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Islamic extremism and Nuclear weapons are supportive tools of Pakistan’s policy

A brief study and analysis of Pakistan`s policy reveals that Islamic extremism is an inherent characteristic of its policy. The founding fathers of Pakistan used Islamic extremism as an instrument to divide Indian sub-continent into two states of India and Pakistan. They deceitfully fabricated the two-nation theory whereby Muslims of Indian sub-continent were alleged to be a separate nation as against their fellow countrymen, Hindus.

The word Pakistan means the country of pious people which itself is an irrefutable denotation of the extremist characteristic of that nation. Pakistan’s missiles, tanks and other deadly weapons are named after prominent Muslim warriors and invaders, for example its Al-Khalid tanks are named after Muslim warrior Khalid bin Waleed. Similarly its Al-Shahab, Ghauri and Abdali missiles are named after noted invaders i.e. Shahabuddin Ghauri and Ahmed Shah Abdali, even Pakistan names its nuclear bombs as Islamic bombs.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws provide a death sentence which is being artfully used to victimize the non-Muslim as well as Muslim liberal citizens. Pakistan in its constitution declares Ahmedi sect as non-Muslim. Even the nation’s constitution doesn’t recognize people of the country as sovereign rather it states Allah as its sole sovereign.

In short Pakistan’s state machinery generates and disseminates Islamic extremism through its constitution, laws, educational institutions from primary level up to universities, madrissahs network and media at a large scale in the society. Then army transforms it into fanatic militancy i.e. jihad to achieve its policy goals.

Though the founding fathers of Pakistan didn`t wage jihad for its creation because it was not needed but soon after the creation of Pakistani state they resorted to transform Islamic extremism into militancy i.e. jihad under state sponsorship. Under the directives of M.A. Jinnah in 1947 Pakistan army sent its troops in the garb of jihadists to occupy Kashmir. Pakistan army`s motto is Eman, Etehad, Jihad fee Sabilillah which means faith, unity, holy war in the way of God. In 1965 Pakistan army again sent its soldiers in Kashmir in the garb of jihadis to start operation grand slain to occupy Kashmir.

In 1971 Pakistan army, with collaboration of JI, found Alshams and Albadar jihadist organisations to fight and counter the forces of Bangladesh’s liberation movement. These jihadis slaughtered the Bengali people in the name of jihad. In the mid 1970`s Pakistan army trained and armed certain Islamic militants of Afghanistan to initiate a proxy war against the president Dawood`s regime in name of jihad. It meant to put pressure on Sardar Dawood regime to withdraw its alleged support for the liberation of Balochistan and Pakhtoonistan.

In 1980’s US led block of industrially developed democracies, in the context of cold war, decided to contain Soviet union`s advancement in Afghanstan by helping Afghan opposition groups. They also decided to counter the socialist ideology of soviets and their Afghan allies with Islamism. Therefore the proxy war against USSR and their ally Khalki regime of Afghanistan was purposely termed as jihad. Though US and its allies supported the idea of jihad i.e. holy war as a tactics but to Pakistan army it was a policy. This tactics of US led block proved to be a good fortune for unnatural state of Pakistan. It afforded Pakistan’s army establishment with the opportunity to extract economic, military resources from US and nourish its old idea of jihad on the expenses of America and its allies. Showing conformity with objectives of US led block, Pakistan army, in fact, advanced its own interests and jihadi policy. Using the plea of Soviet threat Pakistan army tried to receive ample economic and military aid and arms from US and its rich allies.

However, these resources were in fact sought to build up the nation’s arm capability for a future war against India because anti-India element is the pivot of Pak foreign policy. Pakistan army extracted a huge quantity of funds and sophisticated arms from US led block to spread a wide net of madrassas i.e. religious schools in Pakistan especially in Occupied Balochistan and Pakhtoon areas. These madrassas were meant to advance Islamic extremism as an ideology and work as nurseries of jihad. Taking advantage of these bulk of available resources and opportunities Pakistan’s wily army establishment very skillfully managed to knit and spread a net of Islamic fundamentalism, extremism and jihad in the Baloch, Pakhtoon and Kashmiri societies aiming at countering their national liberation movements. In case of Pakhtoons and Kashmiris Pakistan succeeded in its plot. However in the case of Balochistan it failed due to deep rooted secular nature and norms of Baloch society as well as a strong opposition from its nationalists.

