In a concerning incident highlighting the abuse of power, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has arrested a Twitter user for allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur.
Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian, a pro-BJP Twitterati, was taken into custody on Tuesday (6 June 2023) for a tweet he posted on 29 May 2023. The tweet in question is a news article implying that five DMK members, including two women, were arrested for producing illicit liquor in a government school near Tiruppur. While the original publisher of the news article, Dinamalar, did not explicitly mention the involvement of DMK cadres, Balasubramanian allegedly misattributed the incident to the party.
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) May 29, 2023
Based on these allegations, Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian has been arrested by the Tiruppur police on charges of spreading fake news and falsely implicating DMK cadres in a hooch-related case. Reportedly, Balasubramanian was apprehended in Coimbatore and subsequently taken to the Tiruppur court.
While DMK party members were not implicated in the specific incident of illegal arrack production mentioned by Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian, it is undeniable that DMK has been connected to the Hooch network in Tamil Nadu.
‘Maroor’ Raja, the husband of DMK’s 20th ward councilor, Ramya, who is known for his ties with DMK minister Masthan, has been identified as the main accused in a recent hooch tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 23 people. Raja has been seen sharing the stage with DMK leaders, including DMK MP Kanimozhi and DMK minister Masthan.
Reacting to the arrest, Selvakumar, the Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP Industries Wing, criticized the DMK government, labeling them as cowards for arresting Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian, whom he described as a nationalist. He further asserted that these arrests would not intimidate any BJP supporters.
சமூக வலைதள விமர்சனங்களை தாங்கும் திறனற்ற பயந்தாங்கோளி திராவிட மாடல் அரசு, தீவிர தேசபற்றாளர் @BS_Prasad அவர்களை கோவையில் வைத்து கைது செய்துள்ளது.
தற்போது திருப்பூர் மாவட்ட நீதிமன்றத்திற்கு அழைத்து செல்ல படுகிறார்.
Dravidian Stockists led by the DMK IT wing and Periyarist goons spew hatred on Venkatesh Iyer and the Brahmin community for playing cricket with Veda Paathasala kids.
In a heartwarming gesture, Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer recently engaged in a game of cricket with students from a Vedic school in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. However, what should have been a moment of unity and celebration has unfortunately been marred by a wave of bigotry from Dravidian Stockists.
On June 5th, Venkatesh Iyer, shared a video of him playing cricket with kids on his Instagram handle with a caption that read, “The love for the game is unbelievable. Had a great time with all the young Veda Pathshala students in Kanchipuram.”
Popular cricket platform ESPNCricinfo shared this video on their Twitter handle showcasing Venkatesh Iyer playing cricket with the children at the Veda Pathshala, located in the Kanchi Periyava Manimantapam at Orikkai, Kanchipuram district. The video, which captured Iyer’s enthusiasm and joy, quickly gained attention and admiration online.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive response from the internet community, a faction associated with the Dravidian Stockists, led by the DMK IT wing and Periyarist goons resorted to hateful comments targeting Venkatesh Iyer for his caste and traditional attire, including the poonool/janeu (sacred thread).
It is important to note that Venkatesh Iyer was playing cricket in an open area adjacent to the temple and the Manimandapam of Maha Periyava at Orikkai, which is privately owned. However, the Dravidian Stockists deliberately spread misinformation, falsely claiming that he was playing inside the temple premises.
The comments section of ESPNCricinfo’s post was inundated with derogatory remarks, not only against Venkatesh Iyer but also against the Brahmin community at large. These abusive comments, using derogatory words such as “Nool” (referring to the sacred thread), “Uchikudumi” (a term used to demean Brahmins), and “Paapan”, highlighted the extent of the vitriol directed at the cricketer and the community he represents.
A Dravidian Stockist said, “Is this a playground? Only Sudhras consider this as Temple. These people (Brahmins) do not even consider this temple equal to their hair.”
நாயே அது கிரிக்கெட் விளையாடும் இடமாடா?
சூத்திரர்களுக்குதான் இவைகள் கோயில்கள்.
இந்த நாய்கள் இவ்விடங்களை ஒரு கூந்தலாகக்கூட மதிப்பதில்லை.
Another D Stockist celebrating the hatred spewed on Venkatesh Aiyer said, ” Hello ESPN. You might not have contemplated such a response to this tweet. It is because this is Tamil Nadu.”
தம்பி @ESPNcricinfo இந்த வீடியோவிற்கு இப்படி ஒரு கருத்துக்கள் விமர்சனங்கள் வரும் என்று நீ எதிர்பார்த்து இருக்க மாட்டாய்… அது தான் எங்கள் தமிழ்நாடு
U2Brutus, a VCK and Periyarist goon who is known for abusing Hindu gods said, “Common friends, we will also play inside the temple. They will talk about the Agama rule and Mayiru (a cuss word for hair) rule only if we(non-Brahmins) enter. Where gone those ‘mannaangatti (Tamil abusive word)’ rules? will this not offend Hindus?”
வாங்க ப்ராண்ட்ஸ்… நாமளும் இதேமாதிரி கோயில்குள்ள போயி விளையாடலாம்…
மயிறானுங்க… ஆஹம விதி மசுரு விதிம்பானுங்க… இப்ப எங்க போச்சு அந்த மன்னாங்கட்டி விதியெல்லாம்…
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the prevalence of caste-based discrimination and the need for greater understanding and acceptance in society. Many individuals on social media have come forward to express their support for Venkatesh Iyer and condemn the hateful comments directed at him and the Vedic school children.
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ZEE5, one of the Indian video streaming platform, recently unveiled its latest exclusive series catering to AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand) users titled ‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’. This production, brought to life by Anvic Entertainment LLP and Raw Entertainment LLP, is helmed by director Sai Pradeep Maddali and boasts a talented ensemble cast featuring renowned actors such as Priyamani, Sanjay Suri, Samir Soni, Ashlesha Thakur, Subbaraj, and Abhay Simha Reddy in pivotal roles. Set to premiere on 9 June 2023, this docu-drama series will be accessible for free streaming exclusively on ZEE5, further enhancing the platform’s diverse content offerings.
