News
Hindu Man Gains Recognition for Defending Muslim
Deepak Kumar’s defiance against Hindu vigilantes has garnered widespread recognition as an exceptional display of bravery, but it has also led to him receiving threats to his life.
Mohammad Deepak is the name that has been making headlines in India, as a Hindu man who stood up for a Muslim shopkeeper.
A series of events has catapulted Deepak to fame, earning him recognition as an unlikely hero in the country, after he confronted a group of activists from a hardline Hindu group.
Deepak has been hailed as a symbol of secular India and a representation of the country's pluralism, while also facing backlash, including protests and death threats, for his actions.
The incident that brought him to the forefront took place on January 26 in the town of Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, and was captured on video, which subsequently went viral.
The video footage shows Deepak, a 42-year-old gym owner, engaging with activists from Bajrang Dal, who were harassing Vakeel Ahmed, the owner of a clothing store.
According to Deepak, he was visiting a friend's shop when he witnessed the activists heckling Ahmed, telling him to remove the word "Baba" from his shop's name, "Baba School Dress and Matching Centre", which has been in operation for 30 years.
The term "Baba" is commonly used in India to refer to mystics, gurus, and elderly men, and is used by both Hindus and Muslims.
However, the Bajrang Dal activists insisted that the term "Baba" in Kotdwar could only refer to Siddhabali Baba, a local temple dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman, and that a Muslim had no right to use it in his shop's name.
Ahmed's son can be heard requesting more time to comply with the demand, but the activists were adamant that it must be done soon.
Deepak intervened in the situation, drawn in by the commotion outside the shop, and later recounted the events to BBC Hindi.
In the video, Deepak can be heard asking, "Are Muslims not citizens of India?"
He described his actions as spontaneous, stating that he did not appreciate the way the young men were speaking to the elderly Ahmed, targeting him because of his religion.
Ahmed, 68, expressed gratitude towards Deepak, saying that it is difficult to predict what might have happened if he had not intervened, as the activists could have escalated the situation.
After Deepak's intervention, the Bajrang Dal activists asked for his name, to which he responded by identifying himself as Mohammad Deepak.
By introducing himself with a combination of Hindu and Muslim names, Deepak aimed to convey that he is an Indian, and that everyone has the right to live in the country regardless of their faith.
The activists were taken aback by Deepak's response and left the scene, but a few days later, a large group of Bajrang Dal supporters gathered outside his gym to protest.
Following a complaint from Ahmed, the police registered a case against the unidentified individuals, and also filed a case against Deepak after receiving a complaint from two Hindu activists.
The incident and the subsequent police action have garnered significant attention in India, with many hailing Deepak's actions as a rare instance of courage in the face of rising attacks on Muslims by Hindu mobs.
Rahul Gandhi, a Congress party MP, has praised Deepak as a "hero of India" who is fighting for the constitution and humanity, and has called for more individuals like him to stand up against hate and intolerance.
An article in the Indian Express noted that the video of the incident has provided a sense of hope, highlighting Deepak's words as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against hatred and intolerance.
The article stated that Deepak's actions demonstrate the "real India", where individuals have the right to live and express themselves freely, without fear of persecution.
Many people have taken to social media to express solidarity with Deepak and commend him for his bravery, with his phone ringing non-stop and his social media following increasing significantly.
A video he posted on January 29 has garnered over five million likes, in which he says, "I am not a Hindu, I am not a Muslim, I am not a Sikh, I am not a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being."
Deepak is still coming to terms with his newfound fame, stating that he never anticipated that his intervention would receive so much attention.
He said, "I simply did what I thought was right, without expecting it to become such a big issue, but now it's national news."
However, his actions have not been without consequence, as he has faced criticism and backlash from some quarters.
Deepak has received numerous death threats and abusive messages on social media, with one such threatening phone call being posted on X.
The caller can be heard saying, "Bajrang Dal shouldn't have spared you… I'll teach you a lesson soon."
Deepak's family has been left "traumatised" by the attention, and he is under significant mental pressure, while his gym, which was once thriving, is now largely deserted.
The number of people visiting his gym has decreased significantly, from over 150 to just 15, due to fear and intimidation.
Deepak said, "I used to have a lot of people coming to train here, but now they are afraid to come, and I'm facing financial difficulties as a result."
Opposition MP John Brittas, who visited Deepak, described him as a "beacon of hope" in the struggle against communalism and has taken a membership at his gym, which is now facing financial difficulties due to threats from communal elements.
As news of Deepak's financial struggles spread, people from across India have offered to buy gym memberships to support him, with one X post saying, "We can't let a good man lose."
Despite the challenges and threats he faces, Deepak remains resolute, stating that if he is confronted with a similar situation in the future, he will continue to stand up against what is wrong.
