262 persons, including retired High Court Judges, ex-bureaucrats, army veterans, lawyers and others have sent a letter to CJI Chandrachud asking him to take suo motu action against Tamilnadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin, son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, for calling Sanatan Dharma a disease like malaria, dengue,covid, etc and demanding its eradication
Some people have compared Udayanidhi to Hitler, who committed genocide of Jews
I too condemn Udayanidhi’s statement, and call for strong legal action against him.
But I ask these 262 ex-Judges, bureaucrats, army veterans, etc where were they when Yati Nararasinghanand Saraswati said Islam is not a religion but a ‘dharti ka cancer’ which should be eradicated, and that the world will perish if it remains alive ? Where were they when he said that Muslims are a gang of gundas, dacoits, looters and rapists ? Where were they when he said that the Quran makes people who read it murderers, loooters and criminals, and that Prophet Muhammad was an organiser of dacoits and looters ?
Where were they when in a gathering of Hindu ‘saints’ in Haridwar speeches were given calling for violence against minorities in India ?
Why did not these 262 signatories to the letter to the CJI speak out then and write a letter to the CJI against these inflammatory speeches against Muslims, the Prophet, the Quran and Islam ? Why were they silent, with a lock on their lips ?
Surely secularism, which is enshrined in our Constitution, means giving respect to all religions. Or does it mean giving respect only to the religion of the majority, while maligning, vilifying, besmirching, mudslinging and denigrating that of minorities ?
Indian Muslims, who are about 213 million or 15% of India’s population of about 1400 million ( according to Pew Research Centre ) are today totally confused and perplexed about what they should do. After 2014 they have been politically totally sidelined in India, and atrocities and discrimination against some of them have increased.
Some feel that their problems will end once the BJP is ousted from power, which can be done by forming an anti-BJP alliance of Opposition secular parties and defeating the BJP in the forthcoming 2024 Indian parliamentary elections. I have expressed my view on this idea in my articles, in which I have pointed out that it is a superficial idea and will solve nothing.
I have explained in detail in the following article that the basic problems of Indian Muslims are the same as that of most Hindus viz massive poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, lack of proper healthcare and good education for the masses, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, etc, and these problems cannot be solved within the present system of parliamentary democracy.
No doubt in addition to the above problems some Muslims have in recent years also been subjected to violence and insults, problems created by politicians for getting Hindu votes, but these have affected only a few hundred ( or a few thousand ) Muslims, and are only a drop in the ocean compared to the huge economic problems mentioned above which affect a vast majority of India’s 213 million Muslims ( see Sachar Committee Report ).
It is only a mighty, historical, united people’s struggle, lasting for 10-15 years or more, and in which tremendous sacrifices have to be made, which can solve these problems by creating a political and social order which will lead to rapid industrialisation and modernisation of India, which alone can abolish poverty, unemployment and other social evils. In other words, a social and political revolution is needed in India, and this will solve the basic problems of Muslims too.
Historical experience shows that every actual revolution is preceded by an ideological revolution, in which the weapons used are not swords, guns, or bombs but ideas. Thus, the great French Revolution of 1789 was preceded by decades of ideological struggle in France by great writers and thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot and the French Encyclopedists who waged a relentless struggle against the feudal system and religious bigotry in France. The same happened in England in the 17th century ( in the struggle between King and Parliament ).
India is presently passing through a period of ideological revolution, that is, it is in the pre-revolutionary stage.
Who will give leadership to the Indian people in this period ? It cannot be our present political parties, for they are only interested in power and pelf, and not the people’s welfare
I submit that at present such leadership will be given by 3 organisations viz (1) Ibaadatkhana (2) Indian Reunification Association (IRA), and (3) Kalidas Ghalib Foundation (KGF). I have explained in detail about these organisations in the article below, and hence I am not repeating its content
I appeal to the patriotic secular Indians to join these organisations ( the email ids of its office bearers are given in the article ) and contribute to our country’s emancipation. In particular, I appeal to Indian Muslims ( and also Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries ) to join them and work in them actively. That is the route you should follow presently.
Later, a genuinely patriotic secular political party with modern minded leaders will emerge, to whom these 3 organisations will then hand over the baton.
