Indian man arrested for blasphemy in Saudi Arabia
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JEDDAH: An Indian national in Jeddah was arrested a month ago for violating the cyber laws of the country by promoting blasphemous content.
The unnamed Indian expat who has been living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for two years was taken into custody by police at the airport for ‘liking’ blasphemous content ─ which led to a display of the said content on his social-media profile.
The image in question depicted the Kaaba covered in Hindu deities. A Saudi national who was offended by the image reported the Indian man to the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia).
Read more: Survey reveals Pakistanis see problems with blasphemy law
Although the Indian claims the content was shared accidentally on his profile, the team investigating him believes he is guilty of violating the law. Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak confirmed that an investigation was underway; “We are trying to help him in the best possible way,” he said.
Legal experts believe the consulate will only be able to enter a plea on his behalf only after investigations have concluded and a verdict is issued.
Article 6 of the Anti-Cyber Crime law in the KSA prevents disruption of public order and morals through the creation/dissemination of electronic materials, and the country has made it to the list of 'Worst Countries for Religious Freedom'.
Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia is neither recognised nor protected under the law. Muslims (and other religious groups) who do not adhere to the government’s interpretation of Islam face significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination, including limited employment and educational opportunities, under representation in official institutions, restrictions on religious practice, and restrictions on places of worship.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (122) Closed
Mar 06, 2015 07:53pm
We should respect each others religion in order to bring patience, tolerance and harmony in the multiple religious societies.
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Mar 06, 2015 07:54pm
Only a fool living in KSA will make such mistakes. Either he was trying to be a super hero or didn't knew that when you like a page it will show up in news feed. Whatever the case maybe, he is a fool !
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Mar 06, 2015 07:56pm
Nothing will happen....There'll be one phone call from the Ministry of external affairs in India and he'll be deported.....but if this man was a Pakistani in the same situation then he would be very severely prosecuted or even sentenced to death....That's the power of a nation that takes it's nationals in foreign countries very very seriously.....
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Mar 06, 2015 07:57pm
Bah!!!
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Mar 06, 2015 07:57pm
I am 100% sure it was accidentally or whatever but not intentionally, these Indian expat in KSA do not have guts to even say NO to anything. I hope he'll be released.
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Mar 06, 2015 07:59pm
Its own Saudi government pathetic policies to allow the Indians ingress into their lands. Now reap the rewards.
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Mar 06, 2015 07:59pm
Such a bad story
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Mar 06, 2015 08:04pm
I think we should not go these countries which dont respect value as an individual...they are living in 700AD laws.if his crime is against God let the God punish him..unless its crime agaist human who these people are to punish him on the name of God.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:11pm
This is stupid. The man did not even create the content.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:12pm
Whether that person was living in KSA or some other country, this is such a stupid thing to do.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:19pm
In which era this funny mullahs are living. Boss, 2000 years ago somebody would have written these laws suits to that condition. Pl let everyone live in the present. Let the past fall behind curtains.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:22pm
The world in increasing becoming a dangerous place. Western societies severely punishing people in the name of terrorism and Islamic countries killing people in the name of blasphemy. You never know when you will be arrested and punished for doing some thing you did unknowingly and casually.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:26pm
Let us see the end result. I can bet all my saving that this Indian will go free. Maximum penalty will be deportation. India today is USA's darling.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:32pm
@Khurram Jadoon Right, only a sane person can think of it. It could be unintentional mistake.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:40pm
@Taimoor Khan Wow, come on now. You sound more like a Tismarkhan giving lecture to Indians. Why don't you look in your own backyard and see how your country " enforces" blasphemy on its minorities. By the way how may Indians and how many Pakistanis have been beheaded in SA recently.
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Mar 06, 2015 08:47pm
Saudis will be better advise to start deporting the Indian back to their lands as this Modi infestation will soon reach Saudi Shores if they are not careful.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:05pm
Very interesting that the Indian consulate general took a stand for the accused. We have lot of poor Pakistani are beheaded in Saudi Arabia for smuggling narcotics. Our government has never taken a stand for them. They are killing the whole family for the excuse of one accused. I believe that is illegal in Islam.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:42pm
Now this would be interesting. Dawn keep us posted on this. Wanna check the procedure and the result of it.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:44pm
This same guys go to Western Countries and want full freedom to stay there as they like and openly criticize their governments and do not follow the rules. Request to all humans never go to KSA.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:44pm
A very bad American actor who I have never liked namely John Wayne said this: "Life is hard and harder if your are stupid".
