In a disturbing incident in Ujjain city, Madhya Pradesh, India, a Muslim woman, who is a physiotherapist by profession, fell victim to a heinous assault and molestation by a group of men while she was on her way home, Dawn has reported on Monday.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred on Friday, and the suspects allegedly tried to molest her. When she bravely resisted, the attackers resorted to physical violence, subjecting her to a brutal beating. Notably, the girl’s cousin, who rushed to her aid, was also attacked by the assailants.
Shocking footage of the incident has circulated on social media, showing the attackers using iron rods and bats to assault the victim’s cousin.
Outraged by the appalling act, members of the Muslim community and local Congress party lawmaker Noori Khan took to the streets and staged a sit-in protest outside the Ujjain SP office, demanding justice for the victims and stringent action against the perpetrators.
Noori Khan expressed her deep concern and empathy for the victim after visiting her at the Ujjain Civil Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries. Ms. Khan took to Twitter, stating that the victim’s agony and the disturbing sequence of events have left her shocked.
Adding further details to the incident, the victim herself took to her Twitter account and revealed that five men were involved in the brutal attack.
Law enforcement authorities have been urged to take prompt action in identifying and apprehending the culprits to deliver justice to the victims and send a strong message against such heinous crimes.
The incident has also sparked conversations on social media platforms, with netizens coming together to condemn the act and call for measures to ensure the safety of women in public spaces.
As the investigation continues, the victims and their families await justice, while the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective efforts to eradicate violence against women and create a safer environment for all citizens.
Trigger warning: discussion of harassment, victim blaming
Protests and demonstrations are erupting in Italy after a judge cleared a man of charges of sexual harassment of a teenager because the groping had lasted “a handful of seconds”.
The survivor, a 17 year old student, took 66 year old Antonio Avola to court when he groped her in school while she was walking up the staircase with a friend in April 2022.
She recalled her trousers fell from her waist and as she was pulling them up, she felt a hand touching her buttocks and then grabbing her underwear to lift her up by an inch.
When she turned around, the caretaker brushed off the harassment by saying “Love, you know I was joking.”
Avola confessed to the groping in court but said it was a joke. Prosecutors were seeking a three year jail term if convicted.
However, the judge ruled that the grope could not be counted as harassment since it lasted “between five to 10 seconds” and was too short to be considered a crime. The judgement also ruled:
“Furthermore, it seems likely that the brushing of the buttocks was caused by an awkward manoeuvre of the defendant which, due to the dynamics of the action, was carried out while the subject was in motion.”
This ruling has outraged Italians who protested by posting 10 second videos of themselves touching private body parts along with the hashtag “palpata breve” (brief grope) and “10 secondi” (10 seconds).
Speaking to The New York Times, ‘The White Lotus’ actor Paolo Camilli, who had participated in the trend, spoke about how outrageous the ruling was.
“My first thought was, how can a person measure 10 seconds while they were being molested”, he said, further pointing out that 10 seconds can be an infinity for someone in a painful situation.
Popular Italian influencer Francesco Cicconetti slammed the ruling in a video shared to his 200,000 followers on Instagram, writing that no man is allowed to turn a woman into their property.
“Women’s bodies are not men’s property. Owned by no one but women themselves. It’s not the father who wants to hand it over to the husband, it’s not the boyfriend who wants to hide it, it’s neither the mate who wants to govern him, it’s nor the son who wants to protect him, he’s not the brother who wants to defend his honor.”
Residents of Karachi’s Lyari staged a protest against prolonged load-shedding in their area on Wednesday, blocking both tracks of Mauripur Road and stopping vehicular traffic, Dawn reports. Police were allegedly forced to fire tear gas shells and baton charge the protestors to clear the road.
The vice chairman of UC-7 in Lyari, Zohaib Baloch, who is one of the organisers of the protest, reportedly told Dawn that Lyari residents were facing up to 16 hours of load shedding daily, which exacerbated the crisis of water in the locality.
A large number of people, including women and children, staged a sit-in on Mauripur Road near Dua Hotel, blocking one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city.
A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that they were compelled to take aggressive action when protestors started ‘smashing’ cars and other vehicles on the road.
Baloch, however, claims that the police charged the locals with batons and fired tear gas at them in order to disperse the protest. He adds that their protest would continue until their demands were fulfilled.
According to Dawn, Baloch said that residents at Mira Naka in Lyari were protesting the same problem. Alas, this is not the first time residents of what is considerably one of Karachi’s oldest neighbourhoods have staged protests against insufficient facilities and provisions.
