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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Educated Muslims being hounded: Owaisi

Mumbai: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has flayed what he termed as a ‘media trial’ in the alleged TCS Nashik conversion case and claimed that educated Muslims youth are being deliberately targeted as part of planned ‘hate campaign’, here on Saturday. Reiterating full faith in the judicial process, Owaisi said that justice cannot be handed out through media narratives or television debates and the law must be allowed to take its own course. “We are seeing a very dangerous trend… Now,...

Educated Muslims being hounded: Owaisi

Mumbai: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has flayed what he termed as a ‘media trial’ in the alleged TCS Nashik conversion case and claimed that educated Muslims youth are being deliberately targeted as part of planned ‘hate campaign’, here on Saturday. Reiterating full faith in the judicial process, Owaisi said that justice cannot be handed out through media narratives or television debates and the law must be allowed to take its own course. “We are seeing a very dangerous trend… Now, educated Muslims are being picked out for orchestrated allegations and media campaigns. This doesn’t augur well for society and justice itself with the media playing the role of the judge and jury,” said Owaisi sharply. Flanked by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen state President Imtiaz Jaleel, Owaisi also emphatically said that it was wrong to link his party with the TCS case prime accused Nida Khan, “who will be ultimately proven innocent in the courts”. He expressed concerns over the slur campaign driven by malice and political motives against his party as well as Nida Khan in some sections of the media even before the investigations were completed or a judicial scrutiny. “Merely because some allegations have been hurled at a young woman professional, attempts are being made to paint her ‘guilty’ through media trials, even before judicial scrutiny. But, we have complete faith in the judiciary and are confident that the court will eventually exonerate her,” asserted Owaisi. Public Discourse Raising questions on the probe and accompanying public discourse with stress on the alleged recovery of certain ‘evidence’ from Nida Khan’s home, he sharply questioned: “Since when have a burqa, a niqab or religious literature become objectionable… Is wearing a hijab now regarded as evidence of a crime?” He said that these details along with baseless allegations are sensationalism in the media to create further prejudice against the minority community and reflected a deep-rooted hostility aimed at harassing educated Muslim men and women. Owaisi pointed out that a complaint in the TCS Nashik case was filed by a leader linked with the ruling party, and as per the software giant’s statement, Nida Khan was not with its HR Department and transferred even before the controversy erupted, contradicting several media reports. Of the nine cases lodged in the matter till date, in one case, she was accused of hurting religious sentiments, but nobody can comment on it before the court pronounces its verdict, he pointed out. Court Fight Dismissing attempts to drag and link the AIMIM into the row, he referred to a party Municipal Corporator Matin Patel who was booked merely on the basis of certain allegations and vowed to contest the matter in the court. Here Owaisi cited multiple examples of educated Muslims being scrutinised – including in Delhi when some educated youths were arrested for possessing a book by the legendary Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib and they were later released. There was another one from Allahabad where some Muslim boys were targeted for writing an Urdu ‘sher’ (couplet) prompting judicial intervention, and predicted that even in the Nashik TCS case, the truth will ultimately prevail as no criminal charges against Nida Khan may stand. AIMIM to set up voter help-desks AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi said his party is developing a digital application containing electoral records of all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra for 2002-2024, to help voters in the SIR process. For this, the AIMIM will set up help desk centers in its strongholds to facilitate the process and ensure proper utilisation of voter data. Alleging discrepancies in electoral records, he said such errors create huge problems for the voters, especially the poor or illiterates. Owaisi mentioned how of the nearly 27 lakh names placed in the adjudication list in West Bengal, “90 pc were poor Muslims.” These centers would be open for all Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis and the general public needing assistance with the electoral records.

Don claims MLA behind plot to kill developer

Kisan Kathore
Kisan Kathore

Ambernath: A major controversy has erupted in the Ambernath–Badlapur region of Thane district after jailed gangster Ejaz Lakdawala alleged that BJP Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore was linked to a contract killing plot targeting businessman Vishwanath Panvelkar. In a letter sent from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail on March 30 to Thane–Badlapur police, Lakdawala claimed he was approached to carry out a murder, triggering a massive political and criminal uproar across the district.

 

According to the letter, the incident dates back to late 2023, when Lakdawala was produced before a Mumbai Sessions Court. During that time, two individuals identified as Anil Ghodvinde and Mirkute allegedly met him, claiming to be associates of MLA Kathore. They reportedly offered him a contract to eliminate Panvelkar over a land dispute near Badlapur railway station.

 

Lakdawala further alleged that during this meeting, he was connected to MLA Kathore via a video call, where he was promised substantial financial compensation in exchange for carrying out the killing. He also claimed that repeated attempts were made later to pressure him into accepting the contract.

 

However, Lakdawala stated in his letter that he clearly refused to undertake such an act. He has also expressed willingness to record an official statement, subject to court permission.

 

Meanwhile, a separate incident on April 21, 2025, has added another layer of suspicion. Unknown assailants had opened fire outside Panvelkar’s residence near Hutatma Chowk in Ambernath. Though no injuries were reported, questions are now being raised about a possible connection between the firing and the alleged contract killing plot.

 

Speaking at a press conference, Vishwanath Panvelkar claimed that his life is under serious threat. He stated that he was unaware of Lakdawala’s identity until police showed him the letter and informed him about the gangster. He accused authorities of acting under political pressure, stating that while influential leaders receive high-level security, he was not even assigned a single constable.

 

Panvelkar also expressed fear for his life, saying he is unable to step out of his house and that his construction business is on the verge of collapse due to ongoing threats and stress. He asserted that he possesses evidence against MLA Kathore, which he intends to submit during the investigation. Additionally, he alleged that the Assistant Commissioner of Police is submitting misleading reports and diverting the investigation, despite repeated complaints to higher authorities, including the Director General of Police, who has reportedly assured an inquiry.

 

While speaking to The Perfect Voice, BJP MLA Kisan Kathore stated that he has never given space to criminal activities in his political career. He said he has no connection with the said gangster and does not know any gangster personally. He further added that all the allegations are baseless and are a deliberate attempt to tarnish his political image.

 

The case has now turned into a serious matter of allegations and counter-allegations. The truth behind these claims will only be established after a thorough police investigation and judicial process. With Lakdawala indicating readiness to give an official statement, the entire district remains on edge as developments unfold.


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