After getting bail on Tuesday, the 20th of June, Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah claimed that his arrest was politically motivated. Talking to ANI, Surya said, “This is a politically motivated arrest. The High Court will throw the case in the dustbin. The state police are so incapable that they have made such frivolous charges which will be turned down by the court.”
#WATCH | This is a politically motivated arrest…High Court will throw the case in the dustbin. The state police is so incapable that they have made such frivolous charges which will be turned down by the court: Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Surya https://t.co/6WpeZyk99zpic.twitter.com/5HntbqVpAh
Earlier on the same day, the Madurai district court had granted him bail. He was arrested on the 16th of June by the cybercrime unit of Madurai police. Reportedly, he was arrested in connection with his earlier tweet on Madurai MP Su Venkatesan.
Tamil Nadu | Madurai district court granted bail to BJP State Secretary SG Surya, who was arrested on June 16 in connection with his recent tweet on Madurai MP Su Venkatesan. https://t.co/MwwBL6OvUb
Jailed for a scathing tweet against Communist councilor
A few days back, BJP State Secretary Suryah alleged that a Communist ward councillor named Viswanathan was accountable for the death of a hygiene worker.
In a tweet, he shared a scathing letter that was aimed at Communist Party of India (CPI) Councilor Viswanathan.
In it, he was referring to an incident in which a sanitation worker from Madurai died on the job. Suryah claimed that he was forced to work in faecal water and this developed an allergic reaction leading to his death.
He also launched an attack on Viswanathan for his alleged double standards, that is, for forcing the deceased sanitation worker to resort to manual scavenging despite being aware that it is prohibited by law.
In the said tweet which reportedly led to his arrest, Suryah also attacked Madurai MP Venkatesan for his silence. The tweet stated your fake politics of separatism stinks worse than that cesspool, find a way to live as a human being, mate!
2018 முதல் 2022 வரை, தமிழகத்தில் மட்டும் 52 தூய்மைப் பணியாளர்கள், பணியில் இருக்கும்போது உயிரிழந்துள்ளனர். இந்தியாவிலேயே உச்சகட்ட உயிரிழப்பு தமிழகத்தில் தான்.
பெண்ணாடம் பேரூராட்சியில், கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியைச் சேர்ந்த பேரூராட்சி உறுப்பினர், ஒரு தூய்மைப் பணியாளரை மலம் கழிந்த கழிவு… https://t.co/FqpuRbPEzG
BJP’s Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai backed Suryah
Taking to Twitter, BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai extended his support to SG Suryah. He stated that the arrest of BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary Suryah is highly condemnable. He further added that his only mistake was to expose the nasty double standards of the communists, allies of DMK.
The arrest of @BJP4TamilNadu State Secretary Thiru @SuryahSG avl is highly condemnable. His only mistake was to expose the nasty double standards of the communists, allies of DMK.
Using state machinery to curtail free speech & getting jittery for the slightest criticism is…
In another tweet, Annamalai highlighted that between 2018 to 2022, 52 sanitation workers died on duty in Tamil Nadu alone.
The tweet further read, “Tamil Nadu has the highest death toll in India.”
2018 முதல் 2022 வரை, தமிழகத்தில் மட்டும் 52 தூய்மைப் பணியாளர்கள், பணியில் இருக்கும்போது உயிரிழந்துள்ளனர். இந்தியாவிலேயே உச்சகட்ட உயிரிழப்பு தமிழகத்தில் தான்.
பெண்ணாடம் பேரூராட்சியில், கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியைச் சேர்ந்த பேரூராட்சி உறுப்பினர், ஒரு தூய்மைப் பணியாளரை மலம் கழிந்த கழிவு… https://t.co/FqpuRbPEzG
Today, a number of news outlets ran stories claiming that smallpox, which was declared eliminated in 1980, had returned to Supaul, Bihar and affected more than 100 people from 35 families. They alarmingly circulated the false information after confusing chickenpox with smallpox.
Congress’ National Herald founded by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru wrote that smallpox has spread in a village in Bihar and the locals are claiming medical negligence.
The same report was carried out by Times Now, which noted that smallpox had impacted people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
It didn’t take Deccan Herald long to also report that smallpox had made a comeback in the northern state of India.
Mid-Day reported that assistance for smallpox victims arrived three months late.
The misinformation disseminated by the media has also prompted responses on social media. Affirming that smallpox has long been wiped out, a netizen implored the media to refrain from spreading false information.
Wait
Smallpox is only available with Level 4 Laboratories and have a very small part of it stored there
Smallpox doesn't exist outside laboratories as the same has been eradicated long back
Please stop spreading fake news as it looks like the disease is chickenpox
Sanjay Mehta informed that if it was indeed smallpox then “there would be worldwide panic.” He also pointed out that the standard of journalism has dropped over the years.
Small pox? Seriously? If it was smallpox there would be worldwide panic.
It's probably chickenpox and the root cause is that they didn't get their kids vaccinated.
Your "journalism" has gotten worse over the years.
It is important to note that the fundamental difference between chickenpox also known as varicella and smallpox is that the former is easily curable with the right medication and some simple precautions while the latter has a high mortality rate.
The life-threatening disease of smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by the variola virus often called the smallpox virus which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. It is estimated that the disease killed at least half a billion people in the last hundred years. However, the last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization certified the global eradication of the disease in 1980, making it the only human disease to be exterminated.
Notably, following significant efforts, 188,000 cases and 31,000 fatalities from the perilous disease were reported in 1974. The Indian government increased its efforts to search, contain, and vaccinate the masses. The last instance of smallpox was reported in 1975, although efforts to maintain surveillance also persisted afterwards.
Ninety-five per cent of people who received the smallpox vaccine were protected from contracting the disease. Furthermore, when given shortly after being exposed to the variola virus, the immunisation prevented or considerably lessened the sickness. Finally, India proclaimed its freedom from smallpox in 1979.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Russian State Centre for Study on Virology and Biotechnology in Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russian Federation are the only two WHO-designated locations where stocks of the variola virus are stored and used for research purposes.
Chickenpox misconstrued as smallpox
Interestingly, chickenpox outbreaks are a frequent occurrence in Supaul. Last year, within the Marauna block area of the district, in the wards one and two of Belahi Panchayat, over twenty children and young adults contracted the sickness. All the people were constantly examined by the medical team and were advised to maintain cleanliness. They were told to take antibiotic medicine along with vitamin A and paracetamol. In May this year, Live Hindustan reported several cases of Chickenpox in Tengraha Parihari in Bihar.
It is clear that the chickenpox has been wrongly mentioned as smallpox in the reports.
The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs. It may initially appear on the chest, back, and face before spreading throughout the body and into the mouth, eyelids, or genital region. Sometimes, the disease is also accompanied by fever. It is also highly contagious.
Days after a Muslim mob attacked the police in Gujarat’s Junagadh, it has come to the fore that the mob deliberately launched the attack on June 16 and that the violence was totally pre-planned.
On Friday, June 16, an Islamist mob attacked the police in the Junagadh district of Gujarat after they saw a notice regarding illegal encroachment on the walls of a dargah in the city. The Muslims attacked with stones and created massive violence injuring four policemen and a Hindu civilian. The stones were reportedly pelted at the police vehicles and an ST bus after which an FIR was filed against 31 persons in this case.
