Bilkis Bano's Rapists To Return To Jail: "Abuse Of Power By Gujarat", says Supreme Court
New Age
Islam News Bureau
08 January 2024
·
Bilkis
Bano's Rapists To Return To Jail: "Abuse Of Power By Gujarat", says
Supreme Court
·
Flogging
of Roya Heshmati, By Law Enforcement, For Defying Hijab Enrages Iranians
·
'State-Sanctioned
Sexual Assault': UK Police Allowing Trans-Identifying Officers To Strip-Search
Women
·
Taliban
Detains Group Of Women At Khair Khana, Kabul for “Non-Compliance Of Dress Code”
·
Academicians
Back Jindal University Professor Sameena Dalwai Facing FIR For Lecture On
Dating
·
Pakistan
Govt Not Utilising Available Options Towards Aafia’s Release: Fowzia, Aafia
Movement Leader
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bilkis-rapists-gujarat-sc-jail/d/131475
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Bilkis Bano's Rapists To Return To Jail:
"Abuse Of Power By Gujarat", says Supreme Court
Bilkis Bano
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8 Jan 2024
India’s Supreme Court has quashed the
remission given to 11 Hindu men who had been jailed for life for the gang rape
of Bilkis Bano and murdering her relatives during anti-Muslim riots in the
western state of Gujarat in 2002.
The top court on Monday directed the 11
men to surrender to the prison authorities in Gujarat within two weeks.
“Their plea for protection of their
liberty is rejected,” the court said. “To keep them out would not be in
consonance of the rule of law.”
Bano, now in her 40s, was five months
pregnant when she was gang-raped during the violence, which saw nearly 2,000
people, most of them Muslims, killed in some of the worst religious riots India
has experienced.
Seven of the 14 people murdered in one
incident were Bano’s relatives, including her three-year-old daughter, whose
head was smashed on the ground by the perpetrators in Gujarat’s Dahod district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
Gujarat’s chief minister at the time, and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) still rules the state.
Modi has repeatedly denied having any
role in the violence and the Supreme Court has said it found no evidence to
prosecute him.
‘Our wounds are still fresh’
The 11 men, convicted in early 2008,
were ordered freed by the Gujarat government in August 2022 after the prison
they were being held in recommended their release, considering the time they
had served and their good behaviour.
A viral video at that time showed the
relatives and supporters of the men welcoming them with sweets and garlands.
But their release also drew widespread
condemnation, especially since it coincided with India’s Independence Day
celebrations, when Modi spoke about women’s safety and security.
Bano’s uncle and a witness in her case,
Abdul RazzakMansuri, told Al Jazeera the top court’s ruling was a step towards
justice for her.
“We are glad that the court directed the
accused to be sent back to jail in two weeks. The Gujarat government released
them [convicts] and it was very hurtful for us as it was against all the
logic,” he said.
“We will never forget the memories [of
2002 riots]. Our wounds are still fresh.”
Kaleem Siddiqui, a minority rights activist
in Gujarat’s main city of Ahmedabad, alleged the 11 men were released by the
BJP government to score political mileage before the state elections.
“The Gujarat government was working with
a mindset that they have to free the men somehow,” he told Al Jazeera. “In the
future, the Gujrat government should not try to protect them. The accused
should get the punishment that has been awarded to them.”
The opposition Congress party welcomed
Monday’s ruling, saying it exposed the BJP’s “callous disregard for women”.
“It is a slap on the face of those who
facilitated the illegal release of these criminals and also those who garlanded
the convicts and fed sweets to them,” spokesman Pawan Khera posted on X,
previously known as Twitter.
“India will not allow administration of
justice to be incumbent on the religion or the caste of the victim or the
perpetrator of a crime.”
There was no immediate reaction to the
verdict from the 11 men and the Gujarat government.
In its verdict, the top court held that
Gujarat did not have the authority to reduce the sentence of the 11 men, adding
that “arguments with emotional appeal become hollow when placed in
juxtaposition with the facts of the case”.
“It is a significant judgment which
upheld the rule of law as the central pillar on which Indian democracy rests,”
Vrinda Grover, one of the lawyers who argued on behalf of Bano in the top
court, told Al Jazeera.
“The court has said that the rule of law
will apply to all the people, regardless of who they are.”