During Cold War, US block`s dependency on it in Afghan conflict encouraged Pakistan army to advance its nuclear weapons program ignoring international opposition in this matter. With the signing of Geneva accord in 1987 US had accomplished its mission in Afghanistan, therefore US pulled out its hands from further supporting the jihadis but they entirely failed to induce Pakistan to do so. Now US initiated exerting pressure on Pakistan to stop its nuclear weapons program but it was too late.

Despite its promises and assurances to the world community Pakistan army establishment have neither ever stopped its nuclear weapons program nor, in changed scenario, it ever have withdrawn its playing of Islamic extremism and militancy as tools of policy in internal politics of the country as well as in its foreign affairs.

In fact after US withdrawal of its support to Islamic fundamentalists, the jihad and jihadists fell into the hands of Pakistan army and ISI. In this situation, Pakistan took advantage of this opportunity and continued to nourish and use Islamic extremism and militancy as interconnected tools of its internal and foreign policy. Pakistan used them to undermine hostile neighbouring states of India and Afghanistan. Its army also used this to enhance its influence in newly formed states of central Asia.

From 1989 to 2001 under state sponsorship of Pakistan, the Islamic extremism and militancy rapidly grew as a serious threat to Asia. During that period from Kashmir to Caucasia there appeared numerous Islamic militant gangs under the auspices of ISI. Pakistan army`s ex chief Aslam Baig in his articles terms these jihadis as vangaurds and real fighting force of Islam. These so-called vanguards of Islam made Afghanistan, Kashmir and the Caucasian regions grounds of their barbarism and bloodshed. Under Pakistan army and ISI’s patronage Islamic militancy spread as a grave threat in considerable parts of Afro-Asia.

The explosion of Pakistan’s nuclear bombs on May 28, 1998 gave a boost up to aggressiveness of Pakistan army on one hand and on the other hand to its jihadis. In this enthusiasm, Pakistan army opened Kargil front against India while its Islamic militants were so enthusiastic that they dared to attack twin towers of New York on September 11, 2001.

After 09/11 the US demanded from Taliban to hand it over Al- Qaeda chief but Taliban failed to comply with it’s that demand. Consequently US along with NATO allies launched a prompt campaign against Taliban, Al- Qaeda and their militant allies in Afghanistan. The 9/11 exposed the threat of jihad. It was the right time to root out that grave danger of Islamic militancy forever by adopting cogent, coherent and long lasting policies. It necessitated plans to address its real causes and destroy its main fountain and sanctuary i.e Pakistan. Instead of doing so US coalition surprisingly on boarded Pakistan in it’s that war on terrorism. However Pakistan`s decision to join US led coalition in that campaign was not a willful and hearty step rather it was an  outcome of international pressure imposed on it. So on boarding of Pakistan as a non-NATO ally was a worst mockery with war on terrorism. Even US led NATO didn’t follow the retreating Taliban and Al-Qaeda rather they allowed them to enter and hide in their Pakistani sanctuaries. This was another mistake committed by US and its allies. NATO adopted an ephemeral policy to follow, find, fix and destroy individual terrorists. This policy was like following one wasp after another to kill it instead of destroying their hive, Pakistan, the main sanctuary and patron of Islamic jihadists, not only remained intact but it was given status and privileges of a non-NATO ally. It afforded Pakistan with plenty opportunities to extract military and economic resources from US and allies in the shape of coalition support fund and other privileges on one hand and on the other hand to save its strategic assets of Al-Qaeda and Taliban from being fully defeated and destroyed. Pakistan very skillfully dealt with that critical situation which it faced after 09/11.

Having to enjoy enough time for rest and reorganization Pakistan re-launched Taliban in Afghanistan against NATO in 2004 when US had shifted concentration on Iraq in 2003. The Pakistan army and ISI attempted to make Afghanistan as another Vietnam for US/NATO. US came to know and admitted the double standards of Pakistan army too late.

