In the late 1960s, the prevailing opinion among Israeli Shin Bet intelligence officers was that the key to defeating the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was to assassinate its then-leader Yasser Arafat.

The elimination of Arafat, the Shin Bet commander Yehuda Arbel wrote in his diary, was “a precondition to finding a solution to the Palestinian problem.”

For other, even more radical Israelis – such as the ultra-nationalist assassin Yigal Amir – the answer lay elsewhere. They sought the assassination of Israeli leaders such as Yitzak Rabin who wanted peace with the Palestinians.

Despite Rabin’s long personal history as a famed and often ruthless military commander in the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli Wars, Amir stalked and shot Rabin dead in 1995. He believed Rabin had betrayed Israel by signing the Oslo Accords peace deal with Arafat.

It’s been 20 years since Arafat died as possibly the victim of polonium poisoning, and 30 years after the shooting of Rabin. Peace between Israelis and the Palestinians has never been further away.

What Amnesty International and a United Nations Special Committee have called genocidal attacks on Palestinians in Gaza have spilled over into Israeli attacks on the prominent leaders of its enemies in Lebanon and, most recently, Iran.

Since its attacks on Iran began on Friday, Israel has killed numerous military and intelligence leaders, including Iran’s intelligence chief, Mohammad Kazemi; the chief of the armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri; and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami. At least nine Iranian nuclear scientists have also been killed.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said:

We got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran.

Iran, predictably, has responded with deadly missile attacks on Israel.

Far from having solved the issue of Middle East peace, assassinations continue to pour oil on the flames.

A long history of extra-judicial killings

Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman’s book Rise and Kill First argues assassinations have long sat at the heart of Israeli politics.

In the past 75 years, there have been more than 2,700 assassination operations undertaken by Israel. These have, in Bergman’s words, attempted to “stop history” and bypass “statesmanship and political discourse”.

This normalisation of assassinations has been codified in the Israeli expression of “mowing the grass”. This is, as historian Nadim Rouhana has shown, a metaphor for a politics of constant assassination. Enemy “leadership and military facilities must regularly be hit in order to keep them weak.”

The point is not to solve the underlying political questions at issue. Instead, this approach aims to sow fear, dissent and confusion among enemies.

Thousands of assassination operations have not, however, proved sufficient to resolve the long-running conflict between Israel, its neighbours and the Palestinians. The tactic itself is surely overdue for retirement.

Targeted assassinations elsewhere

Israel has been far from alone in this strategy of assassination and killing.

Former US President Barack Obama oversaw the extra-judicial killing of Osama Bin Laden, for instance.

After what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced as a flawed trial, former US President George W. Bush welcomed the hanging of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as “an important milestone on Iraq’s course to becoming a democracy”.

Current US President Donald Trump oversaw the assassination of Iran’s leader of clandestine military operations, Qassem Soleimani, in 2020.

More recently, however, Trump appears to have baulked at granting Netanyahu permission to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

And it’s worth noting the US Department of Justice last year brought charges against an Iranian man who said he’d been tasked with killing Trump.

Elsewhere, in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, it’s common for senior political and media opponents to be shot in the streets. Frequently they also “fall” out of high windows, are killed in plane crashes or succumb to mystery “illnesses”.

A poor record

Extra-judicial killings, however, have a poor record as a mechanism for solving political problems.

Cutting off the hydra’s head has generally led to its often immediate replacement by another equally or more ideologically committed person, as has already happened in Iran. Perhaps they too await the next round of “mowing the grass”.

But as the latest Israeli strikes in Iran and elsewhere show, solving the underlying issue is rarely the point.

In situations where finding a lasting negotiated settlement would mean painful concessions or strategic risks, assassinations prove simply too tempting. They circumvent the difficulties and complexities of diplomacy while avoiding the need to concede power or territory.

As many have concluded, however, assassinations have never killed resistance. They have never killed the ideas and experiences that give birth to resistance in the first place.

Nor have they offered lasting security to those who have ordered the lethal strike.

Enduring security requires that, at some point, someone grasp the nettle and look to the underlying issues.

The alternative is the continuation of the brutal pattern of strike and counter-strike for generations to come.

Matt Fitzpatrick, Professor in International History, Flinders University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Minajul Sheikh, a resident of Beldanga in Murshidabad district, told The Hindu that his brother Minarul Sheikh was picked up from Mumbai where he was working and subsequently forced into Bangladesh. Apart from Minarul Sheikh, at least two other workers were pushed into Bangladesh. The three workers — Minraul Sheikh and Nizamuddin Sheikh from Murshidabad and Mostafa Kamal Sheikh from Purba Bardhaman — also sent a video message to their relatives where they can be heard pleading before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other public representatives of the State to ensure their return to India.

It was only after the West Bengal government raised the issue, the workers were repatriated to India through the Mekhliganj border in Bangladesh on Sunday afternoon. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member and chairperson of West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board Samirul Islam said when the workers were picked up by the police in Mumbai, all necessary documents were provided by the State government.

“What has happened is very unfortunate and illegal. These are citizens of India and cannot be illegally pushed into Bangladesh in such a manner,” Mr. Islam said.

On X he said, “Under the leadership and active intervention of our Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, we were finally able to repatriate seven Indian citizens who were illegally pushed back to Bangladesh by the BSF. The Maharashtra Police first detained them on suspicion of being Bangladeshis and then handed them over to the BSF, which carried out the final act of deporting these poor migrant workers to Bangladesh—only because they spoke Bengali. They were deported to Bangladesh despite they showed all relevant proof of being an Indian. 

I have some questions:

1. How did the Maharashtra Police hand over these migrant workers to the BSF without informing the West Bengal government?
2. Why didn’t the BSF contact the local administration to verify their identities before forcibly deporting them to another country?
3. Is there a larger plan by these BJP-ruled states and the BSF to target and harass Bengali-speaking migrant workers?

We will not let this issue go. We will expose the dark forces behind this misdeed and ensure justice.”

Under the leadership and active intervention of our Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, we were finally able to repatriate seven Indian citizens who were illegally pushed back to Bangladesh by the BSF. The Maharashtra Police first detained them on suspicion of being Bangladeshis and…

— Samirul Islam (@SamirulAITC) June 17, 2025

The officer-in-charge of the Mekhliganj Police Station Mani Bhusan Sarkar said that after he received information from police stations in Murshidabad and Bardhaman about the Indian nationals in Bangladesh, he informed authorities of the BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh. “The three men were handed over to us [Mekhliganj police station] after a flag meeting at the border,” the Officer-in-Charge said. According to sources, the three men were pushed into Bangladesh on Friday night somewhere along North Bengal and Bangladesh border.

