Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday slammed trolls for doubting cricketer Mohammed Shami and writer Javed Akhtar’s patriotism because of their religion during the India vs Pakistan match in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

Taking to X, Aaditya wrote, “The worst of where our andh bhakts are taking our country to.”

“Doubting Shami and Javed Akhtar ji on their patriotism because of their religion. Both proud Indians, contributing actively to Indian glory through their own skill,” he added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) pointed out that BJP leader and former union minister Anurag Thakur was spotted watching the match with former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, who has been “outspokenly anti-Bharat.”

“But the same trolls are too afraid to speak on a BJP leader and former minister who sat with a cricketer who has been outspokenly anti-Bharat. The very same former minister whose party tells every other opposition member to ‘go to Pakistan’ and this minister screams ‘desh ke gaddaron ko’ on the streets,” he said.

Highlighting both incidents, he questioned, “Aaj desh ka gaddar kaun hai?”

Aaditya further said that if the politician was from any party other than the BJP, it would have resulted in FIRs, protests, being called anti-India, and being told to go to Pakistan.

Targeting BJP for its ‘divisive’ politics, he said, “Sadly, this is what the BJP’s philosophy is – create divisions within our own country, make us fight within our own country – divide Hindus and Muslims – so that BJP can win. But their bosses and boss’s families can chill, party with those from Pakistan, especially those who have been openly anti-India.”

Upping his attack on the BJP, he said “this is the same BJP-run BCCI that played cricket with Bangladesh (in an informal tournament by invitation) when the BJP’s social media ecosystem and media told us that Hindus in Bangladesh faced violence.”

“BJP now is: Elections done, Hindus forgotten, Patriotism forgotten. Or is it ‘time please’ for BJP from patriotism,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA said.

“When they teach you patriotism and Hindutva again, show them this photo of their leader enjoying the match with the anti-India cricketer and ask the BJP if they are ok with this? My Patriotism and Hindutva is clear: respect mine, I respect yours. But no compromise with hate – of any kind, from anyone,” he concluded his post with these remarks.

Along with the post, Aaditya shared several screenshots in which trolls targeted Javed Akhtar and Mohammed Shami over their religious beliefs. He also shared a picture of Anurag Thakur and Shahid Afridi and a screenshot of a news article about Shahid Afridi’s anti-India remarks.

New Delhi, Feb 24: Tokyo Olympic silver medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has said that she is feeling honoured to join the ‘fight against obesity’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Monday, PM Modi, highlighting the urgent need to combat rising obesity rates, nominated ten prominent individuals to champion the cause of reducing edible oil consumption. He also urged them to nominate 10 more people to further expand the movement.

“As mentioned in yesterday’s #MannKiBaat, I would like to nominate the following people to help strengthen the fight against obesity and spread awareness on reducing edible oil consumption in food,” PM Modi wrote on X while tagging Anand Mahindra, Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, Manu Bhaker, Mirabai Chanu, Mohanlal, Nandan Nilekani, Omar Abdullah, Madhavan, Shreya Ghoshal and Sudha Murty.

“I also request them to nominate 10 people each so that our movement gets bigger! Collectively, let us make India fitter and healthier. #FightObesity,” the post further read.

“I am extremely honoured to be nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spread awareness in the fight against obesity. This is a major health concern that can be eliminated by making the right lifestyle choices and choosing to be active, healthy and fit. We need India to move in this direction to support and enhance our growth journey,” Mirabai said.

“Making small changes to our daily lives can result in a huge transformations for the country and help us move towards achieving our dream of making a Fit India,” she added.

As a part of the initiative, the star weightlifter further nominated world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju, London Olympic bronze medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal, London 2012 bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang, former hockey captains Rani Rampal & Manpreet Singh, tennis great Leander Paes, two-time Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu, paddler Manika Batra, Paris 2024 bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh and two-time Paraympic champion shooter Avani Lekhara.

During an address in the 119th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi discussed rising cases of obesity and said, “To become a fit and healthy nation, we will certainly have to deal with the problem of obesity. According to a study, one in every eight people today is troubled by the problem of obesity. Cases of obesity have doubled in the past years, but, what is even more worrying is that the problem of obesity has increased fourfold even among children. WHO data shows that in 2022, about 250 crore people around the world were overweight; that is, they had more weight than required.”

“We can together deal with this challenge with minor efforts. For example, one method I suggested was ‘reducing the consumption of edible oil by ten per cent’. Decide that you will use 10 per cent less oil every month. You can decide that while buying oil for cooking, you will buy 10 per cent less oil. This will be an important step towards reducing obesity,” he added.

Sambhal (UP): A day after the Shahi Jama Masjid management sought the ASI’s permission to redecorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan, the Sambhal administration on Monday said no work should be done without the agency’s approval.

Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali told reporters on Sunday that it had written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), seeking permission to clean, paint and decorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan.

Asked about the management committee’s letter to the ASI, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya told reporters that the matter was pending in court and the property belonged to the ASI.

Statement Of Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya

“The ASI has to take a decision. We have said that until the ASI grants permission, no one has the right to tamper with it (mosque) in any way,” he said.

“I don’t think there is any need for painting this type of a disputed structure. Still, the ASI should take a decision. There is nothing from our side,” he added.

In its letter, the management committee emphasised that the mosque had undergone cleaning and decoration ahead of Ramzan for centuries without any objections from the ASI. However, as a precautionary measure to maintain peace and harmony, the committee decided to seek permission this time.

Ali had said that the management committee were seeking formal approval to continue the longstanding tradition.

He had also expressed hope that the ASI would grant permission.

The Mughal-era mosque burst into the limelight after violence erupted during a survey as protesters clashed with security personnel, leading to multiple casualties.

The survey of the mosque was ordered by a local court after a petition was filed that claimed a Harihar temple had stood at the site.