Latest news with #RohingyaMuslims
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP, MIM corporators clash over fake birth & death certificates
Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) council meeting witnessed a heated exchange between AIMIM and BJP corporators over fraudulent birth and death certificates being issued in the city. The debate arose after the GHMC disclosed that it had cancelled over 23,000 fake birth and death certificates across the city, with Charminar, Falaknuma, and Mehdipatnam circles being responsible for issuing the highest number of these certificates. BJP corporators pointed out that the majority of these fake documents originated from the Karwan and Mehdipatnam constituencies, as well as Balapur in the Chandrayangutta area. They alleged that Rohingya Muslims from Pakistan and Bangladesh were allegedly using these certificates to secure Aadhaar cards and passports. However, the AIMIM strongly refuted these claims, dismissing them as baseless. MIM corporators demanded that the BJP refrain from bringing religion into the issue and asserted that both Hindus and Muslims are 'bhai-bhai. ' GHMC officials said that they noticed some of the MeeSeva centres were misusing the instant approval system to generate birth and death certificates without uploading requisite relevant documents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Тези обувки са толкова удобни, че няма да искате да ги събуете. ZAROTRAVEL® КУПИ СЕГА Undo FIRs were registered against the respective MeeSeva centres by concerned registrars of all the circle offices. "We terminated 16 health assistants and 15 outsourcing employees who were involved in the issuance of fake certificates," said S Pankaja, Additional Commissioner (Health). "Except for institutional births/deaths, the GHMC has now discontinued the instant approval system at MeeSeva centres, and other certificates are being issued with thorough verification and approval by the concerned registrar. Further, an OTP per each transaction is being generated and sent to the registrar's mobile number, so that the login credentials are not misused by the system," said an official from the health wing, GHMC. A few days ago, CMOH investigated the matter and found that of the 74 reported home births, 38 had been registered at Shishu Vihar, a centre for orphan children. A suo-motto investigation was initiated, which revealed that four of the reported home births had never occurred. After a thorough inquiry, it was found that 65 birth and 8 death unscrupulous certificates were fraudulently issued at Metro Hospital in Tolichowki. Officials said an FIR was filed against the hospital.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh Army, govt at odds on Myanmar corridor
In a press briefing held in Dhaka on May 26, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Army said that the country's armed forces will not be party to decisions that may harm national security. The move comes as the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has sought to create a humanitarian corridor connecting Chittagong to the Rakhine province in Myanmar, home to the persecuted Rohingya Muslims. The spokesperson, Lt. Col. Shafiqul Islam, signalled a divergence with the interim government's initiative, noting that the Army would 'not compromise' on the matter. 'The Army will not compromise on issues related to the corridor, national security, and national sovereignty. On August 5, 2024, the Army has coordinated with everyone for the sake of the country,' Lt. Col. Islam said. He also warned that stern action would be taken if attempts were made to organise mobs. This statement comes after Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman demanded that elections in Bangladesh be held in December this year, in a meeting with Commanding Officers on May 21. General Zaman said that the interim government had taken crucial decisions without consulting Bangladesh's armed forces. He opposed the creation of the corridor as 'unacceptable', citing fears that it may present national security challenges. The move would entail partnering with non-state actors such as the Arakan Army in a region notorious for the smuggling of arms and drugs. On May 21, Khalilur Rahman, the National Security Adviser to the interim government, said that it was 'not under pressure' from the U.S. or China to create the corridor but has discussed it with the United Nations. 'The UN Secretary-General inquired about Bangladesh's ability to provide aid to Rakhine. Bangladesh has informed the Arakan Army, through the UN, that aid distribution must be impartial and not used for military purposes,' he said in a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. 