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Afshain Afzal
KARAK, 1 January 2021 (TON): Burning and demolition of structure near the claimed Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Teri village of Karak district in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province is being investigated by the authorities. The Chief Justice of Pakistan took cognisance of the issue and has fixed the matter before court on 5 January 2021, with directions to one-man Commission on Minorities Rights, KP chief secretary and KP Inspector General of Police to visit the site and submit report on 4 January 2021. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sanaullah Abbasi visited Terri site yesterday and started the investigations.
As per the old record, a Hindu contractor namely Mr. Paramhans working with the British in NWFP spent some time in the house in the past and after partition and independence in 1947, it was declared as Evacuee property. Later in 1950, it was occupied as residence by a refugee from India claiming that his caste was Mufti. During Musharaf regime some unidentified persons in authority negotiated with the occupant of the house on the pretext that it was a Hindu Samadhi (shrine). The occupant of the house initially claimed that he was from the Hindu family of Mr. Paramhans and had embraced Islam after partition in 1947. He also claimed that Mr. Paramhans use to pray inside his house, thus is a Hindu Mandir. Later Hindu elders from Sindh also intervened and tried to negotiate by making a payment of Rs 375,000 as cost of the land but the refugee Mufti did not vacate the property and claimed that 5-marla house (approximately 1125 square feet) worth is around Rs 5 million.
As per the recorded statement of Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a member of the National Assembly from Tharparkar and patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council, he had invited the attention of the apex court to the frequent incidents of desecration of Hindu temples in the country, especially occupation of Paramhans Ji Maharaj’s Samadhi in Teri village of Karak district by an influential mufti. Dr Vankwani said he had met the provincial Chief Secretary, the Inspector General of Police and the local Commissioner, but he had been informed that the Hindu notable in whose name the temple was built had converted to Islam. A letter written by the-then Deputy Commissioner of Karak to a Deputy Secretary of the provincial Home Department in February 2014, in which it was highlighted that it was residence of Paramhans Ji Maharaj where he died in 1919 and buried in Teri village and house was converted into a Hindu shrine. The provincial government took up the case with Supreme Court for an order. The Chief Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan passed judgment dated 19 June 2014.
In the recent incident, locals of the Terri area were instigated that some people have purchased additional property around the house claimed to be Paramhans Ji Maharaj’s Samadhi and have also silently completed some of the construction work of new structures in extended area to reflect their permanence. They were convinced to honour the June 2014 verdict of the Supreme Court regarding Hindu temple, wholeheartedly but local Hindu community had given a contract for the expansion of the shrine to a local contractor which was not acceptable to the people. Rumours were spread everywhere that some influential people wanted to turn this small house of 5- Marla into a large complex for Hindus on the lines of Kartarpur Complex of Sikhs.
Accordingly, residents of Teri, Karak approached Civil Administration and Police for a protest rally, on an assurance that it would be a peaceful one. The protesters, few hundred of residents led by Malauna Sharif who reached the site of illegal construction saw some planks of wood near the construction already set ablaze. Witnesses also said unidentified miscreant had already done that and when protester reached the site of structure it was already set ablaze. Social media released images of young clean-shaven boys, covered with masks; demolishing additional structure made adjacent claimed Hindu Samadhi.
Reacting to an incident of demolition of Terri Hindu temple, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Hindu Member National Assembly Kheal Das Kohistani said that historical Hindu temple was destroyed by miscreants in presence of Police and Civil Administration of Karak. Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar Vankwani tweeted and called a protest demonstration on 31 December and claimed that Terri temple was demolished by mob led by Malauna Sharif and demanded arrest Maulana Sharif and all culprits under the Blasphemy laws (295C).
