Did not see anyone wearing black bands: Shahnawaz Hussian

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) BJP National Spokesperson, Shahnawaz Hussain, on Monday slammed the call to wear black armbands while offering Eid-ul-Fitr Namaz, stating that politics and religion should not be mixed.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had urged Muslims to wear black armbands as a mark of protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during their prayers. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and several Opposition leaders supported the “silent protest.”

Reacting to this, Hussain said that Eid should remain a day of worship and joy, free from political statements.

“I also offered prayers in front of the Parliament Mosque, and I did not see anyone wearing a black armband there. Eid prayers come after 30 days of fasting, and it is a day of joy,” he told IANS.

He emphasised that prayers are an act of devotion, while wearing a black armband is a political statement.

“The prayers were conducted peacefully across the country. People are celebrating Eid with joy. On this day, everyone should embrace one another, as Eid is a day of love. Everyone should live together with affection and unity. I extend my heartfelt Eid greetings to the entire nation,” he added.

The former Union Minister also responded to former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s criticism of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

In an opinion article published in a leading daily, Sonia Gandhi accused the Centre of imposing the NEP without proper consultation and prioritising political motives over educational welfare.

She said there are ‘3Cs’ that haunt Indian education today — centralisation, commercialisation and communalisation.

Sonia Gandhi has said the government was coercing the state governments to implement the PM-SHRI scheme of model schools by withholding the grants due to them under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as leverage.

Defending the policy, Hussain said, “The country’s education policy is excellent, but Sonia Gandhi objects to it. She prefers an education policy that provokes people. It is unfortunate that she is questioning India’s education policy.”

–IANS

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K’taka to decide on allowing Class 10 girls to wear hijab for exams; convey decision to SC

Bengaluru, Feb 4 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Wednesday that the government will hold a meeting to decide whether to allow Class 10 students in the state to wear the hijab while attending exams and will convey its stance to the Supreme Court.

When asked whether any discussion had taken place regarding allowing female students wearing hijabs to appear for exams, HM Parameshwara said, “A meeting on this matter has not been held yet, but we will conduct one.”

When asked whether the government could make a decision while the hijab issue is still before the Supreme Court, he responded, “It is not about making a decision despite the case being in the Supreme Court. We need to make our own decisions and also communicate our stance to the court. We must present our opinion based on the current situation, and we will do so.”

The government in Karnataka is treading cautiously in connection with the matter of allowing students to write exams wearing the hijab.

During the tenure of the previous BJP government, the hijab crisis made international news and created a furore in the state.

While answering a question on whether the government will allow female students wearing the hijab to attend exams, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said on Tuesday, “We need to discuss the matter in detail and after discussions we will take a decision in this regard.”

When reminded that there was only one month left for exams, HM Parameshwara stated, “One month is sufficient period to discuss the matter.”

The previous BJP government imposed a ban on the wearing of the hijab along with school and pre-university (class 11 and 12) college female students.

The move was questioned by the students in the High Court and the court had upheld the decision of the government. The matter is presently with the Supreme Court.

The issue had also divided society, especially students, on communal lines across Karnataka.

A two-judge panel in the Supreme Court returned a split decision in October: One judge Hemant Gupta upheld the Karnataka High Court ruling, while the other, Sudhanshu Dhulia found it had ruled in error.

The judges requested the Chief Justice to refer the matter to a larger Bench.

The implementation of dress codes by educational institutes, banning the hijab, was criticised inside India and abroad by officials in countries including the United States and Pakistan.

The ban was defended by politicians such as Arif Mohammad Khan, Aaditya Thackeray and activist Taslima Nasreen.

–IANS

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‘Has AAP done anything good to showcase it’, Cong takes jibe at Delhi’s tableau exclusion from R-Day parade

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Amid the political confrontation between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government the and Centre over exclusion of Delhi’s tableau from Republic Day parade, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Monday derided the Atishi dispensation over its complaints of ‘bias and hatred’ towards the capital.

Sandeep Dikshit expressed concerns over the rejection, however in the same vein asked whether the city government has done or achieved anything substantial that it has to showcase.

Speaking to IANS, Dikshit remarked, “I don’t know the exact reason why it was rejected, sometimes we see that BJP governments don’t allow tableau of certain states where Opposition is in power.”

However, he questioned AAP’s governance, stating, “Will the Aam Aadmi Party have to show anything? If any government has done something good, they would showcase it.”

Congress leader questioned what achievements the Delhi government could present in the tableau. He alleged that issues such as polluted water, defective roads, and the highly polluted Yamuna River are emblematic of AAP’s governance failures.

He mentioned pending works of infrastructure projects like schools and hospitals, accusing the Kejriwal government of prioritising political campaigns over actual development.

The controversy escalated further when Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) posted a video highlighting the filth and dirt in the capital’s streets.

Addressing this, Dikshit noted the deteriorating state of cleanliness in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) area, which falls under the Chief Minister’s jurisdiction.

He commented, “For the past 3-4 days, I have been visiting the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, which is the condition is so bad that we are not able to walk straight.

Addressing Rohingya’s alleged intrusion in Delhi, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, “Why is this issue being raised? As we have been saying for the last 2-3 years whenever you ask us this question, we have been consistently giving the same answer that the Border Security Force and the Government of India are responsible for the border situation. So, how are these people crossing into India?

–IANS

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Happiness, prosperity for all: Prez Murmu greets nation on Chaitra Navratri, other festivals

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings to citizens on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Shukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu-Cheroba.

Taking to social media platform X, she wrote, “Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on Chaitra Shukladi, Ugadi, Gudi-Padwa, Cheti-Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu-Cheroba. These festivals, celebrated to welcome the spring season and the advent of the New Year, are a symbol of unity in the rich cultural diversity of India. These festivals infuse new energy and enthusiasm in the countrymen. On this occasion, I wish happiness and prosperity for all.”

These festivals, marking the beginning of the New Year for various communities across India, are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and signify renewal, hope, and unity.

Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda also took to social media to extend his best wishes on Chaitra Navratri.

He wrote, “Heartfelt greetings to all on the sacred festival of Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to worshipping the Supreme Goddess and the Mother of the Universe. May her divine blessings bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being to all. I pray that everyone’s life is filled with joy, prosperity, and good health. Jai Mata Di!”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also extended her wishes on X, saying, “Best wishes for Chaitra Navratri, the holy festival of power, devotion, and new consciousness. May there be happiness, peace, and prosperity in every home with the blessings of Maa Durga. May this auspicious festival inspire us to move forward with self-confidence and new resolutions. I pray to Maa for the progress and prosperity of Delhi and the country.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared a Sanskrit shloka, emphasising the significance of the festival, and prayed for happiness and prosperity.

He wrote, “The holy first day of ‘Chaitra Navratri’ is dedicated to the worship of the mother of the universe, Maa Shailaputri. I pray to Maa Shailaputri to keep her grace on the entire world. May your blessings bring prosperity and happiness all around. Jai Maa Shailaputri!”

These festivals, celebrated at the onset of spring, highlight India’s rich cultural heritage and reinforce social harmony.

–IANS

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