Some mischievous person burnt a copy of the Holy Quran before a mosque in Sweden, and almost the whole Muslim world is raising a hue and cry over it. Many Muslims have protested against this desecration of the Holy Quran. In Baghdad the Swedish embassy was stormed, Iran has decided not to send an ambassador to Sweden, and in Pakistan and elsewhere there have been massive demonstrations.
Muslims should realize that such acts like burning the Quran or portraying cartoons of the Holy Prophet are deliberate acts by miscreants to provoke a reaction, and by reacting to them Muslims are stupidly giving publicity to such rascals, which is exactly what they want, and on which they survive.
In my opinion the best way to react to these provocations is by not reacting at all, in other words, by ignoring them.
When the great Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib was asked why he did not respond to malicious criticism he replied “ If a donkey kicks you, do you kick it back ? “.
There are millions of copies of Quran in the world. Anyone can go to a shop and buy one. Once he buys it, it becomes his property, and he is entitled to do anything with it, even tear or burn it. Why should Muslims get so worked up about it ? By reacting to such mischief Muslims only play into the hands of such rascals.
When the Babri Masjid was demolished ,there was a huge uproar by Muslims all over the world, who held demonstrations and all manner of protests against this outrage. At that time a prominent social activist and leader of Kerala, Panakkad Sayyid Muhammad Ali Shihab Thangal, appealed to Muslims to remain silent, and told Muslims to protect Hindu temples which may be attacked by agitated Muslims.
Today a Keralite post graduate student of English Literature, Sayyid Muhammad Hafiz, met me in Calicut ( where I have come for a conference ). I asked him what should be the reaction of Muslims to burning of the Quran in Sweden ? He replied that it should be ignored. I told him that is the correct answer, and he has displayed the maturity and wisdom which all Muslims in the world should cultivate and develop, instead of behaving like fools.
Sayyid Muhammad Hafiz told me that in the Holy Quran there is a an ayath “Turn away from the ignorant”.(Surah A-araf-Ayat 199). Sayyid Hafiz also told me many incidents when the Holy Prophet was abused, taunted and jeered, but he did not react, but kept silent. A woman would throw garbage on him, but he would only smile. One day when she fell ill, the Prophet went to enquire of her health.
Muslims should follow the example of the Prophet, and stop behaving like fools
Hyderabad: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi shared a recent study that reports nearly 1,79,147 Muslim students dropped out of higher studies, an 8 percent decline from 2019-2021.
The report – All India Survey on Higher Education 2020–21 – by the Union Ministry of Education, stated that this decline has been observed not in states with higher population density but in smaller states as well.
Blaming poverty and discrimination for the decline of Muslim student enrollment, Owaisi said that the current Narendra Modi-led Central government’s policies on education have only made the situation worse by scrapping various fellowships such as MANF (Maulana Azad National Fellowship).
“Poverty & discrimination have barred Muslims from accessing higher education Add to this Modi govt removing even few support systems for minorities. In Karnataka, they scrapped 4% quota for poor Muslims. They’ve removed or restricted fellowships & scholarships for minorities,” he tweeted.
Modi’s “love” for pasmanda Muslims is bearing fruit. Hindutva policies have resulted in Muslims dropping out of higher education. Just between 2019-21, 1.80lakh Muslims dropped out of higher education. No community has seen such drastic fall in history 1/https://t.co/Gib8CXhoDD
In December last year, the Centre decided to discontinue the MANF from 2022-23 for minorities as according to them, the scheme overlaps with various other fellowship schemes for higher education.
In March, the Centre tossed off four percent of the Muslim reservation and moved the community into the 10 percent Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Without taking any names, Owaisi said that neither the secular parties nor Hindutva ideology are willing to accept Muslims as part of the society.
“Neither secular parties nor Sanghis is willing to accept that Muslims need reservations & scholarships. Not on the basis of religion but on the basis of backwardness. Forcing Muslims to live impoverished & uneducated lives is forcing them to live as second-class citizens,” he tweeted.
The decline in Muslim students, according to the report, has been observed in states with higher population density as well as smaller states.