Delving into a captivating narrative spanning across 10 episodes, the upcoming series ‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’ takes viewers on a profound personal odyssey. The story revolves around an atheist writer and a dysfunctional family who embark on a transformative pilgrimage, aiming to visit all 18 Shakthi-Peethas. These sacred sites, known as the Ashta Dasa Shakthipeethas, were established by the revered deity Lord Shiva.
The trailer provides a glimpse into the life of Madhav Suri (played by Sanjay Suri), a middle-aged man whose promising future was once anticipated. However, he now finds himself grappling with numerous challenges, driven by his unyielding desire for success. Married to his beloved Priya (portrayed by Priyamani), Madhav constantly faces the disapproval of his father-in-law, primarily due to his past business failures.
However, as their pilgrimage commences, the dynamics of their lives take an unexpected turn. ‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’ promises an engaging exploration of personal growth, spirituality, and the intricate bonds within a family. With its unique blend of drama and spirituality, this series is set to captivate audiences as they embark on an enthralling journey alongside the characters.
As their pilgrimage unfolds, the protagonists of ‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’ find themselves immersed in a series of awe-inspiring encounters with divine interventions present in nature. These mystical experiences become the heart and soul of the narrative, driving the story forward with their profound impact. The series intricately weaves together a captivating tale, delving into the depths of human emotions and delving into the core themes of faith, strength, and resilience.
‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’ explores the transformative power that emerges when individuals confront their inner battles and navigate through the challenges life throws their way. Through the lens of spirituality, the series sheds light on the indomitable spirit of the human psyche and the remarkable ability to rise above adversity. With a rich tapestry of emotions, ‘Sarvam Shakthi Mayam’ promises to captivate audiences, unraveling a profound exploration of the human condition and the transformative potential of belief.
Here’s what the cast and crew had to say about the upcoming series:
Director Sai Pradeep Maddali said, “The show is about how devotion and divinity are always, interesting, and yet debatable at every level and reason. The series states that God doesn’t reside only in temples but makes us realise that God is within us. The motive of this show is self-realisation. I am eager for the audience to watch our upcoming devotional drama series and I am also thankful to ZEE5 for making it available for free to its viewers and for encouraging storytellers like us”.
Priyamani said, “Playing the this character Priya has given me an in-depth sense of how different sides of love exists and how beautiful each of those are. The role has given an opportunity to explore multiple layers. Can’t wait for the audience to watch our journey. It’s a beautiful portrayal of a dysfunctional family and I am sure the audience will relate to it”.
Sanjay Suri said, “Without a doubt, I must say playing this character was something I absolutely loved. Playing the role of someone who understands success comes only when we are doing what we are good at, sets an example for so many people out there. Huge thanks to Sai Pradeep Sir for making such relatable content available to the audience in the best manner possible”.
Samir Soni said, “As said by our ancestors, God is always empowering us; this has been proven in this series through a sequence of events. An atheist who writes books against God to writing his final book in favour of God, it’s an interesting journey for one to watch. Also, this genre is something that is not much explored before, so I am eager and hope that the audience likes it”.
ZEE5, a dynamic OTT platform, has emerged as a prominent storyteller, catering to the entertainment needs of millions of viewers across India. Backed by ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), ZEE5 offers over 3,500 films, 1,750 TV shows, 700 originals, and 500,000+ hours of on-demand content. It has a multilingual approach encompassing 12 languages, offering top-quality originals, Indian and international movies, TV shows, music, kids shows, edtech content, cineplays, news, live TV, and health & lifestyle programming. ZEE5 delivers a seamless and highly personalized content viewing experience across various devices, ecosystems, and operating systems, ensuring an immersive entertainment journey for its users.
Within the first few days of his involvement with the Indian diaspora, American think tanks, and journalists, former Congress president and senior Congress politician Rahul Gandhi were engaged in scandals. During his 10-day visit to the United States, Rahul Gandhi is holding a series of meetings and dialogues with various organisations and individuals. Critics allege that he is connected to groups, organizations, and individuals that have direct ties to Pakistan, as well as organisations perceived as posing a potential threat to Indian democracy. Disinfo Lab, an organisation that studies information warfare and psychological warfare, issued a series of tweets claiming that Rahul Gandhi’s meeting or interaction with non-resident Indians on June 4 at the Javits Centre in New York was organised by individuals associated with the “Pak Jamaat-e-Islami and Muslim Brotherhood-linked fronts.” The Pakistan ISI funds and propagates these organisations in order to wage war against India. Furthermore, according to Disinfo Lab, some of the event’s organisers are directly or indirectly linked to Pakistan.
Rahul’s Anti-India Outreach in the US
Extremists affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islam (JeI) of Pakistan and the Muslim Brotherhood are planning to host the Congress leader’s New York event on 4 June 2023. According to the Twitter handle of the investigative website Disinfo Lab, an NRI meeting with Gandhi took place at New York’s Javits Centre.
Prominent Indian politician Shri Rahul Gandhi, during his proposed #RahulInUSA tour,would attend several public events. He may not know, but some ‘coordinators’ who are claiming to be associated with events are Pak Jamaat-e-Islami & Muslim Brotherhood-linked fronts
However, the coordinator’s list includes people with anti-Indian extremist ties. Tanzeem Ansari, for example, is the Amir of the Muslim Community of New Jersey’s (MCNJ) Outreach Committee. MCNJ, for its part, is led by Jawad Ahmed, a Pakistan-born Imam. According to the Disinfo Lab findings, Ahmed is the project director of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).
The event (June 4) in New York is coordinated, among others, by Tanzeem Ansari, who is the Amir Outreach Committee of Muslim Community of New Jersey (MCNJ). MCNJ is led by a Pakistan-born Imaam Jawad Ahmed, Project Director of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).
The ICNA, an organization with radical Islamist ideologies, is connected to Pakistan’s JeI, revealing the associations of Ansari and Ahmed with an anti-India group. This particular organization has expressed admiration for terrorist factions like the Hizbul Mujahideen and has commended its leader, Syed Salahuddin, for his dedication to the “cause of Kashmir’s separation from India.”
