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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited registers ₹3,977 crore profit in January-March 2025 quarter, annual profit goes up by 10% reaching ₹8,364 crore

ANI
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited registers ₹3,977 crore profit in January-March 2025 quarter, annual profit goes up by 10% reaching ₹8,364 crore

State-owned defence manufacturing firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has reported about an 8 per cent drop in consolidated net profits in the January-March 2025 quarter.

HAL’s earnings results released on Wednesday showed that the company’s net profits fell from Rs 4,309 crore to Rs 3,977 crore from the year-ago quarter. According to a report by Reuters, the net profit drop was weighed down by a delay in the supply of its Tejas light combat aircraft.

However, HAL’s shares were 4 per cent higher at the time of filing this report. HAL shares have risen by over 1,700 per cent over the past five years, reflecting investors’ interest in this critical sector.

On the contrary, net profits rose from Rs 7,620 crore to Rs 8,364 crore in the entire financial year 2024-25, registering a jump of about 10 per cent.

Coming to the defence maker’s revenue from operations, it mopped up revenue worth Rs 13,700 crore in the January-March 2025 quarter, against Rs 14,768 crore in the same quarter of last fiscal, registering a 7 per cent decline.

Revenue from operations was Rs 30,980 crore in the entire fiscal 2024-25, as against Rs 30,381 crore in 2023-24, a marginal increase of 2 per cent.

Indian defence sector stocks, which had recently corrected from their highs, have again been soaring over the past weeks, much of it due to the recent tensions with Pakistan and Indian Defence Force’s response to aggression.

Last week’s successful performance of India’s indigenously developed systems against the adversary also lent support to the defence stocks basket. The response to Pakistan’s aggression also alluded to the fact that it is critical to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Nifty India Defence index has climbed over 30 per cent over the past three months, reflecting investor confidence in the strategic sector and commercial growth of India’s domestic defence sector.

With the government’s thrust on the Make in India initiative, defence production has surged to historic highs. This rise in defence manufacturing has also led to substantial returns for investors in major defence manufacturing PSUs over the past years.

The government is also investing heavily in defence and aerospace manufacturing, with several defence hubs being set up. Notably, many global companies have either shared or shown intent to share critical defence and aerospace knowledge with India.

Defence exports from India are at all-time highs, having seen a 34-fold over the past decade. India exported defence goods worth Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25 as against just Rs 686 crore in 2013-14. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

All zoos and safari parks in Uttar Pradesh temporarily closed after tigress Shakti dies from Avian influenza in Gorakhpur zoo

ANI
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All zoos and safari parks in Uttar Pradesh temporarily closed after tigress Shakti dies from Avian influenza in Gorakhpur zoo

All zoos and safari parks in Uttar Pradesh have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure following the death of a tigress, Shakti, from Avian influenza at Gorakhpur’s Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park

On Wednesday, Etawah Lion Safari Park Director Anil Kumar Patel informed ANI, stating, “After a tigress at Gorakhpur zoo died of Avian influenza, all zoos and safaris in the state have been temporarily closed for a week till 20th May.”

Patel added that the park has taken necessary precautions and is conducting health checks on staff members. “Health monitoring of zookeepers is being done. We are taking all precautions. There are no symptoms of bird flu in any animal in our park,” Patel said.

While speaking to ANI, Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Saxena said, “The moment the Bird Flu case was confirmed, zoos in the state were closed for a week as a measure of precaution. Sanitation work is being done in all zoos to prevent the spread of the virus. After a week, checks will be conducted again, and further decisions will be taken.”

Earlier in the day, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a week-long shutdown of the Etawah Lion Safari and zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the state’s preparedness and response plan following alerts over the H5 Avian Influenza virus.

