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Supreme Court refuses to stay the release of ‘Udaipur Files’ based on Kanhaiya Lal murder, lawyer of accused Mohammad Javed claims movie is not based on actual incident

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court refuses to stay the release of ‘Udaipur Files’ based on Kanhaiya Lal murder, lawyer of accused Mohammad Javed claims movie is not based on actual incident

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (9th July) refused to stop the release of the movie ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiyalal Tailor Murder’ by declining urgent hearing of a petition challenging the release of the movie. The plea was filed by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the brutal murder case of tailor Kanhaiya Lal. A vacation bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi said that the petition can be mentioned before the appropriate bench when the Supreme Court reopens after summer vacation on 14th July.

When the counsel for the accused apprised the court that the movie, set to be released on 11th July, will be released before the court reopens, the court said that let the movie release. “It is releasing on Friday Trailer was released on July 4. They are showing only the prosecution side,” the counsel for the accused said, to which the top court replied, “Mention before the court concerned on reopening. Let it be released”.

Counsel for Mohammad Javed, who is accused number 8 in Kanhaiya Lal’s murder case, contended before the court that the movie is being portrayed as a true story and therefore will prejudice the proceedings in the case. He tried to imply that the incidents shown in the movie actually didn’t take place.

He said “Releasing such a trailer at this juncture, portraying the accused as guilty and the story as conclusively true, has the potential to seriously prejudice the ongoing proceedings. It compromises the presumption of innocence and risks influencing public opinion in a manner that could affect the fairness of the trial. This directly impacts the right to a free and fair trial of the Petitioner, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the counsel submitted before the court.

“The trailer and promotional material of the said film contain content that is provocative and communally sensitive, which has the potential to disturb the religious harmony of the country and interfere with the ongoing judicial proceedings, as the matter is currently sub judice before a Special NIA Court,” the counsel added.

However, the claims of the lawyer are baseless, as the killers of Kanhaiya Lal brutally beheaded him on camera. Moreover, after killing him in cold blood in broad daylight, they recorded a video remorselessly boasting about killing Kanhaiya Lal and threatening PM Modi.

Therefore, the contention that the movie is being portrayed as a true story, as it is in fact based on a true story. However, the case remains under trial and nobody has been convicted yet. While the accused number 8 Mohammed Javed may or may not be convicted based on evidence, there is no doubt that the two killers will be convicted.

Another petition filed by Islamic clerics’ body, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, challenging the release of the movie is pending before the Delhi High Court. The Islamic body has filed several petitions against the release of the movie in different High Courts. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, which has a history of protecting terrorists, objected to a movie based on the life of Kanhaiya Lal and his eventual murder by two Islamic terrorists. It has approached the High Courts of Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra to stop the release of ‘Udaipur Files Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder.’

Brutal murder of Kanhaiya Lal Murder

In June 2022, a Hindu tailor named Kanhaiya Lal was brutally murdered by two Islamists identified as Mohammed Riyaz Akhtar and Mohammed Gos for an alleged post in support of former spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nupur Sharma. Two days after the post was made, two men approached him at his shop and demanded to see his phone. They told him about the post, to which Kanhaiya Lal replied that he did not know how to operate the phone, and his son used it to play games. They deleted the post and warned him not to repeat it.

But, Kanhaiya Lal’s neighbour, Nazim, leaked and circulated his details like name, photograph and location, and also filed a complaint against Kanhaiya Lal for the alleged post. Following Nizam’s complaint, Kanhaiya Lal had approached the police seeking protection as he was receiving death threats. He told the police that the alleged post was accidentally made by his 8-year-old son while playing video games on his mobile phone.

However, the police arrested him instead for the alleged post and did nothing to provide him protection after his release, which eventually resulted in his killing on 28th June 2022 by Muhammad Riyaz Attari and Ghaus Muhammad.

Bihar Bandh cripples ECI operations: How the opposition is undermining a legal electoral exercise to stoke unrest

Chandrani Das
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Bihar Bandh cripples ECI operations: How the opposition is undermining a legal electoral exercise to stoke unrest

As the Bihar state assembly election approaches, the opposition has once again resorted to questionable practices. False allegations aimed at disrupting the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) have once again gained nationwide attention. Opposition parties, including Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other Mahagathbandhan allies such as the Congress, Left parties, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and independent leader Pappu Yadav, have taken to the streets in Bihar to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav are expected to join hands and lead a statewide protest in Bihar on July 9. Rahul Gandhi will participate in the protest march starting at 10 a.m. in Patna, from the Income Tax office at Golambar to the Election Commission office. The protest will be directed against the central poll body’s decision to revise electoral rolls and implement the new labour code.