According to the Twitter thread, another event coordinator, Mohammed Aslam is a member of the Muslim Centre of Greater Princeton (MCGP), which appears to be an ICNA partner. It is pertinent to note that the founder of the banned organisation Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is also a member of ICNA.
#ICNA is a radical Islamist org, associated with Pak's Jamaat-e-Islami, & tows Pak's line against India & has linkages with radical & terror orgs. They glorify terrorists such as Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin for his “cause of separation of Kashmir from India."
Furthermore, another self-appointed planner for the RG event, Minhaj Khan, is affiliated with the anti-India lobbying group Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). According to Disinfo Lab findings, IAMC continuously targets India under the guise of human rights, religious freedom, and spreads fake news to incite communal conflict in India.
Another coordinator of the eventis Mohammed Aslam a member of Muslim Center of Greater Princeton (MCGP), another close partner of ICNA. Banned radical group #SIMI founder is also ICNA member. Fronts like #JusticeForAll; #HhRD operate under ICNA/ Jamaat umbrella.
According to the thread, the IAMC hired a US lobbying firm and paid them USD 55,000 to lobby the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) against India in 2013-14, under Dr. Manmohan Singh’s administration. https://twitter.com/DisinfoLab/status/1663583461825982465
Rasheed Ahmed, the Executive Director of IAMC, is also the Executive Director of another Jamaat-affiliated ‘charity’ front, Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), which took advantage of India’s goodwill and raised millions of dollars in the guise of aiding India, but syphoned off all the money.
IAMC’s Exec Dir Rasheed Ahmed is the Exec Dir of another Jamaat affiliated ‘charity’ front Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), which exploited India’s goodwill & raised millions of $ during peak Covid in name of helping India & siphoned off all the money (7/10) pic.twitter.com/wgfJ4nrTan
Fun Fact: IMANA at one end is associated with retired Pakistani Army/ Naval officials; & at another end associated with Terrorists groups – LeT & Hizbul Mujahideen. Full spectrum of Pakistani establishment. One can only imagine where the Covid relief fund has gone.
Orgs. like IAMC and ICNA sit at confluence of Jamaat & Muslim Brotherhood (MB). IMANA’s members have been part of MB front Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). In 2017 ISNA Canada was implicated by Canada Revenue Agency for funding ‘charity’ wing of Hizbul Mujahideen
Irrespective of which political party holds power in India, these groups actively pursue actions that are detrimental to the interests of the country.
Not Rahul’s first time
The IAMC held a press conference in February 2022 to announce the publication of a report titled “Persecution as State Policy,” which claims to provide “detailed accounts of violence by state and non-state actors against religious minorities in India” and actively advocated to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to classify India as unsafe in terms of religious freedom. USCIRF, which reports to the US State Department and was established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is a Congressionally mandated entity rather than a non-governmental organisation, interest organisation, or advocacy group. Rahul Gandhi has also been photographed in a meeting room with Sunita Vishwanath and others, including the Congress’ foreign affairs department chief Sam Pitroda. Sunita Vishwanath is said to be allegedly connected with George Soros and his NGOs. Soros, a multibillionaire, is claimed to have supported groups and organisations that spread misinformation about India. Following the image came out, BJP’s national social media head Amit Malviya assaulted Rahul Gandhi with this tweet.
The lady seated on the high table next to Rahul Gandhi, during his interaction with ‘Think Tanks’ in DC, is Sunita Vishwanath.
Who is she exactly?
Sunita Vishwanath is the co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) and co-hosts multiple events with rabid organisations like… pic.twitter.com/ZhO1wiQ8ff
During a freewheeling speech at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi appeared to be supporting Vivek Raghuvanshi, who is an espionage case under. He was detained in India by the CBI for leaking confidential information about India’s defence and research to foreign powers. Gandhi shouted out at the Indian government during this interview, claiming, “There is a weakening of press freedom in India.” He feels that before the Modi regime, press freedom was unrestricted. The interviewer at the National Press Club seems unaware of the countless journalists who have been imprisoned in Congress-ruled states in the past and even of late. The questioner appears to have relied on anti-Modi briefing material with no fact-checking.
In response to this, Amit Malviya made the following tweet
Vivek Raghuvanshi, a freelance journalist and a former Navy commander, was arrested on charges of espionage. He was illegally collecting information about DRDO’s defence projects and their progress, sensitive details about the future procurement of Indian armed forces, classified… pic.twitter.com/HFCpeLwUIW
The interviewer at the Press Club then misunderstood the CAA as a law intended to deport Muslim citizens from India, a factual error that Rahul Gandhi neglected to correct. He even went on to refer to the Indian Union Muslim League as a secular party. “The Muslim League is a completely secular party,” Gandhi stated. Over the past decade, radical Islamists affiliated with the Muslim League, have been responsible for the deaths of numerous workers associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Kerala’s “killing fields.” The Muslim League, in contrast, is secular since the Congress party is willing to prioritize power over protecting the lives of Hindus. The IUML, of which Rahul talks here, is Jinnah’s Muslim League’s heir.” Union ministers and BJP leaders attacked Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “specimen.” The admiring interviewer was unconcerned about such a representation of India’s first Backward Class Prime Minister. While Joshi referred to Rahul Gandhi as “fake Gandhi,” Naqvi remarked that if India did not have democracy, Rahul Gandhi would not have been allowed to fly to the US and criticise a duly elected administration.
At the University of California, Rahul Gandhi said, “They can sit with God and explain to him what is going on, and our Prime Minister is one such specimen. If Modiji and God sat down, he would explain to God how the universe works, and God would be perplexed by what he had created.” The organisers of these events seem to have gone through considerable pains to ensure that such viewpoints were aired without causing noticeable discomfort to the crowd.
