Dr Hamidullah Bhat arrested

The recent raids on the houses of corrupt officers brought a surprise for the Urdu world. The revelation that Dr Hamidullah Bhat, a noted figure in Urdu world, had acquired wealth beyond his known sources of income, comes as a shock.

He is the head of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCUPL) that was constituted with the aim to promote Urdu and huge funds were provided to it.

Unfortunately, it seems Bhat was more interested in amassing personal wealth out of these resources and funds. A Murlimanohar Joshi protege Bhat had made crores from this venture.

With such people Urdu-speaking populace doesn't need outsiders to worry for its survival.
The insiders who are in authority anywhere in the country are mostly doing the same job--Urdu ki jaden khodna.

Meanwhile, we must congratulate the anti-corruption agency for exposing the racket. Well done CBI.

Now a Hindu 'fatwa' bans Muslims from dance with Hindu girls

Once again Muslims are the target of ire.

The Saffron groups, particularly, Bajrang Dal has issued a diktat that no Muslim would be allowed to participate in Garba-Dandia dances.

They are angry because they feel that Muslim youths lure Hindu girls during such celebrations. Now what is the response to this Hindu fatwa?

But this has been largely ignored. In a civilised multi-cultural society, such statements should have been criticised strongly.

The Bajrang Dal has come out strongly for the ban on entry of Muslims and its leaders have issued threats to Muslims, warning that they should stay away from such venues. Though it may be the right-wing group's ploy to get cheap publicity.

Muslims rarely participate in Garba, which is mostly held in religious atmosphere. However, these statements to create bad blood and vitiate the atmosphere. In a secular democracy, there is no space for organisations issuing such diktats.

Neither any Muslim group can stop a girl of their community from interacting from Hindus. Nor a Hindu group should restrain a girl of their religion from befriending Muslims. Everyone is free in this country and it should always be the case.

No Talibanism of any hue ought to be tolerated.