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Fatwas don’t scare teenage idol Afrin

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Nahid Afrin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]16-year-old singer ready to face the music, Twitter stands with her

By Sucheta Dasgupta

India’s progressives are standing up for what they believe in. And this time, a youngster is leading the way.

This week, as many as 46 Muslim clerics ganged up on teenager and reality TV singing star Nahid Afrin, asking her to stop performing in public in view of a show slated for March 25 which was to be held in Udali Sonai Bibi College in Lanka, Assam. The venue is incidentally in the vicinity of a mosque and graveyard and a leaflet, written in Assamese, states that musical nights are “anti-Sharia”.

However, the spunky girl has refused to bow to pressures and has declared her intention to continue with her musical career.

The Class X student, who lives in Biswanath Chariali, a town in northern Assam, has been quoted in the media as saying, “I am speechless. I think my music is God’s gift to me. I will never bow down to it (such rulings) and never leave singing.” Understandably, though, she had broken down in tears on hearing news of the “fatwa” (at least, she was told that it was one, before Scroll later reported that it was just an open letter).

Afrin, who has many fans in her state for her beautiful renditions of the verses composed by the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, was first runner-up in the musical reality TV show, Indian Idol Junior. She made her Bollywood debut in 2016, becoming the voice of Sonakshi Sinha in the film, Akira.

Many, including The Times Of India, believe Afrin incurred the wrath of the clerics by singing against Islamic State terrorism.

Afrin’s stance drew support from Muslim intelligentsia on Twitter.

“Nahid Afrin is a brave girl. All of us should raise our voice in her support! Down with Fatwa-espousing irrelevant Radicals,” BJP leader Shazia Ilmi tweeted. The writer and feminist, Taslima Nasreen, too, stood by her. “After getting fatwa from 46 mullahs in Assam, 16-yr-old Nahid Afrin said she’ll never bow down and will never leave singing. Bravo girl!” she wrote.

Perhaps, their vocal support caused the following semi-retraction. 

“Even though Shariat does not allow singing and dancing, the ulema should think their approach towards the issue. If someone is doing something that is against the shariat, declaring fatwas only complicate the issue and lead to misunderstanding,” cleric Umer Ilyasi said.

And now, Scroll reports that the purported fatwa is, in fact, just an open letter signed by 46 office bearers of the Assam State Jamiat Ulama and teachers from various madrassas around the state. The secretary of the Assam State Jamiat Ulama, Maulvi Fazlul Karim Qasimi, was quoted by the website as saying that no fatwa has been issued in this case. 

NDTV, too, apologised for reporting the unverified news.

Notably, Afrin’s stand is a departure from that of actor and Dangal star Zaira Wasim, also 16, who apologised on Twitter and Facebook for essaying the role of Indian wrestling icon Geeta Phogat in the movie, and for ‘acting’ ‘in Bollywood’, in face of opposition from Kashmiri separatists and Islamic fundamentalists, this January.

Afrin’s mother is also backing her daughter’s decision. “The organisers of the musical night told us that the programme on March 25 will not be cancelled,” she told the media. The state CM has expressed his government’s support for her career and police said Nahid and her family would be provided security cover during the event, and that’s good to hear.

So let’s contemplate a slightly different question. A Twitter user has written, “#Padmavati and #NahidAfrin cases prove that no matter which religion it is, India is not a country for artists. #RIPIndianArt.” Thoughts, anyone?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

BJP, AIADMK walk out of Tamil Nadu assembly over budget and rupee symbol controversy

Tamil Nadu’s BJP and AIADMK MLAs walked out of the Assembly, protesting the DMK’s budget, rupee symbol swap, and alleged TASMAC scam, intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2025 elections.

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Tamil Nadu Assembly during budget session

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday as the state’s 2025-26 budget was being presented. The opposition parties accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of presenting an unproductive budget while also protesting the controversial rupee symbol swap and allegations of corruption in the state-run liquor agency, TASMAC.

BJP Calls Budget a ‘Cover-Up’

BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit chief, K Annamalai, termed the budget an “eye-washing exercise” and criticized the government for not addressing key concerns. “Our four MLAs walked out for a simple reason—the whole budget is an eye-wash. There is nothing productive about it,” Annamalai said.

The walkout highlights the growing tension between the DMK and opposition parties, particularly as the state gears up for next year’s Assembly elections. Tamil Nadu has traditionally been resistant to BJP’s nationalist politics, making the upcoming polls a critical test for the party.

Re-Ru Swap Sparks Controversy

The budget presentation also reignited the ‘Re-Ru’ symbol controversy, with the BJP strongly opposing the replacement of the rupee symbol (Re) in the budget logo with the Tamil letter (Ru), which is commonly used to denote currency in the state.

Annamalai accused the DMK of creating unnecessary division. “The Tamil Nadu government wanted to change the rupee symbol and created so much ruckus,” he stated. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also slammed the change, calling it a “secessionist move” that signals a “dangerous mindset.”

