until recently when documents and letters written by Lord Linlithgow revealed the centrality of his role. Hence, there should be a little less stress on ‘Jinnah’s Pakistan’, because honestly, there is none; and scratching out Jinnah’s vision forcefully has only served to confuse the people and obfuscate the roadway to progress”.
According to the book, ‘Facts are Facts’ by Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Viceroy Lord Lithinglow sought Zafarullah Khan’s help who then studied the matter and brought a draft proposal for the partition of the country. The Viceroy wrote, “Upon my instruction, Zafarullah wrote a memorandum on the subject. Two Dominion States. I have already sent it to your attention. I have also asked him for further clarification, which, he says, is forthcoming. He is anxious, however, that no one should find out that he has prepared this plan. He has, however, given me the right to do with it what I like, including sending a copy to you. Copies have been passed on to Jinnah, and, I think, to Sir Akbar Hydari. While he, Zafarullah, cannot admit its authorship, his document has been prepared for adoption by the Muslim League, with a view to giving it the fullest publicity.”
Click here, to read more on how an Ahmadiyya Unit fought against India in Kashmir in 1947-48.
Zafarullah Khan went on to become the first foreign minister of Pakistan. He also represented Pakistan at the United Nations on the Kashmir issue. Ultimately, he was forced to resign after the monster he had helped create devoured on his own people. He is even regarded by some as one of the founding fathers of Pakistan.
Not only the Zafarulla Khan but the Caliph of the Ahmadiyyas at the time, Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, too, came out in great support for the creation of Pakistan. In the 1946 elections, he advised the Ahmadiyyas to vote for the All India Muslim League and support the demand for the creation of Pakistan on which the elections were fought.
Amid renewed debates in Assam over illegal immigration of Bengali Muslims from Bangladesh and rising incidents of attempted infiltration from the country after the fall of Sheikh Hasina govt, Assam govt today announced several measures to intensify efforts to deport illegal immigrants from Assam. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government on 7th September issued an office memorandum listing various measures to detect illegal immigrants and deport them.
The memorandum states that from January 2024 to date, a total of 54 illegal immigrants have been detected in the state. Of these, 45 individuals were successfully pushed back into their country of origin, while nine were arrested in Karimganj. “Additionally, there have been reports of suspected non-Indian nationals and foreign-origin individuals in certain areas of the State, particularly in Upper Assam and North Assam districts. The detection of such individuals is critical, given the potential threat to national security,” the notification said.
It states that in light of the above, and with a view to strengthening efforts to detect illegal immigrants entering Assam via its international borders, the Assam Police Border Organization has been directed to take all necessary preventive and precautionary measures to intensify detection and proactively curb the movement of illegal migrants, while taking steps to repatriate these individuals.
We are intensifying efforts to remove illegal immigrants from Assam. The State Government is initiating a series of coordinated actions that include enhanced surveillance, closer coordination with central agencies, additional deployment of force among others. @HMOIndiapic.twitter.com/DozR1GwTqJ
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted the detailed instructions to the Assam Border Police on X, saying that the State Government is initiating a series of coordinated actions that include enhanced surveillance, closer coordination with central agencies, additional deployment of force among others.
As per notification, the Assam Border Police has been directed to implement the below mentioned measures:
Strengthening Border Surveillance: Increase patrolling and surveillance in areas under the jurisdiction of Border Outposts to detect and prevent illegal border crossings.
Coordination with Border Security Agencies: Establish stronger coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and other Central agencies to facilitate seamless information sharing and joint operations for enhanced border security. Frequent meetings on monthly basis may be held by DGP, Assam with DG, BSF for effective coordination.
Regular Intelligence Gathering: Enhance intelligence-gathering mechanisms, focusing on cross-border networks and infiltration routes. Deploy trained personnel in key areas to gather and process actionable intelligence for timely intervention.
Community Engagement and Awareness: Conduct community awareness programmes in border areas to encourage local residents to report suspicious movements or new settlers, aiding in the early detection of potential illegal immigrants.
Timely Legal Action: Ensure that all identified cases of illegal immigrants are promptly documented and forwarded to the Foreigners Tribunals for adjudication.
Additional force deployment in border district: In the border districts, APHQ may make efforts to deploy additional forces as per ground level assessment to assist the Border Police in these sensitive border districts vulnerable to illegal influx. SPs of the border districts shall review the current strength and functioning of the Police Stations in the border areas and take additional support, if required from the APHQ.
