UAE Princess slams Sudarshan TV's Suresh Chavhanke over Tweet on secularism
Says, learn from the religion of peace how to be respectful of others
Dubai: Sheikha Hend bint Faisal Al Qasimi, a princess from the royal family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), responded strongly to a tweet by Sudarshan TV's Editor-in-chief, Suresh Chavhanke, regarding secularism. Chavhanke claimed that passengers were left waiting outside a bus in the UAE because the Muslim driver was performing prayers.
Chavhanke, known for his far-right extremist ideology, alleged that passengers had to endure the heat while the Muslim driver prayed inside an air-conditioned bus. In response, Sheikha Hend bint Faisal Al Qasimi shared a tweet from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that clarified the incident. According to the RTA, the bus was outside its operational hours at the time, and for safety reasons, no one is allowed to enter the bus before or after the scheduled trip.
Sheikha Hend bint Faisal Al Qasimi strongly criticized Chavhanke, emphasizing that the UAE is not a secular country and urged him to have accurate information. She supported the bus driver, stating that he was praying after work hours in a Muslim country that embraces religious tolerance. She further highlighted that the driver was not engaging in harmful actions such as evicting people from their homes or businesses, unlike certain neo-Nazis who continue to perpetrate such acts. She concluded by advising Chavhanke to learn how to respect others who do not share his religion or political beliefs, drawing from the principles of peace in her own faith.
Chavhanke has a history of making Islamophobic remarks, amounting to hate speeches, on his television channel and other public platforms. His inflammatory statements have the potential to incite disharmony and communal tension.
He was praying after work hours in a bus he is responsible for in a Muslim country that is tolerant of other religions. The Emirates is NOT a secular country, just to remind you to get your facts straight. He was not killing and kicking out people from their homes and shops like… pic.twitter.com/Unohz4BWJN
— Hend F Q (@LadyVelvet_HFQ) June 13, 2023
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Dalit student forced to beg, beaten with sticks, attacked near hostel in Gujarat
Mehsana, Gujarat: An incident of caste-based violence has been reported from Mehsana district in north Gujarat, an area widely recognised as an educational hub. A Dalit student, hailing from Porbandar and currently studying in Mehsana, and residing in the hostel of a BBA–BCA college, was reportedly assaulted by four individuals following a minor dispute.
According to the victim, who is currently pursuing his studies, the incident originated from a brief verbal exchange inside the hostel on February 3. He alleged that a fellow hostel resident, verbally abused him during a casual interaction. When the student objected, the accused allegedly threatened him with consequences the next day.
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“Their words were more painful than the beating. They abused me using my caste name and tried to humiliate me by forcing me to beg for forgiveness,” the victim told the police, The Observer Post reported.
The complaint further states that on the morning of February 4, as the student was heading to college, he was intercepted near a Hanuman temple close to the hostel by the acused and his three associates. The accused allegedly forced him to apologise by falling at their feet. Upon his refusal, they are said to have hurled caste-based slurs and physically assaulted him using wooden sticks and belts.
The student sustained serious injuries in the attack. He initially received treatment at a university hospital but was later shifted to Mehsana Civil Hospital by ambulance after his condition deteriorated.
Subsequently, the victim, accompanied by his mother, lodged a formal complaint at the Mehsana A Division police station. Police have registered a case under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with sections pertaining to assault and criminal intimidation.
A police official said, “A case has been registered under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and other relevant sections. We are conducting raids to locate the accused.”
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the accused, who are currently said to be absconding.