District Police Officer Irfanullah confirmed registering of First Information Report (FIR) against two local clerics identified as Maulvi Mohammad Sharif and Maulana Faizullah and several other unidentified persons. Police in Pakistan has till now arrested 41 people and is continuously carrying out raids to arrest more. Police said 350 people have been booked in the FIR and they arrested Rehmat Salam Khattak, a leader of Maulana Fazlur Rehman-headed JUI-F from his house in Chokara, Takht-i-Nusrati Tehsil as reportedly he participated in a meeting before the attack on the Hindu shrine.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sanaullah Abbasi visited Teri to inspect the destroyed structures along with DIG Kohat Region Tayyab Hafeez Cheema and Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Jabbar Shah. IGP Sanaullah Abbasi said the police would ensure security to the places of worship of the minorities and protect their rights as enshrined in the Constitution. He assured that a total of 350 persons had been nominated in the FIR and all will be arrested soon. If we recall, on 10 Moharram in 2013, orthodox Muslims Mosque and Madrassa namely Madressah Taleemul Quran was burnt to ashes in which 200 students were burnt alive but despite clear identification of terrorists in several videos, none was punished rather media including top Pakistani newspaper projected the burnt Mosque as epicenter of the violence. One wonders if Supreme Court of Pakistan would be shared with correct historic record and decision would be possible purely on merit.
By Hassan Ali
The Dukhatr e Kashmir Asiya Andrabi and the founding leader of Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Nation) remains the most popular leader of Kashmir’s freedom struggle. She is renowned for the women mobilizing in Jammu and Kashmir fought against the illegal occupation of the Indian forces.
Since her inception of struggle she faces jailed and house arrest. Asiya Andrabi and her two associates jailed by the court, allegedly work against the forceful occupation of Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir. She commenced the pro-Islamic and Pro-Pakistan ideology in the region that the people of valley struggling for the annexation of Kashmir with Pakistan. Her motives in her single statement is following
“We have sacrificed 80,000 martyrs and we are ready to sacrifice more”
The diversity of her life explains her struggle in the different walks of the life. She openly announced the social work and welfare of the women’s as well. In 2006 the Dukhtaran-e-Millat claimed to have 500 active members in Kashmir. The political movement of Asyisa Indarabi proliferate the empowerment of valley women’s in the struggle of freedom.
After the death of Burhan wani men and women’s took streets and protest against the Killing of Burhan Wani. The protest and rallies highly leaded by Asyia Andrabi, over the six months women participated in the protest in the leadership of Asyia Andrabi. She also stood against the Sexual Violence and impunity in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2018 she condemned and demonstrates the protest against the rape and killing of eight year old child in the Kathua district. The colleges female students raise the voice against the aggression in the result security forces of India imprisoned Asyia Indrabi in Anantnag. She dedicated her life for the cause of her land and her people which are facing detentions bear the funerals on the shoulders of Kashmiris and rape of the women’s.
On the Srinagar day vocal voice of the struggle of the Jammu and Kashmir categorical shows his love and affection with Muslims of Pakistan. She stated that
“We have gathered here, despite challenging times, to express our unity with our holy land (Pakistan) and convey to the world that Kashmiri Muslims want to live and die with the Muslims of Pakistan” and during her statement she waving the flag of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Indian police register a case Asyia Indrabi on chanting the slogans of Pakistan. As geography shows that Kashmir is the natural part of the Pakistan and the two nation theory which is highly supported by the Asyia Indrabi.
“My children saw father only behind the bars,” Asiya narrates.
After the tiring struggle, Asyia Indrabi have still hope and firm believe that one day Jammu and Kashmir will became the part of Pakistan and kick back the invaders and forceful forces. In her several speeches she mentioned that they can kill us but not our aspirations of the freedom because history already witnessed, ideology can only replace by another ideology not by the killing of people.
Her effort for the women empowerment in the valley is remarkable. Women’s are the equal part of the struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. She always motivated for the Islamic values and traditions regarding women within the framework of Islamic laws. For the efforts and endless struggle of freedom and illegal occupation of Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir which resulted, imprisonment and hindrances in her life.
In recent developments, Delhi court ordered framing of charges against Asiya Andrabi and her two associates. The case relates to support of Pakistan and raise the vocal voice against the Indian forces. Special Judge Parveen Singh ordered putting Andrabi and her associates on trial for various offences punishable under IPC and stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Asiya Andrabi was chief of the Dukhtaran-e-Milat also forcefully banned in Jammu and Kashmir.Pakistan always morally support the leaders and people of Jammu and Kashmir.