It was the first spell of Obama administration when CIA traced Osama`s whereabouts in Abottabad cantonment area of Pakistan army. So the US special forces on May 02, 2012 conducted a secret attack on Osama’s compound in which he was killed and his dead body was taken away by the US SEALS. Instead of being regretful in Osama’s case, Pakistan army reacted furiously. Osama issue fully unveiled Pakistan’s hypocrisy and its dual game in war on terrorism but still the nation stood firm in its resolve to provide support and patronage to the Islamic extremism. This incident of May 02, 2012 lead certain cut offs and restrictions on aid to Pakistan as non-NATO ally.

However in the changed circumstances Pakistan invented a new plea of extracting arms, assistance and economic aid from the US. So its army purposely had initiated a clamor about the danger of a probable fall of its nukes into the hands of Islamic extremists. Pakistan very cleverly pleaded it that its army must be provided modern technology, aid and assistance so it becomes strong to protect its nukes from falling thereof into the hands of extremists. It was another mockery with the world.

Is  there any other such strong, organized and well equipped Islamic extremist entity in the world except Pakistan army? In fact Pakistan army is the only big Islamic extremist entity which is well equipped with enormous conventional and nuclear weapons. All other fanatic Islamic groups like Al-Qaeda, Afghan Taliban, Islamic movement of east Turkistan, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba , Lashkar-e- Jhangvi, Hizbultehrir, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Jundallah and Ahrar-ul-Hind etc are its tools of policy and have been working under its patronage.

In Balochistan and Afghanistan even ISIS operates with collaboration of Pakistan army. Previous year when Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) attacked an ISIS link Jihadi group in Dasht area of Makuran then Pakistan army promptly reached there to save them.

Similarity between ISIS and ISI of Pakistan is not limited only to their names but both are pursuing the similar cause of establishing an Islamic world order. Similarly both of them use same methods of barbarism. Pakistan army terms and treats these all extremist Jihadis as its most worthy strategic assets. Sometime Pakistan army misleads the world powers and public opinion by its operations in Swat and Waziristan against certain groups of Taliban. In fact said operations are focused only against those Taliban who have turned disloyal to Pak army. Is it not true that despite UNO’s declaration of LeT/JuD as a terrorist group, it still works in entire Pakistan without any obstruction? Still JuD runs in Pakistan numerous educational institutions, hospitals and other charity works under the patronage of Pakistan army.

Nowadays it is LeT which is favourite of Pakistan army and on its behest it is operating jihad in Occupied Balochistan, Kashmir and Afghanistan. Pakistan’s army never have seceded its ties with Islamic extremism, jihad and jihadis. Pakistan’s ex-army dictator general Zia, its ex-army chief general Aslam Baig and ISI’s ex chief late general Hameed Gul have been more dangerous Islamic extremists than the slain Osama bin Laden and Alzawahiri.

Recently an institution of American scientists disclosed in their report that Pakistan is rapidly increasing its nukes. Report discloses that it is making tactical nuclear arms. Pakistan army doesn’t refute, said the report , rather it shamelessly is trying to justify its fanatic measure by arguing that these deadly nukes are being made to meet the danger of a supposed Indian aggression. Their preferred plea is that the Pakistan army lacks capability to defend the country in conventional wars with India against the large scale formations of Indian army. But in the face of facts Pakistan’s this stance is highly untrue. A study of Indo-Pakistan wars discloses that in fact Pakistan has been aggressor in all Indo-Pakistan wars. So it is very clear that the tactical nuclear weapons are not being made to defend it from Indian aggression rather these are being made with offensive aim. It must be remembered that there is no guarantee of these nukes be not used against any other country or people.

Nukes in the hands of these fanatics are a horrific situation which must be paid proper attention by UN and the world powers, otherwise there is every possibility that humanity would face nuclear terrorist attacks more destructive than 9/11 of  US, 26th of Mumbai or 11/14 horrid incident of Paris. If US and EU think that they’re geographically far from Pakistan therefore they could not be made target of Pakistan tactical nuclear bombs then they’re absolutely wrong. If terrorists from Af-Pak managed attacks of 9/11 then they can easily manage nuclear attacks anywhere. World is going to be hostage in the hands of ISI.