Roads are being blocked with burning tyres by local leaders in areas like Sonpur and Hajipur. In Jehanabad, the student wing of the RJD has even blocked railway tracks. In Hajipur, RJD supporters have blocked the Gandhi Setu, while in Sonpur, RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan has led the blockade. Meanwhile, members of the RJD’s student wing have blocked train tracks at Jehanabad railway station.

The road blockade, or “chakka jam,” comes just ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. Interestingly, it coincides with the “Bharat Bandh,” a protest demanding minimum wage, a new labour code, and addressing several other issues.

Before we delve into why the opposition is engaging in such protests, it is important to understand why the Centre has initiated the Special Intensive Revision.

What is the Special Intensive Revision?

To conduct free and fair elections, enhance transparency, and eliminate ineligible entries from the voter list, the Election Commission has decided to initiate a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections. The SIR is being implemented as an urgent corrective measure to rectify the electoral rolls.

Launched on June 24, the initiative seeks to include the names of eligible citizens in the voter list while removing those who are no longer eligible. According to the ECI, multiple factors such as rapid urbanisation, the influx of illegal immigrants, inclusion of newly eligible young citizens, unreported deaths, and the presence of names of foreign nationals make this revision critically important.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said, “Not a single political party is satisfied with the current status of electoral rolls for different reasons. During the past four months, all 4,123 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 775 District Election Officers (DEOs), and 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have conducted nearly 5,000 meetings with 28,000 political party representatives. The ECI has also invited all recognised political parties for interaction. No one was satisfied with the current status of the electoral rolls for one reason or another.”

How will the process function?

To ensure smooth and hassle-free execution of the electoral process, the Election Commission has developed a detailed plan. As per the EC, the Electoral Registration Officers will provide enumeration forms to Booth-Level Officers (BLOs). These BLOs will then distribute the forms to voters via door to door visits. Voters will have the option to upload supporting documents online. Once submitted, the forms will be verified, and a preliminary electoral roll will be published on the websites of both the ECI and the respective Chief Electoral Officers. This draft will also be shared with political parties. Voters and political parties will be allowed to raise objections to the draft list. Once all objections have been reviewed and addressed, the final electoral roll will be released.

The Election Commission aims to publish the draft electoral roll on August 1 and the final list by September 30. As of now, nearly 87 per cent (6.86 crore) of Bihar’s 7.90 crore voters have received enumeration forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, according to the ECI. The Commission also noted that 1.5 crore households have already been covered in the first round of visits by BLOs.

The Election Commission has made it mandatory for voters to submit at least one of 11 listed documents for verification. These include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Passports
  • Identity cards or pension payment orders issued to government employees or pensioners
  • Permanent residence certificates
  • Forest right certificates
  • Caste certificates
  • Family registers prepared by state or local authorities
  • Land or house allotment certificates issued by the government

Aadhaar is not included in the list of acceptable documents for verification.

Why are they protesting a legal electoral process?

The opposition has raised concerns about the process, claiming it may lead to the exclusion of legitimate voters through the misuse of government machinery. The Congress backed Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE) criticized the Election Commission’s move, suggesting that the revision of electoral rolls could end up causing more harm than the issue it intends to address.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned the process, accusing the Election Commission of targeting the youth in Bengal under the guise of verifying voter lists. She pointed out that a new declaration form requires those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, to submit their parents’ birth certificates to get enrolled—questioning the necessity and fairness of such a requirement. “What is happening in the name of full enumeration?” she asked, calling the directive irregular and troubling.

Tejashwi Yadav echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the Election Commission’s decision would ultimately disenfranchise poor and marginalised individuals who rely solely on Aadhaar as identification, an ID that the EC now deems unacceptable for verification.

In addition, a group of 11 parties from the INDIA bloc submitted a formal objection to senior Election Commission officials, labelling the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as a serious threat to the foundational principles of the Constitution.

