Category: National

Thane, Jun 12: Suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP functionary Naveen Kumar Jindal have received summons from the Bhiwandi police in Maharashtra to record a statement in connection with her controversial comments against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), an official told PTI News.

While Sharma has been asked to appear before cops on Monday, Jindal will have to appear on June 14 over his alleged controversial tweets against Prophet Mohammad, senior police inspector Chetan Kakade told reporters.

A case was filed against Nupur Sharma on May 30 while registering a case against Jindal following a complaint by a representative of the Raza Academy on May 30.

The Mumbai Police have also summoned her to record a statement on June 25 in connection with her remarks about the Prophet (PBUH) during a TV debate which triggered a huge controversy. The police had asked for a video of the debate from the news channel concerned.

Last Sunday, the BJP suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled Delhi BJP media head Jindal after their alleged derogatory remarks against the Prophet (PBUH) led to an outrage in India and Gulf countries.

While many Arab countries condemned the insensitive remark, there have been protests in many parts of the country over the issue.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the remarks by two BJP functionaries on Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), terming them “hate speech”, and demanded that the accused leaders be immediately arrested so that the country’s unity is not disturbed.

Noting that such remarks not only cause violence but also lead to societal division, she called upon people from all religions, castes and communities to maintain peace despite provocation.

She also asked demonstrators who have put up road blockades in several places of West Bengal’s Howrah district to protest against the controversial speech of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal to call off their stir and go protest in New Delhi and BJP ruled states instead.

“I condemn the recent heinous and atrocious hate speech remarks by a few disastrous BJP leaders, resulting in not only spread of violence, but also division of the fabric of the country, leading to disturbance of peace and amity,” Banerjee said in a series of tweets.

The speech of the BJP leaders has tarnished the image of India across the globe, she asserted.

“I strongly seek that the accused leaders of BJP be arrested immediately so that the unity of the country is not disturbed and people at large do not face mental agony,” she said.

Banerjee also appealed to people to maintain calm in the larger interest of the nation.

“At the same time, I appeal to all my brothers and sisters from all castes, creeds, religions, and communities to maintain peace in the larger interest of the common people, despite the provocation which we so strongly condemn,” she said in a Twitter post.

Later in the day, Banerjee who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, asked demonstrators to protest in BJP ruled states and not in West Bengal.

“Road blockades are going on since morning in some places and people are suffering. I will request you (protestors) on behalf of the common people to call off the blockades as nothing has happened in West Bengal. Go to New Delhi and protest, where there is a BJP government. Go to Gujarat and UP, Banerjee said at the state secretariat.

Bengal Imams Association, an organisation of clerics, on Thursday announced agitational programmes in various mosques across the state on June 10 in protest against the speech of the two BJP leaders.

“While protests are already taking place in some parts of the state, we call upon mosque committees to hold agitational programmes on Friday in their mosques demanding arrest of the two leaders under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, the Association’s President Md Yahia said in a video message.

Yahia also urged people not to go for disruptive protests like putting up road blockades and requested the administration to take “strong action” in such cases.

“Bengal Imam’s Association does not approve of such unruly activities,” he said in a statement later.

PTI

New Delhi, June 9: Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday will visit Jammu and Kashmir to meet the kin of Kashmiri pandits who were recently killed by terrorists.
Chaturvedi, who will be taking a message of solidarity from the leadership of her party, is likely to meet two to three families including that of government employee Rahul Bhat.
Earlier this month, the Shiv Sena MP had also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking the security of the Kashmiri pandits in the valley.
Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had criticized the central government saying that it has failed to ensure the security of Kashmiri pandits in the Kashmir Valley.
“We will do whatever it takes but we will not leave the Kashmiri pandits in a lurch. They have been promised a safe return to the valley but all that they have faced is just violence,” The Maharashtra CM told media persons.
“The situation in Kashmir is deeply concerning. It’s unfortunate that the situation is repeating these times again. We expect GoI to take strong measures to ensure their protection,” Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray said.
The Shiv Sena has also invoked Balasaheb Thackeray while speaking about the welfare of the Kashmiri pandits.
A total of 13 civilians have been killed by terrorists in the last three months instilling fear among the locals, especially Kashmiri pandits, who want to flee from the valley.
Last week, a detailed review of the security situation was carried out by Union Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the top security officials were also present. (Agencies)