By Afshain Afzal
The Government of United States of America is negotiating with Afghan nationals since long to ensure safe withdrawal of US troops and peace in Afghanistan. These Afghans, who are participating in the peace-talks, were referred as terrorists from over two decades. Due to the same perception the US and allied forces including NATO troops killed over 1.6 million Afghan nationals; unarmed men, women and children on the suspicion of maintaining links with Taliban and A Qaida. Now Washington says Taliban are not terrorists. Interestingly, in a recent statement from US Department of Justice, Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said, “We understand that Pakistani authorities are taking steps to ensure that Omar Sheikh remains in custody while the Supreme Court appeal seeking to reinstate his conviction continues. The separate judicial rulings reversing his conviction and ordering his release are an affront to terrorism victims everywhere.”
For a minute if we do not consider Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen’s statement as American interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs and also overlook US’ mistrust on Pakistan’s judicial system, it is worth appreciation that same US Department of Justice failed to award death penalty to Khalid Sheikh Mohammad also referred in US as “KSM”, who is prisoner in US jail since decades. “Why he has not been hanged or killed in a drone attack?” is a good question but US might feel shy in pronouncing that Khalid Sheikh Mohammad has totally denied any of his role in 9/11 attacks and has blamed US intelligence agencies for using third degree methods which left no option for him but to confess. The US’ judiciary thrashed the American interrogators and case is still pending to declare Khalid Sheikh Mohammad as a free man.
US Department of Justice said, “We remain grateful for the Pakistani government’s actions to appeal such rulings to ensure that he and his co-defendants are held accountable. If, however, those efforts do not succeed, the United States stands ready to take custody of Omar Sheikh to stand trial here. We cannot allow him to evade justice for his role in Daniel Pearl’s abduction and murder.” One wonders Ministry of Law and Justice in Islamabad might also like to ask the same question to Washington and express Pakistan’s readiness to take custody of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad if efforts do not succeed.
By Afshain Afzal
The US Department of State tweeted Thursday, on 24 December 2020, “We are deeply concerned by the reports of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl. We have been assured that the accused have not been released at this time.” The tweed was issued after the pronouncement of the Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered that the four men charged in journalist Daniel Pearl's abduction and murder case be released immediately, terming their detention illegal. The US authorities claimed to have talked to the HIGHER UPS in Pakistan and accordingly issued statement, "We have been assured that the accused have not been released.” The US Department of Statement issued a caution, “The department will continue to monitor any developments in the case.”
There is no doubt a very dirty game is being played against a particular affiliates of Islam and they are always in a spin under one pretext or the other. Fake charges of terrorism, terror financing and money laundering are leveled since decades and are hunted like wild rabbits on the pointing out by their rivals and enemies in Pakistan and neighbourhood, which ultimately compel Western countries and institution to publish unconfirmed and unfounded stories against them.
The bench of Sindh High Court also barred the federal and provincial authorities from placing the men under any preventive detention order without prior permission of the Court. However, their names were placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). In April 2020, the High Court had acquitted all these accused of the charges of murder and kidnapping for ransom of Daniel Pearl and only found main accused Ahmed Omar Sheikh guilty of abducting the Daniel Pearl and sentenced him to seven-year imprisonment. However, the sentence had been completed as the convict had already spent around 18 years in detention. We have no doubt that Ahmed Omar Sheikh was student of UK and liked with intelligence agencies there.
If we recall, in May 2019, the Ministry of Interior on added 11 groups to the list of proscribed organizations for their links with three banned organizations. The banned outfits were Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawah, Falah-i-Insaniyat and Masood Azhar’s Jaish-e-Muhammad. Al Anfal Trust, Idara-i-Khidmat Khalaq, Al Dawatul Irshad, Al Hamd Trust, Mosque and Welfare Trust, Al Madinah Foundation, Muaz bin Jabal Education Trust, Al Eesar Foundation, Al Rehmat Trust Organization and Al Furqan Trust were added to the list. On 3 July 2019, 13 leaders of the JuD were booked in multiple cases for terror financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997.
