Former Vice President Hamid Ansari has sparked a new controversy by saying that Mahmud Ghazni was not a foreign invader but an Indian looter, resulting in a strong backlash on social media and from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leaders shared video clips of the interview in which Hamid Ansari says, “Log apni kitabon mein chhaptwate hain…koi Lodi aaye, koi Ghazni aye… par yeh sab toh Hindustani lootere the, ye baahar se nahi aye the…(You publish in your books about Lodi and Ghazni coming to invade…all of them were Indian looters, they didn’t come from outside.)”“It’s politically convenient to say that they demolished this or that… but they did not come from outside India,” Ansari stressed.&nbsp;Hamid Ansari was a member of the Congress party before being nominated Vice President in 2007.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After calling Sharjeel and Umar Khalid as Yuva Now CONGRESS ECOSYSTEM AND Hamid Ansari eulogise Ghazni who destroyed &amp; desecrated Somnath Mandir Congress ecosystem eulogises Mahmud of Ghazni…they oppose Somnath Swabhiman Parv.. they whitewash crimes of Aurangzeb and those… <a href="https://t.co/YUeXxI4Jrs">pic.twitter.com/YUeXxI4Jrs</a>&mdash; Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/2017080348593836033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;The BJP countered the remarks and asked the Congress party whether its leadership agrees with Ansari’s views on the brutal raider.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-sunetra-pawar-will-she-become-ncp-chief-and-maharashtra-s-deputy-cm-1769777577972">Who is Sunetra Pawar? Will she become NCP chief and Maharashtra’s deputy CM</a><h2>‘Congress eulogising Hindu haters, whitewashing atrocities’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Reacting to the remarks by Hamid Ansari, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused the Congress party of always eulogising Hindu haters and whitewashing their atrocities.“The Congress ecosystem always eulogises Hindu haters. Whoever attacks or commits atrocities on Hindus is always subjected to whitewashing by the Congress ecosystem. Now, Hamid Ansari says that Ghazni was not a cruel person. Ghazni was just an Indian... Even if the person is doing tukde tukde of India, whether it’s Sharjeel, Yaqub, Afzal, or Umar, they stand in support of such elements. It shows the Hindu hatred they have in their minds,” Poonawala said.&nbsp;“Now CONGRESS ECOSYSTEM AND Hamid Ansari eulogise Ghazni who destroyed &amp; desecrated Somnath Mandir. Congress ecosystem eulogises Mahmud of Ghazni…they oppose Somnath Swabhiman Parv.. they whitewash crimes of Aurangzeb and those who did atrocities on Hindus !,” Poonawalla said in a post on X, referring to the Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion of the Somnath Temple in 1026.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-is-unethical-medical-malpractice-supreme-court-1769771630269">‘Stem cell therapy for autism is unethical, medical malpractice,’ says Supreme Court</a><h2>‘Mahmud Ghazni demolished Hindu temples, murdered thousands of people’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan also condemned Ansari’s comments and questioned whether the Congress leadership and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi agree with his views on the brutal raider. He accused the Congress party of whitewashing the brutal raids of Mahmud Ghazni, who demolished Hindu temples and murdered thousands of people.Kesavan also pointed out that the Islamic invasions of India, starting from the 8th century, systematically targeted sacred Hindu landmarks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&#39; Ghazni was not a foreign invader, he was Indian&#39; ! Indeed shocking remarks by former Vice President Shri. Hamid Ansari ji, who was the Congress led UPA govt’s choice for the post of Vice President, not once but twice. Does the Congress leadership and LOP Rahul Gandhi agree with… <a href="https://t.co/9xXPk8SLea">pic.twitter.com/9xXPk8SLea</a>&mdash; C.R.Kesavan (@crkesavan) <a href="https://twitter.com/crkesavan/status/2017101166099017908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-powell-says-unnecessary-high-interest-rates-hurting-economy-national-security-1769702026051">Trump slams Powell, says unnecessary high interest rates hurting economy, national security</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharing the video clip of Ansari on X, Kesavan said, “Ghazni was not a foreign invader, he was Indian!” Indeed shocking remarks by former Vice President Hamid Ansari, who was the Congress-led UPA government’s choice for the post of Vice President, not once but twice. Does the Congress leadership and LOP Rahul Gandhi agree with such whitewashing of mercenary brutal raids as mere domestic acts, which demolished Hindu temples and murdered thousands?”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/economic-survey-flags-rising-digital-addiction-among-kids-youth-in-india-will-govt-put-curbs-1769688736105">Economic Survey flags rising digital addiction among kids, youth in India. Will govt put curbs?</a>&nbsp;“The barbaric Mahmud Ghazni raided India 17 times in the 11th century, ravaging the Mathura temple and breaking the Somnath Temple’s Jyotirlinga. Does Nehru’s Congress, which vehemently opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple, agree with these remarks trying to normalise such brutality which was aimed at annihilating the very foundations of our Sanatan Sanskriti,” Kesavan asked.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan accused the Congress party of whitewashing the brutal raids of Mahmud Ghazni, who demolished Hindu temples and murdered thousands of people. He said the Islamic invasions of India, starting from the 8th century, systematically targeted sacred Hindu landmarks.

Former Vice President Hamid Ansari has sparked a new controversy by saying that Mahmud Ghazni was not a foreign invader but an Indian looter, resulting in a strong backlash on social media and from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leaders shared video clips of the interview in which Hamid Ansari says, “Log apni kitabon mein chhaptwate hain…koi Lodi aaye, koi Ghazni aye… par yeh sab toh Hindustani lootere the, ye baahar se nahi aye the…(You publish in your books about Lodi and Ghazni coming to invade…all of them were Indian looters, they didn’t come from outside.)” “It’s politically convenient to say that they demolished this or that… but they did not come from outside India,” Ansari stressed. Hamid Ansari was a member of the Congress party before being nominated Vice President in 2007.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan accused the Congress party of whitewashing the brutal raids of Mahmud Ghazni, who demolished Hindu temples and murdered thousands of people. He said the Islamic invasions of India, starting from the 8th century, systematically targeted sacred Hindu landmarks.

Ghazni ‘not foreign invader, but Hindustani looter,’ says ex-VP Hamid Ansari, sparks row

A Pakistani journalist confessed to spying for the country’s intelligence agency ISI when he toured India in 2007 and 2010. He made this revelation during an interview, whose clip has gone viral on social media.

In the clip, Nusrat Mirza can be heard boasting on camera that he was invited by the then vice president of India Hamid Ansari and that he used to pass on information collected to the ISI chief during his visits to India.

On July 11, Mirza said that he received various 'privileges' from the foreign affairs department of Pakistan during his visits to India.

