- 4/29/2025
Hitting out at Pakistan's Army chief General Asim Munir over his two-nation theory remark, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called Pakistan a failed state and said that the neighbouring country violated human rights and didn't promote equality among people there.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening, hello and welcome. You're with the news today. This is your primetime destination news, newsmakers, talking points.
00:08Tuesday night, as India stands united against Pakistan terror, not in our name, says India's Muslims.
00:18Asad Uddin Oasis is among my special guests. He will tell us why he believes Pakistan is a failed state.
00:25Tonight, plenty on the news today as always, but first, the nine headlines at night.
00:33Prime Minister Modi chairs a key security meeting with Defence Minister NSA, the Chief of Defence Staffs and the Tri-Services Chiefs.
00:40Sources say forces have been given operational freedom to decide on India's response to Pakistan.
00:47Another horrific video of the Pahalgaam massacre. Another video of Zipline emerges.
00:55Moment when terrorists fired on tourists is captured on camera.
00:59The Zipline operator who chanted Allah-ul-Akbar is questioned by NIA.
01:08Authorities say operator Muzammil changing answers on why he pushed the tourists despite the gunshots.
01:15His father says he had no involvement in the incident.
01:18Intelligence sources claim Hashim Moussa is the mastermind behind the killing of 26 people in Pahalgaam.
01:28Terrorists likely received elite commando training in Pakistan.
01:34Politics erupts over a Congress headless Gaia poster jibe at Prime Minister Modi.
01:41BJP says Congress dog-whistling for minority votes.
01:45Delhi cabinet approves a draft bill to regulate fees in private government schools action after parents' protests demanding immediate rollback of recent fee hike.
01:58President of India appoints Justice B.R. Gawai as the next Chief Justice of India.
02:03He will take charge from the 14th of May.
02:09US SEC awaits India's response on summons in Adani bribery case.
02:13Adani Green claims independent review found no irregularities amidst ongoing U.S. indictment proceedings.
02:20Law ministry yet to submit report to U.S. authorities.
02:27Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party celebrates a stunning win in the general elections.
02:34Prime Minister Modi congratulates Carney.
02:36But our top focus, the top developments on India's war on terror emanating from Pakistan.
02:50The Narendra Modi government continues to explore options to punish those behind the terror attack that left 26 people dead in Baisaran near Pahalgaam last week.
03:01Let's take a look at the top developments.
03:03Prime Minister Modi chaired a crucial security review meeting this evening with the Defence Minister, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff and three military chiefs.
03:12Sources say the Prime Minister has granted full operational freedom to the forces to decide their response, their targets and timings.
03:19A series of cabinet meetings are scheduled for tomorrow as well.
03:22The NIA, meanwhile, is piecing together the sequence of the April 22 attack and identifying the terrorists involved.
03:29Investigators have found that terrorists use mobile paid applications for communication.
03:34Around 45 local shopkeepers and pony guides have been questioned so far.
03:39India today has accessed another video of the Pahalgaam attack in which terrorists can be seen firing and gunning down innocent tourists.
03:46Visuals on your screen show a tourist collapsing to the ground after being shot at point blank.
03:54In a diplomatic response, the centre is considering shutting Indian airspace to Pakistani air carriers as part of retaliatory measures post the Pahalgaam attack.
04:04Pakistan has already closed its airspace for Indians.
04:10Political sparring over the Pahalgaam terror attack continues.
04:13The Congress posted a Gaia poster accusing the PM of missing in action during crisis.
04:18The BJP hit back, accusing Congress of echoing a Pakistan narrative.
04:22Meanwhile, the Congress has sought a special session to discuss the terror attack in Pahalgaam.
04:27But the very latest is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening chaired that crucial meeting on the situation along the India-Pakistan border and the LOC a week after the Pahalgaam terror attack.
04:47The meeting was attended by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Divedi, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
05:08The meeting lasted over 90 minutes and is being seen as a ground assessment of the situation.
05:15The top government of India sources tell India today that Prime Minister has told the chiefs that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terror.
05:25The Prime Minister expressed complete faith, confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces.
05:30The Prime Minister has said they have complete operational freedom to decide on the more targets and importantly timing of the response.
05:38This of course is coming even as security forces on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir are carrying on their operations to nab the terrorists who are responsible for what happened in Pahalgaam.
05:53Joining me now is Kamaljeet Sandhu, live. Our correspondent is in Srinagar. Aishwarya Paliwal joins me here. She's been tracking what's happening at the centre.
06:04But first you, Kamaljeet, on the ground. We are told that there are encounters going on in undisclosed locations where the armed forces are trying, security agencies are trying to close in, allegedly on terrorists, some of whom could have been involved in Pahalgaam.
06:20Well, absolutely Rajdeep, multi-pronged strategy right here on Ground Zero, which is in Jammu and Kashmir and particularly southern Kashmir, where Pahalgaam is.
06:34So a few kilometres away from here, massive cordon and search operations.
06:38And in the past week or so, there have been multiple times where there have been exchange of fire and it's suspected it is perhaps the fire coming in from the same module which was involved in the particular terror attack.
06:51Now, what we know is they're intensifying operations. There's a crackdown as far as hideout are concerned.
06:57We know houses have been raised. That's been a controversial issue with Umar Abdullah also speaking about it.
07:03But meanwhile, on ground, it's also cracking down and crackdown on the overground sympathisers, people who could have actually provided some sort of logistics.
