MyVoice: Views of our readers 9th June 2025
The deadly comeback of Covid
India's active Covid case tally has crossed the 6,000 mark with 769 new infections being reported in the last 48 hours, according to the Union health ministry data released on Sunday, 8 June.Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. Due to the rising Covid cases, the Centre has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines.There are 6,133 active Covid cases in India, and six more deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, the ministry said..Since January 2025, 65 deaths have been reported in the country. There were a total of 257 active patients in the country on 22 May. With this the killer disease COVID has returned to India which is warning to everybody to take care of themselves rather than depending on the government.
Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai
New Hamas strategy sparks raw
Hamas have adopted a new strategy to deter Israel's ongoing ground offensive, Operation Gideon's Chariots, by directly appealing to Israeli civilians. Their leader has warned them to pressure their government to halt its attacks on Gaza or face dire consequences: the execution of the remaining 55 hostages held by Hamas, who would be returned in coffins. This ultimatum has triggered widespread chaos and unrest in Israel, with citizens staging mass protests. Demonstrators, carrying placards with images of the hostages, are demanding their immediate release. In response, Israel should consider offering Hamas a defined window during a ceasefire to facilitate the safe release of the hostages, providing a crucial opportunity for de-escalation. Should Hamas fail to comply, the United Nations must step in, working alongside Israeli forces to ensure the hostages' safe extradition. Global intervention may be essential to break the deadlock and save innocent lives.
RS Narula, Patiala
Fight to the finish
Donald Trump and Elon Musk's friendship is well-known. Both are influential people in the world. One is a powerful politician and the other is the richest person. However, differences have started between the two. It is turning into a war of words. US President Donald Trump has announced a reduction in contracts with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's companies. Musk has threatened to stop the service of the 'Dragon Capsule', which is used to transport astronauts and other materials to the International Space Station, on social media. After the failure of the US government's Boeing Company's Starliner spacecraft, Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams was safely returned to Earth by the Dragon Capsule. Musk's Dragon Capsule has become a backbone in NASA's space missions. Also, NASA has taken help from SpaceX in many military missions.Elon Musk's Government Efficiency Account (DOSE) was created primarily to reduce government spending. Musk believes that Trump's policy undermines the original purpose of this account. He described Trump's bill as 'disgusting.' Trump initially took a tough stance on imposing import tariffs on China. Musk's Tesla company was to directly benefit from it. Because Chinese electric cars have eroded Tesla's position in other major markets. After all, Elon Musk helped Trump in the election with a business perspective or goal in mind. But Trump's new bill will be a problem for Musk's Tesla company. That's why Elon Musk has left the government.
Dattaprasad Shirodkar, Mumbai
Stampede and our attitude
What followed the stampede that claimed 11 lives at Chinnaswami Stadium, Bangalore when fans celebrated Royal Challengers Bangalore winning the IPL 2025 title on Wednesday was clearly along expected lines; call for a 'thorough investigation', words expressing 'shock and profound grief' from the responsible, blame game and audacious inaction. These will be followed by the usual forgetfulness, which will help the responsible get away scot-free. The country will continue to be on the back foot at crowd control much to her shame. There have been umpteen incidents of stampedes at various places in the country, that something needs to be done urgently.
Dr George Jacob, Kochi
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Trump revives proposal for Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages: Report
After a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump has revived talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the release of remaining hostages taken during the October 7 terrorist attack, according to a report. read more Israeli military patrols near the Al Shifa Hospital compound in Gaza City amid the ongoing ground operation against Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip on November 22, 2023. (Photo: Reuters) After brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, US President Donald Trump has revived talks to end the war in the Gaza Strip, according to a report. The Israel-Hamas deal reached in January collapsed in March and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel ordered the resumption of attacks. Several thousands of Palestinian casualties have been reported since the resumption of attacks, many of them as they gathered to receive humanitarian aid. The Jerusalem Post has reported that Trump has revived talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages taken during the October 7 terrorist attack. A US source said that the administration was 'optimistic' about reaching the deal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump came to power with the promise of ending wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Instead, he entered a new war with Iran. Moreover, instead of ending the war in Gaza, he has become party to the conflict by announcing the takeover of Gaza and conversion of the strip into a resort town after the expulsion of all Palestinians. The declaration, which critics say amounts to ethnic cleansing, would effectively killed the two-state solution. 75% work done for Israel-Hamas deal: Source A source told The Post that 75 per cent of issues have been resolved in recent weeks. 'The remaining 25 per cent includes key matters such as the humanitarian situation, the conclusion of the war itself, and the guarantees Israel is demanding to prevent Hamas from rearming,' the source said. One option being discussed is the exile of Hamas leaders from Hamas once a ceasefire is reached, according to the newspaper. Hamas has previously rejected the idea. Around the same time that the report emerged, it was reported that Netanyahu held a meeting with senior ministers and defence officials on Sunday to discuss the war in Gaza. The Post reported that that one of the questions discussed in the meeting was whether Israel should send a delegation for indirect talks with Hamas either to Qatar or Egypt.