Source: aljazeera.com
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/8/india-court-quashes-remission-to-11-men-in-muslim-womans-gang-rape-case
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Flogging of Roya Heshmati, By Law
Enforcement, For Defying Hijab Enrages Iranians
Roya
Heshmati shared her ordeal with pictures on her now locked social media
account.
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January 08, 2024
Maryam Sinaee
The flogging of a young woman, Roya
Heshmati, by law enforcement for refusing to wear the compulsory hijab in Iran
has sparked outrage among many Iranians.
The sentence was carried out on
Wednesday, leading to widespread condemnation, after she posted a touching
personal account in a social media post.
“These lashes did not just come down on
the body of one woman, they hit all those who dream of a life with normal
freedoms alongside each other. Enough is enough. Don't disgust the society any
more than this,” prominent political and social commentator Abbas Abdi said in
a tweet.
Lashing women for not abiding by the
strict hijab rules demanded by religious revolutionaries was very common in
1980s and 90s, but not carried out often in the past two decades.
Many argue that the execution of the
lashing sentence violates the law since the recent hijab law passed by the
parliament does not include lashing as a punishment.
Persian social media has been flooded
this weekend with angry comments since the incident was publicized. People
praised Heshmati for her courage to reject the forced hijab, even after her
lashing.
In a statement published by its official
news website, Mizan, the judiciary claimed on Sunday that Heshmati was
sentenced and flogged because she had connections to "an organized group
outside Iran" and had received money to defy hijab rules publicly "in
a very indecent manner," presumably to encourage others to do the same.
The statement added that the sentencing to 74 lashes was confirmed due to the
extent of her actions, which were seen as a violation of public chastity and
morals.
Some female politicians including
prominent female dissident Zahra Rahnavard, who has worn the hijab by choice
for decade, and Azar Mansoori who leads the Reformist Front and the People’s
Unity Party of Islamic Iran have objected to the lashing of the young woman for
hijab.
“You who rule! You whip Roya Heshmati’s
body but she, the one with an alert and resilient conscience, laughs bitterly
at you. I abhor your manner of governance,” Rahnavard who has been under house
arrest since 2011 along with her husband Mir-Hossein Mousavi as leaders of
Iran's anti-regime Green Movement said in a message while Mansoori said one
could not be a Muslim and stay silent about Heshmati’s flogging for hijab.
The 23-year-old Heshmati, a vocal critic
of compulsory hijab, was arrested at her home in April after posting a photo
that showed her dressed in a modest red shirt and black skirt from behind while
walking in the street without a headcover.
Heshmati who lives in Tehran was held in
custody for eleven days on charges of “appearing in public without religiously
prescribed hijab”. The charges of “propaganda against the regime”, “violating
public decency and order”, “creating indecent social media content and
encouragement of people to immorality” were brought against her later.
She was initially sentenced to thirteen
years in prison, a cash fine of around $25 and 74 lashes. The appeals court
dropped the prison sentence but withheld the lashing order and cash fine.
In a note published on Instagram after
being lashed, she vividly described how a man hit her shoulders, back,
backside, and legs with a leather whip in a small room, resembling a medieval
torture chamber, while she whispered a song named “Rise, for Woman, for Life,
for Freedom” under her breath.
She also said court agents kept trying
to cover her head because upon entering the courtroom she had refused to wear
her headscarf despite threats of harsher flogging and further prosecution.
“[The lashing] was over. We left the
room. I didn't let them think I had experienced pain…We went up to the judge in
charge of execution of the sentence. The female agent walked behind me and was
careful not to let my headscarf drop from my head. I threw off my scarf at the
courtroom entrance. The woman asked me to wear the headscarf. I didn't stop and
she pulled it over my head again," she wrote.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202401072378
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'State-sanctioned sexual assault': UK
police allowing trans-identifying officers to strip-search women
Jan 08, 2024
Moohita Kaur Garg
In the United Kingdom, a majority of
police forces now allow trans-identifying, which means biologically male
officers can strip-search women. This, as per the Women's Rights Network, would
lead to "state-sanctioned sexual assault".
Heather Binning, founder of the
organisation which works toward "defending the sex-based rights of women
and girls," alleged that police leaders have failed the public by
pandering to vocal lobbyists.