Since mid-May 2025, in a cloak and dagger operation, without any public disclosure, some administrations in India have been “pushing back” undocumented Bangladeshi migrants detained across the country through the eastern border. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has expressed concern to India about the “push back” of individuals across the border, particularly undocumented migrants. Interestingly, there is no official word about the “push back” from the BSF. While instances of the “push back” of Bangladeshi nationals has come to the fore in Assam and Tripura, on this occasion, nationals of West Bengal were pushed into Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Assam has seen the most aggressive of this policy in action. Citizens for Justice and Peace has been at the forefront of documenting and agitating the issue, both with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Gauhati High Court. The memorandums to the NHRC may be referred to here. No evidence of due process has been followed by the Assam police in detaining without notice, persons who have every reason to state –with documents—that they are Indian. The last month’s coverage of the crisis may be read here, here and here. 

Related:

Assam: Academics, lawyers, activists condemn ‘push back’ of persons to Bangladesh

Assam: When six ordinary Indian women were forcibly pushed out from India–No Man’s land– Bangladesh & then back

Assam: Slamming Sarma’s actions as discriminatory & unlawful, LOP, Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia calls for an urgent stop to “pushback” of citizens

The post M’tra: Three West Bengal residents pushed into Bangladesh by BSF, return after WB state govt.’s intervention appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The doctor, also a philanthropist Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil announced the financial aid to the families of medical students and doctors affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad last Thursday, June 12. The tragic plane crash killed a total of 270 people including 240 passengers.

The tragedy struck on 12 June, when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into the hostel and mess blocks of BJ Medical College, killing four medical students, injuring dozens, and claiming the lives of family members of doctors residing on campus.

The aircraft also struck the Atulyam hostel complex during lunch hour reducing student residences and the dining hall to rubble. Among those killed were MBBS students Jaiprakash Choudhary from Barmer, Rajasthan; Manav Bhadu from Shree Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Aaryan Rajput from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and Rakesh Diyora from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. All three were young medical students. As many as five family members of doctors were also killed in the tragedy.

Announcing the relief from Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shamsheer, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings and Managing Director of VPS Health, said he was deeply shaken by the aftermath of the crash. “As someone who had once lived in similar hostels during his own medical education at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore and Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai, the images struck a chord,” he said.

“I saw the footage from the mess and the hostel, and it truly shook me. It reminded me of the places I once called home, the corridors, the beds, the laughter, the pressure of exams, and the anticipation of a call from family. No one expects a commercial aircraft to come crashing into that world,” Dr Shamsheer added.

“Those students started the day thinking about lectures, assignments, and patients. Their lives ended in a way none of us could ever imagine. It hit close. Too close,” he further said.

Dr. Shamsheer’s relief package includes Rs. 1 crore for each of the four deceased students’ families, Rs. 20 lakh each for five seriously injured students, and Rs. 20 lakh each for the families of doctors who lost loved ones. The financial assistance will be delivered in coordination with the Junior Doctors’ Association at BJ Medical College, ensuring that those in need receive support swiftly.

This is not the first time Dr. Shamsheer has responded to such a crisis. In 2010, following the Mangalore air crash, he provided financial assistance and employment opportunities to affected families at Burjeel Holdings, a leading healthcare provider in the Middle East.

Dr Shamsheer’s humanitarian interventions extended to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and displacement crises across India and the Gulf. But this, he said, felt personal in an entirely different way.

“These young men were part of the same fraternity I once belonged to. I know what it’s like to stay up preparing for clinical exams, to crowd around a table in the mess hall, to walk into a hostel room after a tiring shift. That life builds not just doctors, but character. And to have that life stolen, so violently, so suddenly, is heart-breaking,” he said.

Among the injured is third-year student Ritesh Kumar Sharma, who was trapped under debris for hours with severe leg injuries. Several of his friends were injured alongside him. Others watched helplessly as classmates were engulfed in the impact.

Dr. Shamsheer emphasised that this support is not just financial, it is symbolic. It is a reminder that the medical community stands together, across generations and geographies. “What happened cannot be undone. These students were preparing to serve others. Their memories must not fade into headlines. We must carry forward the dreams they didn’t get to fulfil. It is shared responsibility,” he said.

As BJ Medical College reels from the loss, displaced students and families are being temporarily relocated. The Junior Doctors’ Association, which has been closely involved in supporting the affected students and families, is coordinating with authorities to facilitate assistance.

Related:

Speculation about the cause of Air India crash is rife. An aviation expert explains why it’s a problem

The temporariness and unpredictability of life

The post Ahmedabad Air India Crash: UAE-based Indian doctor offers Rs. 1 crore each to kin of deceased Medical Students appeared first on SabrangIndia.

NGOs such as Amnesty International, Save the Children, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and Oxfam organized the demonstration, which ran through the city to the International Court of Justice. The protesters were all dressed in red, creating a “red line”.

Organisers described it as the country’s largest demonstration in two decades. Many waving Palestinian flags and some chanting “Stop the Genocide”, the demonstrators turned a central park in the city into a sea of red on a sunny afternoon.

“The Dutch cabinet still refuses to draw a red line. That is why we do it, for as long as necessary,” Marjon Rozema of Amnesty International Netherlands said in a statement.

Protesters walked a 5-kilometer loop around the city center of The Hague to symbolically create the red line that the government has failed to set.

And what a red line it is!!!

The Hague, The Netherlands, now. Protest against Netanyahu’s genocide in Gaza.

Approximately 200.000 participants. #rodelijn #redline #israel pic.twitter.com/T2s5Mf1wgo

— Whispering (@AnnetinMokum) June 15, 2025

Tienduizenden mensen zijn weer in Den Haag lom een rode lijn te trekken tegen medeplichtigheid in de genocide in Gaza en het oorlogszuchtige politiek van onze politici. pic.twitter.com/OXmgRqyXnc

— DiEM25 in Nederland (@DiEM25_NL) June 15, 2025

The post Hundreds of Thousands form ‘Red Line’ Around the Hague appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/taliban-tried-employing-afghan-women/d/135873

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The Taliban Tried To Stop Lida Mangal From Employing Afghan Women

By Isabella Ross

15-06-2025

Lida Mangal says her Afghan garment business in Western Sydney is a form of “resistance and representation”. (ABC News: Jack Ailwood)

———

LidaMangal vividly remembers the “golden years” of her childhood in Afghanistan.