The highest Muslim student decline was reported in Uttar Pradesh with 36 percent, followed by Jammu and Kashmir at 26 percent, Maharashtra at 8.5 percent, Tamil Nadu at 8.1 percent, Gujarat at 6.1 percent, Bihar at 5.7 percent and Karnataka at 3.7 percent.
Only Tamil Nadu witnessed a rise in Muslim student enrollment.
The report said that other minority communities such as Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs (Other Backward Classes) have reported an incline of 4.2 percent, 11.9 percent and 4 percent, respectively compared to 2019-20.
The upper caste also reported an increase in the number of student enrollment with a growth rate of 13.6 percent.
Bagalkot: Attacking Congress over “appeasement politics” ahead of Karnataka assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not allow Muslim reservations in the state.
Addressing a public meeting in Hunagunda, Shah said, “BJP has strengthened the security of the nation by banning the Popular Front of India (PFI), but the Congress party is against it… BJP will neither allow Muslim reservations nor will allow Lingayat reservations to be reduced in the state.”
Exuding confidence in Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the upcoming Karnataka elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the party will return to power with a full majority.
Shah held a mega roadshow in Doddaballapura on Sunday.
“We will win the elections by full majority or at least half a mark plus 15 seats. In these four years, Yediyurappa and Bommai government has done a lot of work,” the Union Home Minister told ANI.
The 224-seat Karnataka assembly will go to polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. The majority mark to form the government is 113 seats.
Attacking Congress, Shah further said, “Congress gives false promises everywhere and loses elections. They take support of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Popular Front of India (PFI) which Karnataka’s people do not like and are furious about it.”
The BJP is eyeing a second term in the state and has exuded confidence in retaining power with a full majority.
Notably, Karnataka is the only State in the South where BJP is in power.
Campaigning for the 10 May elections in Karnataka is at its peak with multiple rallies, public meetings and interactions across the State.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow in Bengaluru on Sunday. He also held public meetings at Nanjangud in Mysuru and Shivamogga.
London: A stamp depicting Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and their places of worship feature on one of the four stamps issued by the Royal Mail to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
Captioned “Diversity and Community”, the stamp reflects a multi-faith community and the cultural diversity of contemporary British society, a news release stated.
The stamp features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions and is representative of all faiths and none.
“The background shows aspects of both rural and urban Britain and includes some of the many different places of worship that are found around the United Kingdom,” the release noted.
Presented in a miniature sheet, the stamps illustrate the Coronation ceremony and the traditional street party, as well as some of the causes His Majesty has dedicated his years of public service to.
This includes cultural diversity and community, the global ties of the Commonwealth, which he now leads, and sustainability and biodiversity.
This is only the third time in history that Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a Coronation. The previous two occasions were for King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
“Royal Mail is proud to issue this set of commemorative stamps which celebrate the Coronation, and some of the causes which His Majesty has championed throughout his many years of public service,” Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said. “This is only the third time we have issued Coronation stamps and I am delighted that they mark the start of a new reign and a new chapter in our history,” Thompson added.
The stamps were designed by Atelier Works and feature newly commissioned wood engravings by British artist Andrew Davidson.
Royal Mail will also be applying a special postmark to stamped mail to mark the event. The postmark will run from April 28 until May 10.
Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday said “casteist” and “communal” political parties are having sleepless nights ahead of the urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh due to her party giving a proper representation to the Muslim community in these elections.
“Politics has heated up here due to the BSP giving a proper representation to the Muslim community in the elections for the mayors’ posts in 17 municipal corporations. Casteist and communal parties are having sleepless nights due to this,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi.
“The BSP is an Ambedkarwadi (Ambedkarite) party that follows the policy and principle of ‘sarvajan hitay’ and ‘sarvajan sukhay’ and has formed its government in Uttar Pradesh four times on that basis. It always gave proper representation to Muslims and other communities. Therefore, I appeal to people to pay more attention to their own interests and not to the conspiracies of our rivals,” she added.
Of the 17 mayoral seats, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Muslim candidates on 11, which is being seen as a move to split the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank.
The urban local body polls are scheduled to be held on May 4 and May 11 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 13.
Attacks on Muslims continued well into the month of March in India, as violence against minorities went on unabated. March was already stained with more lynchings and the rise of cow vigilantes like Monu Manesar, Puneeth Karehalli and Radha Semwal Dhoni to name a few.
