Meeting with Modi: Muslim delegates shocked as Centre twists story

April 18, 2016

New Delhi, Apr 18: A government press release, dated April 13, announcing that “eminent Muslim citizens” had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him on “his recent successful visit to Saudi Arabia”, has provoked strong reactions from some members of the delegation, who have disputed the public relations spin given to the interaction.

modi

Expressing unhappiness at the manner in which the note put out by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was worded, journalist Qurban Ali said, “We were invited to discuss the trust deficit between the Muslim community and the government, and what could be done to end this.”

Editor of Nai Duniya and former MP Shahid Siddiqui, who was also present on the occasion, also confirmed this: “I was told that we would discuss the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims … I made concrete suggestions for the community's uplift and pointed out that the benefits of many government schemes for minorities are not reaching them.”

Only a few persons, including Dr. M.J. Khan, who led the delegation, and Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad from Lucknow, expressed their appreciation of the measures taken by Mr. Modi to improve relations with the Muslim world, members of the delegation said.

The PIB note says: “They [the delegation members] said people in West Asia, Central Asia and North Africa, especially the youth, are extremely impressed with the development agenda of Shri Narendra Modi, and want good relations with India.”

West Asia expert Qamar Agha said he spoke both on the positive impact of the Prime Minister's West Asia policy as well as on the need to focus on education for Muslims and post-education skilling programmes: “I said we need to open schools in Muslim-dominated areas which children of all communities can attend.”

Rajnath initiative

Dr. Khan, who was originally general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh-based Peace Party, had joined the BJP in end-2013. Today, he says, he is not, strictly speaking, with the BJP and prefers to be described as the National Convenor of Indian Muslims Research and Coordination Centre, but remains close to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Wednesday's meeting took place on the suggestion of Mr. Singh.

Boosting ties

“I led the delegation,” Dr. Khan said, “after discussions with the Home Minister. At the meeting with the Prime Minister, we spoke of strengthening relations with the Muslim world as that would improve Hindu-Muslim relations at home. We expressed our elation at his being conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash.”

But he stressed that the delegation also used the occasion to bring to the Prime Minister's notice many concerns of the Muslim community, relating both to secular and religious matters, that are part of a seven-point formula that was earlier given to Mr. Singh.

The issues raised included the ongoing controversy over retaining the Aligarh Muslim University's minority character and the need for a review committee to look at cases of innocent Muslim youths, who have been jailed on false charges.

The Prime Minister, several delegation members said, was forthcoming on welfare issues relating to Muslims, but was silent on controversial matters such as AMU.

Seeks representation

Kalbe Jawad also urged the Prime Minister to visit Iran, a Shia nation, to “balance” his visit to Saudi Arabia. The PM said he would be going to that country soon. The Maulana also stressed that Shias should be better represented in government bodies and communities.

Kalbe Jawad's meeting with the Prime Minister comes days after the passport office in Lucknow directed him to surrender his passport as two criminal cases are pending against him. He has been accused of “rioting with deadly weapon, undermining public order, and deterring public servant from discharging duties among others.”

Comments

shaji
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

It is a shame to name sake muslims (munafiqs) who trust Modi and BJP who have no agenda other than cheating muslims. the so called pro bjp muslims are being paid for telling in favoer of mOdi and bjp. Shame on you hypocrites. Go to hell. May Allah punish you in this world and also in the life after death unless you repent.

Rikaz
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Don't be surprised lying is not new for Modi, he has started from 15 Lakhs rupees for each household...did anyone get this amount....gasoline price is sky rocketing even though crude price came down to 30 USD...promised during election he will reduce it....did you see it happening....

KhasaiKhaane
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

When Muslim leaders become hypocrites, visiting a murderer PM seeking his assistance, you people deserve such disgrace. Just wait and watch, there is more humiliation for you muslim leaders if you continue to do this. #MoNa has failed to deliver Ache din to his own people, and you guyz are expecting wonders for you?

Kushwant Bhat
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Now you Buffoons understand what is what you thought Running dog having have some madness to unite all in Hindustan that's why these dogs started running last 60 odd years!!!!! you fools not yet understand, what's inside in his and his followers heart completely wrong thinking, now Master Khan sabb understand what is it inside, any Way \Every Dog has its own Day\" maharajas do not dream Modianna and his cheals have their own agenda you feel where it stand.
Jai hoo Hindustan.
Jai hoo bharath matha."

