Bangladeshi student leader Umama Fatema rejects U.S. award over Palestine stance
Dhaka: Umama Fatema, a key student leader in the movement that led to the removal of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has declined the prestigious U.S. International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award in protest against Washington’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The award ceremony, scheduled for April 1, 2025, will be hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump. Fatema, along with fellow activists, had been selected for the "Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award" for their role in Bangladesh’s July 2024 uprising.
However, Fatema criticised the award’s past endorsement of Israeli actions, stating that accepting it would contradict the Palestinian struggle for justice. In a statement on social media, she wrote:
"This collective recognition of women activists is an immense honor for us. However, in October 2023, this same award was used to directly endorse Israel’s brutal attacks on Palestine. By denying the Palestinian liberation struggle, the award has justified Israel’s aggression in a manner that calls its impartiality into question. The Palestinian people have long been deprived of their fundamental human rights, including their right to land. Therefore, out of respect for the Palestinian freedom struggle, I personally reject this award."
She concluded her statement with the slogan: "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free."
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.
Mangaluru: Bajpe police arrests young man for alleged derogatory posts against police
Bajpe: Police have arrested a youth for allegedly posting derogatory and defamatory content against the Bajpe police on social media.
The arrested accused has been identified as Abhishek M. (23), a resident of Katipalla, Surathkal.
According to the police, Abhishek posted a photograph of Bajpe Nisarga Hotel on his Instagram account mr_a_titude_22, alleging that accused persons in a murder case under the jurisdiction of the Bajpe police station were being treated “like royalty” by the police and were being served beef meals from the hotel every day. In his post, he further accused the police of colluding with criminals and misusing their authority, stating that public trust in the police was being betrayed.
Following which, the Bajpe police registered a case and arrested the accused.
Police records reveal that Abhishek is already facing multiple criminal cases. A case of murder, attempt to murder, assault and robbery has been registered against him at the Surathkal police station. At the same time, a robbery case has also been registered at the Kaup police station.
After his arrest, Abhishek was handed over to the custody of the CEN police for further investigation. He was later produced before a court, police said.
