Latest news with #Saudi-style
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Udaipur Files Producer Amit Jani Granted Y-Category Security Amid Alleged Threats
New Delhi: Producer Amit Jani reportedly claimed that he had been receiving death threats on social media in connection with the upcoming release of Udaipur Files. Union Home Ministry Approves Y-Category Security In a new development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended Y-category security to Amit Jani. This comes amid mounting tensions and concerns over the film's impact and the threats reportedly received by its creators. The protection will be provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will apply across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Producer Expresses Gratitude Taking to social media, Jani thanked the country's top leadership for ensuring his protection. In a tweet written in Hindi, he said: "केंद्र की Y श्रेणी सुरक्षा देने के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी और गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी का हार्दिक धन्यवाद" (Translation: "Heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for granting Y-category security.") केंद्र की Y श्रेणी सुरक्षा देने के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी और गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी का हार्दिक धन्यवाद@narendramodi @AmitShah @HMOIndia @PMOIndia — Amit Jani (@AmitJaniIND) July 27, 2025 Court Puts a Hold on Film's Release Originally slated for a July 11 release, the Delhi High Court on July 10 issued a stay order on the film, pending a decision by the Centre on multiple petitions. These petitions sought a permanent ban, citing the film's potential to 'promote disharmony' in society. Centre Recommends Edits According to an ANI report, a committee constituted by the central government, on directions from the Delhi High Court, has proposed six major modifications to the film. These include: Revised disclaimer: The original disclaimer is to be replaced with a new, government-approved version. Credit edits: Frames expressing gratitude to certain individuals must be removed. AI-generated execution scene: A scene resembling a Saudi-style execution created using AI must be altered. A scene resembling a Saudi-style execution created using AI must be altered. Name change for character 'Nutan Sharma': All references to this character must be replaced. All references to this character must be replaced. Dialogue deletion: The line attributed to Nutan Sharma, 'Mainetoh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharma grantho mein likha hai', must be removed. The line attributed to Nutan Sharma, 'Mainetoh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharma grantho mein likha hai', must be removed. Baloch community references: Dialogues concerning the Baloch community are to be eliminated. Earlier, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had mandated around 150 cuts in the film. Following these revisions, Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder was cleared for theatrical release on August 8, 2025. Starring Vijay Raaz in the lead role, the film was originally scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. However, it encountered multiple delays due to censorship issues and ongoing legal challenges. FAQs Q1. Why did Amit Jani receive Y-category security? Amit Jani was granted Y-category security after claiming he received threats over the film Udaipur Files. Q2. Why was the release of Udaipur Files delayed? The Delhi High Court stayed the release, citing concerns over the film's potential to promote social disharmony. Q3. How many cuts did CBFC demand in the film? The CBFC had ordered approximately 150 cuts before approving the film, as reported by IANS. Q4. When is Udaipur Files now scheduled to release? The film is slated for release on August 8, 2025.
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
In Afghanistan, young women under Taliban ditch the burka for something ‘more comfortable'
Young, urban women in Afghanistan are increasingly ditching the all-enveloping blue burka with a face mesh that has become a symbol of the Taliban's oppression of women. Advertisement Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed their ultra-strict interpretation of Islamic law, modelled on that of their previous rule over the Central Asian country from 1996 to 2001. But while women must still have their bodies and faces covered, restrictions from the feared religious police do not specifically mention the burka. So young women are instead following fashions seen in many Gulf nations. Many prefer a flowing abaya robe, worn with a hijab headscarf and often a face covering as well – sometimes a medical mask, or a Saudi-style cloth niqab veil that exposes only the eyes. Advertisement
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
No to burqa, yes to abaya
The blue burqa has become a symbol of Taliban oppression. Photo: AFP Young, urban women in Afghanistan are increasingly ditching the all-enveloping blue burqa with a face mesh that has become a symbol of the Taliban's oppression of women. Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed an ultra-strict vision of Islamic law, modelled on their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. But while women must still have their bodies and faces covered, restrictions from the feared religious police do not specifically mention the burqa. So young women are instead following fashions seen in many Gulf nations. Many prefer a flowing abaya robe, worn with a hijab headscarf and often a face covering as well – sometimes a medical mask, or a Saudi-style cloth niqab veil that exposes only the eyes. "The new generation would never accept wearing a burqa, because of the design and colour," said 23-year-old Tahmina Adel in the capital Kabul. With social media, "everybody follows the trends", Adel added, who was forced to quit her economics degree because of the Taliban government's ban on women's education. "I prefer wearing an abaya because I am comfortable in that," she said. Young women in Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif said that abayas and headscarves offer more freedom of expression than burqas, with a variation in colour, material and pattern. "Only elders wear a burqa," said Razia Khaliq, as she embroidered one at a workshop in Mazar-i-Sharif. Khaliq began wearing the billowing head-to-toe burqa aged 13, like her mother and grandmother before her. But her daughter, in her 20s, prefers the abaya. "Young people wear the abaya because it is more comfortable," Khaliq said. 