07:14Now, one man has been identified. That is Adil Tokar, who was previously with Hezbollah Wajahideen and currently is with Lashkar-e-Taiba,
07:22who has said to have assisted three foreign terrorists or the Pakistani terrorists in unleashing this particular dastardly attack.
07:29So many issues are on the ground now. But the other part is obviously the investigation.
07:35Now, NIA has formed at least 45 member team out here, which are spread out from Srinagar to Pehelgaam, who will be looking at clues, whether it's forensic, whether we're talking about video clues coming in, speaking to eyewitnesses, building up a sequence of events.
07:50Because remember, they would have to crackdown the conspiracy back to Pakistan. And it's no easy task.
07:56Meanwhile, what we see is joint operations taking place with Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPM, the Indian Army.
08:03High alert sounded out both at international border and line of control.
08:07Pakistan has already been giving out statements. But with the Prime Minister now talking about how there is this readiness and giving a free hand to the Indian Army,
08:17things may actually not just see a ripple effect, but also see a larger ramification that could involve both the countries.
08:25There's a diplomatic offensive already underway. Deportations have started.
08:29We've already seen the Atari-Vaga border, which has become a key eye of focus.
08:34And this is where we've seen the families who are bearing the brunt of all the decisions that have been taken, the Indus Water Treaty.
08:41So a whole lot of plethora of activities are yet to come.
08:44But a decisive one would come in from the Indian Armed Forces and the next course of action.
08:50Right. Of course, as you said, security forces still trying to track down the terrorists responsible for what happened in Baisaran.
08:58But to you, Aishwarya Paliwal, we have a slew of meetings this evening and more scheduled for tomorrow.
09:05Another CCS, another CCPA, another CCEA.
09:09Is the government at the moment still not sure about how soon should they be seen to be acting in a kinetic manner?
09:20So the government is taking its own time, putting pressure on Pakistan through a variety of measures.
09:25Is that the strategy for now? And is the government willing to concede to the opposition demand for a special session of parliament?
09:31Well, you know, Rajni, from what I'm understanding at the moment, a special session will definitely happen, but only after action has taken.
09:39And you know, Rajni, while the world very clearly is looking at the first meeting,
09:42I think the second meeting, the second meeting with the RSS Chief Mohan Bhargwath is the one that we should all look out for,
09:48because that is an indication of what will happen.
09:51And this is a meeting where the next course of action, what exactly the government is looking at doing and how to prepare the country for it,
09:58because that is what the RSS does best.
10:00And that is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a conversation with Mohan Bhargwath about.
10:05He's told Mohan Bhargwath that that is what I'm understanding at the moment of what the government is looking ahead,
10:11what they will be doing next.
10:12That's something that the RSS has been told about.
10:15And in a subtle way, the government has also told the RSS that now the country needs to be prepared,
10:20because that is what the RSS does best.
10:21So that's the meeting that personally, I am also very keenly looking at.
10:25The government, let me tell you, will tell the opposition, will tell the nation what has happened.
10:29But from what I'm picking Rajni at the moment, the government will tell them once the action is done.
10:33So we are seeing the Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi,
10:36asking the government to make sure that the session is held, a session will be held,
10:41but only after the action has been taken.
10:43Last time, Rajni, it was 11 days.
10:45It took India 11 days to respond from what I am gathering.
10:48In the next 15 days, we should brace ourselves because the government is very, very clear.
10:53Action will be taken.
10:54The isolation process of Pakistan, Rajni, has already begun.
10:57We should now just very keenly look at what the government is doing from what we understand at the moment
11:01from our sources in BJP and RSS.
11:04The next 15 days, very, very crucial.
11:06This time, the action will be swift.
11:08It will be decisive.
11:08We'll wait and see what that swift and decisive action is.
11:13We don't want to prejudge what the government intends to do.
11:15But for now, clearly, at least the optics is that the government wants to send out a clear message
11:20to Pakistan that they, this time, will act decisively, is the word which is being used.
11:28We'll wait and see what that decisive action is.
11:30Aishwarya Paliwal, Kamal Jeet Sandhu joining me with the latest reports.
11:34Now, new intelligence reveals that the Pahalgam terror suspect, prime suspect, is Hashim Moussa,
11:40a former regular in the Pakistan Army who received advanced combat training.
11:45Sources say he's using his military skills to evade capture.
11:48Take a look at just who Hashim Moussa really is.
11:52The sketch of terrorists on your screens is that of Hashim Moussa,
12:00a trained Pakistani army commando sent by Pakistan to butcher innocent tourists in Pahalgam.
12:06Hashim Moussa was a regular of the Pakistan Army and is trained in armed combat.
12:12Agencies believe that he and at least three other terrorists shot innocent tourists in the head
12:17from point-blank range using M4 carbine assault rifles.
12:22Investigators believe that Moussa, with an expertise in unconventional warfare,
12:26survival tactics and mountain combat,
12:29has so far been evading one of the biggest manhunts launched by the armed forces
12:33in the jungles around Pahalgam.
12:36The hiding terrorists have so far stayed away from villages,
12:39even for food and water.
12:41Come on, come on, come on.
12:44The NIA investigation has revealed chilling details of the horrific Pahalgam killings.
12:52Investigation revealed that two of the terrorists were in traditional Kashmiri ferrins,
12:57while two were seen in track suits.
13:00According to eyewitness and survivor accounts,
13:02terrorists split the tourists into Hindus and Muslims,
13:06asking them to recite the Islamic verses or the Kalma.
