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Shahabuddin out of jail after 11 yrs, takes a swipe at Nitish

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Shahabuddin

Bhagalpur: RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin today walked out of prison on bail after 11 years with much fanfare and praised party chief Lalu Prasad while making it clear that there was no love lost between him and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“For me Lalu Prasad is the leader” and Nitish Kumar is the chief minister “circumstantially”, said the controversial leader, who has been a four-time MP from Siwan, as he emerged out of the Bhagalpur divisional jail and left in a convoy of three hundred vehicles for Siwan.

Shahabuddin, who is a member of RJD National Committee – the top decision-making body of the party- and is known to be close to the RJD chief, said categorically that he never enjoyed good relations with Kumar.

Various pending cases against Shahabuddin were reopened and he was sent to jail after Kumar had assumed power in 2005.

He was, however, quick to add that it was the court which sent him to jail and the court again which ordered his release from the jail.

Shahabuddin had got final reprieve on Wednesday when Patna High Court granted him bail in a case of murder of a witness in the 2004 killing of two brothers in Siwan. He had got bail in nearly 12 other cases earlier.

Shahabuddin was accorded a grand reception by his supporters and RJD workers. He was welcomed by RJD Lok Sabha MP from Bhagalpur, Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, at Jehangir Chowk in Bhagalpur and by other supporters at Naughachia in the same district.

Shahabuddin said for him Lalu Prasad is the leader and “We all are standing solidly behind him.” He said after reaching Siwan he would meet the family of journalist Rajdeo Nandan, who was shot dead recently.

Shahabuddin’s close associate Laddan Mian is in jail in connection with the scribe’s murder and though the inquiry into it has so far not named the RJD strongman, he was shifted to Bhagalpur divisional jail from Siwan a little after the incident.

The Nitish Kumar government had recommended CBI probe into the murder on demand of the scribe’s family. Asked by newsmen whether his prolonged jail term had harmed him politically, Shahabuddin said, “A little damage has happened.”

His wife Heena Sahab lost to Om Prakash Yadav of BJP in the last parliamentary election from Siwan in 2014. Asked how he spent his time in jail, the RJD leader said he is an avid reader. “Out of four cartons I am taking back from jail, two are full of books which I read during my stay.”

To a question on senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi’s allegation that the Grand Secular Alliance government had paved way for his release as RJD is the major partner in it, Shahabuddin said, “There is no need to take Sushil Modi seriously.”

“During his early days in Bihar Assembly in the 1990s I remember he used to speak very incoherently leaving deskmen in trouble as to what actually he said. Now he speaks properly and is good in giving news to mediaperson by telling unsubstantiated facts,” he said.

(Agencies)

An Interview With Comedian Rakesh Bedi

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Rakesh Bedi

Rakesh Bedi is a veteran Indian Film, stage & television actor. He is best known for his comic roles in Chashme Buddoor, Shrimaan Shrimati & Yes Boss. Shaheen Raaj Sahdev met up with Rakesh Bedi who is passionate about theatre as it gives a lot of tangents to his creativity which keeps on itching him to do something new.

Coming to Mumbai for an acting career without a Godfather! Was it an easy decision?

No it wasn’t and it never is for anybody. Because you are going into a black hole and you don’t know whether there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The only thing which you can have with yourself is your talent & confidence. By talent I mean a very hard core & purely self assessed talent. Just because you think that you are a good actor you can act or just because you think that some people have liked your performance somewhere, just because you think you are very handsome and you know acting and you are the king of acting, all those things really don’t work. You have to have a very balanced mind & a pure self analytical mind where you know where you stand.

What challenges you faced in Mumbai?

The challenges initially were many. The basic challenge at that time was that there was only one medium. It was cinema, theatre was not there as such. It was there but not paying so you could not survive on theatre. You can’t survive on television at all. So the only thing was cinema. And cinema was a monopoly of a few big producers and a lot of other people also but then you have to go & you have to meet & you have to struggle. First you have to struggle for role and then struggle to make contacts than you get the role than you struggle to do it and than you struggle to get money from the producers. These challenges were there and then to survive in this city without any external help has always been a very tough task.

You got recognization with the film Chashme Buddoor in 1981? What was the difference before and after it?