"I have visited India five times. I have visited Delhi, Banglore, Chennai, Patna and Kolkata as well. "I was invited to India at the time of Vice Presidentship of Mohammad Hamid Ansari," he claimed. In 2011, I also met with the Milli Gazette's publisher Zafarul Islam Khan."

Zafarul-Islam Khan is a former Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission and Founder-Editor of the Milli Gazette, Indian Muslims' leading news source.

He also expressed disappointment with the leadership in the Pakistan Army and said that they are not considerate of the situation and usually ignore the work of experts.

"Khurshid [former Pakistan minister] asked me to hand over the information I had brought to [General Ashfaq Parvez] Kayani [former Army Chief]. I said I would not hand over the information to him, but if you want, I am giving you the information. He handed it over to Kayani," he said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
EXPLOSIVE! 
 
Nusrat Mirza, a Pakistani columnist who has visited India many times during the Congress rule boasts on camera that he used to pass on information collected during his visits to the ISI, claims he was invited by Hamid Ansari and the Milli Gazette’s Zafarul Islam Khan. <a href="https://t.co/6Rrn3xvRJu">pic.twitter.com/6Rrn3xvRJu</a>
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsYouNotWish/status/1546242707680464896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"Later they called me and asked if I could get more information like this. I asked them to work on the information I provided. They have a research wing. They have information. They know about the weaknesses in the leadership in India. But they do not use it," he added.

He then blamed Pakistan's 'lackadaisical' approach to handling the intelligence received by him from India, saying, "Since FATF came, Pakistan has not done any activity. It has its hands tied up."

Notably, Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) terror finance watchlist has been keeping a close eye on Pakistan for not fulfilling the parameters to counter terrorism in the country.

He continued the interview by bragging about how he "fully understands" India and its outlook. He said that though he handed down the information to the Pakistani leadership, but no one seemed to pay any attention to it due to leadership issues.

"Though I agree I am not an expert, I understand their (India's) culture. I know about their weaknesses. But the problem is the experience I gathered about India is not being used due to lack of good leadership in Pakistan," he said.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

A Pakistani journalist confessed to spying for the country’s intelligence agency ISI when he toured India in 2007 and 2010. He made this revelation during an interview, whose clip has gone viral on social media.

A Pakistani journalist confessed to spying for the country’s intelligence agency ISI when he toured India in 2007 and 2010. He made this revelation during an interview, whose clip has gone viral on social media. In the clip, Nusrat Mirza can be heard boasting on camera that he was invited by the then vice president of India Hamid Ansari and that he used to pass on information collected to the ISI chief during his visits to India. On July 11, Mirza said that he received various 'privileges' from the foreign affairs department of Pakistan during his visits to India. "I have visited India five times. I have visited Delhi, Banglore, Chennai, Patna and Kolkata as well. "I was invited to India at the time of Vice Presidentship of Mohammad Hamid Ansari," he claimed. In 2011, I also met with the Milli Gazette's publisher Zafarul Islam Khan." Zafarul-Islam Khan is a former Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission and Founder-Editor of the Milli Gazette, Indian Muslims' leading news source. He also expressed disappointment with the leadership in the Pakistan Army and said that they are not considerate of the situation and usually ignore the work of experts. "Khurshid [former Pakistan minister] asked me to hand over the information I had brought to [General Ashfaq Parvez] Kayani [former Army Chief]. I said I would not hand over the information to him, but if you want, I am giving you the information. He handed it over to Kayani," he said. EXPLOSIVE! Nusrat Mirza, a Pakistani columnist who has visited India many times during the Congress rule boasts on camera that he used to pass on information collected during his visits to the ISI, claims he was invited by Hamid Ansari and the Milli Gazette’s Zafarul Islam Khan. pic.twitter.com/6Rrn3xvRJu — Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) July 10, 2022 × "Later they called me and asked if I could get more information like this. I asked them to work on the information I provided. They have a research wing. They have information. They know about the weaknesses in the leadership in India. But they do not use it," he added. He then blamed Pakistan's 'lackadaisical' approach to handling the intelligence received by him from India, saying, "Since FATF came, Pakistan has not done any activity. It has its hands tied up." Notably, Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) terror finance watchlist has been keeping a close eye on Pakistan for not fulfilling the parameters to counter terrorism in the country. He continued the interview by bragging about how he "fully understands" India and its outlook. He said that though he handed down the information to the Pakistani leadership, but no one seemed to pay any attention to it due to leadership issues. "Though I agree I am not an expert, I understand their (India's) culture. I know about their weaknesses. But the problem is the experience I gathered about India is not being used due to lack of good leadership in Pakistan," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch: Pak journalist claims he spied for ISI during his visit to India

Software engineer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hamid-ansari-mumbai-man-jailed-in-pakistan-for-six-years-meets-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-185268">Hamid Nihal Ansari</a>, who had to spend six years in a Pakistani jail on espionage charges, returned to his hometown Mumbai on Thursday, refusing to "scratch old wounds" and vowing to move on with life.

Upon his arrival at the Mumbai airport to a cheering welcome by friends and relatives, Ansari said he would try to get a job and then find a suitable match for himself.

"I don't want to recollect what happened with me in the past. I want to look at the future," he said. "I have to find a job and after that I also have to find a woman to get married."

Ansari was arrested in Pakistan in 2012 for allegedly entering the country from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a woman he had befriended online. Pakistan slapped espionage charges against him. He was repatriated to India on Tuesday.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/message-to-india-pak-govts-is-humanity-is-bigger-than-any-religion-hamid-nihal-ansari-to-wion-185377">Pak govt's 'humanity is bigger than any religion': Hamid Nihal Ansari to WION</a>

Two days after he was handed over to India at the Wagah-Attari border, Ansari, 33, and his parents left New Delhi in the morning in an Air India flight and arrived at the airport here around 9.30 am, his father Nihal Ansari said.

Relatives, friends and well-wishers greeted and cheered for him as he came out of the airport. The family then left for their residence in suburban Versova.

Before leaving for home, Ansari told mediapersons at the airport he did make "mistakes" in the past. "I had my own mistakes but now I want to move towards the future. I don't want to go into those things now, I had my own sins and mistakes."

Ansari said while waiting to cross the border at Amritsar after his release from the Pakistan jail on Tuesday, he caught a glimpse of his parents, who were waiting for him on the Indian side, first time in six years.

"I was not able to meet them (immediately) as I was on the Pakistan side. At that time, I realised how much they must have suffered for me. I wanted to meet them immediately, but could not," Ansari said.

Asked about an eye injury he apparently suffered during interrogation at the Pakistani prison, Ansari said the interrogation process cannot be avoided.

"During the interrogation, the retina of my eye got ruptured. But, they admitted me to a government hospital and it was treated...They compensated for it ( treatment)," he said.

