Protests in support of Iran held in Kashmir post-Friday prayers

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Srinagar, Jan 16 (IANS) Massive post-Friday prayer protests broke out in different parts of Kashmir to show solidarity with Iran and to condemn Israel.

A large demonstration was taken out today after Friday prayers in Budgam town as hundreds of Muslims gathered to express solidarity with Iran, the Iranian people, and with Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei.

The protesters strongly condemned what they described as systematic and deliberate attempts by the United States and Israel to foment unrest and destabilise Iran.

Addressing the large gathering, Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian President, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi, strongly criticised the US and Israel for pursuing policies aimed at undermining Iran’s sovereignty, stability, and internal peace.

He said that sustained economic pressure, media warfare and subversive tactics employed to weaken Iran have failed in the past and will continue to collapse in the face of the Iranian nation’s resolve, awareness, and steadfast resistance.

Aga Syed Hassan congratulated the Iranian people for their unwavering support, trust and loyalty to the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, describing it as a clear reflection of Iran’s political maturity, religious consciousness, and principled resistance against arrogant and hegemonic powers.

He remarked that the Iranian nation has once again demonstrated that it will not bow before external pressure, propaganda, or engineered unrest.

Clarifying the current situation, Aga Syed Hassan asserted that the recent disturbances have been effectively curbed and that peace has been fully restored, with the situation now calm and under control.

He stressed the urgent need for restraint, prudence and responsible conduct by all stakeholders, and appealed to the media to adhere to responsible and factual reporting, avoiding sensationalism, misinformation and narratives that could inflame tensions.

He further stated that the voices raised in Budgam today echo the collective conscience of the Muslim Ummah and convey an unambiguous message that interference, domination and conspiracies by anti-Islam forces will not be tolerated.

Holding the United States and Israel responsible for instability in the region and across the Muslim world, he urged the international community to take serious note of their aggressive and destabilising policies.

The protest concluded peacefully, with participants raising powerful slogans in solidarity with Iran, against imperialist forces, and in support of oppressed nations.

The demonstrators reaffirmed their firm rejection of any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs and reiterated their commitment to justice, sovereignty and resistance against oppression.

Similar protests in favour of Iran and condemning Israel and the US were held at some other places in the Valley as well.

–IANS

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Two more arrested in Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, investigation deepens

Indore, June 23 (IANS) Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Meghalaya Police, which is campaigning in Indore, have arrested two more accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder case as the investigation deepens.

An official identified the accused as Silome James, a property dealer and tenant of a building in Indore’s Heera Bagh Colony, where Sonam Raghuvanshi had stayed after returning from Meghalaya following the murder, and Balla Ahirwar, a security guard of the building.

They were arrested for allegedly helping the prime accused, Sonam Raghuvanshi, the deceased’s wife, and her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, in disposing of evidence.

“Both accused have been taken into a seven-day transit remand by Meghalaya police for further investigation. The accused have been brought to Indore, and the probe is ongoing,” Additional DCP, Indore, Rajesh Dandotia, told IANS.

Dandotia denied sharing further details about the ongoing investigation, saying that Indore police are only assisting Meghalaya Police.

“The SIT will stay for a few more days in Indore as the investigation is still incomplete. Seven people have been arrested so far. Meghalaya Police had arrived in Indore on June 17, and they will stay here until their investigation is completed,” said Dandotia.

Accused Silome James was arrested at the Bhonrasa toll plaza in Dewas district around 7.30 p.m. on June 21 while trying to flee to Bhopal. Following this, he was brought to Indore and taken to the spot where he allegedly burnt a box belonging to Sonam that contained multiple items, including jewellery, a laptop, and a firearm allegedly owned by Kushwaha.

The security guard, Balla Ahirwar, who had fled to his native village, was also arrested in the Ashok Nagar district of Madhya Pradesh.

The three alleged contract killers are already in jail in Meghalaya. On Saturday, a court in Meghalaya granted judicial custody of Kushwaha and Sonam. Three members of the SIT have been staying in Madhya Pradesh since June 17 and visiting multiple places linked to the accused.

They have also questioned relatives and acquaintances of the couple, as part of their detailed investigation of the case.