I won’t say extremely amazing. See today what happens is that the marketing tools are many. That time there were no marketing tools. Suppose I have done a good film how do I tell people. They have to only see it that’s all. I cannot tell them. Like you send a message across and it reaches millions of people. Put on facebook it reaches millions of people in seconds. That time the only way to show my work was that somebody should come & see my film. So the difference was there. I am not saying not there. But it was not that you know I say something like a rocket, something very sensational. The difference was there. But It was slow & gradual.

Is Media Industry stereotypical?

I think in India that’s how the industry has survived. Over the last 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s decade whatever we have been in this industry that’s how it has survived. Because cinema has slightly changed a bit in the last 1 decade where a lot of new talent has come in now, a lot of new thoughts & subjects are being made which are not stereotyped and which are not stencil cut. The formula films you know hero, heroine, hero’s sister will be raped and the villain, the heroine in the songs around the trees and the climax and the chase and a happy family photograph. There are thousands of films made on this formula. And plus a comedian & a comedian’s girlfriend also. So these were the ingredients which were almost there in so many films. But we got rid of that kind of cinema. I will say somewhere in the middle of 90’s and the early 2000, people were able to make cinema of their mind & of their taste. But still what happens is the media industry preliminary remains stereotyped. Because you know what happens is that everybody wants to make a hit film like a film which has been a hit. If you notice now Sultan is a big hit suddenly you will see some things coming on Kushti, some serials have been made on Kushti. Television has gone into Kushti suddenly. Pehle Kushti kyu nahi yaad aayi abhi kyu yaad aayi. Yeh stereotypical hi hai naa tabhi yaad aayi. Kuch apne dekha kuch chala toh aapko laga ki, Saas Bahu chala tha to so saas bahu was there on every channel. Abhi saap aur sapni chal raha hai uski TRP jyaada aa rahi hai so everybody is trying to make something on snake. So it has always been there in the industry.

How you been able to cope up with stereotyping?

I haven’t been able to cope up with it much. I could not rather. That’s why I do theatre. Because all my feelings, all my emotions, all my talent which is there inside me not only my acting talent even my writing talent my all kinds of energies I can channelize them in theatre I can experiment with myself in theatre. So I know in cinema they will give me a stereo cut role because for my kind of body, my kind of looks they are going to give a role of a hero’s friend or a comedian. They are not going to give me a main lead. So I am aware of these things. So that’s why I have a lust I mean when I came to Mumbai I was doing theatre even before joining FTII not that I started theatre only after coming to Mumbai. I was doing theatre before I joined FTII in Delhi. Then I joined FTII then again came here and joined theatre. So I have never left theatre for a simple reason that it gives a lot of tangents to my creativity.

Theatre gives you nothing as compared to films. So how did you manage your theatre with films?

The kind of theatre we do in IPTA does not give much at all. Much kya it does not give anything at all. It does not even give the conveyance along with all the rehearsals put in together. But it gives a lot of satisfaction. Then there are some kinds of commercial theatre also like my new play “Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha” with Anupam Kher & Neena Gupta which I have written & directed. It is doing wonders around the world. Even for IPTA’s play when we do commercial plays for some organisations we charge them reasonably.

Actor, writer, director & teacher. What do you enjoy the most?

All. I can’t say that I enjoy one portion more and other portion less. I enjoy everything in equal proportions. I love teaching also. A lot of people come to me to get trained.

You have worked in diverse spaces? How did you manage your personal life with so many mediums?

There is a famous saying that goes “where there is a will there is a way”. If you just say nahi nahi theatre ke liye time nahi milega, theatre se kya milne wala hai, theatre ke liye time nikalna mushkil hai. Time kabhi nikalega hi nahi. Maine toh apne career mein yeh dekha hai 35 – 40 saal ho gaye mujhe kaam karte hue. I have always been on stage. I don’t think there has been a single month in my life in the last 35 – 37 – 38 years whatever it is or may be 40 also when I have not been on stage for a single month for some play or the other.

What motivated you in delivering performances in diverse spaces?

Creativity. It keeps on itching me to do something new and it keeps on telling me come on go. For example my solo play “Massage”. It’s not a joke to do a monologue. That too something written by Vijay Tendulkar. He is not basically a comic writer. He is a very deep writer with very strong contents messages. And I chose the play because I saw the ingredients in it. So I saw if I give it my point of view it will be a hit. It can run it can appeal to the audiences. That’s what I did. It’s still running for the last 13 years. Just recently I had a show in Delhi. It was a houseful and a rocking show.

Audiences today have less patience level. How do you keep the audiences hooked on to the show?