Strengthening Border Outposts and Documentation: Intensify checks in areas under Border Outpost jurisdiction to identify suspicious individuals lacking valid identification or documentation. Periodic verification of records should be conducted to prevent illegal immigrants from evading detection.
Enumeration of Suspected Illegal Immigrants: Activate village/ field-level government functionaries such as VDPs, Gaon Panchayat members, and Land Revenue staff to gather information on new and unknown persons of suspected nationality. Upon receiving such information, conduct an enumeration of suspected illegal immigrants, including individuals involved in specific vocations, in consultation with Assam Police (HQ), District Administration, and District Police.
Identification of Absconding Individuals Declared as Foreigners: Launch sustained efforts to locate and apprehend individuals who have absconded after being declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals or the Illegal Migrants Determination Tribunals and who are currently evading the police.
Capturing Biometrics and Aadhaar Numbers of Suspected Individuals: On identifying suspected individuals or families, their biometrics should be collected. If such individuals possess Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, Voter IDs, or passports, their numbers should be recorded for future reference.
Continued enforcement of provisions of the relevant provisions of Citizenship Amendment Act: All concerned in the Border Wing are directed to ensure that the instructions issued by the State Government in this regard vide No. eCF-488857/59 dated 05.07.2024 shall be kept in mind and strictly enforced while taking the steps in detection of illegal foreigners in the State.
The Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), Assam, will simultaneously issue detailed instructions to District Police units to provide necessary logistical support and security cover to the assigned teams. All wings of the Assam Police Border Organization are directed to prioritize the aforementioned tasks and submit monthly reports on the progress made and actions taken.
Amidst the nationwide outrage over the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, another heinous case of sexual assault has come to light from West Bengal. On Friday (6th September), West Bengal Police filed a case under the POCSO Act, based on the complaint of a victim’s family, after they found a 15-year-old girl in an unconscious state on the roadside in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. As per reports, the Police found the minor victim in a semi-nude state.
The incident took place on Friday night. According to reports, the minor victim is a 15-year-old girl who was returning home from tuition. According to locals and her family members, unidentified individuals dragged her inside a four-wheeler and kidnapped her. They then took her to a secluded place where they sexually assaulted the minor girl.
Later, the locals found the minor in an unconscious state with her torn clothes at Haripal in Hooghly district. After they alerted the Police, several Police personnel rushed to the spot. The Police admitted the minor victim to a local hospital for medical treatment and to the police station subsequently for questioning.
Based on the family’s complaint, the West Bengal Police have lodged a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, Superintendent of Police, Hooghly Rural, Kamanasish Sen said that there was no evidence of rape and the girl had been molested.
He added that a woman officer is leading the investigation.
Reference an alleged sexual assault of a minor girl at Haripal yesterday evening. Investigation till now, including the medico legal opinion, has revealed that there are no suspects at this stage. Request to respect the privacy of the girl child and her family. Stern legal…
Taking to X, the West Bengal Police stated that no suspects have been identified in the investigation so far.
It wrote, “Investigation till now, including the medico legal opinion, has revealed that there are no suspects at this stage. Request to respect the privacy of the girl child and her family. Stern legal action will be initiated against those spreading rumours.”
The development comes at a time when protests and outrages have been raging in the state over the concerns of women’s safety, especially after the rape-murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata’s government-run hospital.
Sharing the news of the heinous incident, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee government and dubbed the state under her regime as an “unsafe place” for women. The party also accused the Police of trying to cover up the incident, stating that the Hospital was cordoned off and media access was denied.
A teenager was sexually assaulted *twice* in a single day in Haripal. This is the state of law and order in Bengal under @MamataOfficial. Enough is enough! The safety of women and children is being sacrificed for political power. “Dafa Ek, Dabi Ek — Mamata’ r padotyag “is the…
Taking to X, BJP’s Social media head, Amit Malviya wrote, “Mamata Banerjee’s police have cordoned off the hospital, the media isn’t being given access and local TMC leaders are swirling around, to ensure the incident doesn’t get reported.”
As Bengal agitates the rape and murder of a young lady doctor, a 15 year old minor is raped and dropped off by the roadside, naked, in Haripal, Hoogly. This is part of Greater Kolkata region. The girl has been admitted to the local hospital.
Dubbing West Bengal the most “unsafe place” for women, Malviya also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He further stated, “Mamata Banerjee has failed. She must step down, immediately. Enough is enough. She hasn’t even set up fast-track courts to handle rape and POCSO cases.”