H5 Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

It is caused by influenza A viruses, and the “H5” refers to one of the subtypes of these viruses, specifically, H5N1, which is among the most well-known and dangerous forms.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Yasin Malik’s wife wanted his release in exchange of BSF jawan Pakistan was forced to free: Semi-nude artist Mushaal Mullick’s rant goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Yasin Malik’s wife wanted his release in exchange of BSF jawan Pakistan was forced to free: Semi-nude artist Mushaal Mullick’s rant goes viral

Following India’s daring Operation Sindoor, which sent shockwaves through Pakistan, Mushaal Mullick, the Pakistani wife of jailed terrorist Yasin Malik, appears visibly shaken. In a recent interview, she pleaded with the Pakistani government to negotiate a prisoner swap — demanding her husband be released in exchange for a BSF soldier briefly detained by Pakistan Rangers.

However, that plan has already fallen apart. Fearing further escalation after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan swiftly returned the captured BSF jawan to India on May 14, 2025 — rendering any “deal” pointless.

But that hasn’t stopped Mushaal Mullick’s video from going viral.

Mushaal Mullick wanted to exchange terrorist Yasin Malik for BSF jawan

Speaking to Pakistan’s DAWN News, Mushaal claimed she hasn’t spoken to Yasin Malik in six years due to all communication lines being cut off. She expressed fears that her husband, currently serving a life sentence in India, could face execution. She even went as far as claiming that there’s “no real evidence” against him — despite his direct involvement in the killing of four IAF personnel and numerous Kashmiri Pandit murders.

Earlier, Mushaal tried to push another wild theory — alleging that Indian Air Force pilot Shivangi Singh was in Pakistani custody and should be traded for Yasin Malik. But when that claim fell flat, she switched tactics and pushed for an exchange involving the BSF jawan.

Her approach mirrors the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, when India had to release terrorist Masood Azhar to save civilian hostages. But this time, Pakistan caved under pressure and released the BSF soldier unconditionally, leaving Mushaal’s demands in the dust.

Mullick’s longstanding anti-India hatred

This isn’t the first time Mushaal Mullick has ranted against India. Living in Pakistan with her daughter, she is frequently used by the Pakistani establishment as a propaganda tool against India.

In 2023, she was even appointed as an advisor on human rights by caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar — a reward for her consistent anti-India rhetoric. Aside from her political posturing, Mushaal is also known for her provocative semi-nude artwork, often drawing attention in Pakistan’s art circles.

The Yasin-Mushaal Story

Mushaal met Yasin Malik in 2005 and married him in 2009, in a ceremony that was televised live across Pakistan. At the time, she was 23 and he was 42. An artist since the age of six, Mushaal specializes in semi-nude female portraits, often painted in pastel, charcoal, and glass.

Who is Yasin Malik?

Yasin Malik is a convicted terrorist and former leader of the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). He played a direct role in the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus, the murder of Indian Air Force officers, and the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Although he tried to rebrand himself as a “Gandhian” during the UPA era — even receiving a handshake from PM Manmohan Singh — Malik’s true colors were exposed under the Modi government, which brought him to justice.

Now, with Mushaal Mullick scrambling to trade terrorists for soldiers, India has made it clear: no more deals with terrorists.

No, Mr Trump, India won’t have dinner with Pakistan just because you want it to, global powers no longer take orders from Washington DC

Sanghamitra
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No, Mr Trump, India won’t have dinner with Pakistan just because you want it to, global powers no longer take orders from Washington DC

US President Donald Trump has been claiming credit for ‘brokering a ceasefire’ between India and Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor in a non-factual, boastful manner that reeks of megalomania and delusion. Though calls were made between USA and India and USA and Pakistan, and the MEA did talk with the Trump administration, the Indian government has made it very clear through multiple statements that it was neither a US-brokered ceasefire, nor a ceasefire per se.

First of all, India has emphasised that Pausing Operation Sindoor was only an understanding, one that can be called off at any moment, if Pakistan decides to violate it or attack India in any manner, not an official ‘ceasefire’. Second, India has also made it clear that DGMO-level talks were already underway to pause hostilities, and India agreed to pause Operation Sindoor on its own terms. The US President is way off the facts when he goes on claiming he made India and Pakistan stop firing at each other.

Trump falsely boasts that he prevented a potential nuclear war: India rejects claims

Trump has been repeatedly boasting that he is the one who ‘prevented a potential nuclear conflict’ by somehow making India and Pakistan stop hostilities against each other and thus, he is the one angel of peace that showed the right way to the warmongering Asian nations with his calm knowledge and saved the world.