A report titled 'State Sanctioned Sexual
Assault' by the Women's Rights Network found that of the 43 police forces in
England and Wales, at least 34 have either already implemented such a policy or
they intend to.
Condemning this, Binning said: "Self-identification
is not UK law and women should not be paying the price for policing beyond the
law."
"Police chiefs have failed us
again. This is not reasonable or lawful, and we do not consent. It is
state-sanctioned sexual assault, and it must not be tolerated," she added.
Too progressive?
Talking to Daily Mail, a serving female
police officer said that she feared "both for my colleagues and for
vulnerable suspects".
She claimed that she was threatened with
disciplinary action for questioning the policies.
"A strip search is a humiliating
and potentially traumatic experience and everything should be done to ensure a
suspect is treated with dignity and respect," she added.
As per a Daily Mail report, guidelines
already in place mandate female officers to carry out intimate searches of
"a biological male suspect if they identify as a woman". Those who
refuse could be accused of causing a hate incident and may face possible
disciplinary action.
Cathy Larkman, a retired police
superintendent and the author of the Women's Rights Network report, said that
dozens of police officers have approached the organisation to voice their
concerns. However, a culture of fear within the police forces prevents them
from speaking out, she claimed.
Larkman said that the police bosses had
failed women by indulging in demands of vocal trans lobbyists.
Previously, an NPCC spokesperson had
clarified that "All searches are dealt with on a case-by-case basis after
consideration by a custody sergeant based on the response of the detainee. All
searches are carried out in line with the officer or staff member's training
and legal authority."
Source: wionews.com
https://www.wionews.com/world/state-sanctioned-sexual-assault-uk-police-allowing-trans-identifying-officers-to-strip-search-women-677648
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Taliban Detains Group Of Women At Khair
Khana, Kabul for “Non-Compliance Of Dress Code”
January 8, 2024
According to sources, the Taliban
detained a group of women in the Khair Khana area on Sunday.
Sources said that the Taliban’s Ministry
of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice officials have detained and
imprisoned dozens of women and girls in Kabul, citing the reason as
“non-compliance with Taliban’s dress code.”
The group arrested several women along
the route from the Parwan Hotel to Gola-e-Park using a Ranger vehicle.
Meanwhile, reports say that earlier on
the same day, the Taliban had detained a group of girls and women in the
Taimani area of Kabul.
In recent days, the Taliban’s Ministry
of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has initiated a new wave of
detentions of girls and women in various areas of Kabul.
Earlier, the group detained several
girls and women in the western area of Kabul, including Dasht-e-Barchi, due to
their hijab and clothing.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Promotion of
Virtue and Prevention of Vice had previously confirmed to the media that they
had detained some women in western Kabul on charges of “improper dressing.”
However, they did not specify the exact number of detainees.
There have been reports indicating that
the group is detaining more women in different areas of Kabul.
Some sources in Kabul have mentioned
that when the family members of the detained girls in western Kabul approached
Taliban offices, they were asked to demonstrate against supporting the hijab
that the Taliban had in mind. After being coerced into protests, they demanded
the release of the detainees, but Taliban officials refused to free them.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-detains-group-of-women-at-khair-khana-kabul/
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Academicians Back Jindal University
Professor Sameena Dalwai Facing FIR For Lecture On Dating
2024-01-07
Jindal University professor Sameena
Dalwai was targeted by trolls on social media due to her Muslim identity and
political beliefs, a group of over 500 academicians said in a letter supporting
her.
On September 23, during a lecture on
sexuality and desire, Dalwai had opened a dating app and projected it onto a
screen in a bid to analyse the language of dating profiles. However, this
exercise allegedly caused discomfort among some students as the profiles of
their friends also popped up on the screen. She closed down the app after
objections from the students.
Weeks later when a lectured delivered by
political scientist AchinVanaik on the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict
triggered a controversy, clips from Dalwai’s lecture on dating also surfaced on
social media. In his talk, Vanaik had said that Zionism and Hindutva were
different as the former was “not anti-Muslim” while the latter was
“fundamentally and foundationally anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic”.
Subsequently, a screenshot of an email
from Dalwai to fellow faculty members defending Vanaik’s talk also went viral.
In her email, she had written about “Jai Shri Ram” slogans being chanted on
campus and “right-wing” students and faculty organising their “own events”.
