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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shah should clarify delay in Kanhaiya Lal murder case: Gehlot
Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Thursday demanded Union home minister Amit Shah to explain the prolonged delay in delivering justice in the infamous Kanhaiya Lal murder case of 2022. During a press conference held here shortly before Shah reached Jaipur to address a cooperatives and employment festival, Gehlot alleged that BJP's manipulation of the incident contributed to Congress's defeat in the 2023 state assembly elections. The case, which shocked the nation, involved the beheading of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, in June 2022. Despite the local police arresting the two accused within four hours, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the investigation the same night. Gehlot said there has been minimal progress in the case since then. "Even basic procedures like recording statements in court remain incomplete," Gehlot pointed out, comparing this case to others where verdicts were reached within three to six months. He emphasised that such delays have led to public scepticism about the govt's competence. The former CM refuted allegations about discriminatory compensation, stating that Kanhaiya Lal's family received the "largest compensation package given to anyone post-independence," including govt jobs for both sons and a Rs 50 lakh package. He accused Amit Shah of spreading misinformation about the compensation amounts, which he claims created a Hindu-Muslim divide that influenced the election outcome. Addressing current law and order concerns, Gehlot highlighted a recent incident involving a Dalit boy in Alwar, expressing worry about the deteriorating security situation in the state.
News18
7 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Munir's White House Welcome: Trump's Risky Bet On Pakistan's Terror-Linked General
Donald Trump's narrative, bolstered by Asim Munir's presence, raises questions: Is this genuine diplomacy or a bid for influence in South Asia? The invitation of Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to a White House lunch with U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited diplomatic tensions, particularly with India. Trump's claim that he brokered a May 2025 ceasefire between India and Pakistan, following a four-day conflict sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack, has been debunked by New Delhi. India asserts the ceasefire was a direct military agreement, with no U.S. involvement. Yet, Trump persists, linking his alleged mediation to trade incentives and offering to resolve the Kashmir dispute—a proposal India has long rejected. Munir's visit, amid accusations of his role in the Pahalgam massacre and Pakistan's military attending terrorist funerals in Muridke, amplifies concerns. Trump's narrative, bolstered by Munir's presence, raises questions: Is this genuine diplomacy or a bid for influence in South Asia? Munir's provocative rhetoric before the attack, coupled with Pakistan's overt support for terrorists, underscores his destabilising influence. The May 2025 conflict, triggered by a Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26, escalated with cross-border strikes and nuclear threats. On May 10, a ceasefire was announced, halting hostilities. Trump claimed he mediated a 'full and immediate ceasefire" through a 'long night of talks." India's Ministry of External Affairs, however, stated the truce was negotiated directly between the Indian and Pakistani DGMOs, with Pakistan's DGMO initiating contact at 3:35 PM on May 10 due to military pressure from India's strikes on Pakistani airbases. No US mediation occurred. Munir's role in provoking the conflict is evident: on April 16, he delivered a speech invoking the two-nation theory, calling Kashmir Pakistan's 'jugular vein" and urging Pakistanis to highlight Hindu-Muslim differences. This rhetoric, described as a 'dog-whistle" by Indian officials, preceded the attack by six days, with terrorists targeting non-Muslims, aligning with Munir's communal framing. Former Pakistani officer Adil Raja claimed Munir ordered the attack via the ISI, a charge echoed by U.S. expert Michael Rubin, who likened Munir to a terrorist. Trump's narrative, amplified by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ignores these facts, straining U.S.-India ties. By crediting himself, Trump emboldens Pakistan's military, which faces domestic unrest, to leverage U.S. support, risking further escalation in a fragile region. INDIA'S STANCE: NO ROOM FOR MEDIATION India has consistently rejected third-party mediation on Kashmir, citing the 1972 Simla Agreement's bilateral framework. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a June 2025 call with Trump, clarified the ceasefire was a military-to-military agreement, not U.S.-brokered. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri dismissed Trump's trade incentive claims, stating no such talks occurred. India's stance reflects its sensitivity to external involvement in Kashmir, an integral part of its territory. Trump's mediation offer, coupled with praise for Munir and Modi, disregards India's red lines, risking domestic backlash. The Indian opposition, led by Congress, has questioned Modi's silence on Trump's claims, fearing it may signal tacit acceptance of mediation. India's rebuttal is a strategic message to global powers, cautioning against interference in South Asia's nuclear flashpoint. Munir's provocative speech and the Pahalgam attack's timing underscore Pakistan's intent to destabilise India, yet Trump's engagement with Munir ignores this context. By aligning with Pakistan's military, accused of state-sponsored terrorism, Trump undermines US-India relations, critical for countering China. India's warning against Pakistan's 'nuclear blackmail" and its diplomatic offensive, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, signal its resolve to maintain strategic autonomy, making Trump's overreach a costly miscalculation. THE GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT: MUNIR'S VISIT AND PAKISTAN'S GAMBIT Munir's White House invitation, a rare honour for a military chief without civilian leaders, signals a US tilt toward Pakistan's military establishment. His visit follows his nomination of Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for averting nuclear war, aligning with Trump's ceasefire narrative. However, it coincides with damning evidence of Pakistan's terror links. At a funeral in Muridke on May 8, 2025, for terrorists killed in India's Operation Sindoor, top Pakistani military officials, including Lt. Gen. Fayyaz Hussain Shah and Maj. Gen. Rao Imran Sartaj, attended, alongside Punjab police chief Usman Anwar. Coffins draped in Pakistani flags and wreaths laid on behalf of Munir and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz underscored state patronage. Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a US-designated terrorist, led the ceremony, exposing Pakistan's military-terror nexus. Munir's ties to terrorism are further evidenced by his tenure as ISI chief during the 2019 Pulwama attack and claims by ex-Pakistani officer Adil Raja that Munir masterminded Pahalgam with ISI support. Domestic protests in Pakistan, with hashtags like #ResignAsimMunir, accuse him of orchestrating the attack to deflect from internal dissent. Pakistan's support for Iran amid tensions with Israel complicates Munir's US engagement, yet Trump's outreach may aim to counter Iran via Pakistan's nuclear leverage. This risks alienating India, a vital Indo-Pacific partner. Munir's visit, alongside a Trump family-linked crypto deal in April 2025, suggests personal motives may cloud U.S. strategy, enabling Pakistan's military to exploit Trump's overtures while deepening regional instability. Trump's ceasefire falsehoods and Munir's White House visit have profound implications. First, they strain US-India ties, critical for countering China, as India's public rebuttal signals distrust. Second, they embolden Pakistan's military, accused of backing terrorists, as seen in Muridke's state funerals. Munir's provocation through his April 16 speech, inciting communal violence, and his ISI history link him directly to terror networks, yet Trump's engagement legitimizes him. Third, the ceasefire's fragility—evidenced by violations hours after its announcement—highlights the limits of Trump's diplomacy. Without addressing Kashmir or cross-border terrorism, the truce risks collapse, with Trump's premature claims eroding US credibility. Fourth, Trump's Kashmir mediation offer inflames Indian sentiment, potentially weakening Modi's domestic standing. Globally, Trump's actions project a US administration disconnected from South Asia's realities, undermining its neutral arbiter role. Munir's visit, framed as a diplomatic win, instead exposes Trump's transactional approach, prioritizing optics over strategy. To mitigate risks, the U.S. must respect India's bilateral framework, engage Pakistan's civilian leadership, and avoid Kashmir rhetoric. Failure to do so could fuel escalation, empower Pakistan's military-terror nexus, and destabilise a nuclear-armed region, with Trump's overreach bearing the blame. The author teaches journalism at St Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. 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Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Won't keep a single rupee': Singer says earnings from music video with Radhika Yadav will go towards charity
A singer who appeared in a music video with tennis player Radhika Yadav, who was allegedly shot dead by her father at their home in Gurgaon, said Wednesday that he will not take a single rupee from the earnings generated by the video and instead use it to feed the hungry. The music video, Karwaan, came into the spotlight following Radhika Yadav's murder on July 10. It had only 21,000 views on YouTube then, and as of Thursday morning, it has reached 1,29,000 views. Inamul Haq, who appeared along with Radhika Yadav, 25, in the video, put out a statement on Instagram, saying: 'A lot of people say I'm gaining fame because of what happened to Radhika. That my song Karwaan is trending, and I'll earn from it. So let me say this clearly — I won't keep a single rupee. Whatever I receive from Karwaan — whether monthly royalties from @iprsmusic or revenue from @songdewnetwork — will go towards helping the poor, feeding the hungry, supporting the helpless, and doing something meaningful.' 'For as long as this song is played in the world, every payment, every month, for the rest of my life, will be donated,' he added. Haq, based in Dubai, said that using the money to help the poor and needy would bring peace to Radhika's soul. He said that even if one sincere prayer comes from someone he has helped and brings peace to her soul, that is more than enough for him. 'This isn't about numbers. Not about fame. Just a small gesture in someone's memory. I've always worked with honesty and respect. I never wanted attention this way. And I never will,' he said. 'Rest in peace, Radhika. You'll always be remembered,' he added in the message. Earlier, while speaking to The Indian Express from Dubai, Haq had said that he barely knew Radhika and they were 'only professionally connected'. As he was targeted online with claims of 'love jihad', he said, 'After watching the video, people assumed we were very close, but that's simply not true… People are turning this into a Hindu-Muslim issue… there is no angle of 'love jihad'.' According to the police, Radhika's father Deepak Yadav confessed to the crime, stating that he was upset because people taunted him for living off his daughter's earnings.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Won't keep even a single rupee, will donate everything': Singer and co-star Inam-ul-Haq on earnings from music video 'Kaarwan' featuring Radhika Yadav; denies 'fame-chase' allegations
