Alarm bells for Munir : Revolt in Pak Occupied Kashmir
There is widespread revolt in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir during the last three days with people chasing away and beating up army soldiers on the streets. The Awami Action Committee has declared a fight to the finish.
Eight people have died so far and more than 100 injured in street violence sparked by firing from Pakistan Rangers. Thousands of people have started marching from towns, villages and hilly hamlets towards PoK’s capital Muzaffarabad from all directions. Huge containers were used to block the march, but the protesters threw the containers into the rivers.
Awami Action Committee leaders like Shaukat Mir are alleging that Asim Munir’s army has clamped ban on media coverage after ordering the armed to fire on protesters. The ground reality of ‘Azad Kashmir’ is now open.
The embers of revolt were already burning over the last several years, but on September 29, when Asim Munir sent a thousand soldiers to Muzaffarabad, it blew up. Soldiers fired on peaceful protesters killing two and injured dozens. In the beginning, the protest was confined to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, but later the entire PoK joined the movement. People are openly saying there is no difference between the army and terrorist outfits.
Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled PoK leader now based in Switzerland, has alleged that the ISI is using brute force to crush the movement, but the people will not rest till real freedom is achieved.
When the movement began, the demands were for basic facilities and against price rise, but now the protesters want the puppet government installed by the army be thrown out.
The voices of revolt are a warning signal for Asim Munir. It has caused a setback to his plans. PoK, which was being used by Pakistani army as launchpad for pushing armed infiltrators into India, is now reverberating with anti-army slogans. Asim Munir may not be getting a sound sleep at night.
The visuals from PoK are quite clear. People’s patience is fast running out, soldiers are firing on innocent civilians. Protesters are now openly saying they won’t allow the army and ISI to send armed infiltrators from PoK to Kashmir. Asim Munir will now have to find alternate methods to deal with the crisis.
RSS@100 : How Modi realized dreams of Sangh Parivar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the centenary celebration of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which completed 100 years of its existence on Vijayadashami this year.
Modi released a Rs 100 commemorative coin depicting Bharat Mata and the national emblem and a special postage stamp.
In his speech, Modi said, he is proud of being a swayamsevak of RSS, which has been engaged in character building and uniting society, right from the dark days of Partition till today. “Nation first” is the motto of RSS, he said.
Modi spoke from the depth of his heart on what he learnt as a swayamsevak and what he observed over the last seven decades.
He said, his government has decided to work on mission mode to tackle the problems arising from demographic change. At the same time, he reminded people that RSS has always worked for eradicating the evils of caste system and untouchability in Hindu society.
One can have differences with the ideology of RSS, but nobody can raise a finger at its patriotism. For the last 100 years, RSS had been the target of abuses and allegations. It was alleged that RSS was behind the assassination of Gandhi, it was also alleged that RSS is outrightly anti-Muslim, but today Prime Minister Modi spelled out in detail the humanitarian service and patriotism of RSS.
For the first time, any Prime Minister in India spoke about the heritage of RSS and its contribution to society.
What bigger gift can be than this fulsome praise by the Prime Minister for RSS in its 100th year? Throughout his life, Modi worked tirelessly as a pracharak of RSS and when he became Prime Minister, he fulfilled the Sangh Parivar’s dreams by abrogating Article 370 and building the Ram Janmasthan Temple in Ayodhya. Who else but Modi can be the best ‘pracharak’ for RSS in its 100th year?
Solution to Kashmir’s problems : India should get POK
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated India’s resolve to get back Pak Occupied Kashmir while speaking at Chatham House in London. A Pakistani journalist tried to embarrass the Minister by raising the Kashmir issue. Jaishankar said: “On Kashmir, I think, we have done a good job solving most of it. Removing Article 370 was step number one, restoring growth and economic activity and social justice in Kashmir was step number two, and holding elections with a very high turnout was step number three. I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation; when that is done, I assure you Kashmir will be solved.” The questioner knew that Pakistan has occupied a part of Jammu & Kashmir, and has been using POK as a launch pad for terrorists infiltrating into India. What Jaishankar said is the aspiration of every Indian. It is, to get the rest of J&K. This has been the aspiration of India for last several decades. What Jaishankar said was to remind the rest of the world that Pakistan has illegally occupied a large part of Kashmir. Jaishankar mentioned the large turnout in the recently held assembly elections to drive home the point that there is Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Insaniyat (humanity) in Kashmir. He also referred to revocation of Article 370 and Kashmir’s economic growth in last few years. Jaishankar could make these points because Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown that there can be peace with growth in the Valley.
Did Shami commit a sin by not observing Ramzan fast?
Some Islamic clerics have criticized Team India’s bowler Mohammed Shami for not observing fast during Ramzan while playing in Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. A photo of Shami having energy drink from a bottle was circulated on social media, and immediately some fanatics started trolling him. The chief of All India Muslim Jamaat Shahabuddin Rizvi Barelvi described it as a sin and he has said that he must face punishment for insulting Islamic tradition during Ramzan. Targeting cricketers has become a national pastime. First Rohit Sharma was targeted because of his fitness, and now Mohammed Shami. Those questioning why Shami did not observe fast, forget that he is out main strike bowler. Shami played a key role in defeating Pakistan and Australia. How can Shami perform well, if he does not have energy drink on the field? Those trolling Shami on grounds of religion, do not know the true Islamic teachings. Those clerics issuing fatwas and refusing to accept Shami as a true Muslim, are themselves not true Muslims. Twelve years ago, South African player Hashim Amla was asked why he did not observe Ramzan fast during a match. Amla replied: “In Islam, when you travel, there is no need to observe fast. When I will return home, I will do the needful.” Mohammed Shami should also ignore the publicity-hungry Maulanas. I am fully confident that Mohammed Shami will give his best during Sunday’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand and play a key role in making Team India the champions. The nation is and shall always remain proud of him.
Did RSS leader insult Marathi language?
Top RSS leader Bhaiyaji Joshi’s remarks about Marathi language at an event in Mumbai has led to Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders staging protest, alleging “insult to Marathi”. Joshi had told a gathering that “it is not essential to learn Marathi if you come to Mumbai to stay”. MVA leaders made this an issue. Actually, Joshi had not “insulted” Marathi language. He had only said that people speaking Marathi, Hindi Gujarat and other languages live in Mumbai and this is the city’s uniqueness. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged that RSS and BJP want to divide Maharashtra and are insulting Marathi pride. Later, RSS leader Bhaiyaji Joshi clarified that he himself was a Marathi and was proud of being so. He said, Marathi language belongs to both Mumbai and Maharashtra. Let me make it clear. Bhaiyaji Joshi did not insult the people of Mumbai, nor did he insult Marathi language. But Uddhav Thackeray and his alliance partners tried to make it an issue. The main reason is, BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) elections are due soon and Uddhav Thackeray is fearing defeat. That is why his party is trying to pit Marathi voters against BJP and is targeting Joshi for his remarks on Marathi language.