Decades on, Ms Mangal has found freedom in Australia — though her country of origin and the “very strong” women who remain there never leave her thoughts.

“I thought how could I provide a means of income to these women? They had experience in tailoring and textiles. Some were widowed or without a male companion … Afghan women deserve freedom.”

Photo shows A woman wearing a blue burqa covering shields her eyes from the sun and camera while she walks in the streetA woman wearing a blue burqa covering shields her eyes from the sun and camera while she walks in the street

Virtue laws introduced by the Taliban ban women from speaking or showing their faces in public as a senior UN official called it an extension of the “already intolerable restrictions” on Afghan women.

That same year, Ms Mangal founded her business, Ghan Fashion, where she brings traditionally designed dresses from Afghanistan to Australia.

Initially, she was able to openly hire women who were still working in Afghan textile factories, but in recent years, the “barbaric regime’s agenda” has made that effort extra difficult.

“I’ve got 20 women who are working now from home, because of the restrictions of the current regime. They have their own materials and equipment they use. I explain my designs … and they prepare and make it,” she said.

A former refugee and now Australian citizen, Ms Mangal works full-time in a separate occupation, as well as running her fashion business from her Western Sydney home.

The garment transportation process is a challenge — the Taliban use sharp tools to check packages for anything being smuggled out of Afghanistan, meaning some of Ms Mangal’s dresses arrive ripped and damaged.

“This new chapter has allowed me to reclaim my voice and write a story that I choose — one filled with hope, ambition and determination.”

Kabul Social is run predominantly by female refugees from Afghanistan, notes Shaun David-Christie (far right). (Supplied: Kabul Social/Kitti Gould)

Kabul Social, founded by Plate It Forward director Shaun Christie-David, is run by a team of predominantly female refugees from Afghanistan, bringing their country’s flavours to Sydney’s CBD.

It was predated by Colombo Social, which has the same intention of celebrating culture and cuisine while employing migrants and refugees.

“What truly humbles me is seeing our refugee workforce and their families thrive, building a legacy of generational change,”  Mr Christie-David said.

Mr Christie-David said his aim was to “give people a chance that wouldn’t get one otherwise”, given the challenges of having international qualifications recognised in Australia.

Marjorie Tenchavez is the founder and director of Welcome Merchant, a social enterprise that elevates refugee and people seeking asylum entrepreneurs.

“Often they [refugees] have family members relying on them in their home countries as well. Refugee merchants also don’t have mainstream access to much support, such as borrowing from the banks, given many are on bridging visas.”

“It’s now more important than ever to give them a platform because there has definitely been a waning interest in the refugee space.”

Adama Kamara, deputy chief executive officer of Refugee Council of Australia, said the event was a way to champion the resilient nature of many refugees.

“Refugees are among Australia’s most entrepreneurial newcomers … this incredible drive, often born out of necessity and a desire to contribute, adds significant economic and social value,” she said.

Later this year, the 1 millionth permanent refugee visa will be issued since Australia’s post-war resettlement program began in 1947, according to the Refugee Council.

Source: www.abc.net.au

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-15/former-refugee-helps-women-in-afghanistan-via-sydney-business/105365380

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‘I Wish I Weren’t A Girl’: 700,000 Women Struggle For Menstrual Hygiene In War-Torn Gaza

By Supratik Das

15 Jun 2025

Representational Image | Credit: Reuters

———–

At the centre of an relentless humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, an often overlooked crisis is unfolding with quiet urgency, that is women’s and girls’ menstrual well-being. During Israel’s months-long siege and heavy shelling, close to 700,000 menstruating women and girls are finding it difficult to cope with their periods with dignity and safety. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has cautioned that lack of access to essential hygiene products, clean water, and safe facilities has converted a normal biological process into a deep humanitarian and public health emergency.

According to UN global data, 1.8 billion people menstruate worldwide, but in conflict areas like Gaza, menstruation becomes far more than a monthly inconvenience, it becomes a human rights concern. In overcrowded displacement shelters and temporary tent camps, girls getting their first period are doing so in unimaginable conditions. They have no sanitary pads, no soap, and no private toilets. “I only had one pad, so I wrapped it in toilet paper to make it last. I couldn’t wash, and the pain was horrible. I sat in silence crying until the end of the day,” a displaced teenage girl told UNFPA. These stories are no longer isolated. Since March, the blockade of humanitarian relief has severely limited the introduction of hygiene material. While a partial suspension of the ban allowed for some relief, distribution of aid which is now organised by channels outside the UN system is still woefully insufficient. Current levels of delivery are far below the colossal demand, with only a small portion of more than 10 million sanitary pads needed monthly reaching Gaza’s displaced persons. “This crisis is not just about hygiene; it is about dignity, health, and the protection of basic human rights. “Food keeps us alive, but pads, soap, and privacy let us live with dignity,” a displaced woman from Khan Younis, said in a UNFPA statement.

With over 90 per cent of the region’s water and sanitation infrastructure destroyed and water pumping fuel out of reach, the hygiene crisis is assuming a deadly dimension. Women are resorting to makeshift substitutes such as worn-out clothing, used cloths, or sponges which are often unclean and unsuitable for prolonged use heightening the threat of urinary tract infections, reproductive disorders, and long-term health impairment. A father of four girl child from Jabalia recounted his sorrow, “I ripped my single shirt apart so my daughters could wear it as an alternative to pads,” he explained to UNFPA. Another girl admitted, “Every time my period comes, I wish I weren’t a girl,” she said to the UN agency. A local physician recounted how normal phenomena like menstruation, pregnancy, and giving birth are becoming traumatic because of the absence of essential materials. “These should be routine experiences. But now, I witness pain, humiliation, and desperation in women’s eyes on a daily basis,” she said to UNFP

While the health of menstruation has gone disastrous, the overall situation for women in Gaza is equally bleak. As per UNFPA, food insecurity is catastrophic, with one person out of every five starved. For approximately 55,000 pregnant women, every skipped meal increases the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, and giving birth to underweight infants.