'Stifling' The burqa has long roots in Afghanistan. It was strictly enforced during the first Taliban government rule of Afghanistan, when women were lashed for failing to wear one in public. But the abaya and hijab headscarf combination grew in popularity during the time of the foreign-backed government. When the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021, they had promised to be more flexible than during their first rule, when women were deprived of almost all their rights. They have gradually erased Afghan women from public space, imposing what the United Nations has called a "gender apartheid". They outlawed the loose headscarves commonly worn by urban women. Billboards were erected ordering women to once again wear the burqa – or an abaya, headscarf and a face covering. A law in August confirmed restrictions imposed on men and women by the religious police. It stipulates that, while women can go out "in case of necessity", they must cover up. "Whether a burqa or hijab, there is no difference," said Saif ul Islam Khyber, spokesman for the morality police, known officially as the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Nasima, in her 40s, insisted that "showing your face is a sin". But she admitted to sometimes wearing an abaya and headscarf to free her nose and mouth from the "stifling" burqa. 'Very strange' Niha, 22, said she was reprimanded for not wearing a burqa in public buildings, which are guarded by the Taliban authority's security forces. It is common to be asked to readjust the headscarf, or ordered to add a medical mask. "As soon as we enter offices, we are mistreated," said Niha, who did not give her surname. Hayatullah Rafiqi, a specialist in Pashtun culture, said the burqa was "strictly imposed" under the first Taliban government – when some women were "whipped if they did not wear it" – but that "today it is worn less." Burqas vary only in colour according to province, from blue to light brown, and green to pink. Gul Mohammad has been selling burqas in Kabul for 40 years, and said many now come from China – made of nylon rather than cotton, making them cheaper and stronger but less breathable. "The Chinese burqa is very cold in winter, and it is like fire in summer," said Gul. "This makes the women sweat." For Sabrina, 23, from the Taliban's spiritual cradle of Kandahar, life under a burqa is fraught with pitfalls. She is regularly lectured if she does not wear it. The first time she wore it was after the Taliban government seized back control in 2021, and it was not her choice. "I couldn't see my way, I didn't know if I was going right or left," she said. "It was very strange." afp
Gulf Today
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
New generation of Afghan women shift from burqa
Young, urban women in Afghanistan are increasingly ditching the all-enveloping blue burqa with a face mesh that has become a symbol of the Taliban's oppression of women. Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed an ultra-strict vision of Islamic law, modelled on their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. But while women must still have their bodies and faces covered, restrictions from the feared religious police do not specifically mention the burqa. So young women are instead following fashions seen in many Gulf nations. Many prefer a flowing abaya robe, worn with a hijab headscarf and often a face covering as well -- sometimes a medical mask, or a Saudi-style cloth niqab veil that exposes only the eyes. "The new generation would never accept wearing a burqa, because of the design and colour," said 23-year-old Tahmina Adel in the capital Kabul. An Afghan man sells burqas to a woman at his shop in Mazar-i-Sharif. AFP With social media, "everybody follows the trends", Adel added, who was forced to quit her economics degree because of the Taliban government's ban on women's education. "I prefer wearing an abaya because I am comfortable in that," she said. Young women in Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif said that abayas and headscarves offer more freedom of expression than burqas, with a variation in colour, material and pattern. "Only elders wear a burqa," said Razia Khaliq, as she embroidered one at a workshop in Mazar-i-Sharif. Khaliq began wearing the billowing head-to-toe burqa aged 13, like her mother and grandmother before her. An Afghan man shows varieties of burqas to a customer at his shop in Kandahar. AFP But her daughter, in her 20s, prefers the abaya. "Young people wear the abaya because it is more comfortable," Khaliq said. 'Stifling' The burqa has long roots in Afghanistan. It was strictly enforced during the first Taliban government rule of Afghanistan, when women were lashed for failing to wear one in public. But the abaya and hijab headscarf combination grew in popularity during the time of the foreign-backed government. When the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021, they had promised to be more flexible than during their first rule, when women were deprived of almost all their rights. They have gradually erased Afghan women from public space, imposing what the United Nations has called a "gender apartheid". Afghan women buy burqas at a shop in Mazar-i-Sharif. AFP They outlawed the loose headscarves commonly worn by urban women. Billboards were erected ordering women to once again wear the burqa -- or an abaya, headscarf and a face covering. A law in August confirmed restrictions imposed on men and women by the religious police. It stipulates that, while women can go out "in case of necessity", they must cover up. "Whether a burqa or hijab, there is no difference," said Saif ul Islam Khyber, spokesman for the morality police, known officially as the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Nasima, in her 40s, insisted that "showing your face is a sin". But she admitted to sometimes wearing an abaya and headscarf to free her nose and mouth from the "stifling" burqa. 