Donald Trump repeated that in front of the world again in an event hosted by Mohammad Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, amid grandiose pauses and encouraging nods and indulgent smiles from his staff at the front rows, going a step further and even repeating how he used trade to leverage an agreement on his terms.

He even proclaimed that India and Pakistan are now getting along so well that they should be having a nice dinner soon.

To puncture Trump’s balloon, the Indian MEA had fact-checked him on 13 May. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had categorically stated that it was the force of Indian weapons that made Pakistan pause hostilities and seek a talk, not any foreign mediation.

India has also rejected Trump’s claims that ‘trade’ was used as a leverage to make India and Pakistan agree to talk.

“The issue of trade never came up during the conversations between Indian and US leaders during any of the discussions from the time when Operation Sindoor commenced till the understanding with Pakistan was reached”, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal stated specifically.

India has also rejected Trump’s claims of preventing a nuclear war. Jaiswal said in the same presser, “See, the military action from our side was entirely within the conventional domain. This was also clearly stated in the defence briefing yesterday, where related questions were addressed. However, there were reports that Pakistan’s National Command Authority would meet on 10th May, reports which we saw. But this was later denied by them. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister himself has publicly denied any nuclear angle.”

So, what is it? Is Donald Trump playing to please his MAGA fanbase by making wild claims of being a saviour, or is he being fed misinformation by his colleagues who want to keep him pleased with himself, imagining a crown on his head and daydreaming about controlling the whole world? His statements are not only misleading but also too curiously oversimplified to fit the complex dynamics of one of the oldest conflicts in South Asia.

India knows its enemy, knows how and what to target and knows when to stop

Trump’s statements are problematic for multiple reasons. First, he is trying desperately hard to portray India and Pakistan as stupid warring nations who are fighting without a proper reason. If it is any nation that has been in conflict without a proper reason to be in a conflict, it would be Mr Trump’s own nation. All over the world, US foreign policy has been to bomb, threaten, sanction and bully nations and trigger conflicts, and conducting regime change operations when things do not go their way. Trump may have taken a detour with his trade emphasis and proclamations of peace, but that does not give him the right to dictate India’s military strategy.

India has been dealing with Pakistan for over 75 years. India has fought, negotiated, talked and traded with Pakistan for decades and has managed to emerge as a military superpower despite of, not because of USA. We do not need a Trump or Rubio to lecture us on how to deal with Pakistan, we have been dealing with them for nearly 8 decades now. Nobody knows and understands Pakistan better than India.

Operation Sindoor was all about India hitting targets and achieving its goals. The Modi government has already declared that any act of terror will now be considered an act of war, and the old Pakistani tactics of nuclear blackmail has been successfully busted. India has also made it clear that Pakistan can no longer wriggle away from accountability by claiming they have no control over terrorists and asserted that for every act of terrorism by Pakistan-based terrorists, the State and government of Pakistan will be held accountable.

If Trump has been really reading the room, he should realise that India can have dinners and hit targets inside Pakistan at will, at the situation and time of its own choosing. India does not need Washington DC to decide either of the scenarios.

The sheer superciliousness of pretending to know India-Pakistan conflict dynamics enough to make them dance to one’s tune, that too with the stupid claim of using ‘trade’ as a carrot, shows only the shallow conceit that is so typical of Western powers.

Trade is a bilateral exercise. India is an economic superpower with a 1.4 billion population. Trade with India is not a benevolence that USA shows to India; USA trades with India because it brings benefits. For Trump to pretend he used ‘trade’ as leverage to make India agree to compromise on its national security and stop its military operation against Pakistan is profoundly stupid. India’s Operation Sindoor was a thumping success and it was India which agreed to DGMO level talks with Pakistan after Pakistan’s request. India has demonstrated without any shred of doubt that India retaliated, escalated and scaled down to a temporary understanding completely on its own terms, not due to some ‘external pressure’, as claimed by Trump, and certainly not for the sake of ‘trade’.

