The alleged links of Prince Andrew of England with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have cost him his royal titles and honours. On Wednesday (30th October), the Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles has stripped his 65-year-old brother Prince Andrew of all his remaining royal titles and honours.
Andrew is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He has been under pressure since his alleged links with Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in public. Earlier this month, Prince Andrew was stripped of from the title of Duke of York.
In a statement, the Buckingham Palace said that Prince Andrew will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The Mountbatten Windsor surname was created in 1960, and combines the surnames of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip when they married.
The Palace stated that King Charles has initiated a formal process to remove his “Style, Titles and Honours”. It added that Andrew’s lease on Royal Lodge “has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence”.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation…These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement reads.
From being a celebrated naval officer and trade ambassador to accusations of sexual misconduct and losing royal patronages: The rise and fall of Prince Andrew
During the early 1980s Falklands War with Argentina, Andrew was a member of the armed forces and was once a noted navy officer. However, he was stripped of his royal patronages and military connections in 2022 because to accusations of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied, after having to quit from his position as a travelling UK trade ambassador in 2011. He also stepped down from his royal obligations in 2019.
In that year, he reached a settlement in a case filed by Virginia Giuffre, who passed away in April, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her as a teenager. Since the publication of her memoir, Andrew has consistently rejected her accusations.
In her memoir, Virginia Giuffre wrote that an “entitled” Andrew believed it was his birthright to have sex with her.
Earlier this month, the British media reported about a correspondence between Andrew and Epstein from 2011, revealing that Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein that they should “keep in close touch” and that they would “play some more soon”.
According to a 2016 deposition in a lawsuit, Giuffre said she was pimped out to disgraced royal Andrew but also claimed she had sex with another prince on Epstein’s direction.
Giuffre revealed that she met this prince in 2001, when she was 17, at a lavish party in the south of France. She could not recognise the prince but said he spoke a “foreign language” and English fluently. Giuffre testified that she met “the Prince” alone on the directives of Epstein and his former companion Ghislaine Maxwell, who were well aware that she was being sex-trafficked to this royal.
“They were present before the sexual activity and then I went to have sexual activity with him alone … on the instruction of Epstein and Ghislaine,” Giuffre went on to say. The newly revealed court documents also include testimony from Maxwell, who strongly refuted Giuffre’s claims and asserted she was lying.
Virginia Giuffre also claimed to have seen Bill Clinton twice on Epstein’s Caribbean Island. Another renowned face she mentioned was former presidential candidate Al Gore and his wife Tipper. Giuffre clarified that she saw them having private discussions during dinner but did not accuse them of anything.
Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 (Image via BBC)
Lawyers questioned Giuffre in a 2015 deposition about the precise incident in 2001 in which she reported spending time with Prince Andrew. “Were you paid $10,000 – $15,000 by or on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein for having sex with Prince Andrew?” she was asked, to which she replied, “Yes, I was paid $15,000.I don’t know what equivalent that is to pounds. I received it in US dollars.”
The late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Prince Andrew of his military and royal titles, and he paid a $12 million lawsuit launched by Giuffre. He has, however, always denied any involvement, claiming he never met Giuffre.
The unsealed court documents in the Epstein scandal brought to light serious allegations that disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein filmed sex tapes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Sir Richard Branson. The documents are part of a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. The matter was settled in 2017. However, Miami Herald’s legal battle ensured that the documents were released, revealing high-profile names and a shocking series of events on Epstein’s Island.
Amanda, the sister-in-law of Virgina Giuffre told BBC that King Charles is “setting a precedent for the rest of the world leaders out there to actually come forward and say even if it is my brother I’m going to hold him to account because I believe survivors”.
However, she opined that this is not enough. “We have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this, he’s still walking around a free man. I commend the King… but we need to take it one step further, he needs to be behind bars,” she said.
Who was Jeffrey Epstein?
Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier who was convicted by a Florida state court for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. He served 13 months in jail and was arrested again in July 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He died a month later in August while undergoing trial. Authorities deemed the death as a suicide, but there have been questions around the circumstances and handling.
Epstein files are investigative documents containing files, records, videos, and contacts compiled by federal agencies during the investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities. The files are said to contain flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft, contact lists, accounting records, and even video evidence of abuse.
During his presidential election campaign, Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein Files in public, which would have exposed numerous celebrities who were at some point in time involved in sexual abuse at Epstein’s Island. However, after coming to power, President Trump reneged from his poll promise and refused to make the files public. Meanwhile, Trump himself was reported to have had links with Jeffrey Epstein.
On 29th October, United States Vice President James David (JD) Vance declared that he hoped his wife, Usha Bala Chilukuri who comes from a Hindu family of Telugu immigrants, would eventually convert to Christianity in the name of “free will” and “mutual respect” in their interfaith union. He made the comments while addressing the Turning Point USA (United States of America) Event in Mississippi.
“Now, most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As I’ve told her, and as I’ve said publicly, and as I’ll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends, do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way,” he expressed.
? JUST IN: JD Vance says he's raising his children Christian, and he hopes his agnostic wife, Usha, comes around to the Christian faith
Vance's 8-year-old did his first Communion "about a year ago," and his two oldest kids go to a Christian school
The statement came after a query about Vance’s hopes for his wife to possibly “come to Christ” in the future. He emphasised that the couple had made their “own arrangement” in their dual-faith home as well as insisted that religious beliefs are very personal and do not cause any issues in their family.
“If she doesn’t, then god says everybody has free will, and so that doesn’t cause a problem for me. One of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free will,” Vance claimed. “My wife did not grow up Christian. I think it’s fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction,” he conveyed and maintained that the pair has managed their interfaith household in a “balanced” manner.
“Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here. The way that we’ve come to our arrangement is that she’s my best friend. We talk to each other about this stuff. We’ve decided to raise our kids Christian. Our two oldest kids, who go to school, go to a Christian school. Our 8-year-old did his first communion about a year ago. That’s the way that we have come to our arrangement,” the vice president highlighted.
Vance also boasted that Usha was more acquainted with the priest who performed his baptism.
Vance advocates for the integration of religion and politics
The Republican leader even disagreed with the idea that religion must be kept out of politics and public life. “Anybody who tells you it’s required by the Constitution is lying to you. The Supreme Court interpreted ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion’ to effectively exclude religion from public spaces at the federal, state and local level. I think it was a terrible mistake, and we’re still paying for the consequences of it today,” he complained.
“I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country. Anybody who’s telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you and I’m at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing,” Vance asserted regarding the separation of church and state.
Vance engaged in discussions with college students at the occasion amid roaring applause from the conservative crowd, taking the place of his late friend and conservative leader Charlie Kirk who was shot dead in Utah last month.
Usha showed reluctance to embrace Christianity
The Second Lady of the United States spoke out just a few months ago about how she, a Hindu and her husband who is a Catholic, were raising their children in an interfaith home. “When you convert to Catholicism it comes with several important obligations, like to raise your child in the faith and all that,” she explained in a conversation with Meghan McCain.
However, contrary to her spouse’s wishes, she outlined her disinterest and stressed, “We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when I’m not Catholic, and I’m not intending to convert or anything like that.”
Usha stressed that they had given “them each the choice,” as she talked about sending their children to a Catholic school. She stated that her children understood her position on the issue properly, even if she hoped to turn their church-going custom into a “family experience.”
Usha pointed out, “The kids know that I’m not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit.”
How Usha’s Hindu roots supported Vance in his beliefs
Vance met Usha while attending Yale Law School prior to his conversion to Catholicism in 2019. He was brought up in a non-Christian household and did not frequently attend church as a child. “In fact, when I met my wife I would consider myself an agnostic or an atheist, that’s what she would have considered herself as well,” he voiced at the recent program.
Interestingly, the faith he desires her to substitute with Christianity has played a crucial role in assisting him to overcome challenges and harmonise his Catholic beliefs.