Exactly! They have less patience level. So the content has to be stronger that’s the only answer. The moment you give them a little bit of lee way, a little bit of gap, a little bit of you know you can say uninteresting portion of the content and they will go away. They have their mobile to go away and they have their entire world in their mobile. They can connect to the data in seconds. So the secret is not to give them time. For example “Massage” is my solo play but I can say with so much of confidence that in 2 hrs time nobody can even see the watch once.

When working on a project as an actor with another director, how does the director inside you cope up?

That’s nothing. That’s very easy. You know who is the Captain of the Ship. So If something comes to my mind I definitely suggest the director. I suggest him this should be done this way. Can I say this line, can I improvise here or whatever it is. You can say it only twice or thrice. If he does not take it he doesn’t want to take it. It’s his call ultimately.

You have done a lot of comedy roles. But you have a much more serious side to you. Tell us about that?

Everybody has a serious side to oneself. I always believe that see what happens when comedy also does not make people laugh. Making people laugh is a purpose with a message with a little bit of pathos which goes deep inside the psyche of the audiences. If there is a play and there is a lot of laughter in it but only at the surface level. Like there are entry, there are exits, there are some mistaken identities. Things like that. A lot of plays running like that. But then they don’t have a life. You can’t go & see them twice. Because you are not taking home anything. The play should be such that where you are able to take home something, where it stays with you. I have people who have seen “Massage” 7 times 8 times over the period of 12 – 13 years. I know people who have seen “Shatranj Ke Mohre” 27 times. I have seen a man watched “Shatranj Ke Mohre” 27 times. Can you beat it? It is running for the past 40 years ofcourse. I know a person who has seen “Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha” which is running with the past 1 odd year only around 5 times. Why these plays? Why not other plays because they say something they keep you engrossed and you are not engrossed till the time of the play you are mentally occupied even when you go home, may be when you get up the next day. So it questions you and your mind.

Today stand up comedy is taking centre stage of the national television. What do you feel about this changed media scenario?

It’s okay, change is imperative. Change has to happen. I have nothing against it. It’s fine some people are making money what’s wrong with it but it should be neat. It should be clean. I don’t like making people laugh at the cost of others I don’t like demeaning somebody and than creating a laughter. I feel that it is a short cut to laughter. You can’t think of anything concrete & anything creative you just demean somebody and tries to make others laugh. And such people I have seen in my life, they cannot laugh at themselves if somebody else cracks a joke on them they get very hurt. They love laughing on other people but they cannot take a joke on themselves. Where as my policy is that you should be your own first victim. A good comedian’s first victim should be he himself. He should be able to laugh at himself and make people laugh at himself. That’s what I feel.

Tell us about your latest venture Y. A. R. O. Ka Tashan’? Tell us about your character?

It’s a show on Sab Tv coming at 7:30 in the evening. It’s a very sweet character so I liked the concept. There is one professor. He has a wife and wife doesn’t have a kid. He is a Robotics professor and a scientist. His wife is after him. Please I need a kid so he says okay I create a kid in my lab. He makes a Robo which is almost human. He can think he keeps on uploading his data from time to time making him in sync with the surrounding. He creates this. It’s a happy family. He goes on creating some mischief outside and the professor keeps on correcting him taking the blame on himself.

Zakir Naik’s open letter to Indians: “What did I do to earn the tags of ‘Dr Terror’?

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zakir naik

New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been away from the country ever since several allegations of ‘inspiring terrorists’ surfaced against him, on Saturday wrote an open letter to the government and his countrymen.

Naik writes:

“It has been over two months since the ghastly terror attack in Dhaka, and over one month since I’ve been asking myself what exactly have I done to become the enemy number one of the media as well as the State and Central Government. For someone who has spent 25 years in promoting peace, spreading greater awareness of Islam and talking about similarities between religions and condemning injustices, the last two months have been a rude shock to me. A shock of immense proportions. I’m not only disappointed in the way things are being conducted but alarmed at where they are heading.

I’m alarmed at the murder of democracy and strangulation of fundamental rights and the precedence it is setting for times to come. I’m also alarmed at how the system, media and the agencies are being used to suit a pre-meditated end result set by none other than our own governments, governments that have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of India, and a Constitution that allows me the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion I follow. Let’s not be gullible enough to assume that there isn’t a deeper agenda behind this vicious campaign. This is not just an attack on me, it’s an attack against Indian Muslims. And it’s an attack against peace, democracy and justice.