It was alleged that they collected funds through non-profit organisations and trusts including Al-Anfaal Trust, Dawatul Irshad Trust, Muaz Bin Jabal Trust, etc. FIR No 32/19 was registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD and they were booked under sections 11-F(2), 11-N, 11-I, 11-J and others of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The sections relate to being a member of a banned outfit and supporting and arranging meetings of a proscribed organization, illegal fundraising and buying properties with the raised funds. The court also extended benefit of 382 CrPC to the convicts. Finally, ATC Judge, Aijaz Ahmad Butter awarded Hafiz Saeed, Hafiz Abul Islam Bin Muhammad, Professor Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Ashraf, Yahya Mujahid 15 years jail term, along with Rs20,000 fine each. One wonders how long the real culprits, if any, will not been punished and poor people wo are committed in religious and charitable works would be linked by their rivals and enemies to settle the scores.
By Afshain Afzal
The 25th day of December bears great significance. It is a day of blessings as birthday of our holy prophet Hazrat Essa Rohallah Alhe-e-Salam (Jesus Christ) falls on the very day. The birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali, the founder of Pakistan also falls on the same day. Thus for the Pakistanis and Muslims around the world the day bears special significance. It is unfortunate that despite the fact that Pakistan is an ideological state where the supreme authority is that of Allah and the supreme law is that of Al Quran, some factions still talk about secularism. No doubt, these elements are not loyal to Pakistan. They are in fact playing in the hands of the enemies of Pakistan who never accepted the great partition of 1947. Quaid-e-Azam made it abundantly clear, which is also evident from his speeches and addresses that he wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state where rule of Quran is to be enforced and where there is no room for Seculars, Imperialists and Capitalists. Thus In his speech at the Frontier Muslim League Conference on 21 November 1945 Quaid-e-Azam said, “We have to fight a double-edged battle, one against the Hindu Congress and the other against British Imperialists, both of them being Capitalists. The Muslims demand Pakistan where they could rule according to their own code of life and according to their own cultural growth, traditions, and Islamic Laws.” Similarly in a message to N.W.F.P Muslim Students Federation, in April 1943, he said, “You have asked me to give you a message. What message can I give you? We have got the great message in the Al Quran for our guidance and enlightenment.”
Quaid-e-Azam wanted Pakistan to follow Al Quran as a general code of the Muslims in every department of life, collectively and individually. He was of the view that Al Quran regulates religious, social, civil, commercial, military, judicial, criminal penal code and every other aspect. Thus in his Eid message to the nation in 1945, Quaid-e-Azam said, “every Muslim knows that the injections of the Al Quran are not confined to religious and moral duties. He said, “From the Atlantic to the Ganges”, says Gibbon, “the Al Quran is acknowledged as the fundamental code, not of theology but of civil and criminal jurisprudence, and the laws which regulate the actions and the properties of mankind are regulated by the immutable sanctions of the Will of Allah”. He said that everyone, except those who are ignorant, knows that the Al Quran is the general code of the Muslims. A religious, social, civil, commercial, military, judicial, criminal penal code; it regulates everything from the ceremonies of religion to those of daily life; from the salvation of the soul to the health of the body; from morality to crime, from punishment here to that in the life to come and our Prophet (Sal Allah Ho Alhe Wasallam) has enjoined on us that every Muslim should possess a copy of the Al Quran and be his own priest. Therefore, Islam is not confined to the spiritual tenets and doctrines and rituals and ceremonies. It is a complete code regulating the whole Muslim Society in every department of life, collective and individually.”