“I was never baptised. I was raised Christian but never baptised. I was first baptised in 2018. Usha was raised non-Christian. She is actually not Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my faith, Usha was very supportive. Usha was actually raised non-Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my faith, Usha was very supportive,” Vance recounted in an interview with Fox News.
“My parents are Hindu and that’s one of the things that made them such good parents and good people and I have seen the power of that in my own life. I knew that JD was searching for something. This just felt right for him,” Usha added with pride.
“My parents’ Hindu faith made them great parents” – Usha Vance
She’s a Hindu & was supportive of her husband’s rediscovery of his own faith (One of her sons is named Vivek too ?)
Notably, the former Donald Trump detractor also acknowledged that he felt guilty about taking his Hindu wife to church on Sundays, in contrast to his current conversion aspirations. Vance stated that she was “more than ok with it,” even if she “didn’t sign up to marry a weekly churchgoer,” in a previous interview with the New York Times.
JD Vance ‘feels bad’ for taking Hindu-raised wife Usha to Mass after he converted: ‘Didn’t sign up to marry a weekly churchgoer pic.twitter.com/vNuXi1knkS
Stunning change of stance amidst rising Hindu animosity, anti-Indian rhetoric in the US
It is not unusual for politicians to shift their positions, retract promises or resort to dishonorable tactics for petty agendas as this is part of the political landscape. However, Vance’s remarks have laid bare the pervasive supremacist ideology embedded in the American society.
This is not the first display of such distasteful discourse as the escalating anti-India sentiment and hatred for Hindus have been present for years and have recently become prominent in the age of internet. This vitriol which is brazenly portrayed on social media has also culminated in fatal crimes against the members of the Indian community in the land of the Ku Klux Klan.
A disturbing incident occurred last month when a Dallas motel manager Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, a Karnataka native, was brutally killed after advising a guest against using a malfunctioning washing machine. The horrific act was committed by 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez in the presence of the victim’s wife and children who unsuccessfully tried to intervene.
Cobos-Martinez and a woman were cleaning a room and he became irritated since Nagamallaiah relied on her to translate for him rather than speaking to the perpetrator directly. Hence, he decapitated him, kicked his head into the parking lot and then placed it in a dumpster. A trivial matter led to the death of an innocent man, demonstrating that the venom directed at Indians has tangible consequences in reality.
There appears to be no distinction between the ideology of a career criminal and that of a police officer, as showcased following the death of 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula who was from Andhra Pradesh, in January 2023. She was killed by a police officer named Kevin Dave in Seattle, Washington.
A bodycam video featuring Daniel Auderer, a leader of the Seattle Police Department union gained widespread attention as he was captured making jokes about the tragedy. He chuckled and mocked that she was 26 and her life had “limited value” alongside adding that the city should simply “write a cheque” for $11,000.
23-year-old Richard Florez shot and killed a 27-year-old Indian student in Dallas. Hyderabad native Chandrashekar Pole who moved to the Western country in 2023 for higher studies was slain while he was working at a gas station.
The prevalence of such incidents is escalating with the intensifying rhetoric against Indian Hindus in America as they are being painted as lesser humans, making them vulnerable targets and easy preys to both deranged individuals and racists, irrespective of their social standing.
Neo-Nazis demonstrate genocidal loathing for Indians and deride Hindu gods
While Indians are facing violence and attacks, the racists are focused on stoking the flames online by belittling Sanatan Dharma, its deities and even calling for an end to its practice, especially in “Christian nations.” The same was at peak during Diwali when they could not bear the celebrations and festivities, prompting them to initiate an abhorrent attack on Hindus, reminiscent of jihadis and Islamists.
Additionally, referring to Hindus as pagans, labeling Hindu gods as “false or demonic” and encouraging others to write “Curse Vishnu” to prove their their non-Indianness has become a widespread behavior among the MAGA (Make America Great Again) group.
American politicians are similarly complicit in this reprehensible rhetoric as evidenced by Republican Senate candidate for Texas, Alexander Duncan who referred to Lord Hanuman as a “false god” and opposed his idol in the “Christian country.” He then proceeded to quote Bible versus to prove his point and later defended his Hinduphobic post.
This cabal aims to deport all Indians even those from the Trump administration, including Tulsi Gabbard which is quite amusing as she is of Samoan and Caucasian descent, solely due to her Hindu faith. The citizenship of these individuals or their shared conservative views does not prevent them from pursuing a racist agenda and harboring a toxic mindset.
Likewise, these racists even exalt colonization, genocide and the deaths of Indians, employ the most derogatory language against them, hold them accountable for all the ills under the sun including the destruction of wildlife which India has remarkably excelled in conserving despite the near-endangerment caused by the invaders, merely to undermine the bloodstained history of their white ancestors.
White Racists are making racist jokes Indians over the mass casualty Ahmedabad Plane Crash.
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) June 12, 2025
All Indian stereotypes, regardless of the inaccuracy are amplified and their every achievement is downplayed while shamelessly justifying the actions of their imperialist heroes. More importantly, these neo-Nazis do not have hesitation in making open threats of genocide and colonization against Indians.
It is significant to mention that even Vance’s family has been targeted by white supremacists due to his wife. Now, if that same man who occupies the second most significant position in the world’s most powerful country which claims to be an ideal liberal democracy, is engaging in such rhetoric, it is very troubling.
The United States claims to grant equal rights to all its citizens, regardless of their religion, gender, race or other differences. Thus, what effect will these comments have on the Indian or Hindu community there which is already grappling with a high degree of racism? Is it not likely to embolden Christian radicals and racists to intensify their attacks?
Moreover, does it not highlight Vance’s own biases and personal prejudices particularly considering that his wife is part of the community despised by his conservative supporters. He was even refraining from stating that she is a Hindu and opted to replace the term with “agnostic.” How could it be so difficult to marry a Hindu woman yet not recognize her religion?
Such statements from the vice president of a country that releases a mandated “US Commission on International Religious Freedom” vividly paints a picture of hypocrisy and double standards, which honestly is quite characteristic of America.
Meanwhile, the hostile remarks and policies orchestrated by Donald Trump, owing to the Modi government’s refusal to submit to his demands in relation to accepting his self-proclaimed mediation between New Delhi and Islamabad, halting the purchase of Russian oil and nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize have only added fuel to the anti-India sentiment among the racists.
Conclusion
The United States, which often lectures the world, particularly India, on individual freedom, equality, tolerance, minority rights and similar aspects, consistently favors Christianity over other religions. This nation, which strives to portray itself as nothing less than a real world utopia, despite being the farthest from perfection, is, in fact, a hub of racism and Hindumisia.
The President of the United States swears an oath on the Bible, unlike in India where the Constitution is utilized, highlighting the subjective and non-secular nature of the Oval Office. Their media has likewise communicated such malice for ages, as evidenced by American newspapers in 1910 which were filled with spite towards the “Hindoos.”
The shared theme among these conservatives, from Trump and Vance to an ordinary troll or their media and diplomats, appears to be the same: to insult Hinduism as well as target India and Indians, of course, with varying degrees of bile and manipulation in language.
The present administration is thus catering to its racist audience, fully aware of the consequences for ordinary Indians and Hindus. However, as has always been the case, when has America ever prioritised anything other than its own interests and agenda?
Moreover, Vance will likely be the presidential candidate for the GOP after the end of the Trump’s term, and he is likely to be criticised by conservatives for non having a non-Christian wife. Despite being the so-called champion of democracy, the post of president in the USA is always occupied by Christians, and that to men, and it is unlikely to change in near future. Therefore, it is very much possible for Vance to convince his wife to convert to Christianity before the next presidential elections.
Cases like these often come to light where Muslim teachers in schools are accused of teaching Hindu students prayer-like postures under the guise of yoga classes. After parents raise complaints, such teachers are caught, yet the same defense is always offered: that the posture being taught was merely a yoga pose.