During the investigation, the police stated that the violence was a premeditated conspiracy as the violence erupted minutes after the police asked the mob to adopt the legal way of putting up their point instead of gathering illegally. According to Divya Bhaskar’s report, the information that this illegal shrine is going to get a notice was leaked by someone from the Municipal Corporation itself. After this, the rioters filled a truck-dumper with stones and also collected the sticks and sharp weapons. Also, preparations for the attack were made by calling a large number of violent elements of the Muslim society from outside.
The female police officer in the complaint said that around 8:30 pm on the night of June 16, there was a message in the social media group of the division police station, and the officers and employees were asked to immediately report to the PI at Majewadi Dargah. The police reached the spot to see that a crowd of 500 to 600 men and women had gathered against the notice about illegal encroachment pasted on the wall of the Dargah in the region.
According to the FIR, the police officers who reached the spot asked the mob to adopt a legal way of putting up their point instead of gathering illegally. The crowd then got agitated and the men and women shouted slogans and attacked the police.
The Police during the investigation also said that while the notice was being processed before it reached around 8 religious places including Dargah and Temple, a worker from the corporation sent a message that the notice has been prepared in the matter of Dargah. The message is said to have hinted and incited the mob to gather in the area around Dargah.
This dargah outside which the violenc happened is located near Majewadi Gate. The area is clean and usually no garbage or stones are seen around the area. On the day when the corporation officials were supposed to arrive at the dargah to issue notice, there is no chance that a whole truck full of stones would be pelted at the police in this manner. Moreover, the truck was placed in such a corner which no CCTV could capture.
Junagadh DySP Hatesh Dhandalia confirmed the incident and said, “People from outside area had also gathered. The stones and weapons were ready. Everything just happened within minutes. All these things make it clear that the incident was a premeditated conspiracy.”
As per the FIR copy registered in the case, the agitated Muslim mob raised slogans of ‘Nara-e-Takbir, Allahu Akbar’ and also said ‘burn everything’, ‘police ko maro (hit the police)’, ‘Koi Jinda Nahi Bachna Chahiye (no one shall be spared alive)’. Some of the Muslims could also be heard saying, “If we kill the police, no one will come our way.” The mob then began pelting stones at the police vans and also attacked some of the private vehicles.
Some torched motorcycles parked near the dargah and also pelted stones at vehicles and pedestrians passing by. Besides, the mob also pelted stones at an ST bus and broke the glass of the bus with sticks. Four policemen and a Hindu civilian have been reported as injured. The injured were immediately shifted to the hospital where the Hindu individual is said to have died during the treatment.
Around 31 people have been booked in the case. Further investigations are underway.
A Hindu girl from the Valmiki community from Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh region who moved to Bengaluru, Karnataka for work has fallen prey to the epidemic of love jihad according to a report in Panchjanya. When she realised her boyfriend was a Muslim named Umar Farooq and not what he pretended to be, she somehow found her way back to her residence and informed her parents about the ordeal.
She was working in a private company when she met a boy named Raju. The meeting gradually turned into love. He used to go to the temple with her to pray and also offered Yagya Ahuti in Havan. She was quite impressed with his devotional side and thought of him as an ideal life partner.
However, she soon discovered his truth and ended the relationship. As per the girl’s complaint, the accused has now started to threaten her over the phone and text messages. She has complained to the Superintended of Police (SP) office in the matter and demanded that a First Information Report be registered against him.
When she came to know about the real identity of her partner she tried to maintain distance from him which resulted in further harassment and sexual assault. She eventually found a chance and returned home, but now a fresh round of mental intimidation has begun. He reportedly phones her whenever he wants and bombards her cell with messages if his call is not received. He also threatens her to come back to Bengaluru.
The girl went to the police with her complaint and proof which included call recordings and things from social media because she feared that any untoward incident can happen to her family as a result of the perilous circumstances. She considered her life and property at risk and asked for legal justice in the matter. She sought to do so in Damoh. However, the police wanted to send the case diary to Bengaluru, as per reports.
The girl has made a statement about the abuse that she experienced in the complaint form she submitted to the superintendent of police. She has also informed the authorities about the offender’s warnings of making the images and recordings of their intimate moments viral on social media. It was also disclosed that he had already done the same with certain photographs which he even sent to the family members.
The victim reported that she met Umar Farooq approximately one and a half years ago. After being introduced as Hindu and meeting multiple times, they started a relationship. He went to the temple with her and took part in Hindu rituals. She had no idea that she was being duped with a false identity.
Umar Farooq gained her trust and promised to marry her. Afterward, they developed a sexual relationship while he secretly recorded and photographed their private moments. After the victim learned of Farooq’s real identity and tried to distance herself, she was reportedly subjected to abuse and harassment.
She proclaimed that she lived alone in the city of Bengaluru, and was concerned about her safety. He was not even letting her return to Damoh and even stole her papers. He pressurised her to convert to Islam and marry him if she didn’t want to be sliced, fed to dogs, and as well as her family members killed. She voiced that he has continued to pursue her even after she moved to Madhya Pradesh and that he has threatened to kill her if she does not comply with his demands.
The victim has stated that she is unable to return to her place of work in Bengaluru fearing a threat to her life by Farooq. Her complaint has been received by SP District Damoh who stated that the police are investigating the case.
On Tuesday, June 20, a former CNN producer John Griffin, of Stamford, Connecticut was sentenced to 19 years in prison. John Griffin was convicted of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl. In addition to the 19-years jail term, Griffin has been sentenced to 15 years of supervised release.
In December, John Griffin of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in federal court to using an interstate commerce facility to entice and coerce a minor into sexual conduct at his Vermont ski residence.
The government dropped two outstanding counts of inducement of a minor against Griffin, as part of the 2022 plea deal. Griffin originally pleaded not guilty in 2021. He has been ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
Furthermore, John Griffin is prohibited from having contact with minors under the age of 18, unless accompanied by an adult who has been permitted by a probation officer. He is also barred from attending places where children congregate, such as playgrounds, schools, and theme parks, unless he first obtains permission from a probation officer.
According to the plea agreement, the ex-CNN producer contacted a woman on a website during the summer of 2020 and convinced her to bring her daughter to his home for sexual activity.
Griffin gave the woman $3,000 to travel from Nevada to Boston, where he met them and drove them to the $1.8 million residence.
According to an unsealed court document, Grffin stated that “wanton whore” is a term that can be applied to “the core of any” female, and that “a woman is a woman regardless of her age,” as articulated in texts taken from the indictment.
Other than this, in 2021, Project Veritas, a US journalism venture published graphic texts and videos in which a CNN producer fantasized about molesting his own fiancee’s daughter. The CNN producer apparently also sought to solicit sexually explicit photographs from his fiancee’s teenage daughter, according to the undercover video and text message.
On June 21, Delhi Police’s Special Cell said they had arrested Mohammed Ayaz, one of the main conspirators of the murder of Head Constable Ratan Lal during the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of 2020. He was arrested from Karnataka on June 17. Ayaz was absconding for over three years. 53-year-old Ayaz is a resident of Chand Bagh in the Karawal Nagar Area. There was a reward of Rs 1 lakh announced by the Delhi Police on information leading to his arrest. He was arrested from a village in the district Chikkaballapur of Karnataka.
Notably, during the February 24, 2020 riots, a Muslim mob killed Ratan Lal while then-Assistant Commissioner of Police Gokulpuri Anuj Kumar and then-Deputy Commission of Police Shahdara Amit Sharma sustained serious injuries.
In a statement, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said in January 2020, Ayaz and his brother Khalid along with others, initiated protests at Chand Bagh against CAA/NRC in the line of Shaheen Bagh protests. On February 23, a secret meeting was held in Ayaz’s house’s basement. In that meeting, they decided to bring iron rods, bricks and other materials to block the road as then-US President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit Delhi. The aim was to gain international media attention.