During his Presidential Address delivered at the Annual Session of the All-India Muslim League, Delhi on 24 April 1943, Quaid-e-Azam said, “Here, I should like to give a warning to the landlords and Capitalists who have flourished at our expense by a system which is so vicious, which is so wicked and which makes them so selfish that it is difficult to reason with them. The exploitation of the masses has gone into their blood. They have forgotten the lessons of Islam. Greed and selfishness have made these people subordinate to the interests of others in order to fatten themselves. It is true we are not in power today. You go anywhere to the countryside. I have visited villages. There are millions and millions of our people who hardly get one meal a day. Are these civilizations aim Pakistan. Do you visualize that millions have been exploited and cannot get one meal a day. If that is the idea of Pakistan, I would not have it. If they are wise they will have to adjust themselves to the new modern conditions of life. If they won’t, God helps them: we shall not help them.” In a Broadcast talk to the people of the United States of America, recorded in February 1948, Quaid-e-Azam said “The Constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fair-play to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framer of future constitution of Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission”. There had been extensive debate over Quaid-e-Azam’s statement “Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests”
There should be no confusion in anybody’s mind about what Quaid-e-Azam meant as he had already explained it during the Allahabad session of the All-India Muslim League in 1942, when he was asked as to what type of state Pakistan would be. Quaid-e-Azam replied: “It will be an Islamic state on the pattern of the Medina state with human rights, liberalism, democracy and complete tolerance and freedom of conscience to all citizens without any distinction of colour, creed, language, and race as granted by the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Christians, Jews, idol worshippers and all others. Justice, brotherhood, liberty, equality and fraternity will reign supreme.” Ironically, despite the passage of 64 years to our independence, still there are many Pakistanis who are confused that what Pakistan stands for. One wonders if the destiny of Pakistan was to be a secular state on the lines of today’s India, why the people of Pakistan and Muslims of India had to give so many sacrifices as All India National Congress and Hindu majority were ready to grant complete autonomy to Pakistan under the Indian union. But this was not acceptable to the Muslims.
We have before us Quaid-e-Azam’s Presidential address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11 August 1947, as guiding principles, which he placed before us as major problems that the new state of Pakistan had to encounter. These problems are still there which need immediate attention by our Parliament. In the words of Quaid-e-Azam these include; 1) Maintenance of law and order so that the life and property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the state, 2) Put down bribery and corruption with an iron hand, 3) black-marketing should be very severely punished, because they undermine the entire system of control and regulation of food-stuffs and essential commodities and cause wholesale starvation and want, and even death, 4) evil of nepotism and jobbery must be crushed relentlessly, 5) There are people who do not agree with the division of India and the partition of Punjab and Bengal but now that it has been accepted, it is the duty of everyone of us to be loyally abide by it and honourably act according to the agreement which is now final and binding on all. Pakistani nation has still time to follow the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam in true letter and spirit so that we emerge as a true Islamic state on the map of the world.
NEW DELHI, 25 December 2020, (TON): Kisan Sena, comprising of representatives from 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh met Indian Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and claimed that the controversial three farm laws are beneficial for the farmers and requested the government not to repeal them. They warned of a bigger protest if these laws are withdrawn.
Those who were part of the delegation who supported farm laws enacted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government included Baghpat MP and former Union Minister Satyapal Singh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangh president Chaudhary Prakash Tomar, vice president Thakur Rajendra Singh, general secretary Baburam Ram Tyagi, Kisan Sena national convenor Gaurishankar Singh and other officials were also present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, after the news development two main groups have been created; in the twist, one is supporting the farm laws and other opposing them. There are reports that it would land into low intensity clash between both the groups, providing an opportunity to the law enforcement agencies to handle the situation amicably.
The Orient News Special
The Pakistan Foreign Office summoned on 9th December a senior Indian diplomat to record and lodge a strong protest on recent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian forces and stressed compliance of the 2003 ceasefire understanding. Due to "indiscriminate and unprovoked firing" by the Indian occupation forces across LoC in Hot Spring Sector on 9 December, a 55-year-old woman had suffered serious injuries and the killing of innocent civilians was condemned as deplorable heinous crime “against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct.
It is noted that Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) had been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with the indiscriminate and unprovoked firing of artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons. This year, India has committed 2,940 ceasefire violations, resulting in martyrdom of 27 people and serious injuries to 247 innocent civilians.
The Indian diplomat was reprimanded that by raising tensions along the LoC and the Working Boundary, India cannot divert world attention from the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K). The Indian side was called upon that such incidents of deliberate ceasefire is the worst violations of LoC instead of maintaining peace along the LoC and the WB. India side was also urged upon to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOGIP) in India and Pakistan to play its mandated role as per in the light of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The foreign office further said that the Indian government should desist from any “false surgical strikes flag operation” to hood wink into the world’s eye’s from several of its internal issues, including its treatment of minorities, atrocities committed by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir and criticism of its policies by international institutions and media and as it is tantamount to bring perils to the peace of whole region and Pakistan is fully capable to defend its mother land and is ready to render all kind of sacrifice for it .
