India, UAE share values of non-discrimination: Indian Ambassador reminds countrymen in UAE
Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Monday reminded its countrymen against discriminatory behavior in the wake of Corona Virus spread.
In a tweet from the official twitter handle, Indian ambassador to the UAE, Pavan Kapoor noted that the two countries share the value of non-discrimination. He also added that discrimination was against the moral fabric and rule of law of the two countries.
“India and UAE share the value of non-discrimination on many grounds. Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the rule of law. Indian nationals in the UAE should always remember this.” The tweet stated.
The reminder to Indians by Pavan Kapoor, come a day after Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had voiced similar views and had stated that the COVID-19 doesn’t see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking.
“COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood,” Modi had said in a tweet which was shared by Kapoor.
The coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated Islamophobia in India, resulting in anti-Muslim campaigns across the country. Reports have emerged of Indian hospitals segregating Hindus and Muslims or refusing to admit Muslim patients.
Calls for the economic boycott of Muslims have intensified in recent weeks amid reports vilifying them for spreading the virus.
Alarmed by the developments, several prominent social media handles in the region have expressed outrage over the “ill-treatment” of Muslims in India.
Last week, Princess Hend Al Qassimi, a member of a UAE royal family warned that “anyone that is openly racist and discriminatory in the UAE will be fined and made to leave the country.”
She also slammed Dubai-based Indian expat Saurabh Upadhyay who had put out several tweets targeting Muslims and ridiculing Islam. Sharing screenshots of his tweets, Al Qassimi said: “You make your bread and butter from this land which you scorn and your ridicule will not go unnoticed.”
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Make polling hours 6am-7pm for May 7 LS polls, Karnataka BJP urges EC citing heatwave
Bengaluru, May 3: Citing the ongoing heatwave in the state, Karnataka BJP on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with a request to modify the polling hours to the 6am-7pm period in the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state that goes to polls on May 7.
Polling is currently scheduled to be held in the second phase in the state in 14 segments in the northern districts between 7am to 6pm on May 7.
"It has become hard to come out and vote between hours 10.00 to 17.00 due to uncontrollable heat. The average heat in those parts (north Karnataka) covering 14 parliamentary constituencies are between 37 and 42 degree (Celsius). The mercury is rising at an alarming level and it would become hard for the electors to come out and vote," BJP's petition said.
The petition highlighted the alarming rise in temperatures, which are expected to go beyond 40 degree Celsius, and also stated that the number of voters over the age of 40 is high and that they are vulnerable to the heatwave.
"To keep up the good spirit of voting, necessary action should be taken," the BJP petition urged the Election Commission, saying, "In this background, it is requested to modify the time of voting in the 14 parliamentary constituencies from 06.00 to 19.00 hours on May 7".
Polling was held between 7 am and 6 pm during Karnataka's first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 14 constituencies on April 26.