CP Dhaliwal said, “Thereafter, as per pre-planned conspiracy, the rioters blocked the road leading to Jafrabad Metro Station and consequently, different groups started rioting in various parts of North-East and Shahdara Districts of Delhi and the same continued till February 26, 2020,, resulting in the death of over 50 people, injury to hundreds of persons and huge loss of government and private properties. Over 750 cases were lodged in different police stations of Shahdara and North-East districts of Delhi in this regard.”
He added, “A huge mob gathered at the Chand Bagh protest site in the morning of February 24, 2020, and attempted to block the main Wazirabad Road. However, when the police team tried to stop them, Ayaz, his brother Khalid and other rioters started pelting stones and attacked the police party causing the death of Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal.”
As Ayaz was absconding, the police were keeping a close watch on the close contacts of Khalid and Ayaz. The technical and manual surveillance revealed they kept changing their hideouts. At one point, they were spotted in Manipur, where efforts were made to arrest them. The Police noted Ayaz’s location in Bengaluru in the first week of June 2023.
CP Dhaliwal said, “It was further revealed that he was in search of a suitable hideout in the rural area of Dibburahalli, around 100 km from Bengaluru. Following the trail, a team located him in the area of Dibburahalli, and he was nabbed on June 17.”
Ratan Lal Murder
A crazed Muslim mob mercilessly lynched Ratan Lal while he was trying to do his duty on the main Wazirabad Road, Chand Bagh. The 42-year-old police officer lived with his family in Amrit Vihar, Burari, Delhi.
Lal belonged to Fathepur Tihwali village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. His wife and three children survive Lal. The Sikar resident had joined the Delhi Police in the constable post in 1998. He married a Jaipur resident in 2004. Ratan Lal was posted at Gokulpuri Police Station. He lived with his family in a house in Delhi’s Burari area.
A mob attacked police officers stationed in Maujpur, Delhi’s North-East area, on February 24, 2020. Ratan Lal died from a bullet wound, according to the autopsy report. A video surfaced in March 2020 where a violent mob of rioters can be seen attacking the Delhi Police officers with stones and sticks.
The Special Investigation Team of Delhi Police had in June 2020 filed a 1,100-page charge sheet in the case of the murder of Ratan Lal and deadly attacks by rioters on IPS Amit Sharma and IPS Anuj Kumar. At least 17 accused had been named in the charge sheet. The police stated that the riots were engineered in Delhi through a conspiracy to malign the country’s image.
A Gujarati couple named Pankaj and his wife Nisha were held captive in Iran after being kidnapped, reportedly from Hyderabad. Within 24 hours of their family sending a WhatsApp message to Minister of State Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghvi, seeking help from the government, the couple was rescued. Now, their heartfelt message to Minister Sanghvi is doing rounds on social media.
In this heartfelt message, the Gujarati couple expressed their gratitude to Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi and all the persons involved in their rescue operation. The couple conveyed their appreciation, saying, “Dear Harshbhai Sahib, we can’t thank you enough. You have come to us as Lord Krishna on the day of Ashadhi Dooj.”
The desire of moving abroad had lured them into the trap of fraud agents. Like in many previous instances, the desire to go to the US at any cost became a nightmare for the young couple.
The Gujarati couple was kidnapped in the garb of taking them to America. But thanks to the prompt action of the MoS Home Harsh Sanghvi and the authorities, the couple was rescued within 24 hours of the family getting in touch with the Minister seeking help to rescue their kin.
The kidnappers sent a torture video, demanding ransom
As per media reports, the Patel couple who are said to be residents of Naroda, Ahmedabad left for America illegally. However, Pankaj Bharatbhai Patel was kidnapped before he and his wife could reach America. Reports claim that he was kept in Hyderabad from 3rd to 11th June and it seems that he was taken to Iran from there.
Later, the kidnappers sent a video to their family demanding ransom in exchange for their freedom. In the said video, the kidnappers made the young man lie face down in the bathroom and then stabbed him numerous times. In the video, Pankaj was seen crying and requesting his brother, “Brother, these people will kill me. Send the money soon.”
In the horrifying video, a kidnapper was also seen constantly cutting his ribs. This video is so terrifying that it is not even possible to publish it.
Soon after receiving the video, Pankaj’s family filed a police complaint. In the police complaint, the victim’s brother stated that Pankaj made a deal with an agent at Gandhinagar Sargasan for Rs 1.15 crores to illegally enter America. The agent told Pankaj, that he would first take the couple to Hyderabad and from there another agent would send them to America via Dubai, Iran route. However, his brother-in-law was kidnapped and kept in Tehran, Iran.
Gujarat Government swiftly retrieves kidnapped Gujarati Couple from Iran after getting a WhatsApp Message
After the unfortunate incident, the victim’s family reached out to the Mos Home Harsh Sanghvi seeking his help to rescue the couple. The family sent a WhatsApp message to Sanghvi around 9 PM on Sunday night, the 18th of June.
Within 24 hours, Pankaj and Nisha Patel were freed from the clutches of the kidnappers.
It is important to note that at this time Minister Sanghvi was busy in overseeing the preparations for Yoga Day in Surat and Ratha Yatra in Ahmedabad.
Despite that, the Home Minister dedicated two nights, Sunday and Monday, to get the case investigated by a high-level team of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch. Additionally, he personally reached out to various agencies including the Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, Central IB, RA&W, and INTERPOL.
The Minister also contacted John Mai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Iran, in order to trace Pankaj and Nisha. Resultantly, the couple’s location was eventually discovered, and with the assistance of the police, both of them were successfully rescued. After the rescue operations, the couple received necessary medical attention before arranging their safe return to India.
Dear Harshbhai Sanghvi, You have come to us as Lord Krishna on the day of Ashadhi Dooj – Pankaj and Nisha
Through the family, Pankaj and his wife Nisha sent a thank you message to Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi which has gone viral on social media. In this message, the Gujarati couple has written, “Dear Harshbhai Sahib, we can’t thank you enough. You have come to us as Lord Krishna on the day of Ashadhi Dooj.”
Thanking the Home Minister, the family wrote, “Our son Pankaj and daughter-in-law Nisha were held in Iran and held for ransom. We reported this to Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi through a WhatsApp message around 9 pm on Sunday night. Despite the fact that he was preparing for Surat’s Yoga Day program and Rath Yatra programs, he got the case continuously investigated by the high-level dedicated team of Ahmedabad Crime Branch, Ministry of External Affairs; Contacted GOI, Central IB, RA&W, INTERPOL, and sought help by contacting John Mai, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy in Iran, Tehran.”
The family further noted that the couple has left for their homeland due to the efforts of Home Minister Sanghvi Sahib.
They also rang the bells of caution for others and stated let nothing happen to anyone like what happened with us, let no one go abroad under the tutelage of agents illegally, this is the wrong way.
Reportedly, the agent who took money by luring Pankaj Patel to America is currently absconding. The Ahmedabad Police has launched a search operation to apprehend him.
Earlier, a youth from Talala was rescued from Myanmar
This is not the first time that the Gujarat government has come to the aid of Gujaratis stranded abroad. Earlier, a youth from Talala, Gujarat was illegally detained in a room in Myanmar. He was lured abroad on the false pretext of a job. Later, on the instructions of the Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi, the Gir-Somnath police safely brought back the youth to India.
