On Tuesday (16th April), Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balkrishna proposed to “redeem themselves” and take several steps on their own initiative for the same. Baba Ramdev also offered to issue a public apology in the misleading advertisement case. Following this, the Supreme Court bench adjourned the matter next for 23rd April.
“I am willing to give a public apology,” senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev and Balkrishna, told a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.
The court questioned their “attitude” and questioned why they devalued other disciplines of medicine to emphasise the merits of Ayurveda. According to Justice Amanullah, the “law is the same for everybody”. To this, Ramdev said that he would be cautious in the future.
The court stated that it would review the case in light of all previous developments. “We haven’t decided whether to forgive you. You have violated (directives) thrice. We are currently reviewing previous orders. You are not so innocent that you did not know what’s happening in court,” the court said. The bench directed Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in court again and take measures to demonstrate their intent.
This comes after the Supreme Court on 10th April, refused to accept Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda MD Acharya Balkrishna’s second apology in the misleading advertisements case. Patanjali and its MD, along with Ramdev, had filed affidavits expressing an “unconditional and unqualified apology” for airing the advertisements in breach of an undertaking given to the Court in November last year.
The bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanudding Amanullah stated that the reason for issuing the “apology on paper” was because their “back was against the wall”.
Earlier, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court and tendered an unconditional apology in regard to misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda and said that they undertake to always uphold the majesty of law and justice.
In an affidavit filed before the top court, Baba Ramdev said, “I seek pardon for the aforesaid breach of the statement. I undertake to always uphold the majesty of Law and majesty of Justice.” Baba Ramdev informed the top court that he sincerely regrets the lapse and he wished to assure that the same will not be repeated in future.
A day after Zerodha founder Nikhal Kamath launched the ‘WTFund’ for young entrepreneurs, it came to light that one of the team members, Harnidh Kaur, had previously wished for the assassination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per reports, Kamath had launched the grant-based ‘WTFund’ for entrepreneurs who are aged 25 and below. The Zerodha founder was also pictured alongside Harnidh Kaur, who has now stirred the hornet’s nest with her old viral tweet.
“Rajnath Singh: ‘Modi has followed Mahatma’s footsteps’. The only way that is correct is where someone will assassinate him. Seriously,” Kaur had tweeted in April 2013. It must be mentioned that her tweet previously went viral in April 2020.
— Astronaut ? (Modi Ka Parivar) (@TheRobustRascal) April 16, 2024
In the controversial tweet, Harnidh Kaur was seen casually calling for the assassination of PM Narendra Modi. She was also seen using abusive language in some of her old tweets.
“Sidharth ki maa ki ch**t mein aata jisko Kunal ne chaata’, read one of her disturbing tweets. Harnidh Kaur was also seen making references to ‘g*nd’ and ‘behench*d’, ‘gori ch**t’ ke pille’ in several other posts.
In 2018, the left-wing ‘activist’ was also at the helm of whitewashing urban naxals in India for the Shekhar Gupta-run-propaganda outlet, The Print.
She had also abused Lord Ram and Ramayana in some of her now-deleted tweets. “He (Lord Ram) was a terrible man in context. Shit husband, shit brother, shit son, self-absorbed to the nth degree,” her tweet from October 2016 read.
Screengrab of the tweet by Harnidh Kaur
“I fucking hate the Ramayana. It’s the best example of privilege, skewed stakeholder patterns and a narrow tunnel vision of history,” Kaur had posted.
Screengrab of the tweet by Harnidh Kaur
Harnidh Kaur is one of the important team members of the ‘WTFund.’ Her LinkedIn bio says, “Funding the future of Indian entrepreneurship @WTFund”
Screengrab of the LinkedIn profile of Harnidh Kaur
Her Instagram profile reads, “Headling @thewtfund”.
Screengrab of the Instagram profile of Harnidh Kaur
In April 2020, the Indian online ticketing platform BookMyShow stoked a huge controversy on social media after it promoted Harnidh Kaur on its platform
On Monday, 15th April, temple activist and president of Indic Collective Trust, TR Ramesh sent a notice to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to clear encroachments on Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai and take action against encroachers.
Ramesh, in his notice to the HR&CE department’s commissioner and joint commissioner alongside the principal secretary of Tamil Nadu government’s tourism, culture and religious endowments department, pointed out the encroachment of Hindu temples—Sri Elaiyanar Temple and Sri Idumbanar Temple—in Tirvannamalai, negligence of HR&CE department officials in protecting the temples. He said that these two temples have now gone “missing”.
