US lawmakers want Pak ambassador to be investigated for ties with Islamic terror groups

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March 11, 2022

US lawmakers Scott Perry, W Gregory Steube, and Mary E Miller have demanded an investigation against Masood Khan former president of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and current Pakistan ambassador to the United States for his links with terrorist and Islamist outfits.

After some delay, the US government had approved the nomination of Khan as its Ambassador to Washington, however, a prominent US Congressman had urged President Joe Biden to reject his diplomatic credentials and termed him a “bona fide terrorist sympathiser.”

In their letter dated March 9 to US Attorney General Merrick Garland, lawmakers Scott Perry, W Gregory Steube and Mary E Miller said that Khan has a close relationship with domestic actors linked with the Pakistani regime and they view this as a critical concern.

“It is vital to US national security that our government investigate any potential Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) violation with regard to Ambassador Khan.

“He clearly supports terrorists, and if this Administration is happy to provide him with a diplomatic visa, the American People deserve – at the very least – the due diligence from our government for a thorough investigation and answers,” the three lawmakers said.

The lawmakers have reminded the long history of Pakistan using US actors as agents of their government and reminded the AG that in 2011, Virginia activist Ghulam Nabi Fai was charged by American prosecutors with serving as a secret agent of the Pakistani government.

“Fai pleaded guilty and admitted to extensive contact with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It emerged that the ISI had transferred USD 3.5 million to Fai and his organisation, the Kashmiri American Council,” they said.

In the letter, the three lawmakers also pointed out that, “Masood Khan also has also been tied closely to Pakistani efforts to marginalise India in the United States.

“Even as Friends of Kashmir hosted an event with two operatives with ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2017 (the US-designated terrorist group which carried out the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people, including Americans, were killed), Masood Khan continued to meet with the head of Friends of Kashmir on a regular basis, with social media posts highlighting several meetings at Mr.
Khan’s residence in Pakistan,” the three lawmakers said on the letter.

“In addition, while Masood Khan was ‘President of Azad Kashmir’, a registered 501(c)(3) organisation called Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) repeatedly enjoyed praise from Khan and his office, which declared its commitment to “cooperation” with the HHRD11 – even after the US Congress raised concerns about HHRD’s open cooperation with designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba,” the letter said.

“Given the Ambassador’s unusual closeness to the aforementioned Islamist groups, we request an investigation into the nature of Mr Khan’s relationships with them,” the lawmakers demanded.

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“Don’t look (UP)”: BJP MP’s candid response to Congress MP’s tweet inviting Netflix suggestions

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The Commune

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March 11, 2022

The BJP under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has bulldozed its way to power in Uttar Pradesh winning 255 seats and securing 41.3% vote share.

The Congress, which fought alone without aligning with Samajwadi Party, was routed to just 2 seats.

The BJP has also won the states of Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.

As it became clearer on who is emerging as the winner in four of the five states that went for elections, Karti Chidambaram, the Congress MP from Sivaganga tweeted asking for suggestions to watch something on Netflix.

Any recommendations for what to watch on @netflix now!

— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) March 10, 2022

The tweet became a talking point inviting varying responses across party lines.

Responding to Karti Chidambaram, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya came up with a candid suggestion laced with political humour.

The Bengaluru South MP suggested “Don’t look at (UP)” along with an image of Leonardo Di Caprio saying cheers indicating the Congress’ colossal defeat in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

I would say –
Don't look (at) ‘UP’ 😉 https://t.co/ycDoSz29tZ pic.twitter.com/4Tj3K6Sh3M

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 10, 2022

Don’t Look Up is an apocalyptic science fiction thriller starring Leonardo Di Caprio streaming on Netflix. It is about two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization.

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Ex-serviceman serving as temple priest in Kanyakumari allegedly attacked by DMK man

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The Commune

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March 11, 2022

Sasitharan of Pandaraparampu in Kanyakumari district is an ex-serviceman serving as a temple priest at the Esakkiyamman Temple. He is also reportedly a member of the BJP.

On March 8, he was reportedly attacked by a DMK functionary named Archunan by a sickle. Sasitharan who sustained grievous injuries was rushed to the government hospital.

Sasitharan was to take part in an Annadanam event on March 8 at the nearby temple when Archunan attacked him with a sharp sickle.