The grandiose delusion of controlling the world, from one hollow boasting to another

It is the same Donald who had claimed, multiple times, that he would stop the Russia-Ukraine war in a single day. Well, nearly five months have passed since he assumed office, the war is still raging.

It is the same Trump who boasted he would make Hamas surrender all Israeli hostages at once and tremble with fear at his eminence. Well, despite the relentless pounding of Gaza by Israel and every sort of pressure tactics applied on a devastated, broken Hamas, the hostages are still there in Hamas custody.

It is the same Trump who claimed he would release the Epstein files, bring the US economy to a super accelerated growth instantly and wave a magic wand to stop illegal immigration and stop violent crimes in the USA. The reality is, issues are usually complex, and complicated problems do not solve themselves to satisfy the whims of a boastful politician.

As for the Russia-Ukraine war, the respective leaders of those countries will decide how to go about it, and when and how to talk and how the scale down and stop. The US can offer to talk and help with negotiations, but Vladimir Putin is under no obligation to take orders from him.

India’s policy or military strategy is not subject to approval or permission from Washington DC

The USA, and for that matter the entire Western world, has a habit of relentless preaching, a strange colonial hangover that makes them believe the whole world should obey their command, and the Global South, especially, should follow their orders, just like the good old 1800s. India has been navigating complex geopolitical and military challenges since its independence. Under PM Modi, India has emerged more assertive, and assured of its strategic strengths. Indian Navy dominates the Indian Ocean, from off the coasts of Somalia to waters of Bangladesh.

While maintaining its strategic neutrality, India has also been welcoming and positive about the growing friendship with the USA, indicating wholeheartedly that it welcomes development, people-to-people connections and bilateral trade. Western nations in general need to realise that relations are based on mutual respect, not unilateral, fake proclamations of superiority over the other.

India has imported arms and oil from Russia despite threats of sanctions and successfully maintained relationships with Western Asian oil kingdoms to South East Asian nations, from African economies to South American emerging voices. It has long been a multipolar world and India does not need orders, or approval from Washington DC to deal with its enemies, or have dinner with its friends.

Trump brazens out $400 million Boeing 747-8 ‘gift’ from the Qatar royal family to be used as Air Force One, brushes off criticism and questions citing it is ‘free’

OpIndia Staff
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Trump brazens out $400 million Boeing 747-8 ‘gift’ from the Qatar royal family to be used as Air Force One, brushes off criticism and questions citing it is ‘free’

US President Donald Trump is set to receive a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft, known as the ‘flying palace’, from the Qatar royal family as a ‘gift’. Trump, facing the flak for accepting a luxurious gift from a foreign government, brazenly defended the decision by saying that only a fool would not accept it. Pointing out that the US defended Qatar for many years, Trump said that this is a gift to the United States Air Force/Department of Defence and not to him.

“The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday (11th May). “Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.

Notably, Trump will reportedly be using Boeing 747-8 till he remains in the office, and after that, it will be transferred to Trump’s presidential library, which means that he might be able to use it even after vacating the office of the US President. However, after the aircraft is transferred to the US, it will need to undergo extensive modifications to make it an Air Force One, as the US president’s plane is fitted with state-of-the-art communications and defence systems.

Air Force One is much less impressive, says Trump

Trump defended his decision by saying that the US should have the most impressive plane compared to the planes used by the leaders of other countries. Calling the Air Force One currently being used by him as “much smaller” and “much less impressive”, the US President told Fox News, “When you land and you see Saudi Arabia and you see UAE and you can see Qatar and you see all these — they have these brand-new Boeing 747s, mostly. And you see ours next to it; this is like a totally different plane. It’s much smaller, it’s much less impressive – as impressive as it is.” Responding to the critics, Trump said, “Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?” We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift? It’s going to be a couple of years, I think, before the Boeings are finished.”