On an alleged attack on him inside the Peshawar prison, he said it was due to a "misunderstanding" which escalated.

Asked about his future plans, the software engineer said first there will be a celebration with the family. "(then) I have to find a job and after that I also have to find a woman to get married...Pehle naukri phir chokri."

The Mumbai resident, who returned to India on Tuesday after crossing the Wagah-Attari border, was imprisoned in the Peshawar Central Jail after being sentenced by a military court on December 15, 2015.

According to official sources, India issued 96 notes verbales to Pakistan seeking consular access to Ansari. The decision to release him was taken due to relentless pressure from New Delhi, they said.

Shortly before his arrival on Tuesday, his mother Fauzia Ansari had told reporters that the prayers of the family and of all those who wished for his safe return were answered. His father had said it was a new dawn for them.

Ansari and his family have thanked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her ministry for persisting with the case and taking it up with Islamabad.

His jail term ended on December 15 but he was not able to leave for India as his legal documents were not ready.

On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court gave the Pakistan government a month's time to complete his repatriation process.

Ansari had an emotional interaction with Swaraj on Wednesday as he narrated the difficult phase he had to endure through in Pakistan.

Software engineer Hamid Nihal Ansari, who had to spend six years in a Pakistani jail on espionage charges, returned to his hometown Mumbai on Thursday, refusing to "scratch old wounds" and vowing to move on with life.

Software engineer Hamid Nihal Ansari, who had to spend six years in a Pakistani jail on espionage charges, returned to his hometown Mumbai on Thursday, refusing to "scratch old wounds" and vowing to move on with life. Upon his arrival at the Mumbai airport to a cheering welcome by friends and relatives, Ansari said he would try to get a job and then find a suitable match for himself. "I don't want to recollect what happened with me in the past. I want to look at the future," he said. "I have to find a job and after that I also have to find a woman to get married." Ansari was arrested in Pakistan in 2012 for allegedly entering the country from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a woman he had befriended online. Pakistan slapped espionage charges against him. He was repatriated to India on Tuesday. Also read: Pak govt's 'humanity is bigger than any religion': Hamid Nihal Ansari to WION Two days after he was handed over to India at the Wagah-Attari border, Ansari, 33, and his parents left New Delhi in the morning in an Air India flight and arrived at the airport here around 9.30 am, his father Nihal Ansari said. Relatives, friends and well-wishers greeted and cheered for him as he came out of the airport. The family then left for their residence in suburban Versova. Before leaving for home, Ansari told mediapersons at the airport he did make "mistakes" in the past. "I had my own mistakes but now I want to move towards the future. I don't want to go into those things now, I had my own sins and mistakes." Ansari said while waiting to cross the border at Amritsar after his release from the Pakistan jail on Tuesday, he caught a glimpse of his parents, who were waiting for him on the Indian side, first time in six years. "I was not able to meet them (immediately) as I was on the Pakistan side. At that time, I realised how much they must have suffered for me. I wanted to meet them immediately, but could not," Ansari said. Asked about an eye injury he apparently suffered during interrogation at the Pakistani prison, Ansari said the interrogation process cannot be avoided. "During the interrogation, the retina of my eye got ruptured. But, they admitted me to a government hospital and it was treated...They compensated for it ( treatment)," he said. On an alleged attack on him inside the Peshawar prison, he said it was due to a "misunderstanding" which escalated. Asked about his future plans, the software engineer said first there will be a celebration with the family. "(then) I have to find a job and after that I also have to find a woman to get married...Pehle naukri phir chokri." The Mumbai resident, who returned to India on Tuesday after crossing the Wagah-Attari border, was imprisoned in the Peshawar Central Jail after being sentenced by a military court on December 15, 2015. According to official sources, India issued 96 notes verbales to Pakistan seeking consular access to Ansari. The decision to release him was taken due to relentless pressure from New Delhi, they said. Shortly before his arrival on Tuesday, his mother Fauzia Ansari had told reporters that the prayers of the family and of all those who wished for his safe return were answered. His father had said it was a new dawn for them. Ansari and his family have thanked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her ministry for persisting with the case and taking it up with Islamabad. His jail term ended on December 15 but he was not able to leave for India as his legal documents were not ready. On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court gave the Pakistan government a month's time to complete his repatriation process. Ansari had an emotional interaction with Swaraj on Wednesday as he narrated the difficult phase he had to endure through in Pakistan.

Hamid Nehal Ansari reaches hometown in Mumbai, seeks new life

Hamid Ansari expected to meet minister Sushma Swaraj at 11 AM

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-jail-sets-free-hamid-ansari-after-6-years-185086">Hamid Nehal Ansari</a>, who was, who was released on Tuesday from Mardan Central Jail of Pakistan, met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday in New Delhi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hamid-nihal-ansaris-emotional-homecoming-kisses-indian-soil-hugs-and-consoles-teary-eyed-mother-185173">Ansari reached Delhi</a> early morning the same day. He told reports upon landing that he is very happy to be back home.

Having been detained and imprisoned in Pakistan for a total of six years over charges of espionage, 33-year-old Mumbai-based Hamid Ansari returned to India on Tuesday.

A former teacher at the Mumbai Management College, Ansari went to Pakistan in 2012 to meet a woman whom he had befriended through social media.&nbsp;

Ansari went missing after he was apprehended by the Pakistan intelligence agencies and local police from Kohat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan in November 2012.

He was awarded a three-year imprisonment sentence by a military court in December 2015 after being slapped with charges of espionage and involvement in anti-state activities.

The court gave the verdict after Pakistan`s Ministry of Interior appraised that Ansari will be repatriated to India after completion of his prison term on December 15.

Pakistani security agencies had claimed that Hamid had used fake identity card in the name of "Hamza" and had entered Pakistan through Afghanistan without travel documents.