'Since all other aid delivery avenues are unviable due to conflict, Bangladesh turned out to be the only feasible option,' he added. The idea of a humanitarian corridor with Rakhine has evoked criticism from multiple stakeholders besides the Bangladesh Army, including from political leaders. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party expressed its support for the Army Chief, both for his opposition to the humanitarian corridor and his call for elections by December. 'He has spoken in support of democracy in Bangladesh,' said a BNP party member. The Hindu's Editorials The Hindu's Daily Quiz Which filmmaker won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for the revenge thriller It Was Just an Accident? Sean Baker Quentin Tarantino Christopher Nolan Jafar Panahi To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Why India Will Be Watching the Developments in Myanmar's Rakhine State
New Delhi: Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party has proposed the creation of an independent Rohingya state in the Rohingya-majority region during a meeting with representatives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Dhaka. The Chinese delegation was led by Peng Jiubin, Director-General of the Southeast and South Asian Affairs Bureau under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. This development comes amid a surge of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, as Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), particularly the Arakan Army, a Rakhine Buddhist militant group, seize control of areas along Myanmar's international borders. "China can play the biggest role here because China has a great relationship with Burma," said Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher. This carries significant geopolitical implications for India, which will be watching these developments very closely. "In the address I delivered to journalists after our meeting with the visiting Chinese Communist Party on April 27, I raised the need to make arrangements for the dignified and safe return of the Rohingyas who had come to Bangladesh, and also for establishing a safe zone for them," Taher added in a statement. Bangladesh's interim government Foreign Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, warned that the prolonged Rohingya crisis poses an escalating threat to both Bangladesh and regional stability, urging stronger international action for a durable and lasting solution, according to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha. "We've not yet found a viable solution to this crisis, despite it burdening us for a very long time," he said during a seminar on the issue, describing the prospects for Rohingya repatriation as grim due to Myanmar's internal instability. Since 2017, over 700,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh from the conflict-ridden Rakhine state in Myanmar. Today, Bangladesh hosts more than 1.3 million Rohingyas in camps at Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char Island. The past few years have seen increasing numbers of Rohingya Muslims seek refuge in Bangladesh, as the Arakan Army (AA)-the military wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA) and an ethno-nationalist armed group, continues its campaign to gain control over the region. The AA seeks to establish greater autonomy for the Rakhine people and ultimately aims to restore the sovereignty of the Arakanese people, governing the state with a degree of independence from Myanmar's central government. The AA, along with its allies, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), has seized several military bases and towns since launching "Operation 1027" in late October last year. In recent months, the AA has claimed control of more than 80% of Rakhine State, while Myanmar's military junta struggles to maintain its grip. The intensifying conflict has led to a further influx of Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh. If China supports the Jamaat-e-Islami proposal and intervenes, it would present an entirely new geopolitical challenge for India. However, experts say the creation of an independent Rohingya state remains highly unlikely. "An independent Rohingya state remains highly improbable in the current geopolitical and military climate. While the Myanmar military is increasingly losing ground in Rakhine to the Arakan Army, neither the junta nor the AA has shown any intention of supporting an independent Rohingya entity," said Sreeparna Banerjee, Associate Fellow at the Strategic Studies Programme of the Observer