A top Pakistani minister Khwaja Asif in a speech on June, 15 threatened India by urging that Pakistan hasn’t made nukes to explode the same on Shab-e-Barat. This tone and attitude is a denotative of Pakistan’s fanatism, aggressive attitude and irresponsibility. Pakistan army very skillfully is using Islamic extremist militancy and its nukes as inter se supportive tools of policy. On the one hand Pakistan army provides funds, military trainings, arms and sanctuary to extremist Islamic militants in order to make them strong, then it uses their dreadful posture to scare the world and thereby extract resources from world on the pretext to meet that alleged threat, on the other hand it utilizes these resources for further advancing its nuclear weapons program and jihad. This gambling of these fanatics is a serious danger for humanity. It requires a prompt and proper answer. If it is not dealt promptly then this danger will grow to a point of high risk. The fanatic Pakistan army and its jihadis may not attain capability to militarily subdue and conquer the entire world and impose upon it their purported Islamic world order. However if they are given enough time and space then surely they will be able to make such delivery systems which may enable them to explode nukes anywhere on this planet to destroy the humanity and its progress at a large scale. Now question is that how this danger will be dealt with? It is obvious that there is no hope of change in the policy of Pakistan army regarding Islamic extremism, militancy and nuclear weapons program. Until Pakistan and its army exist in their present form, the danger will continue to exist and grow.

The Islamic extremism and militancy are incorporated in the DNA of Pakistan and are the inseparable characteristics thereof. So in order to get rid of this alarming insecurity the dismemberment of Pakistan is inevitable. It would be helpful to deprive the extremist jihadis of their main patron, center and sanctuary. It would turn them to be divided, dispersed and weaken. It is the only way to bring an end to that threat of fanatic jihadis who are going to be equipped with nukes

A sincere support of world powers to Baloch people in their longstanding struggle for a secular, democratic free state of Balochistan would be helpful to get dismembered Pakistan on one hand and on the other hand a sovereign Balochistan would certainly be helpful to promote the values and practices of secularism, democracy and religious tolerance in the vast regions of central, south and south west Asia through its trade and economic interactions. Despite the fact of historic hostility between Baloch people and Iran, because of Iranian unlawful occupation of western part of Balochistan, even a sovereign and secular Balochistan would be suitable for Iran as its next door neighbour rather than a fanatic Sunni state of Pakistan equipped with nuclear weapons. It will also be helpful for the reunification of Pakhtoon people across the Durand’s line. Dismemberment of Pakistan even would help the people of Punjab to get rid of Pakistan army which permanently is usurping their scarce resources. They would also be able to get themselves free of the Islamic jihadi culture, extremism and restart a peace loving and prosperous life in the light of invaluable teachings of the great Bhulay Shah and other holy saints. It will also end the growing Sunni and Shi’ite intolerance and hatred which fans sectarian violence among the masses at a large scale which is obviously a nuisance. It will also end the danger of a nuclear clash between fanatic Sunni state of Pakistan and fanatic Shi’ite state of Iran.

Bijjar Baloch   

Brad Pitt turned his back on religion

Brad-PittFormer Baptist Brad Pitt says he is now an atheist after being raised full of Christian guilt.

The 51-year-old actor was raised a strict Baptist by his parents but has now turned his back on religion completely.

He told a leading daily that his upbringing had ‘all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn’t do’.

Meanwhile, Brad insisted that his relationship with wife Angelina Jolie, 40 and their six children have made him a better actor.

He explained: ‘I think you can see it in my work. I was a pretty good actor before, but definitely hit and miss. I think I became a really good actor.

‘I’m sure a lot of that has to do with age and wisdom too but I see an absolute shift from the day I started my family. And I think it’s because family – and certainly kids and a stable relationship – is something bigger than you.

‘They need you to sit down with them, be there for them when they wake up in the middle of the night.

‘They need you. So I think that made me less tense about things, less stressed. And very clear that if I’m going to be doing something that’s going to take me away from my family, it better be something that I believe in, and that they’re going to see and be proud of their dad.