Sasitharan’s relative who wished to remain unidentified, said that his uncle and Archunan were not in good terms for a long time. “I don’t know why he attacked but there existed animosity between them”, he said.

Currently he is being taken by his family members at the hospital.

Archunan is said to be a history sheeter with 50 odd cases of which 18 cases involve brutal violence.

He has been arrested and has been lodged at Puthukkadai police station.

The injured gentleman is Sri Sasitharan of Pandaraparampu, Kanyakumari District. He is an ex-serviceman and now serves at a temple as a priest. He's a member of the BJP. People are claiming he was attacked on 6th March by Archunan, a DMK functionary. The subject of allegations /1 pic.twitter.com/Gybiqjk31k

— Suren (@zeneraalstuff) March 10, 2022

An ex-army veteran, who is now a temple priest, was attacked by a known DMK rowdy. In KK dist.

The entire police is helping this history sheeter to escape. @tnpoliceoffl why are you afraid to take action against this rowdy, who did this..? pic.twitter.com/cFGl1EOjEC

— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) March 10, 2022

However, it has been alleged that there is pressure to release the accused without filing an FIR.

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Facebook allows “call for violence” against Russians, supports Nazi Azov Regiment

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The Commune

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March 11, 2022

Meta Platfrom Inc which owns Facebook and Instagram is now allowing its user to spew hate and call for violence against Russians and Russian soldiers and it will not block them for violation of its hate speech policy as the social media giant has eased its policy.

According to news agency Reuters that accessed internal emails, Meta Inc. has made temporary changes to its hate speech policy that allows its users to post content that calls for violence, including a call for death to Russian President Vladimir Putin or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

“As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we have temporarily made allowances for forms of political expression that would normally violate our rules like violent speech such as ‘death to the Russian invaders.’ We still won’t allow credible calls for violence against Russian civilians,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

EXCLUSIVE Facebook and Instagram to temporarily allow calls for violence against Russians https://t.co/dhcObdoDk6 pic.twitter.com/QVokunNzyx

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 10, 2022

What is even more disturbing is that Meta will allow posts that call for the assassination of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko who are the respective heads of state of their country. However, Meta has added a caveat that it is ok to call for violence against Russians as long as it did not contain other targets or discuss methods or locations.

Facebook owner Meta is also temporarily allowing some posts that call for death to Russian President Putin or Belarusian President Lukashenko in countries including Russia, Ukraine and Poland, according to internal emails to its content moderators https://t.co/0joPML3sxw

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 10, 2022

The temporary policy changes on calls for violence are not only limited to Russian soldiers but it also applies in countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine, reports Reuters.

“We are issuing a spirit-of-the-policy allowance to allow T1 violent speech that would otherwise be removed under the Hate Speech policy when: (a) targeting Russian soldiers, EXCEPT prisoners of war, or (b) targeting Russians where it’s clear that the context is the Russian invasion of Ukraine (e.g., content mentions the invasion, self-defence, etc.),” Meta highlighted a change in its hate speech policy in its email.

Mark Zuckerberg who is Jewish and owns Meta will also allow praise of the pro-Nazi Azov battalion, which is normally prohibited, in a change first reported by The Intercept.

Meta spokesman Joe Osborne said, “for the time being, making a narrow exception for the praise of the Azov Regiment strictly in the context of defending Ukraine, or in their role as part of the Ukraine National Guard,”.

Meta is now defending its decision to allow hate speech because they have observed that in this specific context, ‘Russian soldiers’ is being used as a proxy for the Russian military, however, to give itself a veneer of defense, it will prohibit attacks on Russians, it claimed.

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Congress Min in Rajasthan says rape is a ‘manly act’ and his state is very ‘manly’

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The Commune

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March 10, 2022

In the Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan, Shanti Dhariwal, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister while addressing in the state Assembly made a contemptible remark when he said if the number of rape cases are high in his state it is because “Rajasthan has always been a region of ‘manly’ persons”.

He said, “There is no doubt in the fact that we are at number one in rape cases. Why are we ahead in rape cases? Is there some fault within us? What can we do? Rajasthan has always been the state of ‘mards’ (men).”