From what I understand, IRF and I have been set up for a ban. Never mind the fact that the legal agencies have found no wrongdoing – financial or otherwise. Never mind the lack of evidence (although I am not guilty of any wrong-doing, much less any offence whatsoever). At least this is what is evident from the media stories being ‘planted’ since the past several weeks. The message is clear: it’s not a question of whether I’ve committed a crime or not. It’s a question of using desperate measures to kill peace and harmony. And a ban is now imminent. It may happen in days or weeks but the writing is clear on the wall. IRF and I have been set up for a ban. Unless of course, better sense prevails and the ban machinery set in motion is stopped.

And if that happens, if IRF and I are banned, it will be the biggest jolt to the country’s democracy of recent times. I do not say this just for me but because this ban will set a precedence of unspeakable injustices against the 20 crore Muslims of India. This action will embolden and encourage every fringe element in the country to do as they please. If you thought intolerance increased in the country recently, this action of the government will take it to an all-time high. The Muslim population is already feeling threatened and insecure and I can’t even imagine how they will feel after this action. Muslims are bound to think that today it is Zakir Naik, tomorrow it could be any one of them.

But I still can’t stop asking myself – why am I being targeted? Then I realized some time back that if you’ve decided to target a community, you’ve to first target the biggest name and the most popular figure of the community. If you can bring down and demonize this figure of the community, the rest becomes a cakewalk. That, I think, is what is happening. It may sound like a conspiracy theory, but I honestly cannot find any other plausible reason.

Right from the beginning of July, I tried staying away from the current controversy. This was not the first time I was being targeted. For years, there have been groups who have opposed me. Instead of retaliating or reacting to them, I’ve felt it best to continue with my work and not pay attention to these detractors. That is ‘THOSE TO WHOM THE PEOPLE SAID: SURELY MEN HAVE GATHERED AGAINST YOU, THEREFORE FEAR THEM, BUT THIS INCREASED THEIR FAITH, AND THEY SAID: ALLAH IS SUFFICIENT FOR US AND MOST EXCELLENT IS THE PROTECTOR.’ AL-QUR’AN 3:173 2 | 3 what I tried doing even this time. But I soon realized that this time it was different. There was much greater media involvement, and a much deeper government’s involvement. I’m not privy to internal details so I do not know which came first – my opposition groups, the media or the government. But from what it looks like, this is the best concerted effort used against me so far.

I tried answering all the questions and allegations thrown at me. But soon a lot of my own questions started piling up in my mind. Two months into it, they’ve built up and I’m left with no choice but to pose these questions to you, to my fellow citizens. As my legal advisors evaluate things at their end, I write to all of you to tell you what I’ve been feeling for last two months. Let us keep the legalities aside. Though the witch hunt continues, and I know I’ve not done anything wrong, either in my talks or in my finances, and till date the agencies have not found any wrong doing. But that is for the legal teams to sort out at both the ends. But here is what bothers me. Try asking these questions yourself and see if you can come up with coherent and logical answers to them –

[A] Why now? I’ve been preaching for 25 years. Not just in India but across the world. What exactly did I do now to earn the tags of ‘terror preacher’, ‘Dr. Terror’ and ‘hate monger’? Of 150 countries where I’m respected and my talks are welcomed, I’m being called a terrorist influencer in my own country. What an irony. Why now, when I’ve been doing the same thing for over 25 years?

[B] Why repeat investigations? Despite exhaustive investigations, not a single conclusive evidence of wrong doing was reported by any governmental agency. But now investigations are being asked to be repeated and continued. Why? Wasn’t the first investigation exhaustive enough? Did not they cover every aspect of my talks, every topic, every reply? Or is it because they could not find any wrongdoing? Is this a hunt to get something to indict me?

[C] Why renew, then cancel? Why would the government renew IRF’s FCRA registration and then cancel it? It seems illogical. Is it because the renewal was against the laid down agenda of the government? Why would you suspend FCRA officials? Is it because they did things by the books and acted honestly without any bias or prejudice when they renewed IRF’s registration? Is it because they were not influenced by the political agenda of the MHA?