In the US you can insult any religion and people do it all the time, BUT Saudia Arabia our great ally doesn't operate that way.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:44pm
@Luketer Massa Lets see.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:45pm
@Luketer Massa O come on... For God sake keep Pak Ind politics out of this.
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Mar 06, 2015 09:53pm
This person will be released shortly and deported to India. KSA has no guts to prosecute an Indian on this small mistake. However if he would have been a Pakistani the consequences would be different.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:00pm
Govt of India should take up the issue seriously and get the accused released if he did it mistakenly.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:01pm
I guess he will be beheaded if proven guilty. Even PM Modi will not be able to save this stupid person.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:12pm
For those of you confusing this with blasphemy, correct yourselves.
The way Saudis are looking at it is an affront to their business franchise.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:21pm
India should approach new found friend Obama, he will get the Indian out of SA
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Mar 06, 2015 10:34pm
Massa@ Law is supreme every where. The accused Indian is there to earn money then why involve in such acts. Similarly Pakistanis are beheaded because they breach the law. Proper interrogation is must if found guilty should be given punishment.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:44pm
Indians have a weapon up their sleeves too. Arrest all Arabs that come to India to marry underage girls for peaedophilia. Put them in jail. Before the hearing comes up in any Indian court, they will be dead!
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Mar 06, 2015 10:52pm
How can liking or +1 a content created by someone else be a basis for persecution? This is taking intolerance to an extreme. People might not be able to see the dangers of such a law when they see a non-muslim committing what seems to be an obvious act of dis-respect towards Islam. But is the Saudi government really going to go around arresting and prosecuting/persecuting for liking content on social media. What's next? Will they accuse people of blasphemy based on their google searches.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:56pm
Litmus test of saudia is started now. If he was a Pakistani, things would have been different.
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Mar 06, 2015 10:59pm
@Taimoor Khan Sooner the better. Reform, progress & freedom are more important to humans.
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Mar 06, 2015 11:09pm
So someone writes a bad thing about a religion on the exterior of my house when I am sleeping...Next morning I am in jail for Blasphemy...
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Mar 06, 2015 11:14pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali We dont need USA for our people .but yes India will try its best to release its national .
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Mar 06, 2015 11:17pm
@Taimoor Khan The poor guy is facing this for just liking a post . What about Pakistanis who are constantly being executed their for smuggling of drugs.
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Mar 06, 2015 11:18pm
@Taimoor Khan, my friend I have lived in Saudi and have many Pakistani friends as well in Saudi, trust me for Saudi local Indian Hindu & Pakistani are same LABOR. My Pakistani friends told me that these Saudi they think Pakistani Muslims are 2nd grade Muslim and they don't treat them equally. Now I live in Europe and From my experience I think we should keep our identity and no need of copying or relating ourself to any one else.
Also going out of topic, the whole propaganda of Christians VS Muslim is false. Christianity in Europe is on decline, there are trying hard to bring back there own people to Christianity.
You can call the war as war for resources and not religion
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Mar 06, 2015 11:38pm
@AKNasser - Keep tracking this incident. This person will NOT be hanged.... And, Obama need not be disturbed for this, India can manage it on its own.... Wait and see.
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Mar 06, 2015 11:40pm
And these are the people who cry "Islamophobia".
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Mar 07, 2015 12:09am
@Luketer Massa Oh really? What did India do with killers of 2 poor Indian fishermen? One is already back in Italy I guess and another living cozy inside Italian embassy.
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Mar 07, 2015 12:10am
Taken into custody just for Liking a post.......Seriously ???
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Mar 07, 2015 12:11am
Another Beheading News coming soon....
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Mar 07, 2015 12:33am
Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak confirmed that an investigation was underway; “We are trying to help him in the best possible way,”
I never see such kind of efforts from Pakistani counsels when their people caught against the charge of drugs trafficking.
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Mar 07, 2015 12:37am
What a senseless thing to do to make an image depicting Kaaba covered in Hindu deities whoever made this image to begin with. Shameless mentality to say the least!
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Mar 07, 2015 12:38am
@Luketer Massa - "That's the power of a nation". You are making tall claims with typical hubris a bit too soon!!!
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Mar 07, 2015 12:42am
what if this was done by a gora living in KSA?