His father had filed a complaint at the Talala Police Station. Even back then Mos Home Harsh Sanghvi instructed the police to take this incident seriously and bring this young man back to Gujarat at any cost.
Minister maintained constant contact with the Immigration Department of the Government of India and the Immigration Department of Myanmar.
Afterward, Nirav’s bio-data, along with comprehensive details about his visa, passport, and his specific location in Yangon City, Myanmar, was provided to the Immigration Department of the Government of India. Working in collaboration with the Myanmar Immigration Department, the agencies successfully secured the release of Nirav, who had been detained in Yangon City, Myanmar, alongside other individuals trapped in similar circumstances. Finally, on February 19, Nirav Bamrotiya was safely repatriated to his hometown from Yangon City, Myanmar.
In this case, you can read a special interview with the victim Nirav and his father by OpIndia by clicking on this link.
Days after the Muslim community in India strongly objected to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as impractical and wrong, it has moved to issue a helpline number for Muslims amid the ongoing debate. The helpline number has been issued by Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal, Uttar Pradesh who stated that all the answers related to Qurbani, Haj, Umrah and more would be provided to the community through the helpline numbers.
According to the Zee News report, Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal has said that all queries of the Muslim community will be answered via the helpline numbers (9335929670, 7007705774). The queries raised on the helpline numbers which are to be active from June 20 to July 2 will be answered by Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali from 2 pm to 4 pm daily.
This is believed to be part of a novel campaign that has been launched by the community in Uttarakhand amidst the debate on the Uniform Civil Code and Love Jihad. However, it is not clear whether the helpline would answer only religious issues or other queries will also be answered by the Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali who is the chairman of the Islamic Centre of India and also a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Earlier, several Muslim clerics and leaders of various Islamic organizations have said that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is impractical in a country like India which has a number of religious minorities, each with its own way of life.
“For the past many years, the issue of the Uniform Civil Code is being raised by politicians just before the elections. This time again, the issue has come up before elections. I have always stated that the UCC is not only going to affect Muslims but also Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Jews, Parsis, and other minuscule minorities living in the country. Every community has a different way of praying, performing rituals and ceremonies like marriage. So, to some extent, personal life is different. The freedom to practice one’s own faith and way of life is granted by the Constitution,” Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali had said.
Also on June 17, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) raised serious objections to the idea of implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. The Law Commission has recently invited suggestions from the public regarding the long-promised law. However, according to AIMPLB, this is a waste of resources.
VIDEO | "The BJP wants to use Uniform Civil Code as an issue in the upcoming (Lok Sabha) elections. As far as UCC is concerned, neither it is required nor it is useful for the country," says AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas. pic.twitter.com/Z7EPANewfi
Notably, the UCC calls for the formulation of one law for India, which would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. It has been an essential part of the election manifesto of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party government over the past many years.
The AIMPLB organization termed the UCC unnecessary and described it as impractical and dangerous. Its spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas stated that the country’s diversity is its identity and it should not be tampered with
The president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, also voiced his discontent against the idea of UCC and the destruction of unauthorized or illegal Mazars (Islamic shrines). He declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party should first destroy temples before discussing Muslim shrines.
He added that the government shouldn’t put their patience to the test and threatened reaction against the action. He alleged that a plot is underway to repeat the demolition drive presently underway in Uttarakhand, across the whole country. He announced that if the bulldozers continue to destroy illegal shrines, Muslims will reach the state to demonstrate against the government.
Also, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Shafiqur Rahman Barq, opposed the move of the Law Commission seeking fresh public opinion on UCC and said that it would only spread hatred in the country.
On June 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his five-day visit to the United States and Egypt. The US visit is PM Modi’s first state visit to the US on an invitation by President Joe Biden. A state dinner is scheduled for India’s PM on June 22 at the White House, where President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will be the hosts. In an official statement, Prime Minister Modi said that this special invitation is a “reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.” As expected, 17 organisations and 75 Senators and Members of Congress have written to President Biden asking him either not to host the State Dinner or to raise some specific issues.
On June 7 (local time), Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), which has links to Islamic terrorist organisations, announced to have written a letter to the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, to rescind the invitation of State Dinner extended to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Seventeen organisations, including IAMC, signed the letter.
The organisations claimed that India is facing sharp democratic backsliding. The claim was based on April 20, 2023, Financial Times report titled ‘India’s Democratic Backsliding’. In the report, FT claimed the democratic values of India were on backtrack because a Gujarat court denied disqualified Congress MP Rahul Gandhi‘s plea against a 2-year sentence in a defamation case. FT called it bad news not only for India but for the whole world. In the letter, they cited four reports linked to CAA and NRC. They included a fact sheet by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom from February 2020. However, the report clearly mentioned that CAA was only meant for minorities in neighbouring Islamic countries. The report does point out Assam NRC controversies, but assuming NRC, whenever it comes, will have the same regulations and guidelines is far-fetched. OpIndia did a detailed analysis of the baseless claims made by IAMC and other organisations in the letter sent to President Biden that can be checked here.
Each organisation listed in the signatories has a history of anti-India and anti-Hindu activities. We explored the details of these organisations to understand what India is standing against on the international platform. In this article, we have delved into the antecedents of 16 organisations and 24 lawmakers who have undersigned the two letters and the findings are shocking – the organisations and lawmakers have links with Islamic terror organisations, Khalistanis, anti-India and anti-Hindu elements.
Indian American Muslim Council
For the uninitiated, Rasheed Ahmed is the executive director of the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), a radical Islamist group that has alleged links with banned terror organisations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and has a long history of lobbying against India.
The IAMC is a Jamat-e-Islami-backed lobbyist organisation claiming to be a rights advocacy group. In the past, it had reportedly collaborated with and even paid money to various groups in the USA to get India blacklisted by the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom). A detailed report by Disinfo Lab has exposed its links with the terror outfit Jamat-e-Islami.
IAMC founder Shaik Ubaid and member Abdul Malik Mujahid have headed the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), the US front for Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan. According to DisInfo Lab, ICNA has established links with Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Rasheed Ahmed, who heads the IAMC currently, was the former executive director of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA). IMANA’s Director of Operations is Zahid Mahmood, an ex-Pak Navy official.
Similar reports covered by OpIndia on HfHR and Hamas-linked Islamist group CAIR can be read here and here.
Hindus for Human Rights
Rahul Gandhi is on a 10-day USA tour, where he spoke at the National Press Club, Stanford University and also, to ‘think tanks’, allegedly discussing relations between India and USA. The Hudson Institute tweeted images of Rahul Gandhi in deep conversation with these “think tanks”. Sunita Vishwanath was seated alongside Rahul Gandhi at this event at Hudson Institute. Sunita Vishwanath is the co-founder of HrHR, which has also signed this letter against Narendra Modi alongside IAMC. In a June 5 tweet, they said, “Extremely disappointed to see Sen Schumer Speaker McCarthy invite Modi to a Joint Meeting of Congress. The friendship between the US and India has long been bound by shared values of secular democracy and freedom. In India, those values are dissolving before our very eyes.”
Extremely disappointed to see @SenSchumer@SpeakerMcCarthy invite Modi to a Joint Meeting of Congress. The friendship between the US and India has long been bound by shared values of secular democracy and freedom. In India, those values are dissolving before our very eyes. pic.twitter.com/9fIWYsEqDf
— Hindus for Human Rights (@Hindus4HR) June 5, 2023
Investigating Info-warfare and Psy-war OSINT Disinfo Lab had conducted an investigation revealing that the ‘Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR)’ had been promoting the misleading narrative of ‘Hindu Vs Hindutva’. The same organisation was also seen endorsing the ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ event.