While the Election Commission maintains that the revision aims to enhance accuracy and transparency in the electoral process, opposition parties appear focused on undermining the initiative without offering concrete alternatives. Their increasingly aggressive demonstrations have begun to obstruct a lawful and necessary democratic procedure.

Rather than engaging constructively to strengthen the electoral process, the opposition appears more focused on inciting chaos for political gain. With Bihar heading into a crucial election, the priority should be safeguarding a fair, transparent, and inclusive voter roll, not turning voter verification into a battleground for partisan theatrics.

‘Convert to Islam if you want to keep your job’: Lucknow’s Lulu Mall supervisor Faraz arrested for drugging, raping Hindu woman and blackmailing her with obscene video

OpIndia Staff
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‘Convert to Islam if you want to keep your job’: Lucknow’s Lulu Mall supervisor Faraz arrested for drugging, raping Hindu woman and blackmailing her with obscene video

A female Hindu employee at Lulu Mall in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow charged her manager, Farhaz also known as Faraz, with rape and blackmail. He also forced her to convert to Islam, leading to his arrest. She disclosed that he gave her a cold beverage that was spiked with drugs and then sexually violated her.

He recorded the disturbing act on video, which he later used to blackmail her and extort money and jewellery. The victim endured cigarette burns, verbal abuse and physical assaults when she resisted. He also issued death threats to her. The complaint additionally indicated that the accused persistently pressured her to embrace Islam.

He claimed that she need to comply in order to keep her job at the mall. Moreover, he repeatedly disparaged Hinduism and its deities, which deeply hurt the woman’s religious beliefs. An initial investigation revealed that the perpetrator might have links with suspicious social media accounts and conversion networks.

The police are currently carrying out a cyber forensic inquiry to determine whether he is involved in a broader network. Additionally, the police are interrogating other employees of the mall. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) informed that a case has been filed against the offender under multiple charges, including rape, threats to murder and attempts at forced conversion.

He has been presented in court and placed under remand. As of now, there has been no official statement from the management of Lulu Mall regarding the incident.

FATF raises alarm on terrorists using e-commerce sites and online payment facilities, cites procurement of explosive material for Pulwama attack from Amazon

OpIndia Staff
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FATF raises alarm on terrorists using e-commerce sites and online payment facilities, cites procurement of explosive material for Pulwama attack from Amazon

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international watchdog that tracks terror funding, has identified serious concerns regarding the use of e-commerce sites and online payment facilities by terrorists to execute and finance attacks. In a recent report published on Tuesday, 8th July, FATF cited instances such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack in India to bring attention to this increasing danger.

The report, Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks, reveals terrorists’ persistent ability to exploit the international financial system to support their activities and carry out attacks. 

Pulwama Attack Used Online Platforms for Explosives, Says FATF

As per FATF’s findings, key materials used in the 2019 Pulwama attack were bought through an e-commerce platform. The report says that aluminium powder, which was used to make the explosive more powerful, was purchased via Amazon.

On 14th February, 2019, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of Indian Security forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 40 soldiers. India’s authorities concluded that the attack was orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM),  a Pakistan-based terror group. The suicide bomber was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar. After the investigation, 19 people, including seven foreign nationals, were charged under India’s anti-terror laws

FATF said the materials were part of an improvised explosive device (IED) that caused the deadly blast. FATF mentioned that in such cases, terrorists are using platforms like Amazon to quietly buy equipment and chemicals. These platforms also help them move money in ways that are difficult to track.

Lone-wolf attacker in Gorakhnath temple case used PayPal and VPN: FATF

The FATF report also discusses the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple incident in Uttar Pradesh. 

On April 3, a man identified as Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi initiated an attack on Gorakhnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place just a day before UP CM Yogi Adityanath was scheduled to visit the temple. Abbasi’s family claimed he was mentally unstable, but the claims were refuted by the Police and doctors who treated him after the attack.

According to FATF, the attacker, who was influenced by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) ideology, used online payment services like PayPal to send nearly ₹6.7 lakh (around $7,685) abroad in support of the terror group.

The person also received money from a foreign source and used a VPN to hide his identity online. The report says he made 44 international transactions through PayPal and even paid for VPN services through his bank account.

Due to these suspicious activities, PayPal suspended his account to stop further misuse. FATF said that such use of digital payment platforms gives terrorists new ways to transfer money and stay hidden.