13:09The ones who could not at fire opened on them,
13:14especially from the Hindu community.
13:16The initial investigation reports that India today has exclusively accessed,
13:20reveals two terrorists shot at fleeing tourists right at the exit gate.
13:24Most of the targeted killings were at the local T and the Bhelpuri stall
13:29near the exit and entry gates.
13:32After the massacre, the terrorists fled into the forest areas after the attack
13:36and jumped over a boundary wall.
13:47Meanwhile, this viral video could prove to be a crucial evidence
13:50for the National Investigation Agency.
13:52The zipline operator, who was caught on camera chanting
13:55Allahu Akbar while the gunshots are being heard,
13:58is under the NIA lens and has been called for questioning.
14:01The zipline operator, who was caught on camera,
14:31One question remains, how long before India brings the Pahalgaam attackers
14:49to face law for killing 26 innocent people?
14:53With Arvind Ojha, Meir Farid and Kamaljeet Sandhu
14:56In Jammu Kashmir, view a report for India today.
14:59Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Muni's repeated references
15:08to the two-nation theory indicates that the Pakistan Army's real intention
15:13was very clear, stoke a communal divide in India by using terror.
15:18But the minority community and Muslims have rejected such attempts.
15:21In the last few days, several protests being organised by Muslim groups
15:25across the country against Pakistan-sponsored terror.
15:30India's Muslims are sending out a clear message.
15:32Do not question our loyalty to the nation.
15:36Take a look.
15:37The terrorists in Pahalgaam picked their targets based on religion,
15:47shooting non-Muslim tourists one by one.
15:50The terror attack on April 22nd came just days after Pakistan Army Chief
16:02Asim Muni reiterated the two-nation theory that led to the formation of Pakistan.
16:09The general statement and the terror attack are widely seen as an attempt
16:14by the Pakistani army to stoke divide in India,
16:17an attempt that failed miserably.
16:22From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, protests and candlelight vigils are held against terrorism.
16:31The valley saw shutdowns against terror for the first time in many years.
16:36In the first time, I have seen people in Jammu-Kashmir in Jammu-Kashmir in Jammu-Kashmir,
16:51and the other day after the first time, I have seen people in Jammu-Kashmir in Jammu-Kashmir.
16:56Jammu-Kashmir,
16:57we understand that after a attack,
16:59what is the danger of the attack in the Jammu-Kashmir in Jammu-Kashmir in Jammu-Kashmir?
17:03Muslim organizations held protests across India,
17:11speaking out against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.
17:16Friday prayers last week saw the devout wearing black armbands.
17:22Meanwhile, RSS leader Indrash Kumar on Tuesday urged the Muslim community to stop attending
17:46funerals of Islamist terrorists.
17:52The RSS leaders comment notwithstanding, the message from the
18:22Muslim community to terrorists.
18:24And indeed, Pakistan is loud and clear.
18:28Not in our name.
18:31Bureau Report, India Today.
18:33And joining me now is the first of my guests tonight, Asaduddin Ovesi, the AIMIM chief who's
18:42been speaking out strongly against the Pakistani establishment.
18:46Mr. Ovesi, appreciate your joining us.
18:48You've come out very strongly against Pakistan and the horrific terror attack in Pahlgaam.
18:54If today, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who's repeatedly talking about the two-nation
18:59theory, was in front of you, what would you, Mr. Ovesi, tell General Asim Munir of Pakistan?
19:04Well, I would have told him that you're a failed state.
19:11And I would have reminded him that historically, if you see, there were two countries where formed
19:19the base of religion, one was Israel and the other is Pakistan.
19:24And both of them are failed states.
19:26They have human rights.
19:30They abuse human rights.
19:32They don't have equality over there.
19:34And I would have told the ISI chief that what you have told is complete nonsense.
19:42And you dare not, you know, put forward all these question marks about the loyalty of any Indian Muslim.
19:51Because we have decided our fate, our elders have decided rightfully that we have rejected the theory of two nations.
19:59And we continue to believe in that.
20:02So, there is no need for any ISI chief to try to provoke things over here.
20:09You know, you just mentioned there, Mr. Ovesi, do not question the loyalty of the Indian Muslim.
20:14Do you feel angry that you have to undergo a loyalty test almost every time such a terror attack takes place,
20:20particularly of the kind in Pahalgaam where the religion of the victims were identified before they were killed?
20:27Do you feel a certain pressure to prove your loyalty in a way to the country?
20:32No, no, see, whatever I have said, I have said it because I am an Indian Muslim.
20:40I have taken oath on the Indian constitution and I take pride in being an Indian.
20:46So, there is no such pressure on me that, oh, I am a Muslim, so I will have to react, I will have to say what I have said.
20:53And unfortunately, many of the people who don't know me very closely have called me.
21:00So, I tried to explain to them that it is not a matter of pressure, it is not a matter of what is happening in our country.
21:07It is me as an Indian who have to rise up to such occasions when terrorists come into our country, segregate people and in front of their wife, children kill Indians just because they happen to be following Hindu religion.
21:29Now, that in itself is quite hurtful to me and it is very painful to me and I am sure those families who have lost their loved ones, they will carry this car for the rest of their lives.
21:42So, this is the least which we can do as a member of parliament and I have also said the same thing, Rajdeep, when I happened to be in Pakistan in 2012 and 2013.
21:54So, this is not new to me.
21:56People who don't know me, you know, they are either happy and then tomorrow they will start abusing me also.