As per Disinfo Lab, HfHR was formed in the year 2019 by two Islamist advocacy groups named 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.
“The AJA comprises of Hindu, Muslim, Dalit, Sikh and Christian groups, among others. They include the Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), a progressive Hindu group that opposes Hindutva; the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC); and the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI),” the article read.
According to Disinfo Lab, the co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, Sunita Vishwanath, also runs an organisation named ‘Women for Afghan Women’, which is funded by the Soros Open Society Foundation. Earlier, OpIndia reported in detail how George Soros had been fuelling a dangerous anti-India narrative through media and ‘civil society.’
Interestingly, Sunita Vishwanath, who was pictured alongside Rahul Gandhi, had tried to create hysteria and panic among Indian Muslims about the National Register of Citizens (NRC). “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 had said. It is pertinent to note that even during this USA trip, Rahul Gandhi endorsed dangerous lies and propaganda against CAA and NRC, which led to anti-Hindu riots in 2020 in India.
HfHR’s founding member Raju also heads EKTA. It is an associate organization of IAMC. The sole purpose was to have Hindus on the panel to project that the Hindus, in general, were against Hindutva. Interestingly, HfHR ran Facebook ads to promote previous USCIRF reports.
Interestingly, Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of HfHR, is also closely connected to George Soros and Islamist-linked IAMC. The in-depth analysis of the web can be read here.
Recently, HfHR released a toolkit against PM Modi’s US visit. OpIndia’s detailed report on it can be seen here.
Dalit Solidarity Forum
It is one of the organisations that claim to be working against caste discrimination in the USA. Dalit Solidarity Forum representatives were present at Gandhi’s event in the US on June 3 (local time). HfHR had shared a tweet about it.
— Hindus for Human Rights (@Hindus4HR) June 3, 2023
They were one of the supporters of filmmaker Leena Manimekalai who was criticised for derogatory scenes on Maa Kaali in her film “Kaali”. The forum organised paid screening of the film in the US in November 2022. The forum repeatedly said in tweets that they did not find any “issue” if the “actor dressed as Maa Kaali” smokes on camera.
Dalit Solidarity Forum Fund Raiser talent show*
5.30 pm, Sunday December 4th. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
They extensively supported the anti-Hindu bill SB 403 on so-called caste discrimination in the US that will put the Hindus in hiring positions under unrealistic scrutiny. Notably, the case which was the base of the bill fell flat in the US court but the propagandists continued to claim that there was caste discrimination in US companies.
Genocide Watch
Genocide Watch is a propaganda organisation that targets India and Hindus claiming minorities fear genocide in the country. In its April 2023 report, the organisation propagated the same old “CAA and NRC are against Muslims in India” story. While mentioning some particular cases, they claimed in July 2022, a Dalit boy was beaten to death for drinking water from a pot meant for the upper caste. Genocide Watch debunked the reports and decided to use it anyway. They also claimed by disqualifying Rahul Gandhi, the Modi government is turning India into an “electoral autocracy”. They further claimed India is on Stage 8 of committing genocide.
In January 2022, the organisation dubiously issued a “genocide warning” for India. In its report, the organisation claimed that there was the possibility of “genocide of Muslims” in India. In the report, Gregory Stanton, the founder and director of Genocide Watch claimed that there were early “signs and processes” of genocide in the Indian state of Assam and Kashmir. Notably, they mentioned it as “India Administered Kashmir”, declaring Kashmir to be a “disputed region”. He claimed to have noticed a similar scenario in Myanmar where Rohingyas were declared non-citizens and then expelled through violence and genocide. The report, which was published in Al Jazeera, quoted Amnesty India’s former chief Aakar Patel who warned to take the “threat of genocide” seriously. Amnesty India, the Indian chapter of Amnesty International shut its shop in India after it came under the radar for FCRA violations.
Interestingly, there was no mention of Hindus being killed by Muslims and other communities. They did not speak about Kanhaiya Lal, Umesh Kohle and several RSS/BJP activists who were brutally murdered by the Islamists. Why would they? It did not suit their agenda anyway.
Jubilee Campaign
Jubilee Campaign is another US-based organisation that frequently campaigns against India, claiming Christians and other minorities are being persecuted. In the past, they have invited members of IAMC for discussion on so-called minority persecution. In several tweets like here and here, they claimed India was using anti-conversion laws to target Christianity. Anti-conversion laws are meant to stop forced religious conversions. If Christians do not indulge in such activities, they won’t be breaking the law and get booked under the relevant acts.
Ajit Sahi with @IAMCouncil called on states to not be quiet on #India's #FoRB violations. He particularly raised concern of the #RSS – Hindutva organisation that wants to eradicate religious minorities from the country. pic.twitter.com/nT3BWzwsV2
Asian Children’s Education Fellowship is a US-based missionary organisation that works extensively in Nepal. The Hindu-dominating country is facing a serious threat of rampant conversions and missionaries play a vital role in it. Its founder Bryan Nerran was arrested and detained in India for seven months. He was booked under Foreign Exchange Management Act for travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared cash. After then-President Donald Trump’s intervention, Nerran was released. Now, his organisation is one of the signatories urging President Biden to not host PM Modi for a State Dinner. Here is an old video of Nerren seeking donations for running conversion rackets in Nepal. In the video, he claimed to have converted 12,000 people in Nepal. “The Nepal Christian Children’s Education fellowship was able to pray for and to help in the conversion process of bringing 12000 Hindu-Buddhist children into the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Speaking about the State Dinner invite, Narren called PM Modi a “genocidal warlord’. He wrote, “And here we are embracing a genocidal warlord again. We always pick the wrong leaders and make them super successful so they can kill their own people for the love of money.”
And here we are embracing a genocidal warlord again. We always pick the wrong leaders and make them super successful so they can kill their own people for the love of money. pic.twitter.com/2Cy8x0SKqs
CAIR is a US-based Islamist organisation with ties to the Islamic terrorist organisation Hamas. It identifies itself as a Muslim civil rights organisation in the United States that claims to protect ‘civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims’, The fact, however, is that CAIR is an Islamist group that has spoken against India and Hindus on several occasions. The organization has been vehemently pushing Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu propaganda in India.
In a tweet on June 19, CAIR called PM Modi “one of the most dangerous and extreme anti-Muslim bigots in the world” and urged its followers to write to the elected representatives in the US Congress to boycott him. They also released a form for sending letters to the Congress members that read, “The evidence of Modi’s expanding effort to place a boot firmly on the collective heads of India’s religious minorities is extensive. CAIR has already noted that under Modi his political allies have banned young Muslim women from wearing hijabs at school, ignored widespread lynchings of Muslims, and censored a BBC documentary about Modi’s role in an anti-Muslim pogrom.” All the things mentioned here have been debunked numerous times. So much so, the BBC documentary that has been banned in India claims PM Modi had a role in the Gujarat Riots of 2002 ignoring the fact that the Supreme Court of India has given a clean chit to him.
#India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the most dangerous and extreme anti-Muslim bigots in the world, has been invited to speak to Congress on June 22. This is unacceptable Click below to urge your elected representatives to boycott Modi.https://t.co/0sJb0Nqt21pic.twitter.com/QhItxUAoK1
In 2022, CAIR released a report titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia”, in which it said that there has been a rise in discrimination against Muslims living in the United States.