[D] Is there design to leaking confidential information of the government, solicitor general and the MHA? Is there a design to leaking selective government documents to the media? The manner in which stories are being ‘planted’ in the media clearly suggests so. The one and only investigation report submitted till now remains inconclusive, but the solicitor general’s ‘judgment’ of banning IRF and I was duly leaked to the media. Why? Is there a ring fencing happening? Is this how IRF will be banned? By creating an atmosphere of ban? Rather than rely on proofs and evidences? ‘…THEY STRIVE IN THE WAY OF ALLAH AND DO NOT FEAR THE BLAME OF THE BLAMERS. THAT IS THE FAVOR OF ALLAH, HE BESTOWS IT UPON WHOM HE WILLS.’ AL-QUR’AN 5:54 3 | 3

[E] Forced conversions? Really? Isn’t it a well-known fact that in these modern days and times, average men and women cannot be forced to convert? But while chasing IRF for allegations of forced conversions, why are the agencies ignoring the most basic proof of forced conversions? Where is the converted person and where is his or her statement about how he or she was forcibly converted? Isn’t this person the most basic proof of forced conversion? If yes, why is the entire law enforcement machinery working on hearsay? Why is there no effort to gather the most basic proof that comes from the converted? It would be naïve to presume that the agencies mustn’t have tried. The fact is they tried and they couldn’t get proof of any forced conversion. The fact is, there never was forced conversions.

There are many more questions I have been seeking answers to but can’t find them. I know someone has the answers, but rather than dwelling upon it, I have an appeal to make, an appeal to my fellow countrymen, to all sane and sensible people of this great country. If you find any wrongdoing on my part, punish me by all means. Give me the harshest of punishments if I’ve wronged anyone. I’ve made this offer earlier too and I will repeat it again. I’m open to any investigation. Have always been and will always be.

Not only do I take my freedom seriously, I take my responsibilities even more seriously. The country’s democratic fabric is under attack. People are being arrested and put in jail for 7-10 years before being proven innocent by courts. But guilty or not guilty, their lives are ruined, their families are ruined, they remain unemployed, their daughters unmarried. This is what’s happening, and this is what needs to change. People’s lives cannot be played with. If the government can misuse its authority on a popular figure like me, average Muslims don’t stand a chance. And we’re talking about 20 crores of them.

I still have faith in the judiciary and I know that truth will ultimately prevail. But it may come at a huge price if the current actions are not checked now. To all, my appeal is, do not allow subversion of the constitution. My appeal to the government – be fair in your investigation. Be fair in what you allege. Be truthful with facts. To my fellow citizens – Let no one and nothing dissuade you from speaking the truth. Whatever position you occupy, in authority or in media, or as a citizen of this great country, be truthful and fair. Nothing less, nothing more.

Perhaps if I am driven out of India, Allah will open up doors for me better than I could have ever imagined. Many countries would welcome this humble servant of God with red carpet treatment. But this isn’t only about me. It’s about us. It’s about the morals and values of a great country. What will become of India if we let bigotry and injustice seep into the very fabric of our nation? What will be the fate of our country if it falls into the stranglehold of such vices? The answer is frightening, and one we all wish to avoid. It’s time we do something about it.

In these times, my heart bursts with gratitude to those of you who have stood up for justice and harmony, irrespective of religion or creed. Because I know that like me, you care for this country. You care for core values like justice and tolerance. And that shall make a big difference.

To my Muslim brothers and sisters, I have this to say: Do not let trials such as these weaken your resolve, and know that the promise of Allah is true. Remember the faith that resonated among the earlier people, of whom Allah said, “’Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you, therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the ‘THEY WANT TO EXTINGUISH THE LIGHT OF ALLAH WITH THEIR MOUTHS, BUT ALLAH REFUSES EXCEPT TO PERFECT HIS LIGHT, ALTHOUGH THE DISBELIEVERS DISLIKE IT.’ AL-QUR’AN 9:32 4 | 3 Protector.’ (Al-Qur’an 3:173)

Didn’t He give victory to His Messenger (SAAWS) when the polytheists deployed every tactic and exhausted every strategy, trying in vain to suppress the Truth? Aren’t the pages of history overflowing with examples such as these? Allah says, “They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers may dislike it.’ (Al-Qur’an 9:32)

My humble efforts to spread the truth are but a drop in the ocean, and these trials are but a speck of dust compared to what was endured by the people of old. I pray that Allah accepts our efforts and makes us of those about whom He said, ‘…they strive in the way of Allah and do not fear the blame of the blamers. That is the favor of Allah, He bestows it upon whom He wills.’ (Al-Qur’an 5:54) Whatever the outcome, I am assured that the best efforts to squash our work will only help it rise higher and stronger. For Allah says, ‘They plot and plan, and Allah too plans. And the best of planners is Allah.’ (Al-Qur’an 3:54) Beshaq. Without doubt.”