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Mar 07, 2015 12:51am
Don't use Facebook/Twitter/Instagram & other social media in the Middle East! Period!
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Mar 07, 2015 12:57am
Now let's see how different Indians are treated than us...
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Mar 07, 2015 01:13am
I am sure our MEA will take care of this issue.
On the other hand ..... We are so lucky to be in India & enjoying all the freedom & security.....
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Mar 07, 2015 01:15am
He will be beheaded because south Asians are no value in Saudi Arabia
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Mar 07, 2015 01:38am
Recently a Saudi young man received 50 lashes , he criticized Saudi mullahs, the form of Islam they preach & practice. Knowing typical Indian physique , if he gets 50 lashes, he might not survive.
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Mar 07, 2015 01:51am
@m. a that is because they do smuggle drugs and stupid enough to do so knowing well there is death penalty in saudi for this.
as is in malaysia and indonesia, and until decade or so ago even australia dealt very severely
it is their land, and law will be of ksa not indian or paki
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Mar 07, 2015 02:08am
@comrade
very pathetic excuse for violating laws of a country where you have gone to do labour.
try liking Osamas pictures in US and see what the secret agencies do to your whole family...every single person you may have talked in one year.... even thats not a law in US but they will try to implicate in one crime or the other
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Mar 07, 2015 02:09am
Excellent treatment... Please go by the book and execute if found genuinely guilty
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Mar 07, 2015 02:13am
@m. a its not what YOU believe yourself ISLAM...its what actually is in ISLAM. Thanks for the timely executions that KSA is virtually drugs free..i wish we had a similar treatment for holding narcotics and pakistan would never have been infested by afghani export
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Mar 07, 2015 02:48am
@ROHIT PANDEY Hey where is the freedom of speech? Heard all about the BBC documentary on Indian men...Shameful
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Mar 07, 2015 02:49am
@Ramesh Krishnan No, when you will finally WAKE UP, you would take the BBC documentary seriously and not try to hush it all up.......
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Mar 07, 2015 03:41am
Glad he was reported. Deport him back to endia
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Mar 07, 2015 03:45am
@Suraj most "Pakistanis" beheaded in Saudi are afghan origin people with Pakistani ID cards. I know this as fact.
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Mar 07, 2015 03:47am
@Chandan Singh do you know how many indians are languishing in Saudi jails treated like animals? Not just Saudi but whole Persian gulf! Reality hurts.
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Mar 07, 2015 04:07am
If it was a Pakistani ...... has already been beheaded .....
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Mar 07, 2015 04:16am
As an atheist once said "Blasphemy is a victimless crime."
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Mar 07, 2015 05:31am
@Someone No it's not!
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Mar 07, 2015 05:33am
The author of the story is sympathetic to the indian man, who violated the law of the land. This is what liberal do-justify everything in the name of freedom. Absolute freedom is absolute disaster. We all must respect the religion of other groups and law of the land, even if we disagree with the law
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Mar 07, 2015 05:37am
No doubt it is a very very bad thing, the person performed.
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Mar 07, 2015 05:40am
@Asif
Completely agree, what a dumb thing to do. Follow the rule of the country if you want to live and make money there. If you don't like it then leave.
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Mar 07, 2015 05:42am
@Taimoor Khan Pakistanis are not getting any good treatment, every other day I see a story about beheading of a Pakistani for some crime
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Mar 07, 2015 06:04am
Will he get the chop now?
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Mar 07, 2015 06:28am
I am amazed. The lack of religious tolerance is appalling.
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Mar 07, 2015 07:45am
Another skewed law in the barbarian country
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Mar 07, 2015 08:24am
@Asif : Or a victim of convoluted internet gyrations!
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Mar 07, 2015 08:26am
@Luketer Massa : He could be whipped every Friday like the Canadian!
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Mar 07, 2015 08:31am
@Taimoor Khan : But it is OK for Saudis to live all over the world -- because they have petro-dirham?
That sword on the KSA flag has become too important and brutish! KSA can spill this man's blood for its blood lust!The world will go on its own way without
blinking -- so much for national honour and blasphemy --Bah!
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Mar 07, 2015 08:44am
@apple siri : All HIGH Commissions and Embassies should be declared houses of prayer for the citizens of the countries they represent. KSA will have to abide or lose out on its intransigency in matters of prayer assemblies for non-Muslims. Soon the Shia should establish their own world pilgrimage centre to deny Sunni
arrogance and sectarian violence tied to "ownership" of Makka and Medina. Bending to the unbending is shameful !