These are not the only times in which Mr. Gandhi has borne his venomous teeth against India. In a recent interview with an Italian daily he declared that, Democratic institutions are collapsing. Parliament is no longer in session. I have not been able to speak for two years because every time I do, they take my microphone away. The power dynamic is skewed. Justice is not impartial. Centralism is unquestionable. “There is no longer free press.” He said that “manifestation of thought” is illegal in India. “Wealth concentration is scandalous. Hindu zealots from the RSS faction have penetrated and conditioned every institution.” Only Rahul has the ability to malign India in such a short amount of time. Rahul calls the hallowed parliament into question and asserts that there is no freedom in India. By establishing an unsettling parallel between RSS and fascism in the past, he invokes the shocking notion that Indians chose a party not of their own free choice. The most interesting inquiry, though, should be about Congress’ political losses.
When the Congress cannot win, they tend to dispute the poll and remain mute when they do win, like in the case of the Congress triumph in Himachal Pradesh. And in the case of the Indian parliament, it has been more productive during Modi years than during UPA times. According to PRS Legislative Research, the Lok Sabha has recorded a productivity rate of 84% over the past five years, which is significantly higher compared to the Rajya Sabha’s rate of 65%. To provide some context, during the UPA-II period, the Lok Sabha’s productivity was a mere 63%.
In 2017, Rahul Gandhi delivered a speech at the University of California, Berkeley, where he took a jibe at the BJP and the government led by Narendra Modi while discussing the topic of ‘India at 70’. While stating India is under attack, he also stated that the Modi government was paying attention only to the top 100 companies in India. We should remember that this was a time when the Modi government was trying to shore up investment to boost Indian manufacturing, for which the yields have started to come. In 2018, while speaking at a convention of NRIs in Bahrain, his first foreign visit since taking over the party’s reins, Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre, stating that “the anger is visible in the streets and is rising rapidly.” After suffering hard losses in UP and other major states, the only anger that was rising was his own for his failure to lead the party to any major electoral victory.
In 2018 again, Rahul spoke in Malaysia, a country that took a consistent stand against India on the Kashmir issue but Rahul does not seem to be bothered about it. Rahul callously stated how he would have thrown the ‘file for demonetisation decision’ if he was the PM, but it seems that he will never be PM if he questioned an official government decision in a not-so-friendly country abroad. These are only a few instances but these throw light into how the ideology of the PM aspirant works.
The protagonist wants to win over Indian voters, but at the same time, he questions the integrity of India abroad, bordering on anarchist tendencies. What does Rahul want? A broken India with a weak state? His sharp Left turn also comes into play when it comes to domestic politics. The recently concluded 85th plenary session of the party also gives a message in this direction. From being a party committed to centrist values to profiling it as a New Left outfit lambasting industrialists and entrepreneurs and putting forth more state control in governance. Rahul Gandhi surrounds himself with family loyalists, many of them corrupt, and not necessarily by the people who are either domain experts or who have a sound understanding of the ground realities of India. The cockpit of Congress is populated entirely by the dynasts, loyalists, and sycophants or darbaris who speak on extreme leftist lines. Rahul and his coterie have been propounding more nationalism and taking a U-turn to the socialist era where there is more state control in production and distribution. From the idea of distribution of wealth by large cash transfers to reviving the Old Age Pension Scheme Rahul is determined to bring a stop to India’s growth trajectory and rising private manufacturing capabilities. For example, as per RBI’s 2022 Handbook of Statistics on Indian States, Congress ruled Himachal, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh are the worst off among Indian states in case of fiscal prudence. The country will be heading to an unsavable destination if the country by mistake votes a Congress lead government into power.
Rahul Gandhi’s politics, as well as the party’s elitism, disrespect for India’s old ethos and values, arrogance, and top-down decision-making, have killed the Congress. And it now appears impossible that Rahul can save himself and the party from the depths of unethical politics and Leftist philosophy, which the people of India have little regard for.
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Disturbing scenes unfolded in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu on 5 July 2023 as farmers in the region filed a petition in the High Court against ongoing land acquisition for the construction of a state highway between Cuddalore and Madapattu near Panruti. The farmers allege that the land prices were undervalued, prompting them to take legal action. However, their plight took an alarming turn when a video surfaced, revealing authorities and the police demolishing sugarcane crops without any prior notice. These crops were just weeks away from harvest, and are the source of the farmers’ livelihoods.
The actions depicted in the video have left the local community in shock and disbelief. The authorities, in a haste that seemed unnecessary, laid waste to the hard work and dreams of these farmers, seemingly turning a blind eye to their pleas and even the cries of an affected farmer.
Adding to the outrage is the fact that the District Collector had reportedly granted a two-month window for land acquisition.
Plea by the farmers is a stark reminder that those in power should take into account the intricacies of farming livelihoods and the profound impact such decisions can have on the lives of those dependent on the land.
TNBJP President Annamalai tweeted about this and questioned the DMK government, “What was the need to destroy sugarcane crops in such a hurry? How will a man who walks on concrete roads on agricultural land understand the pain of farmers?”.
கடலூர் மாவட்டம் பண்ருட்டி அருகே, கடலூர் மடப்பட்டு இடையிலான மாநில நெடுஞ்சாலை அமைக்க நடைபெறும் நிலம் கையகப்படுத்தும் பணியை எதிர்த்து, நிலத்திற்கு குறைந்த மதிப்பில் விலை நிர்ணயம் செய்ததாகக் கூறி, அந்தப் பகுதியில் உள்ள விவசாயிகள் உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்திருப்பதாகத்… pic.twitter.com/9fYzE5sc0m
It is noteworthy to mention that the DMK along with outfits like Poovulagin Nanbargal and Dravidian Stockist media had vigorously campaigned against the Chennai Salem Expressway preventing land acquisition and delaying the project.
None of the media outlets which had gone hammer and tongs against the Chennai – Salem Expressway have batted an eye about the plight of the affected farmers in this case.
In light of these distressing events, there are growing calls for the Government of Tamil Nadu to take immediate action. The affected farmers are urging the government to provide suitable relief without delay and to suspend the acquisition of agricultural land until the previously agreed-upon timeline is honored.
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The Trichy Central Jail authorities are facing severe criticism after allegations emerged of a disturbing incident involving the brutal humiliation of a sewing teacher by a convict serving time for a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case. The shocking incident, which took place within the confines of the jail complex, was allegedly covered up by the prison officials.
