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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]

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Congress slams Bhagwant Mann govt after protesting farmers removed from Sambhu border, says Punjab will avenge the backstabbing

Her remarks came after Punjab Police removed protesting farmers from the border and detained several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher.

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The Congress on Thursday criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for their handling of the farmers’ protest at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, accusing them of “backstabbing” the farmers.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “AAP showed its true character yesterday. We should not forget that Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi government was the first state government to pass the three black farm laws. It is unbelievable that a party born out of a movement would resort to ending the farmers’ movement in this manner. Punjab will definitely take revenge for this backstabbing.”

Her remarks came after Punjab Police removed protesting farmers from the border and detained several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher.

Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, echoed similar sentiments, calling AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “two sides of the same coin.” He alleged that the crackdown on farmers was politically motivated to ensure the victory of AAP’s candidate in the Ludhiana West bye-election, which could pave the way for Arvind Kejriwal to become a Rajya Sabha member.

“This was expected from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Why did they betray the farmers? On one hand, they called the farmers for a meeting, and then they detained them. BJP and AAP are two sides of the same coin. The Haryana government has also started evacuating the borders. They want to ensure that their candidate wins the Ludhiana West bye-election so that Kejriwal can enter the Rajya Sabha,” Bajwa said.

The farmers, united under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Union, had been protesting at the Shambhu border, demanding various concessions from the government. On Wednesday, Punjab Police dismantled temporary structures at the protest site and detained several farmer leaders, sparking outrage among the farming community.

In response to the crackdown, farmers staged a protest march to the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Karnal on Thursday.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the government’s actions, stating that the borders needed to be reopened for the sake of Punjab’s economy and youth. He urged farmers to protest in Delhi or elsewhere, as their demands are directed at the Central government.

“The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black farm laws. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government. It has been more than a year, and the Shambhu and Khanauri borders are closed. Traders and the youth of Punjab are very upset. When traders can do business, the youth will get employment and stay away from drugs,” Cheema told ANI.

“Today’s action has been taken because we want the youth of Punjab to get employment. We want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government, and they should stage a protest in Delhi or somewhere else but should not block the roads of Punjab,” he added.

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Curfew lifted in parts of Nagpur three days after violence over Aurangzeb tomb issue

These individuals are among 50 accused named in four First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with Monday’s violence.

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The curfew imposed in several areas of Nagpur has been lifted or relaxed, three days after violent clashes rocked the city, said the officials on Thursday, March 20.

The unrest erupted on Monday night when mobs went on a rampage following rumours that a ‘chadar’ (cloth) with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The protests were demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

In response to the violence, curfews were imposed in multiple police station areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar.

On Thursday, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal ordered the lifting of the curfew in Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar areas starting at 2 p.m. Additionally, the curfew was relaxed in Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, and Imambada from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow residents to purchase essential items.

Meanwhile, the cybercrime police have taken action against individuals accused of spreading misinformation and inciting violence during the unrest. Officials confirmed that six people have been booked on charges of sedition and spreading false information on social media. These individuals are among 50 accused named in four First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with Monday’s violence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Lohit Matani stated that the cybercrime department has requested information from social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, regarding 230 profiles suspected of spreading misinformation. The department has also sought to block these accounts to prevent further escalation of tensions.

The partial lifting of the curfew marks a step toward normalcy in Nagpur, but authorities remain vigilant to ensure peace and order in the city. Investigations into the violence and the role of social media in fueling the unrest are ongoing.

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Centre approves Rs 7,000 crore acquisition of indigenous ATAGS artillery gun system

The Centre has approved the Rs 7,000 crore acquisition of the ATAGS, India’s first indigenously designed 155 mm artillery gun, marking a major step in self-reliance and military modernisation.

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ATAGS artillery gun system ready for deployment

In a significant move towards self-reliance in defence, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the acquisition of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) worth nearly Rs 7,000 crore. This marks a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to strengthening its armed forces with domestically developed technology.

Game-changer for Indian artillery

The ATAGS is the first indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 155 mm artillery gun system. It boasts a 52-calibre barrel, capable of achieving an extended firing range of up to 40 km. With its superior firepower, the ATAGS enhances lethality while reducing crew fatigue through automated deployment and target engagement.

This acquisition will significantly bolster the Indian Army’s operational preparedness, particularly along the western and northern borders, by replacing outdated 105 mm and 130 mm artillery guns. The move aligns with India’s vision of modernising its military infrastructure and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

‘Make in India’ success story

Developed through collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian private industry partners, the ATAGS exemplifies the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Over 65% of its components, including key subsystems such as the barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, firing and recoil system, and ammunition handling mechanism, are sourced domestically.

A crucial aspect of the ATAGS is its minimal reliance on foreign technology. Subsystems like the Navigation System, Muzzle Velocity Radar, and sensors are all designed and manufactured in India, further enhancing self-sufficiency in defence production.

Boosting employment and defence exports

The manufacturing of ATAGS is expected to generate approximately 20 lakh man-days of employment across various industries. Additionally, this development positions India as a strong contender in the global defence export market, paving the way for future indigenous defence exports.

By ensuring a robust supply chain for spare parts and seamless life cycle maintenance, the ATAGS acquisition not only strengthens India’s defence industry but also contributes to long-term strategic independence in military technology.

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