On Saturday (7th September), an auto driver named Mohammad Salim was arrested for recording the Ujjain rape case video and circulating it on social media.
As per reports, Salim is a resident of Nagda town in Ujjain district and will now be named a co-accused in the case under conspiracy charges.
According to the police, he stepped out of the bus at the Koyla Phatak junction and saw accused Lokesh raping a ragpicker on the roadside.
Mohammad Salim is the pervert who, instead of helping, spectated and filmed the dastardly rape of a woman on a foot path in Ujjain in broad day light. Worse, he uploaded the clip to commodify the depraved crime. Mohammad Salim has got criminal antecedents.
Instead of helping the victim, he filmed the incident on his phone and shared it on social media. The cops identified the auto driver using the CCTV footage from the area and tracked him using his mobile number.
The police have also seized his phone, recovered the rape video and sent it for forensic analysis.
Reportedly, Salim has a criminal history and has previously been booked by the police under several charges including assault.
While speaking about the matter, Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma stated, “The person who made the video of this entire act has been arrested by the police from Nagda. The youth’s previous criminal record has also come to light. A mobile has also been recovered from him, from which we have recovered the video.”
“Our cyber police team is doing forensic analysis. The people to whom he has sent the video are also being investigated. If this has been done under pre-planning, then action will be taken against him. The accused has been taken on remand and is being questioned,” he emphasised.
The Background of the Case
A man named Lokesh raped a woman in broad daylight in Ujjain’s busiest junction, Koyla Phatak, on Wednesday (4th September).
The incident stirred controversy on social media as no single person came to the victim’s rescue. The police arrested the perpetrator within 2 hours of filing the complaint on Thursday (5th September).
A video from Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh is going viral on social media. The viral video is of a fight between an angry mob and a youth named Changez Khan. The police have started investigation by registering an FIR about this incident. The incident took place on Sunday (September 1, 2024). An FIR has already been registered against Changez Khan for molesting a Hindu woman after entering her house. However, a mob from the Muslim community protested in support of Changez instead of the victim woman. OpIndia investigated all the aspects related to this incident.
The viral video is about 2 minutes 20 seconds long. Islamic handles are sharing it calling it ‘mob lynching’ of Changez. In the video, after a quarrel at the start, Changez Khan is beaten up by the mob. At the end of the video, Changez is also seen apologising for his actions. According to the Pilibhit Police, a case has been registered in this matter and investigation and other necessary legal action is underway.
प्रकरण में प्राप्त तहरीर के आधार पर सुसंगत धाराओं में अभियोग पंजीकृत कर लिया गया है, क्षेत्राधिकारी पूरनपुर को उभय पक्ष द्वारा लगाये गये सभी आरोपों के संबंध में प्रकरण की जांच कर साक्ष्यों के आधार पर दोषियों के विरुद्ध कड़ी वैधानिक कार्यवाही करने के निर्देश दिये गये हैं।
Changez’s mother Kaiser Jahan has lodged an FIR about this incident on Thursday (5th September, 2024). She described it as an incident from Sunday (1st September). Describing her son as a breadwinner of the family, Kaiser Jahan has accused Sanjay Mishra, Raju Rathore, Dheeraj, and Deepak, along with 10 unidentified people, of beating him. In Kaiser Jahan’s complaint, many allegations have been made against these accused, such as abusing the police, and breaking Changez’s bike.
A case has been registered under sections 191 (2), 191 (3), 190, 109, 140 (1), 351 (3), 309 (4) and 324 (4) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). OpIndia has the FIR copy. However, in the full complaint, Kesar Jahan has not mentioned the reason for a mob beating Changez.
Changez Khan was forcing himself on a Dalit woman, he attacked first
OpIndia spoke to Sanjay Mishra, who is named as the main accused in Kesar Jahan’s FIR, to get his side of the story. Sanjay Mishra says that Changez was harassing a Dalit widow for a long time. The victim was constantly ignoring Changez. However, Changez’s actions did not change. According to Sanjay Mishra, on the day of the incident, on September 1, Changez, along with his brother Amjad, was trying to kidnap the victim. A member of a Hindu organisation saw this criminal act and started protesting.
Sanjay says that seeing the protesting person alone, Changez tried to run over him with his bike. When he failed in this attempt, Changez waved the pistol in his hand and tried to shoot. Changez’s brother Amjad was also said to be involved in this act. Sanjay says that the members of the Hindu organisation acted in self-defense, which later turned into a big controversy. He has demanded action against Changez under SC/ST Act and other sections.