‘And also I’m more efficient with it, because it’s taking me away from them. I get in there, I get the job done, and I go home. You know, nowadays I really can’t wait to get home. More than at any time in my life, I’ve got purpose – real purpose. It feels like I’ve found my place.’

Beyoncé will launch her own Streetwear brand

BeyonceBeyonce is again joining the ever-growing group of musicians-turned-brand owners and will be ready to debut her clothing line next year. Slated for a release in the Spring of 2016, the streetwear clothing line is being developed in partnership with the owner of Topshop, Sir Philip Green.

With Beyonce’s current influence in pop culture, the brand is sure to be a success and will probably be hard to keep in stock. Hopefully with Topshop involved, the products won’t be too expensive and will allow her fans to invest even more in the Texas-born megastar.

The forthcoming brand has yet to be named, but with lines like Rocawear and House of Dereon in the family, it’s safe to say Bey knows what she’s doing.

Anurag Basu finds it tough to make real like couples romance on-screen

anuragAnurag Basu is working with Ranbir Kapoor and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif in Jagga Jasoos and the filmmaker says casting real-life couple in a film is often a disadvantage as it is difficult for them to romance on-screen.

The upcoming detective comedy-drama will reunite Basu with his Barfi star and this is the first time the director is helming a project with Katrina as the female lead.

“Having a real-life couple is not an advantage but it is rather a disadvantage. The actors know each other so well and you are lovers in real-life, it gets difficult for them to bring their chemistry on the screen. So this is going to be very challenging,” said Basu.

The director says Jagga Jasoos is not delayed and it was supposed to come after Ranbir’s other projects- Bombay Velvet and Tamasha- as the actor prefers to have a gap of six months between his two movies.

“We have not shot the film. Ranbir is shooting Karan Johar’s film. I have only shot few days when he was free. Our film was always supposed to come after Bombay Velvet and Tamasha. When I started my film I knew this is going to be my schedule as Ranbir keeps a gap of six months. No actor would release two films in two months. This was the chronology that was to happen.”

There have been a lot of speculations about the film but the Gangster helmer is not complaining as he feels it is a good sign and shows that people are curious about the project.

“It is good that speculations are there, it shows people are curious about the film.” According to the filmmaker they will resume the shooting in January and wrap the film in two months for a release in 2016.

I don’t impose myself on Tiger: Jackie Shroff

JackieJackie Shroff says he does not give his son Tiger anything suggestions on his career as he feels the young star is doing pretty well by himself and he does not want to impose himself on him. The 58-year-old “Brothers” actor says he has raised Tiger well and knows that he is a very disciplined person, who will always take the right decisions in life.

“My input in his career is not there. I have raised him well. I don’t tell him about his career. I never told him about his studies in school. I know he is a balanced boy. He is a disciplined sportsperson. It is more than enough for me. I don’t like to impose myself on him,” said Jackie. Tiger made his acting debut opposite Kriti Sanon in Sajid Nadiadwala’s production “Heropanti” last year. He will next star in “Baaghi” and “A Flying Jatt”.

Jackie’s daughter Krishna has become quite a social media star after she posted some topless pictures of herself on Instagram. Calling her “cool”, Jackie said his daughter is training young basketball players at a school, but people do not talk about it. ”She is teaching basket ball to girls, she is a coach right now. That’s what she has been doing now and before she was teaching kindergarten kids. She is cool. She has a friend who is a photographer and they keep experimenting with different photographs. ”And people go ballistic. But they don’t write about how she is training little girls to play basketball,” he said.

Anupam Kher making a foray into politics?

Ever since the Modi government came into power Kher has been issuing various statements in favour of BJP.

AnupamBollywood actor Anupam Kher who is active on social networking sites and criticizing those people who have been debating about rising intolerance in India is likely to join politics. The actor himself had last year said that he did not rule out joining politics. According to sources, Kher is eyeing the Rajya Sabha seat and had also led a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan alleging that the award wapsi campaign was initiated by some people with an intention to defame the country. His wife Kirron Kher is a BJP MP from Chandigarh. The actor also had criticized Aamir Khan for his intolerance remark and had asked him when did ‘incredible India’ become ‘intolerant India’. Kher also reminded Aamir that it is this country which had made him Aamir Khan the actor.