He said, "If we remain silent today, tomorrow our children will also learn the same silence," emphasizing the importance of speaking out against injustice and intolerance.
News
NBA Imposes Fine on Utah Jazz for Violating League Integrity
The National Basketball Association has imposed a fine of $500,000, equivalent to £367,000, on the Utah Jazz for resting healthy players, a move deemed to have undermined the league’s integrity.
The Utah Jazz have secured 18 victories out of 56 games played so far this season.
The NBA has imposed a fine of $500,000 (£367,000) on the Utah Jazz for their decision to bench healthy players, which the league believes has compromised the integrity of the competition.
In recent games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy made the decision to remove key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr from the lineup before the fourth quarter.
This strategy, commonly referred to as "tanking," involves coaches deliberately fielding a weaker team to improve their chances of securing a higher draft pick.
The NBA's draft system is designed to give teams with the worst records the best opportunity to select top prospects.
The Indiana Pacers have also been fined $100,000 (£73,000) for violating the league's player participation policy during their loss to the Jazz on February 4.
According to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, "behaviour that prioritises draft position over winning undermines the competitive foundation of the NBA, and we will take appropriate action in response to any further incidents that compromise the integrity of our games."
The NBA is currently working with its competition committee and board of governors to develop additional measures aimed at preventing this type of behaviour.
With the Jazz ranked 13th in the Western Conference and the Pacers 14th in the Eastern Conference, a playoff push seems unlikely for both teams, and attention is already turning to next season's roster construction.
In their recent games, the Jazz held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter against Orlando on February 8 but ultimately lost 120-117, while they managed to defeat Miami 115-111 two days later.
Utah owner Ryan Smith expressed his disagreement with the fine on social media, stating "Agree to disagree. We won the game in Miami and still got fined, which doesn't make sense."
Head coach Will Hardy has defended his decision to bench Markkanen, citing a minutes restriction, and the team has also announced that Jackson Jr will undergo season-ending knee surgery after the All-Star games.
Hardy explained his decision, saying "I benched Lauri because he was under a minutes restriction, and I'm trying to keep him healthy, as per our medical team's instructions."
This is not the first time the Jazz have been fined for resting players; they were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games.
The Pacers' fine was issued after a league investigation found that Pascal Siakam and two other players who did not participate in the game could have played, even if it was with limited minutes.
The player participation policy was introduced by the NBA in 2023 as a measure to discourage teams from deliberately losing games to improve their draft lottery chances.
Business
Artist Alleges AirAsia Used His Work Without Permission
A street artist from Penang has reported that one of his artworks has been replicated and featured on the design of an airplane.
A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.
According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.
Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.
The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.
In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.
With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.
One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.
The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.
Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.
Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.
He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.
Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.
This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.
Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.
According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.
The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.
As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.
Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.
The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.
Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.
News
Northern Ireland boss O’Neill poised for Blackburn Rovers move
Michael O’Neill, the manager of Northern Ireland, is poised to take on a position with Blackburn Rovers, a Championship club, in a dual capacity that will last until the end of the current season.
Michael O'Neill has begun his second stint as the manager of the Northern Ireland national team.
It has been announced that Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, is expected to take on a dual role with Championship club Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.
In March, Northern Ireland will face Italy in a World Cup play-off semi-final, followed by a potential match against either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, depending on the outcome of the Italy game.
O'Neill will remain involved with the Northern Ireland team for these matches and the World Cup finals, if they qualify.
After the current season, O'Neill is expected to take on the manager's role at Blackburn Rovers on a full-time basis.
Damien Johnson, a former Northern Ireland midfielder, will assist O'Neill at Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season.
If an agreement with the Irish FA is reached promptly, O'Neill could be in charge of Blackburn Rovers for their upcoming Championship match against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday.
Currently, Blackburn Rovers are ranked 22nd in the table, narrowly outside the safety zone due to their goal difference.
The team has been without a permanent manager since Valerien Ismael's departure on February 2, with Damien Johnson serving as interim manager.
In 2020, O'Neill had a similar arrangement with Stoke City, where he balanced his duties with both the club and the national team.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a delay in the Euro 2020 play-offs, and O'Neill left his position before those matches took place.
O'Neill returned to manage the national team in 2022, signing a contract that will keep him in the role until after the Euro 2028 campaign.
Northern Ireland is aiming to qualify for its first World Cup in 40 years and its first major tournament since O'Neill led the team to the Euro 2016 finals during his initial tenure.
O'Neill attended the Nations League draw on Thursday, where Northern Ireland was paired with Hungary, Ukraine, and Georgia, but he did not interact with the media in Brussels.
England's Nations League draw has resulted in matches against Spain and Croatia.
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