“Blatant and chronic encroachments of Hindu Temples and Endowments in Tiruvannamalai town – Criminal dereliction of duties by the authorities in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in their failure to protect the properties – Two temples – Sri Elaiyanar Temple and Sri Idumbanar Temple in Tiruvannamalai have been effaced from their sites by the encroachers – These two temples are now missing – Lands belonging to Sri Ekambareswarar Temple near Ayyan Kulam, Tiruvannamalai and the temple precincts themselves are encroached the Amman Sannati of the said temple destroyed and Amman Deity missing – More Hindu Endowment lands brazenly encroached,” the notice reads.
Ramesh further called upon the authorities to file criminal complaints against those involved in encroaching on the temples and arrest them. He also asked the authorities to take steps to collect all dues and recover and restore all Tiruvannamalai temples and endowment lands and sites so encroached in the State of Tamil Nadu.
Moreover, the president of Temple Worshippers Society sought action against HR&CE department officials who failed to perform their duty and protect the temples from encroachment.
“Section 79-B of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 not invoked and the encroachers not arrested You are now called upon to cause the arrest of the encroachers by making appropriate criminal complaints, take steps to collect all dues, recover all Tiruvannamalai temples and endowment lands and sites so encroached in the State of Tamil Nadu, restore them to the concerned temples and endowments and further initiate departmental and criminal proceedings against those officials in the Department who had failed to take credible steps to recover the said encroached properties and to collect their due income in the last 30 years – Notice issued,” TR Ramesh added in the notice.
In an X post, Ramesh informed about the notice he sent to the concerned authorities and also shared some visuals of the temples encroached in Tiruvannamalai.
Highlighting the significance of Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, he wrote, “Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in foothills of Tiruvannamalai is an extraordinarily important heritage temple in Tamil Nadu. Repeatedly plundered and targeted by Milechas – restoration of this temple owes a lot to Hoysala Kings, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Maratta warriors and Vijaynagar kings.”
Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in foothills of Tiruvannamalai is an extraordinarily important heritage temple in Tamil Nadu. Repeatedly plundered and targeted by Milechas – restoration of this temple owes a lot to Hoysala Kings, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maratta warriors and… pic.twitter.com/GEo06SD7iF
The temple activist added that this temple has been controlled by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department since 13th December 1951. “This temple is controlled by #FRAUD by the @tnhrcedept and shamelessly so from 13.12.1951. The town of Tiruvannamalai has many Hindu endowments dedicated to this temple. These endowments have very valuable landed properties. Most of them are under chronic encroachment and hostile occupation. In the last 30 years or more the misfits in the @tnhrcedept have been watching the encroachments grow and the taking place of illegal constructions of shops and houses in temple and endowment lands,” Ramesh added in his X post.
He further highlighted that two temples have gone “missing” and the Devi Sannathi in Sri Ekambareswarar Temple has been demolished with houses built there. The encroachment extends to 23000 square feet of the temple land.
“Two temples have gone missing right in middle of town. The Devi Sannathi in Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai demolished and houses built there and in about 23,000 sq. ft land of that temple. Unbelievable atrocities that happened under the “watchful” eyes of the very honest @tnhrcedept officials in Tiruvannamalai Temple Town,” Ramesh stated while accusing the HRCE department officials of doing “nothing” in the matter in last 30 years.
Drawing attention towards the level of encroachment of Hindu temples in Tiruvannamalai, Ramesh shared videos and photos of the encroached temple land. “Unbelievable encroachment of about 25,000 sq. ft of Sri Ekambareswarar temple precincts and land – This temple is next to Ayyan Kualam – a huge water body of Tiruvannamalai temple – unscrupulous people in that area have built houses within the temple – the Goddess sanatti demolished – The Goddess Murti gone missing. Shameless people – colluding officials,” Ramesh said.
Unbelievable encroachment of about 25,000 sq. ft of Sri Ekambareswarar temple precincts and land – This temple is next to Ayyan Kualam – a huge water body of Tiruvannamalai temple – unscrupulous people in that area have built houses within the temple – the Goddess sanatti… pic.twitter.com/xVkDPIo6Vb
In the next post in the thread, TR Ramesh mentioned Sri Ilayanar Temple and Sri Idumbanar Temple which have allegedly gone missing and shops have been constructed at the temple site.
“Two temples – Sri Ilayanar Temple and Sri Idumbanar Temple – gone missing in Tiruvannamalai – shops have sprung up in the places where these temples were there. This @tnhrcedept should be legally booted out of our Hindu Temples to protect the temples and their properties. Shops, lodges, houses have come in lands where ancient temples were thriving and in the Hindu endowment lands in Tiruvannamalai,” Ramesh posted.