Changez’s sister made a Hindu boy convert and his brother made a Nepali girl accept Islam
Sanjay Mishra says that Changez’s entire family is involved in anti-Hindu activities. He said that Changez’s sister had an affair with a boy from the Sharma community. It is said that first the young man’s properties were sold one by one, and later he was made to convert to Islam. Sanjay Mishra has also accused Changez’s brother that he brought a Hindu girl from Nepal to India, and also forced her to have relations with other members of his family.
Sanjay Mishra further tells that forced by this harassment, the Nepali girl first tried to commit suicide by consuming poison, but after surviving, she somehow returned to Nepal. We were told that despite having a job of just a few thousand rupees, Changez traps Hindu girls in his net by pretending to be rich. Changez’s brother Amjad, who drives a taxi, takes the mobile numbers of female passengers of the Hindu community. After this, Amjad gives these numbers to Changez. It was claimed that at least a dozen Hindu girls are trapped in Changez’s clutches.
Changez Khan had entered the house of a Hindu woman to molest her
Another FIR against Changez was registered in Pilibhit’s Puranpur police station on 3rd September 2024. This FIR was lodged by a Hindu woman from the OBC community. In the complaint, the victim has stated that Changez has been making obscene gestures to her for a long time. He passes lewd comments on the victim while going or coming somewhere. A month ago, Changez entered the victim’s house with bad intentions. The victim was alone in the house at that time, and Changez started molesting her. To save herself, the victim raised an alarm.
According to the victim, Changez got angry due to that. He threatened to kill the woman and fled from there. The victim then demanded strict action against Changez. The police registered this case under Section 74 and 351 (3) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). OpIndia has the FIR copy. While the police was investigating this case, a case of Changez misbehaving with a woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste surfaced. On this issue, a fight broke out with the members of the Hindu organisations on 1st September.
Muslim crowds on the streets for Changez Khan instead of victims
On Friday (September 6), all the people of the Muslim community united and surrounded the Puranpur police station. All of them were gathered in support of Changez Khan and were demanding action against the members of the Hindu organisations. All of them abused the members of Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organisations. The crowd was also alleging that the police administration is not working with transparency. This crowd has also given an ultimatum to the administration that if Changez’s attackers are not sent to jail soon, then they will start a fierce protest.
भारतीय बजरंग दल,पीलीभीत ज़िलाध्यक्ष संजय मिश्रा को आतंकवादी बताने वाला यह व्यक्ति नूर अहमद अज़हरी है।पुरनपुर थाने में इसके ऊपर गैंगस्टर,ठगी,लूट,छेड़खानी के कई अपराध दर्ज है इसे ज़िला बदर भी किया जा चुका है,चंगेज़ खान के समर्थन में अपराधी एकत्र हो रहे हैं @dgpup@pilibhitpolicepic.twitter.com/rFjUjnmSf6
It is also surprising that apart from the Muslim mob, Bhim Army is also tweeting in support of the accused Changez Khan and threatening the administration. Delhi State President (Bhim Army Student Union) of Bhim Party, which is allegedly a supporter of Dalits and backward classes, Zuber Chaudhary, writes in a tweet that the police-administration should take strict action or else a protest will be organised. There is not even a single word mentioned in his tweet for justice to the Dalit-OBC woman who was a victim of sexual exploitation.
उत्तर प्रदेश, पीलीभीत के पूरनपुर में बजरंग दल के संजय मिश्रा द्वारा चंगेज खान को बेरहमी से पीटा गया उस पर चाकू से वार किए, उसके प्राइवेट पार्ट पर लाठियां मारी और उसे मारने की नीयत से जंगल में ले गए पुलिस ने सूचना पर मौके से पहुँच कर युवक को बचाया लोगों में आक्रोश दिखने पर पुलिस… pic.twitter.com/3ODSDjrJNq
The notable thing is that during this time the crowd did not discuss the allegations against Changez even once. Nowhere in the entire protest was it said that the women, who were victims of Changez’s actions, should also get justice. A local person Manveer Singh even claims that the person named Noor Ahmed Azhari, who is leading the protest, has many serious crimes registered against him in Puranpur police station. Manveer says that Azhari, who is demonstrating by gathering a crowd in support of the criminal Changez, has also been declared a district outcast in the past.
