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PM Modi’s letter to citizens on Constitution Day: Calls everyone to fulfil the dream of Viksit Bharat, put nation first

Narendra Modi
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PM Modi’s letter to citizens on Constitution Day: Calls everyone to fulfil the dream of Viksit Bharat, put nation first

Dear all, Namaste.

26th November is a day of immense pride for every Indian. It was on this very day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, a sacred document that has continued to guide the nation’s progress with clarity and conviction. That is why, nearly a decade ago, in 2015, the NDA government decided to mark 26th November as Constitution Day.

It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years. I still remember the moments in 2014, when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy. Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it.

On Constitution Day, we remember all the inspiring members of the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who contributed to the making of the Constitution. We recall the efforts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee with remarkable foresight. Several distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly enriched the Constitution with their thoughtful interventions and visionary perspectives.

My mind goes back to the year 2010. This was when the Constitution of India completed 60 years. Sadly, the occasion did not receive the attention it deserved at a national level. But, to express our collective gratitude and commitment to the Constitution, we organised a ‘Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra’ in Gujarat. Our Constitution was placed on an elephant and I, along with several other people from different walks of life, had the honour of being part of the procession.

When the Constitution completed 75 years, we decided that this would be an extraordinary milestone for the people of India. We had the privilege of organising a special session of Parliament and launching nationwide programmes to commemorate this historic occasion. These programmes witnessed record public participation.
This year’s Constitution Day is special for many reasons.

It marks the 150th birth anniversary of two extraordinary personalities, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Both of them made monumental contributions to our nation. Sardar Patel’s visionary leadership ensured the political unification of India. It was his inspiration and courage of conviction that guided our steps to act against Article 370 and 35(A). The Constitution of India is now fully in force in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring all constitutional rights for the people, especially the women and marginalised communities. The life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda continues to inspire India’s resolve to ensure justice, dignity and empowerment for our tribal communities.

This year, we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, whose words resonate with the collective resolve of Indians through the ages. At the same time, we commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, whose life and sacrifice continue to illuminate us with courage, compassion and strength.

All these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress. Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the duties of a citizen. He believed that a duty well performed creates a corresponding right and that real rights are a result of the performance of duty.

25 years have already passed since this century began. In just over two decades from now, we will mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a hundred years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come.

Inspired by this, as we move forward to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat, we must always place our duties towards our nation foremost in our minds.

Our country has given us so much and this brings out a deep sense of gratitude from within. And, when we live with this feeling, fulfilling our duties becomes integral to our nature. To carry out our duties, it becomes imperative to put in our full capability and dedication in every task. Every action of ours should strengthen the Constitution and further national goals and interests. It is afterall our responsibility to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nation’s social and economic progress will multiply manifold.

Our Constitution has given us the right to vote. As citizens, it is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state and local elections where we are registered. In order to inspire others, we can think of organising special ceremonies every 26th November in schools and colleges to celebrate those youngsters who are turning 18. This way our first-time voters will feel that in addition to being students, they are also active participants in the process of nation-building.

When we inspire our youth with a sense of responsibility and pride, they will remain committed to the values of democracy throughout their lives. This sense of commitment is the foundation of a strong nation.

Let us, on this Constitution Day, reaffirm our pledge to fulfil our duties as citizens of this great nation. In doing so, we can all contribute meaningfully to the building of a Viksit Bharat that is developed and empowered.

Yours,

Narendra Modi

The letter above is by PM Modi to fellow Indians on the occasion of Constitution Day. The letter has been reproduced here.

As Trump moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood as terror group, here’s what you must know about it and its Al Jazeera links

Shraddha Pandey
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As Trump moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood as terror group, here’s what you must know about it and its Al Jazeera links

Inflicting a massive blow to Islamic terrorism, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 24th November, directing his administration to initiate the process of designating specific chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) as Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

The executive order states that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shall submit a joint report to the President concerning the designation of any Muslim Brotherhood chapters or other subdivisions, including those in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, as FTO and SDGTs.

This marks the fulfilment of Trump’s first-term ambitions, where he ordered a similar review against the Islamic terror outfit; however, due to bureaucratic resistance, the process could not be completed at that time.

What built momentum for Trump ordering a review of the Muslim Brotherhood are bipartisan congressional efforts, including the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, the Republican advocacy in general against what they called “transnational Islamist organisation.

While the White House has stated there will not be a blanket label on the entire Muslim Brotherhood, Trump’s move marks a seismic shift. The timing of this is also crucial, given Trump’s efforts to restore peace in Gaza. It must not be forgotten that, contrary to the popular understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict as a long-standing territorial dispute, it is, in fact, a religious dispute to its core, with territorial claims by both sides being the casus belli.

OpIndia earlier reported about the Palestinian Islamic terror group Hamas claiming the country of Israel as a ‘Waqf’ property in its 1988 Covenant or Charter and vowing to continue Jihad against Jews until the last one of them is killed. Hamas enjoys the support of the Muslim Brotherhood and joined the Palestinian terror group in carrying out airstrikes against Israeli civilians and military after the October 7 2023, massacre.

In its 2017 document, Hamas tried to distance itself from the Muslim Brotherhood, apparently, to better its relations with Egypt. Hamas also softened its stance on fighting the Jews by distinguishing between Zionists and Jews. The Islamic terror group’s actions since then have exposed their duplicity. The indiscriminate killing of Jews on 7th October 2023 laid bare Hamas’s hypocrisy and hatred for Jews.

It is essential to note that formally designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terror group has always been difficult for the US government. The organisation is decentralised, with different branches operating in multiple countries, many of which function independently. Because of this structure, legal experts and intelligence officials in Washington have often found it challenging to apply a blanket terrorist label to the entire movement.

Apparently, due to this reason, the executive order signed by Trump mentions that only specific chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood will be designated FTO or SDGTs if required.

Muslim Brotherhood: From socio-political movement to global Islamist network

Founded in 1928 in Ismailia, Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood or Ikhwan al-Muslimin, remains one of the most influential Islamic political movements in the world. It was founded by Hassan al-Banna, a teacher and Islamic scholar, on the premise of anti-Western colonialism and the supposed erosion of Islamic values in the post-Ottoman world. Al-Banna launched the Muslim Brotherhood as a pan-Islamist movement which focused on charity and Islamist advocacy.

In its early years, the Muslim Brotherhood filled gaps left by weak and nonchalant governments by building schools, hospitals and mosques for the poor and illiterate people in Egypt while also preaching Islam and ‘Tawhid’ (Allah’s oneness and supremacy) as some antidote to secularism and imperialism. The motto of the Muslim Brotherhood makes abundantly clear that it may not have initially been linked to violence, ‘Jihad’ has always been its way.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s motto says, “Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Quran is our law; jihad is our way; dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.”

MB ballooned into hundreds of thousands of members by the 1930s and resisted British rule. In 1936, the Islamist outfit entered politics, opposing the secular Wafd Party and organising protests during the Second World War. However, MB’s paramilitary wings, the “Secret Apparatus” also known as the Special Apparatus or al-Nizam al-Khas, engaged in violence, political assassinations, and subversive activities. In 1948, the Secret Apparatus members assassinated Prime Minister Mahmoud El Nokrashy Pasha for banning the Islamist outfit. In 1949, al-Banna was murdered by the Egyptian Secret Police in retaliation for Pasha’s murder.

The members of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Secret Apparatus used to undergo heavy physical and military training. They were trained to use firearms and carry out underground operations. Emphasising deception and secrecy (Taqqiya), the Jihadists belonging to the Apparatus infiltrate and subvert political parties, armies, intelligence, media, educational institutions and even NGOs.

Under the leadership of Sayyid Qutb, who was executed in 1966, the Muslim Brotherhood became radicalised further. Through his writings, especially Milestones (Ma’alim fi al-Tariq), Qutb promoted concepts like Takfir (declaring Muslims as apostates) and argued that modern nation-states are ‘un-Islamic’. Qutb went on to propagate that the Muslim world had reverted to pre-Islamic ‘ignorance’ due to the failure of leaders and governments to fully implement the Islamic Sharia law.

Qutb’s radical, or rather more pure, Islamic viewpoints resonated with jihadists widely and inspired many Takfiri groups who used Takfir as a justification for killing Muslims they deemed apostates or not Muslim enough. Be it Egyptian Islamic Jihad or later the Al-Qaeda, all drew inspiration from Qutb’s doctrines of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), takfir, and Jihad to justify violence against non-Muslims and Muslims they deemed infidels.

What turbocharged the Muslim Brotherhood’s ambitions was the Arab Spring. In 2012, MB won the elections and picked Mohamed Morsi as President. However, in 2013, a military coup led by then-General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ousted Morsi. The Islamist outfit was banned and was declared a terrorist organisation.

Although the Muslim Brotherhood claims to have abandoned violence and embraced a democratic path to pursue their agenda, high-ranking defectors and independent expert analysis show that Secret Apparatus remains operational through clandestine committees.

The Muslim Brotherhood continues to be seen as a threat to political stability by many authoritarian governments in the Middle East and North Africa. Recently,  Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Muslim Brotherhood, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, would be considered “foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organisations.”

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Russia have already designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. Jordan banned the group in April after arresting people linked to the movement who were accused of plotting attacks using rockets and drones. In January this year, the UAE blacklisted 8 United Kingdom-based organisations for their ties to the Islamic terror outfit ‘Muslim Brotherhood.’

The disorganised outer structure of the Muslim Brotherhood allows it to maintain existence and operations while making it difficult for countries against Islamic terrorism and extremism to take concrete action against it. In short, the Muslim Brotherhood’s key to survival is coalescing ‘social welfare’, politics and terrorism as per their convenience.

Trump’s renewed efforts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood are not without challenges. Egypt’s ban on the MB in 2013, though it granted an immediate relief, ended up contributing to a massive surge in violent and extremist groups. Salafi-jihadist groups emerged in the Sinai Peninsula, including the ISIS affiliates.

Muslim Brotherhood and the Al-Jazeera connection

While Doha-based Al Jazeera is not a declared arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, it is a known megaphone of the Islamist organisation. In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt had a diplomatic fallout with Qatar over the latter’s backing of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Saudi Arabia had also demanded the closure of Al-Jazeera and its affiliates, as it accused Qatar of using Al-Jazeera to incite Islamist extremism and support jihadist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. Back then, Al Jazeera had broadcast messages by exiled Muslim Brotherhood leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

Al-Jazeera’s biased and propaganda-riddled reporting during the Arab Spring must also not be forgotten.

In January 2024, a Yemeni-British journalist named Adnan Al-Ameri revealed how Al Jazeera carries out the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood at the behest of the Qatari government.

Al-Ameri told Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post that he worked for the youth channel of Al Jazeera, named JeemTV, in Doha.

While he was initially unaware of the sinister agenda of the Qatari mouthpiece, the realisation dawned on him in the mid-2010s. At that time, Al-Ameri’s home country of Yemen, captured by Houthis, was being bombed by a coalition of Gulf States led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The two nations were also behind the excommunication of Qatar by other Gulf States. When the civil war broke out in Yemen, the southern part of the country was sympathetic to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The Yemeni-British journalist pointed out how one needs to parrot the propaganda of the Muslim Brotherhood to work at Al Jazeera. “When you work for their news channel, they need you to promote their Muslim Brotherhood agendas, and if you’re not there ideologically, they’ll make sure to buy you off,” Adnan Al-Ameri remarked, adding that Al-Jazeera backs Hamas as well.

Al-Jazeera’s persistent anti-India propaganda

The Qatar-based Islamist propaganda outlet has been peddling biased narratives against India and Hindus. Be it the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi Riots, the Citizenship Amendment Act, or the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue, Al-Jazeera has continuously been pushing a Muslim victimhood narrative and villainising the Hindu majority of India.

Al-Jazeera has a knack for concocting fake Muslim victimhood narratives while downplaying the real incidents of Islamic terrorism and extremism. OpIndia has reported earlier how Al-Jazeera downplayed the 2002 Godhra massacre and tried to peddle the Muslim victimhood bogey, even though in reality,  a total of 31 Islamists were found guilty of setting the Sabarmati Express on fire, which claimed the lives of 59 Hindus (mostly women and children).

Even during the Islamist onslaught against Hindus in Bangladesh in 2024, Al Jazeera tried to pass off the incidents of Muslim mobs killing and raping Hindus, looting Hindu houses and desecrating Hindu temples as acts of ‘political retribution’. The Islamist propaganda outlet even claimed that Indian media houses reporting the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are Islamophobic.

Al-Jazeera also echoes the anti-India position on the Kashmir issue and even downplays the horrors endured by the Kashmiri Pandits.

Al-Jazeera has also been peddling falsehoods and propaganda against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially concerning the 2002 Gujarat Riots when he was the state’s Chief Minister. This continues even as the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to Modi long back.

The Qatari propaganda outlet has also been platforming individuals inherently hateful towards India and Hindus. Al-Jazeera has a specific page on Kashmir where they try to show India as a villain and oppressor, and also ridiculous equivalence with the situation in war-torn Palestine.

In more recent months, Al-Jazeera reported about the ‘I Love Muhammad’ row in India by maliciously concealing facts and portraying Muslims as victims of persecution.

In April this year, when Muslim mobs protesting against the Waqf Amendment Bill attacked Hindus in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, Al-Jazeera downplayed the Islamist atrocities and even attempted to contextualise Islamist violence as ‘protest’ against the Waqf law.

Moreover, during Operation Sindoor in May this year, when India attacked Islamic terror establishments inside Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, Al-Jazeera peddled pro-Pakistan narrative. It even published fake news that Pakistani forces had captured an Indian Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh. A claim both the Pakistani and Indian sides denied, and months later, Singh’s picture with President Droupadi Murmu surfaced on social media, further exposing the Qatari Islamist propaganda outlet’s lies.

Shadow of the Muslim Brotherhood in India

While the Muslim Brotherhood does not essentially have a direct presence in India, its ideology has a profound impact on Islamist outfits in India. Not to forget, the Muslim Brotherhood inspired Maulana Abul Ala Maududi’s Jamaat-e-Islami in the 1940s. Banned Islamic terror outfits like the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Popular Front of India (PFI), both of which have been involved in Jihadist attacks against Hindus and are working on plans to turn India into an Islamic nation, draw inspiration from Muslim Brotherhood tactics. Both relied on radicalising youth, pushing an anti-secular agenda, and framing the majority community and mainstream government as ‘oppressors of Muslims’ who must be fought against.

Many Kashmiri Islamic terror outfits are also reported to be influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, which has historically backed separatist movements and advocated an anti-India narrative. Besides providing intellectual scaffolding, the Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups are also reported to be involved in providing financial and propaganda support to anti-India Jihadist elements.

Back in 2021, the Muslim Brotherhood had launched a #BoycottIndianProducts campaign against India, targeting India’s economic interests. The #BoycottIndianProducts campaign on social media was started after the eviction drive against encroachers in Assam, which had turned violent after some encroachers had attacked the police. Holding the government responsible for the incident, people mostly from Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries,, including Turkey, Egypt and Iraq, had launched the campaign to boycott products made in India.

Unsurprisingly, ‘news articles’ were also published that promoted this anti-India trend by several media houses connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, including Al-Jazeera.

In 2023, the Muslim Brotherhood conspired to paint a bad picture of India under the guise of defending the honour of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Back then, the Digital Forensics, Research and Analytics Centre (DFRAC) reported that the Muslim Brotherhood also runs a smear campaign against the Hindus who work in the Gulf countries.

Donald Trump’s hypocrisy in dealing with Islamic terrorism is evident. He mollycoddles designated terrorist-turned-politician Sharaa of Syria and the Islamic terror-sponsoring army regime in Pakistan while acting against the Muslim Brotherhood. However, Trump’s action against the Muslim Brotherhood after the ordered review might help India in its fight against Islamic terrorism and foreign networks backing it.

‘Till Brahmins don’t give up their daughters, reservations will continue’: Read about hateful and casteist IAS officer Santosh Verma, previously jailed for fraud

श्रवण शुक्ल
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‘Till Brahmins don’t give up their daughters, reservations will continue’: Read about hateful and casteist IAS officer Santosh Verma, previously jailed for fraud

Bhopal witnessed a major controversy on Sunday, 23rd November, after senior IAS officer Santosh Verma, who was recently elected as the state president of Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJAKS), made an extremely objectionable and casteist remark during a public event. The comment, made at the Ambedkar Maidan in the state capital, quickly snowballed into a statewide outrage, raising questions on his intentions, the organisation’s image, and the growing caste tensions in the political environment.

Verma said that reservation in India should continue until a Brahmin gives his daughter to his son in marriage or forms a relationship with him. A video of this statement went viral within hours, and the reaction was immediate, intense, and in many cases, deeply worrying.

Speaking on whether reservation should be granted on economic basis he said, “until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or has a relationship with him, reservations should continue.”

Many people have called the remark casteist, misogynistic, and deliberately provocative. Others believe it is part of a dangerous narrative that fuels division rather than strengthening social harmony. At a time when reservation is already a sensitive issue, this kind of statement has raised alarms across communities. 

This report looks at what exactly happened, how different groups reacted, and why Santosh Verma’s past is also being discussed again after this latest controversy.

Where the controversial statement was made

The incident took place during the provincial convention of AJAKS, held at Ambedkar Maidan in Tulsi Nagar. The organisation represents SC-ST employees and officers working in various government departments, and its events usually discuss issues like reservation, promotions, workplace harassment, and representation.

During his speech, Verma started talking about economic reservation and social discrimination. But within minutes, his tone changed, and he made the remark that has now caused a political storm.

In the viral video, Verma is seen saying that reservation should continue until upper-caste families, especially Brahmins, accept SC communities as equals in social relationships. The way he framed it, “until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or forms a relationship”, has been widely condemned.

The reference to “donating a daughter” struck many as insensitive, patriarchal, and totally out of place in modern society. Several women’s groups have questioned the mindset behind such a statement, saying it treats women as objects rather than individuals with agency.

People are also asking whether reservation, a constitutional tool meant for social justice, should ever be discussed in terms of personal relationships or caste revenge.

Anger from Brahmin organisations and demand for action

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Samaj, Pushpendra Mishra, called the comment “highly condemnable” and demanded immediate action from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav.

Mishra said that Verma’s remarks insulted the entire Brahmin community and that legal action should be taken against him under relevant sections. If the government failed to act, he warned of a state-wide agitation.

Similarly, Dr Shailendra Vyas, head of the Brahmin Sabha Madhya Pradesh, said the remark reflected a “cheap and divisive mindset.” He said that someone holding a high administrative post should behave responsibly, not make statements that can create tensions.

He added that if the government didn’t take action, the community would be forced to take matters into its own hands. His response itself showed how quickly caste anger can escalate when provocative comments are made from public platforms.

Sharp criticism from other employee groups too

It wasn’t just Brahmin organisations that opposed Verma’s remark. Employee associations from different castes and communities also condemned it.

The president of the Ministry Employees Association, engineer Sudhir Nayak, said Verma’s words insulted the entire upper-caste community and went against the spirit of equality. He emphasised that marriage is a personal choice and that daughters are not objects that can be “donated” or exchanged.

He reminded the audience that Indian society has already changed a lot. He cited examples such as Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s marriage to Savita Ambedkar, who came from a Brahmin family, and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s marriage to Reena Sharma. These examples, he said, show that change should be natural, not forced through provocative statements.

Another association, the Class III Employees Union, also criticised Verma. Their general secretary, Umashankar Tiwari, said that statements like these create unnecessary tension among colleagues who already come from diverse castes and religions and work together every day. He asked why a platform meant for government employees was used for divisive rhetoric.

Many employee groups expressed concern that such comments destroy the atmosphere of cooperation inside government offices. When a senior leader makes such remarks, it becomes difficult for subordinates to trust each other.

Santosh Verma’s controversial past

As the controversy grew, many people started revisiting Santosh Verma’s past. This isn’t the first time he has been accused of misconduct.

In 2021, Verma was arrested in Indore on charges of criminal intimidation, harassment of a woman, and even producing fake court documents to secure a promotion from the state cadre to the IAS cadre.

According to a report by The Times of India, Verma created two fake court orders, one a settlement order and another an acquittal order. These documents carried the date of 6th October, 2020, but the judge was actually on leave that day, raising suspicions.

A departmental inquiry confirmed that only one genuine order existed, while Verma had submitted two. When the woman involved in the case complained to the Chief Secretary, the investigation deepened, and Verma was eventually arrested after 12 hours of questioning.

He had then claimed that the woman herself provided him the documents, but this argument collapsed during the inquiry.

Apart from the forgery case, Verma’s personal conduct has also been discussed before. Several reports claim that he has had multiple affairs, even while being married, and that complaints related to inappropriate relationships have been filed against him in the past as well. His reputation, many say, has always been controversial.

This history is now being linked with his latest statement, with critics saying that someone with such a record should not be leading an organisation representing thousands of employees.

When the leader is questioned, what happens to the organisation?

Verma’s new role as the state president of AJAKS has brought additional scrutiny. AJAKS is an influential organisation representing SC-ST employees across Madhya Pradesh. People expect its leaders to speak responsibly, especially on sensitive issues like reservation and social justice.

But Verma’s comment has placed the organisation in an uncomfortable position. Many fear that AJAKS could get branded as a divisive organisation even though past presidents have never made such statements.

This is why several employees believe the matter is not just about one individual, it affects the credibility of the entire organisation. When the person leading a major association uses caste-loaded language, it spreads negativity among thousands of employees, especially at a time when caste relations are already tense in many parts of the country.

When ‘social justice’ turns daughters into bargaining chips

Santosh Verma’s remark about “Brahmin daughters” mirrors a deeply problematic pattern seen in modern social activism, where women are reduced to symbols and bargaining tools to push larger ideological agendas. Much like how certain narratives project interfaith harmony by placing Hindu women at the centre of grand social experiments, Verma’s statement treats daughters not as individuals with agency but as instruments to “prove” social equality. This kind of rhetoric wrongly shifts the burden of social reform onto women’s bodies and personal lives.

What makes the remark particularly dangerous is that it echoes a long-standing tendency to romanticise social cohesion while ignoring uncomfortable ground realities. Just as glossy narratives promote idealised versions of inter-community relationships without acknowledging real-world conflicts and vulnerabilities faced by women, Verma’s statement trivialises the lived complexity of caste relations. It converts a constitutional tool like reservation into a crude, humiliating social test centred around marriage and family honour.

At its core, Verma’s statement reflects the same flawed mindset that views women as pawns in ideological battles, whether for caste “equality,” religious “harmony,” or political symbolism. Equality cannot be built on the symbolic “sacrifice” of daughters, nor can social justice be achieved through provocative, dehumanising language. When public officials speak like this, they don’t empower marginalised communities; they deepen mistrust, harden identities, and push society further away from genuine, voluntary social change.

A statement that threatens social harmony

India is a diverse country where castes, religions, and communities live together, study together, and work together. Reservation was introduced for social justice, not for revenge or caste retaliation.

But Verma’s statement links reservation to personal relationships and caste pride, which is not just offensive but also dangerous. It sends a message that empowerment should come at the cost of social tension, which was never the intention behind reservation.

If leaders continue making such inflammatory remarks, the consequences will be felt everywhere, offices, schools, families, and even politics. The gap between communities could widen, and trust could break down.

In workplaces, upper-caste employees might start feeling targeted or suspicious. Lower-caste employees might feel emboldened by provocative rhetoric rather than constructive dialogue. And ordinary citizens will find themselves caught in the middle of unnecessary caste disputes.

When Verma’s history, fake documents, criminal intimidation, complaints from women, is viewed along with this latest statement, many see a clear pattern. His latest comment isn’t an isolated mistake. It fits into a long timeline of questionable decisions and controversial behaviour. A person who breaks the law builds his identity by dividing society. Previous AJAKS presidents have never made such statements, which shows that Verma’s thinking is personal, but its impact is collective.

South Africa coach Shukri Conrad says ‘we wanted India to grovel’: Read why his remarks has sparked massive outrage

Jinit Jain
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South Africa coach Shukri Conrad says ‘we wanted India to grovel’: Read why his remarks has sparked massive outrage

Cricket is a game obsessed with numbers: runs, wickets, overs, and sessions. But every once in a while, a single word carries more weight than an entire scorecard. Shukri Conrad’s remark after Day 4 of the second India-South Africa Test in Guwahati that South Africa wanted India to “grovel” was one such word. 

And in no time, social media was up in arms. Conrad’s comment triggered massive outrage online and prompted newsroom discussions on the choice of words used by the coach of a team that has dominated the ongoing test series against India. Some of the fans were simply livid with the Indian cricket team’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, the support staff, and the players for putting us in a position where we had to swallow insulting remarks from a visiting team.

When asked in the press conference about South Africa’s strategy to bat longer and not put India into bat earlier, Conrad said, “We obviously looked at how best we were going to use the new ball, because in the morning we still wanted a newish, hardish ball.”

He further added, “What we felt is that when the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there’s something in it for the quick bowlers, so we didn’t want to declare too early and not be able to use that.”

“And then, obviously, we wanted the Indians to spend as much time on their feet out in the field, we wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out the game, and then say to them ‘come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening’,” added Conrad, explaining the rationale behind South Africa batting longer than required.

In modern cricket slang, “grovel” is sometimes loosely used to imply subjugation through skill, making a team chase leather, bow for long spells, or survive under duress. Conrad likely meant it in this sporting sense: make India toil, physically and mentally, until resistance bends. Yet cricket is not played in a vacuum. Words in this game don’t float free of history. They carry their own bruises.

But his comments instantly triggered outrage on social media. On X, several users, including journalists, expressed shock and condemned the choice of words used by Conrad, pointing out that “grovel” is not a neutral cricketing term but one with deep racial and historical baggage.

But how did the seemingly benign word ‘grovel’ get its racial undertones in cricketing parlance? What was the incident that permanently etched ‘grovel’ as a racial slur never to be used again, until Conrad did for Team India?

When England captain Tony Greig used ‘grovel’ for West Indies

The word “grovel” is inseparable from 1976, from Tony Greig and the West Indies. When Greig, a white South African-born England captain, openly declared that England would make the West Indies “grovel,” it was not received as mere sledging. It was heard as racial and colonial condescension. Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, and an entire Caribbean side understood it as an attempt to reduce proud, newly assertive Black cricketers to something beneath dignity. What followed wasn’t just a cricketing response, but a cultural and political statement: the rise of the most feared dynasty in cricket history.

That is why Conrad’s words cut deeper than he may have intended. South Africa, of all nations, cannot escape the shadow of apartheid when it comes to racial language. Even though Conrad himself comes from a marginalised community within South Africa’s racial hierarchy, the nation’s institutional memory still makes such words volatile. For Indian fans, already sensitive to historical patterns of condescension toward Asian and African teams, it sounded like an old colonial echo resurfacing in modern garb.

There is also an irony here that history loves. Tony Greig’s “grovel” comment didn’t weaken the West Indies; it forged them into something terrifying. England didn’t make the Windies grovel; the Windies made the world tremble. Cricket’s past teaches us that humiliation, when weaponised through words, often boomerangs.

But will Conrad’s remark spark a revolution of that scale in Indian cricket, which is currently in shambles? The Indian cricket team is already 0-1 down against the touring South Africa. In the ongoing match, they have a mountain of 522 runs to climb and emerge victorious. With just a single day left in the match, victory is no longer a realistic ambition. Survival itself now appears aspirational. It would take nothing short of a minor miracle for India to bat through the day and salvage pride from the wreckage of this collapse.

But the entire episode does serve as a reminder: Cricket is more than two teams battling out to emerge victorious. It is more than wins and losses. It is struggle. A coach explaining a declaration strategy probably did not intend to reopen old wounds, but in a sport whose history is soaked in colonialism, and racism, some words are never free of their past.

Who is Mohammad Salim? Man behind the illegal Sanjauli mosque and the conspiracy to alter the area’s demography: Hindu victims share their ordeal with OpIndia

अनुराग
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Who is Mohammad Salim? Man behind the illegal Sanjauli mosque and the conspiracy to alter the area’s demography: Hindu victims share their ordeal with OpIndia

Shimla’s Sanjauli is in the news once again and the reason is a giant, five-story illegal mosque. The history of the mosque dates back nearly 30 years, when a controversy erupted immediately after it came into existence. The illegal mosque stands in contrast with the majority Hindu population in the area. A large number of Muslim immigrants come to offer prayers in the multi-storey mosque.

For political gains, the Congress government in the state overlooked the construction of the illegal mosque in a Hindu majority area. Initially, only one room was constructed and gradually the entire five-story mosque was erected. Municipal corporation records show the mosque as an illegal construction. Subsequently, the state goverment ordered the demolition of the mosque, but the order was stayed.

Hindus of Sanjauli have lost all patience due to the stay order and prolonged legal proceedings. As a result, the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti has launched protests against the illegal mosque.The Samiti had demanded that the water and power supply to the mosque should be cut off. The Municipal Corporation had assured the Samiti that the power and water supply will be cut off as demanded by them, however, no action has been taken so far.

A stage for the Hindu protestors has been set up near the Sanjauli police station. Days are warmer, but the temperature drops to 3 to 4 degree celcius at night, but Hindu protestors, disappointed with the Himachal Congress government and the local administration, are not willing to budge.

OpIndia spoke exclusively with members of the Hindu community who were protesting and listened to their concerns. According to Kamal Gautam, a member of the committee, the matter caught public attention on August 30, 2024, when a group of 5-6 Muslim immigrants assaulted a local youth and injured his head. The accused were sheltered in a mosque, from where they were nabbed by the police. Incidents like this have exhausted the patience of local Hindus. The peace of the hills has been plagued by rising crime committed by the Muslim immigrants. The illegal mosque in Sanjauli has become a haven for such criminals.

Conspiracy to change demographics

OpIndia spoke to Vijay Sharma, a local who is taking part in the ongoing protests. Sharma said that the number of people coming to Himachal Pradesh from outside has increased rapidly. He added that new faces appear in the area everyday and their activities seem suspicious. He expressed concern for the safety of local women. According to Vijay Sharma, the Muslim population in the area was about 3% but their has significantly increased in a short period of time. Infiltrators from outside, including Bangladeshi nationals, Rohingyas, and Muslims from other states, have contributing to this increase in the local Muslim population.

“The local demography is being altered as part of a conspiracy. There’s a well-planned plot to suppress Hindus. Shimla isn’t a big city, and Sanjauli is an even smaller locality. Settling in a small area like Sanjauli, far from the main city of Shimla, is not usual. There is no Muslim population here, but slowly, crowds are gathering here to change the local demography. Fruit vendors have started selling fruits at cheaper prices. Now, the situation has become so bad that locals are being attacked. We’re worried about the future. I think the next generation will start offerig praying,” Sharma said.

Mohammed Salim, who built the mosque, is the biggest conspirator

According to Vijay Sharma, the incident of the local youth being attacked by some Muslim immigrants sparked public anger. Massive protests erupted on September 5, 2024, and September 11, 2024. These sparks had been simmering for years.

Sharma said that Mohammad Salim arrived in Sanjauli in 1990. He was a tailor. He occupied a piece of government land after a school built on it was shifted. He constructed a single-story structure on it, which gradually tranformed into a multi-storey building. He developed the structure into a mosque. For political gains, he was granted an NOC from the Waqf Board for the mosque.

The mosque received huge funding, soon a full-fleged mosque came up. As the number of floors increased, so did the number of Muslims who came to offer Namaz in it. Th entire five-story structure began to be used solely as a mosque. Notably, the locality has no Muslim settlements nearby. The Muslims who come to the mosque to offer Namaz are predominantly outsiders.

Even though the mosque has a large structure, it has only two toilets on the ground floor. The number of toilets is insufficient for the large number of Muslims, who gather to pray in the mosque. Therefore, the Muslims perform ablution before offering Namaz in the open.

The area has a major Hindu community. In the afternoon, women walk their children home after they return from school or go out for daily chores. Such large number of Muslim men performing ablution in the open, causes inconvenience to the local Hindu women. When the women objected to Muslims performing ablution in the open, they faced lewd comments. However, they did not report the matter to the police, as it is common practice in the mountains not to involve the police in personal matters.

Amrita Chauhan, another local, said “When our sisters return from school with their children, they are stopped during namaz until the worshippers have left. Even Muslim carts and ready-made shops have started popping up in large numbers. Women face lewd comments when they go shopping.”

Mehboob Sheikh turned hostile after becoming Assistant Town Planner

The activities of Mohammad Salim, who laid the foundation for the illegal mosque, were suspicious. The Municipal Corporation had also demanded action against Mohammad Salim for the gathering a Muslim mob and the illegal construction of the mosque between 1990 and 2024. At that time, Inspector General Mehboob Shaikh had indicted Mohammad Salim in an investigation, but later reversed his decision.

Speaking to OpIndia, a local said that upon becoming Assistant Town Planner, Mehboob Sheikh gave a clean chit to Mohammad Salim in his report. He said that Mohammad Salim had no involvement in this matter. He suggested that the Waqf Board should be made a party in the case. Locals said that Mehboob Sheikh played a major role in arranging funds to expand the mosque. According to Vijay Sharma, people continued to demand an investigation against Mehboob Sheikh and his properties, but no the government paid no attention.

Attempt to set anti-Hindu narrative

During Congress rule, attempts were made to establish an anti-Hindu narrative. Recently, young children in a prestigious convent school, were asked to wear white kurta-pajamas and a net cap on Eid, and to bring vermicelli for lunch. This caused anger among the parents of the children. “Vermicelli isn’t a traditional food in the mountains. We asked them if they celebrated Mahavir Jayanti, Durga Puja, or Janmashtami. If not, why are you asking us to celebrate Eid?” said Kamlesh Mehta, a parent. Finally, under pressure from the parents, the school reversed its decision.

Kamlesh says that the Sanatan community in the state is concerned about their children and their future. They are concerned about the next generation. He added that a video of a Congress MLA has gone viral in which he was seen telling the Muslim side to thank him during a press conference. In fact, when the Chief Minister said that he came to power by defeating 98% Hindu ideology, what can we expect from him?

Non-locals visiting, harassment of Hindu women, illegal building and more: OpIndia’s Ground Report reveals why locals are protesting over Himachal’s Sanjauli Mosque

Anurag Mishra
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Non-locals visiting, harassment of Hindu women, illegal building and more: OpIndia’s Ground Report reveals why locals are protesting over Himachal’s Sanjauli Mosque

Local Hindus are demonstrating for the demolition of an unlawful mosque in Sanjauli which is near Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla. The Hindu Sangharsh Samiti asserted that the Congress government in the state has failed to act, despite directives from both the Shimla Municipal Corporation and the Sessions Court. In fact, the court ruled the mosque as an illegal structure and even mandated its demolition.

Due to protests from locals, no one is permitted to conduct prayers there. The OpIndia team visited the site and engaged with the residents to gain insight into their views.

The people stated that the victors to the illegal mosque often harass Hindu women and girls as they walk along the road. The sole access route to the mosque passes through a Hindu-inhabited area. Multiple incidents of voyeurism, stalking have been reported by locals, stating that some mosque visitors even peek inside Hindu houses and pass comments on women.

OpIndia also went to the mosque to talk with the Muslim cleric and learn about his perspective on the situation. However, neither the mosque committee member nor the imam was willing to comment, despite considerable efforts.

There was another staircase next to the unauthorised structure which we used to converse with a man. He immediately refused to talk when the journalist’s name was mentioned. He provided a phone number and several attempts were made to get in touch with the person who refused to speak and the call was cut off.

The call was terminated when we inquired about the response over the allegations. In an interview with OpIndia, local resident Rajkumar Sharma remarked that the construction of this mosque progressed at a slow pace. A primary school previously occupied this location and he was also a student there. The institution eventually relocated to Dharamshala. After some time, small mounds began to appear on this site as a small mosque came into existence which expanded over time.

This is the reason the lower floor of the mosque is plastered while the walls of the upper two floors were left unplastered. The first floor was built first and the two additional floors were added afterward. Prayers are conducted on the lower floor and the cleric stays on the upper levels. Two extremely dirty washrooms can be found upon entering the mosque. The area for performing ablution is also very filthy.

According to Rajkumar, the surrounding area is primarily Hindu and Muslims gathered in proximity to the mosque following its construction. They travel from distant locations to offer their prayers at this mosque. The route leading to this site includes a staircase and a mere glance at this pathway revealed that it was designed for the passage of a limited number of people.

As the OpIndia team progressed further, they attempted to speak with several individuals. RK Singh, a healthcare professional, noted that both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress governments have remained in power in the state. He raised the question of where the government was during the construction of the mosque.

Singh outlined that the matter is currently before the court, however, the government bears responsibility for the unlawful building. He added that the law applies equally to all citizens of the nation. Hence, everyone should await the court’s verdict and the mosque should be dismantled if it is pronounced illegal.

We had a discussion with Ravi Kumar, a nearby vegetable vendor. He indicated that some individuals are calling for the mosque’s removal. He has been living in this locality since 1990 at which time a small mosque was present. A significant number of Kashmiris, along with other outsiders, visit there to offer their prayers. He expressed that this matter should be resolved in line with constitutional guidelines.

While walking along the path, the OpIndia team noticed a collection of small houses in the vicinity. Hindus have lived in this area for many years. Out of concern for potential controversy, these people appeared reluctant to talk about the issue. Several closed their doors promptly when their names were mentioned. This reflects the scale of fear that the residents experience.

The presence of a mosque in this area raises considerable concerns, particularly given the absence of a Muslim community there. Additionally, the mosque does not align with the local cultural practices. The first floor is finished with plaster, while the upper two floors remain unplastered. Reaching the mosque necessitates ascending a flight of stairs and Hindu residences are situated on either side of the pathway.

According to the local populace, individuals from the mosque frequently peer into the windows of residences as they proceed to their prayers. They have been reported to intimidate females who are walking by. As a result, the residents are determined to see the mosque relocated at any cost.

Read the report in Hindi here.

Delhi ‘anti-pollution’ protest: Scientists For Society distances itself from Hidma slogans, but its own pro-Naxal, pro-Palestine and anti-Hindu stance stands exposed – Read details

Anurag
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Delhi ‘anti-pollution’ protest: Scientists For Society distances itself from Hidma slogans, but its own pro-Naxal, pro-Palestine and anti-Hindu stance stands exposed – Read details

The violence that took place during the so-called anti-pollution protests, where demonstrators glorified slain Naxal commander Madvi Hidma and attacked police with pepper spray, has attracted Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the attackers, which deals with acts, statements or communications that threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, integrity or security. Twenty-two attackers were booked and fifteen are currently in judicial remand. While the attackers are facing strict legal action, the digital footprint of the organisations associated with the organising groups has revealed a problematic past.

On 23 November, a group of protesters gathered at C-Hexagon near India Gate to demonstrate against rising pollution in Delhi. The protest was spearheaded by left-leaning student organisations, Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM) and The Himkhand, which had invited several other organisations to join.

Although the protest was ostensibly about pollution, it soon morphed into propaganda as members of The Himkhand and bsCEM raised pro-Naxal slogans. They glorified the recently killed Naxal commander Madvi Hidma and shouted slogans such as “Comrade Hidma Amar Rahe”. When the police tried to intervene, the protesters not only attacked police personnel but also used pepper spray on them, causing injuries to the eyes and face.

As a result, two FIRs were registered against 22 protesters, of whom 16 were arrested. Fifteen were sent to judicial remand by Patiala House Court on Monday, while one was sent to a juvenile safe house after claiming to be a minor. Furthermore, Section 197 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been added to the FIRs which deals with acts, statements or communications that threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, integrity or security.

Scientists For Society distances itself

While gathering support for the protests, bsCEM and The Himkhand contacted several other organisations that have similar ideological leanings. One such organisation was Scientists For Society. After the protests were derailed from the intended topic on Sunday, the organisation issued a statement distancing itself from the pro-Naxal slogans raised at the site that led to the violence, the attack on the police and the arrests.

Source: Instagram

In its statement, the organisation said, “We want to clarify that we joined this forum solely on the issue of pollution when we were approached by Himkhand. At no point were we informed that Himkhand and bsCEM planned to raise any unrelated or adventurist slogans. As soon as we realised what was happening, we first tried to stop them; when they refused to respond, we immediately distanced ourselves from them and continued addressing the common people and carrying forward the protest separately. We also want to reiterate that this act on part of these aforementioned organisations is completely undemocratic, totally against the ethics, mandate and common minimum programme of the issue-based joint front based on the issue of pollution crisis in Delhi.”

The organisation’s problematic stance on Hidma

While the organisation distanced itself from the “adventurist slogans” glorifying Madvi Hidma, it cunningly called the killing of the most wanted Naxal an “extrajudicial killing”. Even before distancing itself from the slogans, Scientists For Society categorically called for a “high-level inquiry” into the “extra-judicial encounters of Hidma and his associate”.

Source: Instagram

They said, “While we strongly believe that there should be a high-level inquiry into the extra-judicial encounters of Hidma and his associates and we unequivocally condemn these encounters, we also believe that this was not the appropriate platform to raise this issue. Ordinary students and citizens had joined this protest specifically to address the issue of pollution.”

Examining the organisation’s ideology

OpIndia looked into the history of the organisation, which started posting on social media around November 2020, to understand its ideology and the campaigns it had participated in previously, and some problematic things came to the fore. While the organisation claimed to be pro-science and stated that it works to encourage students to pursue science, build libraries and more, there are posts that categorically put them in the list of left-leaning organisations. Of course, while it is a fact that if bsCEM and The Himkhand had invited them, it was obvious that they shared similar ideology.

Pro-Palestine narrative

On 8 November, the organisation published a post that it claimed was about pollution in Delhi. However, during the protests, they admitted to having expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

One of the speakers at the protest spoke about pollution in Delhi and then continued to criticise the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for suggesting there is no problem of pollution. He then brought up the issue of Palestine and said, “The biggest example today is the liberation struggle of Palestinians against the ongoing barbaric genocide. Scientists For Society along with other organisations stand in solidarity with Palestine because we cannot talk about environment without standing with the masses, without standing with humanity.”

He then praised controversial environment activist Greta Thunberg and echoed her statement that there is no use talking about climate change when thousands of children are dying on the other side. He also raised the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Greta Thunberg is known for participating in every protest even if it is not about the environment just for the sake of a photo-op. During the farmer protests in India, she accidentally shared a toolkit that was being used to paint India in a bad light on the international platform. Though she immediately deleted the link to the toolkit, it exposed how the farmer protests were hijacked by individuals and organisations with vested agendas.

The organisation has a long history of a pro-Palestine stance. On 23 October, it criticised esSENSE for “denying genocide in Gaza”.

The genocidal implication of the slogan

Coming to the pro-Palestine slogans raised by the members of SFS, “From the river to the sea” is literally a genocidal call. It specifically alludes to the territory situated between the Jordan River, marking the eastern border of Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

People raising this slogan want the land between the two boundaries to be free of Jewish people. They want the entire land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea to be Palestine, which means they want the elimination of the state of Israel. This is clearly a call for genocide of Jews, essentially another Holocaust.

The Islamist ideology behind the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is often seen as an intent of genocide. In 1966, Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian leader and father of the country’s current dictator, stated, “We shall only accept war and the restoration of the usurped land to oust you, aggressors, and throw you into the sea for good.”

Terrorist outfit Hamas, responsible for the deaths of 1,400 people on 7 October, asserts its rejection of Israel with the statement, “Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea,” as outlined in the organisation’s 2017 constitution.

Targeting Hindus and Diwali

On 2 November, the organisation criticised the Government of Delhi for allowing fireworks on Diwali, which was actually allowed by the Supreme Court on the government’s request. The aim of the post was not only to criticise the CM Rekha Gupta-led BJP government in the National National Capital but also to present the Hindu festival of Diwali as a major contributor to the pollution problem. Phrases like “Godi Media” were also used in the post against media houses that left-leaning organisations believe are pro-government.

Source: Instagram

Targeting Hindus and Diwali, the organisation wrote, “How could this even be possible? After all, how can a ‘Hindu’ government in a country of ‘Hindus’ stop ‘Hindu festivals’ from being celebrated, even if it means ordinary people, such as those living in Delhi NCR, fall ill or even lose their lives?”

In the aftermath of the violence, several organisations that enthusiastically joined the so-called anti-pollution protest are now scrambling to shield themselves from police action by hurriedly disowning the pro-Hidma sloganeering. Yet their own digital footprints tell a very different story. Their posts, statements and past campaigns reveal that they all belong to the same ideological cult, united by a familiar script of Naxal sympathy, Palestine activism and routine Hindu-baiting. No amount of last-minute distancing can erase what their own public record has already made abundantly clear.

Behind Delhi’s so called anti pollution protest, the same bsCEM that glorified Hidma also suppressed a sexual assault victim – Read details

Shriti Sagar
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Behind Delhi’s so called anti pollution protest, the same bsCEM that glorified Hidma also suppressed a sexual assault victim – Read details

Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch, commonly known as bsCEM, is a student-led left-leaning organisation that often participates in protests linked to environmental and social issues in Delhi. However, the real agenda of the organisation has always been to propagate a pro-Naxal narrative. Recently, the group was seen at the centre of a large anti-pollution demonstration that took place on Sunday, 23rd November. While the event was presented as a campaign for clean air, it soon became clear that the agenda went far beyond environmental demands.

What made the protest controversial was not just the violence but also the slogans and posters displayed by participants. Instead of focusing only on air pollution, organisers praised slain Naxal commander Madvi Hidma, calling him a hero and raising slogans like “Comrade Hidma Amar Rahe.” For those unaware, Hidma was one of the most wanted Naxals. He was responsible for numerous attacks on security personnel and civilians. He was also the mastermind of the infamous 2010 Dantewada attack that claimed the lives of 76 CRPF personnel. Posters glorifying Maoist groups were displayed, and some participants even referred to Maoist outfits as “people’s governments”.

When the police tried to stop them, violence broke out as some of the protesters attacked police officers and even used chilli spray on them. This led to the police registering two FIRs and arresting 15 people. All of them, except one who claimed to be a juvenile, were sent to judicial remand by Patiala House Court on Monday.

This shifted the focus of the protest. Instead of looking like a civil movement demanding better air quality, the demonstration started appearing like a political mobilisation by left-leaning and Maoist-aligned groups. bsCEM leaders, such as Ravjot Kaur and The Himkhand, were among the main organisers. They had also held a “Press Conference on the Movement for Clean Air” just days earlier, on 14th November, indicating that their role in the protest had been planned for some time.

The sexual assault allegations against Mukundan Nair and bsCEM supported the accused

According to a report by ForPol, in 2024, a young woman accused Mukundan Nair, a member of FACAM (another Urban Naxal group), of sexually assaulting her. At the time, she was associated with Nazariya Magazine, a left-leaning collective, while Mukundan belonged to a different allied organisation.

In March 2024, Nazariya formed an internal investigation committee to look into the allegations. However, instead of taking firm action against Mukundan Nair, the committee concluded that he would undergo “rectification.” This is a term commonly used in communist spaces, but even the victim later said she did not know what it meant in practical terms.

The victim was deeply dissatisfied with the committee’s findings. She went public, saying that Nazariya was not taking her complaint seriously and was trying to protect the accused. In November 2024, instead of re-examining the case, Nazariya expelled the victim from the group.

The situation became even more disturbing when Nazariya released statements accusing the victim of being influenced by “imperialist ideology,” having “non-ideological sexual relationships,” and straying from “communist morality.” These terms had no connection to her sexual assault complaint, but they were used repeatedly to discredit her character and shift the focus away from her allegations.

The victim speaks out against bsCEM 

In December 2024, the SfPD (Students for People’s Democracy) published a statement from the victim. According to the victim, several activists linked to bsCEM were directly involved in her public shaming and supported Nazariya’s actions against her.

The victim’s statement (Image via ForPol)

The victim wrote that she wanted to take legal action against those who were slandering her, but she hesitated because she had previously had negative experiences with the police. 

She further said that bsCEM was part of the anti-displacement forum that had expelled Mukundan Nair after the initial complaint, yet they refused to publicly comment on the matter. She said that within a week of her expulsion by Nazariya, bsCEM had supported the decision and even assisted in spreading false claims about her.

The victim also revealed that she was slut-shamed and privately defamed by members of the group. “Supporters and enablers of sexual assault have a welcome place in this movement,” she said, pointing directly to bsCEM’s hypocrisy.

Photographs and public contradictions

In May 2025, the SfPD shared a photograph showing bsCEM members casually spending time with Mukundan Nair, even though they were fully aware of the allegations. SfPD publicly condemned bsCEM and accused them of shielding a sexual offender. They also asked pro-Palestine collectives to explain why one of their members, Rejaz, also appeared in those photos.

SfPD Statement in May (Source: ForPol)

At the same time, an old screenshot surfaced showing Baadal, a senior member of both bsCEM and FACAM, admitting that they knew about Mukundan’s offence and had removed him. Despite this, bsCEM continued to associate with him and even appeared in friendly photos months later.

SfPD used the case for their own political gain

After SfPD released its statement in May, several Urban Naxal groups, including Nazariya and bsCEM, launched a joint counter-attack against SfPD. Their joint statement accused SfPD of being part of the “Surajkund Scheme” and described them using complicated ideological terms such as “post-modernist petty bourgeoisie opportunists.” None of these accusations addressed the actual issue: why Nazariya and bsCEM had protected an accused sexual offender.

SfPD responded by pointing out that many individuals had questioned Nazariya and bsCEM online for shielding Mukundan. SfPD also said that the groups were deleting comments and blocking people on social media who raised concerns.

But it is also important to note that SfPD itself belongs to the same wider Urban Naxal landscape and has its own history of controversies. The Dharmasthala case, which they aggressively promoted, later turned out to be false. Even so, SfPD continued using the case for political gain.

This made it clear that these groups were using the sexual assault survivor’s trauma to fuel their own ideological battles, instead of focusing on justice.

When the victim went public in October 2024

The situation escalated further in October 2024, when the victim shared her experiences publicly. Right after her statement, SfPD issued its first formal statement supporting her and criticising Nazariya. They said the victim had highlighted serious issues like patriarchal structures, victim blaming, and the enabling of sexual abuse within Nazariya.

Three days later, on 24th October, Nazariya responded. They admitted there had been major lapses in their handling of the complaint, but they did not address the deeper concerns raised by the victim.

On 26th October, SfPD released another long statement, criticising Nazariya sharply. They demanded proper reforms, gender sensitisation, and structural changes within the organisation. They also accused Nazariya of protecting the people who mishandled the complaint while making the victim’s identity public. According to SfPD, the investigation committee had also judged the victim’s personal life instead of focusing on the assault.

The next day, SfPD issued yet another statement, this time targeting two Nazariya members, Nishant Anand and Val Vashri. They accused them of circulating the internal investigative report without the victim’s consent and of trying to slut-shame her by sharing graphic details of the abuse.

On 23rd November, Nazariya expelled the victim from the group completely. SfPD condemned the move and compared it to a patriarchal household where abuse is treated as a private problem, and survivors are silenced.

By early 2025, the matter had spilt over into international left circles as well. SfPD even discussed the issue in an interview with the Revolutionary Maoist Coalition in the USA. They repeated their criticism of Nazariya’s actions and again highlighted the harm caused by phrases like “sexual opportunism.”

But through all this, one thing became clear that the Urban Naxal groups involved, Nazariya, bsCEM, FACAM, and even SfPD, were using the sexual assault case as a battleground for ideological superiority. 

‘Ram is not just a deity but a value system’: PM Modi hails Ram Mandir as a symbol of India’s civilisational revival. Read 7 key takeaways from his speech at Dhwajarohan ceremony

Jinit Jain
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‘Ram is not just a deity but a value system’: PM Modi hails Ram Mandir as a symbol of India’s civilisational revival. Read 7 key takeaways from his speech at Dhwajarohan ceremony

PM Modi’s address in Ayodhya during the historic Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple was not just a ceremonial speech; it was a powerful articulation of civilisational memory, national resolve, and India’s spiritual self-confidence.

“Today, the city of Ayodhya is bearing witness to yet another pinnacle of India’s cultural consciousness. Today, all of India and the entire world are filled with the presence of Ram. In the heart of every devotee of Rama, there is unparalleled satisfaction, boundless gratitude, immense, otherworldly joy,” PM Modi said in his address.

Through a series of symbolic references and emotive appeals, Modi framed the moment as a turning point in India’s cultural and moral journey.

Here are 7 key takeaways from PM Modi’s historic speech from the Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ram Mandir:

Healing of historical wounds

A central theme of the Prime Minister’s speech was the idea of civilisational healing. Modi repeatedly underscored that “wounds and pain of centuries are healing today,” describing the hoisting of the dharma flag as the fulfilment of a 500-year-long resolve.

The Ram Temple, in his framing, is not merely a structure of worship but the closure of a historical chapter marked by struggle, patience, and faith.

The dharma flag as a civilisational symbol

Modi elevated the saffron dharma flag beyond a ritualistic object, describing it as the banner of India’s civilisational renaissance. He highlighted the symbolism embedded in it, the saffron colour, the legacy of the Suryavansh, the sacred “Om”, and the Kovidar tree, presenting the flag as a representation of Ram Rajya’s ideals and India’s cultural resurgence.

Hailing it as a completion of a centuries-long yajna, PM Modi said, “The Dhwajarohan is the culmination of the sacred flame that burned for 500 years without wavering in faith or devotion. The divine energy of Lord Shri Ram now stands enshrined in the form of this dharma-dhwaj at the grand temple. This flag is not merely a symbol, it represents the resurgence of Indian civilisation.”

Ram as a value system, not just a deity

Perhaps the most politically and philosophically significant message was Modi’s assertion that “Ram is not just a person, Ram is a value.” He linked the moral framework of Lord Ram to India’s contemporary national goals, stating that for India to become a developed nation by 2047, citizens must “awaken the Ram within themselves.”

“Ram is not merely a historical or divine figure, but a living principle and a guiding value system. If India truly wants to emerge as a developed nation by 2047, every citizen must internalise and awaken the ideals of Ram within themselves, and no occasion could be more appropriate than the present moment to take such a collective resolve,” PM Modi proclaimed.

Ayodhya as the moral compass of India

Modi portrayed Ayodhya as more than a pilgrimage city; it was described as the land where ideals transform into conduct. He traced Ram’s journey from prince to Maryada Purushottam, using it as a metaphor for how a society rooted in values can elevate individuals into exemplars of ethical living. Ayodhya, in this narrative, becomes the spiritual capital of India’s moral imagination.

“Ayodhya is a sacred land where lofty ideals are reflected in everyday conduct. It is the city from where Lord Shri Ram began His life’s journey, setting an example for the world of how an individual, guided by social harmony and deeply rooted values, can rise to the highest standards of righteousness,” PM Modi said.

He further said, “When Shri Ram departed from Ayodhya, He did so as a prince, but when He returned, He was no longer just royalty, He had become the embodiment of moral excellence, revered as Maryada Purushottam.”

Call for social harmony, not division

Contrary to critics who often view the Ram Temple through a political lens, Modi emphasised unity over division. He stressed that “Ram unites through emotion, not division,” and that devotion, not lineage, is what matters. His appeal to visit the Sapt Mandapam, which symbolises faith, friendship, duty, and social harmony, was aimed at grounding the movement in ethical and social cohesion rather than triumphalism.

Congratulating devotees and labourers who constructed the Ram Mandir

Another notable element was the emphasis on inclusive devotion. Modi cited scriptural belief that even those unable to visit the temple, but who pay respect to the temple flag from afar, receive the same spiritual merit. This broadened the scope of participation, making the Ram Temple a shared spiritual moment for Hindus worldwide, not limited by geography or access.

PM Modi said, “Our scriptures teach that even those who are unable to physically visit the temple, but offer their reverence to the temple flag from a distance, receive the same spiritual merit. The flag is a powerful symbol that would allow devotees to feel connected to the birthplace of Ram Lalla even from far away, it would carry the message, guidance, and inspiration of Lord Shri Ram to people across the world for generations.”

Acknowledgement of collective effort

The Prime Minister concluded by shifting the spotlight away from himself and towards the collective national effort. He thanked devotees, labourers, artisans, architects, planners, and workers, acknowledging the Ram Temple as a product of mass devotion and national cooperation rather than political will alone.

PM Modi’s Ayodhya speech was crafted as a civilisational statement, not just a religious address. By blending faith with national development, history with aspiration, and devotion with discipline, he positioned the Ram Mandir and its Dhwajarohan ceremony as a symbolic foundation for India’s journey towards 2047 and beyond.

Volcano erupts in Ethiopia for the first time in recorded history, ash plumes may disrupt flights in India: Read what happened

Rukma Rathore
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Volcano erupts in Ethiopia for the first time in recorded history, ash plumes may disrupt flights in India: Read what happened

For the first time in recorded history, that is thousands of years, a volcano in northeastern Ethiopia has erupted, sending dense ash plumes up to 14 kilometres into the sky and across the Red Sea towards Yemen and Oman. Hayli Gubbi volcano in the earthquake-prone Afar region of Ethiopia, which is almost 800 kilometres northeast of Addis Ababa (capital city of the country), erupted on the morning of 23rd November at 8:30 am.

The nearby village of Afdera was also coated in ash as the explosion continued for several hours.

According to reports, there were no injuries but the eruption might have an impact on the cattle herders in the area. The 500-meter-high volcano is located in the Rift Valley, a region of intense geological activity where two tectonic plates converge. The last eruption of the volcano, which is located in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range, might have occurred between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago.

A local reported hearing a loud noise and what he characterised a “shock wave” and added, “It felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown with smoke and ash. Many people were left stuck in Afdera as they were moving to the Danakil desert, a popular tourist destination in the area.

According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Hayli Gubbi has not had any known eruptions during the Holocene, which started at the end of the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago. It “has no record of Holocene eruptions,” informed Michigan Technological University professor and volcanologist Simon Carn.

According to experts, Hayli Gubbi is a shield volcano, similar to Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Instead of producing enormous columns of ash, these volcanoes are recognised for their seeping lava flows. “To see a big eruption column, like a big umbrella cloud, is really rare in this area,” expressed Juliet Biggs, an earth scientist at the University of Bristol in England, reported Scientific American.

A satellite image shows ash rising from the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. (NASA Handout via Reuters)

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) conveyed that ash clouds from the current explosion also passed over northern Pakistan and India. Southwestern Arabia, which includes Yemen and Oman are also going to be impacted.

The plume initially entered India over western Rajasthan, according to weather trackers. The plume covered portions of Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan by the late evening of 24th November. According to forecasters, the volcanic ash was set to hit Gujarat by 10 pm and then northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab before affecting the Himalayas and other areas. The ash plum finally spread into China from Northern India.

The Indian authorities advised people to “just wear a mask and AQI levels will be somewhat impacted but plume is mostly in lower-mid atmosphere and going up. Expected Flight delays and changes in flight plans if based in Mumbai & Delhi ATC (Air Traffic Control) IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). The sky may look like a duststorm is in progress.”

DGCA issues advisory

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator issued a warning to airlines and airports of potential disruptions caused by the volcanic ash drifting over northern India. It pointed out that the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse and the Airport Authority of India have issued a volcanic ash advisory and an ASHTAM warning of hazardous conditions.

A special notification known as an ASHTAM is sent to aviation operators when an ash cloud or volcanic eruption could endanger planes. DGCA has directed all flight operators to go over the volcanic ash protocol operational manuals and inform all relevant staff. It advised airlines to modify flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations in accordance with the most recent advisories, and to rigorously avoid publicised volcanic ash affected areas and flight levels.

It added that airlines have been told initiate internal safety risk management procedures and report any potential ash encounter, including abnormal engine performance or smoke or scent in the cabin. The DGCA has requested that the operators maintain ongoing surveillance of the volcanic ash cloud situation and stay informed, among other things, by using satellite imagery and meteorological data.

The authority has mandated that the operators inspect runways, taxiways and aprons right away if volcanic ash interferes with airport operations. It outlined, “Depending on the contamination, the operations may be restricted, and cleaning procedures have to be completed before resuming movements.”

There has already been a major disruption to air traffic due to the volcanic eruption. The volcanic ash concern has caused flights to be cancelled by a number of airlines, including KLM, IndiGo and Akasa Air.

Airlines on alert

The eruption has forced the diversion of several flights to and from India. The ash plumes are predicted to have an impact on Delhi and Jaipur. They were predicted to reach in Jamnagar of Gujarat, at 5:30 IST (Indian Standard Time), therefore Indian aviation officials are on high alert. Due to the anticipated plumes, Indigo’s Kannur-Abu Dhabi 6E1433 flight was diverted to Ahmedabad on 24th November, affecting all flights in that region. An Indian carrier’s aircraft that touched down in Abu Dhabi underwent inspection, before it was allowed to return to the country.

IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air reassured passengers that safety is their first priority. “Our teams are closely tracking the situation in coordination with international aviation bodies. We are fully prepared with all necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations. Our 6E teams are available across all touchpoints to support you with any assistance you may need. We will continue to monitor the developments round the clock and keep you informed of any updates to help minimise inconvenience (if any),” IndiGo shared on social media.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant touch with our operating crew. There is no major impact on Air India flights at this time. We will take all necessary steps under our precautionary plans to ensure the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft, which remains our top priority. Our ground teams across the network will continue to support passengers and keep them updated on their flights,” stated Air India

Akasa Air likewise mentioned, “We are closely monitoring the volcanic activity in Ethiopia and its potential impact on flight operations in nearby regions. Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary actions as required.”

“A volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has affected airspace over parts of West Asia, which may impact some international routes. Passengers are advised to connect with their respective airlines to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport,” noted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

There have been reports of volcanic ash activity over portions of the Arabian Peninsula since the eruption. Although there have been no cautions related to the ash drift towards India, airlines have issued cautious notifications for travellers passing through the Middle East.

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