National
India outraged over bail to Mumbai terror mastermind
New Delhi: India was outraged Friday over a Pakistani court’s decision to give bail to the Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing shock in parliament.
But even as the Pakistani government, after widespread flak, said Lakhvi had been detained anew under the Maintenance of Public Order in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Indian MPs expressed their disgust.
The Lok Sabha passed a resolution denouncing an Islamabad court’s ruling Thursday to free Lakhvi on bail, just two days after terrorists massacred over 140 children and teachers at a Peshawar school – a carnage that drew condemnation across India.
“We express grave concern of the Indian people that just after the tragic killing(s) in Peshawar, an accused terrorist could be released on bail by the same country,” the resolution said.
“It seems the lesson that there should be no compromise with terrorists has not been learnt,” it added.
A sombre Modi told the Lok Sabha that India had strongly conveyed its sentiments to Pakistan.
He said India was deeply saddened by the slaughter in Peshawar and “was cognizant of the pain Pakistan might be reeling under”.
But the release on bail of the former Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, one of those who allegedly planned the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, had come as a “shock” to “all those who believe in humanity”, Modi said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj did not mince words. She accused Pakistan of making a mockery of its pledge to fight terrorism by giving bail to Lakhvi.
“Pakistan had given an assurance to fight terror in all forms. But by this, it has made a mockery of it,” she told the Lok Sabha.
“We reject the argument that the evidence against Lakhvi, the mastermind of 26/11, was not sufficient.
“Pakistan had six years time to collect evidence. It was their duty. We demand from Pakistan that this decision should be overturned.”
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval however said Pakistan had taken a “positive step” by detaining Lakhvi.
“India has responded firmly on issue of Lakhvi and Pakistan has also responded. It is a positive step as far both nations are concerned. Pakistan is appealing in the high court,” Doval said.
The Pakistan government had decided to appeal in superior courts against Lakhvi’s bail, the Dawn reported Friday.
Lakhvi is among seven people charged with planning and helping to carry out the 2008 Mumbai bloodbath. He and the others are lodged in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
In a rare development, even the Pakistani media appeared to side with India on Lakhvi.
The Nation said in an editorial that the bail to Lakhvi was an insult to the students killed in Peshawar and must be reversed.
It “has undercut the building narrative of not discriminating between terrorists as well as the nascent gestures of solidarity between India and Pakistan” following the Peshawar carnage, it added.
“The decision has led to outrage in India; the inklings of trust and mutual suffering have been erased.”
In another editorial, The News International said Pakistan may have spurned a chance to make further progress with New Delhi on the peace path after the court decision.
“His release, pending a government appeal, only shows how difficult it will be to tackle the militant menace when our institutional processes are so flawed,” it said.
In parliament, both opposition and ruling party MPs attacked Pakistan.
Said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge: “After 132 children were killed in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said all steps would be taken now to contain terror.”But just two days later, we saw another face of Pakistan. A court has granted bail to Lakhvi.”
BJP’s Kirit Somaiya said Lakhvi should be immediately handed over to India and meet the fate as Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist hanged for the Mumbai massacre.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.