22:02But that is not the point.
22:04The point is, as an Indian, whether you call it my pride, my love for this country, do not allow me to keep quiet and allow such people to talk rubbish, nonsense, lies and promoting terrorism in our country.
22:22You know, you wore a black band, Mr. Owasi, you distributed black armbands at the mosque before Friday press last week, urged others also to wear a black band as a mark of protest against Pahlkam terror.
22:35Do you believe that this is an occasion for Indian Muslims have to stand up in this manner and be counted?
22:40As I said, there will be those who keep questioning your loyalty and does that, again, put you in a spot in a difficult space?
22:47Rajdeep, you see, I don't care to hoots about people who question the loyalty of Indian Muslims.
22:56See, we had a choice, you know, our elders rejected it.
23:02And please also understand, Rajdeep, that, you know, these people who do not know the political history of India say, oh, Muslims voted for the Pakistan.
23:11No, it is those elite Muslims who were either educated, who were either Nawabs, who had, who were paying some income tax.
23:2170, 85 percent of Muslims didn't vote for in that election.
23:27And there is no such pressure on me.
23:29And why should I say something about my country under someone's pressure?
23:35You know, this is the love which comes out.
23:38I was born over here and inshallah will die over here.
23:40So people who are wrongly assuming that there is a loyalty test, there is no such loyalty test.
23:46Maybe it is in their mind.
23:48And these people have a sick mind when they, if they think on those lines of what you have just said.
23:54But there are, you know, there are those like Indresh Kumar, the RSS leader who said today, if terrorists have no religion, then why are Islamic funeral prayers being recited for them?
24:04Why do people participate in terrorist funeral?
24:07This means terrorists have a religion.
24:09What would you like to tell today the likes of Indresh Kumar?
24:14Well, he should, first of all, shut up for once.
24:17And secondly, he should see what happened to Ajmal Qasab.
24:20Muslims refused to bury Ajmal Qasab's body after he was hanged, after our courts had given him all the opportunity.
24:30And then the courts decided that capital punishment should be given to him.
24:37So would he, would he talk in the same way about Nathuram Goetse, the killers of, of Mahatma Gandhi?
24:43Who, who is he to, to, to, to bring into all, to, to ask such questions?
24:50What, what will he say to all those Nexalites?
24:53What would he say to killers of Indra Gandhi?
24:55What would he say to the, the, the people who killed Rajiv Gandhi?
24:59I mean, even at such a time, this fellow talks in such a language.
25:09Sir, you know, very interestingly though, that while Indresh Kumar is using this kind of language,
25:15the BJP leadership, I am told, reached out to you.
25:18You were invited to the all party meeting.
25:21Amit Shah personally called you up to invite you to the meeting after your name was originally not there.
25:25Are you getting signs that the Modi government is aware that they also need to be on the front foot
25:31and ensure that this is not a moment to allow anyone to stir a Hindu-Muslim divide?
25:37Because that is exactly what Pakistan wants.
25:39They want the Assaduddin overseas in a way to speak out.
25:44See, I am not aware of the government, what the government wants,
25:48because I am not a spokesperson for the ruling party.
25:51But as a parliamentarian, as an Indian, I can say that if we continue to behave in this stupid way,
26:00it will bring spile on the faces of, of LET and the, and the ISI and the deep state in Pakistan would be happy.
26:10Because, you see, Rajiv, today in Mangalur, during some cricket match, someone was killed,
26:16mob lynched, because he, someone had been allegation, he, he happened to raise some slogan.
26:20In Nagpur, a Kashmiri student was slapped.
26:25And for God's sake, understand that what we are seeing in Kashmir now is an organic agitation and protest
26:31against Pakistan and the terrorism which Pakistan has perpetrated.
26:37You know, a place, a place called Supor, which has no tourist over there.
26:41You have people coming out in the, in the night and holding a candlelight vigil against what happened in Pahal Kaam.
26:49I, I hope and I request Mr. Narendra Modi's government to fully use this situation in Kashmir,
26:57where common Kashmiris without any, any backing, without any design,
27:02they are coming out on streets and outrightly condemning the terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan and,
27:08and Lashkar and ISI.
27:10This is a golden opportunity for the government of the day to use it.
27:16You know, it's important what you're saying just now.
27:18You see a ray of light in the way Kashmiris have spontaneously come out on the streets,
27:22buns have been called.
27:24You see a ray of light.
27:25Importantly, is there a message, therefore, to Pakistan above all else,
27:30that you cannot divide India anymore on religious lines?
27:36Rajdeep, this is a golden opportunity for, for our country, for the, for Mr. Narendra Modi,
27:44for Mr. Amit Shah, to reach out to Kashmiris and, and to stop any Kashmiris being assaulted
27:50or being questioned about their loyalty.
27:53I say again, a place like Sopor, which has no tourists over there.
27:58They are outrightly, without, without any, any, any, any government or any, any police or any
28:04CRP of guys telling, they just came out.
28:07So, this is a, I think so, a strong message has gone from the Kashmiris
28:13that they reject this vulgar, this brutal form of terrorism, which Pakistan is doing in Kashmir.
28:22They are tired.
28:23And, and, you see, they are stuck in a tunnel now.
28:25But what they are seeing now is that, yes, we see, we see some light at the end of the tunnel.
28:30And, and as an Indian, I'm telling you, the Kashmiris are, are, are ours, as patriot as you and me.
28:38Every society has some black sheep, but you cannot generalize the whole Kashmiris.