New Delhi, June 8: Central agencies are “seriously” looking into the threat letter sent by terror outfit Al-Qaeda regarding suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”, said top agency sources.
Alerts have been issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat through law enforcement agencies to strict the vigil at specific locations like airports, metro, railway stations and market areas, said the source, privy to the development.
“Security personnel have been instructed to report to the concerned department soon after noticing any suspicious activity,” the agency said.
In a threat letter dated June 6, Al-Qaeda said it would launch suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”.
The letter comes in light of the controversy that has erupted after a few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders made controversial remarks on the Prophet Muhammad.
“We shall kill those who affront our Prophet and we shall bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet… The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat,” the letter read.
Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammad. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter.
India, meanwhile, has maintained that the views belong to a few fringe elements only and do not represent those of the Government of India. India also “categorically rejected” the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) statement slamming India as “unwarranted and narrow-minded”.
Earlier, the BJP suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (Agencies)

New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet (PBUH), as it sought to defuse a row over the issue.
Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the party also issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces the insult of any religious personality.
While Sharma’s remarks during a TV debate have drawn the ire of Muslim groups and several cases have been registered against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, Jindal has been accused of often posting inciting comments.
The controversial remarks also sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries.
A communication to Sharma from the party’s disciplinary committee secretary Om Pathak said she has expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of its constitution.
“Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect,” it said.
A communication from Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta to Jindal said his views on social media vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of the party’s fundamental beliefs.
He has acted against the party’s policies and ideology, Gupta said.
“Your primary membership is immediately terminated and you are expelled from the party,” Gupta said.
BJP’s minority cell head Jamal Siddiqui said the action showed the “actual face” of the party and sent a message to the rank and file that no one would be allowed to violate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.
“BJP respects all religions and believes in bringing all people together. But attempts are always being made to portray a false picture of the party,” Siddiqui said.
PTI

San Francisco: After announcing that some major features are under development such as group polls and WhatsApp Premium, WhatsApp is now working on the ability to edit text messages for a future update of WhatsApp beta testers.

According to WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned platform is now working on letting users edit their text messages for a future update of the app and this feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to beta testers.

A screenshot shared by the website showed that the messaging platform is developing a new option that will let users fix any typo after sending a message.

Probably there won’t be an edit history to check previous versions of edited messages but since this feature is under development, their plans may change before releasing the feature, the report said.

In addition, details about the time window to let people edit their messages are unknown at the moment.

WhatsApp is working on bringing the feature to WhatsApp beta for iOS, Android, and Desktop.

Recently, a report said that it banned over 16.6 lakh bad accounts in India in April in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021.

The platform banned over 18 lakh such accounts in the country in March. It also received 844 grievance reports in April within the country, and the accounts “actioned” were 123.–(IANS)

Ahmedabad, May 31: In the wake of militants shooting dead a woman teacher in Jammu and Kashmir, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said militancy will not end in one day and expressed confidence in winning the ongoing battle against extremism.
Responding to a question of reporters in Gujarat’s Vadodara city about the targetted killing of the teacher by militants in Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Jaishankar said the Centre is confident of winning the battle against terrorism which has been going on for many years.
“Our fight against terrorism, which has been going on for several years, will continue. See, militancy will not end in one day. But, even terrorists know that the present regime is not like the previous Government,” Jaishankar told reporters after attending Garib Kalyan Sammelan in Vadodara.
“We will definitely take necessary steps against militancy. Our battle against militancy will continue and we are confident that we will be successful,” said the External Affairs Minister.
Before attending the event, Jaishankar, who was on a two-day visit to Vadodara city beginning Monday, visited Police Bhavan and interacted with women police personnel of “She Team”- a special cell to address complaints and distress calls by women.
“Visited Vadodara city Police Bhavan and met the highly motivated She Team. A great example of gender sensitive and socially caring policing” Jaishankar tweeted. (PTI)

Muslim couple in Kerala canceled their plans to perform haj and instead donated land for building homes for homeless Hindus so that they can give respect to their dead loved ones.

Aranmula residents Jasmine and Haneefa were preparing to sell their land to raise funds for the trip when they had second thoughts. Instead, the couple, married for over three decades, decided to donate its 28-cent ancestral land to LIFE Mission, the State government’s flagship housing scheme for the landless.

The couple’s decision came after it saw the plight of a neighbor-family living on rented premises and found it difficult to cremate the body of a family member who died recently.