The DMK, however, defended the decision. Party leader Saravanan Annadurai dismissed the controversy, stating, “There is nothing illegal… This is not a ‘showdown’. We prioritize Tamil, and that is why we went with this.”

Liquor Scam Allegations

Apart from the rupee symbol row, the BJP and AIADMK also targeted the DMK over alleged financial irregularities in TASMAC, the state-run liquor agency. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan cited an Enforcement Directorate (ED) report that flagged multiple irregularities and unaccounted cash worth Rs 1,000 crore.

“Our walkout is on two issues—the first is the ED’s findings of financial irregularities in TASMAC, and the second is the disrespect shown to the rupee symbol,” Srinivasan said.

AIADMK’s Position

The AIADMK, which has been cautious in its stance on the ‘Hindi imposition’ debate, has been more vocal in attacking the DMK over the alleged liquor scam. Party leader and former Chief Minister E Palaniswami led a walkout of over 60 AIADMK MLAs, demanding the immediate resignation of the DMK government over the allegations.

The opposition parties are drawing parallels between the Tamil Nadu TASMAC scam and the Delhi excise policy case, which led to the BJP’s resurgence in the national capital.

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Shiv Sena leader shot dead in Punjab’s Moga after being chased on bike

Shiv Sena leader Mangat Rai Manga was fatally shot in Punjab’s Moga after being chased on a bike. A 12-year-old boy was also injured. Police have initiated an investigation.

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Shiv Sena leader Mangat Rai Manga shot dead in Punjab’s Moga

In a shocking incident, a district president of a Shiv Sena faction, Mangat Rai Manga, was shot dead in Punjab’s Moga on Thursday night. The attack also left a 12-year-old boy injured, police confirmed on Friday.

Attack on Mangat Rai Manga

The incident took place around 10 pm when Manga had gone to buy milk. According to reports, three unidentified assailants opened fire at him, but the bullet missed and instead hit a young boy nearby. Sensing danger, Manga tried to escape on his two-wheeler but was pursued by the attackers. During the chase, they fired again, fatally hitting him before fleeing the scene.

Medical Response and Investigation

Police rushed Manga to the hospital, but doctors declared him ‘brought dead.’ Meanwhile, the injured child was first admitted to Moga Civil Hospital and later shifted to another medical facility for better treatment.

Authorities are currently investigating the case and verifying which faction of Shiv Sena Manga was associated with.

Reactions and Parallel Incidents

Joginder Sharma, national president of right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Shakti, expressed grief over the killing. “We got to know that some miscreants shot Manga dead. As soon as we got the information, we reached the hospital,” he said.

Manga’s daughter also demanded justice, stating that her father left home at 8 pm and was later informed at 11 pm about his death.

In another violent incident the same night, three motorcycle-borne attackers entered a salon in Bagiana Basti and opened fire on the owner, Devender Kumar. One bullet struck Kumar in the leg, after which he was taken to Moga Civil Hospital and later referred to another facility.

Police Investigation

DSP City Ravinder Singh confirmed that two shooting incidents took place on Thursday night—one at the salon and another on Stadium Road, where Manga was killed. “Manga’s body has been kept in the mortuary, and an investigation is underway,” he said.

Police are currently searching for the assailants and analyzing possible motives behind both shootings.

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PM Modi extends Holi greetings, calls festival a symbol of unity and enthusiasm

PM Modi, President Murmu, and Rajnath Singh extend Holi wishes, emphasizing unity, cultural richness, and the joy of the festival.

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PM Modi, President Murmu extend Holi greetings, emphasize unity

As India immerses itself in the vibrant hues of Holi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings, emphasizing the festival’s role in strengthening unity and bringing new energy to people’s lives.

“I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone’s life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen,” PM Modi shared on X.

President Murmu and Rajnath Singh share warm wishes

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted citizens on the auspicious occasion, highlighting Holi’s significance as a festival of unity and cultural heritage.

“Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love, and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India’s precious cultural heritage,” President Murmu posted on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his wishes, praying for happiness and good health for all.

“Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. May this festival fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health,” he said.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath celebrates at Gorakhnath Temple

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath marked the festival by applying gulal to cows and calves at Gorakhnath Temple, adding a traditional touch to the celebrations.

Across Uttar Pradesh, Holi celebrations have begun with immense enthusiasm. In Aligarh, people embraced each other and played with colors, embodying the festival’s spirit of togetherness.

Holi festivities bring joy and unity across India

The festival, known for its vibrant colors and joyous atmosphere, saw people across the country applying gulaal, dancing to folk music, and celebrating with friends and family. In Sambhal, processions were carried out before 2:30 PM, in accordance with arrangements for Jumma Namaz. Superintendent of Police KK Bishnoi assured that police deployment was in place to ensure a peaceful celebration.

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