Sincerely yours

Dr. Zakir Naik

Naked’ Jain monk remark: SC turns down Dadlani’s plea for quashing FIRs

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vishal-dadlani

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant protection from arrest to music composer Vishal Dadlani for allegedly making scathing remarks against Jain monk Tarun Sagar and asked him to move the high court.

A bench of Justices V Gopala Gowda and Adarsh Kumar Goel also declined Dadlani’s prayer for quashing of FIR lodged against him in Haryana, saying he could approach the concerned high court.

Advocate Karuna Nundy, appearing for Dadlani, sought protection from arrest, saying if the FIR is not quashed, he could be arrested by the police.

The counsel also urged that protection from arrest could at least be granted to Dadlani till they moved the high court. The bench, however, declined the prayers and asked him to move the high court for relief.

An FIR was lodged against Dadlani by the Ambala Cantt police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic tweet on the Jain monk.

The FIR also named Tahseen Poonawala, a Congress activist who too had tweeted on the Jain monk.

The case against Dadlani and Poonawala in Ambala was registered under several sections including 153A (promoting enmity between classes), 295A (maliciously insulting the religion or religious beliefs of any class) and 509 (uttering any word or making any gesture to insult the modesty of a woman etc) of the IPC, police had said.

The case was registered on a complaint filed by Punit Arora, a resident of Ambala Cantonment who is said to be a follower of the monk.

The complainant alleged that the accused had intentionally hurt religious sentiments with his sarcastic tweet on Sagar.

The Haryana government had invited the Jain monk, who appeared naked to deliver a lecture ‘Kadve Vachan’ in the state Assembly on August 26.

Dadlani, a staunch AAP supporter, came under sharp criticism from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other quarters for his “sarcastic” tweet on Sagar’s address in the Haryana Assembly.

After a barrage of criticism, Dadlani had tendered an apology for his tweet and deleted it. He had also apologised to the Jain monk on Twitter.

Dadlani on August 29 had also announced quitting “all active political work” but maintained it was his own decision to quit the party.

(Agencies)

Pakistan envoy summoned over ‘discourtesy’ to Indian envoy

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Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: The Indian government on Wednesday summoned Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit to express concern over the “discourtesy” shown to India’s envoy in Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale.

The Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry summoned Basit and “conveyed the concern of the government of India … on the discourtesy (shown) to the Indian High Commissioner”.

Basit was told that India hoped its diplomats in Pakistan would be allowed to discharge their normal functions without hindrance.

Basit’s summoning took place after Pakistani authorities cancelled a meeting Bambawale was to address in Karachi.

(Agencies)

Saudi-Iran war of words escalates over Hajj row

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Officials from Iran, Saudi trade verbal blows after countries fail to reach agreement on this year’s pilgrimage.

Iran boycotted the Hajj for three years between 1988 and 1990 [Reuters]

Iran boycotted the Hajj for three years between 1988 and 1990 [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Iran has urged the Muslim world to unite and punish Saudi Arabia as the bitter war of words between the two countries escalates ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

On Monday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticised Saudi Arabia over how it runs Hajj after a stampede last year killed over 750 people.

He said Saudi authorities had “murdered” some of them, describing Saudi rulers as godless and irreligious.

“This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to manage the holy sites,” Khamenei said.

In response, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said he was not surprised at Khamenei’s comments.

“We have to understand that they [Iran’s leaders] are not Muslims,” he told the Makkah daily. “They are children of the Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is ancient.”

Magi refers to Zoroastrians and those who worship fire. Predating Christianity and Islam, Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia before the Muslim conquest.

Custodian of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia organises the annual Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to is obliged to undertake at least once in a lifetime.

Millions of Muslims from around the world have already arrived in Saudi for this year’s pilgrimage, which culminates on Sunday.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia hit a new low after the two countries failed to reach a deal on arrangements for Iranian citizens to attend this year’s pilgrimage.

At the leadership level, Saudi Arabia and Iran follow different branches of Islam – Sunni and Shia.

Iran boycotted the Hajj for three years between 1988 and 1990 after clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police in 1987 left around 400 people dead.