According to UN nearly 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are projected to require urgent treatment for acute malnutrition in the coming months. Gaza’s already fragile health infrastructure is on the brink of collapse after prolonged bombardment of hospitals and healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers do not have the medicines and equipment they need.

Source: www.Thedailyjagran.Com

https://www.thedailyjagran.com/world/i-wish-i-was-not-a-girl-women-struggle-for-menstrual-hygiene-in-war-torn-gaza-heres-what-report-says-10245149

—–

TikTok Murder Sends Chill Through Pakistani Influencers: ‘Every Woman Knows This Fear’

15 Jun 2025

Since seeing thousands of comments justifying the recent murder of a teenage TikTok star in Pakistan, Sunaina Bukhari is considering abandoning her 88,000 followers.

“In my family, it wasn’t an accepted profession at all, but I’d managed to convince them, and even ended up setting up my own business,” she said.

Then last week, Sana Yousaf was shot dead outside her house in the capital Islamabad by a man whose advances she had repeatedly rejected, police said.

News of the murder led to an outpouring of comments under her final post – her 17th birthday celebration where she blew out the candles on a cake.

In between condolence messages, some blamed her for her own death: “You reap what you sow” or “it’s deserved, she was tarnishing Islam”.

Yousaf had racked up more than a million followers on social media, where she shared her favourite cafes, skincare products and traditional shalwarkameez outfits.

Source: Www.Scmp.com

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3314505/tiktok-murder-sends-chill-through-pakistani-influencers-every-woman-knows-fear

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UN Human Rights Council to spotlight rights of Afghan women at 59th Session

by Milad Sayar

June 15, 2025

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to open its 59th session on Monday, June 16, in Geneva, where delegates will consider an agenda that includes the worsening rights crisis in Afghanistan, particularly the treatment of women and girls under Taliban rule.

According to the Council’s official schedule, the session will run through July 9 and will feature reports and interactive dialogues addressing human rights violations in more than a dozen countries, including Sudan, Myanmar, Iran and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among the most closely watched items will be a presentation by Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

Bennett’s report, titled “Access to Justice and Support for Women and Girls and the Impact of Multiple and Intersecting Forms of Discrimination,” concludes that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls amount to a system of gender apartheid. It calls on the international community to recognize such policies as crimes under international law.

“The Council must take urgent and decisive action,” said Sima Nouri, a human rights activist who is among those calling for an independent fact-finding mission. “We need a mechanism to document the full scope of Taliban abuses — from gender-based discrimination and ethnic killings to the violent suppression of peaceful protests. Afghanistan’s case should be referred to the International Criminal Court.”

Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have barred most Afghan women and girls from work, education, and even freedom of movement without a male escort. MasoudaKohistani, another rights advocate, called the situation “a human rights emergency that demands global attention.”

Though Afghanistan will be discussed on the opening day, it is one part of a broader session that includes topics ranging from the human rights impacts of climate change to racial discrimination, digital rights, and the situations in Palestine, Venezuela and Belarus. No general debates are scheduled this session, but several high-level interactive dialogues will take place throughout the four weeks.

The Human Rights Council, which meets three times a year, is the UN’s primary intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Its 59th session will include reports from special rapporteurs, commissions of inquiry and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Rights advocates say they hope the international community will not lose focus on Afghanistan amid competing global crises. “This is a pivotal moment,” Nouri said. “The world must not abandon Afghan women.”

Source: amu.tv

https://amu.tv/180591/

—–

Pakistan names women’s squad for AFC qualifiers amid bid to elevate football’s profile

Arab News Pakistan

June 15, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday unveiled its squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as the country seeks to uplift its women’s football program and strengthen its profile in a sport where its men’s team has also struggled to gain traction.

Pakistan’s men’s national team, briefly competitive in regional tournaments in the decades following independence, has long languished near the bottom of Asian rankings amid administrative issues and lack of sustained investment.

In contrast, women’s football in Pakistan began to take shape in the early 2000s, with the formation of the country’s first women’s football clubs in 2002 and the launch of the National Women’s Football Championship in 2005.

“The Pakistan Football Federation has named a squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from June 29 to July 5,” said the PFF in a statement.

Placed in Group E, the team will open its campaign on June 29 against Chinese Taipei, confront host Indonesia on July 2 and conclude the group stage against Kyrgyzstan on July 5.

Athletes have recently expanded into Olympic swimming and achieved international success in javelin, demonstrating a broader ambition to elevate sports beyond one stronghold.

Pakistan will be seeking its first-ever Women’s Asian Cup appearance, while the men’s side continues to fight for relevance amid FIFA rankings that reached a historic low before recent suspensions were lifted.

Pakistan’s national women’s football team was officially formed in 2010 and has yet to qualify for a Women’s Asian Cup or World Cup, but played in multiple SAFF Championships and remained a bright spot in domestic football.

Source: Www.Arabnews.com

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2604523/pakistan

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‘Pakistan-born’ woman booked in UP’s Bareilly for procuring fake Aadhaar, ration card

by Manish Sahu

June 15, 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday booked a 68-year-old woman of Pakistani origin in Bareilly for allegedly obtaining an Aadhaar card and ration card through fraudulent means. The woman has been residing in India for nearly six decades on a long-term visa.

The police said that during a campaign to spot Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals staying illegally in the district, they received a tip-off about a Pakistan-born woman allegedly availing of benefits of government schemes using forged documents.

The case has been filed against the woman, identified as Farhad Sultana, under relevant sections of the Citizenship Act and for cheating at the Baradari police station, said a police officer.

The police learned that Sultana, born in Karachi, arrived in India in 1965 at the age of eight with her mother and sister, on a long-term visa.

Source: Indianexpress.Com

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/pakistan-born-woman-booked-in-ups-bareilly-for-procuring-fake-aadhaar-ration-card-10067350/

Courtesy: New Age Islam

The post The Taliban Tried To Stop Lida Mangal From Employing Afghan Women appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Initially tabled in July 2024 after the Lok Sabha elections, the bill was sent to the committee in December amid widespread opposition. Many had warned that the proposed legislation would grant the state sweeping powers to crack down on dissent under the guise of targeting Naxalism, by criminalising a wide range of political and ideological activity as “unlawful.” The original draft allowed for the prosecution of individuals, raising alarms over arbitrary arrests and the silencing of voices critical of the state.