28:43I mean, that, that, that is a completely wrong notion to, to accept and to say.
28:48Do you also believe then, Mr. Ovesi, that this is also the time to break the back of Pakistan-based terror?
28:54The Prime Minister says unimaginable consequences will be heaped.
28:58Do you believe the time has come to walk the talk and actually send out a tough, unambiguous message
29:04to the Pakistani deep state, the army state?
29:08I wish Narendra Modi in 2019 itself had gone into POK and occupied all those launching pads area.
29:18Now, what the government wants to do, Rajdeep, me and you don't know.
29:22But as, as an Indian, and as, as a person who's concerned and pained by what happened in Pahalgam,
29:29I, I hope that a strong action will be taken.
29:32Because Article 51 of, of the UN, United Nations allows a state to act in self-defense against state actors as well.
29:42There is a resolution which was passed by Security Council after 9-11,
29:47which places responsibility on Pakistan not to promote, not to finance.
29:52And thirdly, I am saying again, it is high time that the Indian government ensures that Pakistan is brought in grey list of, of FATF.
30:01And international law allows us to ensure that we block Pakistan, Air Force and their Navy.
30:10And we must ask for sanctions.
30:12This is very important.
30:14And whatever a military action the government takes, we'll definitely support them.
30:18It is high time we put an end to this terrorism.
30:22Because Pakistan is a failed state.
30:25I say again, I say again that they are half an hour behind India.
30:29They are not half an hour behind India, Rajdeep.
30:30They are at least 30 years behind India.
30:34And that is why you see all these feudal politicians for Pakistan talking complete rubbish and nonsense.
30:41It is high time that we show them a mirror.
30:44I saw the strong response you gave to Bilawal Bhutto,
30:47who spoke about blood would flow if the India's water treaty was held in abeyance.
30:52Your message, therefore, Asaduddin Ovesi, am I clear in conclusion?
30:55Unambiguous message to the Pakistani leadership.
30:58Don't you dare try and divide India.
31:00It will not work.
31:01India will not be divided on Hindu-Muslim lines.
31:04You cannot link religion and terror.
31:06That will be rejected by the people of India, but particularly by the large Muslim population in this country.
31:11Am I right?
31:12No, you are absolutely right.
31:16Not only that, but the Pakistani establishment should realize that they have a Baloochi problem.
31:22You are killing people who are praying in masjids, in your own country.
31:29You are killing people because you happen to call them mahajirs.
31:33You know, you are killing people because they happen to be Pathans.
31:38So, it is high time that Pakistan look into their own society, deep society, and see what is happening in their country.
31:48A country which cannot even make a tablet for malaria.
31:53You cannot even make tires over there.
31:56For God's sake, you know, do not test the patience of our country.
32:02You know, 26-11 Rajdeep, you know, so many terrorist attacks which have been perpetrated in Pakistan.
32:08It's a completely failed state.
32:11Pakistan is a failed state, is your message to General Munir.
32:16If General Munir, you are listening, here is Asaduddin Ovesi, loud and clear.
32:20You are a failed state, which is not just 30 minutes behind India, but 30 years behind India, and the two-nation theory is being rejected.
32:33Asaduddin Ovesi, for speaking so plainly to me, I appreciate your joining us.
32:36I just want to carry forward that.
32:38Mr. Ovesi, of course, is a prominent Indian Muslim political face.
32:41But there are lots of Indian Muslims who don't need to prove their loyalty to the Indian nation.
32:46They have been stalwarts of this nation.
32:49Najeeb Jang, former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia, joins me.
32:54Wajahat Habibullah is someone who served as a very distinguished officer, both in the Prime Minister's office and in Jammu and Kashmir.
33:01And I want to come to you, Wajahat Habibullah, because you know Kashmir better than most.
33:05We are seeing this outpouring on the streets also of Kashmir of anger, in a way, against Pakistan and this violence.
33:11Do you believe, as Asaduddin Ovesi told me, there is a ray of light, this is a moment of hope, for Kashmir to strike back?
33:19Kashmir to strike back?
33:25I mean, I don't quite see the point of your question.
33:30What is Kashmir to strike back about?
33:32Kashmir to unite.
33:32Kashmir united.
33:33This is a terrorist attack.
33:34Kashmir uniting against terror.
33:37Well, Kashmir is united.
33:40Kashmir has been united for a very long time.
33:43They have also stood against terror for a very long time.
33:47And if you didn't want to notice it, then that's another point of view altogether.
33:51But the fact is that they have been there for many, many years.
33:55Sorry to interrupt.
33:56We haven't seen Kashmiris come out in the street as spontaneously and organically as they have come out this time.
34:02Something seems to have changed.
34:07No, I don't think so at all.
34:09This time also and earlier also, they have had this opposition to this kind of violent terrorism.
34:18And this particular time, it has become easily manifest.
34:24But I have written on this in the wire, as you would have seen.
34:28And I've actually quoted the Kashmiris as to what their attitudes are.
34:31These attitudes have not changed.
34:33They have been like that for a long time.
34:35They have now found voice.
34:37That is a good thing, certainly.
34:39But the point is that it is not only a question of a protest against what Pakistan has done.
34:45There has been a major security breach in Jammu and Kashmir.
34:51Or don't you understand that?
34:53We know for a long time, and as Oversi Sahab has pointed out,
34:57Kashmiris is not the first time that there has been a terrorist attack by Pakistan.
35:01And we know that Jammu and Kashmir has been the focus of their terrorist activities.