Amidst the raging controversy over Netflix’s controversial series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, comedian Rajiv Thakur has revealed that it was popular comedian Kapil Sharma who encouraged him to take up the role of a hijacker in the series as he was about to turn down Anubhav Sinha’s offer, citing scheduling issues.
Notably, Rajiv Thakur has played the role of terrorist Ibrahim Akhtar alias “Chief” in the series based on the Indian Airlines flight IC814 hijacking in 1999. Thakur appeared in the first season of The Great Indian Kapil Show and it is expected that he may also feature in the second season as well.
In a recent interview, Rajiv Thakur pointed out that he was mulling the idea to decline the role in Anubhav Sinha’s series as his dates were clashing with Kapil Sharma’s America tour. He, however, added that Kapil Sharma not only encouraged him to take up the role but also postponed his America tour so that he could work on the Netflix series directed by Anubhav Sinha.
Speaking with India Today, he said, “It’s all thanks to Kapil that I managed to do the show. The series team asked for my dates in June last year, which were already with him for our America tour. This is why I decided to say no. But when Kapil got to know about it, he encouraged me to take up IC 814. He told me ‘Tu series kar, hum show push kar denge (you do the series, we will push the show)’. And that’s how our show was postponed to July. I had already committed to him, so I would have rejected the show, but he pushed me, and I am thankful for that. This is what true friends do, isn’t it?”
He added that the entire team of the Kapil Sharma show was very supportive of him.
Thakur further stated, “Archana ji (Archana Puran Singh) was so happy, saying that my credit was long due. And when she watched the show she also posted a long note about us. I remember Kapil also watched the show late at night after a shoot and immediately messaged Anubhav sir. He called me the first thing the next morning and he sounded so happy and proud. I think this makes me so much happier.”
Netflix Mini-series IC-814 sparked massive outrage with several experts dubbing it as ISI’s PR piece
Pertinently, the newly released propaganda series IC 814 has been facing massive backlash for absolving Pakistan and ISI’s role in the Kandahar hijacking. The series also received a dressing down from all quarters for not disclosing the real names of the terrorists and using only pseudo-Hindu names that were used by the terrorists during the hijacking.
It also brazenly tried to peddle that ISI was not involved at all in this hijacking by Pakistani terrorists rather it was all Osama Bin Laden’s brainchild alone. Following the controversy, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting summoned Netflix India’s content head who promised not only to update the disclaimer but also to moderate content in the future.
On Friday (6th September 2024), the Pakistan Army finally confessed its culpability in the 1999 Kargil War. Notably, it is the first time that the Pakistan Army has publicly accepted its involvement in the Kargil War. This comes nearly 25 years after countless Pakistan Army personnel infiltrated and occupied mountain peaks, in an act of betrayal to India’s bus outreach to improve diplomatic ties with the Islamic Nation.
On Friday, the Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir delivered an address on its defence day. During his address, the Pakistan Army Chief said, “1948, 1965, 1971 or Kargil war between India and Pakistan, or Siachen, many have sacrificed themselves in them”.
Breaking: First time ever Pakistani Army accepts involvement in Kargil War; Sitting Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir confirms Pakistan Army involvement in Kargil War with India
PS: Pakistani army has never publicly acknowledged its direct role in the Kargil War, so far pic.twitter.com/UgCUMfXHt9
It is pertinent to note that while the Pakistani mediareports have completely omitted his reference and remarks on the Kargil War, he could be heard “lauding” Pakistani soldiers for so-called brave acts during several wars with India including Kargil at around 1:40 minutes into this video.
Till 6th September 2024, the Pakistani Army had never publicly and officially accepted its direct involvement in the Kargil War. Incidentally, when the Kargil war broke out, Islamabad often referred to the infiltrators as “Kashmiri freedom fighters” or “mujahideen”, while denying their direct military involvement.
The Islamic nation maintained that the Pakistan forces were ‘actively patrolling’ while “tribal leaders” were occupying the heights.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria told WION, “It is well accepted that the Kargil misadventure did not help Pakistan and was Musharraf’s folly, executed by him and a cabal of four generals. Nawaz Sharif has openly criticised it.”
Earlier, only the retired Pakistani officials had accepted the involvement of their country’s army in the mountainous war against India. These retired officials included Lt Gen (retd) Shahid Aziz. After he retired from the forces, he openly revealed the role of regular Pakistani troops in the Kargil misadventure.