The so-called government-to-government transaction has led to many ethical and moral questions being raised. Critics are raising concerns regarding the security and technical safety of the aircraft, considering that it is being gifted by a foreign government, while also accusing the Trump administration of corruption. It is being reported that the aircraft would be examined in detail by the US authorities to make sure that there are no hidden devices that would compromise the security of the president. Interestingly, the Western media, which would have roasted any other nation for accepting a similar ‘gift’, is silent on the entire transaction.

The luxurious Boeing 747-8 with interiors designed by a French firm

The Boeing 747-8, which is worth $400 million, has all the luxuries that could be fitted in an aircraft. The aircraft has a master bedroom, guest suites, bathrooms, multiple lounges, a private office and kitchens designed by the French firm Alberto Printo Cabinet.

Image via AeroTime

The VVIP interior in the aircraft, said to be the world’s longest passenger aircraft, has gold-plated fittings, private suites, meeting rooms and luxury bedrooms which took around 4 years to get done.

Image via AeroTime

The aircraft features a luxurious master suite bedroom for President Trump, reportedly located in the nose of the aircraft, right under the cockpit. It is the most private area on the entire aircraft. The bedroom has a large bed, a two-seat sofa, storage and counters on the sidewalls and an attached bathroom.

Image via AeroTime

Democrats call the gift illegal, Republicans fear scrutiny

Trump is facing backlash from the Democrats, some of whom are calling the gift illegal and blatant corruption. Citing the US Constitution, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said that no elected official could accept any present from the leader of a foreign state without the approval of Congress.

Launching a scathing attack on Trump in the Senate on Tuesday (13th May), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he would put on hold all the Justice Department nominees who are waiting for their confirmation by the Senate, until the White House provides the full details of the aircraft deal. Schumer demanded testimony from Attorney General Pam Bondi before Congress regarding the deal. Putting a list of questions before the Trump administration, Schumer asked, “President Trump has told the American people this is ‘a free jet.’ Does that mean the Qataris are delivering a ready-on-day-one plane with all the security measures already built in? If so, who installed those security measures, and how do we know they were properly installed?”

Expressing concern regarding the Qatari gift, the Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota reportedly said, “There will be plenty of scrutiny. There are lots and lots of issues around that, that I think will attract very serious questions.” Republican Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz of Texas said, “The plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems, so we’ll see how this issue plays out.”

Exsting Air Force One and delays in replacement by Boeing

Two Boeing 747-200B planes are currently being used as Air Force One aircraft, designated VC-25A. Actually, only when the president flies one of the two planes, that plane is given the call sign Air Force One. Known as “flying Oval Office”, Air Force One Boeing 747 aircraft have These two aircraft have been in use since 1990 and 1991, and are nearing the end of their lives. A contract was signed with Boeing for two new 747- 8s during the first term of Trump. The delivery, expected to take place in 2024, got delayed. As Boeing is struggling with its commercial planes, its Air Force One project has also suffered. The aircraft is now expected to be delivered before 2027.

The current aircraft used as Air Force One has a Conference/dining room, Quarters for the president and the first lady, and an office area for senior staff members. It also has another office that converts into a medical facility when necessary, work and rest areas for the presidential staff, media representatives and Air Force crews. Moreover, the aircraft has two galleys that can provide 100 meals at one sitting. The planes have Multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite communications.

The main differences between Air Force One and the standard Boeing 747 aircraft include state-of-the-art navigation, electronic and communications equipment, its interior configuration and furnishings, a self-contained baggage loader, and front and aft air-stairs.

Chief of Defence Staff along with chiefs of three services provide perspective on success of Operation Sindoor during deliberation with Veterans and Think Tanks

ANI
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Chief of Defence Staff along with chiefs of three services provide perspective on success of Operation Sindoor during deliberation with Veterans and Think Tanks

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan along with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh provided a direct perspective from the Apex Leadership of Indian Armed Forces into the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor on Wednesday.

Insights into Tri-Services synergy achieved during the operation were deliberated upon during this interaction.

“General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), along with General Upendra Dwivedi (COAS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (CNS) and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (CAS) provide a direct perspective from the Apex Leadership of Indian Armed Forces into the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor. Insights on the TriServices synergy achieved through clearly stated Strategic guidance, and the successful execution of new-age multi-domain operations, with an exceptional degree of Jointness and Integration, deliberated with Veterans and Think Tanks,” Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff wrote.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bihar: Muslim mob attacks Hindu wedding procession in Gaya, one dead, locals say police detained victims too

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Muslim mob attacks Hindu wedding procession in Gaya, one dead, locals say police detained victims too

In the Gaya district of Bihar, a Muslim mob attacked a Hindu wedding procession with stones and sticks on 7th May 2025. The attackers reportedly killed an elderly man identified as Ramvriksh Singh while leaving several injured. The Muslim mob not only assaulted the wedding procession (Baraat) of a Yadav family but also targeted the local Mahadalits who participated in the wedding celebrations.

On the evening of 7th May, at around 9:30 PM, the Baraat of Mithilesh Yadav was preparing to depart from Ramvriksh Yadav’s home in Guharu village for the bride’s residence in Sudharo Cham Nema Bigha. One of the pre-wedding rituals, Mata Pujan, required the groom and his family to seek blessings at the nearby temple. The Yadav family was going to the temple with DJ music while children and others danced.

However, as per an Organiser report, the DJ was stopped in the Muslim-dominated village near the mosque en route to the temple since there have been incidents of violence in the past. Only the groom and the elderly proceeded to the temple for prayers. However, as they returned to re-join the procession, a mob of Muslim men and women launched a violent attack.

In her complaint, Sunaina Devi, a local resident said that hat a group of men, including Itipas Miya, Sonu Alam, Ehsan Alam, Mansur Alam, Chand Alam, Sohail Miya, Tusar Alam, Raju Alam, Tanveer Alam, Aslam Miya, Kaifi Alam, Waris Alam, Asim Miya, Samu Miya, Saddam Miya, Anim Alam, Roshan Alam, and others, began abusing the procession members, using derogatory terms like “Harijan” to target the Dalit community.

The complainant also alleged that one of the Muslim attackers, Aslam Miya, tore her blouse and assaulted her. As other women, Savita Devi, Shanti Devi, and Rekha Devi rushed to her aid after hearing her screams, Sattatudin, Suhev Miya, Kulin Alam, Naseem Miya, Ayub Alam, Jahangir Miya and Saddam Alam rushed to the spot wielding sticks and rods to beat up the Hindu women.

As per the complainant, the Muslim mob threatened to burn down the houses of Mahadalits if they complained to police about the matter, saying, “we will not spare a single Dalit”.

Notably, the Guharu village is a Muslim-dominated village with over 150 Muslim houses, while there are only 10 to 15 Hindu houses. Speaking to the media, one of the local residents said that such incidents of Muslims attacking Hindus occur quite often.

“Incidents like these keep happening in the village. They do not let us live peacefully. No procession is allowed, and no wedding can go peacefully here. They want us to convert to Islam. “There is only one way to the Devi Mandir, and the mosque is in between. We are not allowed to go there. How are we supposed to live?” the local Hindu man said.

“When the Tajiya procession is taken out during Muharram, they stop at the doors of our houses, chanting ‘Ya Ali, Ya Hussain’ to provoke us. We remain silent, locked inside, as they will kill us if we protest,” the man added.

Meanwhile, another villager said, “They don’t want us to take DJ processions. We had halted the DJ way before the mosque, but they still attacked us. All they want is to eradicate our religion.”

In this case, the Gurua Police have registered an FIR (Number 210/2025) based on Sunaina Devi’s complaint, booking the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting with deadly weapons), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 117(2) (grievous hurt), 127(1) (wrongful confinement), 74 (assault on a woman with intent to outrage modesty), 109 (attempt to commit offense), and 303(2) (theft). Additionally, charges were filed under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for attacking the Dalit community members.

So far, police have detained Chand Ahmed, Tushad Ahmed, as well as two Hindu men from the victim’s family. Instead of being taken to the hospital, the two Hindu victims were reportedly detained by the police.

In this case, the local police’s conduct is being criticised as the FIR does not mention the death of Ramvriksh Yadav. The locals are claiming that the authorities are doing a deliberate cover-up.