If that was not shameful, in the background some ministers of the Congress party could be heard laughing.

Reacting to this incident, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawal said, “SHOCKING DISGUSTING BUT NOT SURPRISING Rajasthan’s cabinet minister laughs & says in the assembly that Rajasthan is number 1 in rape because it is a “state of men” (mardon ka pradesh). LEGITIMISING RAPE AFTER KARNATAKA CONGRESS MLA NOW THIS PRIYANKA VADRA SILENT

SHOCKING
DISGUSTING

BUT NOT SURPRISING

Rajasthan's cabinet minister laughs & says in the assembly that Rajasthan is number 1 in rape because it is a “state of men” (mardon ka pradesh). LEGITIMISING RAPE

AFTER KARNATAKA CONGRESS MLA NOW THIS

PRIYANKA VADRA SILENT pic.twitter.com/dBY8f7MBSy
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 9, 2022

Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission of Women (NCW), said the department would take strict action against the minister. She said, “Rajasthan Government has Ministers like these that’s why women of the State are suffering gruesome gender crimes, and police are just don’t do anything. How will women of the state feel safe if it has Ministers like these? NCW is taking strong action against Mr Dhariwal.”

Author and TV panelist Shefali Vaidya in a tweet said, “Congress minister Shanti Dhariwal from Rajasthan jokes about the high number of rapes in Rajasthan by saying ‘Rajasthan is a state of men’ and other MLAs laugh.” She pointed towards the slogan given by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi during UP elections, ‘Ladki Hun Lad Sakti Hun’ (I am a woman, and I can fight).

Dr Satish Poonia, State President of the BJP in Rajasthan, said, “The shameless confession of being number one in rape in the state and crass statement towards women in the name of men is not only an insult to the women of the state but has also brought down the dignity of men.” He also questioned if Priyanka Gandhi would comment on the matter.

Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga in a tweet said that Shanti Dhariwal is a close confidant of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and this statement means the Congress party thinks, raping is a sign of men.

राजस्थान के कांग्रेस मंत्री और प्रियंका गांधी के खास, शांति धारीवाल का बयान,“रेप के मामले में हम नंबर एक पर है,अब ये रेप के मामले क्यों हैं?कहीं न कहीं गलती है..वैसे भी राजस्थान तो मर्दों का प्रदेश रहा है यार, उसका क्या करें?”

कांग्रेस के हिसाब से रेप करने मर्दो की निशानी हैं pic.twitter.com/rZgP83UZrI
— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) March 9, 2022

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Complaint filed against Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan for allegedly misusing reservation benefits meant for SC

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The Commune

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March 10, 2022

Following reports of DMK’s newly-elected Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan being a Christian, a complaint has been filed against her for allegedly misusing her scheduled caste status for political benefit.

R Priya was recently sworn in as the Mayor of Chennai, a post that had been reserved by the DMK government for a women belonging to the Scheduled Caste.

However, Priya’s claims of being a Dalit is being disputed from several quarters as she is alleged to be a Christian. It became all the more controversial when Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) published an article in which it stated that she is said to be a member of the Evangelical Church of India (ECI). The news outlet’s Twitter handle had also tweeted the article with the caption that Priya Rajan is a ‘Dalit Christian’.

After Priya’s victory, several social media posts have also added weight to the claims of she being a Christian.

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 states that any person who professes a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism shall cease to be a member of the Scheduled Caste (SC).

In February 2021, former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha said that as per the Constitution of India and Indian statute, Hindu persons eligible for reservation benefits, like those belonging to Scheduled Castes, cannot avail the same benefits if they convert to Christianity or Islam.

In light of this, SC ST Rights Forum, a legal activism organization working for the welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to order an inquiry by the District Level Scrutiny Committee and take necessary action.

The complaint letter noted that Priya Rajan is misusing the reservation and constitutional benefits meant for the welfare of the people of weaker sections of this society.

The SC ST Rights Forum has also written to National Commission for Scheduled Caste to take action against Priya Rajan.

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Commune Blogs: What the BJP’s victory in UP means

By

Tinku Venkatesh

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March 10, 2022

Looking at the results of the recently concluded Assembly polls of the five states, BJP is comfortably holding Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Manipur while AAP is growing in Punjab and INC massively losing grounds. By getting thet four states right, once again it has been proven that there is a continuing BJP wave in the country.

