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United News of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
A daughter and a defender: Father-in-law salutes Colonel Sofiya
Belagavi, May 8 (UNI) Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's involvement in the ongoing Operation Sindoor has brought pride and honour not just to the armed forces, but also to her family and Belagavi. Her father-in-law, Ghousesaab Babusab Bagewadi, says her service represents the growing strength and leadership of Indian women in uniform. "She is our daughter, serving in the Army and doing exceptional work," Bagewadi told reporters. "We always encourage her to continue her good service, she's making us proud. I aspire to lead a life as honourable as hers." Colonel Sofiya had visited the family six months ago and was expected to return for Bakrid. Bagewadi said he only learned of her role in Operation Sindoor on Wednesday evening. "I wasn't home at the time, my friend told me when I returned. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I couldn't sleep all night, and media persons kept coming for interviews." While he couldn't speak to her directly due to her ongoing briefings, Bagewadi said he spoke to his son, who assured him that Colonel Sofiya was safe and in good health. "The community is showing us great respect. People are coming to congratulate us, offer prayers, and even presented me with a bouquet, saying our family has brought honour to the community.' Operation Sindoor involved a swift and high-risk counter-insurgency manoeuvre in sensitive zones in PoK and Pakistan. Speaking with conviction and emotion, Bagewadi added: "Caste and religion are senseless divisions. What Pakistan does is meaningless, death doesn't evade Pakistanis by the grace of Allah. They strike from behind, but we Indian Muslims fight from the front. That is why Allah grants us honour and dignity." "If our daughters can show such strength, imagine the strength our sons possess," he said. "But our duty must always be to save lives. If I see a child drowning in a river, I won't stand by—I will jump in to save him. Our true identity is that we are Hindustanis. If we live by that, Allah will never let us go hungry." In a symbol of communal harmony, Bagewadi revealed that the family has also been invited to attend temple jatras (festival). "That's the India we believe in, mutual respect, unity, and service," he said. UNI BDN SSP
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Give me suicide bomb, will go to Pakistan to wage war: Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed Khan
Hospet/Hubballi: A video of Karnataka housing and waqf minister BZ Zameer Ahmad Khan declaring he was ready to turn into a suicide bomber for India and "walk into Pakistan with explosives" went viral Saturday, sparking intense political reactions and social media frenzy. "I have said this repeatedly: We're Indians, we're Hindustanis. We have no connection whatsoever with Pakistan. I repeat, we have no relationship with Pakistan. I'm ready to wage war if needed. Even as a minister, if I'm sent to the battlefield, I'm prepared to go and fight against Pakistan," he said at a press conference on Friday at Hospet in Vijayanagara district, about 330 km from Bengaluru. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Doubling down on his comments, the senior Congress functionary added: "I'll go to the battlefield to fight for India. Let all of us do it for our country. If necessary, I will become a suicide bomber for India. I'm not saying this lightly or out of emotion. If the country requires it, I'm ready to sacrifice myself as a suicide bomber." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like CFD's: Investing $200 in Emaar Malls can give you a second income TradeLG Undo He went further, invoking the top BJP functionaries and making a dramatic appeal: "Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah give me the opportunity to become a suicide bomber. I swear by Allah — I will have explosives wrapped around my body and I will go to Pakistan." The remarks, shared widely across social media, drew mixed reactions. While some praised the minister's nationalistic zeal, others questioned the rhetoric's appropriateness, particularly in light of his cabinet position. Zameer, a close confidant of chief minister Siddaramaiah and representative of Bengaluru's Chamrajpet constituency, was earlier associated with the JD(S) before switching to the Congress with backing from former PM HD Deve Gowda. The comments came in the wake of a recent controversy surrounding Siddaramaiah's earlier statement advocating against war with Pakistan—remarks which drew national backlash and were reportedly picked up by the Pakistani media. The CM later clarified that he would not oppose war if it was deemed necessary. Meanwhile, Union minister Pralhad Joshi hit back at Zameer's dramatic statement with pointed sarcasm. "There is no greater 'sacrifice maker' than Khan. If only he remains silent, that's enough. He doesn't need to do anything. Just trust the military and stay quiet. We don't need your speeches or for you to go to the border," Joshi mocked. "It's enough if Zameer, Santosh Lad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Siddaramaiah just stay quiet," he added.