Diplomatic ties were restored in 1991, but relations have deteriorated in recent years, particularly over the countries’ support for opposing sides in the Syria and Yemen wars.

In January, relations were severed again after Iranian demonstrators torched Saudi Arabia’s embassy and a consulate following Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shia leader along with 47 “terrorists”.

“If the existing problems with the Saudi government were merely the issue of the Hajj … maybe it would have been possible to find a way to resolve it,” said Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani at a cabinet meeting.

“Unfortunately, this government – by committing crimes in the region and supporting terrorism – in fact shed the blood of Muslims in Iraq, Syria and Yemen,” Rouhani added.

On Monday night, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif joined the fray on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the head of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council hit back on Wednesday, calling Khamenei’s remarks “inappropriate and offensive … and a desperate attempt to politicise” the Hajj.

Khaled Batarfi, senior columnist with the Saudi Gazette, told Al Jazeera that the rebuke to Saudi Arabia over last year’s tragedy contrasted with Iran’s health minister, who said during a visit to the country at the time of the accident that Saudi authorities had provided all needed medical assistance and care to victims of the crush, including Iranian pilgrims.

Lalu should join Ram Temple agitation to become PM: Togadia

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Pravin Togadia

Patna: VHP leader Pravin Togadia on Wednesday advised RJD chief Lalu Prasad to join the agitation for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya if he wants to become the Prime Minister.

“Lalu should join the agitation for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Hindu society will accept him as their leader,” Togadia said in Katihar district.

Lalu is a well-known hard critic of Togadia, his organisation VHP and the RSS.

Togadia also said whoever will speak for Hindus, will become the leader of Hindus.
“If Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar advocates for Hindus’ cause, he will be our leader,” Togadia said.

(Agencies)

CBI files charge sheet against Sanatan Sanstha member in Dabholkar case

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dabholkar

Pune: CBI filed a charge sheet against Sanatan Sanstha member Virendra Tawde in Narendra Dabholkar’s murder case on Wednesday.

Charges of criminal conspiracy and murder has been levelled against Tawde.

Virendra Singh Tawde, who is associated with Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, was arrested in June in connection with the murder of Govind Pansare.

He has been on the run ever since his name cropped up during NIA investigations in the Goa blast case.

NIA had secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against him in 2012 but security agencies are yet to track him down.

Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013 near his home in Pune.

(Agencies)

Protests intensify after Karnataka releases Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu

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Cauvery-protest

Bengaluru: Amid protests, Karnataka has started releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu complying with the Supreme Court directive asking it to release 15,000 cusecs per day to the neighbouring state for ten days.

“Karnataka has started releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to obey the Supreme Court directive asking the state government to release 15,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for ten days,” a state water resources ministry official said here.

He said the state started releasing water from midnight yesterday. Meanwhile, protesters have intensified their agitation in Mandya and other parts of the state blocking several roads and forcing schools and colleges to shut down. Complying with the Supreme Court direction, the state government yesterday decided to release water despite “severe hardships.”

The court order directed an immediated backlash with agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits blocking the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway.

Mandya district, the nucleus of Cauvery politics, saw a bandh yesterday with protesters holding road blockades and dharnas at several places, as hundreds of security personnel — including central forces — were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order.

“Despite severe hardships faced by the government of Karnataka, the state will release water as directed by the Supreme Court,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had told reporters after nearly a three-hour long all-party meeting convened by him here, yesterday.

Siddaramaiah had also said government would approach the Supreme Court with a modification petition, explaining its difficulties in implementing its order.

Noting that the ‘samba’ crops in Tamil Nadu would be adversely affected, an apex court bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit directed Karnataka to ensure supply of water to Tamil Nadu.

(Agencies)

‘Great Khali’ to organise professional fights in Haryana

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Great Khali

Gurgaon: Dalip Singh Rana, better known by his ‘The Great Khali’ moniker, will organise two professional wrestling matches in Haryana next month.

Adressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Rana said that a professional wrestling bout will be organised at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on October 8 while a similar show would be held in Panipat on October 12.

He disclosed that 15 international fighters and 35 Indian wrestlers will feature in the two events.

HaryanaGymnastics Association chief Suraj Pal Ammu said on the occasion that the state government will not charge entertainment tax from the former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler.

Originally hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Rana, an officer in the Punjab Police, was a bodybuilder before becoming a professional wrestler and had won the Mr. India title in 1997 and 1998.

(IANS)

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