Former JNU student leader Shehla Rashid reveals why she started supporting PM Modi; Here's why
New Delhi: Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Shehla Rashid expressed a shift in her perspective on Kashmir, stating that the region is not comparable to Gaza. She acknowledged changes in Jammu and Kashmir and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's policies for bringing about a bloodless political solution.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Rashid admitted to sympathizing with stone pelters in 2010 but indicated a change in her views. She emphasized that the current situation in Kashmir is distinct from Gaza, citing a reduction in protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations.
In 2010, yes," Shehla Rashid said. "But today, when I see it, I am much more grateful for today's situation. Kashmir is not Gaza, it has become clear that Kashmir is not Gaza, because Kashmir was just involved in these back-and-forth protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations," she said.
Rashid praised the present government, especially Modi and Shah, for breaking the ice and achieving a political solution without bloodshed. She previously commended the government's efforts to improve the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"All of those things, somebody needed to break the ice, and for that, I would like to credit the present government, especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister."
The former student leader acknowledged her struggles at JNU, particularly after the sedition charges against former research scholar Umar Khalid and then JNU Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar in 2017. Rashid highlighted the backlash against JNU and emphasized that certain slogans, such as 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge' and 'Laal Salam,' were never raised at the university.
Umar Khalid, charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy, was arrested nearly two years ago in connection with the northeast Delhi riots. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the incident.
Sharing the interview on social media, Rashid captioned it, “What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”
This was not the first time Rashid praised the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, in August this year, Rashid, who has been a vocal critic of the Modi government's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's autonomous status on August 5, 2019, as well as its subsequent division into two Union territories, praised the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for their efforts in improving the human rights situation in the Valley.
What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind. pic.twitter.com/s06cA2Q2ua
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) November 16, 2023
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
