Sajid Khan Accused of sexual harassment by three womens 

It's been two weeks of shocking revelations in Bollywood. One after the other, big names from the industry have been accused of sexual misconduct.

After Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl and Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan was also accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Several women came forward and shared their experiences of working with Sajid.

In an exclusive interview to India Today Television, Dia Mirza, Rachel White, Saloni Chopra who worked with him, expressed there horror at the various stories that have come out about the film maker.

 However, she admits that she knew that he was always obnoxious. "I was deeply disturbed. I agree that Sajid was obnoxious, extremely sexist and ridiculous. Even for me, the details of these accounts are beyond shocking. I have personally always have had a radar for such people. I have never invested in a relationship with such people even in the workplace."

While Dia says she was aware of Sajid's indecent behaviour at times, she did not know that he was capable of crossing the boundaries of propriety. "We often brush off certain kind of behaviour. But I wouldn't have imagined that Sajid could be capable of doing this to a woman. I completely understand the shock people are feeling right now, but it would be unfair to say that the names that are coming out is shocking."

Many film personalities including Sajid's sister Farah Khan and his cousin Farhan Akhtar expressed shock at his inappropriate behavior. "It's a deeply bewildering time for a lot of people. I don't think anyone saw it coming. It is shameful that we didn't see it coming. Most are silent mainly because of the relationship that they share with these people," Dia added.

 Dia adds that there are more faces to be unmasked in the coming weeks. "What this displays is our refusal to acknowledge how deep the culture of patriarchy runs in our society and workplace. Many names have come up in the last few weeks, which have not surprised women."

 Asked if she has ever been a victim of sexual harassment, Dia answered, "Fortunately, I have never been a victim of sexual harassment. But there have been instances where I have lost out on work or people have shown disinterest in working with me because I was unwilling to succumb to this unspoken understanding of patriarchy."

 After actress Saloni Chopra called out Sajid for his indecent behaviour when she was working with him as an assistant director, another actress Rachel White came out in her support and recounted her nightmarish experience of meeting the filmmaker once for a role at his home. Rachel, in a string of tweets, revealed that Sajid Khan invited her to his house for a meeting for Humshakals. When she refused meeting him at his home, he said that his mom would be there. She added that however, when she reached, his domestic help directed her to his bedroom. .

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Governor’s remarks on autonomy unfortunate: Dr Mustafa Kamal Post

Srinagar

 Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday termed Governor Satiya Pal Malik’s remarks rejecting autonomy as unfortunate and sneering.

 “Governor’s remarks over autonomy shows the arrogance of power, are unacceptable and can become a big obstacle in achieving peace,” the spokesman quoted Additional General Secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal as saying.

 Kamal said that the document of autonomy was unanimously passed by the state legislature by 2/3rd majority. “The autonomy proposal is lying with New Delhi where no one has rejected it so far. Barely a month after taking the charge of the state as governor, he has come up with multiple statements ignoring the opinion of mainstream regional parties,” he said.

 Kamal said that there is a democratic set up in place in the state and the governor has to listen to the voices of the mainstream parties. “Governor is persistently ignoring us and that tantamount to arrogance,” he said.

 Additional general secretary maintained that Delhi must initiate a dialogue process here to pave the way for the resolution of issues and for that he said that central government has to come up with some people friendly CBM’s.

 Speaking on the occasion Additional General Secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal said that the Art 35-A and Art 370 are the articles of faith for the party.

 He urged upon the governor to pore over the history books in order to get wind of circumstances during which accession took place.

 “The pre-1953 position that we are seeking isn’t a new thing, it is a pragmatic way out. The accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is powered by the instrument of accession, Government of India Act 1935, the Indian independence act and the subsequent agreements between New Delhi and the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

 “The state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the Union but didn’t sign the merger paper which other princely states did. The government should have studied and done a bit of homework about Kashmir after being deputed as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Kamal said that the special status enjoyed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir was subsequently weakened after 1953 by the puppet governments that were undemocratically installed here by then central governments.

 “The governor’s statements show how ignorant he is about the political history of Kashmir. In this situation governor should stop making politically laced statements that are bereft of historical facts,” Kamal said adding, “The catch-words like ‘short of Azadi, the sky is the limit’ by the then Prime Minister are yet to see implementation.”

 Among others who were present on the occasion include senior leader and MLA Muhammad Shafi Uri, Provincial Vice President Muhammad Syed Akhoon, Central Secretary Irfan Shah, District President Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmad, YNC Provincial Vice President Ahsan Pardesi and other party functionaries. 

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Shutdown against Manipur’s merger with Indian Union cripples life

The 18-hour total shutdown imposed by several militant outfits operating in Manipur crippled normal life in the state on Monday. The shutdown was imposed by Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella group of several militant outfits, Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), People’s War Group and Alliance for Social Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK) another umbrella group, in protest against the merger of Manipur with the Union of India on this day in 1948.

 Militants in Manipur have been observing the day as “National Black Day” alleging that the merger agreement was signed under duress by the then King, Bodhachandra. The total shutdown was enforced from midnight of October 14 to 6 pm on October 15.

 In response to the call, life came to a grinding halt as all business establishments, public transportation and educational institutions remained paralysed during the 18-hour shutdown.

While heavy security measures were put in place in and around Imphal, there were no reports of any untoward incident.

 In a statement, CorCom, the largest umbrella group of all, said even though it has been 68 years since India forcefully ‘colonized’ Kangleipak (Manipur), the public shall never accept the October 15, 1949 declaration, which states that Kangleipak has been merged into ‘colonial’ India.

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Third Gen Tibetians Adopting India Culture & Languages

Third Generation of Tibetans Adopting Indian Culture and Language, Says Himachal Governor 

 The third generation of the Tibetan community is contributing towards the progress of the country by adopting India's culture and language, Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat said Monday.

 Devvrat was addressing the 'Thank You Himachal' public event organised at the historical Ridge area here by the Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetans living in Himachal Pradesh to mark the completion of 60 years of the Tibetan community in exile in India.

 Stating that India has a culture of 'Athithi Devo Bhava', Devvrat said India and Tibet have maintained integral culture and business relationships for centuries. The people of the Tibetan community in exile are living with love, affection, unity and goodwill in this country, he said, adding that it was their greatness that they always expressed gratitude to the people of India.

 The governor also inaugurated an exhibition put up by the Central Tibetan Administration on this occasion. Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (president) of the Central Tibetan Administration, said the love, protection and acceptance that they received in India in the last 60 years reflected the greatness of the Indian culture. He called India his second home.

The artists of the Tibetan community presented the 'Maitri Song' in Hindi. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Thakur Mahender Singh, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and Central Tibetan Administration Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Finance Minister Karma Yeshi and Health Minister Choekyong Wangchuk were present on the occasion. 

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