Student activist Afreen Fatima vows resilience in adversity
Prayagraj: Afreen Fatima, the student activist whose family home in Prayagraj was demolished following her father Javed Mohammed's arrest, expressed unwavering determination on Thursday, emphasizing that she and her community would not be silenced despite facing threats.
Javed and Fatima are affiliated with the Welfare Party of India, with Fatima serving as the national secretary of the Fraternity Movement, the student wing of the party. Javed was arrested as one of the alleged co-conspirators of the June 10 violence stemming from suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma's comments about the Prophet.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Fraternity Movement via Zoom, Fatima asserted, "I stand in absolute solidarity with all Muslim families whose houses have been demolished... Whatever has happened with my father, Janaab Javed Mohammed Sahab, and with my family and to our house, is known to everyone."
Despite acknowledging her family's relative privilege, Fatima expressed empathy for those less fortunate whose homes were also destroyed. She declared her family's refusal to be intimidated, stating, "No matter how much you try to scare and threaten us, or trouble us by putting us in jail, we will not keep quiet or be silenced, nor are we going to disappear from this country."
Fatima remained steadfast in her belief in her father's innocence, and her commitment to proving it. Javed's wife, Parveen Fatima, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the charges against her husband were baseless. The family's primary focus, she stated, was to substantiate Javed's innocence and secure his release.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
