Mob temporarily disrupts yoga day event in Maldives; 6 arrested
Male, Jun 21: A mob on Tuesday temporarily disrupted an event related to the International Day of Yoga at a football stadium here in the Maldivian capital which was attended by top diplomats and members of the general public, attacking some of the participants and destroying property.
In a statement, police said that they were treating the incident as a serious issue, and the Serious and Organised Crime Department was investigating it with "utmost urgency." So far, six persons have been taken into custody, police said.
"An investigation has been launched by @PoliceMv into the incident that happened this morning at Galolhu stadium. This is being treated as a matter of serious concern and those responsible will be swiftly brought before the law," President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tweeted.
Maldives Police Service has launched a high priority investigation into the violent disruption of the event held at the National Stadium in the Muslim majority nation.
"Perpetrators had sought to incite fear by forcefully entering, destroying property and attempting to assault participants of the event," said the police statement.
The event - organised by Indian High Commission in Maldives in collaboration with Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of Maldives and UN in the Maldives - was attended by diplomats, state dignitaries and members of the public. The Indian and British envoys were among those attending the event, according to the Associated Press.
After the brief disruption by religious hardliners, the event resumed and the session got completed successfully.
In a separate statement, the Government of Maldives strongly condemned the "violent acts perpetrated by a group of individuals" targeting the participants, including members of the diplomatic community who were attending the celebrations held to mark the 8th United Nations International Day of Yoga.
"Such malicious acts of violence aimed at disrupting public safety and undermining security of individuals and the diplomatic corps will not be tolerated. Authorities have launched a special investigation into today's incident and the Government will ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice," it said.
Police said that preliminary investigative findings showed some of the items used by rioters came from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office.
"As of now, the evidence indicates that the demonstrators were using items taken from the office of the PPM," police said.
Police said they would also look into what caused the incident, and conduct an internal review of the police response to the incident.
Those with evidence or information pertaining to the incident have been asked to submit it to the web portal set up for case tips.
Police provided assurance they will ensure the anonymity and safety of all individuals who submit information via the portal.
Meanwhile, PPM issued a statement condemning the incident, the Sun newspaper reported.
Some allege the flags used by the rioters were the same ones used in the Nabiyyaage Dhifaaugai rally recently held by PPM.
PPM's Secretary-General Mohamed Tholal told Sun said the flags used by rioters were similar to the ones used by his party in its rally, but that it yet remained unclear whether it was the same flags.
"It's possible those were our flags. I am unable to say for sure yet whether those were our flags, he said.
Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof alleged stopping the event by portraying yoga as an anti-Islamic pursuit was a political act. He said that the incident involved PPM and Jamiyyath Salaf, the paper reported.
Salaf has also issued a statement denying involvement in the incident.
The International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 every year around the world. This day has been celebrated in the Maldives, since 2015.
Dramatic visuals from Maldives as group of extremists disrupt Yoga Day celebrations organised in capital Male pic.twitter.com/es9q3y5g2o
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 21, 2022
An investigation has been launched by @PoliceMv into the incident that happened this morning at Galolhu stadium.
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) June 21, 2022
This is being treated as a matter of serious concern and those responsible will be swiftly brought before the law.
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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