“We were planning to sell our property and use the funds for haj pilgrimage. But, in the past couple of months, we saw some incidents in which certain families find it difficult to cremate their family members as they don’t own a property. Such incidents made us rethink our Haj plans,” Haneefa told a news agency

He said recently, a person passed away in his locality and a community leader donated his four cents of land to that family to conduct last rites and cremation.

“After that incident, we decided to make use of the land to help the needy instead of going for haj,” Haneefa said.

Local Self-Government Minister M V Govindan hailed the decision of the couple and said it was an inspiration to society.

Minister Govindan said the couple was an inspiration to the forward journey of society which needs to embrace every human being.

“People like Haneefa and Jasmine have set an example of humanity and are role models for society,” Govindan said.

Health Minister Veena George on Sunday visited the house of 57-year-old Haneefa and received the agreement to hand over the property for the Life Mission from the couple on behalf of the Aranmula Grama panchayat.

The land, owned by 48-year-old Jasmine, was received under the ‘manasodithiri mannu’ campaign of the Left government, Govindan said.

“Till now, the government has received 926.75 cents of land in 13 locations for the Life Mission scheme. Also in 30 locations, 830.8 cents of land have been assured for the Life Mission. The project has also received a sponsorship of Rs 25 crore to construct 1,000 houses,” the Minister said.

Govindan said he hopes more people would come forward to help the poor and draw inspiration from the couple.

The Left government has till now handed over 2,95,006 houses to beneficiaries under the Life Mission scheme, he said. He also added that 34,374 houses are currently under construction. 27 housing complexes are also under construction, he said.

Kanpur: A bride has refused to marry because the groom forgot to bring along a photographer. The incident was reported from a village in Kanpur Dehat district Uttar Pradesh on Sunday (May 29), IANS reported.

The marriage of the daughter of a farmer living in a village under Mangalpur police station area in Kanpur Dehat was fixed with a man living in Bhognipur.

The stage was beautifully decorated for the ‘Jaimaal’ ceremony when the ‘baraat’ (wedding procession) arrived, it was welcomed by the bride’s family and the bride and the groom reached the stage for the ‘Jaimaal’ ceremony.

The bride realised that there was no photographer to capture the memorable moments and refused to take part in the ceremony. She later left the stage for her neighbour’s house.

Everyone tried hard to convince the girl, but she said, “The man who did not care about our marriage today, how is he going to take care of me in the future?”

The elders in the family also tried to convince her but in vain.

After that the matter reached the police station, where both the parties agreed to return the cash and valuables exchanged by mutual consent.

Sub-Inspector of Mangalpur police station, Dori Lal, said the matter was sorted out mutually, as per IANS.

“Both the parties returned the goods and cash given to each other. After this, the groom left for his native place without a bride,” he said and added, “There was a dispute over the photographer and videographer which the groom side did not arrange due to which the girl got angry and refused to marry.”

May 29 (ANI): A case has been filed aganist BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma in Mumbai over her alleged remarks on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)during a television show.

A case has been filed at the Pydhonie Police Station area in Mumbai under sections 295A, 153A and 505B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after a complaint by Raza Academy, a Sunni Barelvi organization of Indian Sunni Muslims, for her alleged “remarks on the Holy Prophet on a National channel”.

Earlier on Friday, Sharma had alleged that she has been receiving death and rape threats on social media after a “so-called fact-checker” circulated a heavily edited video from one of her recent debate on a TV channel on the Gyanvapi mosque case.

“There is a so-called fact-checker who has started to vitiate the atmosphere by putting out a heavily edited and selected video from one of my debates last night. Ever since I’ve been receiving death and rape threats, including beheading threats against me and family members,” Nupur Sharma told ANI on Friday.

Sharma alleged that an Alt News proprietor posted an edited video to encourage trolls against her and said that he should be held “responsible” if any harm befalls her family.

“I’ve tagged the Police Commissioner and Delhi Police. I suspect there’ll be harm done to me and my immediate family members.

In case there’s any harm done to me or my family members Mohammed Zubair, who I think is a proprietor of Alt News, is completely responsible,” she stated.

“If I was wrong, then the fact-checkers should rectify the facts, rather than sending death threats to me.

Please come forward and correct the facts. It’s not right, it’s completely illegal. He (Zubair) is not a fact-checker, he is a fake-spreader,” she added.

Further, Sharma said that she is collating all the threats against her and will file a complaint in the matter. (ANI)