Shiv Sena demands suspension of Mumbai-Turkey flights over alleged pro-Pakistan stance
Mumbai: Shiv Sena Social Media In-Charge Rahool Kanal has called on Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to suspend all flights from Mumbai to Istanbul, citing Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan in matters of cross-border terrorism.
Kanal urged the state and central governments to take a strong stand, stating, "Given the gravity of the situation, I strongly believe that India should reevaluate its relationship with Turkey." He demanded that Turkey publicly clarify its position on terrorism and disassociate from Pakistan’s actions against India.
He pointed out that Mumbai, contributing 36 per cent to India’s tourism sector, plays a key role in international relations. "Indians are among the biggest spenders in Turkey. Until Turkey distances itself from Pakistan's anti-India terror support, I urge the government to suspend all Mumbai-Istanbul flights," he said.
Kanal specifically demanded that the three Turkish Airlines flights and one IndiGo flight scheduled for May 29 be cancelled. "Banning these flights would be a befitting response to Turkey's actions, demonstrating India’s commitment to national security and sovereignty," he added.
He also proposed a range of retaliatory measures, including suspending diplomatic ties, imposing economic sanctions, restricting trade and investment, raising the issue on global platforms, and banning tourism to Turkey.
Highlighting the scale of Indian tourism to Turkey, Kanal stated that over three lakh Indian tourists visited the country in 2024, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of its total tourist arrivals.
His remarks come after Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on May 22, asserted India’s expectations from Turkey to pressurise Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism. “We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades,” Jaiswal said.
In a related development, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing national security concerns. The company has challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court.
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Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India calls current situation 'no war, no peace'
Bengaluru (PTI): Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majeed Hakeem Ilahi on Saturday characterised the ongoing tensions between his country and the Israel-US alliance as a state of “no war, no peace”.
Calling for an immediate halt to the conflict, he said the global stability hinges on those who initiated the war.
He questioned why countries affected by the war and suffering from the energy crisis are not pressuring the US and Israel to stop the aggression.
Addressing a press conference here, Ilahi said Iran did not want the conflict, but was compelled to respond amid continued attacks, even as negotiations were expected to continue.
"Iran didn't want this war, but Iran was forced by the war and several times Iran tried to avoid this war... I don't know what is the condition of these people and these countries (US-Israel)... they want to impose on other countries what they want, and who gave them this authority?" he questioned.
Recalling the negotiations Iran held in Oman, he said talks later moved to Geneva and made progress before being disrupted by sudden attacks.
Ilahi claimed that airstrikes and missile attacks led to the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ministers, commanders and civilians.
"They killed a lot of civilians… They attacked a primary school, and they killed 175 innocent girls," he said, claiming over 4,000 deaths, more than 40,000 injuries, and widespread damage to houses, hospitals, universities and public infrastructure.
Despite these losses, he said Iran resisted calls for “unconditional surrender” and stood firm and defended itself.
"They wanted unconditional surrender. Which no one—no one can accept it. Iran said, 'Okay, we are ready to be sacrificed,' but we are not ready to submit ourselves," he added.
He argued that they (US-Israel) proposed the current ceasefire only after realising that they could not achieve any of their objectives after 40 days of conflict.
The envoy further claimed that the ceasefire is not an actual ceasefire, but a “no war, no peace” situation.
Explaining the current situation in Iran, he said conditions remain stable and people are going about their daily lives.
"They are working ....(leading) their ordinary life. They are working—they're going farming and they do everything....and they aren't scared of anything. And they are ready to defend themselves," he added.
Addressing the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, he said the situation was stable before February 28 and all countries benefited from it.
"(For) 10,000 years, the Strait of Hormuz was open...and Iran daily yearly spent a lot for providing security in the Strait of Hormuz... so no one even complained anything about the Strait of Hormuz. Everyone was free...and even our enemies their warship was passing through the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
However, he linked the current maritime instability to the actions of the US and Israel.
"So Iran cannot do anything. Those people who initiated, created and started this war, they have to stop it. And everything will go back to normal," he said.
Criticising the mentality of the "great powerful country", Ilahi said, "they think they have the right to do whatever they want. It should change."
He sought to know why the countries affected by the conflict are not exerting pressure on the US and the "Zionist" regime to halt the war.
"Why are they not asking them? This crisis and problem by which a lot of countries are affected was created by them. A lot of factories are closed and even working days in some countries reduced... A lot of restaurants are closed," he said.
Seeking fairness and justice, Ilahi said instead of asking Iran, all those nations should ask those who initiated this war to stop it, by telling them, "we are suffering."
To a query on international mediation, Ilahi, referring to the US, asked, "Is it acceptable and reasonable that one country orders all countries -- you should not deal with this country, You should not purchase from this country. You should not have business with this country. You should not buy from this country."
Ilahi also highlighted Iran's long-standing ties with India and said, "It is a great country and we respect India and Indians."
"We have 5,000 years relationship and friendship. We are connected to India by education, by philosophy, by culture, by civilisation and by the economy," he said.
According to him, the bilateral cooperation remains strong, citing diplomatic engagement.
"At the moment also, our relationship, collaboration, cooperation with India is very good," he said, adding Iran allowing Indian ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz reflects the ties.
"Iran allowed Indian ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Why? A lot of countries couldn't get this permission?... The relationship between Iran and India is very good," he added.
He expressed confidence that in future too, the ties between Iran and India will be strong.