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Mar 07, 2015 08:53am
@Pramod USA: The Pakistanis executed in KSA for drug offenses were NOT all drug traffickers! Many were victims of criminals in home country.
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Mar 07, 2015 09:04am
@NY: Marx: "All wars are economic" (inter-alia). Religions are economic tools -- believe it when people tell you that. Religion is captitalism dressed up in myth, fairy tales, and a whole load of emotionalism.
Fanatical believers often blaspheme others' religions with sactimonious
righteousness.
Read about a few "Christian" Oklahomans about Hindu state legislature opening prayer. I think government and religion should be mutually exclusive!
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Mar 07, 2015 09:10am
@ZeeZoo : Rich Arabs can afford to go to other countries to feed their drug or
OTHER cravings. Poor people go to WORK in KSA, etc. to feed their families.
Religion is ostensibly paramount to Arabs but they don't consider it is even right to be non-Muslim in KSA for anybody else!
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Mar 07, 2015 09:54am
@Ramesh Krishnan whenever you like the stuff that means you agree with writer
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Mar 07, 2015 09:59am
@Shakil_Seena Aww , whataboutrey huh? e have courage to discuss that documentary, do you have the 'stuff' to watch the video for which YouTube is still banned in Pakistan? Remember, certain inbuilt contradictions within Islam that no one could answer till date?
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Mar 07, 2015 10:03am
@NY
Why waste time on @Taimoor Khan. He is known 'craper' here. The one dig deep into his own trench and shows the character of a camel.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:04am
India should take strong military action including long range missiles against fanatic republic of Saudia Arabia.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:05am
@Santosh Menon
True. They are still have the 14th century mind set but driving Rolls Royce.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:07am
@Shakil_Seena
Fortunately Pakistan is full of freedom for women.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:10am
Suadi will execute him without mercy just like we do in Pakistan.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:14am
Thousands of Saudi nationals travel to India every year for a medical treatments. Saudi will deport this man as India has diplomatic force to get him.
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Mar 07, 2015 11:04am
This has to be pure and honest mistake. I know mind set of people of India who live in GCC countries they are extremely sub servant to locals and the keep calling Saudis and other Arabs as "Arbab" which means gods.
They would never take any risk!
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Mar 07, 2015 11:09am
Comparing this with the Pakistani Beheadings is plain stupid. The Pakistanis were caught with drugs. This is the case of liking a facebook image. Legally it can be difficult to establish guilt since account hijacking accidental click etc. are commonplace.
Though the indians here are way overconfident of their country's influence; if the saudis establish guilt not even modi's begging would be able to save the fellow from the gallows.
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Mar 07, 2015 12:36pm
@Justwsf drugs and insulting Islam are two different things.
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Mar 07, 2015 12:37pm
@Pakistani for criminal act of drugs, breaking the law. But insulting Islam, only a non muslim can do.
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Mar 07, 2015 05:07pm
India will use all its resources and will get this man released.
We will either use Iran card or 2 exchange this man for the 2 Saudi rapists that have been arrested in Mumbai
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Mar 07, 2015 05:52pm
Some week ago In India a KSA national was arrested for molesting a US woman in five star hotel. So might be it could some black-mailing by KSA. lets seee what India do to free its citizen.
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Mar 07, 2015 06:51pm
Why do they call it the most scientific, progressive religion etc. etc.
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Mar 07, 2015 09:44pm
Why even go to these backward muslim countries?
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Mar 07, 2015 10:31pm
@Taimoor Khan
if that happens it will be good for the world
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Mar 07, 2015 10:35pm
@Sonny Afridi
ID card means national of that country..
Once upon a time you were Indian BUT now you have Pakistani ID card.So you are Pakistani..
simple..
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Mar 08, 2015 01:20am
@Taimoor Khan Indian allowed you guys on to there land's. do the right thing go back to the desert
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Mar 08, 2015 05:34am
@Luketer Massa
wel reason is pakistan will be harsher than ksa
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Mar 08, 2015 05:38am
@Chandan Singh
FAKE ist it?
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Mar 08, 2015 07:38am
Such a bad news. When will this religion extremism will stop killing innocent people on the name of religion.