The CAIR, in its report, claimed that it had received 6,720 complaints nationwide last year involving a range of issues, including immigration, travel discrimination, law enforcement, government overreach, hate and bias incidents, custody rights, school incidents, and free speech incidents.
The CAIR claimed that government discrimination and bias continue to have a disproportionate effect on American Muslims and further demonstrate that our communities continue to be viewed with suspicion. The report also listed the impacts of severe structural and interpersonal Islamophobia in the United States.
Ironically, CAIR, which always complains about alleged Islamophobia in the United States, has been aggressively promoting Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu propaganda in India. We are aware of how CAIR had extended support for the extremely Hinduphobic ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva‘ conference.
It is noteworthy that CAIR has links with the Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist terror organisation Hamas. Hamas has a long history of violating human rights. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries including The European Union, the United States, Canada, Israel, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom etc.
Misión Vida para las Naciones, Church in the Republic of Uruguay
This is a Uruguay-based Christian missionary organisation. We could not establish a reason why this organisation became undersigned in the letter to Biden. OpIndia is looking for more information on its links to evangelists operating in India. We will update this report accordingly.
Global Christian Relief
Global Christian Relief is a missionary organisation that collects funds claiming Christians are being persecuted across the globe. It has targeted India on several occasions to collect money. For example, they have used the recent Manipur violence to collect funds claiming “Hindu mobs descended upon the state of Manipur, unleashing a torrent of death and destruction on the local Christian community.”
On its page on Christian Persecution, the organisation wrote, “In India, Hindu nationalists claim that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so non-Hindus—religious minorities like Christians and Muslims—are targeted for abuse. In these places, to be a Christian is to claim an identity other than the one claimed by the dominant culture, and that is often powerfully opposed.”
In reality, Christian missionaries are running rampant conversion rackets across India. In states like Punjab, hundreds of Churches have mushroomed. Several northeast Indian states now have a Christian-dominating population.
As per the website, Tim Kachuriak is the India Chair for relief. Still, we could not find any information on this person on their website, social media platforms or even in a Google search. Till the report was published, Tim remained a mystery who handles “relief” work in India.
Furthermore, there was no information on how they send money to India. There was no info in their 2021 annual report if they had sent any money to India. While asking for money for Christians in Manipur, there was no info on which organisation was helping them in India. Upon little research, we found that the group was linked to the “Global Ministry of Open Doors” earlier but now has separated ways. The group has been targeting India on social media since 2008.
American Sikh Council
American Sikh Council is a pro-Khalistan organisation that regularly spews venom against India. Recently, the organisation supported pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh and his followers. In an article published on March 31, ASC claimed India wants to portray Sikhs as terrorists. Interestingly, a large cache of weapons was recovered from the Amritpal-linked de-addiction centre. Furthermore, he was raising a private militia and giving weapon training to its members. The organisation urged USCRIF, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others to take action against India as “similar situations have led to genocide”.
The organisation also denounced a research paper titled ‘Khalistan – A project of Pakistan’ released in 2020 by MacDonald Laurier Institute (MLI) from Toronto, Canada. Calling it disgraceful, they claimed its author Terry Milewksi behaved like a “mouthpiece of the Indian regime”.
Then-ASC President Dr Gurdas Singh said, “This report is despicable and uncharacteristic of the MacDonald Laurier Institute unless the Indian powerbrokers have influenced them. In that case, it is a sad day for the great values that all Canadians hold dear to their heart. Canadians do not need a lesson on the patriotism of the Sikh Canadians, as they know better!”
They also demanded the release of Sikh prisoners, often called Bandi Sikhs, including those arrested on terrorism charges.
Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society
Only one organisation found with an internet footprint is from Nigeria. There is no information available if they are the ones who signed the letter or if this is some off-the-grid organisation based in the United States. OpIndia is seeking information on the organisation and will update this report accordingly.
International Commission for Dalit Right
International Commission for Dalit Right is a US-based organisation that claims to work for the rights of the marginalised. Its founder President DB Sagar was one of the attendees of the event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress to host disqualified Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Indian Opposition Leader @RahulGandhi recognizes the discrimination against Dalits, Adivasis, ethnic & religious minorities in #India; however, he didn’t talk much about his party, Indian National Congress’s strategic roadmap to deal these challenges. pic.twitter.com/ibqIPBnnkU
ICDR extended its support for the dubious and discriminatory SB403 bill that was passed in California, claiming there was caste discrimination in the US. Notably, the leading case on which the whole campaign to table the bill fell apart a few weeks before it was passed, but CA Senator Aishabb Wahab tabled the bill.
American Muslim Institution, or AMI, is a Washington-based Muslim group led by Ambassador Islam A Siddiqui. India-born Siqqiqui has served under several US Presidents, including Obama, Clinton, and others. In 1982, he founded the United Muslims of America or UMA. Though AMI is a signatory in the list of organisations, strangely, it has had zero activities on social media for over a year. Their last post on Twitter was on March 1, 2022, and on Facebook, the last time they posted something was August 9, 2022. Their website has details of old events, and one of the events that were scheduled for June 6, 2021, has been listed as an “upcoming event”. It is unclear if the organisation is still active.
Regarding its anti-India activities, AMI was one of the 30 signatories that wrote to President Biden to impose sanctions on India over one year after the Citizenship Amendment (Act) came to force in July 2021. The Quint covered it, and the image they used as a feature had a half-visible banner with IAMC’s logo.
Islam A Siddiqui has been quoted by IAMC multiple times in statements against India over the years. In July 2022, IAMC mentioned Siddiqui urging Secretary Bliken to “stop talking about India as a] secular democracy” as he claimed it was in the past.
“The Modi government’s actions indicate that they do not uphold those values,” he had said. He also urged the US to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern.
World Without Genocide
World Without Genocide is a US-based organisation that has openly published anti-India reports based on fake or misleading reports. In January 2023, it cited the dubious Reporters Without Borders report that ranked India at 150 out of 180 countries in terms of Press Freedom. The ranking was based on misinformation, misleading reports and fake reports. OpIndia has a detailed report on the ranking that can be read here.
In November 2022, the organisation called PM Modi “a dangerous man”. They claimed that the Indian government under PM Modi dismantled and subverted all major democratic institutions including the press and judiciary. “His ruling BJP party has taken away civil and human rights from hundreds of thousands of Muslims and other non-Hindus in India,” the organisation wrote which is completely false. On several occasions, they cited Genocide Watch’s warning against India.
On July 28, 2022, the organisation claimed since PM Modi came to power, BJP has targeted Muslims with discrimination and violence. “Mosques and #Muslims’ homes have been burned, people have been injured and murdered, and online incitement is widespread. The government does nothing to prevent harm,” it said. However, the notion is fake and misleading. The disinformation being spread by the organisation is appealing as it did not add a single source of the claims. Furthermore, the data available in the public domain makes it clear that India has a lot of government schemes specifically for Muslims and they are a large part of schemes like Awas Yojna, Ujjwala Yojna and more.
International Defenders Council
International Defenders Council is a US-based organisation that was registered in February 2023. Their website shows a “403 – Forbidden” error. The organisation is one of the signatories of Stand With Kashmir’s Boycott G20 In Kashmir campaign along with other anti-India organisations. There is not much information available about the organisation or its founders.
International Society for Peace and Justice
The International Society of Peace and Justice ISPJ is a US-based organisation that specifically targets India and the BJP-ruled Indian government. It is a close associate of organisations like CAIR, HfHR and IAMC. Its current president is one Rehan Khan who actively speaks against India. In February this year, he called on the USCIRF and the US Government to declare Gujarat 2002 as genocide.
We call on the @USCIRF and the US government to declare Gujarat 2002 as genocide: Dr. Rehan Khan, President, International Society for Peace and Justice
The organisation’s website actively talks about CAA/NRC and claims “Minorities in India do not have adequate legal help”. The website lacks information about the organisation and its founders which raises a lot of suspicion on the agenda of the organisation. The social media accounts of the website are also either non-functional or lack updates.
In May 2022, they organised a signature campaign against so-called religious freedom injustices in India. In a statement, Rehan Khan claimed, “We are trying to preempt and prevent the genocide in India”. Notably, the organisations like Genocide Watch and ISPJ have been making baseless claims of genocide in India that literally has no evidence. In fact, these organisations play ostrich when Hindus like Kanhaiya Lal, Umesh Kohle and many others got killed in the hands of Islamists.
Senators & Members of Congress who wrote to President Biden
On June 20, 75 US Senators and Members of Congress wrote a letter to President Biden to take up issues including “shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, and more.
In the letter, the lawmakers asked Biden to raise “areas of concern” directly with PM Modi in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the US. They reminded President Biden of his statement where he said that America Must lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.”
Apart from a State Department report, they cited unnamed reports claiming to be “independent, credible reports” that reflect “troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access.”
They claimed that religious freedom in India is showing worrisome signs as there has been an “increase of religious intolerance toward minorities and religiously motived violence by both private and state actors.” They also cited the dubious Reporters Without Borders ranking on Press Freedom that OpIndia has categorically debunked.
The letter was used by opposition leaders like Congress leader Supriya Shrinate.
Excerpts from a letter addressed to President Biden by 75 US Senators & Members of Congress urging him to take up these issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian media will not show you this. But read the content to know why we as Indians should be worried.… pic.twitter.com/ES4k5vtD8n
Twitter user Know The Nation wrote an extensive thread exploring the leaders who signed the letter.
Chris Van Hollen
The first name on the letter is Chris Van Hollen, and the next name on the list was born in Pakistan. He tried to visit Kashmir but permission was denied by the Indian government.
In February 2020, he and three other lawmakers wrote to the US Secretary of State requesting an assessment of human rights situation in Kashmir and the rights of religious minorities in India. They wrote, “We write as longtime friends of India regarding some of the troubling actions taken by the current government. More than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region. India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for seven million people. Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in ‘preventive detention,’ including key political figures.”
They also targeted India for CAA and said, “In addition, the Indian government has taken other troubling steps that threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state. This includes the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which is being challenged in India’s Supreme Court.”
Pramila Jayapal
The next name in the list was Pramila Jayapal who is known for her anti-India and anti-Hindu bias. In December 2019, she brought a Congressional resolution urging India to end restrictions on communications in Jammu and Kashmir. Her stand against Indian Government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in the state made the Indian-American community feel betrayed, cheated and saddened. Following her resolution, MEA Jaishankar cancelled his meeting with a group of United States lawmakers following their refusal to exclude anti-India Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from the delegation that was scheduled to meet him. “Don’t think her report has a fair understanding of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir or fair characterisation of what the Government of India is doing. I have no interest in meeting her,” External Affairs Minister revealed after speculations of cancellation of the meeting came forth.
Oh, the legendary Pramila Jayapal, renowned for her exquisite anti-India and anti-Hindu bias. Truly a shining example of fair and unbiased representation. We can all aspire to be as open-minded and inclusive as her.https://t.co/a78Vl6WjeH
Another name was Senator Richard Durbin who has mocked Indians for their Green Cards. In September 2019, he mocked and made a joke at a town hall when a man opposing his block on the S386 bill “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act” gave him a green card index. He joked that if Indians wanted green cards, they should settle for that while others laughed profusely and held up fake green cards.
Clearly, empathy and understanding are overrated qualities in a leader, as evidenced by Senator Richard Durbin's stellar performance mocking Indians waiting for their Green Cards.https://t.co/ilxKlyrJ2H
The next signatory on the list James P. McGovern was one of the 14 lawmakers who wrote to PM Modi in September 2019 to restore communications in Kashmir.
Barbara Lee
The next name on the list was Barbara Lee who is a self-styled Modi-hater. She had written a letter against PM Modi’s arrival in the US nine years after next a resolution to deny him a visa.
Breaking News: Barbara Lee, a self-styled 'Modi Hater' writes a letter against PM Narendra Modi's arrival in the US 9 years after sponsoring a resolution to deny him a visa!
Tammy Duckworth may have earned herself a shiny medal from the 'Indian American Muslim Council' for supporting a ban on Modi, but her anti-Modi tirade did not garner her any votes..https://t.co/NhdsBA1L2s
The next name on the list was Jamie Raskin who failed to report massive stock holding and payout for his wife. In January 2022, he claimed that India continued to struggle for human rights, especially under PM Modi which “affects not just India’s Muslim, Christian, and Sikh minorities, but also Hindus who dissent against the Hindu supremacist movement.” The statement was given at an event hosted by Amnesty International USA, Genocide Watch, IAMC and other organisations.
Oh, Jamie Raskin, you're a letterectual too! It is truly inspiring to see him navigate the treacherous waters of conflict-of-interest so effortlessly. Political integrity and transparency at its best.https://t.co/FG6BQuFATv
The next name in the list that caught the eyes was Bernie Sanders who claimed there was a “human rights crisis unfolding” after the abrogation of Article 370 and called it “unacceptable”. Notably, India had categorically denied any third-party mediation on Kashmir as it is an internal issue.
Juan Vargas
The next name on the list is Juan Vargas who tabled a resolution against India and demanded an independent investigation into the death of pro-Naxal Stan Swamy. “I am appalled by the abuse Father Stan faced while in custody. No one who fights for human rights should face such violence and neglect,” said Vargas.
Benjamin L. Cardin
Just days before PM Modi’s visit to the US, Ben Cardin raised concerns over so-called religious intolerance in India. “There are extra-judicial killings in India, there are religious tolerance issues here, women are particularly vulnerable here…these are national challenges. India must do better. It is particularly troublesome on human trafficking here,” said Cartin, another signatory on the list.
Judy Chu
Another signatory of the letter Judy Chu had urged India to restore mobile communication in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 along with the likes of Ilhan Omar.
As the world's largest Democracy, I urge India to demonstrate its leadership and lift restrictions on communications and provide the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir with the same rights as other citizens of India. 2/2
The next name on the list Sherrod Brown had expressed concerns over so-called human rights violations in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. He said, “I am deeply concerned about reported human rights violations in Kashmir and am worried by the Indian government’s heavy-handed tactics and its implications for other disputed territory in the region. Working toward collective peace and stability, is paramount to ending the current situation in Kashmir, while respecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities who live there.”
In the past, Sherrod Brown wrote a letter to PM Modi, full of concern and raised the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir. It's heartwarming to witness his dedication in addressing global issues, one selective letter at a time.… pic.twitter.com/qZ53DKWXQ2
Bravo to Betty McCollum for her valiant crusade to single-handedly reduce India's religious freedom rating! Let's give her credit for undermining India's reputation based on personal biases and agendas.https://t.co/dPKuxLq2p1
Oh, Bonnie Watson Coleman, the world's leading epidemiologist, without a doubt! Her groundbreaking research on India being the 'epicenter' of the COVID pandemic is truly mind-blowing. Move over, WHO, we have a new expert in town!https://t.co/5G19Y1TcKY
The next name on the list is Suzanne Bonamici who had tried to meddle with India’s internal affairs after Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir.