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Iran's fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu: How serious is this threat?
Iran's top Shiite cleric has issued a fatwa labelling Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu as enemies of Islam, urging Muslims to resist them. Framed in religious language and referencing divine punishment, the fatwa follows renewed tensions in West Asia. But is this decree a serious threat or a symbolic act? read more US President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 7, 2025. File Image/Reuters A fatwa (powerful religious decree) has been issued by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of Iran's top Shiite clerics, naming United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as enemies of the Islamic community. This fatwa — delivered following recent escalations between Iran, Israel and the United States — directly identifies both leaders as mohareb, or individuals who wage war against God. The religious order explicitly calls on Muslims globally to confront those who 'threaten the leadership and integrity of the Islamic Ummah.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under Iranian Islamic law, the designation of mohareb is a serious one, legally warranting harsh penalties that may include execution, crucifixion, amputation of limbs, or exile. 'Those who threaten the leadership and integrity of the Islamic Ummah are to be considered warlords,' Makarem declared. Further urging the faithful to act, the fatwa states that Muslims who endure hardships in their opposition to these leaders would be considered mujahid fi sabilillah — warriors in the path of God. 'May God protect the Islamic community from the evil of the enemies and hasten the reappearance of the Master of the Age and Time,' the ruling added, alluding to the Shiite messianic figure known as the Mahdi. The fatwa arrives shortly after a period of armed conflict now being referred to as the '12-Day War.' On June 13, Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of prominent scientists and military commanders. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. The United States soon entered the conflict by striking three nuclear sites in Iran. This conflict was the culmination of months of rising tensions, marked by repeated warnings from Trump himself that any move by Iran toward weapons-grade uranium enrichment would prompt US intervention. What we know about fatwas A fatwa, by definition, is a legal or theological ruling made by an Islamic scholar or authority. These decrees have historically spanned a wide spectrum — ranging from legal clarifications on ethical matters to highly politicised calls for violence. While many fatwas are benign or even humanitarian in their focus, others have been used to justify violent acts against individuals seen as blasphemous or adversarial to Islam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The case of Salman Rushdie remains the most well-known example in modern history. In 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa condemning Rushdie to death following the publication of The Satanic Verses. The decree, though non-binding in a legal sense, had life-altering consequences. Rushdie spent years in hiding and survived a near-fatal stabbing in 2022 — 33 years after the fatwa was first declared. Despite Iran's political shifts over the years, including the more moderate presidency of Mohammad Khatami in the late 1990s, that fatwa was never officially rescinded. Religious decrees of this nature are not bound by time. There is no expiry. In the eyes of many believers, a fatwa from a revered authority is eternal and sacred. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), British-Iranian commentator Niyak Ghorbani criticised the recent fatwa against Trump and Netanyahu, describing it as a calculated act of state-endorsed extremism. ⭕️Very Important: This is not just a threat to Iranians — it's a global danger. A top Iranian cleric has issued a fatwa openly calling for violent jihad against Western leaders, not just Iranian dissidents. This is a clear act of state-backed incitement to international… — Niyak Ghorbani (نیاک) (@GhorbaniiNiyak) June 29, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The West must realise: the Islamic Republic is not only targeting its own people — it is preparing for global violence in the name of religion,' he wrote. A history of fatwas inciting violence The global implications of such fatwas are not theoretical. In many cases, they have resulted in violence, assassinations, and lasting fear. In 1992, Egyptian intellectual Farag Fouda was shot dead by Islamist militants after being accused of apostasy. His assassination followed a fatwa from religious scholars labeling him an enemy of Islam. Two years later, Egyptian Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz was stabbed in the neck by an extremist influenced by another fatwa. Several Western figures have also been targeted. Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, who co-created a short film critical of the treatment of women in Islam, was murdered in Amsterdam in 2004. He was shot and stabbed by a Dutch-Moroccan Islamist who reportedly acted in line with religious directives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dutch politician Geert Wilders received death threats after his statements on Muslim immigration led to a fatwa calling for his beheading, issued by Australian imam Feiz Muhammad in 2010. In the United States, television host David Letterman became a target when a Muslim militant called for his assassination after he joked about the killing of an Al Qaeda figure on his show. The creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, were similarly threatened after depicting the Prophet Mohammed — albeit in a bear suit — sparking outrage and warnings of violent retaliation. Even religious figures outside Islam have been fatwa targets. Jerry Falwell, the American evangelical pastor, once described Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist in a 2002 interview. A fatwa for his death followed, though Falwell later died of natural causes. Fatwas can also lead to mass political consequences. Al-Qaeda's 1998 fatwa calling for jihad against Americans and Israelis followed the US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That fatwa, signed by Osama bin Laden, justified its stance as a response to perceived Western aggression against Muslims. Not just extremism: Fatwas can also be peaceful While many fatwas attract attention due to their violent implications, others highlight peace, ethics, and coexistence. In 2005, a group of North American Islamic scholars issued a fatwa declaring all acts of terrorism forbidden in Islam. They stated, 'It is haram, forbidden, to cooperate or associate with … any act of terrorism or violence.' The fatwa also encouraged Muslims to work with law enforcement in protecting civilians. Fatwas reflect the intentions and beliefs of the clerics issuing them, and their weight largely depends on the influence and credibility of those scholars among their followers. In places like India, institutions such as the Darul Uloom in Deoband (Uttar Pradesh) issue thousands of fatwas each year. These rulings often address questions of daily life, ethics or personal conduct within an Islamic framework. The Darul Uloom's 12-volume fatwa compilation has even been compared to US Supreme Court proceedings in terms of its complexity and reach. So how serious is the threat against Trump and Netanyahu? Although fatwas are non-binding religious opinions, their danger lies in how they are interpreted and acted upon. Clerics with a vast audience can mobilise not only devout followers but also extremists willing to act violently. In a world already polarised by ideology and religion, a fatwa from a prominent authority can be seen as a divine command. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As history has shown, even decades-old fatwas can incite violence long after their original context is forgotten. Rushdie's near-fatal stabbing in 2022 serves as a chilling reminder. It is not only sanctioned operatives that carry out such attacks — self-radicalised individuals, lone actors or religious vigilantes often act without state direction. The fatwa from Ayatollah Makarem thus poses a long-term risk. While it may not lead to immediate action, it could inspire attacks in the years to come, carried out by individuals who believe they are fulfilling a religious duty. With Makarem calling for Trump and Netanyahu to be made to 'regret their words and mistakes,' the fatwa stops short of a direct death order, but the implications are clear to those familiar with such rhetoric. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
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US President Donald Trump on TikTok ban: 'We have a buyer for …'
US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump has claimed that he knows a group of 'very wealthy people' who are ready to purchase the US operations of popular short-video app TikTok. 'We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,' said Trump. Speaking in an interview with Fox News Channel's 'Sunday Morning Futures with Marai Bartiromo,' Trump said that he will soon reveal the identities of these buyers in upcoming weeks. The latest announcement from Donald Trump comes during the pressure from a 2024 US law which mandates TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDnace to either divest the US assets of the app or face a nationwide ban. The initial deadline for divestiture was January 19, 2025 and Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline, most recently to September 17, 2025. "We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way," Trump told Bartiromo. He also added that any deal would likely require approval from the Chinese government, expressing confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would "probably do it." The earlier attempts of divestiture of TikTok were put on hold after China disapproved the process, particularly in response to Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. With the bipartisan support US passed the law which stems from national security concerns over users' data collection and influence operations by the Chinese government via TikTok. Donald Trump has always credited TikTok for helping him gain traction among young voters in the 2024 election. Presently, the identities of the "very wealthy people" remain a secret for now, but the latest statement made by Trump has once again given hope to the 170 million American users. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
