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Kolkata, Jan 9 (IANS) Nawsad Siddique, the lone representative of All India Secular Front (AISF), has filed a defamation suit against Trinamool Congress legislator Saukat Molla over the latter’s recent controversial comments describing Siddique as a terrorist.

While Siddique is an MLA from Bhangar, Molla is a legislator from Canning (East), with both constituencies coming under the South 24 Parganas district.

The constituencies have a notorious track record of witnessing frequent political clashes between the supporters of the two parties and at times between two groups of the ruling party.

The petition has been filed at the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) in Kolkata.

In the petition, Siddique’s counsel has claimed that the comments by Molla referring to Siddique as a “terrorist” were “baseless, motivated and defamatory for the image of an elected public representative”.

Siddique’s counsel has also argued that such defamatory comments not only malign the image of an elected public representative but also weaken the base of any democratic system.

The petition has been admitted by the court of ACJM.

It is learnt that a summons will be issued to Molla to be present at the court on a specified date and get his argument recorded.

Reacting to the development, Molla told media persons that he would give the reply to the defamation suit in the appropriate legal forum.

Siddique got elected from Bhangar in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, when AISF was part of the bigger alliance with Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front.

Molla is the two-time MLA from adjacent Canning (East) and also the organisational in charge of Trinamool Congress for Bhangar. He was associated with the CPI(M) for a long time and was known as an extremely close confidant of strongman Abdur Razzak Molla, the former Minister for Land and Land Reforms in the previous Left Front regime. Saukat Molla later shifted to Trinamool Congress and became an MLA for the first time from Canning (East) in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly polls.

–IANS

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Lucknow, March 15 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and NISHAD Party leader Sanjay Nishad has sharply criticised Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP, in response to the latter’s recent statements regarding the Muslim community’s strength and its response to Holi celebrations. Nishad accused Owaisi of distorting history and delivering divisive messages.

Sanjay Nishad slammed Owaisi for claiming to be a “pahalwan” (warrior), asserting that such statements were not only irresponsible but failed to recognise the true history of India’s Partition.

Speaking with IANS, Sanjay Nishad said, “India was divided on the basis of religion. Those who followed religion moved to Pakistan, but those who cherished India’s culture, traditions, and heritage stayed in India.”

“I want to remind Owaisi and his followers about their history — how many were forced to convert at the point of a sword. Many changed their religion out of fear, but my ancestors accepted death rather than submit to conversion. I am immensely proud of their courage,” he added.

Nishad’s comments were a direct response to Owaisi’s recent speech in Hyderabad, where he asserted the community’s strength, claiming Muslims would not “run” and were not “cowards.”

Owaisi’s comments came after officials suggested that Muslims stay indoors or cover themselves during Holi celebrations to avoid being coloured, sparking outrage in some quarters.

Owaisi said, “Those who migrated to Pakistan were cowards. We will not run. We are not cowards. Who is anyone to tell us what we can and cannot do?” He was also responding to a remark by the Uttar Pradesh Circle Officer, who had advised Muslims to stay inside during Holi if they didn’t want to be coloured.

Nishad, however, rejected Owaisi’s divisive rhetoric, saying that India’s true strength lies in its rich cultural history and that those who left the country during Partition are now seeking to return.

He emphasised that the Indian Muslim community, despite challenges, had benefited under the current NDA government, as evidenced by their support in elections.

Nishad further accused those exploiting communal divides of being responsible for rising poverty and unemployment in the nation.

“In the past, during the Partition, people were given a choice. Those who went to Pakistan now cry to return, but they are the ones who abandoned the values of this land,” Nishad said.

“Our ancestors were resilient, and we are working to improve our country’s economic status, not create divisions,” he concluded.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on his birthday, saying that the leader has endeared himself to the state’s people with his humble and hardworking nature.

While extending birthday wishes to CM Saha on Wednesday, PM Modi prayed for his long and healthy life.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said that the leader’s (CM Saha’s) focus on the all-round development of the state has led to great outcomes.

“Birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha Ji. He has endeared himself to the people of Tripura thanks to his humble and hardworking nature. His focus on all-round development of the state has led to great outcomes. May he lead a long and healthy life,” his post read.

Responding to PM Modi’s birthday wishes, CM Saha thanked him and said that his guidance and motivation are helping the state to walk on the path of holistic development.

“Thank you so much for your kind and appreciating words. Your guidance and motivation is helping the state to walk on the path of holistic development,” CM Saha’s post read.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also greeted CM Saha and hailed him saying that under his leadership, the state is witnessing all-round growth.

“Greetings and warm wishes to the Chief Minister of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha ji on his birthday. Under his leadership, the state is witnessing all-round growth. Praying for his long and healthy life,” Defence Minister’s post read.

Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also extended birthday wishes.

He wished that the occasion bring joy and that the year ahead be filled with health and prosperity for the Tripura CM.

Born on January 8, 1953, CM Saha completed his Bachelor of Dental Studies programme from Government Dental College in Patna and later pursued a Master of Dental Surgery from King Georges’ Medical College in Lucknow.

Manik Saha, who represents the Town Bordowali Assembly constituency, has served as Tripura MP and state BJP President.

He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2016 after quitting Congress.

–IANS

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