She wrote, “Several Kashmiri-American constituents I represent were in Kashmir when the human rights crisis began to unfold in early August. I am deeply concerned by their first-hand accounts of this situation. With communications cut off, they cannot reach their families.”
Several Kashmiri-American constituents I represent were in Kashmir when the human rights crisis began to unfold in early August. I am deeply concerned by their first-hand accounts of this situation. With communications cut off, they cannot reach their families.
The next name in the list is Mark Pocan. In 2020, when PM Modi met then-President Trump, he quoted a Washington Post opinion piece written by none other than Rana Ayyub and questioned Trump for not mentioning “the unspeakable Islamophobic violence happening in India under Modi’s watch.”
As @realDonaldTrump pals along with @narendramodi, he makes no mention of the unspeakable Islamophobic violence happening in India under Modi's watch.
Perhaps, it's because they're allies in their anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Mary Gay Scanlon was one of the seven US lawmakers who had expressed concerns over farmer protests along with Pramila Jayapal. In a sharp reaction, India called their concern “ill-informed” and “unwarranted”.
Mike Levin
Levin was one of the 14 signatories who had written to PM Modi to restore communication in Kashmir along with Pramila Jayapal.
André Carson
The next signatory on the list Andre Carson had tried to meddle with India’s internal affairs claiming CAA was an attempt to make Muslims second-class citizens in India. Without understand the law and its importance, he said, “today, we witness yet another potentially devastating move by the Prime Minister, as lawmakers enacted his draconian Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. However, this action is not unexpected, considering the history of Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its connections to strident communalism. This is yet another attempt to effectively reduce Muslims in India to second-class citizens.”
He added, “In other cases, Modi has targeted India’s minority Muslim community, which identifies as uniquely Indian, with citizenship tests in a blatant attempt to deny that community’s constitutional rights and liberty…, as well as its sense of place. These citizenship “exercises” and new laws strike at the heart of India’s founding tradition as a multicultural society.”
He also made a bizarre claim targeting India that the government was making it difficult for the people of Kashmir to fight Covid.
My heart remains with the people of #Kashmir during this challenging time. The draconian restrictions placed upon them by PM Modi are not only taking away their basic human rights, but also making it more difficult to protect against #COVID19. These unjust restrictions must end!
Another prominent name on the list was Jake Auchincloss who recently expressed his “disappointment” as India continued to buy Russian oil. Lawmakers like him in the US and other Western countries have tried to pressure India to abandon Indian citizens’ interests and join them in the crusade against Russia.
Tony Cárdenas
Tony Cardenas, another signatory in the list also spoke against the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir. He called the situation in the valley “concerning”.
It is important that we understand the severity of the situation. The people of Kashmir need access to clean water, food, and access to information and school.
The dispute over Kashmir will only be solved when India, Pakistan, and the leadership of Kashmir come to the table.
Another signatory Susan Wild also issued a statement on Kashmir in 2019 and said, “I am deeply alarmed by the situation in Kashmir. The Indian government’s unilateral revocation of the territory’s special status early last month has endangered the region and led to mass detentions; a ban on virtually all channels of communication; and reported shortages of food, medical supplies, and other necessities across Kashmir.” For some reason, western leaders have a history and unrealistic itch to meddle with India’s affairs every now and then.
The next name in the list was Yvette Clarke who was accused of corruption while holding the office in 2019. After the Abrogation of Article 370, she expressed “deep concerns” and said, “Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has no right to do what he is doing to the people of Kashmir. And it is up to us to raise our voices for justice, to raise our voices for self-governance and for no discrimination based on religion. Prime Minister Modi should know better. We all must raise our voices.” She was quoted by the Pakistani media house Dawn.
The epitome of integrity and purity, Yvette Clarke set the bar high for public service with her impressive track record of corruption. She is a true inspiration to aspiring politicians.https://t.co/CtSEhwI83c
Pakistan, the self-declared ‘Riyasat-e-Medina’ has a history of crushing its religious minorities, particularly the Hindus. On June 12, several Pakistani Hindu students celebrated Holi on the Quad-i-Azam University campus in Islamabad. However, not a single moment of joy for the Hindus is tolerable to the Islamist Pakistani majority as many were outraged over the viral videos of the celebration of a Hindu festival with such fervour. Consequently, on Tuesday, June 20, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan issued a notice banning the celebration of Holi in the universities there.
Pakistan's Higher Education Commission bans Holi celebrations across all educational institutes saying that such activities portray a complete disconnect from the country’s sociocultural values and are an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity, reports Aaj News.
In a notice issued by the HEC Executive Director Shaista Sohail, it is stated that activities such as the celebration of Holi portray a complete disconnect from Pakistan’s sociocultural values. It is further claimed that the “fervour” displayed in the Holi celebrations at a university (in an apparent reference to the Holi celebrations at Quad-i-Azam University) has ‘affected’ the image of Pakistan.
“Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity. One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. This widely reported/publicized event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image,” the notice stated.
The commission further stressed that ethnic, cultural and religious diversity does lead to an inclusive society, however, the manifestations of the same should not go ‘overboard’. It further suggested the students beware of the so-called ‘self-serving vested interests’ using them for their own ends. The commission, however, did not elaborate on who these ‘self-serving vested interests’ are.
“While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm,” the notice reads.
Displaying its blatant disregard for the Hindu festival, the commission termed the Holi celebrations as ‘incompatible’ with Pakistan’s so-called societal values and identity.
“Foregoing in view, it is advised that the HEIs may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country’s identity and societal values while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating, and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse,” the HEC stated.
This comes after videos of Holi celebrations at Islamabad’s Quaid-i-Azam University went viral earlier this month. Students are seen in the videos playing Holi with colours and rejoicing on the university campus.
Happy Holi ? ? Biggest Holi celebrations at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/ZciVSyctuI
Ashok Swain, a known Hinduphobe, was quick to draw parallels between India and Pakistan while reacting to the viral video of the said Holi celebrations. “Pakistani students celebrate Holi at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad; when Indian students celebrate Eid in Modi’s New India, they become anti-Hindu and anti-National,” Swain tweeted on June 14 in a desperate bid to project that Pakistan is somehow better than India in terms of religious freedom and tolerance. However, such people turn mute when the Pakistani authorities exhibit their true nature.
Pakistani students celebrate Holi at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad; when Indian students celebrate Eid in Modi's New India, they become anti-Hindu and anti-National. https://t.co/3pBoEIw98u
Ironically, the HEC director talks about ensuring that the students engage in intellectual debates and rational discourse. What rational discourse would prevail in a country trapped in the clutches of the Hindu-hating Islamists. What socio-cultural inclusivity Pakistan would achieve when it terms the celebrations of the festival of its religious minority as ‘incompatible’ with the country’s values. What sort of inclusiveness would there be in a country whose image is ‘affected’ by the celebration of a festival.
Notably, the Holi celebrations at the Quad-i-Azam University came months after the original date. In On March 6 this year, exhibiting their hatred for Hindus, the Islamists of Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) attacked Hindu students celebrating Holi inside Punjab University in Lahore. The attack left 15 Hindu students injured.
The ban on Holi celebrations in Pakistani universities is not surprising at all since the Pakistani government and even the judiciary have displayed deliberate incompetence in protecting the rights and dignity of religious minorities in Pakistan. OpIndia has documented countless cases wherein Hindu girls have been abducted and forcibly converted to Islam with the Pakistani courts handing over the victims to their abductors.