35:06And I've written this in this article also.
35:11So that is one aspect.
35:12We have to take the matter up with Pakistan.
35:14And the government of India is taking it up.
35:16Now, one may discuss whether they're doing enough or not doing enough.
35:19But certainly, they've taken it up and they've identified the problem.
35:22There is no point in Pakistan trying to deny connivance or responsibility for what has happened.
35:30Because these actions take place in Kashmir only if they originate in Pakistan.
35:35It may not be the Pakistan government.
35:37It may be something else.
35:38But the Pakistan government should then come forward and prove its honesty by actually finding out who were the perpetrators, who organized this, and go on.
35:50That is that aspect.
35:51But on the other hand, shouldn't we be examining ourselves why we let this happen?
35:56There were no security personnel at all present in the area where the terrorist attack took place.
36:01Not only that.
36:03When the terrorist attack took place, there were no security personnel at all to assist those poor tourists and others who were rushing out.
36:10Who were the people assisting them?
36:12Only the Kashmiris.
36:14Mind you, only the Kashmiris.
36:16The hoteliers, the restaurateurs, they provided them food.
36:19They conducted them to their vehicles.
36:22They tripped them to the airport.
36:23Had them board the plane.
36:25And what was the response of the airlines?
36:27They hiked their fares.
36:29Now, please, please understand what the responsibility is.
36:33Please, let us see.
36:34Now, we will, of course, take Pakistan to task for what they have done.
36:38But let us also examine where we have failed, or shouldn't we?
36:43Okay.
36:44Fair point, Mr. Avibullah.
36:45You believe that there must be also accountability for security lapses, not just sort of…
36:52Absolutely.
36:53Now, please remember, Rajit, if I may interrupt you again.
36:57If I may interrupt you here.
37:00You know when there was a train accident in the time that Lal Bahadur Shastri was railway minister.
37:07Now, the railway minister was not driving the train.
37:10The railway minister was in no way responsible for actually the accident itself.
37:14But the railway minister resigned.
37:17Anybody, any action taken, even against a thanedar?
37:23Can I, at this point, bring in Najeeb Jang?
37:26Najeeb Jang, there's one aspect that Wajat Habibullah has raised, saying,
37:30look, do not ignore the security lapses that took place.
37:34Fix responsibility.
37:35The other aspect, which I discussed with Asaduddin Ovesi, which is troubling at one level,
37:39every time a terror attack, particularly of this kind, where victims who are identified
37:43by their religious identity, lead suddenly Indian Muslims to have to prove their quote-unquote
37:48loyalty.
37:49Does that trouble you, anger you?
37:51What's the way forward?
37:53Rajdeep, permit me, before I answer this question, I want to take you back to what you asked Ovesi
37:59Saab, that what would his reaction be if Asad Munir was sitting in front of him?
38:06And my reaction to that, I want to put on television, is that I would tell him on his face that he is a big donkey
38:14and an ass of the first order, that his efforts to put a divide between Hindus and Muslims in India are rather crude,
38:24and that he will indeed get a befitting reply from the Indian side.
38:30I have said before, and I am not ashamed to say that Indian Muslims are often put to test.
38:42In fact, after every such incident, Indian Muslims are made to put to test.
38:47And sometimes we see reactions from Muslims which are overdone, not necessarily, because I say that like Ovesi Saab said,
38:57that when I joined service, I swore an oath to the constitution of India.
39:01I forget my identity as a Muslim, but I remain an Indian wedded to the constitution.
39:09I do not forget my religion.
39:10That is at my home.
39:11So, to put the Indian Muslims to test is to shame India.
39:18And that, unfortunately, is the direct attempt of Asad Munir.
39:22And in many places, as Ovesi Saab pointed out, we have fallen into the trap.
39:28It is a classical trap which is going on for years and years and years.
39:33It's 100 years of efforts to put a Hindu-Muslim divide amongst us.
39:37To Indian Muslims, I will tell you, who stayed back.
39:42And let me quote Mawlana Azad, who gave a speech on the steps of the Jammah Masjid in 1943 to Indian Muslims.
39:50Permit me to say that in Urdu.
39:52And he said,
39:53And those are the Indians who stayed back.
40:04And as Ovesi Saab said, there was a lot of Jagirdars and rulers, etc.
40:09Who were doubtful whether they could compete with the Hindus in India who are more educated.
40:17The cause of partition, the cause of partition is different.
40:21And these Indian Muslims who stayed back, stayed back on their own volition.
40:26They have proved their mettle in sports.
40:29They have proved their mettle in soldiery.
40:31They have proved their mettle in services.
40:32And therefore, to ask them what, I am sorry to hear Mr. Indresh Kumar talk nonsense.
40:41He has no business to advise Indian Muslims.
40:44He does not know Islam.
40:47You know, if a person dies, an enemy or non-enemy, if he's in front of me, I will bury him.
40:53I don't care who he is.
40:55That's his right for a burial.
40:57And Indresh is the last man to advise Indian Muslims on how they should behave.
41:01Indian Muslims will remain Indian Muslims.
41:04And the government of India, I'm glad, I'm really glad, has asked Ovesi Saab to come for this.
41:10And we've heard Umar Abdullah.
41:12His respect in my eyes goes up enormously.
41:16I mean, here is a leader who has really come out in his assembly and challenged everybody
41:22that do not challenge either Kashmiri Muslims or Indian Muslims.
41:27So that's my take on this.