State support for Terrorism still a big problem

The FATF didn’t just stop at online platforms. It also raised concerns over the role of national governments in supporting terrorist groups. According to the report, some terrorist organisations continue to receive financial help, training, and logistical support from certain governments.

Though the report doesn’t directly name countries, India has often accused Pakistan of backing terrorist organisations like JeM. Indian officials have long maintained that Pakistan shelters designated terrorists and misuse international funds to aid terror activities.

As per FATF, this kind of state support is often used not only for funding attacks but also for long-term management of terror operations.

How terrorists use online shopping and payments

According to FATF, terrorists have found multiple ways to misuse e-commerce platforms, also known as Electronic and Physical Online Marketplaces (EPOMs). 

These platforms are being used not just to purchase materials like chemicals, weapons, and other equipment, but also to sell items and generate funds for terrorist activities. Some even use fake transactions to disguise the movement of money, a method similar to trade-based money laundering. 

FATF noted that platforms which offer easy access across borders and allow anonymous or pseudonymous payments are particularly at risk. Such digital tools have become preferred channels for not only organised terror groups but also lone actors and extremist groups motivated by ethnic or racial ideologies to fund their operations and spread propaganda.

Terror groups getting smarter with technology

FATF said that with the rise of fintech companies and peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, terrorists now have more ways to move money secretly. These services tend to permit the use of fictitious identities or pseudonyms, which complicate it for investigators to identify the origins of the funds.

FATF added that groups are even utilising social media to collect funds in the form of donations and crowdfunding, bringing recruitment, propaganda, and financing all together in one location.

What FATF wants the government to do

FATF has urged its 200 member jurisdictions to enhance monitoring of virtual financial services and better regulate online platforms. 

The organisation advises monitoring suspicious activity on web-based e-commerce sites, tightening controls on peer-to-peer payment services, and collaborating closely with international platforms such as PayPal and Amazon to identify and prevent abuse. 

FATF wrapped up by cautioning that while terrorists keep embracing sophisticated digital practices, it is only through robust international collaboration that they would be stopped from misusing online platforms to fund terrorism.

How a 30-kg, AI-powered, X-Guard system fooled Pakistani army into thinking they were hitting a Rafale

OpIndia Staff
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How a 30-kg, AI-powered, X-Guard system fooled Pakistani army into thinking they were hitting a Rafale

Months have passed since India conducted Operation Sindoor to attack Pakistani terror and military establishments, yet stories of the tactics and ingenuity of the Indian Armed Forces continue to intrigue the world. It has now been reported that the Indian Air Force used the artificial intelligence-powered towed decoy system X-Guard on Indian Rafales during the four-day military conflict in May 2025.

A former F-16 pilot Ryan Bodenheimer, called Operation Sindoor, a breakthrough in modern aerial combat. Developed by Rafale Advanced Defense Systems, X-Guard creates a 500-watt, 360-degree jamming signal using artificial intelligence. The 30-kilogram device follows the aircraft along a fibre-optic wire that is 100 meters long. It makes it harder for adversary radar systems and missiles to spot genuine aircraft by simulating the radar emissions and Doppler effect of an authentic Rafale fighter.

Bodenheimer dubbed the X-Guard “the best spoofing and deception we’ve ever seen.” The former F-16 pilot added that the decoy system may have “redefined the rules of electronic warfare.”

As per the IDRW report, Pakistan’s Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles and J-10C fighter jets failed to detect or target the actual Indian fighter jets. The decoy misled missile systems and confounded enemy radar. An export variant of China’s PL-15, the PL-15E missile, lacked sophisticated spoofing resistance. It’s also possible that the X-Guard tricked Pakistan’s J-10C fighters’ KLJ-7A AESA radar into believing they had locked onto and struck Rafale jets.

Apparently, Pakistani ‘Aand’ Forces counted the decoys they struck as Rafale hits and came up with claims of shooting down 4 to 5 Indian fighter jets. However, when asked for proof, even their defence minister would say “It’s all over the social media.”

Other than X-Guard, the Indian decoy drones also played a vital role, especially in creating heat signatures that matched Indian fighter jets, confusing the Pakistani air defence system.