Last year Anupam Kher had stated that, “I have never said no to politics. I might enter politics but not for next 10 years. But then you never know, anything can happen.”

When AV spoke to Rashid Rumi a business journalist of “Dalal Times”, he said, “Anupam Kher is eyeing the Rajya Sabha seat through BJP. He was supported the Anna Hazare campaign in Delhi against the erstwhile UPA government as BJP stood to gain out of it. Now neither he is with Anna Hazare nor with Arvind Kejriwal, so now it indicates why was he present there…and whom was he supporting? Ever since the Modi government came into power he has been issuing various statements in favour of BJP. He supported Shah Rukh Khan when he spoke about the intolerance. Kher is close with Shah Rukh and has worked with him in several movies. On the other hand, he criticised Aamir Khan when he issued a statement regarding the same issue.”

paresh-joshiParesh Joshi a BJP volunteer said, “I can’t comment about his political ambitions. If he makes a foray into politics then it will be beneficial for the Indian politics. Leave aside ideology, if wise people with clean image joins politics, it will be in the best interest of our nation. And till date, I haven’t noticed any irresponsible statement from Anupamji. So yes, I will be happy to see him joining active politics.”

“Anupam, besides a versatile actor, is also an intelligent person, a sharp communicator. He speaks very boldly and upfront. For e.g. a matter on being Anti-Modi, slams filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee or going against FTII Chairman, Gajendra Chauhan or recent statement issued by actor Aamir Khan on intolerance,” added Joshi.

usha-srivastavaUssha Shrivastava an Independent PR Consultant said, “I don’t think Anupam Kher is planning to enter politics as of now but you never know if he gets any opportunity, he might consider it. Nowadays, he doesn’t leave any opportunity to comment on controversial issues and statements issued by his co-actors or anyone else. Mr Kher is an excellent speaker who can openly and clearly speak about our country’s politics or Film industry politics. He doesn’t hesitate to talk. We cannot be judgemental on public figures entering into politics.”

wilson-dassWilson Dass who is employed at Catholic Healthcare West said, “It seems with time he has realized that his acting in Politics will fetch him more than his portrayal in movies. He has been a good actor however the film industry is becoming very competitive, with technology and lots of character actors are entering every year! He has been very vocal to criticize anyone who questions the intent and working style of the Modi government! Never seen him being this vocal before!”

vivek-panditVivek Pandit, Social worker said, “All of a sudden one may find changes in the opinion/feelings of Anupam Kher. He’s not finding any fault with the present government at all. He has not issued any comments against the farmer suicides and other problematic issues. Very dynamically he gets busy probably. I’m sure, he will enter politics in recent future!”

Sudhanshu Bhat, a Congress worker said, “These are acts of vengeance as he was sacked by the UPA government for being an incompetent chairman of the censor board.”

Akshay Redij

Jammu & Kashmir is undivided part of India

Speaking against 1994 Parliamentary Resolution, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that PoK is not the part of India. As he believes, that part (PoK) will remain with Pakistan and this part of Kashmir (J&K) is with India. Practically, it is not possible to keep PoK with India. We have fought three wars with Pakistan, but could not regain PoK from them. He also expressed stating that we Indians need to be practical. The then PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee told him that when he visited Pakistan, he gave the suggestion that Pakistan should keep PoK, but they did not agree. However, if we resume talks with Pakistan again, then they are ready on this formula.

It was only in February 1994 that the Indian State acted as a genuine and self-respecting nation. As a matter of fact, both Houses of Parliament on February 22, adopted a unanimous resolution on Jammu & Kashmir. The historic resolution was moved by the presiding officers and adopted unanimously by the two Houses. It has neither been rescinded nor amended so far. It was not a resolution but the national resolve of a committed nation.

