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Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

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Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

Toeing the expected political line in regard to Punjab Minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s visit to Islamabad for participating in Imran Khan’s oath taking ceremony as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Bhartiya Janata Party has strongly criticized him for hugging Pakistan’s army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa twice and occupying seat next to PoK President Masood Khan during the ceremony.

However, despite criticism, Navjot Sidhu has expressed hope that ties between the two countries will improve during Imran Khan’s stint. He said that Pakistan’s military and political leadership was inclined towards improving ties with India.

BJP has demanded that Congress President Rahul Gandhi that he should act against Sidhu for his behavior in Islamabad. Government of India doesn’t recognize Masood and holds no elected Indian representative should share a platform with PoK President.

Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

Navjot Singh Sidhu, immediately reacted for BJP’s allegations and clarified saying, “Bajwa came to me and said we were thinking of opening the Kartapur route on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev”.

Earlier, while talking to Pakistan’s state run PTV, Sidhu used his usual poetic expressions to prais Imran Khan and hoped that his accession to the PM’s position will be good for the India-Pakistan peace process. He said, “A new morning is here in Pakistan with a new government which can change the destiny of the country.”

Read More: Imran Khan sworn in as 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan

India and Pakistan have held no substantive dialogue since December 2015 when Sushma Swaraj, the External Affairs Minister visited Islamabad for a multilateral conference.

Imran Khan, while addressing the nation, after getting highest number of seats in National Assembly, made it clear that Kashmir remained the core issue for Pakistan and mentioned the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in the Valley. Government of India believes that the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is under illegitimate control of Pakistan as it is, like the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, an integral part of India.

Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

On his arrival in Lahore, Navjot Singh Sidhu had reportedly said that Imran Khan should come forward in a peace initiative between the two countries. He said that he brought “a message of love” to Pakistan as a goodwill ambassador of India. “I have come here not as a politician but as a friend. I have come here to take part in he happiness of my friend (Imran).”

Read More: Imran Khan: No Foreign Dignitaries to be invited for Oath Ceremony

BJP activists had protested against Navjot Singh Sidhu in Ludhiana on Saturday for his decision to visit Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. One of the protesters leader reportedly said,“How could he attend Imran Khan’s oath-taking ceremony and hug Pakistan’s Army Chief being Punjab’s cabinet minister when India is mourning the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee”. They demanded explanation from the Congress party.  Haryana Minister Anil Vij called it “an act of disloyalty”.

Reacting to BJP’s opposition to Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Pakistan visit, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar said, “Navjot Singh Sidhu attended oath taking ceremony of Imran Khan because he was invited. One sportsperson has invited another sportsperson. Navjot Singh Sidhu went there with the spirit of a sportsperson and I hope that the sportsman spirit will prevail over the animosity existing between the two countries”.

Two days before Sidhu’s visit to Pakistan, Subramaniam Swami, senior BJP leader had advised him not to visit Pakistan. He even said that Sidhu has lost his mental balance. This had indicated that BJP will use any opportunity to criticise Sidhu’s participation in Imran Khan’s oath ceremony.

While speaking to an Indian TV channel from Islamabad on Saturday evening, Navjot Singh Sidhu thanked Pakistanis for giving him love and respect. He expressed hope that Imran Khan would improve relations between the two countries. He said that Pakistani leaders including Imrah Khan have expressed their willingness to improve ties with India.

Imran Khan had also invited former Indian cricket captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev and cine star Salman Khan for the oath ceremony. However, Sidhu chose to go across and attend the event.

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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