The Trichy Central Jail houses an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) program aimed at providing education to convicts in Tamil Nadu prisons. Currently, 35 convicts, including Thirumurthy, a 25-year-old individual convicted in a POCSO case from the Coimbatore Central Jail, are enrolled in the tailoring program at Trichy Central Jail.
The distressing incident occurred after the morning class on 1 June 2023. The inmates, including Thirumurthy, proceeded to the dining area for their meal at approximately 11:45 AM. Taking advantage of the situation, Thirumurthy returned to the classroom early, where he found the 45-year-old sewing teacher alone.
According to reports, Thirumurthy forcefully covered the teacher’s mouth with a cloth, preventing her from making any noise. He then subjected her to a forced kiss and inflicted injuries on her lips, chest, and face by biting and clawing. The shocked teacher managed to free herself from Thirumurthy’s grip and grabbed a pair of scissors from the classroom, threatening to defend herself by stabbing him. In response, the prisoner fled the scene and sought refuge in the bathroom.
However, when the teacher attempted to report the incident to the prison authorities, she was met with a disturbing response. The Trichy Central Jail Superintendent, in a threatening tone, allegedly told her, “This is why you have a bad name, ugly. Leave it like that.” Furthermore, a female officer present at the time also warned the teacher not to seek solace or file a complaint.
Consequently, feeling helpless and unsupported, the traumatized teacher decided to leave the premises.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the prison department’s failure to provide adequate protection to both the male prisoners with a history of criminal offenses and the female teacher entrusted with conducting classes. Moreover, the alleged attempts by prison authorities to hide the criminal act and subsequently threaten the victim have further exacerbated the situation, drawing criticism from various quarters.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures within correctional facilities and highlights the importance of ensuring the well-being of both inmates and staff members. Authorities are now under pressure to take swift action to address the matter and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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Senior journalist Malini Parthasarathy has announced the end of her term as the Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing and also resigned from the Board of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited (THGPPL).
She cited the diminishing room for her editorial views and ideological bias as the primary reason behind this decision.
Throughout her tenure as Chairperson and Director of Editorial Strategy, Malini had been steadfastly committed to revitalizing The Hindu Group, she said. She added that her efforts were on to liberate The Hindu’s narrative from deeply entrenched ideological biases.
Malini Parthasarathy expressed concerns about the narrowing scope for her endeavors in recent times, prompting her to make the difficult choice to step down.
My term as Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing ends. However, I have also resigned from the Board of the THGPPL as I find the space and scope for my editorial views shrinking. My entire endeavour as Chairperson and Director, Editorial Strategy was to ensure that The Hindu…
Over the course of the past few decades, Malini has frequently voiced her ideological differences with the Editorial and Editorial Board of the newspaper, often doing so publicly.
During her recent tenure as Chairperson, Malini found herself embroiled in various conflicts with the editorial team. One such incident involved a discussion with Journalist and Editor of Tamil Weekly Thuklak, S Gurumurthy regarding The Hindu’s fact-checking of the Sengol controversy. The newspaper had contradicted the Union Government’s assertion that the Sengol was presented to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. Gurumurthy contested the findings of the fact-checking article. In response, Malini took to Twitter and stated that if any inaccuracies were found in the facts, necessary corrections would be made.
Adding to this, present Chairman of The Hindu publishing group N. Ram had shared a Murasoli article in which DMK founder Annadurai had back in the day belittled the Sengol and insulted Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam for gifting it to Nehru.
The article was also paraphrased and republished by The Hindu in English on the eve of the new Parliament building inauguration which was shared by many Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Lakshmi Ramachandran, etc.
The prevalence of anti-Hindu propaganda and left-leaning ideologies within The Hindu publication continues to escalate at an alarming pace, indicating a departure from its once impartial journalistic standards. There have been allegations that The Hindu has been involved in disseminating false information without adequate verification or supporting evidence.
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Following a recent increase in electricity rates, the Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued an order stating that an additional 4.7% increase will be implemented starting from 1 July 2023, merely nine months after the previous hike.
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board submitted an application to the regulatory authority on 18 July 2022, to raise power consumption and introduce new connection charges in order to overcome the financial crisis.
As per the new pricing structure, households consuming up to 400 units will be charged ₹ 4.50 per unit. The rate increases to ₹ 6 per unit for consumption ranging from ₹ 401 to ₹ 500, ₹ 8 per unit for consumption between ₹ 501 and ₹600, and ₹ 9 per unit for consumption from ₹ 601 to ₹ 800. For consumption ranging from ₹ 801 to ₹ 1,000, the rate is set at ₹ 10 per unit. Furthermore, any consumption above ₹ 1,001 will be charged at a higher rate of ₹ 11 per unit.
Under the previous tariff structure, residential properties were charged between ₹ 2.50 and ₹ 6.60 per unit for electricity consumption.
For large industries falling under the high-pressure category, the unit charge has been raised from ₹ 6.35 to ₹ 6.75 per unit. Additionally, the demand fee has been increased from ₹ 350 per kilowatt to ₹ 550 per kilowatt per month.
Likewise, electricity rates were increased across all categories.
As per the order issued by the Commission last year regarding the electricity tariff hike, an annual increase in electricity rates has been authorized starting from 1 July 2023 each year until 2026-27.
As per the regulations, the electricity rates should be increased based on the lower value between the current inflation rate and 6% as of April 2023.
In April of this year, the inflation rate was recorded at 4.7%, which is lower than the 6% threshold. Consequently, starting from the following month, all category charges will be raised by 4.7%. This implies that the existing unit cost will experience a 4.7% increase.
The general population is encountering significant challenges in meeting the increased electricity bills. Given this situation, DMK Government implementing another electricity tariff hike will only exacerbate the existing difficulties faced by the public.
Many parts of Tamil Nadu also facing frequent power cuts under DMK rule and adding to that discrepancies in electricity tariffs were also reported.
Rajab, Golandam and their Four Children; Courtesy: Independent Persian
This article is a continuation of a heart-rending story of an Afghan couple. Read Part One here.