(With inputs from ANI)

Hamid Nehal Ansari, who was, who was released on Tuesday from Mardan Central Jail of Pakistan, met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday in New Delhi.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, who was, who was released on Tuesday from Mardan Central Jail of Pakistan, met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday in New Delhi. Ansari reached Delhi early morning the same day. He told reports upon landing that he is very happy to be back home. Having been detained and imprisoned in Pakistan for a total of six years over charges of espionage, 33-year-old Mumbai-based Hamid Ansari returned to India on Tuesday. A former teacher at the Mumbai Management College, Ansari went to Pakistan in 2012 to meet a woman whom he had befriended through social media. Ansari went missing after he was apprehended by the Pakistan intelligence agencies and local police from Kohat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan in November 2012. He was awarded a three-year imprisonment sentence by a military court in December 2015 after being slapped with charges of espionage and involvement in anti-state activities. The court gave the verdict after Pakistan`s Ministry of Interior appraised that Ansari will be repatriated to India after completion of his prison term on December 15. Pakistani security agencies had claimed that Hamid had used fake identity card in the name of "Hamza" and had entered Pakistan through Afghanistan without travel documents. (With inputs from ANI)

Video: Day after release from Pak prison, Hamid Ansari meets Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi

Hamid Ansari meets EAM Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi

Extremely happy, don't want to recall the past, says Hamid Ansari after getting freed from Pak jail

Indian national <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-matter-of-great-relief-mea-on-hamid-ansaris-release-from-pak-jail-184890">Hamid Nehal Ansari'</a>s parents' long struggle for being reunited with their son, who was arrested by the Pakistan Intelligence agencies and local police from Kohat district in 2012, may bear fruit today. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry on Monday announced to repatriate Hamid on the completion of a three-year sentence handed over to him by a Pakistani military court in 2015.

"The Pakistan High Commission has told us that the Pakistan authorities will hand over Hamid to the Indian Embassy here today, following which he will cross the border and be reunited with us," Fauzia Ansari, Hamid's mother told ANI.

The family, however, has not been apprised of the exact time when Hamid will reach India. "I would like to thank the Indian government for understanding our pain and extending complete help to us in bringing our son back. Even the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi helped us out and were responsive to our ordeal," Ansari opined.

Hamid`s mother further appealed to the Pakistani government to free other individuals like her son who have been imprisoned, underscoring the painful experience the family went through due to his detention in the neighbouring country. "Their parents are also waiting for them and suffering," she stated.

Expressing gratitude to the government and media for helping her out, she said, "This wasn`t our effort alone - the media was our voice and the government completely helped us. We can't thank god enough. Both the governments have been kind to us and dealt with us humanely. We thank everybody."Hamid will be with us today hopefully. I pray to God that he will be," she remarked while travelling on a bus en route to Attari-Wagah border, through which Hamid would be repatriated.

Hamid, a teacher at the Mumbai Management College, went missing in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in November 2012. His mother filed a habeas corpus petition in Delhi High Court, following which the news about his arrest became public.

On January 13, the high court was informed that Hamid was in the custody of the Pakistani Army and was being tried by a military court.

The Pakistani security agencies had claimed that Hamid had used fake identity card in the name of "Hamza" and had entered Pakistan through Afghanistan without travel documents. They had charged him for "anti-state activities".

Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari's parents' long struggle for being reunited with their son, who was arrested by the Pakistan Intelligence agencies and local police from Kohat district in 2012, may bear fruit today.

Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari's parents' long struggle for being reunited with their son, who was arrested by the Pakistan Intelligence agencies and local police from Kohat district in 2012, may bear fruit today. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry on Monday announced to repatriate Hamid on the completion of a three-year sentence handed over to him by a Pakistani military court in 2015. "The Pakistan High Commission has told us that the Pakistan authorities will hand over Hamid to the Indian Embassy here today, following which he will cross the border and be reunited with us," Fauzia Ansari, Hamid's mother told ANI. The family, however, has not been apprised of the exact time when Hamid will reach India. "I would like to thank the Indian government for understanding our pain and extending complete help to us in bringing our son back. Even the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi helped us out and were responsive to our ordeal," Ansari opined. Hamid`s mother further appealed to the Pakistani government to free other individuals like her son who have been imprisoned, underscoring the painful experience the family went through due to his detention in the neighbouring country. "Their parents are also waiting for them and suffering," she stated. Expressing gratitude to the government and media for helping her out, she said, "This wasn`t our effort alone - the media was our voice and the government completely helped us. We can't thank god enough. Both the governments have been kind to us and dealt with us humanely. We thank everybody."Hamid will be with us today hopefully. I pray to God that he will be," she remarked while travelling on a bus en route to Attari-Wagah border, through which Hamid would be repatriated. Hamid, a teacher at the Mumbai Management College, went missing in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in November 2012. His mother filed a habeas corpus petition in Delhi High Court, following which the news about his arrest became public. On January 13, the high court was informed that Hamid was in the custody of the Pakistani Army and was being tried by a military court. The Pakistani security agencies had claimed that Hamid had used fake identity card in the name of "Hamza" and had entered Pakistan through Afghanistan without travel documents. They had charged him for "anti-state activities".

Hamid Ansari's family en route to Wagah to reunite with their son after 6 years

Pakistan jail sets free Hamid Ansari after 6 years

Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah (Retired) on Saturday said that the transport was delayed to the army for over 24 hours during the 2002 Gujarat riots, even though they had made a request to the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to the reporters following the launch of his book titled 'The Sarkari Mussalman', which was unveiled here by former vice president Hamid Ansari, Lt General Shah said that what he has written in his book is 'gospel truth', which is mentioned on 'war diaries'&nbsp;of the Indian Army.

"There was a difference between the report filed by me and the one by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). There was a difference of 24 hours. Certain channels claimed that I was lying. We were on the field for more than 24 hours. I do not want to pinpoint anyone, but this was the fault of the administration. I do not want to make any political statement," he said.

"I was not aware of the SIT report until a few days ago when this was pointed out to me. Let me say again, it is a blatant lie. I have told the truth," he added.

As per Lt General Shah, who led the army in the riots, said that around 3,000 troops landed at the Ahmedabad airfield by 7 am on March 1, but they had to wait for more than 24 hours to receive transport to move to the areas where the riots were taking place.

Some portions of Lt General Shah's book relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots has created controversy.

However, the SIT report on the same clearly stated that there was no delay in requisition and deployment of the Army.&nbsp;

Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah (Retired) on Saturday said that the transport was delayed to the army for over 24 hours during the 2002 Gujarat riots, even though they had made a request to the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah (Retired) on Saturday said that the transport was delayed to the army for over 24 hours during the 2002 Gujarat riots, even though they had made a request to the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to the reporters following the launch of his book titled 'The Sarkari Mussalman', which was unveiled here by former vice president Hamid Ansari, Lt General Shah said that what he has written in his book is 'gospel truth', which is mentioned on 'war diaries' of the Indian Army. "There was a difference between the report filed by me and the one by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). There was a difference of 24 hours. Certain channels claimed that I was lying. We were on the field for more than 24 hours. I do not want to pinpoint anyone, but this was the fault of the administration. I do not want to make any political statement," he said. "I was not aware of the SIT report until a few days ago when this was pointed out to me. Let me say again, it is a blatant lie. I have told the truth," he added. As per Lt General Shah, who led the army in the riots, said that around 3,000 troops landed at the Ahmedabad airfield by 7 am on March 1, but they had to wait for more than 24 hours to receive transport to move to the areas where the riots were taking place. Some portions of Lt General Shah's book relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots has created controversy. However, the SIT report on the same clearly stated that there was no delay in requisition and deployment of the Army.