Two temples – Sri Ilayanar Temple and Sri Idumbanar Temple – gone missing in Tiruvannamalai – shops have sprung up in the places where these temples were there. This @tnhrcedept should be legally booted out of our Hindu Temples to protect the temples and their properties.… pic.twitter.com/IMyak241FJ
Notably, the Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (five sacred temples) that represent the five essential elements of life, namely Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Sky. It is one of the most revered Shaivite temples that represents the element Fire. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as the Agni Lingam. The Shiva Purana lists the four most sacred places where one can gain salvation. Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai is one of them.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the opposition parties including the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress for using the Ram temple as a ‘political weapon’. PM Modi, in an exclusive interview with the news agency ANI indicated that several videos of AAP jailed leader Arvind Kejriwal are making rounds on social media and that is all just for gaining the public sentiments.
While slamming Congress, the Prime Minister said that the party used the Ram temple as a ‘political weapon’ and now it has been built, “the issue has gone out of their hands”. “When we were not even born, when our party was not even born. At that time, this matter could have been dealt with in the court. There could have been a solution to the problem. When India was divided, then during the time of partition, they could have decided to do so and so. That was not done. Why? Because this is like a weapon in their hands, a weapon for vote bank politics,” Modi said.
“Even, when the case was going on in the court, they tried to delay the judgment of the court. Why? Because for them, it was a political weapon. They kept saying Ram Mandir will be built, they will kill you. It was a way to appease a vote bank. Now what happened? Ram Mandir was built, no untoward incidents happened and that issue has gone out of their hands,” he added accusing Congress and the opposition parties of trying to delay the judgment of the court.
Further, while criticising the Congress for turning down the invitation for the consecration ceremony, Modi said, “You should be proud that the people who have built the Ram Mandir, those who have also struggled for it, they forget all your sins. They come to your house and invite you. And they want to start anew. You also reject them.”
“Then it seems that for you, the vote bank has made you helpless. And because of that vote bank, things like this keep happening. And this… showing someone down, insulting someone, this is their nature,” he was quoted as saying.
When questioned about the opposition’s allegation that the government is exploiting agencies and queries about possible EVM manipulation, he said, “In reality, they are trying to come up with a reason for their defeat. So that blame for defeat is not attributed to them directly.”
“Out of these, not a single law (ED, CBI filing cases) was brought by my government, on the contrary, Election Commission reforms were brought by my Government. Those close to the ‘family’ were made Election Commissioners who later got Rajya Sabha seats and ministries. We (BJP) can’t play at that level,” he added.
Coming Up later today (5:30PM): PM Narendra Modi's interview with ANI. The video interview will be released to all ANI subscribers. Run Time- 78 Minutes. pic.twitter.com/yi05p4ag6i
In yet another apparent dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said, “Unfortunately, these days, we see no dedication and accountability for one word. You must have seen old videos of a leader whose every notion is conflicting. When people observe this, they believe the leader is deceiving the public. I just heard a politician declare, “Ek jhatke mein garibi hata dunga (I will eradicate poverty instantly)”. When those who have had the opportunity to be in power for 5-6 decades say this, the country wonders what this man is talking about.”
“I have big plans…kisi ko darne ki zaroorat nahin hai (No one needs to be afraid). My decisions are not made to scare anyone or to diminish anyone. They are made for the overall development of the country,” PM said when asked about his future plans and governance”, he said.
PM Narendra Modi also addressed the criticism of electoral bonds, saying, “Due to electoral bonds you are getting the trail of the money. Which company gave it? How did they give it? Where did they give it? And that is why I say when they (opposition) will think honestly, everyone will regret it (on the Supreme Court decision to scrap electoral bonds).”
He further elaborated on the BJP’s poll pledge of ‘One Nation, One Election’, saying, “One nation, one election is our commitment…Many people have joined forces across the country…Several people have made suggestions to the committee. Very positive and imaginative recommendations have been made. If we can execute this report, the country will reap significant benefits.”
#WATCH | On One Nation One Election, PM Modi says, "…One nation one election is our commitment…Many people have come on board in the country…Many people have given their suggestions to the committee. Very positive and innovative suggestions have come. The country will… pic.twitter.com/eyONAxLs43
The Prime Minister further spoke about Sanatan Dharma and said that the Congress supports those who spew venom against Sanatan Dharma. “The Congress should be asked why they are sitting with those who are spewing venom about Santana Dharma…People’s anger against the DMK is getting diverted towards the BJP in a positive way,” he said.
The Prime Minister further attacked the so-called ‘North-South divide’, saying, “…seeing India as various pieces is a result of mindlessness for India. Which part of India has the most villages bearing Lord Ram’s name? Tamil Nadu. Diversity is our strength, and we should celebrate it.”
#WATCH | On DMK's recent 'Anti-Sanatana' remark and public outrage over it, PM Narendra Modi says, "…Congress should be asked that what is its compulsion to sit with people who are spewing such venom against Sanatana?…What is this perversion in the Congress mindset…It is a… pic.twitter.com/Hkdu8kLTwL
“India is a country of diversity…Viewing India as different units is a result of mindlessness regarding India. Which part of India has the most number of villages associated with Lord Ram’s name? Tamil Nadu…How can you term it a separate (unit)?…There is diversity. An individual from Nagaland will not be like a person from Punjab. A person from Kashmir will not be like a Gujarati. Diversity is our strength, we should celebrate it. India is a bouquet where everyone can see their flower. That is the sentiment which should be harbored,” he could be heard saying.
On the claim that the NDA winning 400 seats in the Lok Sabha would result in changes to the Constitution and the abolition of diversity, PM Modi disputed the notion saying, “We worship diversity. We celebrate it.”
#WATCH | On allegation that '400 paar' would lead to changes in the Constitution leading to cancellation of diversity, PM says, "…The problem lies with them (opposition) – they want to cast the country in the same mould. We worship diversity. We celebrate it…"
“I don’t understand that on what basis you (Congress) are leveling such allegations against a man who celebrated the Tamil language – the oldest language – at the UN? They have issues when I wear attires from different states. The problem lies with them – they want to cast the country in the same mould. We worship diversity. We celebrate it…We have said, why can’t one become a doctor or an engineer using their mother tongue (curriculum in local languages)? When I speak about the mother tongue, it means I am celebrating it, I am enhancing its greatness. I met young gamers recently. One of them asked me if I had a message for them. I told them – do a thing, wherever you put down your signatures – do it in your mother language. Take that pride (in your mother tongue). I am trying to bring in diversity. If they have to level allegations, what can I do?” he said.
After the Aam Aadmi Party government attempted to demolish two Hindu temples in West Delhi on 15th April, amidst the Navratri festival, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena stayed the demolition action ahead of Ram Navami. Reports say that the AAP minister Atishi had in February this year ordered the demolition of two temples namely Jai Shiv Bhola Mandir in Tilak Nagar and the Jai Shri Mata Mahakali Mandir at Khyala Road on Monday.
Delhi LG while staying the demolition of these temples reportedly said that AAP leader Atishi wants to fan communal tensions by ordering the removal of Hindu temples during Navratri, particularly when the model code of conduct is in effect, as per a Times Now report.
Notably, the decision to demolish certain religious structures was taken by the Public Works Department on 9th February this year. In the meeting held in February this year, many such structures were discussed for demolition, however, only the said two temples were approved for demolition saying that since these temples were situated on the roadside they caused traffic issues.
The PWD officials, reportedly, sought logistics and police assistance for demolishing these temples first on 21st February and then on 28th March, however, it was said that the demolition had been scheduled specifically for 15th of April.
Although the Delhi LG has put a stay on the demolition action, the local Hindus are enraged over the AAP government’s decision to demolish Hindu temples, especially during the Navratri festival. Locals alleged that the Hindu community is being deliberately targeted by the Delhi government.
Delhi LG has put a hold on the demolition of temples ahead of Ram Navami. Notably, the demolition was ordered by Delhi Minister Atishi, sources say.
According to the sources, the LG claimed that Atishi wants to create communal tensions.
Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly objected to the AAP government’s decision. In a press conference on Monday, BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva said, “Navratri festival is being celebrated all over the country at this time. This festival of worship of Mother Bhagwati has special importance in Delhi. Be it the administration or any individual, he especially expects harmony to be maintained during these religious functions. But unfortunately, there is a government in Delhi which works on the policy of pleasing one section.”
Sachdeva also slammed AAP leader Atishi and said that the meeting to discuss demolition action against encroachments was held on 9th February and several other sites from ISBT to Majnu Ka Tila were also discussed, however, Atishi selected only two Hindu temples for demolition that too specifically during Navaratri.
पश्चिमी दिल्ली में अपनी तुच्छ मानसिकता का परिचय देते हुए एक विशेष वर्ग को खुश करने के लिए, साजिशन नवरात्रि के समय 2 मंदिरों को तोड़ने का बेहद दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण प्रयास AAP और अरविंद केजरीवाल की सरकार द्वारा किया गया।
— Virendraa Sachdeva (मोदी का परिवार ) (@Virend_Sachdeva) April 15, 2024
“Public Works Department comes under the Delhi Government. AAP minister Atishi tried to demolish two temples in West Delhi. Navratri is going on, people are fasting. People are doing puja every day. Deliberately targeting temples, especially on the day of Navratri reflects the mindset of the Aam Aadmi Party and its alliance parties. The cabinet meeting of the Delhi government was held on 9 February 2024. Apart from these two, there was discussion about removing the sites from ISBT to Majnu Ka Tila which come under the category of encroachment. But Atishi specifically chose two temples built in densely populated areas on Khayala Road and Ganesh Nagar in Tilak Nagar. After this, orders were given that these temples have to be removed today (15th April) itself,” Sachdeva said adding that the temples marked for demolition were constructed around 35 years ago.
The BJP leader alleged that an attempt was made to incite communal tensions, however, with LG VK Saxena’s intervention, the situation was brought under control. “As soon as the public came to know this morning, a large number of people gathered there. The Lieutenant Governor somehow brought the worsening situation under control. But the Aam Aadmi Party, which is already reeling from its defeat, has now resorted to these small acts and is directly attacking Sanatan,” Sachdeva added.
Former Reserve Bank of India Governor, D Subbarao, has made some shocking assertions in his book about his time at the RBI and his interactions with the then Finance Ministers. Subbarao alleged that the finance ministry, led by Pranab Mukherjee, and P Chidambaram, pressed the RBI to lower interest rates and create a more positive picture of development to boost the confidence of people in the government.
“Chidambaram typically argued his case like the lawyer that he so eminently is, while Mukherjee was the quintessential politician,” Subbarao wrote.
In the book titled “Just A Mercenary? Notes from My Life and Career,’ Subbarao spoke on the government’s ‘lack of awareness and sensitivity’ to the necessity of central bank autonomy.
“Having been both in the government and in the RBI, I can say with some authority that there is little understanding and sensitivity within the government on the importance of central bank autonomy,” he wrote in the book.
Subbarao was finance secretary from 2007 to 2008 before becoming RBI governor for a five-year tenure beginning September 5, 2008, just days before the Lehman Brothers crisis took place.
In the book, Subbarao noted that government pressure was not limited to the Reserve Bank’s interest rate policy. On occasion, this pressure extended to pressing the RBI to produce more positive growth and inflation estimates, which deviated from the RBI’s objective judgment, he said.
Subbarao described his discussions with Chidambaram and Mukherjee, highlighting their differing approaches but common desire for softer monetary policy. He recalled moments when Chidambaram publicly disagreed with the RBI’s stance on interest rates.
“Mukherjee let his view be known and left it to his officers to argue his case”, he stated, adding that “the net result was an uncomfortable relationship”.
Subbarao stated that suggestions were made that the RBI project a higher growth rate and a lower inflation rate to share responsibility with the government for ‘shoring up confidence’. He admitted that there was a moment when he was consistently dissatisfied and annoyed by the demand that the RBI become a cheerleader for the government.
The previous RBI governor stated that he used to hold the firm belief that the Reserve Bank could not deviate from its best professional judgment just to manipulate popular emotion.
Duvvuri Subbarao began his career as a sub-collector for the Parvathipuram sub-division in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh in 1974. In 2013, he was appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of India during a severe exchange rate crisis. Subbarao is now an associate at the Yale Jackson School in the United States.
His most recent novel, ‘Just a Mercenary? Notes from My Life and Career’ describes his 74-year journey. The book contains numerous stories of his hopes and sorrow, accomplishments and defeats, mistakes and transgressions, and the lessons he learned along the road, all told with unusual candor and honesty.
Two days after a Hindu politician Shri Thanedar submitted a resolution in the US House of Representatives condemning anti-Hindu bigotry, a controversial outfit named ‘Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR)’, with ties to George Soros, on Friday (12th April) dubbed it as an exercise in ‘Hindu supremacy’.
Amidst rising cases of attacks on Hindu places of worship, Shri Thanedar floated a resolution in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (10th April) to celebrate the contribution of Hindu Americans and condemn Hinduphobia.
The resolution (H.Res.1131), which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, read [pdf] –
The House of Representatives celebrates the contributions of Hindus and Hinduism to the United States of America;
The House of Representatives declares the United States as a place that welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans;
The House of Representatives condemns Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry and hate, and intolerance; and
The House of Representatives makes appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.
All set to attend the Press conference on H. Res. 1131 – “Celebrating Hindu Americans, and condemning attacks on Hindu places of worship, Hinduphobia, and anti-Hindu bigotry,” We are concerned that extremist individual(s) with a track record of hating Hindus and chanting “death… pic.twitter.com/cz71XlDKFr
Shri Thanedar also underlined that Hindu Americans continue to face stereotypes, Hinduphobia, discrimination, bias-motivated crimes, and hate speech. The community is also subjected to bullying in schools and colleges.
Citing the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics Report, the resolution added that anti-Hindu hate crimes are on the rise in the US annually. Despite no controversial or malicious proposals, the anti-Hindu outfit ‘Hindus for Human Rights’ opposed the resolution submitted by Shri Thanedar on Friday (12th April).
In a press release, the outfit backed by far-left activist George Soros alleged, “Instead, it reflects a longstanding effort by the Hindu supremacist movement in the United States to divide South Asian communities, undermine hard-won efforts to advance the civil rights of Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh Americans after 9/11, and construct a politically motivated narrative of rampant ‘Hinduphobia’ to silence and censor anyone who criticizes Hindutva or speaks out against the violence of Hindu supremacy and caste oppression.”
Screengrab of the tweet by Hindus for Human Rights
“The term ‘Hinduphobia’ is designed to falsely equate anti-Hindu prejudice with Islamophobia and antisemitism, obscuring the fact that unlike Muslim and Jewish Americans, Hindu Americans do not face any such systemic discrimination or oppression. In many cases, instances of anti-Indian sentiment, general xenophobia, or even mistaken Islamophobia are misleadingly labelled as ‘Hinduphobic’ regardless of whether or not there is any evidence to support claims of religious motivation,” HfHR further alleged.
The controversial organisation left no stone unturned to negate the phenomenon of Hinduphobia. “Even worse, claims of ‘Hinduphobia’ have routinely been weaponized to smear anyone—including self-identifying Hindus—who criticizes the current Indian government or the Hindu supremacist movement,” Hindus for Human Rights brazened out.
“Perhaps most horrifyingly, dominant-caste Hindu supremacists deploy the term ‘Hinduphobia’ to describe legislation and policies that would end caste discrimination, including against fellow Hindu Americans. By explicitly invoking the rhetoric of ‘Hinduphobia,’ this resolution plays directly into the hands of Hindu supremacist groups, who have already seized upon its introduction as a victory for their cause,” it continued with its unsubstantiated claims.
Attacks on Hindu Mandirs in the US
In January this year, the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward city in California state of the United States was desecrated with pro-Khalistani slogans. The temple was spray-painted with slogans such as ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ and ‘Modi is terrorist.’
In a statement, the temple administration said, “Jai Mata Di Bhakto’s. With deep regret, we would like to inform you (that) the Temple has been vandalized last week. We have informed the police and they have classified it as a hate crime.
“A few other Hindu Temple’s in the area have also been vandalized (most likely by the same culprits). We pray for those who wish harm and hatred on others that Mata Rani cleans their souls and gives them happiness and eradicates hate from their hearts,” it added.
On 22nd December 2023, the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark city of California, was defaced with pro-Khalistan, anti-Modi and anti-India slogans. The outer wall of the temple was defaced with slogans such as “Khalistan”, “Shaheed [Martyr] Bhindrawale”, “F$%k Modi Jindabad” and “Modi Is Terrorist”.
Similar attacks have taken place in the past, both in the United States and its neighbouring Canada, wherein Hindu temples have been attacked, vandalised and defaced with derogatory graffiti.
India has already voiced alarm over the increasing activities of Khalistani terrorists and has asked countries to cracked down on groups and people attempting to incite separatism in India.
#Breaking: Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California was defaced with pro-#Khalistan slogans.@NewarkCA_Police and @CivilRights have been informed and full investigation will follow.
Controversies surrounding ‘Hindus for Human Rights’
According to the popular OSINT handle ‘Disinfo Lab’, HfHR was formed in the year 2019 by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI).
Interestingly, the three organisations had formed another outfit called the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA). As per an article in The Hindu, the Alliance for Justice and Accountability had been at the forefront of leading demonstrations against the visit of PM Modi to Houston on September 22, 2019.
Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of ‘Hindus for Human Rights’ had also tried to create hysteria and panic among Indian Muslims about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019.
Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights (#HfHR) is co-host of multiple events with IAMC – all ‘concerned’ about India.
Her other organization Women for Afghan Women is funded by Soros’ Open Society Foundation.
“We are especially appalled by the most recent nightmare of the Kashmiri people, and the situation of 1.9 million people in India who are rendered stateless due to the imposition of the travesty called the National Register of Citizens”
She is also the co-founder of an organisation named ‘Women for Afghan Women’, which is funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF)/ Open Society Institute (OSI).
In 2021, ‘Hindus for Human Rights’ also endorsed the anti-Hindu event ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ conference. It also came up with a “special toolkit” to propagate against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State visit to the US in June 2023.
Hudson was honored to host @RahulGandhi to discuss the state of US-India relations and further cooperation between both nations. ???? pic.twitter.com/fIUJhS4ooX
— Hudson Institute (@HudsonInstitute) June 1, 2023
In June last year, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting alongside Sunita Vishwanath during an event hosted by the Hudson Institute
In October 2023, the X (formerly Twitter) account of HfHR was withheld in India in response to a legal demand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Gaya, Bihar, on Tuesday, 16th April, as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In his address, the Prime Minister stated that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, was the most visible face of the ‘jungle raj’ in the state. He also accused the RJD of attempting to claim credit for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s work and efforts.
Gaya, Bihar: "The biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar is RJD; in Bihar, corruption's another name is RJD…" says PM Modi pic.twitter.com/W0C37MGJH9
“RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don’t have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar…RJD has given only two things to Bihar – jungle raj aur bhrashtachar,” he said.
“Ghamandia Gathbandhan has no vision or trust. When they go on asking for votes, then do so on the work done by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Entire Bihar knows why they try and take credit for the work done by Nitish ji and the central govt,” PM Modi added.
The PM also slammed the Congress and the opposition for demeaning Sanatan Dharma and terming it ‘dengue’, and ‘malaria’. “A group has gathered where various kinds of their companions label Sanatan Dharma as dengue and malaria,” he said. Modi was pointing at Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remark that he made last year that sparked huge controversy.
Gaya, Bihar: "A group has gathered where various kinds of their companions label Sanatan Dharma as dengue and malaria…" says PM Modi pic.twitter.com/qUyoZ31VYB
Prime Minister Modi also announced updates to his ‘guarantee card’, including three crore houses for the poor, free ration for the poor, free treatment for the over 70s, and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. “For the next five years, Modi’s ‘guarantee card’ has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modi’s guarantees,” he said.
As per the Prime Minister, the BJP manifesto provides a roadmap for society. “Over the last decade, 10 crore women have joined self-help groups in India, with the NDA government providing over Rs 40,000 crore to these groups, transforming their fortunes,” he added.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will also address public meetings in Bihar’s Purnea district. This is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Bihar in just two weeks. Gaya votes in the first phase on the 19th of April, while Purnea votes in the second phase on the 26th of April.
The Prime Minister will also address rallies in Balurghat and Raiganj, both in West Bengal. Both seats will vote in the second phase of the general election on April 26. Voting for 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place in seven phases. Vote counting will be held on the 4th of June.
On 16th April, former Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra’s ex, Jai Anant Dehadrai, shared a message allegedly from The Wire’s Karan Thapar where he tried to protect Shashi Tharoor after an alleged molestation incident in 2022. In his post on X, Dehadrai wrote, “Karan Thapar is a twisted and corrupt monster – the suave and articulate exterior is a scam. Went out of his way to protect dirty Shashi from me, in the hotel molestation incident of 11th October 2022 – rather than supporting the victim. Lutyens filth is astounding.”
Karan Thapar is a twisted and corrupt monster – the suave and articulate exterior is a scam.
Went out of his way to protect dirty Shashi from me, in the hotel molestation incident of 11th October 2022 – rather than supporting the victim.
The screenshot of the message that he shared was from 15th October 2022. A few sections of the message were redacted. The message read, “Jai since you won’t talk to me I thought I’d text to say if you go public you’ll harm and perhaps even ruin XXX reputation and political career but it really won’t affect Shashi coz he’s going to lose the election and you’ve told me he’s behaved like this many times before so I presume people know he does it. You XXX insanely then why do something that could ruin her? Think carefully about this. At least discuss it with her before you go public. You don’t want to endanger XXX with her over Shashi. Please pause and think again.” (XXX in the text is the redacted part).