As Ramzan began in March, it also also welcomed Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanthi, both Hindu festivals sprinkled with hate speech and objection over namaz offerings in different places. The violence, which took place last year as well, created an atmosphere of anarchy and unrest amongst the minority community in non-BJP ruled states such as Bihar and West Bengal.
This article is a part of Siasat.com’s hate-crime tracker which chronicles atrocities against Muslims in India. The tracker chronicles everything from verbal discrimination, assault and lynching/murder each month of the year, and a report will be published.
March 2: A Mazar (Muslim shrine) was demolished by right-wing worker Radha Semwal Dhoni and her colleagues claiming it was built on state land. The incident happened in Uttarakhand. A video has emerged where two men are seen breaking the shrine with hammers.
Radha Semwal Dhoni with Hindutva priest Narsinghanand Saraswati
March 9: A 47-year-old Muslim man was lynched by a Hindu mob who accused him and his nephew of carrying beef. The incident happened in Rasulpur of Chhapra district, Bihar on March 7.
In a press release, police said that three people have been arrested and the hunt is on for the remaining accused. According to Maktoob Media, the deceased Naseeb Qureshi and his nephew Firoz Qureshi were returning home when they were attacked by a mob of 10-15 people.
While Qureshi was brutally beaten with sticks and sharp weapons, his nephew managed to escape. However, when he approached the police to rescue his uncle, he received callous behaviour.
March 14: Fifteen people were detained by the police on Tuesday after alleged stone pelting was reported on a mosque, an Urdu medium school and a few Muslim houses during a Hindu bike rally to unveil the statue of Sangolli Rayanna in Haveri district, Karnataka. Reports suggest that a similar rally was carried out and a few members of the Muslim community were alleged to have pelted stones.
The mob allegedly also threatened the children going to the school and pelted stones at the nearby mosque, and the nearby Urdu school was also pelted with stones.
March 15: A case was registered in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar against suspended BJP MLA from Telangana T Raja Singh after a video of his vitriolic speech targeting Muslims went viral on social media.
Suspended Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh
“Whoever speaks against Hindus, we will not spare them,” Singh said to a rousing saffron crowd comprising mostly youth in Rahta tehsil. “In our Hindu Rashtra you won’t even get a loudspeaker to do what you do five times a day,” he said in an apparent reference to Muslims offering prayers.
March 17: Two meat vendors were allegedly beaten up and robbed by seven men, including three Delhi Police personnel, in east Delhi’s Shahdara, a senior officer said. The incident took place in the Anand Vihar area when the two meat vendors were travelling in their car and hit a scooter. The accused, alleged to be ‘gau rakshaks’, urinated on the victims’ faces and threatened to kill them, the police said.
March 19: Members of a right-wing group, Hindu Jan Garjana Morcha, attacked a women’s public washroom, among other acts of violence in an attempt to remove the name ‘Aurangabad’ from its board.
According to reports, the incident took place during a march organised by the Sakal Hindu Ekatrikaran Samiti. The rally witnessed speeches by the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News Suresh Chavhanke who used derogatory terms to address Muslims whilst slamming Aurangzeb.
“There is no body of Arungzeb in his grave, Marahatas have done with him what America did with Osama bin Laden,” claimed Chavhanke challenging history writers to dig up his grave.
March 25: Workers of the right-wing organisation Bajrang Dal allegedly assaulted a Muslim man who was with his Hindu female friend at a park in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. They accused him of promoting ‘Love Jihad’.
A video went viral on social media platforms wherein the Hindutva members can be seen questioning the young man while the girl pleads with them to let go.
March 27: After reports of a young Muslim man being arrested by the Vadgaon police in Maharashtra emerged, Hindutva groups took out a rally in Sawarde village demanding the accused’s family be exiled.
According to a local Marathi news Lokmat, the accused – Mohammed Momim – had put up a Whatsapp status on Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in reference to the recent name change of the city of Aurangabad.
Disturbing:-
A Muslim man in Kolhapur had kept a video as his WhatsApp status.
That video praised Aurangzeb.
The police arrested him and charged him for hurting religious sentiments.
