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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Kerala community in Dubai faces backlash for hosting Shahid Afridi at event
A segment of the Keralite diaspora in Dubai has come under sharp criticism on social media after warmly receiving former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi at a recent event. The backlash stems from Afridi's remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which intensified tensions between India and Pakistan. In a video that quickly gained traction online, Afridi is seen being enthusiastically welcomed on stage by the Keralite community during the event. The crowd greeted him with loud cheers and chanted 'Boom Boom', a nod to Afridi's well-known nickname. Kerala community in Dubai under fire for warmly welcoming Shahid Afridi, despite his past anti-India remarks (even after the recent Pahalgam attack). Seriously? Patriotism shouldn't have borders when it comes to national sentiment. #Kerala #Dubai #ShahidAfridi #IndiaFirst … — Vivid Insaan ???? (@VividInsaan) May 31, 2025 Pausing their cultural performance to acknowledge his arrival, community members created a lively atmosphere. Afridi responded to the chants, saying, 'Hogaya Boom Boom". During his address, Afridi expressed his fondness for 'the Kerala part in India and its food", further endearing himself to the audience. The event, titled 'Ormachuvadukul 2025,' was organised by the Cochin University Alumni Association (CUBAA) and held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) Auditorium in Oud Metha on May 25. Afridi's remarks on Pahalgam terror attack The uproar stems largely from Afridi's statements made in April on Pakistan's Samaa TV regarding the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives. Afridi suggested that any incident in India is blamed on Pakistan, saying, 'even if a firecracker were to burst in India, fingers will always be pointed at Pakistan". He also criticised the Indian armed forces' security efforts in Kashmir. Social media reacts with strong disapproval The video of Afridi's reception was shared on X with the caption: 'What a shame!! - Desperate Keralites welcome this anti-India Paki with 'Boom Boom' at an event in Dubai, especially after Pahalgam terror attack and his venomous stand against India.' It quickly went viral, sparking widespread condemnation. One user expressed disappointment, commenting, 'Patriotism gone for a six… what a shame. Expected better from them (Kerala community).' Another wrote, 'How much disloyal can you be to your nation… learn from the most literate people… Disgraceful!' A third questioned the loyalty of the community, saying, 'Don't they have anyone from India origin!! Shame to see this happen.'
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Will Pakistan hand over Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar? Top focus on Gaurav Sawant's show
This episode of India First focusses on India's demand for Pakistan to extradite UN-designated terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, the masterminds behind the 26/11 Mumbai and Pulwama terror attacks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh challenges Pakistan to prove its seriousness about dialogue by meeting this demand. The programme delves into the implications of this demand, the broader context of India-Pakistan relations, and the ultimatum that future talks will only address terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It also discusses India's response to Pakistani terrorism from the Kargil War to recent strikes, highlighting a shift from strategic restraint to controlled escalation. Former Army Chief General Vij underscores the importance of not trusting Pakistan and discusses military capabilities to reclaim PoK.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Rajnath Singh's PoK roar: Is the path to PoK recovery real? Experts debate
In this episode of India First, the focus is on Pakistan's open support ot UN-designated terrorists and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistani ministers and political leaders were seen sharing the stage and embracing terrorists from banned groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba at public events. It also discusses Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement that people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will voluntarily return to India soon. The show discusses India's stance on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), highlighting Pakistan's history of terrorism and oppression in the region since 1947. It explores India's strategy to reclaim PoK through diplomatic pressure and building local support rather than military action. The discussion also covers the recent arrests of Pakistani spies in Rajasthan and the abduction of three Indian men in Iran, allegedly by Pakistani nationals involved in human trafficking.
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"People had decided INDI alliance was not a coalition, but opportunistic alliance": Rajeev Chandrasekhar
New Delhi [India], May 16 (ANI): Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday reacted to Congress leader P Chidambaram's remarks on INDIA alliance and said that the people had decided that the group of opposition parties is not a coalition but 'an opportunistic alliance' that has no policy to work for the country. He said people believe in the BJP ideology. 'Sometimes, even Congress people have to speak the truth. People had decided before that the INDI alliance was not a coalition, but an opportunistic alliance. Whenever parties with dynasties come, they have no common ideologies. They don't have a policy to work for the country... they come together only to attack Narendra Modi... people believe in the BJP's ideology,' Chandrasekhar, a former union minister, told ANI. Chandrasekhar also took to social media X and called the opposition alliance a 'motley collection of parties' and that they came together only because of their 'love for corruption.' 'The BJP is a formidable party because it believes in strong values /principles of IndiaFirst and cares for all Indians - and so has the support of most Indians. INDI alliance is a motley collection of parties, brought together by only their love for corruption and exploitation and fear/hatred of Narendra Modi ji,' Chandrasekhar posted said. Earlier, Chidambaram expressed doubts about the future of the INDIA bloc, saying that it is frayed at the seams. However, he added that the bloc could still be saved with time. 'The future is not so bright as Mr Mritunjay Singh Yadav said. He seemed to feel that the INDIA Alliance is still intact. I'm not sure. It's only Salman can answer, because he was part of the negotiating team for the India alliance. If the INDIA alliance is intact, I'm very, very happy. But it shows, it's at the seams, it's frayed. It can be put together, there's still time,' Chidambaram said. Chidambaram was yesterday speaking at the book launch of Contesting Democratic Deficit: An Inside Story of the 2024 Elections by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav in the national capital. The Congress leader described the BJP as not another political party but an exceptionally well-organised political force and stressed that it must be challenged on multiple fronts to challenge its dominance. 'In my experience and reading of history, there has been no political party as formidably organised as the BJP. In every department, it's formidable. It's not another political party. It's a machine behind which it's a machine, and the two machines control all the machinery of India, from the Election Commission of India to the lowest police station in India; they are able to control or sometimes capture these institutions. This is a formidable machine you're fighting. It's not another political party,' he said. Chidambaram said 'this formidable machine' must be fought on all fronts, (ANI)
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
RIL bows out as race for tagline Operation Sindoor gathers pace
On a second thought and probable advise, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) on Thursday withdrew its application for a patent on wordmark 'Operation Sindoor' — the codename of India's 'precision strike' military action on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK — a day after applying for it. The Mukesh Ambani-led company said it had no intonation of trademarking the phrase and abided by its 'India First commitment'. 'Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery,' RIL said in a statement. 'Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation,' it said. 'Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor, which came about in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam,' it added. 'Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India's uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism,' the company stated. 'Reliance stands fully in support of our government and armed forces in this fight against terrorism. Our commitment to the motto of 'India First' remains unwavering,' it added. Hours after news broke about the bombings in Pakistan and PoK, RIL and five others applied for trademarking the term on Wednesday. They had applied to the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, seeking to use the phrase in entertainment-related services, including audio and video content which could be produced as movies, documentaries and serials. A retired Air Force officer, Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh, and Alok Kothari, a Delhi High Court lawyer, are among the contenders after RIL pulled out. The others include Mukesh Chetram Agarwal and Jayaraj T. While Mr. Kothari told The Hindu that he would give away all the profits from the movie to war widows, the retired Air Force officer said as someone who had worked in the forces and participated in operations, he would do justice to the title.