Pakistan, which says again and again that Jammu & Kashmir is an “unfinished agenda of partition”, has been bleeding India with a thousand-cut almost at regular intervals to promote its rabidly anti-India agenda and annex this part of Jammu & Kashmir. It has been claiming that since Jammu & Kashmir was a Muslim-majority State, it should have become a part of Pakistan which was created on the basis of two-nation theory on August 14, 1947, withholding the truth that Jammu & Kashmir was a Princely State and not part of British India which had to be divided into two independent and sovereign states – India and Muslim Pakistan.

In 1947, Pakistan invaded Jammu & Kashmir and unlawfully occupied its lands, such as the so-called Azad Kashmir and strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region after rape, murder and looting. When the Indian Army was about to expel the Pakistani regulars and irregulars from the occupied areas, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and National Conference president and Jammu & Kashmir Wazir-e-Azam Sheikh Abdullah enforced a ceasefire, thus directly helping Pakistan consolidate its position in the occupied areas. Pakistan continues to maintain its hold over these areas and uses them for producing and exporting terror to India. Pakistan again tried to annex this part of the state in 1965 and 1971, but suffered humiliating defeats at the hands of the chivalrous, brave and committed Indian Army. Pakistan made a fourth attempt to annex this part of Jammu & Kashmir in the late 1980s. In fact, it unleashed a low-intensity proxy war and in no time secessionist violence gripped the Kashmir Valley and other parts of the state, especially the areas adjoining the Kashmir Valley, the main trouble spot. Pakistan-sponsored and indoctrinated terrorists and mercenaries played havoc with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The orgy of death and destruction affected all sections of the society. Ironically, the Congress leadership of the time, which had no clear-cut stand on Jammu & Kashmir, converted the spectacular Indian victories on the battlefield into humiliating defeats on the negotiating table, thus outraging the sensitivities of the nation and paying scant respect to the supreme sacrifices the Indian Army had made while fighting splendidly against the Pakistani Army.

The minority of Kashmiri Pandits were the worst sufferer. In fact, fanatics, separatists and ardent believers in the concept of two-nation created an environment that left the minority community with no other option but to quit their native habitat in early 1990 and become refugees in their own motherland.

Recently, after BJP came to power people thought that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to change or relax the resolution passed by Parliament in 1994 to facilitate talks with Hurriyat Conference or Pakistan for resolution of Kashmir. PoK is part of the greater Kashmir region, which is the subject of a long-running conflict between India and Pakistan. The territory shares a border with Gilgit–Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organisations as “Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The territory also borders Pakistan’s Punjab province to the south and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the west. To the east, PoK is separated from Jammu and Kashmir by the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan. PoK has a total area of 13,297 square kilometres (5,134 sq mi), with an estimated population of around 4.6 million people. The territory has a parliamentary form of government, with its capital located at Muzaffarabad. PoK has its own Supreme Court and a High Court, while the Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs serves as a link between it and PoK’s government. Neither PoK nor Gilgit-Baltistan elects members to Pakistan’s National Assembly.

Inputs from Agencies

CBI gets permission to conduct lie detection test on Peter Mukerjea in Sheena murder case

svpTo nail Peter Mukerjea’s lie in connection with Sheena Bora murder case the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday got a nod from a special court here to conduct Narco test on the former media baron.

Peter, 59, was arrested on November 19 from his home in Mumbai’s Worli area and has been in CBI custody since then.

Among other things, the CBI contends that Peter was aware of the killing of Sheena, the daughter of his wife Indrani Mukerjea.

In August, Mumbai police had arrested Indrani, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyamwar Rai in connection with the murder.

The trio of Indrani, Khanna and Rai is in CBI custody till December 3.

A special court here on Thursday extended till November 30 the CBI custody of former media baron Peter Mukerjea, one of the four prime accused in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case, as investigators zeroed in on financial matters as the motive behind the killing.

Peter was presented before a CBI court on Thursday afternoon after he was brought here from New Delhi where he was taken for investigation by the agency three days ago.

Sheena (24) was burnt and dumped in a forested patch in Raigad, about 84 km from Mumbai.

Indrani and others were arrested in August this year by Mumbai police after which the case was transferred to CBI.

In May 2012, the Pen police received information that the burnt remains of a body have been found at a deserted spot on the Pen-Khopoli Road.