From ‘individuals and organisations’ to ‘leftist and hard-line organisations’

In the face of this backlash, the 26-member committee—comprising MLAs from multiple parties—has amended the bill’s stated objectives. As per the HT report, the revised text now limits enforcement to “leftist and hard-line organisations” and removes references to individual’s altogether. According to the report, the objective has been reframed to read: “…to provide for more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of leftist and hard-line organisations.”

This shift is significant but far from sufficient. While the wording may now exclude individuals from direct prosecution, the bill retains broad and ambiguous language—terms like “leftist,” “hardline,” and especially “urban Naxal”—that are politically loaded and legally undefined. These phrases have routinely been deployed to smear activists, academics, students, and protestors. Nothing in the amended draft clearly prevents such misuse.

A government official quoted in the Hindustan Times acknowledged that the initial draft had sparked fears of sweeping state action against critics of government and constitutional authorities. The revised language, he claimed, should reassure the public that the focus is strictly on organisational actors. But the lack of any statutory definition or safeguard mechanisms makes this assurance ring hollow.

Procedural tweaks: Cosmetic or meaningful?

The committee has introduced a few procedural changes. The HT report provides that the advisory board that authorises investigations under the law will now be headed by a retired High Court judge, replacing the earlier proposal of a senior government law officer. The investigating officer’s rank has also been raised—from a sub-inspector to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). These are framed as checks on misuse, but without independent oversight or judicial review at the stage of designation, they offer little substantive protection.

There’s also a clarification that the law will not be applied retrospectively. Past associations with banned organisations will not attract prosecution under the new framework—another attempt to blunt accusations of arbitrary state action.

The final meeting of the joint select committee is scheduled for June 25, after which the revised bill is expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly beginning June 30.

‘Urban naxal’ still remains

Significantly, the committee has retained the term “urban Naxal” in the bill’s objectives. The phrase has no legal basis and has become a political tool to discredit activists and intellectuals. Its continued presence in the draft signals that the state remains invested in a narrative that conflates political opposition and civil resistance with insurgency.

BJP state president and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who chairs the committee, defended the bill by pointing to similar laws in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which he claimed have been effective in curbing Naxal recruitment. He asserted that the bill would deter “mind poisoning” of youth by left-wing extremists, as per the HT report.

On the other hand, legislators from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) said their support would depend on further clarifications and hearings. Jitendra Awhad noted that while the bill has been diluted, ambiguity persists. “We were told the term ‘left-wing extremist and hardliner’s refers only to unlawful activity by known Naxal-linked organisations, not individuals,” he said. Another committee member, Shashikant Shinde, said they had asked for all organisations that submitted objections to be invited for formal hearings before the final draft is approved.

Civil society remains firm: This bill must be opposed

For civil society groups, the amendments don’t go far enough. The bill still leaves dangerous room for interpretation. Activist Ulka Mahajan, state convenor of Bharat Jodo Andolan, called the revised draft “a repackaged threat” and confirmed that mass protests are being planned for the opening day of the monsoon session. “The law is being written in a way that allows the government to decide who is ‘hard-line’ or ‘leftist’. That could mean unions, student bodies, political critics—anyone who challenges the ruling regime,” she said, as quoted by the HT report.

Mahajan also flagged the complete absence of any mention of right-wing organisations or their activities in the bill. “Who decides what’s unlawful? And why is there no equivalent scrutiny of extremist groups on the other end of the spectrum?” she asked.

Despite tweaks to its language and structure, the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 continues to carry the risk of being used as a blunt instrument against dissent. The amendments may limit some excesses, but they do not address the core design of a law that conflates opposition with extremism—and hands the state the power to act on that conflation. As things stand, the threat of overreach remains embedded in the architecture of the bill itself.

It is essential to note that on April 22, 2025, Maharashtra had witnessed a coordinated, state-wide protest under the banner of the Maharashtra Public Safety Bill Anti-Conflict Committee, demanding the complete withdrawal of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024. Far from being a routine demonstration, this agitation marked the culmination of six weeks of unprecedented mobilisation across the state by a broad alliance of people’s movements, civil liberties organisations, and opposition parties.

At the heart of the protests was an extraordinary coalition: left parties including the CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, Lal Nishan Party, Satyashodhak Communist Party, and Shetkari Kamgar Paksh have joined hands with grassroots movements like the Shramik Mukti Dal, Sarvahara Jan Andolan, and civil rights groups including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). Major opposition parties under the Maha Vikas Aghadi—the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction)—had publicly pledged support.

From Mumbai to rural Thane, the protest on April 22 had span nearly every major district. Demonstrators assembled at collectorates, tehsil offices, and key public spaces: Bandra Collectorate in Mumbai; Ambegaon, Junnar and Pune Collectorate in Pune; Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur; and Shahapur, Vikramgad, Dahanu, Talasari, Jawhar, Palghar, and Thane in the district’s tribal belts. (Details may be read here.)

CJP’s formal objections: A detailed constitutional indictment

On April 1, 2025, Citizens for Justice and Peace submitted a detailed memorandum to the Joint Select Committee reviewing the bill, calling for its total withdrawal. The CJP’s objections amount to a searing constitutional critique, warning that the bill effectively replicates and expands the punitive architecture of laws like the UAPA and NSA, both of which have been repeatedly misused to target dissenters and marginalised communities.

The organisation highlighted numerous provisions, many of which have now reportedly been amended, that would erode fundamental rights and shield state actors from accountability:

• Section 2(f): Vague and overbroad definitions of “Unlawful Activity”

The bill’s definition of “unlawful activity” in Section 2(f)(i–vii) was so sweeping that it risks criminalising virtually any form of dissent—from peaceful protests and strikes to critical commentary on government policies. The absence of precise legal thresholds opens the door for arbitrary action by authorities.

• Section 5(1)(2): Politicisation of the Advisory Board

The proposed Advisory Board—a supposed safeguard—lacked judicial independence. Unlike precedent statutes requiring a sitting or retired High Court judge, the bill allowed appointments of those merely “qualified” to be judges. This subtle shift undermines impartiality and enables the inclusion of individuals with close executive ties or political loyalties, compromising the board’s neutrality.

• Section 9: Unfettered powers of eviction and seizure

Section 9 authorised District Magistrates or Police Commissioners to seize property and evict occupants from designated “notified areas,” with minimal procedural protection. The provision’s vague safeguard for women and children—granting only a “reasonable time” to vacate—is deeply inadequate. In practice, this opens the door for forced evictions of protest sites or politically disfavoured communities.

