Latest news with #TehseenPoonawalla
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘At least 30 witnesses and 30 assailants': civil society groups release report on Mangaluru mob lynching
Civil society groups have released a 'fact-finding report' on an incident in which a mob beat a Kerala man to death in Mangaluru on April 27 claiming that he raised a pro-Pakistan slogan near a cricket field. The civil society groups, including the People's Union for Civil Liberties, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, and the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, released the report in Bengaluru on June 28. Alongside its findings, the 164-page report explains the background of the situation in Dakshina Kannada and includes a detailed timeline of the incident as well as testimonies from locals, those who knew the victim, and police officers. The report stated, 'This mob lynching did not happen in the wee hours of the night in stealth. Based on the testimonies, it is starkly clear that the mob lynching of Mohammed Ashraf took place in broad daylight with at least 30 witnesses and 30 people beating him to death. Those who undertook this lynching had no fear of consequences. They acted with absolute impunity as self-appointed vigilantes who are not held accountable either by law or the people.' Pointing out that it was not certain that Ashraf had actually raised slogans mentioning Pakistan as it might have been misinformation spread by the accused, the report went on to question whether this could at all be a justification for murder. Mavalli Sankar, convener of the Dr Ambedkar Dalitha Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkarvaada), stated that in such cases officials must at least visit families of the affected to ensure trust in the rule of law. He also highlighted a demand of the brother of Mohammed Ashraf, the victim, that this ought to be the last such lynching incident. According to Maitreyi Krishnan of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, the incident was not a mere murder but a hate crime. She noted that in the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment, the Supreme Court had described hate crimes as a 'product of ideological dominance and prejudice which ought not to be tolerated, lest it result in a reign of terror'. The report said the local law enforcement agencies were not aware of the mandates of the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘At least 30 witnesses and 30 assailants': civil society groups release report on Manguluru mob lynching
Civil society groups have released a 'fact-finding report' on an incident in which a mob beat a Kerala man to death in Mangaluru on April 27 claiming that he raised a pro-Pakistan slogan near a cricket field. The civil society groups, including the People's Union for Civil Liberties, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, and the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, released the report in Bengaluru on June 28. Alongside its findings, the 164-page report explains the background of the situation in Dakshina Kannada and includes a detailed timeline of the incident as well as testimonies from locals, those who knew the victim, and police officers. The report stated, 'This mob lynching did not happen in the wee hours of the night in stealth. Based on the testimonies, it is starkly clear that the mob lynching of Mohammed Ashraf took place in broad daylight with at least 30 witnesses and 30 people beating him to death. Those who undertook this lynching had no fear of consequences. They acted with absolute impunity as self-appointed vigilantes who are not held accountable either by law or the people.' Pointing out that it was not certain that Ashraf had actually raised slogans mentioning Pakistan as it might have been misinformation spread by the accused, the report went on to question whether this could at all be a justification for murder. Mavalli Sankar, convener of the Dr Ambedkar Dalitha Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkarvaada), stated that in such cases officials must at least visit families of the affected to ensure trust in the rule of law. He also highlighted a demand of the brother of Mohammed Ashraf, the victim, that this ought to be the last such lynching incident. According to Maitreyi Krishnan of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, the incident was not a mere murder but a hate crime. She noted that in the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment, the Supreme Court had described hate crimes as a 'product of ideological dominance and prejudice which ought not to be tolerated, lest it result in a reign of terror'. The report said the local law enforcement agencies were not aware of the mandates of the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Moral policing shadows couples in Chennai
Does the sight of young lovers or people of different genders hanging out together irk Chennaites? This February, advocate Thilagavati confronted a patrolman who harassed her for being with a male friend at night on Patinapakkam beach. She had recorded the encounter and uploaded it on social media. This led to much discussion on the topic of moral policing in public places in the city. Uproar over Ms. Thilagavati's experience had led to the officer being transferred. But the woman later faced cyberbullying about which she complained to the cyber police. 'More than men, women are targeted by law enforcement officers in such circumstances,' she says. Courts not supposed to do moral policing: Supreme Court sets aside HC order against Tehseen Poonawalla Many young men and women complain of similar experiences of being victims of the moral police brigade, that have left them traumatised. 'Couples, especially teenagers, are easily targetted. They are then threatened and blackmailed into bribing or assault,' says Ms. Thilagavati. Out with her boyfriend in Anna Nagar Tower Park, Thamizh, a woman in her twenties, says that they too were picked on by policemen. 'It happens all the time. Sometimes they even call up our parents,' she tells The Hindu. Even as she was speaking, a policewoman stared down at the young couple and asked them to 'move ahead.' They silently obeyed. UCC Bill 'introduces moral policing, criminalises autonomy' 'It is not good for young people if their future spouses see them being with another man/woman. Girls should carefully choose good boys that their parents approve of. They can do these intimate things after marriage also. Why now? That too in public,' reasons Meena (name changed), head constable at a police station in Anna Nagar. Meanwhile, a senior police officer of the Greater Chennai Police says, 'Policemen are not instructed to confront couples, unless a safety issue arises. They have the right to be together in public.' The 8.8 acre Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park in Shenoy Nagar has 26 security personnel and reportedly no CCTV camera inside. It is known for its watchful guards who spring into action when men and women sitting together even begin to think of holding hands. They whistle, glare down and show hand gestures before directly confronting the couples. 'We have instructions from the CMRL to interfere when couples sit too close together,' says Surya, a guard there. Sartorial preferences of women should not be subjected to moral policing: HC 'The Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park is designed in a way that there are no hideouts for couples to do inappropriate things. Every corner has high visibility and is covered by guards, who have been told to prevent intimacy between couples,' confirms a CMRL official, on the condition of anonymity. Those facing moral policing can assert their rights under Articles 19 (freedom of expression) and 21 (right to life and liberty). The Supreme Court and Madras High Court have upheld personal liberty under Article 21, affirming adults' rights to consensual relationships and privacy in public spaces. 'They can demand specific legal grounds for intervention, refuse arbitrary demands, and record interactions as evidence. Unlawful detention can be challenged with a habeas corpus and complaints can be filed with the Human Rights Commission or Women's Commission,' says Sonam Chandwani, an advocate. 'Healthy interaction between the opposite sexes should always be encouraged,' says advocate and human rights activist Sudha Ramallingam. 'In Western cultures, couples openly engage in public display of affection and this is not looked upon as vulgar. Why should it be vulgar here? I don't understand what morality or decency people are trying to uphold and impose by moral policing,' she adds.
