Torte, which means cake in German, is a European cloud patisserie founded by – then – 29-year-old, Chef Rhea Wadhawan, in 2019. Opulence is synonymous with each and every dessert that’s made at Torte today, writes FnB Columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International
After obtaining a Degree in Leather Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, Rhea Wadhawan didn’t restrict her designing just to products. Soon realising her inclination towards food and desserts, she knew she wanted to design food but it also had to taste the best. To hone her skills she enrolled herself in Scafa, a culinary school in Dubai.
As you scroll down their website, each of their creations is supremely unique with experimental flavour profiles, and high-quality ingredients yet creating a sense of nostalgia. The irony of her being diagnosed with gluten intolerance, while in culinary school, pushed her to ensure a complete care package of her food without compromising on the experience, taste and aesthetics.
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
“While my gluten intolerance made sure I constantly doubted my abilities to build my dessert brand, constant motivation and constructive feedback have been my driving factor to keep going,” said Rhea.
Bringing her two worlds of design and food together, Chef Rhea creates classic European desserts with a blend of modern techniques.
Living up to its name, Torte specialises in experimental yet nostalgic desserts – flavours that take you to Europe. Along with prioritizing flavour, quality and regard for tradition, it also celebrates seasonal produce.
Chef Rhea
Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
OPULENT DESERTS: Torte by Chef Rhea
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto with his Singapore counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at Singapore City
Britain has sanctioned a Muslim cleric for forced conversion of non-Muslims in Pakistan’s Sindh province. Maulana Abdul Haq alias Mian Mithu has been actively involved in human rights violations for many years. A PPP lawmaker between 2008 and 2013, Mithu was expelled by the party after he became controversial over the forced conversion and marriage of Rinkle Kumari, a girl from the minority Hindu community … A special report by Kaliph Anaz
Britain has sanctioned a Muslim cleric for forced conversion of non-Muslims in Pakistan’s Sindh province in what amounts to a rebuff to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s plea that the world community re-look at his country’s “stereotypical image” and view it as a “promising emerging market full of opportunities.”
The two events, though unconnected, happened on the same day. The British announcement came on the same day Bilawal raised the pitch for his country in Singapore, seeking improved economic ties. Analysts noted that Bhutto-Zardari’s plea came during his meetings with Singapore President Halimah Yacob, a woman and a Muslim, and his counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, an ethnic Tamil.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto with his Singapore counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at Singapore City
The Southeast Asian nation has a strong record of being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy.
Bilawal’s Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) rules in Sindh province where the cleric, Maulana Abdul Haq alias Mian Mithu, sanctioned by the British Government has been actively involved in human rights violations for many years. A PPP lawmaker between 2008 and 2013, Mithu was expelled by the party after he became controversial over the forced conversion and marriage of Rinkle Kumari, a girl from the minority Hindu community.
Rinkle declared herself a Muslim in court in 2012, which her parents and Hindu community leaders alleged was under duress, The New York Times reported that “Mithu triumphantly led the new convert from the courthouse, parading her before thousands of cheering supporters.”
“Mian Mithu is a terrorist and a thug. He takes the girls, and keeps them in his home for sexual purposes,” Nand Lal told The New York Times, noting that Mithu’s armed guards had escorted his daughter to court appearances and news conferences.
Rinkle Kumari’s case went all the way to the Supreme Court, but she never gained freedom from her forced marriage. Even her father, Nand Laal, fled to Lahore soon after accusing Mian Mithu of abduction and forced conversion. “The father found refuge and welcome in a Sikh Gurdwara in Lahore, in Punjab province, with the rest of his family,” it was reported.
Despite the controversy, and many that have since followed, Mithu was wooed by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2015. He was invited to contest the National Assembly on the PTI ticket.
Although he was not admitted to the party because of protests from the Hindu community, the Khan Government invited Mithu for consultations at the Pakistan Islamic Council on religious issues.
At 4.4 million, the Hindus constitute 2.14 per cent of Pakistan’s population and mostly live in Sindh. Dawn newspaper (December 10, 2022) quoted a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad: “The UK takes freedom of religion or belief very seriously and is committed to protecting minorities worldwide. The new package of sanctions targets those violating fundamental freedom. This includes Mian Abdul Haq, a cleric of the Bharchundi Sharif shrine in Ghotki, Sindh, who is responsible for forced marriages and forced religious conversions of non-Muslims and minors. This sanctions package does not include any other Pakistani national.”