In fact, just earlier this week on Monday, residents of Lyari staged a protest against long hours of gas shortages, claiming that and the scarcity of fuel forces them to burn wood to cook meals.
The smoke that rises from the burning wood has caused sickness in children, while the infrastructure of houses has also been affected due to the use of wood fire.
Residents of Mandra Para, Rahiman Soomra and Baloch Mohallo placed gas cylinders and gas stoves on the road to protest, and the protestors included women and children.
Karachi Press Club president Saeed Sarbazi said that K-Electric might have reasons to resort to load-shedding on the pretext of ‘losses’, but a host of issues must be considered for the problem to be resolved, Dawn reports.
He added that residents of Lyari were of a working-class background and thereby could not afford exorbitant electricity bills, saying that the problem required a political and social initiative.
The federal government has announced a nationwide protest on Friday, July 7, against the recent incident of dishonouring the Holy Book in Sweden.
A man burned a copy of the Holy Quran publicly outside a mosque in the capital of Sweden. This hateful act of public burning in Stockholm has hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided in a meeting on Tuesday to stage nationwide protests over the incident. He appealed to all the political parties and the nation to take part in the rallies.
“Speaking with one voice, the whole nation will give a message to the evil minds,” said the premier. He added that the nation will observe the “Youm-e-Taqaddus Quran” on Friday.
The prime minister has also decided to call a joint session of parliament to frame a national strategy. Earlier today, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced it would hold an urgent session to address Islamophobia and religious hatred at the request of Pakistan.
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) professor Muhummad Tariq said that he was beaten up for holding placards outside of the university with his teenage children and for “suggesting upholding the constitution and exercising fundamental rights to express ourselves.”
He has alleged that due to the beating, he ended up with a broken arm and knee.
Taking to social media, he said that after all this he does not regret coming back to Pakistan and is proud of the country and will serve it with even more dedication, commitment and honesty.
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a motion seeking the formation of a special committee to file a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for “misconduct and deviating from oath”.
During a fiery session, lawmakers strongly condemned attacks on military installations and state buildings across the country.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the time had come for the Parliament to play its constitutional role in the prevailing political crisis.
“The time has come for the Parliament to send a reference of misconduct to the Supreme Judicial Council, under the authority and law given to it by the Constitution,” Asif stated unequivocally.
He stressed that recently a section of the judiciary had started supporting a political party.
The reference motion was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Dr Shazia Sobia.
The parliamentarians also demanded that PTI Chairman Imran Khan be tried under the Army Act.
Last week, Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, prompted his supporters to come out on roads in support of their leader. They have been alleged to have not just damaged properties but also use inappropriate language for top military officials.
Supreme Court has declared Khan’s arrest “illegal” and ordered the authorities to release him immediately.
Supreme Court will hear Imran Khan’s plea against arrest at 2pm
In an unexpected development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from inside Islamabad High Court (IHC) by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday.
Supreme Court will hear Imran Khan’s plea against arrest at 2pm:
A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench will hear PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case at 2pm.
The bench will comprise Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi Arrest:
PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been arrested in Islamabad and moved to an undisclosed location, according to the party.
Fawad Chaudhry was arrested late last night and Asad Umar is already in custody.
PM’s address to the nation:
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in an address to the nation on Thursday termed damaging public property an “act of terrorism” and “enmity” towards the country.
In a short address, the premier said that he would like to warn “terrorists” who are harming the country to stop, otherwise strict actions will be taken against them.
Any further attack on the army, state will result in a strong reaction: ISPR
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said on Wednesday that the institution will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands.
In a harshly worded statement, the army’s media wing said that Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court “in line with the NAB statement and law”.
“Immediately after this arrest, attacks were perpetrated on the army’s properties and installations anti-army slogans were raised,” it added.
The statement also warned that, “Any further attack on the army and state will result in an extreme reaction.”
ISPR also said that May 9 will be remembered as a “black chapter”
Khan to stay with NAB for 8 days:
NAB has gotten physical remand of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for eight days in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Army enters Punjab with govt permission:
The Punjab Home Department has given permission to the Pakistan army to maintain law and order across the province amid civil unrest.
Currently, internet service is suspended and protests are being carried out to show support for Imran Khan who was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court yesterday.
NAB requests 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has requested physical remand of Imran Khan, Chairman of PTI, in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar heard the Al-Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan at New Guest House, Police Line.