On December 22, the Haryana Police filed
a first information report against Dalwai for harming the dignity of women and
discriminating against students on a religious and ideological basis.
The signatories of the letter include
Vanaik, writer Nivedita Menon, historians Ramachandra Guha and Tanika Sarkar,
professors Nandini Sundar and NirajaJayal and lawyer Lawrence Liang.
In their letter, the academicians
accused the Haryana Women’s Commission, which picked up the clips of Dalwai’s
lecture and began an investigation, of making a media spectacle and holding the
professor guilty.
The group said that the panel members
visited the university, elicited student responses without the university
administration being present and finally delivered their verdict, finding
Dalwai guilty.
“Twitter posts became evidence, emotive
language replaced logic, confidential university documents were posted on
social media,” it said. “The whole process showed utter disregard for legal
procedures and a vicious political agenda.”
The group also said that it was troubled
to see that the university did not follow due process to establish the truth
behind the allegations against Dalwai. “By succumbing to political pressure
thus, Jindal university has set a damning precedent for future attacks on
academic freedom,” it said.
The academicians said they were dismayed
that discussions of sexuality or politics are assumed to harm the dignity of
women or discriminate against students.
“We believe she is being persecuted for
her Muslim identity and her political beliefs, by people who define India with
a narrow, ignorant lens,” the group said. “Ironically Haryana Women’s
Commission has charged Sameena Dalwai for outraging the dignity of women, while
completely ignoring the battle against sexual harassment by women wrestlers of
Haryana.”
It added: “We call upon the concerned authorities
in the State of Haryana, including the Police and Judiciary, to put an end to
this vicious witch hunt.”
Source: scroll.in
https://scroll.in/latest/1061750/targeted-for-muslim-identity-academicians-back-jindal-professor-facing-fir-for-lecture-on-dating
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Pakistan Govt Not Utilising Available
Options Towards Aafia’s Release: Fowzia, Aafia Movement Leader
2024-01-08
ISLAMABAD: “There are many political and
legal options available for early release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US
prison, but sadly the government of Pakistan is simply not utilising these
options for the reasons better known to it.”
This was stated by Aafia Movement leader
and noted neuro physician of the country Dr Fowzia Siddiqui while addressing
Aafia Siddiqui Conference here, organized by Team Aafia Pakistan. She said she
said that the nations that don’t respect their daughters would never grow and
prosper.
She said Pakistan is facing problems
because our rulers the daughters of the nation. She said that the lawyer of
Aafia Clive Smith was shocked to known about torture and sexual abuse meted out
to Aafia. She asked would the Pakistani youth remain silent over these
atrocities.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) KP chapter Ameer
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said that Aafia is the most oppressed woman of this
century. She is innocent and never ever involved in terrorism or money
laundering. He said due to the laudable role of the Islamabad High Court there
is some developments in Aafia Siddiqui case.
He said that the illegal detention of
Aafia Siddiqui is a great test for the Pakistani nation, as well as, the Ummah.
He said all political parties should adopt a joint stance on the issue of Dr
Aafia.
Defense of Human Right Pakistan
Chairperson Amina Masood Janjua said that we fully support the struggle for
release of Aafia. She asked the government of Pakistan to think about the
options floated by Dr Fowzia to secure the release of Dr Aafia.
The lawyer of Dr Aafia, Clive Stafford
Smith said that Dr Aafia’s release is possible if the government of Pakistan
takes this issue with the US administration on official basis. He said Aafia is
braving torture and abuse in the US prison and this matter also need to be
taken with the US administration by the Pakistani government.
Aafia Foundation South Africa chapter
leader Inayat Wadi said that Aafia Siddiqui is the victim of the war against
terrorism. She is innocent but still suffering worst torture and abuse. He
criticized the rulers of Pakistan over their apathy to Aafia.
Aafia Foundation USA founder Mauri
Saalakhan said that we should study the fact sheet of Aafia Foundation to know
who really Aafia Siddiqui is.
He said it is necessary to know the
correct fact for securing her release. He said the international reaction
against the genocide in Gaza should also be used to promote the cause of Aafia
Siddiqui release. He said the Gaza genocide has unveiled the ugly face of
America.
Source: brecorder.com
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40282515/govt-not-utilising-available-options-towards-aafias-release-fowzia
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bilkis-rapists-gujarat-sc-jail/d/131475