2002 Gujarat riots: Ex-Army officer dubs SIT report as 'blatant lie'

Members of civil society and religious minorities in India were concerned over minority communities feeling "increasingly vulnerable" due to Hindu nationalist groups engaging in violence against them in 2017, a US report on international religious freedom said today.

The Congressional-mandated annual report on International Religious Freedom covering 2017 was released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

According to the report, representatives of religious minority communities stated that, while the national government sometimes spoke out against incidents of violence, local political leaders often did not, and at times made public remarks that individuals could interpret as condoning violence.

"Members of civil society and religious minorities stated that under the current government, religious minority communities felt increasingly vulnerable due to Hindu nationalist groups engaging in violence against non-Hindu individuals and their places of worship, the report said.

"Authorities often did not prosecute violence by vigilantes against persons, mostly Muslims, suspected of slaughtering or illegally transporting cows or trading in or consuming beef,&nbsp;the report said.

Citing some court cases such as triple Talaq, it said many long-standing legal cases involving religiously motivated violence and riots continued to advance slowly.

"The government continued its challenge to the minority status of Muslim educational institutions in the Supreme Court. Minority status afforded these institutions independence in hiring and curriculum decisions,"&nbsp;it said.

It said on July 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a rise in deadly mob attacks on cattle traders, consumers of beef, and dairy farmers, and said killing persons in the name of protecting cows was unacceptable.&nbsp;

In a speech at University of Bangalore on August 7, then-Vice President of India Hamid Ansari said Dalits, Muslims, and Christians were feeling increasingly insecure, it noted. &nbsp;

In an August 10 interview, Ansari stated there was a feeling of "unease"&nbsp;and "insecurity creeping in"&nbsp;among Muslims in the country. His remarks drew criticism from the BJP and Hindu nationalist groups, the report said.

According to figures compiled by local partners of international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Open Doors, during the first six months of the year, Christians were harassed, threatened, or attacked for their faith in 410 reported incidents, compared with 441 incidents in all of 2016, the report said.

From January through May, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported 296 conflicts between religious communities, resulting in 44 deaths and 892 injuries, it said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Congressional-mandated annual report on International Religious Freedom covering 2017 was released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Members of civil society and religious minorities in India were concerned over minority communities feeling "increasingly vulnerable" due to Hindu nationalist groups engaging in violence against them in 2017, a US report on international religious freedom said today. The Congressional-mandated annual report on International Religious Freedom covering 2017 was released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. According to the report, representatives of religious minority communities stated that, while the national government sometimes spoke out against incidents of violence, local political leaders often did not, and at times made public remarks that individuals could interpret as condoning violence. "Members of civil society and religious minorities stated that under the current government, religious minority communities felt increasingly vulnerable due to Hindu nationalist groups engaging in violence against non-Hindu individuals and their places of worship, the report said. "Authorities often did not prosecute violence by vigilantes against persons, mostly Muslims, suspected of slaughtering or illegally transporting cows or trading in or consuming beef, the report said. Citing some court cases such as triple Talaq, it said many long-standing legal cases involving religiously motivated violence and riots continued to advance slowly. "The government continued its challenge to the minority status of Muslim educational institutions in the Supreme Court. Minority status afforded these institutions independence in hiring and curriculum decisions," it said. It said on July 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a rise in deadly mob attacks on cattle traders, consumers of beef, and dairy farmers, and said killing persons in the name of protecting cows was unacceptable. In a speech at University of Bangalore on August 7, then-Vice President of India Hamid Ansari said Dalits, Muslims, and Christians were feeling increasingly insecure, it noted. In an August 10 interview, Ansari stated there was a feeling of "unease" and "insecurity creeping in" among Muslims in the country. His remarks drew criticism from the BJP and Hindu nationalist groups, the report said. According to figures compiled by local partners of international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Open Doors, during the first six months of the year, Christians were harassed, threatened, or attacked for their faith in 410 reported incidents, compared with 441 incidents in all of 2016, the report said. From January through May, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported 296 conflicts between religious communities, resulting in 44 deaths and 892 injuries, it said.

Religious minority communities in India felt increasingly vulnerable in 2017: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday continued his tirade against suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar while questioning his meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner.

Aiyar, who sparked a controversy by calling Prime Minister Modi &#39;neech aadmi&#39;, had, on Thursday, met Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood along with former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former vice president Hamid Ansari.

&quot;Have you read about Mani Shankar Aiyar. Didn&#39;t they insult me and people of Gujarat? Now news is that Pakistan High Commissioner and foreign minister and Manmohan Singh met at his house just before the Gujarat polls. This is a serious issue that I want to ask. What is the reason for secret meeting with Pakistanis?&quot; Prime Minister Modi said, while addressing a rally in Banaskantha&#39;s Palanpur.

&quot;Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was backing and was willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister,&quot; he alleged.

Meanwhile, the Prime minister also hailed the work in Banaskantha, especially in the agriculture sector.

&quot;The entire nation is seeing the wonders of Banaskantha in agriculture, particularly in potato cultivation,&quot; he added.

The prime minister, who was apparently suffering from a sore throat, could not talk properly and hence concluded his speech urging the gathering to vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The political parties have started campaigning for the second phase of Gujarat assembly to be held on December 14.

The first phase was held on December 9 for 83 assembly constituencies.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Modi also alleged that 'Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was backing and was willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday continued his tirade against suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar while questioning his meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner. Aiyar, who sparked a controversy by calling Prime Minister Modi 'neech aadmi', had, on Thursday, met Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood along with former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former vice president Hamid Ansari. "Have you read about Mani Shankar Aiyar. Didn't they insult me and people of Gujarat? Now news is that Pakistan High Commissioner and foreign minister and Manmohan Singh met at his house just before the Gujarat polls. This is a serious issue that I want to ask. What is the reason for secret meeting with Pakistanis?" Prime Minister Modi said, while addressing a rally in Banaskantha's Palanpur. "Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was backing and was willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister," he alleged. Meanwhile, the Prime minister also hailed the work in Banaskantha, especially in the agriculture sector. "The entire nation is seeing the wonders of Banaskantha in agriculture, particularly in potato cultivation," he added. The prime minister, who was apparently suffering from a sore throat, could not talk properly and hence concluded his speech urging the gathering to vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The political parties have started campaigning for the second phase of Gujarat assembly to be held on December 14. The first phase was held on December 9 for 83 assembly constituencies.

Why did Congress leaders meet in secret with Pakistanis? PM Modi in Gujarat

A Pakistani woman journalist, who went missing in Lahore in 2015, has been rescued by security forces.