Sonam and Raghuvanshi had married on May 11, they had left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20, and were reported missing on May 23 from Sohra town in East Khasi Hills district.

Raghuvanshi’s decomposed body was found in a deep gorge on June 2, while his wife, earlier believed to be missing, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur on June 9.

The other four accused were arrested from different parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

–IANS

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No major mistake in K’taka caste census report: Backward Classes Chairman

Bengaluru, April 17 (IANS) Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Jayaprakash Hegde on Thursday claimed that no major mistake exists in the caste census report, prepared by the state government.

“I don’t think there is any mistake in the report or the data. There may be small mistakes, but there are no major mistakes in the report. It is with the Cabinet. They will discuss and then take a decision,” the Chairman Hegde told media persons.

He further added that some people have started complaining without checking and reading the report.

“After satisfying myself, members and the member-secretary signed the report and submitted it to the government,” the Chairman said.

He further said that, like Hindus, among Muslims also they have also found 93 castes and subcastes during the survey.

“As per their request, we have verified them and taken a decision,” he said.

When asked about Hindu major castes divided into subcastes while the Muslim community is shown as one group, he stated, Muslims are put under one category. However, there are many castes in other categories as well. Some subcastes are included in nomadic communities.

Talking about the reservation limit, Hegde stated, the centre has increased the reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) by 10 per cent, adding that a Constitutional amendment was made, and the court has given its consent.

“I don’t know what decision will be in future. It is left to the discretion of the judiciary,” he said.

In 2014, Siddaramaiah (during his first tenure as the Chief Minister) ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census. A committee headed by the then Backward Classes Commission Chairman, H. Kantharaju, surveyed a cost of around Rs 169 crore. The report was ready by 2016; it was, however, put in cold storage by subsequent governments.

The Congress and JD-S coalition government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP government headed by B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also kept the report pending.

In 2020, the Karnataka government, headed by the BJP, appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission chief, but the report was not made public.

Hegde submitted the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024. Opposition parties, the BJP and JD-S, have opposed the implementation of the report.

The caste census report submitted by the Backward Classes Commission has allegedly pegged the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 per cent and recommends 8 per cent reservation for the community, sources said.

–IANS

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PBD strengthens India’s unity, global influence, say delegates on final day of convention

New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS) The third and final day of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention in Bhubaneswar is witnessing enthusiastic participation from delegates around the world on Friday.

One of the delegates, Maitri Joshi from Addis Ababa, expressed her pride in being part of the event.

She remarked, “It is a matter of great honour for the entire Indian diaspora to be invited to this event, where we come together from different corners of the world. PBD offers a platform for us to share our experiences and cultures. Through this event, we aim to guide the world towards a unified direction. By bringing Indians together, this initiative strengthens not only India’s unity but also its global influence.”

“For us, this is more than just an event; it is a celebration of our shared heritage and aspirations,” she added.

Thashidaran Tharmar, a delegate from Malaysia and the fourth generation of his family to have settled there, said that this initiative is truly a noble cause.

He said, “This initiative unites Indians from all over the world at a specific venue, which this year is the culturally rich state of Odisha. I am immensely proud to be here and call myself an Indian. The Government of India has done a commendable job in organising this event in Odisha, providing us with an opportunity to explore the state’s culture, heritage, and business prospects.”

“For the Indian diaspora, this convention instils a profound sense of belonging. Regardless of how many generations have passed in their adopted countries, this gathering reminds us of our roots. This is my first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and I am honoured to be here, representing my country and contributing to its growth.”

The event, organised to celebrate the contribution of the Indian diaspora, provided a platform for cultural exchange, discussions on global challenges, and opportunities to strengthen India’s ties with its overseas communities.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on January 9 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915.

The 18th edition of the convention began on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar with the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Over the past three days, the event has hosted around 5,000 delegates from various countries. Plenary sessions addressed key global and domestic issues, offering insights into areas like economic cooperation, technology, and cultural preservation.

The convention reached its peak on Thursday with the formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Janata Maidan. In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the Indian diaspora in shaping the nation’s future and fostering global harmony.

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