SK
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

It is good that Kalbe Jawed is asked to surrender his passport, as he is always speaking about shias and not for Muslims..... Such Moulanas should be booted /kicked out.....

ali
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Modi visited K.S.A as an representative of Ambani not as an P.M of India.

Chaiwala chai dene keliye gaya tha. Desh keliye nahin.

Abdullah
 - 
Monday, 18 Apr 2016

Lie and cheating is in their blood.

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News Network
July 22,2020

Udupi, Jul 22: Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh on Wednesday announced lifting of ban on movement of people and vehicles with immediate effect in the borders of Kerala which was banned during lockdown.

The announcement comes hours after Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced that lockdown in Bengaluru and other parts of the state will not be extended any further, suggesting people should wear masks and maintain physical distancing strictly.

Mr Jagadeesh noted that although the seal down of the borders of the district would be lifted, checkposts on the border would be set up and urged people to enter the district only in case of emergency.

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News Network
January 14,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 14: Assuring depositors that their money was "100 per cent safe" with the bank, Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank Chairman K Ramakrishna in Bengaluru on Monday said 62 loans had locked up Rs 300 crore of deposit.

"Your money is 100 per cent safe with Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank. It's my responsibility," Ramakrishna said at Sri Guru Narasimha Kalyanamandira auditorium, to assure depositors.

He was addressing angry customers of the bank at a public hearing. Due to the 62 dud loans, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had restricted the lender from executing business, Ramakrishna said amid shouting by depositors. The RBI has limited withdrawals by depositors to Rs 35,000.

"The bank is saying I can't withdraw more than Rs 35,000. In case of our fixed deposit maturing, we will have to renew it as we can't encash it, " said Nagaraj M, 49, who has been dealing with the bank for the past six years.

To assuage customers, the call to an assistant commissioner of police by Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya -- not present -- was relayed on loudspeaker live and the MP claimed that he had spoken to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to help the customers.

Ramakrishna said he would meet customers again on January 19 with all the details and numbers. Dramatic scenes and pandemonium ruled the auditorium before his arrival. Thousands of bank customers threatened to go en masse to the police station and file a case against Ramakrishna.

As he addressed the gathering in Kannada, hundreds of depositors shouted back at him seeking clarifications. At the auditorium, thousands of depositors earlier demanded the bank chairman's presence to clarify the matter.

The lender had invited depositors to the auditorium at 6 p.m. to update them on the bank's status, following a RBI directive restricting the bank from doing business with immediate effect.

"We want the bank's directors here," shouted a depositor from the stage. A handful of policemen were trying to control the crowd and bring order to the assembly. Many elderly and retired persons had arrived to know the fate of their savings. Several women were also present at the meeting.

"It was a good bank with only 0.5 per cent NPAs. Now we can't trust any bank. See what happened with the PMC Bank," said another customer.

Shankar Sharma, 38, an employee of a private company, said majority of depositors were senior citizens and retirees. "I don't have an account with the bank, but my mother, uncle, aunt have deposited money in it. I came for them, " said Sharma. He said many of the bank's 35,000 clientele deposited more than Rs 5 lakh, which had total deposits of Rs 1,600 crore. The bank started operations in 1999.

Ramakrishna was escorted away to safety by the police after his speech even as the depositors were screaming and agitating for justice.

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News Network
July 31,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 31: An ambulance driver was thrashed by the family members of a 75-year-old COVID-19 patient who passed away on his way to the hospital in Bengaluru on Thursday.

The incident happened after the patient died in the ambulance while waiting in front of the MS Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru.

The driver was dragged out of the ambulance and chased around by a relative.

His clothes were ripped off and harangue were hurled at him. The relative was seen shouting and blaming the driver for the patient's death.

Speaking to news agency, the driver said that he was unable to explain the sequence of the protocol which was to be followed while getting the patient to the treatment ward.

Karnataka is one of the worst-affected states by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the state has 67,456 active cases as of Friday.

The state government has been struggling to contain the spread of the disease as it has intermittently imposed and eased lockdown measures, especially in the capital Bengaluru.

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