• Section 10(1): Extension to movable property

In tandem with Section 9, Section 10(1) empowered the state to seize all movable property—money, documents, personal effects—within targeted premises. The clause enables the financial and organisational crippling of individuals and groups deemed adversarial to the regime, with little scope for legal redress.

• Section 12: Restricting access to justice

Perhaps most shockingly, Section 12 restricted legal recourse to only the High Courts and Supreme Court, barring district-level courts from hearing challenges under the Act. This creates an unjust barrier for the poor and marginalised, effectively denying justice to those without the means to approach higher courts. It also contravenes India’s four-tier judicial system, violating the principle of accessible and decentralised justice.

• Sections 14 and 15: Legal impunity for state officials

Sections 14 and 15 conferred blanket immunity upon police officers and district officials, even in cases of wrongful action or clear judicial censure. The language explicitly forbids the initiation of proceedings against these actors, echoing the impunity seen under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which has a notorious record of facilitating human rights abuses.

CJP’s analysis asserted that the Bill is a direct assault on India’s constitutional framework. Key rights under the Constitution are clearly at stake:

• Article 19 – Freedom of speech, assembly, and association are rendered meaningless when dissent itself is criminalised.
• Article 21 – Preventive detention and mass surveillance powers embedded in the bill endanger the right to life and liberty.
• Article 14 – The vague, discretionary powers granted to the executive invite selective targeting of political opponents, making equality before law an illusion.

Detailed objections raised by CJP may be read here.

Not a revision—But a repackaging of state overreach?

Despite cosmetic amendments proposed by the Joint Select Committee—such as limiting applicability to organisations and raising the rank of investigating officers—the bill’s core structure remains authoritarian. The continued use of undefined labels like “urban Naxal” and “hardliner” fuels fears of arbitrary designation and persecution. Civil society actors have warned that even moderate reformist organisations or opposition groups could be labelled as “threats” under this law.

As Maharashtra prepares for the bill’s likely reintroduction in the Monsoon Session beginning June 30, the civil protests stand as a critical moment of democratic resistance. This isn’t just about defeating one law—it’s about upholding the constitutional promise of civil liberties and preventing the institutionalisation of state repression under the pretext of public safety.

Related:

Maharashtra Unites: State-wide protests to take place against controversial MSPS Bill on April 22

Understanding the Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, 2024 | Threat to Civil Liberties?

CJP sends objections against Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, citing grave threats to civil liberties

Press Release: Experts warn, Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill a threat to civil liberties

Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill: Bogey of “urban naxals” invoked to legitimise clamping down of dissent?

The post Trimmed at the edges, dangerous at the core? Maharashtra’s Public Security Bill still raises alarms, to be reintroduced during Monsoon session appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It is a tragedy of immense proportion! One of the worst in the history of civil aviation in India! An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (AI-171), from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after take-off. The flight departed at 1:38 pm from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday June 12. The failure to achieve the lift happened at a very low altitude of 825 feet, resulting in a crash and bursting into a ball of fire. Just 33 seconds after take- off! The plane had 242 people on board – 230 passengers, 10 crew members and two pilots Videos show the plane struggling to gain altitude before it begins losing lift (upward force that allows an aircraft to stay airborne) and crashes, exploding in a ball of fire. The devastating crash claimed 241 out of the 242 on board!  According to the news agency Reuters, ‘the plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Passengers included 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants’. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by flames and heavy smoke rising near the crash site.

No one, at this juncture, seems to know the actual cause of this terrible accident! There are of course surmises, assumptions, opinions ad nauseam; mainstream and social media are full of them. One thing however emerges on which there is widespread unanimity, is that it was undoubtedly a technical/mechanical problem that caused the crash. Experts say that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a model that had an immaculate safety record. There are however, opinions which differ and major flaws in the Dreamliner have been pointed out in the past. All this, for the moment is a matter of conjecture. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India officials will have to release more authentic details (as investigations progress), only then will a clearer and more accurate picture be revealed.

The added tragedy is that the aircraft crashed into the residential quarters of the BJ Medical College, just a few metres outside the airport. Many students were having lunch at that time; others in their quarters. At least four MBBS students and a doctor’s wife were immediately confirmed dead speaking to reporters the College dean Dr Minakshi Parikh said,”While four MBBS students living in the hostel died, 19 were injured. Five of them are serious. Two third-year students are untraceable. A doctor’s wife was also killed while two relatives of other doctors were injured. Three members of a doctor’s family went missing after the incident.” The number of those killed on the campus is expected to be much higher.

The moment the tragedy took place – there was a united response from every quarter. Civilians at great risk ran to the spot to be of help, there were emergency response teams (from the military, para –military and police forces), the firefighters were in full swing and so were the medical personnel with ambulances. They arrived swiftly at the scene of the crash even as plumes of smoke billowed from the wreckage. Rescue operations began immediately with the injured individuals being rushed to nearby hospitals. Local authorities cordoned off the area, and aviation experts were brought on-site to assess the situation.

All this makes one realise the temporariness and unpredictability of life. Plenty of memes and quotes are going viral – which include “Life is so unpredictable- you go for a vacation and you are killed by shooters; you go for a trophy victory parade and are killed in a stampede. You go on a flight for work/vacation and it crashes. You are eating / studying in the comfort and security of your home and the plane crashes right on you killing you!” Sad indeed but that is the truth and fact of life!

From the deceased emerge stories of reunions, new opportunities of homecoming and more; several heart-rending ones. There is the story of a family of five – husband and wife and their three children – from Banswara in Rajasthan. Dr Kaumi Vyas, her husband Pratik Joshi and their three children – Miraya, and the twins Pradyut and Nakul – were going to London to start a new chapter of their lives. While on the plane, Pratik took a selfie of the family in which all five of them are seen smiling. While Joshi and his wife Kaumi are seated next to each, the three children are seated beside them on the other side together, all posing for the camera with a smile. Pratik had been living in London for six years. A software professional, he’d long dreamed of building a life abroad for his wife and three young children, who stayed back in India. After years of waiting for due clearances the dream was finally coming true. Just two days ago, Kamini a renowned doctor in Udaipur, resigned from her job. The bags were packed, goodbyes said, the future within reach. They sent the selfie to several a one-way journey to a new life. But they never made it. None of them are alive today!