41:28Very, very strong words used both towards message to General Asim Munir and the likes
41:34of Indresh Kumar from you there, Najeeb Jungwajat, Habibullah, as the reference was made to
41:38Omar Abdullah's speech, coming out very strongly because there have been Kashmiris who've also
41:45felt over the years that they have been subject to collective punishment in a way for what has
41:50been happened in Kashmir over the last 30 years.
41:52Do you believe that also is a major factor that somewhere down the line now, for much
41:57too long, Indians have seen Kashmiri Muslims in particular with an eye of suspicion and
42:04this tragic terror attack needs to heal and bridge certain divides?
42:11Well, you see, this is unfortunately a part of that.
42:18So far, the Pakistani strategy is concerned.
42:22Quite clearly, the very fact that these terrorists actually threatened the persons asking them
42:28whether they were Hindus or not, was an effort designed to bring division between India's
42:38people.
42:39As Najeeb says, we are not a different people, whether we are Hindus or Muslims, it is a question
42:43of faith.
42:44We are exactly the same people.
42:46But this division has been caused, and as he pointed out, over a hundred years, this
42:50has been built up.
42:51And Pakistan is playing on that.
42:53And we are falling prey to it, comfortably.
42:56The question is, this was an attack on a group of terrorists.
43:01There is a message also here to those who mix religion with politics.
43:06Am I clear that that's the last thing you want to see is those in power in any part of
43:13this country mixing religion with politics and demonizing a community?
43:16Is that me or Rojava?
43:20Entirely, because the point is, these actions have nothing to do with politics.
43:25These, these, these, these, these, these matters, the matters have nothing to do with religion.
43:29What they would, nobody, none of the tourists over there was indulging in any particular
43:34religious practice.
43:35They would have had their, their own religious rights or whatever they had on their own.
43:40But it was not a public, it, nothing of that kind, but it was a deliberate zone.
43:45And this is not the first time it has happened.
43:47That's why I was telling you that the Kashmiris have resented this for a long time.
43:51For a long time, we know what happened with the, with the, with the exodus of the Kashmiri
43:57pundits in the early nineties, I was commissioner of Kashmir, of Kashmir at the time, not at
44:02the time the exodus took place, but shortly thereafter.
44:05This was all actually generated and, and, and, and, and actually designed by our friends
44:13across the border.
44:15But the question is, and this was, this was to, to create a religious divide to strengthen
44:20them.
44:21And we fall victim to it.
44:23Well, we did, we know that, the, the, the pundits, the pundits is a more, the, sure,
44:27the pundits though is a more contentious issue where Kashmiri locals, Kashmiri locals should
44:33have, should have worked to stop the exodus.
44:35That's right.
44:36Let us not raise that issue now.
44:37Yeah.
44:38Yeah.
44:39We need to look forward.
44:40They should have.
44:41They should have.
44:42I'm telling you, but you, this, this, there, there, let us not go into that now because
44:46that is not the subject of this discussion.
44:48I'm saying this is what, I'm only mentioning that, that this is not the first time they've
44:51tried to do this.
44:52Sure.
44:53We are used to this fact.
44:55Why don't we realize this fact?
44:57Why don't we realize this fact?
44:59And these, these kinds of actions are designed to create divisions in Indian society.
45:04Why should we fall prey to it every time?
45:07Why should people like integration or actually be showing that they have, they have, they
45:12bought the Pakistani idea.
45:14I take your point.
45:16The fact is though a large number of Indians have rejected.
45:21Indian Muslims and Indian Hindus are rejecting the idea that an Asim Munir can put up a two
45:26nation theory.
45:27Correct.
45:28Therefore, Najeeb Jang.
45:29Correct.
45:30Should we be, Najeeb Jang, should we be looking at the glasses half full as well?
45:34That this is a moment where India is showing how it is different to Pakistan.
45:38Yes, Rajeeb.
45:39The point is the first thing that you asked Vajahad Saad, which is that can we remove,
45:47can we separate the state from religion?
45:50And that's an endeavor that the government of India must do, because I'm afraid that the
45:55role that the government of India should have played in the last 10 years, that has not
46:00happened.
46:01I mean, we have often seen at the highest echelons efforts being made to divide communities.
46:07So, obviously, the glass is half full, and we should take this opportunity to really fill
46:14it up, because this is a time to show all people across India, the right and the left
46:21and the centrist, that India can be united.
46:24We are united in a time of this enormous tragedy.
46:28And so, why do we wait to unite ourselves only in times of tragedy?
46:34Can't we enjoy brotherhood again as we did when we were children, when you and I were
46:39children, when we celebrated Eid and Oli together, when our mohallas lived together, when we did
46:45candlelight marches together in case of a tragedy?
46:49Why can't we be again in the same country?
46:52So, this glass is half full today.
46:55Let's take this opportunity.
46:57Let's welcome the Kashmiri with open arms.
47:00And while we welcome the Kashmiris with open arms, presumably those Kashmiris who have in
47:08the past flirted with militancy or have helped the militants, the terrorists are those, I
47:16don't call them militants, the terrorists are those who also need to be singled out and
47:23punished, but don't have collective punishment for all Kashmiris.
47:27Am I correct?
47:28You are absolutely right.
47:30I have no doubt that there is a local element in Kashmir, we all know it, who are sympathetic
47:35to the other side.
47:37They also have to be won over or singled out and punished, but to, you know, sort of catch
47:441,500 people today as we have done in Kashmir or to burn houses, et cetera, without a legal
47:50process of law, I think that will upset the Kashmiri psyche much more.