Mohammed Momim was finally arrested by the police under Section 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code.
However, matters did not end here. Hindutva organisations took out a bike rally demanding the Sarpanch of the village declare Momim’s family as outcasts. They wanted the family to leave the village for good.
March 27: A group of right-wing organisation men objected to the offering of Taraweeh prayers by some Muslims in Lajpat Nagar of Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh.
Rashtriya Bajrang Dal men, led by its state president Rohan Saxena, barged into the house of one Zakir Hussain who was praying along with his family. Saxena alleged this was creating an atmosphere of panic nearby. A notice was issued to one Zakir Hussain and nine others.
Notice to Zakir Hussain & 9 others for reading Namaz at Hussain’s godown. Notice says they might disturb peace and asks why shouldn’t they execute bonds with Rs. 5 lakh surety. So reading namaz at private property disturbs peace,but those protesting against it are ensuring peace. pic.twitter.com/DsdzsvgKJ8
March 27: Leaders from the ruling BJP delivered an Islamophobic speech in full swing at the Digital Hindu Conclave held on March 18.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra, Kajal Shingala aka Kajal Hindusthani and far-right author Kshitij Patukale compared minorities, particularly those belonging to the Muslim community, to snakes. She called for violence, as the only way to attain Akhand Bharat besides raising the topic of ‘Love Jihad.’
Kajal Shingala said that there can never be brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims and called out those who support secularism and peace between the two communities as a “sinking ship”.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra spoke about ‘Love Jihad’. Taking the recent murder of Shraddha Walker, whose live-in partner Aftab Poonawala stored her chopped body in a refrigerator, he said, “There will come a day when we will see ads like keep fruits in the fridge, not ‘Shraddha’.”
March 28: Amid the ongoing Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri, cow vigilantes and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders forcibly shut down meat shops in several localities.
Videos of BJP leader Ravindra Singh on rounds in the Muslim locality Mandawali Fazalpur in Vinod Nagar of West Delhi surfaced on social media. He demanded local meat traders shut down all nine days of the Hindu festival Navratri which commenced on March 22 (Pratipada Tithi) and ended on March 30 (Navami Tithi).
Chicken shops in the Muslim locality of Mandawali Fazalpur in Vinod Nagar West, Delhi, have been shut down by BJP leader Ravindra Singh in honour of Navratri. pic.twitter.com/OZcIj5cfRj
March 30: A mob of more than 500 persons allegedly attacked policemen in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad wherein a few young men belonging to the Hindu and Muslim communities clashed, police said.
The incident took place in Kiradpura which has a renowned Ram Temple. People belonging to both communities shouted slogans followed by stone pelting at each other.
#Maharashtra | A clash broke out between two groups in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s #Kiradpura area
Stones were pelted, some private & police vehicles were set on fire. Police used force to disperse the people and now the situation is peaceful. Police will take strict action… pic.twitter.com/vVoQK2chZk
March 30: Stones were hurled at a Ram Navami procession in the Fatehpura area of Gujarat’s Vadodara city. While some vehicles got damaged, no one was reported injured. The procession passed along its planned route under police protection.
Gujarat | Stone-pelting happened today in Vadodara during Rama Navami Shoba Yatra. As per the police, the situation is under control & peace is prevailing in the affected area. pic.twitter.com/5BGMpxivBy
March 30: The Tamil Nadu Police arrested seven persons including a juvenile for allegedly forcing a woman to remove her hijab at the Vellore Fort Complex in Tamil Nadu.
The woman had gone to the fort along with her friend when she was surrounded by the men who demanded her to remover the hijab. One of them shot the incident on a phone and uploaded it on social media platforms which went viral.
March 30: The Karnataka police lathi-charged Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists when their protest against the recital of the Quran at a historical Hindu religious fair turned violent in Beluru town.
The Hindu organisations had given a bandh call in Beluru town. The situation turned volatile when a Muslim young man raised the slogan “Quran Zindabad” amid the protest.
March 31: After Jalgaon and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Hindu and Muslim groups clashed in the minority-dominated Malvani area of the Malad west suburb during a Ram Navami procession after locals objected to loud DJ music played during the Hindu religious procession. Enraged, some of the participants allegedly indulged in pelting stones, sparking panic.