The sanctions effectively mean that designated individuals will be unable to do any business or undertake economic activity with UK citizens or companies and that they will be denied entry to the UK, the newspaper said.
The Hindu community of Sindh and human rights bodies have frequently accused Mithu of committing crimes against children for years by kidnapping and forcefully marrying them to Muslim men. They have charged that his activities are publicly known and that the Pakistani state has been complicit in his crimes.
Riots broke out in Ghotki in Pakistan’s Sindh province on September 16, 2019, after a Hindu school principal was kidnapped at the behest of Mian Mithu and charged with Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy law where punishment on conviction leads to death.
The riots began when a teenage student of Sindh Public School in Ghotki uploaded a video to Facebook accusing his Hindu school teacher Nautan Daas of blasphemy. The student’s father Abdul Aziz Rajput registered an FIR against Daas, according to — the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on 15 September 2019.
The Food Foundations’ September data highlighted that: 9.7 million adults which is 18% of the household including 4 million children suffered from food insecurity. This translates into one in four households with children being subjected to some form of food insecurity in the UK. A special report
“There is always a price to pay when you want everything to be quick, cheap and available,” said Baroness Sandip Verma, speaking at a webinar hosted by The Open Forum, a London-based think-tank, titled: Why a rich country like the UK is facing food insecurity?
Former Minister for Energy and Climate Change and International Development, Baroness Verma is presently the Chancellor of Roehampton University and Chairs the UK’s – UN Women’s National Committee.
“Whilst there is an argument and discussion around food insecurity in the UK, I do genuinely believe- the way we utilise our food; the way we source our food; the way we protect our own growers here unable to get the best for their products we need to have a serious discussion,” she added.
The webinar was moderated by Lizzie Cho, CEO of Nova New Charity, providing grassroots support to local communities.
Food Foundation describes food insecurity as, “having smaller meals than usual or skipping meals due to being unable to afford or get access to food, being hungry but not eating because due to being unable to afford or get access to food.”
The foundations’ September data highlighted that: 9.7 million adults which is 18% of the household including 4 million children suffer from food insecurity.
This translates into one in four households with children being subjected to some form of food insecurity in the UK.
“It’s fascinating that we are discussing that in a 5 or 6th largest economy and the second most influential country in the world after the United States,” said Professor Gwynthian Prins, Emeritus Research Professor at The London School of Economics & Political Science, who was speaking at the same webinar.
Taking off the table three reasons for the food insecurity in the UK, ‘Brexit; lack of labour and inefficiency in the food market system,’ Dr. Prins pointed to the UK having “millions more mouths to feed,” since it joined the European Union as his first reason. Coupled with this, he believes is, “the UK farming sector crippled with over-regulation…prioritisation of land sterilization for renewables… allowing prime agricultural land to be taken out of food production to put up solar farms to produce virtually no useful electricity…massive increases in other obligatory expenditures like on heat, on light and on transport.” In conclusion, he added, the overriding reason for the food insecurity in the UK, “… is not a result of Mr. Putin’s war, no it is not the result of nasty people of the middle east. It is the result, overwhelmingly on the decision to engage in the incursion on so-called renewable energy…”
As a prescription to handling food security by individuals, Dr. Prins pointed to the label on a World War II food tin which read, ‘Food – Buy it with thought. Cook it with care. Use less wheat and meat. Serve just enough. Use what is left.’
“The idea that food insecurity has happened because of renewable energy or a very welcome reduction of energy consumption in the UK, I wholeheartedly dismiss,” said Tristram Stuart, founder of Toast Ale, a company that makes beer with surplus bread instead of barley.
Considering 25% of people working in the food sector live in food poverty, the author and campaigner, further dismissed the idea that people do not want to work on agricultural land or that supermarkets run an efficient system. If given good wages people would work on the agricultural land, Tristram argued.
“We have vastly greater food surplus that we have ever had in history,” said Tristram and yet, where does all that food go? “A lot of it goes into the bins,” he added.
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), estimated, “annual food waste arisings within UK households, hospitality & food service (HaFS), food manufacture, retail and wholesale sectors in 2018 at around 9.5 million tonnes, 70% of which was intended to be consumed by people (30% being the ‘inedible parts’). This had a value of over £19 billion a year and would be associated with 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
While household food waste is a “colossal problem,” Tristram argued, “the vast majority of food that is wasted happens well before it gets anywhere near the consumers or the citizens.” A large part of the blame goes to the supermarkets, Tristram pointed out. How round is a potato or how green are the beans leads to a lot of food not being bought by the Supermarkets while, “off-loading the risk within the market on their suppliers,” said Tristram.