47:55We should be a little subdued in that and thoughtful in that.
47:59As the government of India has been vis-a-vis thinking over action in Pakistan.
48:02I mean, it's five days, but we see meeting after meeting.
48:06Obviously, the government of India is giving a very hard thought on how they should react
48:11to Kashmir after the first really solid blow of putting in abeyance the Indus Waters treaty.
48:19Right.
48:20So what, you know, in a way, what you're saying is no collective punishment.
48:24We don't need bulldozer or bomb justice.
48:27What we need is those responsible are identified, whether they are local Kashmiris or those across
48:32the border, ensure maximum punishment to them.
48:35But the last thing we need is to single out or demonize a community.
48:39The strength of India, the remarkable strength of India lies in its ability to bridge divides between communities.
48:47Do not allow those outside this country to divide us and send out a firm message to the likes of
48:54General Asim Munir, who talks still of a two-nation theory.
48:58Wajat Habibullah and Najeeb Jang for coming on my program and speaking with such clarity.
49:05I appreciate both of you joining me.
49:07Thank you so much.
49:08Let's turn to our ground report tonight, which comes from Jaisalmer, where villages along the international border,
49:17as tensions between India and Pakistan rise are clearly, people on that international border are wary.
49:25Our reporter Devankur Wadhawan visited villages near Longewala, where a battle was famously fought in the 1971 war
49:33that inspired a Bollywood movie.
49:35This is what he found on the ground.
49:37the
49:57Dr.
49:58Every time war clouds gather, villages along the international border are on tenterhooks.
50:13In Jaisalmay district of Rajasthan, where the famous battle of Longewala was won by Indian
50:20forces in 1971, border villages are worried.
50:26India today visited Gumnewala and Muradki Dhani near Longewala to gauge the mood there.
50:56They will be very upset if there will be war or war.
51:03They need to get the power that they have done with the people with the pilgrims.
51:11Villagers recounted how they fled their homes during the wars.
51:15People living in villages near the border, such as Gumnewala and Gumnewala,
51:22and Gumnewala.
51:24People living in villages near the border such as Gumnewala,
51:30Muradki Dhani, Saddewala and Tanaut claim they have fallen off the development map.
51:37People living in villages near the border such as Gumnewala, Muradki Dhani, Saddewala and Tanaut claim they have fallen off the development map.
51:52It will be very difficult for the children of the village.
51:55If they have fallen in the village, they will be able to go to Ramgad.
52:00How far will they go?
52:02They are the 40-kilometer.
52:03While the village is the same, they will be able to study.
52:05Even if they have fallen off the village, their children will grow up.
52:11foreign
52:15foreign
52:23foreign
52:29foreign
52:34foreign
52:38Even as people out here feel that attacks should be avenged,
53:03they also feel that deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan has affected their lives in the past.
53:12With camera person Manish Devankur Wadhavan, Ingam Nawala in Jaisal Mer for India Today.
53:22Let's therefore from that story debut with a good news today's story.
53:26What were you doing when you were 14?
53:29Well, I was struggling with my homework.
53:31Others were perhaps making plans with friends to go on a picnic.
53:38But Vaibhav Suryavanchi is a very different 14-year-old.
53:42The latest IPL sensation became the youngest ever to score an IPL century.
53:48That too in just 35 balls.
53:50The second fastest ever in IPL history.
53:53Plus, he could be taking the town of Samastipur in Bihar onto India's map.
53:59I leave you with India's teen sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanchi.
54:04Thanks for watching.
54:05Bye for now.
54:06Jayan Namaskar.
54:07There have been plenty of special knocks in the IPL over the years.
54:19But only a few have brought the nation together.
54:22When a 14-year-old sent the ball flying over mid-wicket, the entire country rejoiced.
54:28A hundred of just 35 balls.
54:34It's the 14-year-old boy.
54:36After all, they'd witnessed something special.
54:40There had been nobody younger than Vaibhav Suryavanchi to smash an IPL century before.
54:45It's the 14-year-old boy.
55:15The proud record of being the youngest to score an IPL tonne belonged to Manish Pandey previously.
55:21But even he was five years older than Vaibhav when he reached the three-digit mark.
55:27Rishabh Pand was 20 when he registered the magical number.
55:31Back in his hometown of Samasthipur, people gathered late in the night to celebrate the success of one of their own.
55:42Those who saw him bat will forever remember the manner in which the runs came of Vaibhav's back.
56:02His stroke-making was audacious and his approach was fearless as even someone with a hundred test matches was not spared by the youngster.
56:16His blistering knock now occupies the second spot on the list of fastest stuns scored in the history of the competition.
56:23Only Chris Gayle's 30-ball century was scored faster than his.
56:31The Southpaw's achievement is extraordinary, but it comes as little surprise as his work ethic wasn't ordinary either.
56:39The world was a very early stage.
56:48We were now around nine years old.
56:49We used to play 40-50 balls in any academy.
56:53But we used to play in the early stages every day in the session and then they used to play 300-400 balls.
56:58There were basically drills that were basic,
57:02and there was throwing a throwdown, the bowling machine and the ballers added to ballers.
57:08For a tournament that has unearthed plenty of talented cricketers, Vaibhav Suryawanchi
57:23is turning out to be the crown jewel of this edition.
57:27Sports Bureau, India Today.
Recommended
2:33
|
Up next
3:12
1:17