A similar case has recently emerged from Deohari village in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district. A government school teacher named Jabur Ahmad has been accused of teaching Hindu students Islamic prayer postures during yoga and Surya Namaskar sessions. As the controversy escalated, the Muslim teacher was immediately suspended, and an inquiry was initiated.
In his defense, Jabur Ahmad claimed he was only teaching students the “Shashankasana” (Rabbit Pose). He argued that while this pose might resemble an Islamic prayer posture, it is purely a yogic asana. So what is the actual difference between a yoga posture and a namaz (Islamic prayer) position, and why do some individuals deliberately exploit this confusion?
The difference between Shashankasana and Namaz posture
Examining the frequently cited “Shashankasana” argument shows clear distinctions between the posture used in namaz and the yogic pose. Their physical configuration and procedural sequence are fundamentally different.
Namaz’s “Sajda” posture
The most controversial part of the namaz is the “sajda,” in which the worshipper places their forehead on the ground. In this position, the body’s balance rests on five main points: the toes, knees, palms, and forehead.
In sajda, the elbows are kept above the ground and away from the body, ensuring that the forearms do not touch the floor. The toes are curled inward and touch the ground, while the ankles remain bent, and the heels are raised.
Shashankasana (Rabbit Pose)
Shashankasana is a beneficial yogic posture derived from the Sanskrit word Shashanka, meaning “rabbit,” as the body assumes a rabbit-like shape. It is known to improve digestion, relieve constipation, and help with asthma, diabetes, and heart ailments by calming the nervous system.
To perform Shashankasana, one sits in Padmasana or Vajrasana with the spine erect. The knees are spread apart, and the arms are extended above the head. Exhaling, one bends forward from the waist, keeping the arms straight until the forehead, arms, and chin touch the floor. After holding the pose briefly, one slowly returns to the starting position while inhaling. This process can be repeated three to five times. The position of the arms and elbows here differs completely from the namaz posture, where the elbows must remain lifted.
Similar past incidents
This is not the first time that Muslim teachers or event organizers have been accused of teaching namaz postures to Hindu students under the guise of yoga or Surya Namaskar. Such incidents reveal a recurring pattern that can hardly be dismissed as coincidence.
One of the major incidents took place in April 2025 at Guru Ghasidas Central University (GGU) in Chhattisgarh. There, 155 Hindu students accused seven teachers and one student leader of forcing them to perform Islamic prayer postures during a morning “yoga class” at an NSS camp. Students alleged that they were threatened with disciplinary action if they refused. Police later registered a case against the eight accused individuals.
Forcing Hindu students to perform namaz without even the yoga pretext
In several other instances, Muslim teachers have allegedly compelled Hindu students to perform namaz without disguising it as yoga. One such case was reported from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, where Hindu students were allegedly made to perform namaz in 40°C heat and recite Fatiha (an Islamic prayer). Hindu girls were reportedly made to wear burqas, and students were coerced into chanting “Allahu Akbar.” The incident triggered massive protests in the area.
छात्रों को 40 डिग्री तापमान में खड़ा कर के स्कूल में नमाज़ अदा करवाई गई और फ़ातिहा पढ़वाई गयी।
हिन्दू बच्चियों को बुर्का पहनाया गया , सभी से "अल्लाहु अकबर" के नारे लगवाए गए।
In another case, parents in Gujarat’s Karnavati accused Kelorex Future School of making Hindu students perform namaz. The revelation caused a major uproar, prompting the Gujarat government to order an immediate inquiry and direct schools to ensure that no religious practice is imposed on students.
Though these cases differ from the Burhanpur “Shashankasana” controversy, together they highlight an alarming pattern of complaints that Hindu students are being exposed to Islamic rituals in schools, a trend that warrants strict action.
Misunderstanding or a convenient excuse?
A comparison between the Shashankasana and namaz postures reveals unmistakable physical and procedural differences, particularly in weight distribution, arm positioning, and point of contact with the ground. In Shashankasana, the body’s weight is concentrated on the hips, while in namaz it is distributed across multiple points (palms, knees, toes, and forehead).
Given these differences, the repeated claim by accused teachers that the posture was simply “Shashankasana” and that the issue arose from a “misunderstanding” appears highly dubious. The fact that the same excuse is used every time points toward a deliberate attempt to deflect blame and conceal religious activity under a secular cover like yoga.
This repeated pattern strongly suggests that the “Shashankasana defense” is less a misunderstanding and more a calculated strategy to normalize and disguise Islamic practices within educational spaces.
From mollycoddling anti-Hindu elements, enacting laws like the Places of Worship Act to prevent Hindus from reclaiming their temples to rejecting the existence of Lord Ram, Congress has never shied away from expressing their disdain for India’s Hindu majority. In a latest, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has objected to the Union Labour Ministry’s draft Shram Shakti Niti (2025) taking inspiration from Manusmriti.
Taking to X on 29th October, Jairam Ramesh insinuated that the Shram Shakti Niti draft taking inspiration from Manusmriti, a foundational Hindu legal code, somehow marks India’s departure from constitutional values.
“The Modi Govt’s draft Shram Shakti Niti 2025 released earlier this month for public feedback explicitly claims that the Manusmriti embeds” the moral basis of labour governance within India’s civilisational fabric, centuries before the rise of modern labour law,” Ramesh wrote.
The Modi Govt's draft Shram Shakti Niti 2025 released earlier this month for public feedback explicitly claims that the Manusmriti embeds ”the moral basis of labour governance within India's civilisational fabric, centuries before the rise of modern labour law.”
“This return to the principles of the Manusmriti is in keeping with the RSS’s most cherished traditions. After all it had attacked the Constitution of India soon after it was adopted – on the grounds that it did not derive inspiration from the ideals and values of Manu as embodied in the Manusmriti,” he added.
Intensifying his attack on the BJP, Jairam Ramesh told news agency ANI, “When the Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949, the RSS launched a fierce attack on it, saying that this Constitution is not the Indian Constitution because it is not based on the values of the Manusmriti and draws no inspiration from it. Modi and the RSS are one, and the draft of the Modi government says that the Shram Shakti Niti draws inspiration not from the Constitution of India but from ancient texts like the Manusmriti. This is highly objectionable and against our Constitution…The caste system and casteism in our country are the contributions of the Manusmriti, and you will formulate a labour policy from that text. This is an insult to our Constitution.”
#WATCH | Delhi: On the draft of Shram Shakti Niti 2025, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "This is a draft and the Modi government has posted it on its website and asked for public feedback. This Shram Shakti Niti draws inspiration from ancient texts such as the Manusmriti. When… pic.twitter.com/5vS0HJPbgS
The mention of Manusmriti in Shram Shakti Niti draft rattles Congress, party cries ‘insult to constitution’ while Dr BR Ambedkar himself took inspiration from Manusmriti for Hindu Code Bill
Notably, the draft policy “Shram Shakti Niti 2025” aims to address the challenges for India’s labour force, which is going through a “profound structural transformation” with steady rising productivity and enterprise growth. However, it is still having issues pertaining to wage disparity, gender imbalance, and skill mismatch which hinder inclusive development.
The draft’s Civilizational Ethos and Guiding Principles section highlights labour as a sacred duty and social value. It elaborates on how in the Indic worldview, labour/work or Shram is not merely a means of livelihood but a contribution to the broader order of dharma (righteous duty).
To emphasise this point, the draft states, “Ancient texts such as the Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti, Naradasmriti, Sukraniti, and Arthashastra articulated this ethos through the concept of rajadharma, emphasising the sovereign’s duty to ensure justice, fair wages, and the protection of workers from exploitation. These early formulations embedded the moral basis of labour governance within India’s civilisational fabric, centuries before the rise of modern labour law.”
