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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

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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