Jaipur (PTI): The Anjuman Khuddam Syedzadgan, representing the khadims (caretakers) of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, on Saturday condemned the purported incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh and India, calling for peace, justice and accountability.
In a message issued on the culmination of the annual Urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the Anjuman expressed concern over reports of targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, including the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh district earlier this month.
"Such acts of hatred, irrespective of the victim's faith, violate every principle of humanity and religion," said Syed Sarwar Chishty, hereditary khadim and secretary of the Anjuman.
The Anjuman urged religious leaders and dargah caretakers across India to raise a united moral voice against atrocities and appealed to Muslims to register peaceful protest against violence targeting minorities. It also called upon the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of minorities and bring perpetrators to justice
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The Anjuman further voiced concern over rising incidents of violence against religious minorities in India, referring to the alleged lynching of a man in Bihar and vandalism during Christmas celebrations in parts of the country.
"When citizens are targeted because of their faith, the foundation of the Republic is shaken," the statement said, urging authorities to act with zero tolerance.
Reaffirming its commitment to interfaith harmony, the Anjuman said peace and justice must guide all societies.
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Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