While the Congress party has persistently been engaged in targeting Hindu faith and beliefs, this time, the grand old party used Dr BR Ambedkar’s name for the same. Jairam Ramesh accused BJP of ditching the values of ‘Ambedkar’s constitution’ and returning to the principles of the Manusmriti, in a bid to paint the BJP as casteist and regressive. However, the Congress leader forgot that even BR Ambedkar leaned on the principles of Maharishi Manu and his Manusmriti while drafting the Hindu Code Bill.
Only if Congress leaders cared to read an actual copy of the constitution instead of waving that small and blank red constitution book, and read the writings of Dr Ambedkar, they would have known that despite his many disagreements, Ambedkar took inspiration from Manusmriti while drafting the Hindu Code Bill in 1949.
The legislation aimed to provide equality by ‘reforming’ Hindu personal laws including those governing inheritance, marriage, and succession. BR Ambedkar had contended that giving women rights in property was stated by Smritikars such as Rishi Manu. During the constituent assembly debate on 24th February 1949, he said [pdf].
“There is no doubt about it that the two Smritikars whom I have mentioned Yagnavalkya and Manu, rank the highest among the 137 who had tried their hands in framing Smritis. Both of them have stated that the daughter is entitled to a one-fourth share. It is a pity that somehowfor some reason custom has destroyed the efficacy of that text: otherwise, the daughter would have been, on the basis of our own Smritis, entitled to get one-fourth share.”
He further blamed the Privy Council for prioritising customs over laws, in the absence of which Manusmriti would have empowered women and their inheritance rights years ago.
“I am very sorry for the ruling which the Privy Council gave. It blocked the way for the improvement of our law. The Privy Council in an earlier case said that custom will override law, with the result that it became quite impossible to our Judiciary to examine our ancient codes and to find out what laws were laid down by our Rishis and by our Smritikars. I have not the least doubt about it that if the Privy Council had not given that decision, that custom will override text, some lawyer, some Judge would have found it quite possible to unearth this text of Yagnavalkya and Manusmriti, and women today would have been enjoying, if not more, at least one-fourth of the share of their property.”
While upholding the views of Rishi Manu, BR Ambedkar emphasised:
“However, this is the position, namely, so far as the daughter’s share is concerned, the only innovation that we are making is that her share is increased and that we bring her in the line with the son or the widow. That also, as I say, would not be an innovation if you accept my view that in doing this we are merely going back to the text of the Smritis which you all respect.”
It is ironic that the party which strangled democracy by imposing national emergency to hold on to power has the audacity to accused others of ignoring or undermining the constitution. While Jairam Ramesh claims that Manusmriti introduced caste system and casteism in the society, the ancient text did not prescribe or promote birth-based caste and related privileges or discrimination, rather, it talks about a Guna and Karma-based social order. Had the ancient Hindu text been entirely divisive and casteist, Ambedkar would not have relied on its wisdom to draft the Hindu Code Bill, decades after he reportedly burnt the copies of Manusmriti publicly.
Far from rejecting the text outright, Dr Ambedkar strategically invoked Manusmriti to demonstrate that progressive reforms found their roots in Hindu tradition. Ambedkar was not like a typical present clout hungry Congress politician but a scholar who was open-minded enough to take inspiration even from sources he may have criticised in the past. By wielding Ambedkar as some sort of unassailable shield against the BJP’s imaginary regressive and casteist pivot, Jairam Ramesh’s salvo inadvertently paints Dr Ambedkar as an opponent of the very constitution he is accredited to have played a key role in drafting.
If taking inspiration from religious scriptures which some may find regressive was such a sin, the ‘secular, liberal and progressive’ Congress should oppose those who follow a religious text which essentially commands killing of and discriminatory treatment of those who the book deems ‘infidels’, and those who openly chose their religious text over ‘Babasaheb’s constitution’. However, forget calling them regressive or anti-constitution, the Congress party goes to the extent of bringing up the anti-Hindu, Communal Violence Bill 2011 and even gift 123 government properties.
Recently, actor-producer Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming film “120 Bahadur” got embroiled in a major controversy. On Sunday (October 26, 2025), hundreds of members of the Ahir community took out a massive protest march on NH-48 against the film. The protest led by the United Ahir Regiment Front resulted in a kilometre-long traffic jam.
Protesters believe the film’s title, ‘120 Bahadur,’ does not accurately portray the sacrifice and unique identity of these 120 brave Ahir soldiers. The movie is based on the Battle of Rezang La Pass in Ladakh, a legendary saga from the 1962 India-China War. In this battle, 120 Ahir soldiers of ‘C’ Company of the 13th Kumaon Regiment displayed extraordinary bravery and risked their lives.
The protestors are demanding that the movie’s name be changed to “120 Veer Ahir” to accurately reflect the community’s unique contributions. They threatened that it the name of the movie is not changed, they would not allow the film to be released in all states, including Haryana, where majority of the Ahir community resides. The movie and this protest has once again brought the historical and emotional story of Rezang La into national focus.
India-China War 1962: Strategic Importance of Rezang La
The 1962 Sino-Indian War is a painful chapter in Indian history, but the Battle of Rezang La emerged as a symbol of the Indian Army’s indomitable courage and valour. The roots of this conflict began to grow in 1961 when India faced a threat to its territorial integrity because of Chinese encroachments, especially after China started building a strategic road through Indian territory, connecting Xinjiang and Tibet.
To counter this situation, then-Prime Minister Nehru made a decision, which came to be known as the “Forward Policy”. Nehru instructed the Indian Army to establish and hold small outposts along the disputed border, including at positions right across the Chinese positions. This policy led to an escalation of tensions along the border. China, under the guise of the diplomatic slogan “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai”, was rapidly building up its military strength. Finally, on October 20, 1962, the tension at the border escalated into a full-blown war when China launched a simultaneous devastating attack on several Indian posts.
Leh’s last defense wall
By November 1962, the Indian Army had retreated to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. All preparations were now focused on defending Leh. The most important point for Leh’s defense was Rezang La. Rezang La was no ordinary place. It was a pass located at a very high mountain at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet (about 5,500 meters).
This pass protected the Chushul Valley. If China had reached the Chushul Valley, the route to Leh would have been open. Therefore, crossing Rezang La was crucial for China, and for India, securing this pass at all costs was the final and most important challenge.
Defenders of Rezang La: The 120 warriors of ‘Charlie Company’
The challenging task of defending Rezang La was entrusted to ‘Charlie Company’ of the 13th Kumaon Regiment, under the command of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati. The company consisted of 120 brave soldiers, most of whom belonged to the Ahir (Yadav) community of Haryana. They had very little equipment to fight the battle: old rifles and mortars, but their greatest strength was an unwavering determination not to surrender. These soldiers were prepared to face this extremely difficult challenge.
November 18, 1962: The snowy night when the Chinese attacked
It was around 3:00 a.m. on the morning of November 18, 1962. Cold winds were blowing, and the temperature was minus 25 degree centigrade. Lance Naik Hukum Singh and four soldiers were stationed at a small listening post. Through the dense fog, they spotted hundreds of Chinese soldiers stealthily moving up the hill.
The Chinese were marching in thousands, supported by their heavy mortars. Hukum Singh’s brave soldiers immediately reported this to their main company. Hukum Singh knew he was facing hundreds of enemies, yet he refused to retreat. Hukum Singh said, “The longer we hold off the enemy and kill them, the better chance our company has of winning”. As soon as Hukum Singh gave the order, their guns began to fire. The first line of the Chinese army was completely taken by surprise by this sudden attack.
Iron till the last breath: When soldiers fought with bare hands
As the Chinese launched a major offensive on the Indian front, Major Shaitan Singh stood firm. The enemy attacked from three sides and tried their best to surround the Charlie Company. However, the Indian soldiers responded with a heavy barrage of bullets. Naib Subedar Suraj’s 7th Platoon was attacked by around 400 Chinese soldiers. Mortar shots from the Indian troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese. Nevertheless, the Chinese soldiers continued to advance, unconcerned about their fallen comrades.