He further added, “Supermarkets supply the cosmetic standards when it suits their economic interest.”
According to him, “Food insecurity’s primary cause is poverty, poverty is not a result of solar farms and not even a result of food production and food waste. It is to do with economic structures that successive strictures both in the UK and Internationally have had in place which have resulted in colossal inequality in society. So, the richest people have been getting richer and the poorest people have not been getting richer in the real terms.”
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the ‘Enough’ campaign tells us how to safely intervene
Ending violence against women and girls is everyone’s business. Whether it takes place in the home, workplace or in public, everyone has a role to play in ending abuse – and we must all step up and play our part to help make society a safer place for everyone.
The UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women coincides with the UK government’s second phase of its ‘Enough’ campaign. The campaign is encouraging people to take simple steps to safely take action when they see different types of harassment or abuse. Whether it’s sexual harassment on the street, verbal harassment on public transport, sharing intimate images of someone without their consent or being controlled or coerced – together we can challenge and stop perpetrators of abuse.
Polly Harrar Founder of the Sharan Project a U.K. based charity providing support and advice to vulnerable women, particularly of South Asian origin
“When abuse towards women and girls goes unchecked, it becomes normalised, and we all have a role to play to stop this. Women from the South Asian community already face a number of barriers and challenges seeking support. The ‘Enough’ campaign is shining a light on the different forms of abuse and how small acts of recognition and support can help prevent this from happening.”
Malika victim of controlling or coercive behaviour
“I was in an abusive marriage, my partner controlled every aspect of my life. I was so lonely and felt too ashamed to speak to anyone about it, not even my family. A friend of mine could see what was happening. She shared some information with me about domestic abuse and that helped me to see that what my partner was doing was wrong. I am so glad she stepped in. Knowing that she cared enough about me to see what was happening and to offer help made all the difference to me. It gave me enough confidence and courage to finally leave my marriage.”
Whilst most people recognise that intervening to stop violence against women and girls is important, some people worry about putting themselves at risk or making the situation worse. However, witnesses can play a powerful role in stopping abuse from taking place and intervening doesn’t have to be dramatic or confrontational. There are many different ways you can safely help.
It’s important to remember that it might not be safe to intervene in the moment and if you think someone is in immediate danger you can call 999 to report to the police.
The ‘Enough’ campaign shares four simple ways to help people safely intervene that can be remembered using the STOP mnemonic: Say something, Tell someone, Offer support, Provide a distraction. Any one or a combination of these actions can be used depending on the situation.
Say something
You can show your disapproval at what is going on, for example saying ‘I don’t think that’s funny’ or you could be more direct, if you feel it’s safe to do so, by saying it’s unacceptable and tell them to stop.
Tell someone
You could tell someone in charge, like Human Resources (HR) if you’re at work, or the train guard or bus driver if you’re on public transport. You could also tell another member of the public or a passer-by and see if they’re willing to help – working together can be a safer, more effective way to intervene.
Offer support
You can ask the victim if they’re OK. You could capture what’s happening on your phone and ask if they want the footage to report the incident, and you could offer to help report it. You could also help others already giving support. If it’s someone you know, check in with them when they are alone and offer to help them to report it if they want. If you think they might be in an abusive relationship, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice.
Provide a diversion
Sometimes what’s best in the moment is creating a distraction, giving the person being targeted a chance to move away or giving others the opportunity to get help. You could strike up a conversation with the victim, e.g. ask for directions, or where the next stop is on the bus, or pretend you know them.
The ‘Enough’ campaign provides information on support services, how to report abuse to the police and offers guidance for individuals worried about their own behaviour.
Pregnant women are eligible for both a free flu and Covid-19 booster vaccine this winter.Getting your winter vaccines in pregnancy is just as important as ever
Pregnancy can be an exciting, yet vulnerable time for any woman, but Covid-19 fears and isolation have added an extra strain. It feels like it is all behind us now, but viruses like Covid-19 and flu can spread more easily in winter when we all mix more indoors, so healthcare experts are advising expectant mums to make sure they get their vaccines.
Over a million babies were born in the UK during the height of the pandemic. We talked to three mums about their decisions on vaccination and their experiences of having a baby during the pandemic.