During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor asked the court for a 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan.
Asad Umar arrested:
Asad Umar and Shah Mahmood Qureshi went to the Islamabad High Court to submit a petition pleading to meet Imran Khan. He has been arrested by Anti-Terrorist squad of Islamabad Police.
The protests against Imran Khan’s arrest have turned violent as the PML-N Model Town secretariat in Lahore has been set on fire by protesters. According to reports, a violent mob is heading to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s personal residence in Lahore.
PTI to challenge Khan’s arrest in Supreme Court: Fawad Ch
Fawad Chaudhry has said that PTI will challenge Imran Khan’s arrest in the Supreme Court in the morning.
In his tweet, senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry labelled Khan’s arrest “illegal”.
Twitter down in Pakistan:
Amid the protest across the country in support of Khan, many mobile services have been suspended and now Twitter is also not working.
Punjab Government imposes section 144
The Punjab government has enforced Section 144 throughout the province amid the protest happening against the arrest of Imran Khan.
The Home Department has released a notice stating that Rangers have been called in to aid the police in managing the situation.
Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi in a tweet said that the government will not spare anyone involved in attack on the state of Pakistan.
This is not Politics, it’s sheer terrorism. My promise to the Nation that we will not spare a single one who is involved in this attack on the state of Pakistan
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed Khan’s arrest by NAB, adding that there are “dozens” of other cases with corruption inquiries in progress against the former premier.
“Look at this person’s hypocrisy that when he was making false corruption cases against people, he himself was [involved] in such disgusting corruption,” he said.
The interior minister said evidence is present for all of the above developments.
Protests by Khan’s loyalists:
Later, protests started across the country and several roads are blocked.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said that the party wanted the IHC to form a full court to hear the case. However, no action has been taken so far by the court.
PTI leaders reaction
Following are the tweets by PTI leaders who strongly condemned the arrest of their chief and urged people to come out of the street.
Former PM Imran Khan has been abducted from Court premises, scores of lawyers and general people have been tortured, Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location, CJ Islamabad HIgh Court has ordered Secy interior and IG police to appear within 15 min…
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is in the midst of a predicament as its officers have apparently requested leave until June in order to protest against the rising inflation that is affecting their ability to make ends meet.
In a letter addressed to the FBR Chairman Asim Ahmed, 117 Income Tax officers ranging from grades 17 to 19 have expressed their discontent with a meagre pay scale.
“Due to low pay, we are unable to meet the expenses of coming to the office in this era of skyrocketing inflation,” the letter stated.
This issue is extremely worrisome as the absence of these officers during the crucial budgeting process could have grave consequences for the country’s economy since the FBR is accountable for collecting taxes and revenue for the government.
According to ARY News, the FBR Chairman has promised to raise the matter of the officers’ salary scale with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Additionally, he mentioned that the tax officers’ performance allowance has been withheld since 2015.
It’s worth noting that an FBR officer made a peculiar request in a separate incident. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the officer requested permission to engage in corrupt activities in order to cover domestic expenses in the face of soaring inflation.
Former US President Donald J. Trump, who is facing possible indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, declared on his social media site that he would be arrested on Tuesday and called on his supporters to protest on his behalf.
The post was made on his site, Truth Social, on Saturday, and read, “THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!”
However, two hours later, a spokesman issued a statement clarifying that Mr. Trump had not written his post with direct knowledge of the timing of any arrest. A lawyer for Trump, Susan R. Necheles, claimed that the post was based on news reports, and accused the Manhattan district attorney’s office of conducting a “political prosecution.”
Prosecutors working for the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, have signaled that an indictment of Trump could be imminent. Still, they have not informed Trump’s lawyers when the charges would be sought or when an arrest would be made. People with knowledge of the matter said that at least one more witness is expected to testify in front of the grand jury, which could delay an indictment.
Trump’s post urging his supporters to protest and reclaim the nation has raised concerns about a possible repeat of the violence that occurred on January 6, 2021, when supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Investigators later determined that far-right extremist groups, as well as ordinary Trump supporters, had read Trump’s tweets as a clear-cut invitation to the event.
Early this week, for two days police clashed with supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as officials tried to arrest Imran Khan on a warrant issued for missing court hearings.
On Monday, March 13, a contingent of police arrived with the arrest warrant at the Lahore residence of the former Prime Minister in Zaman Park. What begun as a routine arrest ended up with the police firing tear gas as protestors tried to stop the arrest. At least 54 policemen and eight civilians suffered injuries in the clashes.
