I, Farooq AbdulgafarBawani, have always placed myself with Palestinian people because I believe that their uncontrolled and unending oppression is unjustified, although both Arabs and the rest of the world are not helping address it. They are boasting of humanism from roof-tops. Their deafening silence has exposed them. It is proven fact without an iota of doubt that they are with the anti-Palestine lobby.
Their silence is condemnable in thestrongest terms.
With due respect, I ask them (i.e. Arabs & the rest of the world) where your humanism is.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat
WFI suspended, IOA asked to form a temporary panel
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been suspended.The Union Sports Ministry on December 24 asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a temporary panel to run the federation. The ministry had earlier suspended the WFI, citing that the newly elected body made a hasty announcement with regards to organizing the U-15 and U-20 nationals, ‘without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers’ for preparations.’
On December 23, the Olympic bronze medallist, Sakshi Malik raised her concern via a post on her handle on X, regarding the upcoming nationals being held in Nandini Nagar, Gonda. She even went on to question the environment the young wrestlers would be competing and mentioned in her post that the area belongs to the former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh.
Malikkh and several other top wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan of sexually exploiting women wrestlers.Soon after the poll results were announced, Malikkh announced her retirement from wrestling. On December 22, Bajrang Punia, who is also an Olympic bronze medallist, decided to return his Padma Shri to the government as a mark of protest. Malikkh said that she has been receiving calls from several junior wrestlers expressing concern over the venue of the junior nationals.
Arif Khan
Meerut, UP
Zeyad Masroor Khan’s memoir
Zeyad Masroor Khan’s memoir,City on Fire: A Boyhood in Aligarh,set against the backdrop of continuous cycles of violence, explores three significant themes – identity and community in times marked by religious polarisation, the role of pop culture and institutions in such times, and all that we stand to lose if the trend of increasing intolerance continues.
This book throws light on the prevailing situation in the country.
Khalid Mansoor
Aligarh, UP
Arif Mohammed Khan faces activists’ ire at Tenhipalam
Students Federation of India (SFI) activists staged protests inside and outside the Campus of the University of Calicut at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district as Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan arrived there on a 3-day visit. Ahead of the protests, the SFI activists had put up banners on the Campus against the Governor Mr. Khan, saying “Sanghi Chancellor, wapasjao”, “Mr. Chancellor, you are not welcome” and “Chancellor, go back”.
Several pro-Left service organizations held demonstrations in front of Kerala Governor House in Thiruvananthapuram, accusing him of attempting to “saffronise” State Universities. Asked about the alleged bid to “saffronise the universities”, Mr. Kan said that according to verses in the (Holy) Koran, saffron was the colour best suited for the eyes. (The Hindu, Mumbai Edition, 17 December 2023).
I am reminded of a famous proverb in English when Shree Khan quotes The Holy Quran, “Devil Quotes the Bible”.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat