M Tariq Khan is a Special Correspondent with Hindustan Times political bureau in Lucknow. He has spent over a decade doing development and investigative journalism. Apart from covering political parties and various departments of Uttar Pradesh Government, he also writes on minorities politics and has a flair for offbeat stories.
Articles by M Tariq Khan
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: ‘Fair’ cause, insufficient progress
FACT-CHECK Although the number of women candidates has gone up from 9% in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to above 17% in parliamentary polls in Uttar Pradesh this time, parties don't quite live up to their promise when it comes to ticket distribution.
Published on Apr 14, 2019 09:52 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Contestants, parties flouting Election Commission’s directive with impunity
Of the 96 candidates in the fray for eight Lok Sabha constituencies that went to poll in the first phase on April 11 in Uttar Pradesh, 24 had registered criminal cases against them, according to the data available on the Election Commission’s website.
Published on Apr 14, 2019 09:14 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Shivpal’s PSP-L: Aiming for the moon or settling political scores?
Undeterred by the fact that the outfit is just three-month old and does not have a strong cadre, the PSP-L has thrown its hat into the ring not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in 11 other states across the country.
Updated on Apr 10, 2019 10:18 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
After hype, it’s no show for Waseem Rizvi’s ‘Ram ki Janmabhoomi’ in Lucknow
The movie chronicling the history of events related to Ram Janmaboomi and Babri Masjid issue in Ayodhya was set for release in a multiplex and cinema hall in Lucknow on April 1, but their owners cancelled the shows at the last moment.
Updated on Apr 03, 2019 01:37 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Ansal API diverted ₹600 crore of homebuyers’ money: UPRERA
Real estate developer Ansal API has been given a month’s time to respond to the charges in the show cause notice failing which UPRERA has threatened to revoke its registration with the authority, impose fine and other necessary restrictions.
Published on Apr 01, 2019 12:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: UP’s Awadh region will have a high-pitched battle for ballot
The high-pitched battle for the ballot in Lok Sabha Elections 2019, would be most keenly watched and fought on three VIP seats of UP’s Awadh region - Lucknow, Amethi and Rae Bareli.
Updated on Mar 25, 2019 12:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: BJP considering fielding Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal to take on Digvijaya Singh
The issue was discussed at a meeting of top leaders, including president of BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit Rakesh Singh, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, general secretary (organisation) Suhash Bhagat on Sunday, the functionaries said.
Updated on Mar 25, 2019 11:57 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Bhopal | M Tariq Khan
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Small players can make a big difference in close race
THEIR USP These caste-based organisations have proved their relevance to electoral politics on more than one occasion
Published on Mar 15, 2019 03:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan/Brajendra K Parashar, Lucknow
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: ‘Fair representation of women still a far cry’
Uttar Pradesh figures in the third and fourth position for women MPs and legislators, respectively in the report which analysed 51,143 candidates, who contested various elections across the country, and found that only 4,865 (or 9.51%) out of them were women
Updated on Mar 13, 2019 01:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Litigants oppose Ravi Shankar on Ayodhya mediation committee
A Muslim litigant, too, has asked the spiritual leader to quit the panel if he fails to clear his stand on a letter in which he had purportedly suggested that Muslims should give up their claim on the disputed land.
Published on Mar 12, 2019 11:27 PM IST
Lucknow | Pawan Dixit/ M Tariq Khan
Saints oppose Sri Sri’s name, Muslim litigants welcome SC’s mediation move in Ayodhya dispute
The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a three-member committee for mediation in the Ayodhya dispute. Justice Kalifulla (retd) will head the committee which will have Sri Sri Ravi Shanker and senior advocate Sriram Panchu as its members.
Published on Mar 09, 2019 10:21 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | Pawan Dixit/M Tariq Khan, Lucknow/ayodhya
Mixed reactions in Ayodhya over Supreme Court mediation decision
Political parties broadly welcomed on Friday the Supreme Court’s decision to refer the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to mediation but a number of Hindu groups opposed the efforts, saying it would further delay any resolution in the contentious issue.
Updated on Mar 08, 2019 11:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow/Ayodhya: | Pawan Dixit/M Tariq Khan
How former Prime Ministers, spiritual gurus have failed to resolve Ayodhya dispute
The Supreme Court’s decision to refer the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to mediation is not the first time out-of-court negotiations have been tried to resolve the deadlock.
Updated on Mar 09, 2019 08:52 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Ayodhya dispute: Parties split on mediation process
Hindu organisations Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (RJN), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Hindu Mahasabha and seers of Ayodhya opposed mediation, saying it would delay the process.
Published on Mar 06, 2019 11:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | Pawan Dixit and M Tariq Khan
Jilani fears collusion between organisers and political leadership in Ayodhya
The chief secretary and the DGP has been urged to take appropriate security measures to maintain peace and security on these occasions. “I have asked the officials to deploy central and para military forces.
Published on Nov 24, 2018 11:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Prominent Muslims showing signs of ‘softening stance’ on Ayodhya dispute
The peace treaty signed by the Prophet of Islam (known as Hudaibiya Pact) is a shining example on how to avoid conflict and clash. Mosques have been relocated and shifted in the past, said the cleric, who was shown the door by AIMPLB in February this year for his unilateral initiative.
Published on Nov 23, 2018 10:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
UPRERA cracks whip on Ansal API, imposes restrictions
The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) on Thursday ordered forensic audit of Ansal API and its subsidiaries – the promoters of Sushant Golf City hi-tech township on Sultanpur Road – for alleged fraud and diversion of money collected from home-buyers.
Published on Oct 26, 2018 02:06 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Impound passport of the Ansal API developer: lawmakers' panel
The five-member lawmakers’ panel set up to probe anomalies in Sushant Golf City hi-tech township on Sultanpur Road, Lucknow on home-buyers complaints has found the developer guilty on various counts and recommended that his passport should be impounded, according to a member of the committee.
Published on Sep 18, 2018 12:18 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | Umesh Raghuvanshi/M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Ansal collected crores from homebuyers without buying land: LDA report
Ansal API, the developers of Sushant Golf on Sultanpur Road, collected crores of rupees from homebuyers without acquiring or buying land for the project, according to a Lucknow Development Authority report.
Published on Aug 02, 2018 01:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Domestic violence case: Bareilly court rejects plea of Nida Khan’s husband
The development came after the Imam of Bareilly Jama Masjid Md Khurshid Alam issued a fatwa against Nida Khan on Monday ostracising her from Islam over her defiance and statement criticising triple talaq
Updated on Jul 18, 2018 11:17 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Green flags with crescent, star hold no significance in Islam: Shia Board chief
Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board Waseem Rizvi, who has filed a PIL petition in the Supreme Court against hoisting of green flags with crescent and star emblem, on Monday said such flags were un-Islamic and should be banned.
Published on Jul 17, 2018 12:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
After PM Narendra Modi’s ‘party of Muslim men’ remark, Congress hits back
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks come ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament where a bill abolishing the practice of instant triple talaq is pending in the Rajya Sabha.
Updated on Jul 14, 2018 11:27 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Media reports on setting up of shariah courts fake, says Muslim board
AIMPLB secretary Zafaryab Jilani said there was no proposal for setting up new ‘darul qazas’ on the agenda of the board’s meeting in New Delhi on July 15.
Updated on Jul 10, 2018 11:22 PM IST
Lucknow, Hindustan Times | M Tariq Khan
UP governor writes to Yogi, flags CM’s principal secretary’s alleged bribe demand
Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik has complained to Yogi Adityanath that the chief minister’s principal secretary SP Goel has allegedly been demanding ₹25 lakh as bribe to provide land for road widening to set up a petrol pump in Hardoi.
Updated on Jun 07, 2018 11:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | Umesh Raghuvanshi and M Tariq Khan
Akhilesh welcomes one-nation-one-poll idea but wants UP assembly polls in 2019
Akhilesh Yadav says the decision to club assembly and parliamentary polls would have far-reaching ramifications for regional parties, which, unlike the BJP, did not possess requisite wherewithal and resources
Published on Jun 06, 2018 11:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Home buyers unhappy with UP real estate watchdog as builders exploit loopholes
Home buyers say the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority has failed to protect their interests and ensure developers’ accountability. In the absence of a full-time chairman and members, the body is unable to get its orders implemented as cases drag on for years.
Published on May 20, 2018 04:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan, Lucknow
Flyover collapse in Varanasi was a natural disaster: Senior UP Bridge Corp official
The official ruled out that poor quality construction material was used to build the Varanasi flyover and said the thunderstorm that struck the city a couple of days ago could be the reason behind the incident.
Updated on May 16, 2018 05:51 PM IST
M Tariq Khan and Rajesh Kumar Singh
If the authorities don’t act, I will, says Shahjahanpur rape victim
Deserted by her husband and ‘hounded’ by three-time BJP lawmaker Roshan Lal Verma, this 28-year-old resident of Andkheda village in Nigohi police circle of Shahjahanpur says she will not sit idle till her tormentors are sent behind bars.
Published on May 10, 2018 02:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan
Shahjahanpur woman, who accused BJP MLA of rape, threatens to immolate self
Accompanied by her father, brother and five-year-old daughter, the woman barged into a press conference called by the BJP MLA to clarify the rape charges against him and his son at a Shahjahanpur hotel.
Updated on May 09, 2018 10:50 PM IST
Shahjahanpur, Hindustan Times | M Tariq Khan
BJP lawmaker says atrocities against Dalits at a high
BJP MP from Bahraich Savitri Bai Phule alleges the Centre had remained a mute spectator to atrocities against Dalits during the ‘Bharat Bandh’
Updated on Apr 11, 2018 07:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | M Tariq Khan