“The erosion of civil liberties, the aggression of police and the increasing politicization of the judiciary mean that people are now seriously think that India is has converted in to racism and fascism and the diaspora of Pakistan really matters due to the hegemonic designs of India.
As matter of fact massive detention centers have been constructed in India for the millions deemed to be non-citizens under new laws. “Minorities are being killed. In occupied Kashmir, in addition to the unilateral abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution, the entire population of the region has been deprived of their right to freedom of expression and opinion through protracted communication restrictions, in place for the past year. These actions are compounded by a censored media, continuing detention of political leaders and a compromised judicial system.
Therefore, the global community needs to take action in this regard. These egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC, and are a threat to the stability of regional peace and security. Instead of it the government of India should address the core issues of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, caste system, gendered violence, communalism to upgrade the living standard of its citizens including the India’s health inequalities, flaring economic and social disparities and distinct cultural values had made hard measure for the poorer sections of the society and debilitated the country’s large population of daily-wage earners and migrant laborers and become an important mental health problem is resulting in isolation and stigma for vulnerable population in the country.
The economic hardship, famine, psychosocial challenges and law and order issues, which may in turn undermine the solidarity of estranged sections of the Indian society. The social and economic issues due to mass unemployment, depleted social safety nets, homelessness, increase in gender-based violence, alcoholism, hunger, loan defaults and millions slipping into poverty. landscape will definitely lead to an increase in mental health issues such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence and self-harm. Keeping in view the above mentioned facts the India should abandon the attitude of a hostile neighbor and live in peace full co-existence with it’s all bordering countries including pakistan.
Farmer’s leaders looked to put up pressure on Federal Government to revoke three agricultural reforms laws on Monday by beginning a 24-hour hand-off hunger strike.
Federal administration is encouraging the ranchers to participate in additional discussions to end a stop which has prompted thousands outdoors on the edges of New Delhi for over three weeks.
The fights have impeded streets interfacing the public capital with neighboring conditions of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, hitting public vehicle and the inventory of products of the soil.
The protests have blocked roads connecting the national capital with neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, hitting public transport and the supply of fruit and vegetables.
Prominent protest leader, said “We are going on a 24-hour relay hunger strike, skipping meals, to press our demands of repealing three agricultural laws”.
HARARE, 8 February 2020, TON: Zimbabwe should use its God-given resources, including the skills of its people, to develop the country and stop mourning the negative impact of sanctions imposed by the West, President Mnangagwa said on Friday.
Speaking after joining Banket residents in a clean-up of Kuwadzana Shopping Centre in the town, he said students will be exposed to modern science so that they develop inventions that develop the economy. Already over 90 patents have been granted to local students since the introduction of innovation hubs at State universities two years ago and he said the inventions would result in an increase in locally produced products. He said, Zimbabweans had the capacity to overcome the effects of the illegal sanctions if they united towards a common goal and vision.
President Mnangagwa said, “We thank them for that. We have brilliant boys and girls in this country. Going forward, we can see that our country is going to be transformed by inventions by our children and skills from our children. We are a developing country but we should not cry that we have sanctions imposed on us. We should look at what God has given us and develop our country. Those who want to come and assist us, they should do so on our own terms”.
The President said, “We don’t want them to come and lecture us or rule us. They should rule their countries and we rule ours. This is our country. To you the school children, we will do our best as Government to make sure you are exposed to modern science and technologies because the future of this country lies in science and technology, in yourselves creating employment, jobs and products and services for the nation. The future is upon you. It’s your duty to develop our country for it to be at par with other countries.”
KK Usman
The Orient News Research Section
The month of December is witnessing the most farce elections in the Himalayan state of occupied Jammu and Kashmir to hood wink in to the world eyes. The BJP led government is conducting local elections in 20 districts of the state to elect 280 members for the District Development Councils which will be held in eight phases. Under high alert people and freezing cold, and the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Kashmiris seized the opportunity to vote against the BJP in Indian-occupied Kashmir by polling in the first of eight-phase polls to elect members of District Development Councils.