Samira
DR RAHIM
“I was lucky enough to have my baby in the latter part of the pandemic,” says Paediatrician and mum of three Dr Kiran Rahim, “Lots of things felt weird and strange at a time of happiness, like my husband not being allowed in for a scan. Many services like drop-in weight clinics and breastfeeding support were cancelled due to Covid restrictions. The worst part was the lack of contact with health visitors.”
“I had my two Covid vaccines and then a booster and a flu jab while pregnant”, says Dr Rahim. “And as a frontline healthcare worker, I am eligible for Covid-19 booster and flu jab this winter which I have just had, whilst still breastfeeding. Both immunisations are safe at any stage of pregnancy, and many millions of doses have been administered worldwide to pregnant women.”
While the vaccines are safe, there are risks from both viruses during pregnancy.
“Complications from Covid and flu while pregnant can be very dangerous for both mother and baby. In the very worst cases, they can lead to death or stillbirth,” says Dr Rahim. “There are new variants of Covid all the time, it’s unpredictable and the risks are still out there. The flu virus can also change each year, so it’s important to boost your protection to both viruses before winter.”
“This is not the time to be complacent,” says Dr Rahim. Falling ill presents additional risks while pregnant. Vaccines are our best line of defence, which are freely available on the NHS and easy to get.
Tanviha
TANVIHA
Unfortunately, trainee clinical scientist Tanviha Quaraishi-Akhtar experienced some of these complications first-hand. Tanviha had an emergency C-section after falling seriously ill with Covid, giving birth at just 33 weeks. She was so unwell with Covid that she couldn’t hold her premature son before he was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit.
“Just a week later, I was in ICU alone, in a medically induced coma. I almost died and was kept unconscious for over two months. I finally met and held my son when he was 12 weeks old. It is so sad to think I missed out on these important early months. Had the vaccine been available whilst I was pregnant, I would have definitely accepted it, and my experience could have been avoided”.
As a scientist, Tanviha believes it’s so important for people in the Asian community to make sure they get their information about vaccines from a reliable source like the NHS website – there’s far too much misinformation out there and you shouldn’t trust everything you read on social media.
Samira
SAMIRA
“I got the Covid vaccine while pregnant last year, and I’d do it again,” says influencer and blogger Samira Ahmed. “I was really sick with the Delta variant in my first trimester and was lethargic for months after recovering. I was so worried that getting sick had harmed my baby. I wanted to avoid catching it again and got vaccinated – it was a load off my mind.”
Samira also makes sure her four-year-old gets the flu vaccine as a nasal spray. “I don’t want him to miss out on school and vaccines make these things avoidable.” I also had him vaccinated each autumn when he was a pre-schooler.
A UK study found that pregnant women admitted to a hospital with Covid infection having received 2 or 3 vaccine doses, were less likely to have more severe disease or require intensive care admission than women who had not been vaccinated. However, uptake of vaccines is lower in Asian communities – last winter, for example, just 29% of Pakistani pregnant women had the flu jab.
Studies show that protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines decreases over time, even if you’ve had previous doses of the vaccine. So, it’s important you ‘top up’ your immunity this autumn. Pregnancy alters how the body handles infections such as flu, which is why you are advised to get the flu vaccine too. It’s safe to get both vaccines together. They do not contain live viruses and cannot infect the baby. Find out how to book your vaccine appointments now at your GP surgery, or local pharmacy or check with your maternity service. Visit nhs.uk/wintervaccinations
Free flu and Covid-19 booster vaccine for pregnant womenDr KiranSamiraSamiraTanviha
South Asians urged to get life saving GP checks as data reveals more than 40% unaware of common abdominal and urological cancer symptoms
An NHS campaign backed by South Asian healthcare professionals is encouraging people with potential cancer symptoms to come forward for life saving checks. Despite abdominal and urological cancers making up nearly half of all cancer diagnoses in England, as well as two in five cancer deaths, new data reveals that most South Asians are less likely to recognise cancer symptoms, which could prevent them seeking help.
Cancers in the abdominal area include bowel, oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, ovarian and uterine cancers, while urological cancers include prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. Symptoms that could be possible signs of these cancers are persistent diarrhoea, prolonged discomfort in the tummy area or blood in your urine – even just once.
Even when symptoms such as persistent tummy troubles or diarrhoea are recognised, more than half of the South Asians surveyed said they would put off going to see their doctor due to feeling embarrassed. However, loved ones may play a crucial role to change this, as over 50% of South Asians were more likely to talk to their family and friends first if they were concerned about possible cancer symptoms.