Dehadrai alleged he saw Shashi Tharoor molesting a woman
In December 2023, Dehadrai had posted on X that Shashi Tharoor should be in “Jail not in parliament”. The post came after now-deleted post where he shared that he had witnessed Congress MP Shashi Tharoor molesting a woman and former TMC MP Mahua Moitra chose to keep quiet about it.
In a X post on 6th December, Jai Anant Dehadrai had shared, “Mahua’s remarks on misogyny are laughable and expose her for the raging hypocrite she is. She and I witnessed Shashi Tharoor molest a lady on 11th October 2022 at the Taj Chambers Delhi. She prevented me from reporting Shashi’s sickening behaviour. I am sure she can explain why.” Dehadrai soon deleted the post after sharing. However, screenshots of the deleted post created quite a buzz on social media.
Who is Jai Anant Dehadrai and his links to Mahua Moitra’s expullsion from Lok Sabha
Jai Anant Dehadrai is a Supreme Court advocate in Delhi. He is the ex-boyfriend of former Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. In October 2023, Jai Anant Dehadrai filed a complaint against Moitra alleging she took money to ask questions in Parliament. It also came to light that Moitra took away Dehadrai’s beloved pet dog and he was trying to take back the pet’s custody.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nishikant Dubey filed a complaint against Moitra based on Dehardrai’s allegations. It came to light that Moitra not only took cash from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani but also took expensive gifts, foreign trips and made him pay for the house renovations.
An inquiry was initiated against Moitra and later based on the Ethics Committee’s recommendations, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha.
It is notable here that no further details of this alleged molestation incident have come to light, neither has the alleged victim come forward with a complaint. It is important that Jai comes out with all the details about the alleged molestation incident and the role of journalists like Thapar in covering the alleged incident up
On 15th April (local time), the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment (CRPE) fired anti-Hindu ‘activist’ Riddhi Patel from her job five days after she got arrested for giving death threats to Bakersfield Mayor and city council members. In a post on X, CRPE said that they condemn any threats of violence or unethical behaviour. “As a result of this incident, we have made the decision to terminate Riddhi Patel,” CRPE said.
The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (CRPE) became aware of an incident involving our former employee, Riddhi Patel, at the Bakersfield City Council meeting on April 10, 2024.
We unequivocally condemn any threats of violence or unethical behavior. CRPE has been…
— Center on Race, Poverty, & the Environment (@CRPE_EJ) April 15, 2024
The statement read, “The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (CRPE) became aware of an incident involving our former employee, Riddhi Patel, at the Bakersfield City Council meeting on April 10, 2024.
We unequivocally condemn any threats of violence or unethical behaviour. CRPE has been committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect in all our work and interactions for the past 35 years.
As a result of this incident, we made the decision to terminate Riddhi Patel. We recognize this is a difficult situation, and we are dedicated to handling it with the utmost care and sensitivity.
Going forward, CRPE will continue to focus on our mission of advancing environmental justice and civil rights in the communities we serve. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a culture of non-violence, inclusivity, and respect.“
Who is Riddhi Patel?
Riddhi Patel is a 28-year-old anti-Hindu, Hamas supporter of Indian origin who was recently arrested for giving death threats to city council members in Bakersfield in the California state of the United States. A video of Patel went viral on social media where she was seen threatening to kill Bakersfield council members, including Republic Mayor Karen Goh for not passing an anti-Israeli resolution and stepping up building security in the light of pro-Hamas protests in the city.
She was heard saying, “You guys are all horrible human beings and Jesus probably would have killed you himself…You guys don’t care about anything happening in Palestine or any other country where oppression occurs.”
Soon after she completed her “speech” full of threats, Karen Goh named her and informed her that what she said was a threat. The police escorted her out of the hall and arrested her on eight felony counts for threatening with intent to terrorise and eight counts for threatening the Mayor and Bakersfield city council members. She was sent to Lerdo jail and her bail bond was fixed at USD 2 million. Another video of Patel surfaced on social media where she was seen crying in court.
Patel has a history of anti-Hindu, anti-India and anti-Modi rants. In January 2021, she wrote, “Man fuck Modi. Fuck the BJP. Fuck Nikki Haley. Fuck Dinesh. Fuck Bobby Jindal. Fuck Hindu Fascism,” in a Facebook post. She was also involved in the presidential campaign of far-left American politician Bernie Sanders.
Once a promising athlete, her descent into far-left politics seems to have begun after she joined the Center on Race, Poverty & The Environment (CRPE) in 2020.