Research Foundation, in an interview with NDTV. "The AA, despite its military successes, has historically remained ambiguous-or even exclusionary-towards Rohingya political aspirations. Moreover, regional powers and ASEAN have not indicated any support for such a drastic redrawing of borders, which would set a volatile precedent in the region." Banerjee elaborated that the AA's vision is centred on ethnic Rakhine autonomy, not a separate state for the Rohingyas or any other group. "The AA's territorial gains are significant, but its focus remains on Rakhine autonomy within a federal or confederal structure. In fact, the AA has sought to assert control over Rohingya-majority areas like Buthidaung and Maungdaw. There are also increasing reports of forced conscription and restrictions imposed on Rohingyas by AA forces. Therefore, even if a power vacuum were to emerge, it is more likely to lead to Rakhine-centric governance than to a distinct Rohingya state. The feasibility is thus low and highly improbable," she said. The Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical Islamist group that has often taken an anti-India stance in Bangladesh, is also trying to bring China into the equation. While the Bangladesh Interim Government has invited China to expand its presence in the region, India has primarily focused on northern Bangladesh and the strategic Siliguri Corridor, or "Chicken's Neck." However, Myanmar-which shares a border with southern Bangladesh-could prove to be a strategic alternative for India, helping secure its northeastern front and providing another route into the region. Both India and China already maintain a presence in Rakhine State: India through the Sittwe Port under the Kaladan project, and China through the Kyaukphyu Port and associated oil and gas pipelines. Despite its regional interests, China is unlikely to support an independent Rohingya state due to the potential instability such a development could bring. "China's primary interest in Rakhine is strategic stability and protection of its infrastructure-especially the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), including the Kyaukphyu Port and the oil/gas pipelines. An independent Rohingya state would inject tremendous uncertainty into China's investments. However, if such a proposal emerged as a stabilising force, China might pragmatically engage with it-particularly if it meant buffer control around its assets. But overall, Beijing is more likely to support actors like the AA or the junta, who can secure its assets without radically altering territorial arrangements," Banerjee noted. For India, the Sittwe Port holds critical importance. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), India's flagship connectivity initiative in Myanmar, aims to enhance road and maritime links with Southeast Asia. It will also provide an alternative access route to India's northeastern region, contributing to economic development there. The project connects Sittwe Port in Myanmar to the India-Myanmar border via a 225-kilometre waterway to Kaletwa and a 62-kilometre roadway from Kaletwa to the border. The first Indian cargo ship arrived at Sittwe Port on May 9, 2023, marking the beginning of regular maritime trade between Kolkata's Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port and Sittwe in Myanmar's Rakhine State. The port connects to Paletwa via an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram via road, bypassing Bangladesh entirely. The construction includes a 280-meter bridge over the Kaladan River at Kaletwa, as part of the 60.8-kilometre route to Zorinpui. "India's investment in the Sittwe Port and the Kaladan Project is anchored in its broader objective of ensuring security and connectivity in the northeast. However, the current situation in Rakhine-marked by escalating conflict between the Arakan Army and the junta-has rendered the region inhospitable to infrastructure continuity in the near term. Any proposal for an independent Rohingya state would likely exacerbate instability further, complicating India's strategic logistics corridor to Mizoram and Manipur," Banerjee explained. India will be watching the situation along its border with Myanmar closely, as these projects are vital to its security and economic interests in the Northeast. With Bangladesh engaging with Pakistan and inviting China to increase its influence in the region, any move toward establishing an independent Rohingya state could prove a significant roadblock. Sources suggest that India may need to open communication lines and establish working relationships with whichever power ends up controlling Rakhine State.
