BJP ally JD(U) joins Opposition leaders in urging centre to halt arms supply to Israel
New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has joined Opposition leaders in calling on the Indian government to cease the supply of arms and ammunition to Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Gaza. The appeal was led by JD(U) General Secretary KC Tyagi, who, along with other Opposition leaders, met with Mohammed Makram Balawi, Secretary General of the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds, in Delhi on Sunday.
The League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds is an independent institution that coordinates global parliamentary efforts in support of the Palestinian cause, in line with United Nations resolutions and efforts to maintain peace in West Asia.
Tyagi said that the JD(U) has historically supported the Palestinian cause, a stance echoed by the Indian government, including during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He stressed the importance of ending the violence against civilians in Gaza and upholding UN resolutions related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Following the meeting, Tyagi and other leaders issued a joint statement urging the Union government to refrain from supplying arms to Israel. The statement condemned the "Zionist aggression and the heinous genocide of the Palestinian people" and asserted that India's complicity in the conflict would be contrary to its longstanding commitment to justice and human rights.
The signatories of the statement include Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali Khan, Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal, and other prominent figures from various political parties.
Reports have surfaced earlier this year suggesting that India may have been supplying drones and other military equipment to Israel, although the government has neither confirmed nor denied these claims. This issue has drawn international attention, particularly following Spain's refusal to allow an Israel-bound ship carrying arms from Chennai to dock at its port in line with its ban on arms exports to Israel since the conflict began.
The ongoing conflict escalated on October 7 when Hamas launched an incursion into southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties. In response, Israel has conducted extensive air and ground strikes on Gaza, leading to widespread devastation and a significant loss of life.
India has traditionally supported a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, advocating for direct negotiations aimed at establishing a sovereign and independent state of Palestine coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.
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Muslim youth forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in UP's Mathura; case registered
Mathura (UP), May 14 (PTI): A Muslim man was allegedly forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and subjected to religious harassment by a group of youths in Mathura's Jamuna Par police station area, police said on Wednesday.
The accused also recorded a video of the incident and circulated it online.
A case has been registered based on a complaint filed by the victim, Sohail, according to Ajay Kishore, Station House Officer (SHO), Raya police station.
Sohail, who works as a scrap dealer, told police he was visiting Chhota Deewana village in the district on Sunday to collect scrap when a group of youths stopped him.
He alleged that they misbehaved with him, made derogatory remarks, and then forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram".
He further claimed the youths filmed the incident and made the video viral on social media platforms.
Sohail identified one of the accused as Tunda, while the others remain unidentified.
The victim approached the police on May 12 and submitted a written complaint, SHO Kishore said.
Based on his complaint, a case has been registered against one named and five unidentified individuals.
A probe has been initiated, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused, police added.