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka minister willing to turn ‘suicide bomber' against Pakistan: Who is Zameer Ahmed Khan
Kicking off another row, Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has said he is 'ready to wage war against Pakistan' wearing a 'suicide bomb'. Zameer's statement came amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in South Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed. The Minister for Housing, Waqf, and Minority Affairs in the Siddaramaiah -led government told reporters Friday: 'I have said this several times — we are Indians and Hindustanis. We have no relation with Pakistan. We are ready to wage war (against Pakistan). As a minister, I am ready to go if I am sent to wage a war. I will go and fight for the country.' Zameer added, 'If needed, I will go with a suicide bomb. I am not saying this as a joke or out of josh (enthusiasm). If the country needs me, let (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah give me a suicide bomb… I swear on Allah, I will tie it and go to Pakistan.' Union Minister and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi called Zameer's statement 'childish'. 'Believe in the military and stay quiet — that is enough. You do not need to make speeches or go there. Have faith in our soldiers and intelligence agencies, and remain silent. That will be your biggest service to the country,' he said in a swipe at Zameer. Multiple controversies A five-time MLA, Zameer, 58, comes from a family involved in a third-generation transportation business. He started his political career with the Janata Dal (Secular) and contested his first election in 2005 from the Chamrajpet Assembly seat in a bypoll after it was vacated by Union minister and then Congress leader SM Krishna as he took up the post of the Maharashtra Governor. A close aide of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy at the time, Zameer quickly went on to emerge as a key Muslim face of the party. In January 2006, the Dharam Singh-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government was toppled when Kumaraswamy left the government with 42 JD(S) legislators. To sequester his party MLAs then, Zameer had driven them to a resort in a bus. Zameer fell out with Kumaraswamy in 2018, when he along with six JD(S) MLAs jumped ship and joined the Congress. Within the Congress, Zameer formed a close relationship with Siddaramaiah who had also earlier been with the JD(S). In the run-up to the 2023 state Assembly polls, Zameer had even said that he would vacate the Chamarajpet seat if Siddaramaiah wanted to contest from his constituency. The Congress clinched the polls with Siddaramaiah returning as the CM. Zameer has been at the centre of several rows. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided his premises in the I-Monetary Advisory scam, which came into light after the investment agency stopped paying dividends to depositors. In December 2024, the ED submitted a report to the Karnataka Lokayukta police in a disproportionate asset case linked to Zameer's alleged involvement in the scam. The Lokayukta police have questioned him, while the case is still pending. In November 2024, Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot directed the Advocate General of Karnataka High Court to initiate action against Zameer for his alleged contemptuous remarks on the high court's order on the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case in which Siddaramaiah's wife was alleged to be involved. In the 2023 polls, Zameer declared assets worth over Rs 70 crore. Among other businesses, his family also runs casinos in Sri Lanka. He is known for his connections in Bollywood, too. His 50th birthday bash was attended by film stars such as Sanjay Dutt, Shakti Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.
Mint
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who is Zameer Ahmed Khan, Karnataka minister who offered to become a ‘suicide bomber' against Pakistan?
Zameer Ahmed Khan, Karnataka's housing minister, on Friday stirred up a controversy when he said that he was ready to go to Pakistan with a bomb strapped on him. His statements came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians on April 22. In a video Khan posted on X, he can be heard saying, 'If needed, I will go with a suicide bomb. I'm not saying this as a joke or out of josh. If the country needs me, let Narendra Modi and Amit Shah give me a suicide bomb—I swear on Allah (the God), I will tie it and go to Pakistan.' While talking to reporters, he goes on to say, 'I have said this several times—we are Indians and Hindustanis. We have no relation with Pakistan. We are ready to wage war (against Pakistan). As a minister, I'm ready to go if I'm sent to wage war. I will go and fight for the country. Let's go.' He also criticised the Pahalgam attack, calling it a 'barbaric and inhuman act' and urged Indians to unite. Khan is the Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf, and Minority Affairs in the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government. He represents the Chamrajpet constituency in the state legislative assembly. According to a HT report, Khan began is political journey with the Janata Dal (Secular) and was elected MLA from Chamrajpet in 2005. The five-time MLA has held the seat since. In 2018, Khan switched to Congress, before serving multiple terms with JD(S). In 2024, he was summoned by the Lokayukta police in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The Enforcement Directorate had raided Khan in August 2021, the report added. Reacting to Khan's statement, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called it 'childish'. "Believe in the military and stay quiet—that's enough. You don't need to make speeches or go there. Have faith in our soldiers and intelligence agencies, and remain silent. That will be your biggest service to the country," a PTI report quoted him as saying. "Ensuring that such statements do not lower the morale of our soldiers will be Zameer's greatest service. Big namaskar to Zameer and his party if they just keep quiet," Joshi added. Last year, Khan was at the centre of a political storm for his 'Kaalia' remark, aimed at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. The JD(S) had strongly condemned the 'racist remarks', while sharing the video in which Khan purportedly made disparaging remarks against the former chief minister during an election campaign in Channapatna by-polls, referring to him as 'Kala Kumaraswamy'. Khan had later tendered his apology fir his remark. "I apologise if my statement has offended anyone. Earlier, when I was with him, he used to affectionately call me 'kulla' (short) and I used to call him 'black'. I am ready to apologise if my statement offended anyone,' Khan had told reporters in Mysuru. First Published: 3 May 2025, 05:29 PM IST
India.com
03-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
‘Will Become Suicide Bomber For India In War Against Pakistan': Ktaka Minister Amid Border Tensions
A video of Karnataka's Minister for Housing and Waqf, B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan, declaring that he was ready to become a suicide bomber for India and walk into Pakistan with explosives to wage war, went viral on social media on Saturday. Speaking to the media earlier, Minister Zameer stated, 'I have said this repeatedly: We are Indians, we are Hindustanis. We have no connection whatsoever with Pakistan. I repeat, we have no relationship with Pakistan. I am ready to wage war if needed. Even as a minister, if I am sent to the battlefield, I am prepared to go and fight against Pakistan.' 'I will personally go to the battlefield to fight for India. Let all of us do it for our country. If necessary, I will become a suicide bomber for India. I am not saying this lightly or out of emotion. If the country requires it, I am ready to sacrifice myself as a suicide bomber,' he added. 'Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah give me the opportunity to become a suicide bomber. I swear by Allah — I will have explosives wrapped around my body and I will go to Pakistan,' Minister Zameer declared. The video has garnered widespread attention and is being shared widely across social media platforms, receiving praise from various sections of society. Minister Zameer, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, represents the Chamarajpet constituency in Bengaluru. He rose to prominence in state politics with the support of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. After leaving the JD(S), he joined the Congress party. Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sparked controversy with a remark advocating against war with Pakistan. His statement drew criticism at the national level and was reportedly highlighted by the Pakistani media. Following the backlash, CM Siddaramaiah clarified that he has no objection to waging war against Pakistan if necessary.