Officials said that Zeenat Shahzadi was rescued on Wednesday night from near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/senior-pakistani-journalist-barred-from-leaving-country-after-writing-isi-government-showdown-report-7341" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Senior Pakistani journalist barred from leaving country after writing ISI-government showdown report</a>

The Dawn quoted Justice (Retired) Javed Iqbal, the head of the missing persons&#39; commission, as saying that he was thrilled to confirm Shahzadi&#39;s return.

The officials said non-state actors and enemy agencies had kidnapped her in 2015 and added that tribal elders in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had played an important role in her recovery.

Shahzadi&#39;s family has yet to issue a statement.

Shahzadi, who had spoken up against the disappearance of people, went missing in August 2015 while on the trail of an Indian citizen Hamid Ansari who, it was reported, had been caught by Pakistani agencies.&nbsp;

Zeenat Shahzadi went missing in August 2015

A Pakistani woman journalist, who went missing in Lahore in 2015, has been rescued by security forces. Officials said that Zeenat Shahzadi was rescued on Wednesday night from near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Also Read: Senior Pakistani journalist barred from leaving country after writing ISI-government showdown report The Dawn quoted Justice (Retired) Javed Iqbal, the head of the missing persons' commission, as saying that he was thrilled to confirm Shahzadi's return. The officials said non-state actors and enemy agencies had kidnapped her in 2015 and added that tribal elders in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had played an important role in her recovery. Shahzadi's family has yet to issue a statement. Shahzadi, who had spoken up against the disappearance of people, went missing in August 2015 while on the trail of an Indian citizen Hamid Ansari who, it was reported, had been caught by Pakistani agencies.

Pak journo who went missing on trail of Indian citizen rescued after 2 years

Two unidentified men have allegedly mixed rat poison in the water supply of a madrassa in Aligarh, the Times of India reported Monday.&nbsp;

The Madrassa Chacha Nehru is run by the Al Noor Charitable Society which is headed by former vice president Hamid Ansari&#39;s wife, Salma.&nbsp;

Two&nbsp;FIRs have been registered under IPC sections 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 506 (criminal intimidation).&nbsp;

Aligarh senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey said the police had collected samples of the water for examining.

The TOI reported madrassa warden Junaid Siddiqui as saying the miscreants were spotted&nbsp;by a student.&nbsp;

The student saw two men mixing some tablets in a water tank.

When he asked them what they were doing, one of them told him to keep quiet.

Siddiqui said the other was carrying a country-made pistol.&nbsp;

The student later found a rat poison wrapper, allegedly left behind by the duo, which he handed over to the warden.&nbsp;

The madrassa&#39;s students were immediately alerted and directed to a different water source, Siddiqui told TOI.&nbsp;

There are some 4,000 students enrolled with the madrassa.&nbsp;

TOI reported Salma Ansari as saying the incident was &quot;shocking and scary&quot;.&nbsp;

She added that the madrassa would be instaling CCTVs on campus.&nbsp;

A student saw two men mixing some tablets in a water tank

Two unidentified men have allegedly mixed rat poison in the water supply of a madrassa in Aligarh, the Times of India reported Monday. The Madrassa Chacha Nehru is run by the Al Noor Charitable Society which is headed by former vice president Hamid Ansari's wife, Salma. Two FIRs have been registered under IPC sections 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Aligarh senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey said the police had collected samples of the water for examining. The TOI reported madrassa warden Junaid Siddiqui as saying the miscreants were spotted by a student. The student saw two men mixing some tablets in a water tank. When he asked them what they were doing, one of them told him to keep quiet. Siddiqui said the other was carrying a country-made pistol. The student later found a rat poison wrapper, allegedly left behind by the duo, which he handed over to the warden. The madrassa's students were immediately alerted and directed to a different water source, Siddiqui told TOI. There are some 4,000 students enrolled with the madrassa. TOI reported Salma Ansari as saying the incident was "shocking and scary". She added that the madrassa would be instaling CCTVs on campus.

Rat poison allegedly mixed in water in Aligarh madrassa run by Hamid Ansari's wife

Incoming Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today (August 10) rejected as &quot;political propaganda&quot; the view that there is a sense of insecurity among minorities in the country, remarks that are being viewed as a rejoinder to outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

The BJP criticised the comments as &quot;petty&quot; and were not expected from someone in his position.

In his last interview before he demits office, Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari has pointed out that Muslims in the country are experiencing a &quot;feeling of unease.&quot;

A Muslim himself, Ansari said Muslims were feeling insecure in an atmosphere of rising intolerance reflected in the incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilantism.

Venkaiah Naidu dismissed the incidents as &quot;stray&quot; occurrences in a country as huge as India.

&quot;Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is a political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due,&quot; Venkaiah Naidu told PTI.

He also disagreed with the view that there is growing intolerance, saying Indian society was tolerant which was why democracy was so successful.

The former BJP president said that singling out one community would create a divide in the nation and draw adverse reaction from other communities.

&quot;If you single out one community, other communities will take it otherwise. That is why we say all are equal.

&quot;Appeasement for none justice for all,&quot; Venkaiah Naidu, 68, said.

He said minorities had historically attained &quot;prominent positions including constitutional responsibilities because there is no discrimination, and also on account of their merit&quot;.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya accused the outgoing vice president of looking for &quot;political shelter&quot; after retirement.

Hamid Ansari&#39;s second five-year term as the vice-president ends today.

&quot;A sense of insecurity is creeping in as a result of the dominant mood created by some and the resultant intolerance and vigilantism,&quot; Hamid Ansari said in an interview to Rajya Sabha TV.

The vice president said mob lynching and the alleged killings were because of a &quot;breakdown of Indian values, breakdown of the ability of the authorities at different levels in different places to be able to enforce what should be normal law enforcing work and over all the very fact that Indianness of any citizen being questioned is a disturbing thought.

Asked why he thought Indian values were breaking down, Ansari answered, &quot;Because we are a plural society that for centuries, not for 70 years, has lived in a certain ambience of acceptance.&quot;

&quot;I am an Indian and that is it,&quot; he said.

Asked if he shared his concerns with the prime minister, Ansari said that he had.

&quot;What passes between the Vice-President and the Prime Minister in the nature of things must remain in the domain of privileged conversation,&quot; he said.

On the issue of triple talaq, Ansari said the practice is a social aberration, and not a religious requirement.

The constitutionality of triple talaq - prevalent among Muslims in the country - is being examined by a five-member constitution bench constituted by the Supreme Court of India. The top colurt has reserved its verdict in the case.

Hamid Ansari said the courts do not have to step in as the reform has to come from within the community.

