Muslims observe Muharram
Police made elaborate arrangements on the occasion, which coincided with Suna Besha.
There were some Muslim pockets in cities like Cuttack, Bhadrak and Balasore which organised several events to mark the occasion.
Senior BJD leader and former chairman of state Wakf Board in Cuttack, Sayed Ekram Hussain, said the community took maximum care to maintain traditions during the occasion.
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Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
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New Delhi, The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union on Wednesday organised a public meeting at the Constitution Club of India, reiterating its demand for justice to Najeeb Ahmed, a student of the university who went missing in 2016 after being allegedly assaulted. JNUSU terms closure of proceedings in Najeeb Ahmed case 'attempt to deny justice' President of the students' union, Nitish Kumar, alleged that neither the CBI nor the Delhi Police could deliver justice in nine years. "The recent closure of the case proceedings is an attempt to deny justice, but this movement will continue until accountability is ensured," he said. A Delhi court, on June 30, allowed the CBI to close the case of first-year JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing on October 15, 2016, saying the agency "exhausted all options". While it accepted the agency's closure report, the court granted liberty to the CBI to re-open the investigation on the receipt of any credible information on Ahmed's whereabouts and intimate the court accordingly. The meeting at the Constitution Club of India on Wednesday was attended by parliamentarians, student leaders, human rights activists and academics, who expressed solidarity with Najeeb's family. Rajya Sabha MPs Manoj Jha and V. Sivadasan, IUML representative Ahmed Saju, activist Nadeem Ahmed and N. Sai Balaji from CPI Liberation also addressed the gathering. From the JNU academic community, JNUTA president Surajit Majumdar reaffirmed support. The most emotional moment came when Najeeb's mother, Fatima Nafees, addressed the audience. For eight years, she has been at the forefront of the campaign for her missing son. Speakers said her resilience continues to inspire students and civil society groups. Concluding the programme, JNUSU general secretary Munteha Fatima said, "The courage shown by Fatima Ammi must become our collective strength. This struggle is not only for Najeeb but also for all minority and Muslim students who face discrimination in universities and beyond." JNUSU said it would continue to pursue the case in higher courts and intensify the movement with "greater determination" until justice is delivered. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
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BJD asks Centre to issue 'stop-work' order on Polavaram project till tribal concerns are addressed
Bhubaneswar, Claiming that the Polavaram project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh "poses an existential threat" to tribals in Odisha's Malkangiri district, opposition BJD on Wednesday asked the Centre to immediately issue a "stop-work" order on construction of the project till basic issues are resolved. BJD asks Centre to issue 'stop-work' order on Polavaram project till tribal concerns are addressed A delegation of the regional party, which has been strongly opposing the "unilateral" design change of the Polavaram project by the government, had a detailed discussion with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and also met the Chairman of the Central Water Commission at New Delhi. During both meetings, the delegation vehemently raised the serious and unresolved concerns of Odisha, especially relating to the severe submergence impact of the Polavaram project on Malkangiri district, which threatens the lives, lands, and livelihoods of thousands of tribal people, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups , BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra told PTI over phone. Mishra said the delegation reminded the Jal Shakti Ministry that they had a previous meeting on the matter in December last year with the CWC, which had resulted in assurances of concrete action to address Odisha's apprehensions. However, despite repeated reminders, no substantial step has been taken to safeguard the interests of Odisha, and the minutes from the meeting held on August 28, 2024 have been the only official communication received so far, he said. Expressing deep disappointment, the delegation maintained that the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the CWC have "failed" to act in line with the directives of the Supreme Court which had categorically stated that the Ministry and CWC must play a pioneering role in engaging all stakeholders and reviewing technical, environmental, and displacement concerns arising from the Polavaram Project. Mishra said the recent sanction of ₹17,936 crore by the Centre for the project's completion has further escalated fears of displacement and ecological damage without Odisha's consent or due consultation. Earlier, on February 28, 2025, the Polavaram Action Committee, comprising the affected tribal communities from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, had also unanimously opposed the continued unilateral execution of the project, expressing deep anguish over the lack of empathy and responsiveness from the concerned authorities. Among the major demands, the BJD delegation sought immediate clarification on the unilateral revision of design flood discharge from 36 lakh to 50 lakh cusecs without stakeholder consultation, fresh studies on backwater impact, especially in light of IIT Roorkee's findings, and a technical review of the proposed embankments at Motu. The BJD also demanded involvement of neutral and independent agencies to assess backwater impacts, stakeholder consultation including affected tribal communities, as mandated by the Supreme Court, high-level meeting of all stakeholder chief ministers to build consensus and cooperation, stop-work order on the Polavaram Project until Odisha's concerns are addressed, halt to any alterations to the original project design, including the unauthorized Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project and others. "The BJD leadership strongly urges the Union Government and the Central Water Commission to act in the spirit of cooperative federalism, uphold constitutional obligations, and ensure justice for the tribal communities of Odisha, who are facing existential threats due to the arbitrary expansion and unregulated implementation of the Polavaram Project," Mishra said. The BJD leader said that it is not just a regional concern, but a matter of human rights, environmental justice, and federal integrity. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Is The Taliban Upset With Pakistan? 'Protocol Snub' To Ishaq Dar At Trilateral With China
This lack of red carpet honour for Pakistani deputy PM Ishaq Dar, however, highlights Afghanistan's calculated downgrade of ties with Islamabad Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar may have received a 'protocol snub" from the Taliban during their trilateral summit with China. He was received by Afghan deputy foreign minister Naem Wardak, while China's Wang Yi was welcomed with full honours by foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. This lack of red carpet honour for Dar, however, highlights Afghanistan's calculated downgrade of ties with Islamabad. The Taliban now view China as an indispensable partner for investment, mining, infrastructure, and international legitimacy, especially after Beijing established an embassy in Kabul. According to top intelligence sources, this is clear proof that Pakistan's control over Kabul is over. The era of Pakistan patronising the Taliban has ended, and Islamabad now treats them as just another neighbour, the sources said. By denying red-carpet status to Pakistan, Kabul signals that Islamabad is losing credibility even among Muslim nations, they added. The sources said since 2021, Islamabad's influence over the Taliban has diminished with Kabul clearly rejecting being seen as an extension of Pakistan. Recent deportations of Afghan refugees and tensions along the Durand Line have further strained relations, they said. Additionally, the Taliban feel that Islamabad sides with the West on issues related to Kabul and fails to protect it diplomatically, they added. China, meanwhile, offers cash, projects, and investments like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) whereas Pakistan's contributions are limited to aid and trade facilitation, the sources said. This contrast demonstrates Afghanistan's tilt towards China and dissatisfaction with Islamabad, which is hosting Northern Resistance Front leaders against the TTP, they said. Top diplomats from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan are meeting in Kabul for a trilateral summit aimed at boosting political, regional and economic cooperation. Afghanistan's ministry of foreign affairs in a statement said the talks, hosted by Kabul, will include 'comprehensive discussions" on a wide range of issues, including political, economic and regional cooperation. Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs said Dar's discussions at the meeting will focus on expanding trade, improving regional connectivity and strengthening joint efforts against terrorism. The last round of the dialogue took place in May in Beijing. The latest development comes more than a month after Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban's government in Afghanistan. While no country, except from Russian, has offered formal recognition, the Taliban have engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. view comments First Published: August 20, 2025, 21:07 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