At one point, some Ahir soldiers ran out of ammunition. Even then, they didn’t stop; they began fighting the enemy with their bare hands. Two soldiers even ran towards the Chinese machine gun post, but were martyred. A strong Ahir soldier grabbed a Chinese soldier, lifted him up, and threw him off the cliffs of Rezang La. Unfortunately, Naib Subedar Suraj was hit in the head by a bullet shrapnel, and he uttered “Keep fighting, keep the name of 13 Kumaon high” as he lay his life for the nation.
Commander’s Courage: Major Shaitan Singh’s Greatest Sacrifice
Even as bullets rained down all around him, Major Shaitan Singh remained steadfast. He constantly moved from one post to another. His focus was to keep the soldiers’ morale up, repair broken defenses, and ensure targetted firing at the enemy. However, he was seriously wounded in a machine gun explosion.
Paramveer Major Shaitan Singh
But Major Shaitan Singh refused to move from his position and get treatment. He ordered his men to leave him where he was and continue the fight. His last words were, “Tell the battalion how bravely the company fought”. Three months later, his body was found in the snow at the same spot. For his supreme courage, superb leadership, and the ultimate sacrifice for the country, he was posthumously awarded India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra.
History of Rezang La: A tale of frozen fingers on the trigger
The fierce battle of Rezang La was over by 8 a.m. In just five hours of fighting, the ‘Charlie Company’ of 13 Kumaon added a rare valorous chapter to India’s military history. All of Major Shaitan Singh’s men fought to their last breath. Out of 120 brave soldiers, 114 were martyred. Only four survived. In 1963, when the snow melted and the bodies of the soldiers were discovered, it was a shocking sight. Most of the soldiers’ bodies were found clutching their guns. They had suffered many deep wounds from bullets and bayonets.
A small Indian contingent inflicted heavy losses on the Chinese. According to Major General Jagjit Singh, about 500 Chinese soldiers were killed. The battle exhibited an example of the grit and determination of Indian soldiers. The Battle of Rezang La remains a symbol of indomitable courage for the country till day.
The Pride of Rezang La: Salute to the Martyrs
The Battle of Rezang La is one of the shining examples of courage in the country’s history. A war memorial has been built at Rezang La to honor the supreme sacrifice of these martyrs. On November 18, 2021, which marked the 59th anniversary of the battle, the memorial was renovated and inaugurated by the country’s Defense Minister. The memorial continues to narrate the story of the sacrifice of 120 brave Ahir soldiers and the unmatched courage of the Indian Army.
(The article is a translation of the original article published on OpIndia Hindi.)
Yesterday, I was in Mumbai to attend the Maritime Leaders Conclave as part of the ongoing India Maritime Week 2025. Mumbai, as we all know, has a strong link with India’s maritime sector. There are historical linkages with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and today, it has a vibrant port infrastructure and is a key trading centre for our nation. I met key CEOs and interacted with leading stakeholders of the sector. In these interactions, it was gladdening to see the optimism towards India in furthering port-led development.
We became disconnected from our roots
India’s proud maritime heritage is well known. We were always known for shipbuilding and coastal trade. We are the land of the Cholas and the Marathas, whose naval might, trading impact and strategic brilliance became pathways of progress and power. Their vision showed us how the oceans can serve as bridges of opportunity.
However, a decade ago, when we assumed office, India’s maritime sector was filled with outdated laws and limited capacities. This was not acceptable to us. And, with a focus on infrastructure, reforms and public participation, the sector has witnessed many transformations over the last eleven years. Today, the sector stands transformed as a symbol of modern infrastructure, global trust and national pride.
Maritime Growth That Redefined Scale
These facts speak for themselves…
India’s port capacity has doubled from 1,400 to 2,762 MMTPA.
Cargo handling rose from 972 to 1,594 MMT, including 855 MMT in FY 2024–25.
Vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 93 hours to 48 hours.
Net surplus increased ninefold from Rs. 1,026 crore to Rs. 9,352 crore. The operating ratio improved from 73% to 43%, marking a new era of efficiency.
This is not all. At the core of every ship and port are our skilled seafarers.
India’s seafarer workforce has grown from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh, now accounting for 12% of the global seafaring workforce. India is today among the top three suppliers of trained seafarers in the world.
Shipping and Waterways – The New Engines of Growth
India’s shipping power is expanding across coasts and rivers.
Indian-flagged vessels increased from 1,205 to 1,549, and fleet gross tonnage grew from 10 MGT to 13.52 MGT. Coastal shipping cargo nearly doubled from 87 to 165 MMT.
Inland waterway cargo grew by 710%, from 18 MMT in 2014 to 146 MMT in 2025. Operational waterways expanded from 3 to 32, while ferry and Ro-Pax services carried 7.5 crore passengers in 2024–25.
Modern Ports, Green Future
Our vision for the Maritime sector places topmost importance on sustainability and innovation.
Vizhinjam Port has become India’s first deep-water transhipment hub. Kandla Port hosts the nation’s first green hydrogen facility. JNPT has doubled its capacity and attracted the largest FDI in port history.
The Vadhvan Port project in Palghar, Maharashtra, with an investment of around ₹76,000 crore, will be among the world’s few deep-draft ports at 20 meters. Its seamless railway and highway connectivity, proximity to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and the Western Freight Corridor will transform the region’s economic landscape, creating new opportunities for logistics, warehousing and trade.
Reform, Perform, Transform
Reform has powered India’s progress at sea.
Five landmark bills, from the Bills of Lading Bill to the Indian Ports Bill (2025), have modernised maritime governance, simplified trade, empowered states and aligned India with global standards.
To accelerate this growth, the government has approved a Rs. 70,000 crore umbrella package for the maritime sector.
The Shipbuilding Assistance Scheme, Maritime Development Fund and Shipbuilding Development Scheme will attract over Rs. 4.5 lakh crore in investment and help produce more than 2,500 vessels. This initiative will position India among the global leaders in shipbuilding and maritime innovation.
Come, invest in India
I can say with confidence that India offers the perfect harbour for investments.
We have a very long coastline.
We have strategic global trade routes,
We have world-class ports,
And, we have an ambitious vision for Blue Economy growth.
We have infrastructure, innovation and intent.
Thanks to our youth, our ecosystem is primed for innovation.
Come aboard!
This article was written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on LinkedIn and has been republished here with due credit. The original article can be read here.
A 55-year-old Canadian-Indian businessman, Arvi Singh Sagoo, was attacked viciously by a stranger in Edmonton, Canada, after he confronted the latter for peeing on his vehicle. The shocking attack occurred on 19th October, and Arvi died five days later, on 24th October.
According to Global News, Arvi had gone out for dinner with his girlfriend that night. When they came back to their car early the next morning, they saw a man pissing on it. “Hey, what are you doing?” Arvi asked the stranger, as his brother later told the media. The man reportedly replied, “Whatever I want,” before walking up to Arvi and punching him hard in the head.
Arvi collapsed on the ground, unconscious. His girlfriend immediately called 911 for help. Paramedics arrived within minutes and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was placed on life support. Sadly, despite doctors’ efforts, he died on October 24.
Police later identified and arrested 40-year-old Kyle Papin, charging him with aggravated assault. Edmonton police confirmed that Papin did not know Arvi and that the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked.
Fundraiser launched for his children
One of Arvi’s close friends, Vincent Ram, launched a fundraiser to support his two children. “This fundraiser aims to ensure that Arvi’s kids have the resources and support they need during this difficult time,” the campaign description reads. The funds will be used for funeral expenses, daily needs, and to create a foundation for the children’s education and future.
“This isn’t just about financial help,” the post continues. “It’s about showing that the community stands with them as they face life without their father. Please keep Arvi and his family in your prayers.”
Another Indian businessman was murdered in Canada
Just days before Arvi’s killing, another Indian-origin businessman, 68-year-old Darshan Singh Sahsi, was murdered on Monday morning (27th October) in front of his home in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. TheLawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the murder. Sahsi was shot dead while sitting inside his pick-up truck by an unidentified assailant.
A CCTV footage of the incident showed the 68-year-old businessman getting into his pick-up truck, and seconds later, a masked man got out of a silver sedan parked nearby and walked to Sahsi’s truck. The masked man aimed a gun at the driver’s side window of the truck and fired multiple shots through the closed window. He ran back to the sedan and drove away. The entire incident happened within a few seconds. The team of Police that arrived at the scene found Sahsi in a critical condition.
Subsequently, Goldy Dhillon, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, admitted that the Ludhiana-born businessman was killed by the gang as he was involved in the drug trade and refused to give them money.
Sahsi, who hailed from Rajgarh village in Ludhiana district of Punjab. He moved to Canada in 1991 and worked odd jobs for some time. Later, he bought the stakes in a dwindling textile recycling unit, Canam International, and revived it into an international company.
Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon was shot earlier this month
Just days earlier, three men identifying themselves as gangster Rohit Godara’s aides uploaded a video confessing to shooting Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon in the stomach.
In a post on social media, the associates of the Godara gang claimed that Kahlon was supplying arms and was conspiring to attack their gang.
Taking to Facebook, Godara members named as Mahender Saran Dilana, Rahul Rinau, and Vicky Phalwan claimed Kahlon was injured in the shooting. “We carried out the shooting in Canada at Teji Kahlon. He was shot in the stomach. If he understands, fine; if not, next time we will finish him,” they said.
Bullet kills an Indian student in Canada
On 25th April this year, Mohawk College student Harsimrat Randhawa, 21 years old, was killed at a bus stop. She was an innocent bystander in a shoot-out between two cars, a black Mercedes SUV and a white car. She was shot in the chest by one of them, and she died on the spot despite attempts by paramedics.
Randhawa had arrived in Canada with hopes and aspirations. Her killing put the Indian student community in Canada in a state of shock and raised concerns about public safety.
Security guard shot Dead in Edmonton
In December 2024, 20-year-old Indian student Harshandeep Singh was gunned down and murdered while employed as a security guard in Edmonton, Canada. Singh was discovered dead in a stairwell after three people attacked him and shot him, and the two suspects have since been charged with first-degree murder.
A CCTV video of the incident depicts three individuals harassing and pushing the 20-year-old student downstairs, with one of them shooting him from behind.
Immediately after shooting Singh with what seems to be a humongous weapon, the three culprits leave the scene.
Stabbed to death at his own house: Gurasis Singh case
In another such incident, 22-year-old Gurasis Singh was stabbed to death in hisrented apartment in Sarnia, Ontario, on 1st December 2024. Singh had been in Canada for four months, seeking higher education, when he was murdered.
The assault occurred during the early morning hours and was said to have begun as a fight with a neighbour. But Gurasis’ father is convinced his son was attacked in his sleep. The alleged perpetrator, 36-year-old Crossley Hunter, has been charged with second-degree murder. The Sarnia police say the stabbing occurred in the kitchen of the residence where Gurasis resided.
Surge in hate crimes against Indian-origin people in Canada
These back-to-back attacks are indicative of a concerning trend. In recent years, hate crimes and targeted violence against South Asian, specifically Indian-origin, communities all over Canada have seen a steep increase.
Hate crimes against South Asians in Canada rose by 227% between 2019 and 2023, reports a recent study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a London-based think tank that tracks extremism and hate. The report also discovered that the deployment of anti-Indian and anti-South Asian slurs on social media increased by a whopping 1,350% over the same four years.
Between May 2023 and April 2025, over 26,600 posts on social media platforms contained anti-Indian hate speech, including derogatory slurs like “pajeet.” These numbers were far higher than posts targeting any other ethnic community in the country.
The ISD report also said that hateful content online often portrays Indians as “dirty,” “dangerous,” or “unskilled.” In recent years, this anti-Indian rhetoric has intensified, particularly during political debates and elections, with extremist groups using it to stoke division.
Between 1st March and 20th April, 2025, in the lead-up to Canada’s federal election, more than 2,300 posts spreading anti-South Asian hate were shared online, generating over 1.2 million engagements. The rise in hate speech has not only led to online harassment but also coincided with real-world violence targeting immigrants from India and neighbouring countries.
The ISD report identified Diagolon, a far-right extremist network formed in 2020, as a key source of this online hate. The group, led by Jeremy MacKenzie, promotes racist, anti-government conspiracy theories often masked as “jokes” or satire to avoid accountability. These narratives, experts say, are fueling prejudice and radicalisation in Canadian society.
A committee established by the District Education Officer has presented its comprehensive report in the aftermath of a Hindu student’s murder by a Muslim junior at the Seventh Day School in Ahmedabad. The findings indicated negligence on the part of the institution’s administration and violations of multiple regulations. Consequently, it has called for government intervention. The Education Officer has forwarded this report to the state government which will now proceed with further actions.
The inquiry uncovered that the school did not adhere to government regulations necessary for its recognition and failed to secure approval for additional classrooms. Essential permissions were also lacking for modifications to the management and the school facilities as well as discrepancies were identified in the school’s operations. The probe further disclosed irregularities in the process of obtaining minority school status.
Absence of various permissions
The investigation discovered that the current location of the school was leased by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, in 2003. While the school had obtained permission for some classes in the 1980s, this is not the same location and the committee was not provided with the basis for allowing classes at this site. Thus, it has concluded that the school appears to be illegal.
Moreover, the school later incorporated more classes which require prior consent from the board as outlined in the regulations. Nevertheless, it did not take the required steps to obtain this approval. According to the rules, any changes to management, trust or school property necessitate approval from the relevant board but no such documents were presented in this case.
Likewise, the school must also obtain prior permission from the board to run two shits, however, the institution did so without the needed authorization.
The inquiry additionally uncovered that the particular trust or society managing the school was not made known. Documentation submitted to the committee indicates several names, including the India Financial Association of Seventh-day Adventists, the Council of Seventh-day Adventist Educational Institutions and the Ashlock Education Trust, as the entities overseeing the school. Consequently, it remains ambiguous which trust or society is accountable for its operations.
The investigation also unveiled that the school failed to adhere to specific regulations necessary for acquiring minority status. According to the report, the Ashlock Education Society submitted an application for a minority status certificate in September 2020 at the office of the Ahmedabad District Education Officer.
The society is registered in Pune and was awarded “minority status” by the Maharashtra government on 14th March 2013, which is only applicable within the state. The report indicates that the institution did not adequately present its minority educational institution status for the primary section leading to the rejection of admission for 25% of children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds which constitutes a breach of the RTE(Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education) Act.
Infringement of lease agreement: Consent secured by different trust, administration via another body
The report also mentioned that the school has violated the lease terms. The land on which the school runs was leased by the Municipal Corporation to The India Financial Association of Seventh-day Adventists for educational purpose. However, it is being operated by other organizations. Therefore, the land was leased by a different organization and the school is under the management of separate entity.
The inquiry further emphasized breaches of fee regulations and legal standards, pointing out that the organization reported a rental amount of Rs 159,000 in the documents provided to the Fee Regulatory Committee, whereas the Municipal Corporation had actually leased the land for Rs 10,000.
Additionally, MBA as well as Bachelor of Science and Arts colleges function on the school premises. As per regulations, it is essential to secure a NOC from the appropriate board for this purpose. The school received a NOC from ICSE in 2022, but it failed to acquire the same from the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.
Additionally, certain irregularities have come to light, including the stipulation that selling books on school grounds is considered a profitable venture. However, the audit report confirmed that books were being sold.
