Imran Khan calls BJP 'anti-Muslim', 'anti-Pak', says it rebuffed overtures because of looming polls

News Network
December 8, 2018

New Delhi, Dec 8: Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the “ruling party [in India] is anti-Muslim.”

In an interview with the Washington Post, the Pakistani premier said: “The ruling party [in India] has an anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan approach.” Khan was answering a question about why his gestures towards India were spurned ever since he came to power four months ago.

Khan was quoted by the Washington Post as saying that the main reason for such a reaction from his Indian counterparts was because of the general elections that are due in the country in coming months. “India has elections coming up. They rebuffed all my overtures,” Khan said.

This is not the first time Khan has taken a dig at the ruling BJP. Earlier this year in September, a day after India called off foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Khan took to Twitter to express his "disappointment".

Calling the India's decision "arrogant", Imran took an indirect dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had tweeted: "Disappointed at the arrogant & negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture.”

In the same interview with the Washington Post, Khan also stated that he “wants something done about the bombers of Mumbai” and that the 26/11 was “an act of terrorism.”

Khan also said he is hoping that India will respond "positively" to Pakistan's "goodwill gesture" of opening the Kartarpur border for the Sikh pilgrims.

“I have opened a visa-free peace corridor with India called Kartarpur [so that Indian Sikhs can visit a holy shrine in Pakistan]. Let’s hope that after the election is over, we can again resume talks with India,” Khan said.

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News Network
November 19,2024

vikramgowda.jpg

The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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