UC Berkeley’s student association ASUC votes against Hindu Heritage Month, triggers debate on representation and bias

Anurag
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UC Berkeley’s student association ASUC votes against Hindu Heritage Month, triggers debate on representation and bias

In a move that has sparked disappointment among Hindu students and community organisations, the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) at UC Berkeley voted against recognising October as Hindu Heritage Month. The decision came even as several other heritage month resolutions were passed this semester. Notably, the Hindu Heritage Month proposal faced unusual opposition over concerns of so-called “Hindu nationalism”, which was not even mentioned in the said resolution.

A resolution rooted in cultural celebration, not politics

The proposed Senate Resolution No 2024/2025-042 was authored by a Caribbean Hindu student. It largely focused on acknowledging the contributions of Hindus to UC Berkeley and American society. The resolution mentioned achievements in fields ranging from science and technology to arts and education, without mentioning India or engaging in political commentary.

Despite this, several student senators expressed reservations and cited fears that the proclamation could be “used to legitimise Hindu nationalist ideology”.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CYAN) strongly objected, stating, “Hindu students of Indian and non-Indian origin—many of whom know little about Hindu nationalism—shouldn’t be forced to take political stances on Indian politics to celebrate their heritage.”

CYAN further condemned what it described as “Hinduphobic statements” made by student senators during the public senate meeting on 5 March 2025. The organisation criticised Senator Isha Chander for allegedly politicising an otherwise cultural proclamation and accused other senators of bullying behaviour towards Senator Justin Taylor, who had supported the Hindu community’s representation. CYAN also raised concerns over the temporary removal of the meeting recording from Facebook during student elections, calling for an investigation and an apology to the Hindu community and Senator Taylor.

Concerns raised over inconsistency and representation

A video of the discussion has been shared by CYAN on social media platform X, which revealed awkward exchanges, with one student seen choking himself and gesturing as if he were feeling suffocated.

Some speakers argued that since Hindu Heritage Month has been associated with political movements elsewhere, caution was justified. Others countered that the resolution was apolitical and that conflating it with Indian politics unfairly targeted the Hindu community.

The hypocrisy is glaring. As one speaker correctly pointed out, all three Abrahamic faiths enjoy formal representation in the ASUC, yet Hindus remain sidelined. UC Berkeley prides itself on celebrating Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Latine identities, but when it comes to Hindus, the ASUC chose to “flush it down the toilet”, to borrow the crude analogy used by one senator.

A debate that remains unresolved

While the ASUC defended its decision as an attempt to prevent unintended political messaging, the outcome has left many Hindu students feeling marginalised. The controversy has reignited discussions on how minority faiths are represented in campus decision-making and whether standards of inclusivity are applied equally to all communities.

ISI operative Ehsan Ur Rahim working undercover at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi declared persona non grata, asked to leave India

OpIndia Staff
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ISI operative Ehsan Ur Rahim working undercover at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi declared persona non grata, asked to leave India

India has declared a Pakistani citizen named Ehsan Ur Rahim, alias Danish, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as ‘persona non grata’ for indulging in spying activities on behalf of the ISI. As per reports, the Ministry of External Affairs has conveyed this to the Pakistan High Commission on Tuesday, May 13.

Ehsan Ur Rahim was working as a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and has been asked to leave India within 24 hours.

An official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs stated, “The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. Charge d’ Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.”

As per reports, the orders for Rahim have come after Punjab police arrested two individuals who were spying for Rahim in Amritsar last week. Rahim was identified as the contact of the arrested individuals, and after Punjab police notified the central government, MEA ordered Rahim to leave the country within 24 hours.

Earlier in April, India summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over the formal Persona Non Grata note for its military diplomats.

India’s action came after 26 people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that after these measures, the total number will bring the overall strength of the High Commissions down to 30 from the present 55.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 tourists were killed by Pakistani terrorists after confirming that the victims were all non-Muslim.

In addition to eliminating over 100 terrorists, the strikes targeted 11 Air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, with an emphasis on minimising civilian casualties.

(With inputs from ANI)

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