Aziz described the operation as a “four-man show” which was kept secret from other military commanders. According to the retired Pakistani official, the Kargil operation was known only to Gen Pervez Musharraf, chief of general staff Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz, FCNA (Force Command Northern Areas) commander Lt Gen Javed Hassan, and 10-Corps commander Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmad.
Ajay Bisaria further explained, “The Pakistan army’s direct involvement in Kargil is well established and accepted in Pakistani writings, including the book by Naseem Zehra, which is based on interviews with Pakistani generals”.
Furthermore, Nawaz Sharif who was Pakistan’s PM during the Kargil war, also acknowledged the country’s role. However, he also admitted Pakistan military’s role only after he left office. He admitted that Pakistan had violated the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which he had signed with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The interim govt in Bangladesh has decided to convert Gono Bhaban, the former official residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, into a museum. After the decision to covert it into a ‘July Uprising Memorial Museum’ was made at a meeting of the council of advisers on 5th September, today it was announced that a committee for the conversion will be formed by 8th September.
The committee will have architectural experts and museum officials to oversee the conversion of the former PM’s residence into a memorial for the ‘July Revolution’ that resulted in the fall of Sheikh Hasina government. “Possibly we will start our work from the next week,” said Post and telecommunication Adviser Nahid Islam after visiting the Gono Bhaban. He added that the administration wants to inaugurate the museum as soon as possible.
The adviser said that officials concerned have been asked to complete works on the museum within the quickest time. “The museum will be built, highly preserving the current condition of the structures and signs of destruction at Gono Bhaban to keep the image of people’s outburst and anger intact,” he added.
The proposed museum will preserve and display the memories of the July protests, with a chronicle of the daily events from the start of the protests till 5th August, when former PM Sheikh Hasina left the country. It will also have lists of protestors killed and injured during the revolution. Adviser Nahid Islam added that incidents of killings, enforced disappearances and the torture on the people by Awami League government in last 16 years will also be displayed in the museum.
Earlier on 5th September after the decision was made by the interim cabinet led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, Sports and Youth Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan had said that the destructions caused to the building by the protestors will not be repaired, instead, they will be preserved as part of the memorial. He said, “Gono Bhaban will remain as people have left it. That means the government will turn it into a museum without carrying out any major change.”
Although Gana Bhaban was completed in 1975, Sheikh Hasina was the only prime minister to have stayed in it. The house was built by founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as his official residence and secretariat. But after its completion in 1975, Rahman didn’t move into it. After the assassination of Bangabandhu Rahman, the building was turned into a court-martial by the military rulers following the 1975 coup.
The building was renovated in 1985 on the occasion of first SAARC summit. After that, it was converted to state guest house. During her first term as PM, Sheikh Hasina had leased the building to conduct cabinet meetings.
When Begum Khaleda Zia became Prime Minister for the first time in 1991, she converted the office of the President into the Office of the Prime Minister, and she continued to live in the army cantonment.
When Hasina returned to power in 2009, the parliament passed a law to provide state security to the family of Mujibur Rahman, and Gono Bhaban was assigned as official resident of Sheikh Hasina. She moved into the house in 2010, after renovation of the house.
On 29 August, the interim government repealed the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Family Members Security Act, 2009, revoking the state security provided to Sheikh Hasina and other members of the family.
On Friday (6th September), a 30-year-old Maulana was arrested for the rape of a minor girl. The incident took place in Beed City in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
As per reports, the accused was identified as Riyaz Sheikh. An Islamic scholar by occupation, Sheikh used to provide Urdu and Arabic classes to the 11-year-old victim at his home.
During the course of the past 3 months, the accused raped the minor girl 7-8 times. Sheikh would wait for his opportunity to sexually abuse the child after all the students had left the classes.
Riyaz Sheikh intimidated victim into silence
The Maulana had also threatened the victim not to speak about the atrocities perpetrated by him. The matter came to light when the girl complained of stomach pain.
After being taken to a doctor, it was revealed that the 11-year-old was being sexually abused. Thereafter, the girl’s parents filed a complaint with the police leading to the arrest of Riyaz Sheikh.
Maulana booked for child rape, sent to police custody
The Islamic scholar was booked under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault against woman with the intent to disrobe her), 64 (2) (F) (i) (M) (committing rape of woman in custody), 65 (2) (rape of a woman under age 12), and 351 (2) (3) for criminal intimidation of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
He was additionally charged with six relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Riyaz Sheikh was produced before a local court on Friday and sent to police custody.