Then there was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal a seasoned pilot who had 8,300 hours of flying experience. A resident of Powai, Mr Sabharwal, had reportedly promised his father that he would quit his job shortly and take care of him full time. Mr Sabharwal was single and lived with his nonagenarian father who used to work with the DGCA. Then there was the Co-pilot a Clive Kunder who had 1,100 hours of flying experience. He, too, comes from a family of aviation enthusiasts, with his mother being a former Air India flight attendant. A popular young man of the Kalina area of Bombay who dreamt of great life ahead!  Then there were the two other flight attendants from Manipur. Nganthoi Kongbrailatpam and Singson Lamnunthem. Nganthoi is a resident of Thoubal district. While Singson, who originally belongs to Old Lambulane in Imphal West, has been residing in Kangpokpi district due to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state. Both their families had suffered much because of the conflict; the hopes of their families rested on them.

In a matter of seconds, a lifetime of dreams turned to ash. A brutal reminder, life is terrifyingly fragile. Everything you build, everything you hope for, everything you love, it all hangs by a thread. So while you can, live, love, and don’t wait for happiness to start tomorrow. Life after all is temporary and very unpredictable! Even for Ms Bhoomi Chauhan, who was to board the ill-fated flight. The traffic jams in Ahmedabad delayed her and she missed her flight to London by just ten minutes! “My body is shivering” she stated even as she sighs with relief!

Prayers are being said all over; candle light vigils are being held. Messages of sympathy are pouring in from all over the world – including from several world leaders Pope Leo XIV sent a message to express his “heartfelt condolences” to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash. Saying that he was, “deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad.” He has assured everyone affected of his prayers for those involved in the recovery efforts, and commended the souls of the deceased to “the mercy of the Almighty.”

Viktor Emil Frankl (1905 – 1997) was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and a holocaust survivor, who suffered at the hands of the Nazis. He was the founder of ‘logotherapy’, a school of psychotherapy which describes a search for a life meaning as the central human motivational force. The autobiographical Man’s Search for Meaning, a best-selling book, is based on his experiences in various Nazi concentration camps. In the book he tells the story of how he survived the Holocaust by finding personal meaning in the experience, which gave him the will to live through it. His ‘logotherapy is based on the premise that man’s underlying motivator in life is a “will to meaning,” even in the most difficult of circumstances. Frankl pointed to research indicating a strong relationship between “meaninglessness” and criminal behaviours, addictions and depression. Dr. Frankl explains: “Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible”. 

We are called to reflect on the meaning and purpose of our lives. We live in this world for such a short time. We are just pilgrims! Why then do we have to hate and kill each other? Why should we waste this short while in discriminating and demonising, excluding and exploiting the other? Can we not make of ourselves pilgrims of hope radiating compassion and unity, equity and fraternity to others? Yes, in this temporary and unpredictable life we all must give ourselves and others both meaning and fulfilment! 

In the meantime, let our hearts, minds and lips well up in prayer:

“May all the victims of this terrible plane tragedy –

-those in the plane and those in the BJ Medical College campus –

Rest in Peace!

Our heartfelt and prayerful condolences

to ALL who have lost a loved one

We share in their grief!”

 (The author is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist and writer;  cedricprakash@gmail.com ) 

Related:

Speculation about the cause of Air India crash is rife. An aviation expert explains why it’s a problem

The post The temporariness and unpredictability of life appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history. Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recorded video message, reported Reuters.

Following the Israeli strikes on Tehran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio termed the attack as Israel’s “unilateral” action against Iran. The US washed its hands off the attacks.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence,” said Rubio in a statement.

“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” he added.

It should not be seen as a coincidence that on June 13 –the same day of the attacks—the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had overwhelming in a Resolution pulled up Israel for its blockade of Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Following the attack, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel will face “severe punishment”, reported the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the IRNA news agency also reported that Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Cops has been assassinated in the Israeli strike. Iranian state media reported that at least two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in the strikes.

India has meanwhile, according to a report in The Hindustan Times cautioned both Israel and Iran against any escalation. India on Friday expressed deep concern after Israel launched waves of air strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites and urged both countries to avoid escalatory steps.

An Israeli military official told Reuters that Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets including the facility at Natanz in central Iran. The official added that Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

Along with launching these attacks, reports confirmed that the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. In its response after the attack, the government of Iran said that starting a war with the country was like “twisting the lion’s tail”.

The Israeli military said that Iran has launched over 100 drones at Israel in the last few hours.

IAEA confirms Iran’s Uranium enrichment facility hit, UN chief condemns Israeli action

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that that Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Natanz was hit by an Israeli strike.

“The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. Agency can confirm Natanz site among targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country,” said IAEA head Rafael Mariano Grossi in a statement on X.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned the “military escalation” by Israel. In a statement through his spokesperson, Guterres said that he was “concerned” by Israel’s action “while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway, reported AP.

“The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” said Farhan Haq, the UN spokesperson, said in a statement late Thursday (June 12).

The Indian Embassy in Iran requested all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.

The Indian Embassy in Israel to issue a similar advisory and urged Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters. “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support,” said the Ministry of External affairs in a statement.

“Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories,” the MEA statement added.  “We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

“India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” the statement said.

The statement noted that India “enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support”.

The Indian side is closely monitoring the evolving situation, including “reports related to attacks on nuclear sites”. Indian embassies in both countries are in contact with the Indian community, and all Indian nationals in the region were advised to “exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories”.

The scale and scope of Friday’s air strikes by Israel was much greater than tit-for-tat attacks carried out in 2024.

In April 2024, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel after the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus. This was followed by another round of hostilities last October, after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel responded on both occasions by targeting Iranian infrastructure and military facilities.

The post Israel bombs Iran, targets nuclear facilities, military leaders, scientists; US claims it’s not involved appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Parts of the media seem to be encouraging this. For example, earlier today I was contacted by an international news organisation for an interview about the tragedy. While I agreed, I cautioned that I could only say “it is too early to speculate”. They decided not to proceed with the interview. No reason was given, but perhaps it was my aversion to speculation.

Of course, I want to know as much as anyone else what caused this disaster. But publicly speculating at such an early stage, when there is so little evidence available, is more than unhelpful. It is also harmful, as many examples throughout history have shown.