Location: Malad, Mumbai
People who were part of a Ram Navami rally stopped outside a mosque in Malwani and raised provocative slogans, causing tension in the area. Police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. pic.twitter.com/5I6GGgn0HE
Hyderabad: Protests were organised in different parts of the world by members of the Shia Muslim community to mark the 100th year anniversary of the destruction of the shrines and tombs of prophet Muhammad’s family in Al-Baqi cemetery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Shiites around the world mourn and protest on Shawwal 8 every year to strongly condemn the “disrespect towards the family of the Prophet” and demand the immediate construction of this cemetery from the current government of Saudi Arabia.
Shia Muslims, followers of the lineage of Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali and daughter Fatima, across the world protest on this day to voice their demand to rebuild the graves and tombs destroyed by the House of Saud and the followers of Wahabbism on Shawwal 8 (11th month of the Islamic calendar), 1345 AH.
The Islamic calendar is currently in its 1444th year Anno Hegirae (AH), or ‘Year of the Hijrah’ or after Hijrah.
Protests were organised in Hyderabad, India, and Washington DC, USA to mark Inhedam-e-Jannat-Al-Baqi or the Destruction of al-Baqi.
‘Rebuild Al-Baqi’ protests in Hyderabad, India
Members of the Shia Muslim community organised a protest at Dharna Chow, Indira Park on Friday,
The protest was organised by Jannat-ul-Baqee Organization, led by its president Mir Sohail Ali. Prominent scholars and speakers of the community including Kamran Haider, Asghar Effendi, and Hanan Razvi delivered speeches and voiced their demands.
The protesters held banners and raised slogans condemning the demolition of Al-Baqi, where the daughter and grandsons of the prophet were laid to rest.
‘Rebuild Baqi’ protest in the United States:
Shiites in Washington DC also held a protest in front of the Saudi Embassy in Washington DC on Friday. Scholars of the Muslim community attempted to submit a memorandum over their demands to the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.
However, despite protocols in place allowing such memorandums, it was turned down by the embassy officials.
Muslim scholar Saiyed Mehboob Mehdi Abedi Al Najafi concluding the protest pledged that the community from this day onwards will work towards rebuilding the “holy tombs at Al-Baqi”.
A freshman in high school, Zaina Khan, at the demonstration stated “This is not a Shia issue, this is not a Sunni issue; this is a humanatiarian rights issue. They (Saudi monarchy), are the biggest threat to humanitarian rights, Shia rights.”
Amid showers in the city, demonstrators have travelled from Illinois, Atlanta, Texas, Wisconsin, and beyond to commemorate the day.
Here are visuals from the protest:
Saudi, Iran ties
With improving ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran the community is hopeful for the reconstruction of the tombs.
When Saudi Arabia and Iran buried the hatchet in Beijing, it was a game-changing moment both for a Middle East shaped by their decades-old rivalry, and for China’s growing influence in the oil-rich region.
Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a deal in March to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions in the two countries within two months.
In a meeting held in Beijing on April 6, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud signed a joint statement, announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect.
Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 in response to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran after the kingdom executed a Shia cleric.
SRINAGAR: After a gap of 32 years, Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country on Friday thronged the Regenya Mata Asthapan temple at the Badipora area of Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district and performed Maha Yagye (Hawan).
They expressed joy over returning to their native village after a long time and celebrating the festival. They said the event was a “symbol of hope and reconciliation” for all the communities in the valley.
Setting an example of communal harmony and brotherhood, the local Muslims came together to extend best wishes to Pandits and helped the devotees in the smooth celebration of the religious event.
‘’This event was held after 32 years and we received a lot of love from the local residents,” a local devotee, Bhushan Lal Koul said, adding that the love and warmth they received from the muslim brethren made us all emotional.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam S F Hamid also paid a visit to the temple and participated in the Hawan.
“Seeing Muslims and Pandits attending each other’s functions after a 32-year break is a testament to our community’s brotherhood and solidarity,” the DC said, adding, “This event showcased the changing ground realities in the region where Kashmiri Pandits are gradually returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives.” (KNO)