Mint
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Beyond Hera Pheri 3: 5 times Paresh Rawal was in hot water; Babubhai's big controversies
Akshay Kumar has sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal after the veteran actor exited Hera Pheri 3. Akshay has reportedly asked for ₹ 25 crore in damages. He claims Paresh acted unprofessionally by leaving Hera Pheri 3 after signing the contract and starting the shoot. This is not the first time Paresh Rawal is a part of a major controversy. Check out 5 such past occasions. In 2017, Rawal tweeted about an incident where the Indian Army tied a Kashmiri stone pelter to an army jeep as a human shield. The-then BJP MP suggested that writer Arundhati Roy should be tied instead. The tweet sparked massive outrage, with actor Swara Bhaskar and Congress leader Shobha Ojha criticising him. Rawal later clarified his stance. 'I expected this kind of reaction from liberal-minded people. I just want to know when Arundhati Roy was talking about army people, why no one said anything?' he asked. 'If she is right, then even I am right. If she regrets making the comments, then I also regret it. Agreed that this is fake news, but what about the comments that she made on 2002 Godhra riots? If you have freedom of expression, then even I have it,' Rawal told PTI. During a 2022 election rally in Gujarat, Rawal made a comment stereotyping Bengalis for their fish-eating habits. His remark was perceived as xenophobic, particularly targeting Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims. The statement drew backlash, with some accusing him of prejudice. Rawal apologised on X, clarifying that he meant "illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya" immigrants, not Bengalis. He also expressed regret if sentiments were hurt. In April 2025, Rawal revealed in an interview that he used to drink his own urine to heal a knee injury sustained while filming Ghatak in the 1990s. He claimed it had sped up his recovery. Health experts have refuted this, stating there's no scientific evidence for urine therapy. They have also warned of potential health risks due to toxins in urine. Rawal stirred controversy by stating that Akshay Kumar, his frequent co-star in films like Hera Pheri and Welcome, was a colleague, not a friend, despite their on-screen chemistry. He called Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Johny Lever his best friends from his theatre days. This led to public debate, with some fans disappointed. Rawal, however, clarified it was about limited social interaction, not animosity. Paresh Rawal dropped out of OMG 2 due to script issues and was later replaced by Pankaj Tripathi. In an interview, Paresh said he didn't like the script and didn't want to do a sequel just for money. The veteran Bollywood actor added that he had made the same mistake with Hera Pheri 2 and didn't want to repeat it.
India.com
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
New corridor at Bangladesh and Myanmar border, 'dangerous plan' in name of Rohingya Muslims, tension for India due to...
File Photo (Indranil Mukherjee/AFP) New Delhi: Since Operation Sindoor, the world's attention has been focused on the India-Pakistan border, but something significant is also happening at the northeastern border of the country, namely Bangladesh. Due to the civil war in Myanmar, a large number of Rohingya Muslims have sought refuge in Bangladesh in recent years. Bangladesh is looking for a way to facilitate the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Dhaka in March and proposed the creation of a 'humanitarian corridor' for the return of Rohingya refugees. The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus is moving forward with this project. At first glance, this seems like a matter between Bangladesh and Myanmar, but this corridor could also become a concern for India due to the long border it shares with Myanmar and Bangladesh. According to a report by Firstpost, Bangladesh's National Security Advisor (NSA) and High Representative for Rohingya Affairs Khalilur Rahman intends to move forward with this corridor without any internal or external consent. Rahman is considered a staunch supporter of the United States, and it is believed that the United States is behind this corridor as well. Meanwhile, the Rohingya refugees settled in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, have been refusing to return to Rakhine, Myanmar. The Awami League, the party of Sheikh Hasina, is opposed to the government's decision to create a humanitarian corridor. Their argument is that the authority to make such decisions rests not with the interim government but with an elected one. The Awami League claims that this corridor could be used against the military junta in Myanmar. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also criticized this. Many organizations are stating that the corridor poses a threat to Bangladesh's sovereignty. Decisions such as creating a corridor for Myanmar are bound to affect the fragile regional stability of India's neighborhood. Yunus's decision could strengthen the Arakan Army (AA), a rebel group fighting against the junta regime. This will help China increase its influence in Myanmar and will escalate regional instability. India is in contact with both sides. India has continued discussions with both parties – the junta and rebel groups – to secure its 1,640-kilometer-long border with Myanmar, but this corridor will complicate India's path. Khalilur Rahman's emphasis on a humanitarian corridor amidst political instability in Bangladesh indicates that Washington is working towards this. Recently, a significant cargo from the United States also arrived in Dhaka. This increases the likelihood that the corridor will be used to send weapons to the Arakan Army. There is also a fear that this corridor will not only be used to send military equipment to rebel groups in Myanmar, but it could also be used by terrorist organizations in Bangladesh for illegal drug trafficking. Myanmar is the largest center for opium cultivation and synthetic drug production. In this context, it is certain that concerns will increase for India along its long border with Myanmar and Bangladesh. This could lead to unrest along India's northeastern borders.