IIT Kharagpur starts ‘Campus Mothers’ program to ‘provide emotional support’ to students: Read what it is and who will be the ‘Campus Mother’

OpIndia Staff
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IIT Kharagpur starts ‘Campus Mothers’ program to ‘provide emotional support’ to students: Read what it is and who will be the ‘Campus Mother’

The Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, West Bengal, has come up with a unique initiative to help students deal with stress by providing them with ‘mothers’ on campus. Under its ‘Campus Mothers’ initiative, the institute will train women residing on campus, both faculty and non-faculty, to provide emotional support and mentorship to students in distress. The proactive measure is intended to help new students adjust to life on campus.

The initiative was announced by the institute’s Director, Suman Chakraborty, who assumed charge last month. In addition to the ‘Campus Mothers’ initiative, a Student Welcome Committee has also been formed by the institute for a broader campus and community development programme. “This committee’s main role is to help new students and their parents settle in and feel at home on campus. They will address the major challenges new students might face,” Chakraborty told The Print.

The decision comes in the wake of three student suicides that happened at the IIT this year, with the most recent being reported in May. 22-year-old Mohammad Asif Qamar, a third-year BTech student and native of Bihar, died by suicide in his room at Madan Mohan Malviya Hall of Residence. Earlier in April, Aniket Walker was found dead in the hostel. In 2022, Faizan Ahmed was brutally murdered during ragging and there were attempts to look like a suicide.

“It’s a shock to me, and all of us as teachers, that we had to lose our beloved students. I believe we need to be active, not just reactive. Often, when such incidents occur, there’s a lot of noise, and steps are taken just for compliance. That approach isn’t enough,” Chakraborty said about the suicides.

Campus Mothers will have an understanding of students’ challenges

Highlighting that students in India are usually closely monitored by their parents till Class 12, the director said that new students cannot be expected to suddenly adjust to their first year in college. The Director said that many of the women receiving training to be ‘Campus Mothers’ have experienced motherhood and therefore have an understanding of the challenges faced by children.

“Many of these women have experienced motherhood themselves, some have grown-up children who may now be living abroad or otherwise independent. Having gone through motherhood, they understand the unique challenges children face. While it’s often said that Indian parents tend to overparent, it’s unrealistic to expect students to suddenly adjust in their first year of college after being closely monitored until Class 12,” he said.

Campus Mothers will engage in informal interaction with students

Explaining the programme, Chakraborty said that participation in the programme will be voluntary. Those volunteering to be Campus Mothers will receive orientation and training in counselling. “That’s why we thought of a structured approach where these ‘campus mothers’ can support students, especially in more challenging situations. They will receive orientation and training in counselling and related skills. Participation in this programme will be voluntary for those who wish to get involved,” the Director said.

The Campus Mothers will engage in informal conversations with distressed students. They can have tea, coffee or dinner with the students to listen to their concerns. Chakraborty said that the initiative will have an amalgamation of personal interaction and the use of technology, as it is not possible to have Campus Mothers engage with every student on the campus. “This kind of personal interaction allows students to express themselves in ways that a mechanised chatbot simply can’t match, there are limits to what technology can do. That’s why we need both approaches. Technology helps because it’s not scalable to have campus mothers engage with every single student individually,” he added.

To address the limitation of personal engagement, the Student Welcome Committee will launch a student engagement initiative, which will include the use of AI-based tools to monitor student well-being. Moreover, the students will also be encouraged to take part in physical activities like sports and other extracurricular pursuits. A detailed plan is being prepared for the implementation of the programme.

West Bengal: Sagar Islam sexually and physically assaults Hindu minor girl in school, complaint filed

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Sagar Islam sexually and physically assaults Hindu minor girl in school, complaint filed

On 2nd July, a minor Hindu girl was brutally assaulted at Dakghora High School, Coochbehar district in West Bengal. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. A complaint has been filed at Sitalkhuchi Police Station by the parent of the victim.

Details of the horrific incident

In the complaint, the parent of the victim stated that she is a ninth-grade student. She was sitting in her classroom when the accused, Sagar Islam, allegedly began abusing her with obscene language. The incident took place during the recess before the third period. When the victim protested, Islam reportedly beat and strangled her. The complainant stated that the victim was sexually assaulted as well. Islam threw her to the ground multiple times during the assault. The complainant accused Islam of assaulting the victim with intent to kill.