“There is clearly a lot of work to be done in South Asian communities to increase awareness of cancer symptoms,” says Dr Anant Sachdev, CRUK GP and TVCA Clinical Lead Prevention & Early Diagnosis, who is backing the campaign. “If you notice your loved ones experiencing these symptoms, please urge them to contact their GP immediately and get checked out right away.”
The data by Censuswide found that awareness of a range of potential cancer symptoms was in each case considerably low among South Asians (42% on average), including:
Feeling bloated for three weeks or more (44% unaware)
Needing to pee urgently (43% unaware)
Diarrhoea for more than three weeks (40% unaware)
In addition, respondents were asked about bladder and bowel cancer specifically
Blood in pee or stools as symptoms of bladder and bowel cancers (43% unaware for both)
Most South Asians (81%) however did recognise tummy discomfort as a possible symptom of urological and abdominal cancers.
The ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign comes as research shows many South Asians are conscious of wasting their doctor’s time.
To address this, South Asian healthcare professionals are coming together to back the campaign and to let the community know that the NHS is open and that people can access the health services they need when they need them.
“South Asians tend to put their family first, even above their own health. But going to see your GP when experiencing cancer symptoms is the best way to ensure you can be with your family for as long as possible,” says Dr Jyoti Soodi, GP and Clinical Director.
“Do not just rely on herbal remedies and prayer to treat your symptoms. If you see any unusual changes like unexplained tummy pain or diarrhoea that doesn’t go away for three weeks or more, or blood in your pee even once, go and see your GP immediately. It’s probably nothing serious but it could be a sign of cancer and finding it early makes it more treatable and can save your life.”
On the tenth anniversary of the attack on the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, US President Joe Biden on Friday called for strict measures to reduce gun violence and defeat domestic terrorism and hate in all its forms, including the poison of white supremacy.
Mourning the loss of lives in the attack, Biden said, “The Oak Creek shooting was the deadliest attack on Sikh Americans in our nation’s history. Tragically, attacks on our nation’s houses of worship have only become more common over the past decade. It is up to all of us to deny this hate-safe harbour.”
According to the official statement, Biden said that when generations of Sikh-Americans in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, constructed their own place of worship after years of renting local halls, it was a sacred place of their own and a connection shared with the broader community.
“That sense of peace and belonging was shattered on the morning of August 5, 2012, when a white supremacist wielding a semiautomatic handgun arrived at the Gurdwara and began shooting.”
The gunman murdered six people and wounded four that day, as well as another victim who survived his wounds only to succumb to them years later.
“Jill and I know that days like today bring back the pain like it happened yesterday, and we mourn with the victims’ families, the survivors, and the community devastated by this heinous act,” the US President said.
He further said that “Oak Creek has shown us the way. After the attack, the Sikh community returned to their Gurdwara and insisted on cleaning it themselves.”
“The son of one of the victims became the first Sikh in American history to testify before Congress, successfully calling for the federal government to track hate crimes against Sikhs and other minority groups,” US President added.
Every year, the congregation now hosts an annual memorial run to honour the victims. The event bears the words Charhdi Kala, meaning “eternal optimism.”
Biden said, “Fueled by that spirit of eternal optimism, we must continue to take steps now to reduce gun violence and keep our fellow Americans safe.”
Biden said that no one should fear for their life when they bow their head in prayer or go about their lives in America.
He said, “We must continue to take steps now to reduce gun violence and keep our fellow Americans safe. We must do more to protect places of worship, and defeat domestic terrorism and hate in all its forms, including the poison of white supremacy.”
“We must ban assault weapons–used in many mass shootings at houses of worship and other sites across the country–as well as high-capacity magazines. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill to do just that,” Biden added.
The US President said that to stand in defence of religious freedom, we must all stand together to ban the weapons that terrorize congregations around our country. (ANI)
Kashmiris holding Kargil Vijay Diwas Mashaal during a Trianga boat rally in River Jhelum during the celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Srinagar-Umar Ganie (2)
Kashmiris celebrate “Kargil Vijay Diwas” with various activities. Army soldiers along with locals take part in “Kargil Vijay Diwas Tiranga boat” rally in River Jhelum. To commemorate the 23rd ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, a host of events were organised under the aegis of Northern Command, culminating into the final event on 26th July 2022. Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Counsellor Kargil was the Chief Guest and Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, AVSM, GOC-in-C, Northern Command was the Chief Host for the major event. A picture story.