'Very strange' Niha, 22, said she was reprimanded for not wearing a burqa in public buildings, which are guarded by the Taliban authority's security forces. It is common to be asked to readjust the headscarf, or ordered to add a medical mask. An Afghan burqa embroiderer works at a factory in Mazar-i-Sharif. AFP "As soon as we enter offices, we are mistreated," said Niha, who did not give her surname. Hayatullah Rafiqi, a specialist in Pashtun culture, said the burqa was "strictly imposed" under the first Taliban government -- when some women were "whipped if they did not wear it" -- but that "today it is worn less." Burqas vary only in colour according to province, from blue to light brown, and green to pink. Gul Mohammad has been selling burqas in Kabul for 40 years, and said many now come from China -- made of nylon rather than cotton, making them cheaper and stronger but less breathable. "The Chinese burqa is very cold in winter, and it is like fire in summer," said Gul. "This makes the women sweat." For Sabrina, 23, from the Taliban's spiritual cradle of Kandahar, life under a burqa is fraught with pitfalls. She is regularly lectured if she does not wear it. The first time she wore it was after the Taliban government seized back control in 2021, and it was not her choice. "I couldn't see my way, I didn't know if I was going right or left," she said. "It was very strange." Agence France-Presse
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
New generation of Afghan women shift from burqa to abaya
Young, urban women in Afghanistan are increasingly ditching the all-enveloping blue burqa with a face mesh that has become a symbol of the Taliban's oppression of women. Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed strict law, modelled on their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. But while women must still have their bodies and faces covered, restrictions from the feared religious police do not specifically mention the burqa. So young women are instead following fashions seen in many Gulf nations. Many prefer a flowing abaya robe, worn with a hijab headscarf and often a face covering as well -- sometimes a medical mask, or a Saudi-style cloth niqab veil that exposes only the eyes. "The new generation would never accept wearing a burqa, because of the design and colour," said 23-year-old Tahmina Adel in the capital Kabul. With social media, "everybody follows the trends", Adel added, who was forced to quit her economics degree because of the Taliban government's ban on women's education. "I prefer wearing an abaya because I am comfortable in that," she said. Young women in Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif said that abayas and headscarves offer more freedom of expression than burqas, with a variation in colour, material and pattern. "Only elders wear a burqa," said Razia Khaliq, as she embroidered one at a workshop in Mazar-i-Sharif. Khaliq began wearing the billowing head-to-toe burqa aged 13, like her mother and grandmother before her. But her daughter, in her 20s, prefers the abaya. "Young people wear the abaya because it is more comfortable," Khaliq said. 'Stifling' The burqa has long roots in Afghanistan. It was strictly enforced during the first Taliban government rule of Afghanistan, when women were lashed for failing to wear one in public. But the abaya and hijab headscarf combination grew in popularity during the time of the foreign-backed government. When the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021, they had promised to be more flexible than during their first rule, when women were deprived of almost all their rights. They have gradually erased Afghan women from public space, imposing what the United Nations has called a "gender apartheid". They outlawed the loose headscarves commonly worn by urban women. Billboards were erected ordering women to once again wear the burqa -- or an abaya, headscarf and a face covering. A law in August confirmed restrictions imposed on men and women by the religious police. It stipulates that, while women can go out "in case of necessity", they must cover up. "Whether a burqa or hijab, there is no difference," said Saif ul Islam Khyber, spokesman for the morality police, known officially as the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Nasima, in her 40s, insisted that "showing your face is a sin". But she admitted to sometimes wearing an abaya and headscarf to free her nose and mouth from the "stifling" burqa. 'Very strange' Niha, 22, said she was reprimanded for not wearing a burqa in public buildings, which are guarded by the Taliban authority's security forces. It is common to be asked to readjust the headscarf, or ordered to add a medical mask. "As soon as we enter offices, we are mistreated," said Niha, who did not give her surname. Hayatullah Rafiqi, a specialist in Pashtun culture, said the burqa was "strictly imposed" under the first Taliban government -- when some women were "whipped if they did not wear it" -- but that "today it is worn less." Burqas vary only in colour according to province, from blue to light brown, and green to pink. Gul Mohammad has been selling burqas in Kabul for 40 years, and said many now come from China -- made of nylon rather than cotton, making them cheaper and stronger but less breathable. "The Chinese burqa is very cold in winter, and it is like fire in summer," said Gul. "This makes the women sweat." For Sabrina, 23, from the Taliban's spiritual cradle of Kandahar, life under a burqa is fraught with pitfalls. She is regularly lectured if she does not wear it. The first time she wore it was after the Taliban government seized back control in 2021, and it was not her choice. "I couldn't see my way, I didn't know if I was going right or left," she said. "It was very strange."