Amidst online speculation linking the song's popularity to the murder, Inam clarified he had no personal relationship with Radhika and refuted communal narratives. NEW DELHI: Singer and co-star Inam-ul-Haq, who appeared alongside Radhika Yadav in the music video Karwaan, has said he will not keep any earnings from the project, days after the 25-year-old was shot dead by her father in Gurgaon. Amid online speculation that the song's rising popularity is linked to the murder, Inam issued a statement on Instagram, saying, 'A lot of people say I'm gaining fame because of what happened to Radhika. That my song Karwaan is trending, and I'll earn from it. So let me say this clearly — I won't keep a single rupee.' 'Whatever I receive from Karwaan — whether monthly royalties from @iprsmusic or revenue from @songdewnetwork — will go towards helping the poor, feeding the hungry, supporting the helpless, and doing something meaningful,' he added. 'For as long as this song is played in the world, every payment, every month, for the rest of my life, will be donated.' You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The music video featuring Radhika had surfaced online shortly after her death, sparking intense speculation on social media. Deepak Yadav, Radhika's father, was arrested for shooting her at their Sector 57 home. The FIR and PTI report state that Deepak fired at least five rounds at her, three of which struck her from behind while she was in the kitchen. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Her mother, Manju Yadav, who was on the ground floor at the time, rushed upstairs upon hearing the gunshots. She later told police she initially thought it was a pressure cooker blast. Inam-ul-Haq, who featured in the song with Radhika, said the shoot was their only interaction and denied any personal connection. 'I met her for the first time during the Tennis Premier League in Delhi. Later, we worked together in the video shoot. She was an actor to me. We gave her a good luck amount. The production was unpaid. After the release, there was no contact,' he said. Rejecting the communal angle being pushed online, Haq said, 'This incident is being given a Hindu-Muslim angle. I don't know why. I have nothing to do with this case. There was neither any kind of friendship nor any relationship between Radhika and me.' He also recalled that Radhika came for the shoot with her mother and mentioned that her father had liked the song. 'She told us she wanted to work in the film line. After that, we never met. She deactivated and reactivated her Instagram account two-three times,' he said. The singer said he has not been contacted by police but is ready to cooperate. 'If I receive any call, I will definitely cooperate with them,' he added. Radhika, who had switched to coaching after a tennis injury, was cremated in Gurgaon. Police sources have said Deepak Yadav was upset with her for running a tennis academy and had allegedly asked her to take down the Karwaan video from social media. According to the postmortem report, she suffered four bullet injuries.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition slams Nitesh Rane for ‘fuelling communal tensions' with azaan remark
Opposition leaders slammed Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) for suggesting that Marathi should be used in madrasas and for Azaan (call to prayer) and accused him of fuelling communal trouble for political gains. BJP leader Mr. Rane remarked, 'Opposition should ask Muslims to recite the azaan in Marathi instead of Urdu, and teach Marathi in madrasas. All you get from there is a gun.' Mr. Rane's comments came in response to the Congress reportedly starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in several parts of Mumbai. His comments have drawn criticism from the Opposition, who claim he is spreading hatred with 'inflammatory' comments. Politically motivated Condemning the remark, NCP-SP State president Shashikant Shinde said, 'Mr. Rane, being a Minister, should raise such issues in the Cabinet and not publicly; who is stopping him?' NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar called Mr. Rane's remarks politically motivated, similar to the Hindu-Muslim card used in the Lok Sabha elections, and Marathi versus non-Marathi in local polls . 'It is the Home Ministry's duty to investigate whether the madrassa has guns or bombs. Mr. Rane should not divide people for politics, or fuel communal sentiments,' said Mr. Pawar. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also slammed Mr. Rane for creating unrest in the name of language and religion. 'BJP leaders are spreading hatred for the political gains in Maharashtra, he added.' Congress Leader Amin Patel said madrasasalready use English, Hindi, and Marathi, while azaan is in Arabic. Language and religion are two different things. 'Is Nitesh Rane himself taking any Marathi classes?' he asked sarcastically.