Pen police station inspector Suresh Mirghe along with Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pradeep Chavan and some constables reached the spot and conducted panchnama of the spot and sent the body for post-mortem.

Tirupati Balaji’s ‘celestial marriage’ in Mumbai on Sunday

TirupatiThe “celestial marriage” of the Lord of Seven Hills, Venkateshwara, also known as Balaji, with his consorts, goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi, will be solemnized in Mumbai on Sunday, an organizer said.

The ceremony will be held at the Shanmukhananda Hall where the idols are being brought after a gap of three years.

“It is not possible for everybody to visit Tirupati. So, we decided to bring the idols to Mumbai where we can pray for peace,” said Bombay South Kanara Brahmim Assocaiton President Suresh Rao.

The ritual is performed daily in the Tirupati hilltop temple in Andhra Pradesh.

On Sunday, the idols of Lord Balaji and his consorts shall be taken in a procession to the hall with priests from Tirupati chanting vedic verses in their praise.

The Vedic Pancharatra Aagamam system of Vaishnavism has prescribed an elaborate procedure for the divine marriage, Rao said.

“All the elements of the marriage in our systems are taken from what the Lord himself has prescribed,” he added.

The ceremonies include a havan, Thirumangalya Dharanam (tying the mangalsutra) and chanting Mangalyam Thantunanena, beating of drums and playing the nadaswaram as Balaji ties the divine knot with his consorts, explained Rao.

The event will also coincide with the BSKB’s plans to start its Gokul Projects – Vision 2020 which includes plans to expand Ashraya, a senior citizens’ home in Navi Mumbai, constructing a full-fledged Lord Krishna Temple in Sion, launching various educational institutions, scholarships and loans for students, Rao added.

The Tirupati Temple is ranked the richest in the world in terms of donations received and its wealth, and is visited by around 30-40 million people annually.

Metro fares hiked by Rs. 5, effective from Dec 1

MetroMumbai Metro One (MMOPL), which is operating the Versona-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, said it will increase the fares by Rs. 5 from December 1.

“MMOPL has announced moderate increase in fare for the corridor while still keeping the fares significantly below the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC). The new fare structure will be effective from December 1,” the company said in a statement here.

Instead of the earlier slabs of Rs 10, 20, 30 and 40, the new structure will have five slabs of Rs 10, 20, 25, 35 and 45. The fare slabs per trip for the return journey token category have been similarly revamped from Rs 10, 15, 25 and 30 to Rs 10, 20, 22.50, 30 and 35 now.

The number of fare slabs has also been increased from the previous four to five now, in order to align the fare structure with the recommendations of the FFC.

“The new fare structure which will come into effect from December 1 is heavily discounted against the FFC recommended fare of Rs 10 to Rs 110. We will continue to remain engaged with all stakeholders to achieve the dual objective of affordable fare and business sustainability,” an MMOPL spokesperson said.

The FFC had recommended a fare structure of Rs 10 to Rs 110 in July after detailed scrutiny of all aspects. It had also advised MMOPL to approach the state government for suitable assistance to lower the fare while achieving business viability.

“While MMOPL continues to suffer losses of about Rs 300 crore per year, we chose to defer any fare revision till November 30, 2015, and engage with the government with an intent to find a viable solution and to avoid giving any shock to its valued commuters. We will continue to pursue the matter,” the spokesperson said.

Against the maximum fare of Rs 110 recommended by the FFC, the maximum fare for Mumbai Metro after the revision is only Rs 45, while the minimum fare remains the same as before at Rs 10.

As per the new tariff, a hike of about Re 1 per trip has been made in the fare charged on the 45 trip monthly pass which is currently available in two slabs of Rs 675 and Rs 900 for short and long trips, respectively.

These monthly passes will now be available for Rs 725 and Rs 950, which works out to an increase of just over Re 1 per trip, the statement said.

The increase in the fare per trip for the commuters holding store value passes is just Rs 2. Instead of the four earlier fare slabs of Rs 10, 18, 27 and 32, the revamped structure has five slabs of Rs 10, 20, 22, 29 and 34 in this category.