Colombia withdraws statement on Pakistan casualties after Indian diplomatic intervention
New Delhi: In a diplomatic win for India’s global campaign against terrorism, Colombia has withdrawn its earlier statement expressing condolences to Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. The retraction came after a strong intervention from an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
During a press conference in Bogotá on Thursday, Tharoor voiced India's disappointment over Colombia's initial response. The statement had expressed sympathy for Pakistani casualties without acknowledging the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
“We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism,” Tharoor said.
He emphasized India’s position unequivocally: “There can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. We are only exercising our right of self-defence, and we are here to dispel any misunderstanding about that.”
Following a meeting with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, the Indian delegation was informed that the Colombian government had reviewed and retracted the earlier statement.
Speaking to ANI, Villavicencio said that Colombia had now received detailed information about the Kashmir situation and would continue diplomatic dialogue with India.
Tharoor welcomed the diplomatic correction, stating, “The Vice Minister very graciously mentioned that they have withdrawn the statement that we had expressed concern about and that they fully understand our position on the matter, which is something we really value.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor wrote: “Began today with an excellent meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and her senior colleagues dealing with the Asia-Pacific. I expressed India's view of recent events and voiced disappointment at Colombia's statement on 8 May, conveying 'heartfelt condolences' to Pakistan. The Minister assured me that the statement had been withdrawn and that our position was now properly understood and strongly supported.”
The Indian parliamentary delegation, which has already visited Panama and Guyana, arrived in Colombia on Thursday. Their diplomatic tour will continue in Brazil and the United States, as part of India’s broader mission to consolidate global support for its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