As police forces, who were joined by Rangers, tried to disperse crowds, residents of the upper-scale neighborhood have confessed that the past three days have been a complete nightmare.
Model and dancer Hafsah Haq shared pictures and videos of the clashes and revealed that wifi, mobile and television channels had been cut off since the operation began:
“Our wifi, mobile net and TV channels have been cut off since 12 am yesterday. Communicating via texts and calls has been difficult as well because of the scattered signals causing delayed texts and calls dropping.”
Haq also shared a video of tear gas being shot near her home, and revealed how her family members were exposed to it:
“Tear gas was shot everywhere. Unfortunately, one landed in the terrace where the AC’s unit is visible is where one can landed and we were on the roof. We were exposed to it and immediately rushed back inside, washing our eyes and face because the burning sensation was horrendous.”
Haq also shared a video of a tear gas shell she found inside her house, and in the caption she had written that it had expired four months ago, making it more virulent:
“When they say it’s deadly after the expiration date. And it’s four months above the expiration date.”
The Current reached out to Resident 1 who lives near Zaman Park and was told that the situation has been bad for the past three days because the internet and light had been cut off in the area, as well as the extensive tear gas shells that have injured people. She said that she found at least 200 tear gas shells from her house:
“Police and rangers have been shelling continuously for two days straight, they used rubber bullets on people and also actual bullets were found on the roads of Zaman Park.”
Resident 1 also shared pictures with us of tear gas shells, which she revealed were thrown directly on crowds. She said that she and the rest of the residents couldn’t breathe and their skin began burning.
Resident 1 said that the police had not offered evacuation or medical facilities to residents currently residing in homes of Zaman Park.
“The rescue 1122 people were not responding, so we had to force them to help.”
Resident 1 said that without proper facilities, she and the rest of her family have been helping the protestors by providing them with salt and water, as well as stopping the police from hurting them.
Cut off without proper medical facilities or food, Resident 1 has been asking for more people to donate supplies in order to help the protestors.
The Current also reached out to Resident 2 who also lives near Zaman Park and confirmed that the residents themselves have been caught in the middle of the protests and are suffering from the shelling:
“Our faces, our skins, eyes are watering. We had rashes all over our body. It was intense, like when we stepped out into our gardens there was a cloud of tear gas, and the smell stayed on for quite a while. Breathing became unbearable although most of them were inside and people who were trying to put out the shells faced the same problems.”
In video clips posted to her Instagram stories, she had revealed that all entrances and exits to Zaman Park had been sealed
Resident 2 revealed that it was currently the residents who were stepping up to help the protestors and provide them with medical aid and food.
She went on to describe the medical camp that was set up at Zaman Park which was set up by the residents to help injured people, where it was disturbing to see young women and children injured:
“It was very disturbing to see young women and children bleeding and their retina’s burst and their lips split, their teeth and arms broken. Basically badly bruised and battered by the police. It was really upsetting to see such sights and at a human level, people in whatever capacity were stepping out and helping in any way they could.”
Resident 2 shared that while the situation at Zaman Park is bleak, she was empowered by witnessing these people fighting against the government attempt to arrest Imran Khan:
“Seeing all these people fighting at the forefront for their haqeeqi-azaadi, for Naya Pakistan for everybody, for a state that will have law at the forefront. All these people, all these youngsters..they have put their best fight forward..So it’s not that they were hiding, people were relentless in this fight and its sad to see that this is leading to polarisation.”
The Lahore High Court had ordered the police to halt the operation and said that on Thursday, all parties must sit together and find a solution.
But for the residents of Zaman Park this order doesn’t bring any joy as it doesn’t mean there is any proper outcome and it doesn’t provide any guarantee of safety for the residents or for Khan’s life.
“There are currently a large number of people at Zaman Park and we don’t know what is the leadership’s next move. We do not know what is the establishment’s next move. So what the people want right now is the safety of Khan.”
She also went on to condemn the IG of Lahore for saying in a televised speech that no bullets were fired at residents during Operation Zaman Park, stressing that bullets were found on the ground.
Resident 2 went on to say that what the people currently want is the assured safety of Imran Khan, and don’t want anything to happen to him.
“The few thousands that are here right now do not want anything to happen to Khan, and they don’t want to do any undertaking where they feel his life will be under threat. If he has has to go to court…they want some assurance, they want a promise from the government that nothing will happen to him.”