This is the first major electoral exercise is being taken place in the area since the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir state into two federal union territories on August 5, 2019. The decision to strip the region of the special status and split it into two federally-administered territories have deprived the special status of Kashmir region which allowed it to make its own rules about permanent residency, property ownership and fundamental rights.
After that Indian government imposed sweeping restrictions, ranging from curfews to blackouts the move - accompanied by a severe communication, internet blockade, and the detention of MPs, activists, journalists and community leaders - was met with protests and global criticism. It was also seen as part of the BJP's right-wing agenda - the party's divisive rhetoric and politics have long been accused of targeting the country's Muslims the enacted new laws in measures triggered widespread anger and economic ruin.
This mix of defiance, frustration and resignation is all too familiar in the Muslim-majority valley. It has long had a tense relationship with India - successive governments have failed to suppress the legitimate freedom struggle in the region without giving the Indian army powers that have led to decades-worth of allegations of human rights abuses.
Nearly six million voters across the disputed region’s 20 districts are eligible to elect 280 members of District Development Councils in a staggered eight-phase process that started on Saturday and ends on December 19 and the counting will be held after three days of the elections. The Himalayan region has been under a heavy security blanket since the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government imposed direct rule in August 2019. It is certain that this is a lame excuse by India to show normalcy in the state and a symbolic exercise in an area that carries deep distrust for India, ostensibly to erase the impression of it being a disturbed region. Reportedly 1000 candidates from various political parties, including the BJP, are participating in the elections. India has deployed thousands of troops in addition to the more than half million forces already stationed in Kashmir, to ensure smooth conduct of elections, fearing the attacks from freedom fighters.
Some 5.76 million people are registered to vote but Kashmiris have shown little enthusiasm compared to previous elections. The most significant part of the ongoing election is that the region’s pro-India parties are severely opposing the Modi’s government after it revoked the region’s semi-autonomous status in August last year, annulled its separate constitution, split the area into two federal territories – Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir – and removed inherited protections on land and jobs.
For the first time, some seven opposition parties have allied to contest the polls together. And their goal is to fight to restore Kashmir's special status. Kashmir’s main political parties have announced a grand alliance to seek a peaceful restoration of its autonomy days after India released the last key Kashmiri political leader from a lengthy detention including Mehbooba Mufti were among scores of political leaders held under house arrest for months after the clampdown.
The parties are united in contesting the elections against the BJP and its allies in one of the most militarized regions in the world. The parties have vowed to fight for the restoration of the special status of the region under a unified banner of the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration.
The two past political rivals the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party have formed an alliance namely as PAGD, to contest the election with the purpose of restoration of Kashmir’s special status. Both these parties have a pro-India posture in the past. with the eroding of the support of these major political parties in Occupied Kashmir India have lost its total credibility. The Kashmir’s parties have formed the alliance not to leave the open space for the BJP, reiterating “If we stay away from it then those elements will occupy this space which will be detrimental to the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. It’s a political fight now for us. It’s not that the BJP will last forever in rule and we will not resist.
It is an open secret that everything is governed by Delhi and it is regulating and managing the affairs of the region. The BJP seems to have its own long-term Programme for changing the nature of politics in Kashmir. By conducting such tactics in form of local District Development Councils elections under the tight control of the security forces, the freedom struggle cannot be cow down and finished. According to independent Observers that limited numbers of people are participating in the elections amid coronavirus fears and security reasons to elect members of their local councils. There are two pronged strategies of the current Indian government the first one is that through these farce local bodies elections it intends to show the international community that life is back to normal here. Secondly the Indian government want to install Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led candidates in the occupied Kashmir to flash out the other political parties out of the arena to pursue and implement its own extremist polices against the will and aspirations of the people of this Himalayan state. The Kashmir dispute was required to be resolved in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions. It is well advised for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to refrain from such things because history is evident of the fact that nobody cannot keep such a large number of people and area without the consent and will of the local people.