Recommending government intervention
The committee expressed in its report that, after reviewing all pertinent issues, it is evidently clear that the school has not adhered to the conditions of accreditation. Moreover, the report claimed that fraudulent actions have been undertaken by providing misleading information, thereby damaging the credibility of the Education Department, FRC, parents, and students.
The committee, therefore, recommended that in the best interests of the more than ten thousand students attending the school, the government should assume control of its administration or assign it to another trust. The education officer has delivered this report to the state government and further decisions could be made in the future.
School surrounded by controversy following the murder of Hindu student
Nayan Santani, a tenth-grade Hindu student, was fatally stabbed by a Muslim student at the same institution in August. This incident incited outrage among parents and resulted in serious accusations against the school. Previous incidents were also unearthed leading to charges of administrative misconduct.
Afterward, the District Education Officer initiated an investigation. The Gujarat High Court provided no relief and instructed it to aide with the probe despite the school’s plea. The committee has now completed its report and the issue is currently under review by the District Education Officer and the government.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was born on 14th October 1950 in Pune, Maharashtra. His family had a proud military linage. He was the elder of two sons born to Brigadier ML Khetarpal and Mrs Maheshwari Khetarpal.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s most valiant heroes, made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Leading from the front, he fearlessly assaulted enemy positions and continued fighting despite his tank got hit. For his unmatched courage and… pic.twitter.com/wQI7LHAHR9
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 14, 2025
Arun’s great-grandfather had fought the British as part of the Sikh Khalsa Army. His grandfather served in the British Indian Army during World War I. Growing up, Arun listened to the inspiring stories from his father about the military background of his family.
Arun Khetarpal’s family. Image: Honourpoint
Arun received his schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, in the Kasauli hills of Himachal Pradesh. He was a standout student in both academics and sports. He also imbibed the school’s motto, “Never Give In”, as a personal creed. This steadfast resolve, nurtured from childhood, would later define his character on the battlefield.
Into the ranks – training and commission
Arun followed in his father’s footsteps and his own childhood dream of joining the Army. In June 1967, he joined the National Defence Academy where he joined the 38th Course as part of Foxtrot Squadron. His leadership qualities shone during the course and he became the Squadron Cadet Captain of the batch.
After graduating from NDA, he went to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for advanced military training. Khetarpal earned his commission as an officer in the Indian Army on 13th June 1971. He was posted to the 17th Poona Horse Regiment of the Armoured Corps. Arun was now a second lieutenant in a cavalry unit known for its gallant history and laurels. The Poona Horse was and is one of India’s most decorated armoured regiments.
The young officer did not get much time to settle into peacetime duty. Within six months of his commissioning, the subcontinent was under the shadow of war clouds. In early December 1971, hostilities with Pakistan erupted into full-scale conflict. At that moment, Arun was away on a Young Officers’ training course in Ahmednagar, but duty urgently called him to the front lines.
He swiftly rejoined his regiment, ready to face his first war. Just weeks past his 21st birthday, Arun even exuded confidence on the way to battle. He famously carried his golf clubs along. When asked if he would play golf on the battleground, he said, “Sir, I plan to play golf in Lahore. And I am sure there will be a dinner night after we win the war, so I’ll need the Blue Patrol dress as well.”
The remarks, which were passed to a fellow officer, were light-hearted at the core as he stood at the New Delhi railway station waiting for his train. His mother, present at the station, bade him farewell. The atmosphere belied the gravity of what lay ahead.
First battle, final stand – the 1971 Indo-Pak War
When the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 broke out, the 17 Poona Horse was deployed in the western sector as part of the 47th Infantry Brigade, also known as the “Black Arrow” Brigade. It was tasked with offensive operations in the Shakargarh Bulge, near Sialkot. In mid-December, the brigade established a bridgehead across the Basantar River in Pakistani territory under heavy enemy resistance.
The area was strewn with mines and fiercely contested, as it was of vital strategic importance. A Pakistani breakthrough at this point could sever road links to Jammu and threaten Indian Punjab. By 15th December 1971, Indian troops had secured a foothold. However, clearing paths for the tanks was still underway when the enemy launched counter-attacks.
Image:gallantryawards
On 16th December, Pakistani armoured forces of the 13th Lancers regiment, equipped with US-made Patton tanks, counter-attacked the Indian bridgehead at the village of Jarpal under cover of a smoke screen. Their aim was to pierce the Indian defences and collapse the bridgehead.
The Poona Horse squadron holding Jarpal was reportedly under intense pressure and urgently requested reinforcement. When 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, who was with A Squadron in reserve, heard the distress call over the radio net, he did not hesitate and volunteered to move forward with his own troop of tanks to reinforce the embattled squadron. Arun led from the front in his Centurion MK7 tank, aptly named Famagusta after a historic battle honour of his regiment.
As Arun’s small contingent charged into the fight, they came under heavy enemy fire while crossing the Basantar River. Pakistani soldiers had dug in with recoilless anti-tank gun nests and machine-gun bunkers that were still holding out.
For Arun and his fellow men, time was of the essence. If the Pakistani armoured thrust was not blunted quickly, the Indian bridgehead could collapse. Arun displayed fearless initiative and threw caution to the winds. He ordered an immediate assault on the enemy strong points impeding their way. His tanks roared forward, literally charging the Pakistani bunkers.
In that daring move, Arun’s troop overran the enemy defences, crushed gun positions and even captured enemy soldiers at pistol-point from atop his tank. In the course of these close-range engagements, one of Arun’s fellow troop commanders was killed by enemy fire. However, Arun pressed on relentlessly.
His aggressive action and bold leadership succeeded in neutralising the enemy fortifications. He broke through to link up with B Squadron just in time, as the Pakistani tanks momentarily fell back after their initial probing attack, likely startled by the ferocity of the Indian response.
However, the fight was far from over. The Pakistani armoured forces regrouped quickly and launched a fresh squadron-strength attack. Their main effort was directed at the sector held by 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal and the two remaining Indian tanks commanded by Captain V. Malhotra and Lt Avtar Ahlawat. What unfolded next was one of the fiercest tank engagements of the war.
Indian tank crews were heavily outnumbered and outgunned, but they stood their ground. A furious duel at close range ensued amid exploding shells and burning hulks. Khetarpal and his comrades destroyed multiple enemy tanks in rapid succession. In this pitched battle, a total of ten Pakistani tanks were hit and destroyed, four of which were personally knocked out by 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal’s own gunnery skill.
The enemy’s superior numbers were telling, though. Lt Ahlawat’s tank took a direct hit and was forced out of action, and Captain Malhotra’s tank suffered a jammed main gun, which left it unable to fire. For a crucial half-hour, Arun Khetarpal stood alone in the path of the Pakistani onslaught, effectively the last tank operating in his sector, yet unflinching in the face of overwhelming odds.
With immense courage, the 21-year-old officer continued the fight solo. His tank Famagusta became a one-tank army, duelling an entire squadron of enemy armour. Arun’s resolve was absolute. Not a single enemy tank would be allowed to break through on his watch.
Amid this battle, Famagusta was struck by an enemy shell and caught fire. Arun was wounded in this attack. His squadron leader apprehended the danger and ordered him to abandon the burning tank. Arun refused to retreat. Over the radio, he sent back a now-immortal message, “No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working, and I will get these bastards.”
He then removed his radio headset to avoid further orders to fall back and pressed on with the fight. True to his words, despite being grievously injured, Arun kept firing. He destroyed one more Pakistani tank at point-blank range.
By now, the engagement had essentially become a duel, with Arun’s lone Centurion taking on the last of the attacking Pattons within 100 metres. At that moment, his tank was hit by another armour-piercing round, this time directly in the turret. The second impact proved fatal, and Famagusta was silenced. 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal was mortally wounded. The young officer held the line to his last breath and succumbed to his injuries on his tank.