Running Away From Home
After ten days of imprisonment and torture, Rajab and Golandam were transferred to Mazar-e-Sharif in the fifth and third PDS building and the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior in Kabul, where they were also tried and imprisoned in 2006. In 2006, Rajab and Golandam were arrested 25 days after fleeing from the village from a house in the Dasht-e-Barchi region of Kabul. The police of the then government of Afghanistan took them to Mazar-e-Sharif, where they were tried on the charge of “running away from home.” In the final verdict, the government court in Balkh sentenced Golandam to one year and Rajab to one and a half years in prison.
Arsala and Golandam’s brothers filed a complaint to the local court of Balkh province; they claimed that Golandam was kidnapped owing to Rajab’s threats and pressure. But Golandam said in response to the previous court that she eloped with Rajab of her own free will because her brothers threatened her with death, and the fact that she loved Rajab too.
Arsala claimed that Golandam was his wife when there was no marriage contract between them. Golandam said, “When my brothers made me betroth to Arsala without my consent, Arsala was in Iran. When the police arrested and imprisoned me and Rajab, Arsala came from Iran and brought false witnesses to the court to testify that I am his wife. In the court, I told the judges to put me next to five other girls and ask Arsala which one is your wife? If Arsala recognized me and said this one is Golandam, I will go with him. When I said that, Arsala ran away because he didn’t even recognize my face.”
Golandam and Rajab were imprisoned for running away from home. Still, the fate of Golandam after the prison term was not clear. She was faced with brothers who considered her running away with a Hazara man as a great disgrace and shame for all members of the tribe. Such an act in Afghanistan has often led to the death of women.
Rajab and Golandam in 2006; Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul, Afghanistan
Abdul Hamid (pseudonym), a human rights activist who closely followed the case of Rajab and Golandam in 2006, said Arsala was mentally disturbed. He spoke contradictory and unclear in several meetings held in the Balkh court and the former governor’s office in the presence of Arsala, Rajab, Golandam, and her brothers. According to Abdul Hamid, the court’s investigations also proved the false claims of Arsala and Golandam’s brothers regarding the marriage of Arsala and Golandam.
Golandam said that her brothers and Arsala could not prove their claims in court. Therefore, her only crime was running away from home, which was not legally considered a crime. Even though running away from home was not defined as a crime in the laws of the previous Afghan government, hundreds of women were in jail for this charge. According to a Human Rights Watch report published in March 2012, Hassan Banu Ghazanfar, the Minister of Women’s Affairs of the then-Afghan government, had said: “The act of running away from home is not a crime, but if other crimes are committed under the name of running away from home, the courts will pursue those crimes.”
In most cases, women who ran away from home were tried after being arrested on charges of having sex outside of marriage. Human Rights Watch wrote: “Running away from home is not defined as a crime in Afghanistan’s criminal law.” By dominating Afghanistan, the Taliban abolished the constitution and other laws approved by the previous Afghan governments. They said this group follows the Quran and Sharia instead of man-made laws. Despite this description, Golandam and Rajab were tried and imprisoned in the court of the former government of Afghanistan on charges of running away from home. After Golandam’s prison term was over, she was transferred to a safe house for women and girls under threat because her brothers had threatened her with death.
From 2007 to 2011, Golandam was kept in a safe house in Mazar-e-Sharif. She went to the Balkh court in late 2011 and said that, on the one hand, she could not return home because her life was in danger, and on the other hand, she remained undecided in the safe house. She also learned that Arsala was married and had a child. Golandam asked the court to issue a ruling on her marriage with Rajab to save her from uncertainty in a safe house and death in her brothers’ house. According to the documents, the court approved the marriage between Golandam and Rajab, and their legal case was officially closed.
Golandam and Rajab’s wedding ceremony was held in a small gathering at Rajab’s sister’s house. None of Golandam’s family members attended her wedding. Golandam and Rajab could not return to their village in Dolatabad and continued to live in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. Of course, Golandam’s brothers never gave up on them. But because the court declared their claim invalid, they could not do anything against Rajab and Golandam.
“The Previous Gov’s Court Was American”
After Rajab and Golandam were transferred from Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif in late May 2022, Arsala and Golandam’s brothers once again approached the Taliban court with allegations against the couple. Rajab and Golandam were imprisoned in the Taliban prison in Mazar-e-Sharif. But their case was first referred to Dolatabad district. Golandam says everyone “from judge to the cook” are her brothers’ friends because most of the senior officials of the Taliban in Dolatabad district are from Dorman Afghania village and the Alizai tribe, the tribe to which Golandam and her family belong. For this reason, Golandam’s brothers have a lot of influence among the Taliban, and they used this influence against Rajab and Golandam.
Arsala and Golandam’s brothers submitted the documents to the security departments and the Taliban court after their arrest in Kabul. Many claims have been made, including that the American forces were involved in Golandam’s escape. Hussain Khan, Golandam’s brother, mentioned Rajab as “Commander Rajab” in one of his letters to the Taliban court. He wrote that in 2006, about six months after Golandam got engaged to Arsala, Rajab kidnapped her from their home’s way and took her to Kabul. In this letter, he adds: “After 25 days, Rajab and Golandam were arrested in Kabul, and after going through the court proceedings, the case ended in our favor, and Golandam was handed over to us.” But the American forces took her from us and carried her to a safe house.”
In this letter, Hossein Khan claimed he had twice planned to take Golandam from Mazar-e-Sharif to the village, but the American forces prevented this action. He also wrote that Rajab was supported by Mohammad Mohaqiq [one of the political leaders of the Hazaras] and Abbas Ibrahimzadeh, the former representative of the Balkh people in the House of Representatives and he was not able to confront Rajab.
A source who was present during the sessions of the Taliban court to deal with the case of Golandam and Rajab says that the Taliban judges were very emotional after hearing the words of Golandam’s brothers about the intervention of American forces in this case. One of the Taliban judges threatened Golandam that he would shoot her in the courtroom if he could. In his belief, Golandam is a woman from the Pashtun tribe, and she has destroyed the honor and dignity of this people.