Asked about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Ansari said the issue was a political one and had to be addressed politically.

At an event in Bengaluru on Sunday, Hamid Ansari made an indirect reference to the BJP when he said that the &quot;version of nationalism&quot; that places cultural commitments at its core &quot;promotes intolerance&quot; and arrogant patriotism.

Hamid Ansari said a 'sense of insecurity' was creeping in among Muslims in India after incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilantism

Incoming Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today (August 10) rejected as "political propaganda" the view that there is a sense of insecurity among minorities in the country, remarks that are being viewed as a rejoinder to outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari. The BJP criticised the comments as "petty" and were not expected from someone in his position. In his last interview before he demits office, Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari has pointed out that Muslims in the country are experiencing a "feeling of unease." A Muslim himself, Ansari said Muslims were feeling insecure in an atmosphere of rising intolerance reflected in the incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilantism. Venkaiah Naidu dismissed the incidents as "stray" occurrences in a country as huge as India. "Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is a political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due," Venkaiah Naidu told PTI. He also disagreed with the view that there is growing intolerance, saying Indian society was tolerant which was why democracy was so successful. The former BJP president said that singling out one community would create a divide in the nation and draw adverse reaction from other communities. "If you single out one community, other communities will take it otherwise. That is why we say all are equal. "Appeasement for none justice for all," Venkaiah Naidu, 68, said. He said minorities had historically attained "prominent positions including constitutional responsibilities because there is no discrimination, and also on account of their merit". BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya accused the outgoing vice president of looking for "political shelter" after retirement. Hamid Ansari's second five-year term as the vice-president ends today. "A sense of insecurity is creeping in as a result of the dominant mood created by some and the resultant intolerance and vigilantism," Hamid Ansari said in an interview to Rajya Sabha TV. The vice president said mob lynching and the alleged killings were because of a "breakdown of Indian values, breakdown of the ability of the authorities at different levels in different places to be able to enforce what should be normal law enforcing work and over all the very fact that Indianness of any citizen being questioned is a disturbing thought. Asked why he thought Indian values were breaking down, Ansari answered, "Because we are a plural society that for centuries, not for 70 years, has lived in a certain ambience of acceptance." "I am an Indian and that is it," he said. Asked if he shared his concerns with the prime minister, Ansari said that he had. "What passes between the Vice-President and the Prime Minister in the nature of things must remain in the domain of privileged conversation," he said. On the issue of triple talaq, Ansari said the practice is a social aberration, and not a religious requirement. The constitutionality of triple talaq - prevalent among Muslims in the country - is being examined by a five-member constitution bench constituted by the Supreme Court of India. The top colurt has reserved its verdict in the case. Hamid Ansari said the courts do not have to step in as the reform has to come from within the community. Asked about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Ansari said the issue was a political one and had to be addressed politically. At an event in Bengaluru on Sunday, Hamid Ansari made an indirect reference to the BJP when he said that the "version of nationalism" that places cultural commitments at its core "promotes intolerance" and arrogant patriotism.

Venkaiah Naidu rejects Hamid Ansari's 'unease among Muslims' remark

Former union minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/venkaiah-naidu-files-nomination-for-vice-presidential-election-bids-adieu-to-bjp-18040">M Venkaiah Naidu</a> is set to take on former West Bengal governor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opposition-names-gopalkrishna-gandhi-as-vice-prez-candidate-17818" target="_blank">Gopalkrishna Gandhi</a> for the post of vice-president of India today.

The winner of the polls will be appointed as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VicePresidentialElection?src=hash">#VicePresidentialElection</a>: PM Narendra Modi cast his vote. <a href="https://t.co/8x2hdRBKCI">pic.twitter.com/8x2hdRBKCI</a>
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The term of incumbent Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who held the position for two consecutive terms, will come to an end on August 10.

The voting began on Friday at 10 am and the result will be declared Saturday evening.

The Vice-President is selected through a secret ballot by the members of the Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The nominated Members of Rajya Sabha as well as of Lok Sabha are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College and, therefore, are entitled to participate in the election.

Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice. Votes marked with any other pen are liable to be rejected. The ballot paper shall contain the names of the contesting candidates, but does not contain any election symbol.

Unlike the President, the Vice-President is not allotted any special residential privileges while in office. While the President of India stays at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice-President is not subjected to any such benefits during his or her tenure.

The result is expected to be declared by Saturday evening

Former union minister M Venkaiah Naidu is set to take on former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the post of vice-president of India today. The winner of the polls will be appointed as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. #VicePresidentialElection: PM Narendra Modi cast his vote. pic.twitter.com/8x2hdRBKCI — ANI (@ANI_news) August 5, 2017 × #Delhi: NDA's Vice Presidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu reached Parliament to cast vote #VicePresidentialElection pic.twitter.com/CeqGzi2zs3 — ANI (@ANI_news) August 5, 2017 × The term of incumbent Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who held the position for two consecutive terms, will come to an end on August 10. The voting began on Friday at 10 am and the result will be declared Saturday evening. The Vice-President is selected through a secret ballot by the members of the Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The nominated Members of Rajya Sabha as well as of Lok Sabha are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College and, therefore, are entitled to participate in the election. Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice. Votes marked with any other pen are liable to be rejected. The ballot paper shall contain the names of the contesting candidates, but does not contain any election symbol. Unlike the President, the Vice-President is not allotted any special residential privileges while in office. While the President of India stays at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice-President is not subjected to any such benefits during his or her tenure.

Venkaiah Naidu vs Gopalkrishna Gandhi: Vice president election today

India will open its resident mission in Rwanda as it seeks to broaden its outreach to the resource-rich African continent which has witnessed a surge in the Chinese investment in recent years.

&quot;We are great friends (India and Rwanda), and Rwanda has a good population of Indian community here...And, we have had a valid complaint of not having a resident mission in Kigali. So, I must tell you that the government has already taken up the matter and in coming weeks or months, we will have a physical presence of a resident mission here,&quot; Vice President Hamid Ansari said.

Ansari, who is on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda, was addressing a gathering of the Indian community here yesterday at a banquet hosted by a diaspora group in his honour.

Rwanda has about 3,000 people from the Indian community and Ansari said, they are &quot;very purposeful, very entrenched and very well-doing&quot;.

&quot;Our government is working to build ties and give it more content. And, most important segment of that is this community. So, we want to build up and give you a little more support,&quot; he said.

Sources said, the decision to open the mission has reached and advanced stage and a skeletal set up will be ready in few months.

&quot;Both countries have in principle agreed to open the mission here and modalities are being worked out,&quot; the sources said.

Ansari also said that RwandAir will soon begin its operations to India.

Earlier addressing reporters en route to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Ansari said India is not competing with China or any other country for broadening its outreach to Africa.