Khetarpal’s heroic stand saved the day for India at Basantar. By the time he fell, the Pakistani attack was broken. Not a single enemy tank had managed to get past his position. The enemy was denied the breakthrough they desperately sought. His extraordinarily valiant stand inspired the remaining Indian troops, who fought on and repelled the Pakistani forces on all fronts.
The Battle of Basantar ended in a decisive Indian victory. On the same day, 16th December 1971, Pakistan’s Eastern Command formally surrendered in Dhaka, leading to the creation of Bangladesh and bringing the war to a close. But that triumph came at a heavy price. India lost many brave soldiers in the 13-day conflict, including Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who laid down his life on the battlefield of Basantar at the age of 21.
Legacy of a Hero
For his “dauntless courage, dogged determination and supreme sacrifice”, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour for gallantry. His intrepid valour saved the day, stated the official citation; the enemy’s armoured thrust was decisively blunted and not one enemy tank got through his sector.
The young officer had exemplified the very highest ideals of service, displaying “leadership, tenacity and exceptional courage in the face of the enemy” far beyond the call of duty. At just 21 years of age, Arun Khetarpal became and remains the youngest ever recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
Arun Khetarpal’s legacy has lived on in multiple ways. He earned the nickname “Sher e Basantar”, meaning Tiger of Basantar, in honour of his ferocity and fearlessness during that battle. The Army’s officers and men continue to draw inspiration from his story of raw bravery under fire. The commander of the Pakistani tank unit that day, Major Khwaja Naser, is believed to have fired the fatal shot at Khetarpal’s tank.
Even he came to respect the fallen Indian hero. Decades later, Arun’s father, Brig ML Khetarpal, met the Pakistani officer who had been on the other side of the gunsight. Their poignant meeting demonstrated the mutual admiration that true soldiers can hold beyond the divide of wartime enmity.
The Centurion tank Famagusta (hull number IC 202), which Khetarpal refused to abandon, was later recovered and lovingly restored. It stands preserved at the Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahmednagar as a proud relic of his heroism.
Image: immortalsacrifice/FB
Memorials to Second Lieutenant Khetarpal exist beyond the battlefield as well. In 2021, on the 50th anniversary of the war, a new war memorial was unveiled at Veer Bhoomi Park in the Samba district of Jammu (near the Basantar battleground) to honour Arun Khetarpal and other local 1971 heroes.
At the National War Memorial in New Delhi, a bronze bust of Arun Khetarpal stands in the Param Yodha Sthal gallery among India’s greatest war heroes, ensuring that his story is recounted to future generations. His alma mater, NDA Khadakwasla, also commemorates him as one of its brightest and bravest ex-cadets.
Image: salute2soldier
Fifty years have passed but the saga of Arun’s bravery continues to inspire India. Now, his life story is set to reach an even wider audience through cinema with the upcoming film titled Ikkis, which means 21, directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Maddock Films. Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, is playing the role of Arun, alongside veteran actor Dharmendra playing Brig M. L. Khetarpal, in this biographical war drama.
Park Street gangrape convict, Naser Khan, has been accused of molesting and attacking a woman at a five-star hotel in Kolkata. The incident happened on Sunday (26th October) around 4:15 am in the Hyatt Regency at Bidhannagar. An FIR was filed at Bidhannagar South Police Station against Naser Khan and his nephew Junaid Khan on the charges of voluntarily causing hurt, criminal force and assault and solitary confinement of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
According to the complaint filed by the victim, she was hanging out with her husband, brother and some friends at the Play Boy club inside the Hyatt Regency. The accused arrived and picked a fight with them, attacked them with beer bottles and tried to touch her inappropriately. “When my brother tried to protect (me), they started throwing glass bottles at us. We tried to run away from the hotel to safety, but Junaid Khan called around 20 boys and started attacking us,” the victim reportedly stated in the complaint.
“I called 100, dialled the number to get instant help, but they blocked all the doors. A few boys started pushing me and touching me in a very bad way in my private area. I have attached the medical report, and you can find all the attacking videos on the CCTV of the restaurant club,” she added. The police have not made any arrests so far.
Vicitm kept hiding for about half an hour and was rescused by the police
The victim said that she had kept hiding in the club’s liquor room for about half an hour after the accused sexually assaulted and attacked her. She said that she was rescued by the police from the liquor room. The police have not made any arrests in the case so far.
Who is Naser Khan
Businessman Naser Khan was among the five people convicted of gangraping a 40-year-old Anglo-Indian woman, Suzette Jordan, inside a moving car in the posh Park Street area of Kolkata in 2013. The woman, mother of two daughters, was abducted by the accused in a car in front of a nightclub in February 2012, and was gangraped for hours inside the moving car before being dumped near a road crossing, a couple of kilometres from where she was picked. Naser Khan, who was given a 10-year sentence, was released from jail in 2012, a little over a year before his sentence was to end, on the grounds of “good behaviour”.
Rampant cases of sexual violence in West Bengal and victim blaming of CM Mamata Banerjee
Cases of sexual violence against women have been on the rise in West Bengal despite the state having a woman Chief Minister. The situation is exacerbated by the callous attitude displayed by CM Mamata Banerjee and the TMC politicians towards the victims of such incidents. Instead of ensuring accountability and adopting measures to curb sexual violence against women in the state, the woman Chief Minister either blames the victims or dismisses the incidents as a conspiracy against her government.
Recently, CM Mamata Banerjee put the blame on the victim of sexual violence in a gangrape case that happened in West Bengal’s Durgapur. A second-year MBBS student from Odisha was gang-raped by Apu Bauri, Firdos Sekh, Sekh Reajuddin and two others in a jungle area on Friday (10th October) night in West Bengal’s Durgapur. Ironically, while expressing shock over the incident, CM Mamata Banerjee blamed the victim for the rape. She said that women should not be allowed to go outside college at night and that women should protect themselves. This was not the first time the Chief Minister downplayed a heinous offence like rape. Similar insensitivity was displayed by CM Mamata Banerjee, after the 2012 Park Street gangrape incident, which she dismissed as a concocted incident and a conspiracy to malign his government. Such insensitivity and the lack of accountability displayed by the Chief Minister emboldens the criminals and adds to the plight of the victims.
In another recent case, which happened a month before the Durgapur gangrape case, a young woman was raped by a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker and his aide in Haridevpur locality of Kolkata after the accused invited her to celebrate her birthday. The accused kept the victim locked in a room the entire night and took turns to rape her. This was preceded by another gangrape case in July this year, where a 24-year-old female student was gang-raped inside the South Calcutta Law College, Kasba, in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, by three men. The horrifying incident happened less than a year after the gruesome RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, in which a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and killed while on duty inside the medical college.
In 2013, during a debate in the West Bengal legislative assembly about the rising cases of rapes in the State, the CM had insinuated that it was due to an increase in the population of the State. She had also blamed modernisation, an increase in shopping malls and multiplexes, for rising rape cases. Even during the 2024 Sandeshkhali unrest, Mamata Banerjee attempted to downplay the harassment and sexual exploitation of women at the hands of Trinamool Congress goons by calling it a “minor incident”.
NCRB data exposes an alarming state of women’s safety in the TMC-ruled state
The grim situation regarding women’s safety in West Bengal was exposed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for the year 2023. The “Crime in India” report of the NCRB revealed that West Bengal recorded 34,691 cases of crimes against women under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL). While this marks a marginal decline from 34,738 cases in 2022, the number is one of the highest in the country. The statistics translates to a crime rate of 71.3 cases per lakh female population.
The NCRB data also shows that West Bengal alone accounted for 27.5% of all acid attacks in the country in the year 2023. In 2022, West Bengal recorded 48 acid attacks with 52 victims, out of 202 cases nationwide. In this crime category, the TMC-ruled state is leading the country since 2018. In addition to that, the recorded 7 cases of murder with rape/gangrape, 350 dowry deaths and 419 incidents of abetment to suicide of women in 2023.