News18
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'How Is It Possible': Newspaper Ad's Eerie Resemblance To Air India Crash In Ahmedabad
Last Updated: A KidZania advertisement in the Mid-Day newspaper for Father's Day is widely being shared for its uncanny resemblance to the tragic Air India crash that occurred the same day. A KidZania advertisement for an upcoming event for Father's Day is in the spotlight for its eerie resemblance to the Air India plane crash tragedy in Ahmedabad, which claimed more than 240 lives on June 12. Social media users are sharing pictures of the Mid-Day newspaper advertisement, which features an Air India aircraft emerging from a building facade. In a greater coincidence, the advertisement was printed in Thursday's newspaper, the same day when the tragic Air India plane crash happened. Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a building seconds after it took off from the Ahmedabad airport. Images from the crash showed the aircraft's tail clinging to the building, while the rest of the parts were believed to be burnt. Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived. Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla was one of those who shared the striking resemblance between the advertisement and the real life accident on X. Others asked if the magazine predicted the Air India plane crash. 'Did the Mid-day Magazine predict the Ahemdabad plane crash," another X user asked. 'How is this possible?" another one asked. Air India teamed up with KidZania in June last year to launch the Air India Aviation Academy at KidZania's centres in Noida and Mumbai. This new initiative was all about getting kids excited about aviation through fun and realistic role-playing activities. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft had on Thursday departed from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. Air India said it offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. 'Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones," the airline said, soon after the crash. A team of caregivers from Air India later visited Ahmedabad to provide additional support. It also said that the airline was giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200, it said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: India's decisive victory — A moral imperative and beacon of global humanity
Tehseen Poonawalla is a Congress ideologue, lawyer, political analyst, social activist, life coach and a flourishing entrepreneur. He is also an avid reader of law, mythology, politics, and biographies of leaders, game-changers and histories of nations. LESS ... MORE In the relentless saga of India's fight against the insidious scourge of terrorism, Operation Sindoor stands tall—not merely as a military campaign but as a monumental testament to resilience, justice, and the unyielding spirit of humanity. This operation is a clarion call, echoing far beyond South Asia's borders, signifying India's unwavering resolve to uproot terror's poisonous roots nurtured on Pakistani soil. The harrowing attack in Pahalgam was a wound inflicted on the very soul of our nation — vibrant lives extinguished in a brutal instant, dreams shattered, families plunged into immeasurable grief. This was not just an isolated act of violence; it was the tragic crescendo of years of calculated, state-sponsored terror, fuelled by the venomous rhetoric of Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir—recently elevated to Field Marshal amid global controversy. His incendiary words were not mere provocation; they were a deliberate assault on India's peace and social fabric, designed to sow fear and chaos. But India's response was nothing short of historic. Operation Sindoor was a masterclass in precision, courage, and strategic brilliance. Orchestrated with meticulous care by our intelligence and armed forces, it systematically dismantled terror networks that had long thrived with impunity. The reverberations of this operation shook Islamabad to its core, culminating in an extraordinary plea from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to India for a ceasefire—a tacit admission of India's overwhelming strength and Pakistan's vulnerability. Yet, this operation transcends bilateral conflict. It is a beacon of hope for global humanity. Terrorism, bred and nurtured within Pakistan's borders, is a malignant force threatening peace worldwide — from the crowded streets of Europe to the heart of America. By decisively targeting these terror hubs, India has not only safeguarded its own citizens but has taken a stand for international security and justice. In doing so, India asserts itself as a global sentinel against terror, defending humanity's most sacred right: the right to live free from fear and violence. The emotional gravity of this victory is profound. Every life lost in Pahalgam, every innocent soul taken, is a solemn call to action — a vow from millions of Indians to eradicate the darkness of hatred and violence. Operation Sindoor carries the weight of collective grief, yet it also embodies hope — hope for a future where children play without fear and communities thrive in peace. It sends a powerful, unyielding message: terrorism will be met with relentless courage, justice, and an indomitable will. This is India's defining hour — a righteous blow against tyranny and a luminous beacon for humanity worldwide. The global community must awaken to the significance of Operation Sindoor. This was not aggression but a necessary act of self-defence against a clear and present danger. The era of unchecked state-sponsored terrorism is over. India's decisive action demands global solidarity, unequivocal condemnation of terror sponsorship, and accountability for those who unleash destruction. Let Operation Sindoor be a rallying cry — a call for unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to confront terror wherever it lurks. In this battle against hatred and violence, India does not stand alone but speaks for every mother, every child, and every community yearning for a world where the sanctity of life is inviolable. This is not just a military campaign; Operation Sindoor is a moral victory — a profound service to humanity and a resounding testament to India's unshakable commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of innocent lives. The plea from Pakistan's DGMO for a ceasefire only underscores the magnitude of India's triumph and signals a transformative shift in regional security. Today, India stands tall — victorious, resolute, and humane — lighting the way toward a safer, more just world. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