Although all the details of Rajab and Golandam’s case have been available in the Balkh court since 2006, the Taliban judges insisted that the previous courts were American and their decisions have no credibility with the Taliban. In response to a question from the Taliban court about how he claimed to be married to Golandam, Arsala wrote: “Golandam lived with me for six months. I used to commute to their house freely.” In another letter, he writes: “During my affiance with Golandam, I didn’t have intercourse with her, but we got to flirt and commuted freely.” Elsewhere, in response to a question about whether he divorced Golandam after getting engaged, he writes: “I divorced Golandam in an official court. Of course, due to coercion and threats of death by unknown people.” During the captivity of Golandam and Rajab, in another letter to the Taliban’s fifth security district in Kabul, Arsala wrote: “Golandam is my wife.” I want to take her with me.”
Arsala’s letters and answers to the Taliban institutions are contradictory. The claims of Golandam’s brothers about the involvement of American forces and political leaders in supporting Rajab are not confirmed by any of the informed sources who have followed the case of Rajab and Golandam in courts of the previous government and the Taliban. Despite all this, the Taliban imprisoned Rajab and Golandam for nine months citing these claims as well as the religious difference between them.
The Cost Of Getting Released
During the nine months that Rajab was in the Taliban prison in Mazar-e-Sharif, he faced a repeated question in court hearings: “A Hazara follower of the Shia religion, how did you dare marry a Sunni Pashtun woman?” Taliban judges have repeatedly pointed out that the court of the former Afghan government, which issued the verdict on the marriage of Rajab and Golandam despite the difference in religion, was following American beliefs and laws; otherwise, such a verdict is not permissible. Rajab was told many times that the only way that might lead to his freedom is to divorce Golandam, and that’s enough. Rajab concluded that there was only one way to have Golandam and his children: to change his religion and convert to the Hanafi religion.
Therefore, Rajab requested some educational books about the Hanafi religion from his friends, who were the connector between him and his family. He read these books for several months in the Taliban prison. Then he announced to the Taliban court that he was now a follower of the Hanafi religion. Finally, the Taliban court promised freedom to Rajab and Golandam.
On the evening of Monday, 30 January 2023, Rajab and Golandam, who were imprisoned in two separate cells, heard the news of Khalifa Hossein’s death instead of being released. Rajab’s brother Hossein was the only one who followed up on the case of Rajab and Golandam. Golandam said about Hossein: “When we were transferred from Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif and imprisoned there, Khalifa Hossein kept my three children with him and always visited and helped us. He used to come to the jail every Thursday and get news from us.”
Mrs. Golandam said without naming specific people: “They killed Khalifa Hussein because our innocence was proven in the court, and they couldn’t do anything with us.” Rajab said with great and profound sadness that his brother was killed: “I wish they didn’t kill my brother and… they would do whatever they wanted with us, but I wish they didn’t kill him. I lost everything, even my brother.”
Regarding how he was released from Taliban prison, Rajab says that in the last court session, the judge made sure that he had converted to the Hanafi religion or not and had no religious differences with Golandam. The Taliban judge asked him questions about the Sharia issues of the Hanafi religion and found the answers of Rajab, who had studied religious books during his several months in prison, convincing. While confirming the ruling of the court of the previous government regarding Rajab and Golandam’s marriage, the judge issued the sentence for their release.
Displaced In Iran
In late February 2023, Rajab and Golandam fled to Iran through smuggling after being released from Taliban prison. As a result of the electric shocks and torture he suffered during his captivity by the Taliban in Kabul, Rajab suffered from a nervous problem and developed diabetes during his nine months of imprisonment in Mazar-e-Sharif. His daughter, Nargis, was left under the hands and feet of passengers while running in a plain on the way to Iran illegally. Now, parts of her body, including her legs, are infected, and she is in severe pain. Golandam has also been suffering from high blood pressure in the Taliban prison, and now she gets sick occasionally.
Three Children of Rajab and Golandam; Courtesy: Independent Persian
Golandam said: “I love Rajab; both of us are satisfied with this marriage, although it ended up being very difficult for us. But in these years, we did not spend a single day in peace because of my brothers.” Golandam added that her children have nightmares at night and sometimes scream at midnight, saying, “Don’t imprison us. Don’t beat my father.” and wake up.
One sunny day in June 2022, amid a traffic jam at the bus station, Rajab and Golandam slowly sat on the seats of a taxi with their four children to reach a safe place after 18 years of being chased. But before the car started to move, armed people appeared around the vehicle and ordered Rajab to get off. Golandam fell into a deep panic because she knew that his brothers were chasing her and Rajab like a shadow with the assistance of the Taliban. The armed men, who were soldiers of the 5th district of Taliban police in Kabul city, put a black bag over Rajab’s head. Golandam and her children and Golandam’s old aunt, who was planning to go to Pakistan with them, were put in a military vehicle and taken away.
Rajab and Golandam are a Hazara and a Pashtun couple who got married in 2011 after five years of imprisonment and a struggle in the courts. Rajab is 50 years old, Golandam is 38, and both are originally from the Dolatabad district in Balkh province. They are being harassed and threatened ever since they decided to marry 18 years ago and they spent a part of their lives being on the run. In the Taliban prison, Rajab was forced to renounce the Jafari religion so that the marriage between him and his wife, who is a Sunni, would not be declared invalid.
In 2006, Rajab and Golandam lived in two neighboring villages, called Alang and Dorman Afghania villages, in the Dolatabad district of Balkh province. The residents of Alang village are Hazaras who follow the Shia religion, and the residents of Dorman Afghania are members of the Alizai tribe, who are Pashtuns and follow the Hanafi religion. The families of Rajab and Golandam had close relations with each other since about 50 years ago. Due to the neighboring agricultural lands of the residents of the two villages, the Hazara and Pashtun families in these two villages had close relations.
