India News

BJP: Shahnawaz Hussain attracts Tripura Muslims

Published

8 years ago

February 11, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a new twist in Tripura assembly election campaign, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, a Muslim face in the party, has said that Muslims in Tripura are patriots who did not go to Pakistan after Independence though the state shares a long border with Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan till 1971.

While addressing a public meeting in support of his party’s candidate in Muslim dominated Boxanagar constituency on Saturday, Shahnawaz Hussain said that thousands of Muslims were killed while performing ‘namaz’ at mosques in Pakistan, but not a single such incident had ever occurred in India.

While trying to re-assure Muslims about his party’s “secular” character, he said, “BJP is not a party of only Narendra Modi, but also a party of Shahnawaz Hussain. It is a party of the common people and it is a secular party, not communal party.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Hussain, who is also party’s spokesperson, said that after the country’s partition in 1947, Muslims did not migrate to East Pakistan and chose to stay in Tripura because they are a patriotic force.

BJP’s Muslim leader’s comments during the ongoing campaign in Tripura came at a time when another BJP member of parliament (MP) Vinay Katiyar has recently said that “Muslims should not even living in this country, they should go to Pakistan of Bangladesh”.

Tripura Muslims comprise around 8% of the population in the state. Tripura has a long border with Bangladesh and many Muslims living near the border were evicted or faced various other problems due to erection of the border fencing. He alleged that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar never raised the issue with Central government.

He recalled that when he was civil aviation minister in previous NDA government he started direct Haj flights to Saudi Arabia from Guwahati. He criticised state’s ruling CPI(M) led Left Front for branding BJP as a communal party. Instead, Hussain claimed that in reality communists are communal.

He referred to what communists did to Muslims in erstwhile USSR. He said, “Before the crumbling of USSR, many provinces of the country were Muslim majority such as Kazakstan and Uzbekistan. The communist rulers there had demolished mosques,” he added.

He claimed that BJP came to power in many states with a sizable portion of Muslim population including Assam, UP and Jammu and Kashmir.

He advised Muslims in the state that “Our best friends are Hindus. We all Muslims should be proud that we were born in India. You would never find friends like Hindus and a country like India.”

However, he admitted that in a country of 125 crore there might be some stray incidents of communal violence.

Observers believe that statements like what Shahnawaz Hussian in Tripura election public rally are now rarely heard from any BJP leader. Instead, top leadership remain silent over provocative statements from party cadre and its offshoot groups.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Shashi Tharoor warns US tariffs on Iran could make Indian exports unviable

Shashi Tharoor has warned that cumulative US tariffs linked to Iran trade could rise to 75%, making most Indian exports to America commercially unviable.

Published

5 hours ago

January 15, 2026

[email protected]

Congress MP and chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor has expressed serious concern over the United States’ latest tariff announcement targeting countries that continue to trade with Iran, warning that such measures could severely impact Indian exporters.

Reacting to the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, Tharoor said Indian companies would struggle to remain competitive if cumulative tariffs rise to 75%. He noted that India was already at a disadvantage compared to several regional competitors.

Tharoor said he had been troubled by the US tariff regime from the outset, pointing out that India was initially subjected to a 25% tariff while rival exporting nations in Southeast Asia were charged significantly lower rates. According to him, countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh faced tariffs ranging between 15% and 19% on labour-intensive goods exported to the US.

He explained that the situation had worsened with additional sanctions-linked duties. With the existing 25% tariff, another 25% related to Russia-linked sanctions, and a further 25% tied to Iran-related measures, the total burden could rise to 75%. At that level, Tharoor said, most Indian exports would no longer be commercially viable in the American market.

While noting that certain sectors such as pharmaceuticals may continue to export as they are not heavily impacted by sanctions, he warned that other key export categories would be hit hard. Tharoor described the situation as very serious and said it required urgent attention.

The Congress MP also expressed hope that the newly appointed US Ambassador could help facilitate progress on a bilateral trade agreement. He stressed that India could not afford to wait through the entire year for a deal and said an agreement should ideally be concluded in the first quarter of 2026.

Commenting on recent diplomatic engagements between India and the US, Tharoor underlined the need for faster consensus on trade issues. He said that at tariff levels as high as 75%, the idea of a meaningful trade deal loses relevance. According to him, a rate closer to what the UK enjoys with the US, around 15%, would reflect the respect due to a strategic partner.

Tharoor’s remarks come after President Trump announced that any country continuing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, a move that has raised concerns among several trading partners.

India News

Indian Army symbolizes selfless service and duty, says PM Modi on Army Day

PM Narendra Modi on Army Day praised the Indian Army as a symbol of selfless service and unwavering duty, saluting the courage and sacrifice of its soldiers.

Published

5 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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On the occasion of Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to the Indian Army, describing its soldiers as a symbol of selfless service who protect the nation with unwavering resolve, even in the most challenging circumstances.

In a message shared on social media platform X, the prime minister said the country salutes the courage and steadfast commitment of Indian Army personnel. He noted that their dedication to duty inspires confidence and gratitude among citizens across the country.

“Our soldiers stand as a symbol of selfless service, safeguarding the nation with steadfast resolve, at times under the most challenging conditions,” PM Modi said. He added that the nation remembers with deep respect those who have laid down their lives while serving the country.

Army Day is observed every year on January 15 to commemorate a historic moment in India’s military history. The day marks the appointment of Field Marshal K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949, when he took over from British officer General Sir F R R Bucher.

The occasion serves as a reminder of the Indian Army’s role in defending the country’s sovereignty and honour, as well as the sacrifices made by its personnel in the line of duty.

India News

Air India, IndiGo flights disrupted after Iran shuts airspace amid US tensions

International flights operated by Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet were disrupted after Iran shut its airspace, forcing rerouting and cancellations.

Published

5 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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International flights operated by Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet were disrupted on Thursday after Iran abruptly shut its airspace to commercial aircraft, triggering delays and cancellations on several long-haul routes.

Iran ordered the closure of its airspace without providing an official explanation, as tensions remain elevated between Tehran and Washington and protests continue across the country against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Indian airlines issue travel advisories

Air India said its flights overflying the region are now operating through alternative routes, resulting in longer flight times and possible delays. The airline also confirmed that some services have been cancelled where rerouting is not feasible.

“Due to the emerging situation in Iran and the subsequent closure of its airspace, Air India flights overflying the region are using alternate routing, which may lead to delays. Some flights are being cancelled where rerouting is currently not possible,” the airline said in a statement on social media.

Passengers were advised to check flight status before travelling to the airport, with the airline reiterating that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

IndiGo also acknowledged disruptions to its international network, describing the situation as a “sudden airspace closure” beyond the airline’s control. The carrier said it is working to assist affected passengers by offering alternative travel options.

Customers have been advised to use flexible rebooking options or claim refunds, depending on their preference.

SpiceJet issued a similar advisory, confirming that some of its flights have been impacted due to the closure of Iranian airspace.

Airspace shutdown linked to regional security concerns

According to official notices issued to pilots, Iran’s airspace closure is expected to remain in place until 7:30 am local time. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows earlier shutdowns during military confrontations involving Israel earlier this year.

Aviation risk monitoring platforms have noted that several international airlines are already avoiding Iranian airspace, citing concerns over possible military activity, air defence operations and the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft.

The situation continues to be monitored closely, with further disruptions possible if the airspace restrictions are extended.