Like an archaeological excavation

Aviation accident investigations start as soon as first responders have extinguished the fires and completed the search for survivors – the first and foremost driver when responding to such a disaster – and have declared the site safe. The identification of the victims will then commence, completed by a different agency, parallel to the accident investigation.

State authorities aren’t the only people involved. The aircraft manufacturer (in this case Boeing) will usually send representatives to assist the investigation, as can the home countries of victims. Investigators in the country where the accident occurred may also request assistance from countries with more experience in aviation accident investigation.

An early step for investigators is finding the black boxes (flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorder) among the debris. These contain data about the flight itself, what the aircraft was doing, and what the pilots were saying.

But a plane crash investigation involves much more than just finding the black box.

An aviation accident investigation is akin to an archaeological excavation – methodical and painstaking. If the evidence is not collected and preserved for later analysis at the time, it will be irrevocably lost.

In the case of Air India Flight 171 the scene is further complicated by the crash location – a building. It will take time for the aeroplane wreckage, victims and personal belongings to be sorted from the building debris. This must occur before the search for answers can commence.

Investigators will also gather witness statements and any video of the event. Their analysis will be further informed by company documentation, training, and regulatory compliance information.

Around 80% of aviation accidents are due to “human factors”.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation human factors are:

what we know about human beings including their abilities, characteristics, and limitations, the design of procedures and equipment people use, and the environment in which they function and the tasks they perform.

It could take several years for the full forensic investigation into this disaster to run its full course. For example, the final report into the Sea World helicopter crash in Queensland, Australia, back in 2023, which claimed the lives of four people and injured nine others, was only released in April this year.

A history of speculation – and vilification

There is a long history of undue and harmful public speculation about the possible causes of a plane crash.

For example, since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on March 8, 2014, speculation has swirled about whether chief pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah was responsible for the disaster and the deaths of the other 238 people on board. This has deeply upset his sister, Sakinab Shah. In 2016, she told CNN she feels her brother is a “scapegoat” she must defend.

Similarly, the pilots of the British Midlands accident near Kegworth in 1989, in which 47 people died, were also publicly vilified.

The pilots, who survived the crash, were experienced but misidentified which engine had failed, and shut down the wrong one. They were widely criticised in the press for the error, tarnishing their reputations, losing their jobs, and no doubt causing more stress to their families. The investigation later revealed the pilots themselves had not received any simulator training as they transitioned to a newer variant of the aircraft they were flying.

This shows how undue public speculation about an airline disaster can add to the distress of victims and their families.

Respect the process

No doubt pilots and aviation experts are speculating in private right now about the causes of this particular disaster. Cafes, pubs and crew rooms will be rife with discussions and opinions. It is human nature to want to know what happened.

But to speculate in public won’t assist the investigative process. Nor will it help the families of the victims, or the first responders and investigators themselves, get through this horrible time.

Investigators need to work without external pressures to ensure accurate findings. Respecting this process maintains integrity and supports the many people who are currently experiencing unimaginable grief.

Author is Program Director for the Bachelor of Aviation, University of Southern Queensland

Speculation about the cause of Air India crash is rife. An aviation expert explains why it’s a problem

The post Speculation about the cause of Air India crash is rife. An aviation expert explains why it’s a problem appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The resolution reiterated previous United National General Assembly (UNGA) demands for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and the dignified unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. It also strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as method of warfare and demands that Israel, the occupying power, immediately end its blockade of Gaza and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians throughout the Strip. The Resolution was passed on June 13.

Besides, the UN Resolution that was passed stresses on the need for accountability to ensure Israel’s respect of international law obligations and calls on UN member states to individually and collectively take all measures necessary, in line with international law and the UN Charter, to ensure Israeli compliance with said obligations.

The UN Resolution on Gaza may be read here.

As detailed on the UN website, the Resolution had been brought forward by over 20 countries, and most critically it strongly condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war, demands a full lifting of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, and insists on the protection of civilians under international law. Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political and moral weight.

The Resolution of June 13, followed the developments at the Security Council on June 4: On June 4, the Security Council failed to adopt its draft resolution after a veto by the United States, a permanent member.

“Meanwhile, famine conditions continue to threaten lives across Gaza, and reports persist of civilians being killed or injured while trying to access food at distribution points operated independently of the UN but supported by Israel and the US.

“Assembly steps into as Security Council stalls

“Opening the special session, General Assembly President Philémon Yang said that “the horrors in Gaza must end” after 20 months of war. He criticised the Security Council’s ongoing paralysis and inability to fulfil its core responsibility to uphold peace and security.

“He called the situation on the ground “unacceptable”, highlighting the deprivation of food, water and medicine for civilians, the continued captivity of hostages, and the need for urgent international action.

“Mr. Yang noted that next week’s high-level meeting in New York on implementing a two-State solution, chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, saying it would offer a chance for renewed commitment towards peace in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“Key elements of the resolution:

• Ceasefire: Calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire by all parties.
• Hostages: Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.
• Implementation: Urges the full and immediate implementation of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), including the ceasefire, hostage and prisoner exchanges, return of displaced persons, and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
• International law: Reaffirms that all parties must uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, with particular attention to civilian protection and accountability for violations.
• Starvation as a weapon: Strongly condemns the use of starvation and the denial of aid as tactics of war.
• Humanitarian access: Demands the full, safe and unimpeded delivery of aid – including food, medicine, water, shelter and fuel – throughout Gaza.
• Detention practices: Calls for the humane treatment and release of those arbitrarily detained, and the return of remains.
• ICJ advisory opinion: Recalls the request for an urgent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• End of blockade: Demands Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza and open all border crossings for aid deliveries.
• Accountability: Urges Member States to take necessary steps to ensure Israel complies with its international legal obligations.
• UN and humanitarian personnel: Calls for full respect for the work and immunity of UN staff and humanitarian workers.
• Protection of aid workers: Urges both humanitarian and UN bodies to ensure the safety of their personnel.
• Medical neutrality: Underscores the duty to protect medical workers, health facilities, and transport routes.

Watch as the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, and need for accountability for Israel’s violations: pic.twitter.com/70QQLxTP14

— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) June 12, 2025

Watch as the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, and need for accountability for Israel’s violations: pic.twitter.com/70QQLxTP14

— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) June 12, 2025

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The post UNGCA Resolution, Gaza Genocide: Abandoning decades of commitment to non-alignment, India abstains appeared first on SabrangIndia.