No party or Chief Minister has won two consecutive terms in Uttar Pradesh since independence. There were several false propagandas around the Yogi Government which were: unemployment, migrant labor issue during Covid, unavailability of oxygen during Covid, corpses floating on the river, communal tension amongst people. But the results are showing that the effect done by the Yogi government on the ground has struck the chord with people than the empty rhetorics peddled by the global and Lutyens media in India.

The performance of BJP is phenomenal because they have effectively performed using all Central and State Government schemes. They had extensively implemented welfare schemes which has reached several lakh people.

CM Yogi has made sure that his states becomes a peaceful state with no goondaism or riots. He transformed the state into an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment. He consistently reviewed the progress of the infrastructure projects especially, express the highway projects, and closely monitored implementation of health insurance scheme, LPG stove to women folks, housing scheme etc.

Farmer’s agitation seems to have had no effect with the Jats in western UP overwhelmingly voting for Yogi Sarkar. BJP has strongly captured the emotions of common sense and nationalism of the people.

We need to look at the Indian National Congress’ efforts in Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi camped there and has done more than 200+ rallies in UP. They tried putting an energetic look and a different manifesto, yet, they are losing very badly. It has become a party with no leadership and no direction.

The takeaway from the results is this – the Congress is a crumbled cookie which is being devoured by regional aspirants. The boss remains the BJP.

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NCPCR recommends MHA to cancel FCRA license of one of the largest missionary group in Andhra

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The Commune

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March 10, 2022

Following the complaint filed by Legal Right Protection Forum (LRPF), an NGO watchdog, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to cancel the FCRA license of Christian missioary NGO in Andhra Pradesh named AMG India International.

LRPF had filed a complaint against an NGO named AMG India International located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh for using children for proselytization purposes.

In its complaint to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), it states that sensitive information like images, videos, date of birth, location, family and financial background of the minor destitute children taking shelter/studying at different homes/institutions run by AMG India International are appearing on the official websites of above foreign organizations which are funding the organization.

“Sharing the sensitive data of destitute minor children is a crime under section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and section 228A of the Indian Penal Code.”, the complaint letter said.

There is a prohibition to disclose the identity of a child such as to its name, address, age, school name etc. under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 on any media platform so that the confidentiality of the child is maintained.

“The disclosure of such sensitive data of children on public platforms or the information being collected by the NGO makes the children vulnerable and susceptible to trafficking, abuse, cruelty, illegal adoption etc.”, the complaint read.

LRPF also found that the YouTube channel of AMG International (US) and Wort & TAT Allgemeinel Missions (Germany) that foreign representatives of said NGOs are frequently visiting the campus of the AMG India International in Andhra Pradesh and interacting closely with minor children.

The link to Youtube video has now been made private and the official website of AMG India International (www.amg.in) has reportedly been taken down so as to restrict the public from viewing it.

“It causes a serious security threat to the minor destitute children taking shelter at educational institutions and campuses run by AMG India International in Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, the said foreign representatives are involving religious activities backed by AMG India International which is a crime under section 14(b) of the Foreigners Act, 1946.”, the complaint noted.

The complaint letter added that from the Foreign Contribution (FC) returns submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, AMG India International is spending hundreds of crores of rupees out of Foreign Contribution for Christian religious activities such as religious events, running religious schools, payment to religious workers etc.

“We request your good office to make a thorough inquiry in this regard and take necessary strict action against AMG India International.” LRPF noted in its letter.

The NCPCR has now recommended to the Ministry of Home Affairs to cancel the FCRA license granted to the NGO and also to investigate the audit reports, activities and bye-laws of the AMG India International Society.

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Complaint filed against Andhra NGO for using children for proselytization and getting money from foreign sources

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The Commune

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March 9, 2022

Legal Right Protection Forum, an NGO watchdog has filed a complaint against an NGO named AMG India International located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh for using children for proselytization purposes.

In its complaint to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPC), it states that sensitive information like images, videos, date of birth, location, family and financial background of the minor destitute children taking shelter/studying at different homes/institutions run by AMG India International are appearing on the official websites of above foreign organizations which are funding the organization.