PIC: Umar Ganie/APH IMAGES/ASIAN LITE
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Bilal Kaka, a Sindhi youth was shot dead by Pathans at a restaurant over a food bill during Eid-ul-Azah, reports Asian Lite News
Shops and hotels, owned by Pashtuns, were closed by the Sindhis as the ethnic tensions flared up in several districts in Sindh province following the killing of 35-year-old Bilal Kaka at a hotel in Hyderabad a couple of days ago, media reports said.
Bilal Kaka, a Sindhi youth was shot dead by Pathans at a restaurant over a food bill during Eid-ul-Azah. According to the media reports, the hotel owners allegedly shot dead Bilal Kaka and injured his two friends after a dispute over a food bill at the Super Salateen Hotel near Wadhu Wah near Hyderabad bypass – one of the most popular areas in Hyderabad.
In the aftermath of the killing, there were massive protests registered across the Sindh province. The leaders from across the political spectrum unanimously called for calm, urging people not to let rogue elements disturb the social harmony of the province, reported Dawn.
Several violent incidents were reported in the province on Thursday. Several political parties, including JI, MQM-Pakistan, Awami National Party, and nationalist leaders Jalal Mehmood Shah and Ayaz Latif Palijo issued statements, urging both Sindhis and Pashtuns — the two groups at the heart of these tensions — to demonstrate restraint.
The political parties also demanded the government to take prompt action to defuse the tensions.
According to the local media, illegal Afghan residents are involved in narcotics and money lending at a heavy rate of interest. It further noted that they were also involved in killing the Sindhi youths.
Local media further pointed out that police authorities and others in law-enforcement departments do not act against such elements.
They said Balal Kaka’s case is not just one isolated case but it is the result of an influx of outsiders into Sindh. They said peaceful political movements are the only way out to get rid of outsiders’ influx into Sindh.
Meanwhile, Sindh United Party Chairman and Convener of Sindh Action Committee, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah said that the law-and-order problem in Sindh is increasing because of the Afghans living in Sindh and others coming to Sindh from elsewhere.
Hundreds of protesters from the Kaka tribe took to the national highway in Sindh province to protest against the killing of Balal Kaka.
Rallies were held at Qambar, Jacobabad, Nawabashah, Tando Mohammad Khan, Halan, and at Kariyo Ghunoor by different groups including nationalist Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz and Awami Tehreek, Sindh Tarqui Pasand’s Students’ Federation and Sindh United Party.
Jiye Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) has announced demonstrations across Sindh Friday on July 15 demanding the ouster of outsiders in Sindh, reported local media.
JSQM chairman said that Afghans staying in Sindh are the major reason for ruining Sindh.
Taking a dig at authorities, he said that the Afghans also seem to have got licences now to kill Sindhi youth in Karachi and Hyderabad. (ANI)
Another local Altaf Ahmad said that they have been living and brought up together in the neighbourhood and it was their duty to participate in Hindu woman’ marriage ceremony…reports Asian Lite News
In yet another example of centuries old tradition and communal harmony, Kashmiri Muslims participated in marriage ceremony of a Kashmiri Pandit woman in Lar village of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Locals said that the Muslim neighbours participated in the marriage ceremony of Meenu Kumari daughter of Late Pandit Mohan Lal in Lar village.
They said that they participated in every ritual of the marriage ceremony of pandit woman and also eat together, while being with their Pandit brethren for the last four days.
“This is an example of age old tradition and communal harmony under which both Muslim and Pandit families have been living together, even as there have been unfavourable conditions many times,” the locals said.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, district president Ganderbal Sanatham Dharam Sabha, Badrinath Bhat said that the function was going on for the last four days here and in these four days, Muslim neighbours including men and women participated in every ritual.
He said that Muslim men and women participated in mehandiraat, other rituals including singing and dancing, which gives a clear message that how Muslims and Hindus have been living in their neighbourhood in the Kashmir Valley.
“We have been living together for years now and we have participating in each other’s functions, be it marriage, someone’s death or any other function, we have been together. Recently some of our Muslim brothers went for Haj pilgrimage, we also went to see them off like their Muslim relatives did,” he said.
Meanwhile, another local Altaf Ahmad said that they have been living and brought up together in the neighbourhood and it was their duty to participate in Hindu woman’ marriage ceremony.
He said that this a centuries old bond between Hindus and Muslims here and it will not be broken by any mischievous element. “We have been living together and we will continue to do so and will support and love each other in every thick and thin,” he said.
Muslim women were seeing welcoming the groom and also participated in singing and dancing including “Kashmiri Wanwun” along with Pandit woman during the marriage ceremony—(KNO)