&quot;We are development partners in Africa, once they decide what they want to benefit from the Indian expertise then we transform them into concrete projects of assistance. And, our experience so far has been satisfactory,&quot; Ansari said.

&quot;We are not in competition with China or anyone else, as far as our development cooperation with the foreign countries is concerned, particularly in Africa. They have their own style of work, own capacities.&quot;

On India&#39;s role in its development cooperation in Africa, Ansari said, &quot;We don&#39;t try to force them to do anything, we let them decide which areas they wish to cooperate. The areas of expertise we can share, that is our objective. We let them decide what are the areas they would like to cooperate, in education, capacity building.&quot;

A key partner of the African nations in the 1950s and 1960s, India has seen its influence in the region wane. In recent years, it has been trying to regain the ground there.

The trade between Africa and China has grown at a breathtaking pace. It was $10.5 billion in 2000, $40 billion in 2005 and $166 billion in 2011. China is currently Africa&#39;s largest trading partner.

In 2015, India&#39;s trade with Africa was around $75 billion.

Asserting the importance of the visit, Ansari said this is part of a &quot;conscious effort&quot; of the Indian government to &quot;intensify&quot; our interaction with the African nations.

&quot;Our President has made visits to three the African countries, the Prime Minister to four and I have visited five times already. And, now Rwanda and Uganda visit is on the same line,&quot; he said.

&quot;India&#39;s ties with the African continent have always been very strong but friendship is something that needs to be reiterated and renewed. It&#39;s a plant that needs to be watered, and no friendship can be taken for granted,&quot; he added.

(PTI)

Rwanda has about 3,000 people from the Indian community

India will open its resident mission in Rwanda as it seeks to broaden its outreach to the resource-rich African continent which has witnessed a surge in the Chinese investment in recent years. "We are great friends (India and Rwanda), and Rwanda has a good population of Indian community here...And, we have had a valid complaint of not having a resident mission in Kigali. So, I must tell you that the government has already taken up the matter and in coming weeks or months, we will have a physical presence of a resident mission here," Vice President Hamid Ansari said. Ansari, who is on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda, was addressing a gathering of the Indian community here yesterday at a banquet hosted by a diaspora group in his honour. Rwanda has about 3,000 people from the Indian community and Ansari said, they are "very purposeful, very entrenched and very well-doing". "Our government is working to build ties and give it more content. And, most important segment of that is this community. So, we want to build up and give you a little more support," he said. Sources said, the decision to open the mission has reached and advanced stage and a skeletal set up will be ready in few months. "Both countries have in principle agreed to open the mission here and modalities are being worked out," the sources said. Ansari also said that RwandAir will soon begin its operations to India. Earlier addressing reporters en route to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Ansari said India is not competing with China or any other country for broadening its outreach to Africa. "We are development partners in Africa, once they decide what they want to benefit from the Indian expertise then we transform them into concrete projects of assistance. And, our experience so far has been satisfactory," Ansari said. "We are not in competition with China or anyone else, as far as our development cooperation with the foreign countries is concerned, particularly in Africa. They have their own style of work, own capacities." On India's role in its development cooperation in Africa, Ansari said, "We don't try to force them to do anything, we let them decide which areas they wish to cooperate. The areas of expertise we can share, that is our objective. We let them decide what are the areas they would like to cooperate, in education, capacity building." A key partner of the African nations in the 1950s and 1960s, India has seen its influence in the region wane. In recent years, it has been trying to regain the ground there. The trade between Africa and China has grown at a breathtaking pace. It was $10.5 billion in 2000, $40 billion in 2005 and $166 billion in 2011. China is currently Africa's largest trading partner. In 2015, India's trade with Africa was around $75 billion. Asserting the importance of the visit, Ansari said this is part of a "conscious effort" of the Indian government to "intensify" our interaction with the African nations. "Our President has made visits to three the African countries, the Prime Minister to four and I have visited five times already. And, now Rwanda and Uganda visit is on the same line," he said. "India's ties with the African continent have always been very strong but friendship is something that needs to be reiterated and renewed. It's a plant that needs to be watered, and no friendship can be taken for granted," he added. (PTI)

India to open resident mission in Rwanda

India yesterday sought consular access to its national Hamid Ansari, who was attacked in a Pakistan jail twice recently. 
 
Inmates assaulted 31-year-old Ansari, who was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card, in a Peshawar jail. The Mumbai resident suffered serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital for treatment. 
 
His lawyer told the high court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal on death row.&nbsp;Spokesperson of India&#39;s foreign ministry, Vikas Swarup, asked Pakistan to allow Ansari to speak to his family. 
 
&quot;The petition was filed following earlier reports that Hamid Ansari was attacked in prison. Through our high commission in Islamabad, the government has also raised the matter of Ansari&#39;s well-being and his early release. We have also reiterated our earlier stand and request for consular access and asked the government of Pakistan to allow him to speak to his family,&quot; Swarup added. 
 
Hamid&#39;s mother, Fauzia Ansari, urged the Indian government to put pressure on Pakistan to seek his release as he had served his sentence. 
 
&quot;He has served his three years sentence, given to him by then (Pakistan). Now, there should be no hindrance to bring him back. We should try to bring him back instead of asking for security to protect him against violence. The India government should try to bring him back as soon as possible,&quot; Fauzia said in Mumbai. 
 
Hamid was arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan, purportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. 
 
(Reuters)

Ansari, who was sentenced by a Pakistani court for owning a fake identity card, was shifted to a hospital after suffering grave injuries

India yesterday sought consular access to its national Hamid Ansari, who was attacked in a Pakistan jail twice recently. Inmates assaulted 31-year-old Ansari, who was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card, in a Peshawar jail. The Mumbai resident suffered serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital for treatment. His lawyer told the high court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal on death row. Spokesperson of India's foreign ministry, Vikas Swarup, asked Pakistan to allow Ansari to speak to his family. "The petition was filed following earlier reports that Hamid Ansari was attacked in prison. Through our high commission in Islamabad, the government has also raised the matter of Ansari's well-being and his early release. We have also reiterated our earlier stand and request for consular access and asked the government of Pakistan to allow him to speak to his family," Swarup added. Hamid's mother, Fauzia Ansari, urged the Indian government to put pressure on Pakistan to seek his release as he had served his sentence. "He has served his three years sentence, given to him by then (Pakistan). Now, there should be no hindrance to bring him back. We should try to bring him back instead of asking for security to protect him against violence. The India government should try to bring him back as soon as possible," Fauzia said in Mumbai. Hamid was arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan, purportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. (Reuters)

Indian citizen attacked in Pakistan jail, New Delhi seeks consular access

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