One afternoon in the summer of 2006, when Golandam returned home from the wedding ceremony of one of the village residents, she noticed some guests talking with her brothers. Golandam tried to know what the guests and her brothers were talking about. One of her brothers said that they were talking to the guests about the agricultural lands and did not allow Golandam to bring tea to the guests and talk to them. In the evening of that day, Golandam was informed that the guests had come to propose to her and that her brothers had engaged her to a man named Arsala.
Arsala, now about 48 years old, was working in Iran at that time to provide for the needs of his low-income family who lived in the village of Afghanyar (the neighboring village of Dorman, Afghania). Arsala was illiterate, from a low-income family, and suffered from mental and nervous illness. This news was inconvenient for Golandam while her brothers had married girls of their choice. She had not seen Arsala up close and did not want to marry him for obvious reasons. When Golandam disagreed with the family members’ decision, her brothers repeatedly beat and tortured her. Once, one of Golandam’s brothers even threatened her with death and said that she would be killed if she did not agree to marry Arsala.
The marks of the brothers’ torture still remain on Golandam’s eyes, face, and right leg. Golandam lost sight in her right eye due to these tortures, and a large scar on her right leg and forehead can still be seen. In the meantime, Golandam was thinking about Rajab, a man who could be the savior of Golandam. Golandam and Rajab were on a cellphone call with each other. Golandam asked Rajab to save her from marrying Arsala or being killed by her brothers. For Golandam, age, religion, and ethnicity differences were unimportant; she thought of one thing “to save herself from a trap her brothers had laid for her.”
In the morning of 2006, Rajab and Golandam escaped from the village and went to Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. The news of the escape of Rajab and Golandam sounded like a bomb in the village and word quickly spread everywhere.
Rajab and Golandam have been on the run ever since they fled the village until now; 18 years have passed since that day. They would sometimes appear from the prison or from safe houses, or at times from the borders, and sometimes from cities. The couple had four children during these years of escape. Rajab and Golandam are now in Iran after spending nine months in the Taliban prison. They shared the story of their 18 years of painful life with the correspondent of Independent Persian.
“You Are A Hazara, How Did You Dare Marry an Oghan (Pashtun) Woman?”
Rajab says that when he was arrested on Friday, 13 June 2022, at the passenger car station of Kabul Company, the Taliban took him, Golandam, Golandam’s aunt, and their children to a nearby military base. Rajab and Golandam lived in secret with the Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan for fear of falling into the hands of Golandam’s brothers. They planned to go to Pakistan from Kabul but were arrested before the car left. Rajab said: “When the Taliban caught me and started beating me, I said, “What sin have I committed? One member of the Taliban said: “You are a Hazara!” How did you dare to marry an Oghan (Pashtun) woman?”.
Rajab explains that in the Taliban base, they hung him by his feet in a container and took turns torturing him. An hour later, Rajab, Golandam, Golandam’s aunt, and the children were taken to the building of the fifth security district of the Taliban. Golandam, her aunt, and her children were locked in an abandoned warehouse, and Rajab was tortured in another room. Rajab says about the torture in the fifth police station of the Taliban in Kabul: “They connected an electric shock to my body. They would put a water hose in my mouth until my stomach was full of water, then someone would kick me in the stomach. Each member of the Taliban took turns hitting me with a cable and cursing me.” Golandam and her children Nargis, ten years old; Maryam, eleven years old; Leila, nine years old and Abbas, four years old, heard their father’s screams under the Taliban torture.
In the meantime, Arsala and Golandam brothers arrived in Kabul from the Dolatabad district. They were trying to take Rajab, Golandam, and their children to the village and settle accounts with them there. Golandam’s brothers were happy that they could recapture the couple, who were acquitted by the court in the previous government of Afghanistan and married according to the court’s ruling, with the help of the Taliban. Golandam says that before arriving in Kabul, her brothers called her aunt, who was in prison, with her and said that Golandam and Rajab would be killed. Still, they have nothing to do with the aunt.
Golandam could hear the voices of the Taliban from behind the door, talking about shooting and killing Rajab. But this decision was not based on the verdict of the courts and judicial institutions of the Taliban, but on the instigation of Golandam’s brothers, who told the Taliban soldiers: “Commander Rajab” ran away their sister during the rule of the previous government and their children are the result of an illegitimate relationship outside of marriage. Rajab and Golandam heard many times from Taliban members that they were told that their children are bastards because the marriage of a Shia man with a Sunni woman is Haram and forbidden. For this reason, the Taliban also harassed Golandam’s children by calling them impure.
Golandam says that while they were imprisoned in the 5th district of the Taliban police in Kabul, the Taliban even refused to give them water. Once, her four-year-old son, Abbas, called loudly for his father, who was being tortured in another room. But a Taliban member punched him in his mouth, filling the child’s mouth with blood. Golandam said: “I kissed the Taliban’s feet many times. I begged them and said not to do this; my children are afraid. But the Taliban said that your children are the result of adultery and are bastards.”
During the 20 months of rule over Afghanistan, the Taliban have repeatedly prevented Shiite men from marrying Sunni women. In the Shia religion, the marriage of a Shia man to a Sunni woman is considered permissible. Still, there are different views regarding the marriage of a Shia woman to a Sunni man. Some Shia jurists, such as Fazel Lankarani, have said about the marriage of a Shia woman to a Sunni man that “it is better to avoid this.” Still, some, such as Sayed Ali Khamenei, believe: “If there is no fear of deviation from religion, there is no obstacle.”
Taliban’s Ministry of Propagation Virtue and Prevention of Vice has not yet issued a written ruling regarding the prohibition of marriage between followers of two religions. However, the officials of this ministry have repeatedly talked about the ban on marriage between the followers of two religions.
In January 2023, the Talibani officials of the Ministry of Propagation Virtue and Prevention of Vice announced to the people in the mosques of Mazar-e-Sharif that marriage between followers of the Shiite and Hanafi religions is Haram (forbidden). On the 15th of the same month, the governor of the Taliban in the Naasi district of Badakhshan province wrote in a letter he sent to the mosques: “According to religious and ideological considerations, it is announced to all ethnic groups under the territory of this district. From now on, no one from the Sunni religion has the right to give a girl to a Shia or take a wife from a Shia for a Sunni.”