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Mar 08, 2015 07:44am
That's why everyone on this planet love to stay in religious tolerance countries. I am proud to live in a country where everyone is free and independent to perform his religion and criticize the religion. India - great nation since thousands of year teaching entire world How to live in peace and harmony.
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Mar 08, 2015 08:17am
@Be+ , and there is no God the way these fanatics interpret it.
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Mar 08, 2015 08:18am
@headsoffcuttersoff , Yep
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Mar 08, 2015 08:19am
@Sonny Afridi how you know are ksa govt send there full case study to you or you just claim as your nature
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Mar 08, 2015 10:11am
@Manish as you Indians are poor and need their dollars.
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Mar 08, 2015 12:47pm
That guy was intelligent, The KSA Govt is very good, the Religion is quite friendly, the culture and law is very good. No need to blame any one. Everyone is better than other.
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Mar 08, 2015 12:48pm
India should make law same as KSA have. If clicking a like button can lead to beheading then what will happen to Owaisi ?
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Mar 08, 2015 01:11pm
@IBN E ASHFAQUE there is difference between Indian migration and Pakistani Migration. The technocrats,nurses,doctors are hiring by KSA as they have petro dollar but dont have educated people whereas Pakistani migrant do jobs like taxi driver etc.
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Mar 08, 2015 01:27pm
so, what is Saudi authorities doing about the 100s of Saudis who cross via Abu Dhabi border every weekend and end up in Dubai and Sharjah, we all know what kind of holy trips people take to Dubai.
just saying ...
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Mar 08, 2015 04:13pm
@joe but before that we were British and before that Mughal. Now we are proud pakistani and forever pakistani.
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Mar 08, 2015 04:15pm
@Pramod USA Saudi don't care for 'Hindi' to release any one. They might if Pakistan help the indians out.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:29pm
@Zak
This time they will. KSA national has been arrested in Mumbai on charges of molesting an American Woman. USA is also involved here.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:47pm
Good lesson taught to opportunist Indians who are ready to from Alps to Arabia to African jungles for money making.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:51pm
@Taimoor Khan Saudi Arabia has invested billions of $ to expot oil to India. You think they are idiots?? The incident will be managed at diplomatic level.
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Mar 08, 2015 07:01pm
@SANJEEV KUMAR YADAV Because in no other religion you can get beheaded by clicking a mouse.
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Mar 08, 2015 07:33pm
Be careful who you befriend on social media! How else could somebody see what was on his page and get offended?
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Mar 08, 2015 09:16pm
@Taimoor Khan Wow now you are one up on Saudis.
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Mar 09, 2015 02:24am
@AKNasser that's not necessary. The Indian consulate itself can handle it.
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Mar 09, 2015 02:30am
@Ramesh Krishnan that's my problem. When you start curtailing freedom of expression, it doesn't just stop with religion.
it can be extrapolated to all walks of life. I already see that happening in india with "indias daughter" and aib roast.
So yes, blasphemy laws have been severely abused in Pakistan. And you could end up in jail the next morning having no clue what you did wrong.
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Mar 09, 2015 04:58am
@Awais Ali You are correct, but we all should know and have through knowledge of the life history of a person to whom we are calling saint.
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Mar 09, 2015 10:06am
@ZAK Bhai ... Very True .... (BTW this was first sensible comment from you after ages .. keep it up)
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Mar 09, 2015 10:18am
@white noise Add Bahrain to the list ....
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Mar 09, 2015 02:40pm
@Zak You don't even know the difference between country and rulers. India was always there, but was ruled by different dynasties and kings. When Alexander's army returned home concluding they can never defeat mighty Magadha empire, your land was called India. When Asoka the Great ruled the richest country of his time and spread the world of peace to known world, you were part of India. When Ghajni and Ghori massacred our people (yes, your ancestors too), it was India. When Emperor Akbar ruled the country and founded the concept of Islamic tolerance, then also it was India. When British set foot to these lands, it was India. When new world icon of peace and non violence, Gandhi was born, it was still India. Only in 1947, Pakistan was created, you textbooks may suggest the otherwise.
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Mar 11, 2015 04:39am
@Zak "@Pramod USA Saudi don't care for 'Hindi' to release any one. They might if Pakistan help the indians out."
Pakistan could not help its own who have been executed summarily for petty theft in KSA. Your country amounts to nothing and has no reputation even in Arab World. In fact your people in Libya were rotting and your government could not save them...
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