The complainant further added that while Islam was assaulting the victim, two of her classmates recorded the assault and later uploaded the video on Facebook. The video went viral on social media. Islam was seen laughing while assaulting the victim.

Plea for justice

The complainant expressed deep concern for the victim’s safety and stated, “We are all very scared after knowing about the incident. I think my daughter’s life may be in danger later.” The complainant urged the authorities to conduct an on-site investigation and take strict action against the accused.

Police yet to act

It is unclear if the police have filed an FIR or taken any action in the matter so far.

Mohammed Zubair’s deliberate omission: How the Alt News co-founder hid Lord Shiva slur to peddle a false narrative over MP HC’s denial of bail to a cartoonist

Jinit Jain
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Mohammed Zubair’s deliberate omission: How the Alt News co-founder hid Lord Shiva slur to peddle a false narrative over MP HC’s denial of bail to a cartoonist

Earlier today, Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, a self-styled crusader against “hate speech” and “blasphemy”, tweeted about the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to deny anticipatory bail to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya. But true to his pattern of selective reporting and communal dog-whistling, Zubair once again chose distortion over disclosure.

His tweet painted a simplistic picture: that a cartoonist was denied bail merely for caricaturing the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, what Zubair conveniently left out and what the High Court explicitly acknowledged was the cartoonist’s demeaning reference to Lord Shiva. This omission was not accidental; it was deliberate, calculated, and consistent with Zubair’s long-standing modus operandi of peddling half-truths to provoke Islamist outrage while cloaking himself in the garb of a fact-checker.

The full story Zubair didn’t want you to see

In May, an FIR was registered against Hemant Malviya after complaints from an RSS worker and advocate Vijay Joshi. Malviya had drawn a caricature that not only mocked the RSS and Prime Minister Modi but also carried an endorsement of a vulgar, derogatory line invoking Lord Shiva, a clear affront to Hindu religious sentiments.

In its judgment, the Madhya Pradesh High Court made its position clear:

“In the considered opinion of this court, on the face of it, the conduct of the applicant in depicting the RSS, along with the Prime Minister of this country in the aforesaid caricature, coupled with his endorsement of a rather demeaning remark, dragging unnecessarily the name of Lord Shiva in the comments tagged to it, is nothing but the sheer misuse of the freedom of speech and expression… and falls under the definition of offence as contended by the complainant.”

Despite this judicial clarity, Zubair’s tweet omitted any mention of the Lord Shiva insult. Why? Because including it would dismantle the false narrative he wished to build, one of authoritarian overreach and persecution of dissenters. By presenting the case as a crackdown on criticism of the PM and RSS, Zubair attempted to inflame public sentiment and portray India’s judiciary as intolerant of political satire, when in fact the issue was one of religious slander.

From “fact-checker” to agenda-peddler

This isn’t a one-off case. Zubair’s track record is riddled with such half-truths and malicious framing. He infamously triggered the Sar Tan Se Juda (beheading) frenzy in 2022 by highlighting a snippet of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s debate comments that were drawn on directly from canonical Islamic texts regarding Prophet Muhammad’s marriage. Zubair posted the clip with suggestive commentary, unleashing a storm of Islamist threats and violence. The result? Nupur Sharma faced assassination threats, had to go underground, and India’s streets saw bloodshed in the name of “blasphemy.”

And yet, this same Zubair postures as a defender of free speech and civil liberties, so long as the speech in question attacks Hindu sentiments, not Islamic ones.

Hypocrisy at its peak

The contrast is telling. When Hindus voice concerns about being vilified, Zubair dismisses them as bigots. When Islamists threaten to behead someone over scriptural quotes, Zubair is silent or justifies the outrage as a reaction to “hurt sentiments.” He presents himself as a watchdog against hate, but his lens is deeply sectarian: he sees hate only when it suits his ideological narrative.

His tweet on the Hemant Malviya case is not just a dishonest omission. It is a continuation of a deeply dangerous playbook, one that seeks to radicalise one side by feeding it distorted grievances while mocking or silencing the concerns of the other.

‘Hate merchant’ masquerading as ‘fact-checker’ 

The Hemant Malviya episode reaffirms what many have come to suspect: that Mohammed Zubair is not an impartial fact-checker but a narrative mercenary. His platform is not about truth; it’s about weaponising selective truth to inflame communal tensions and undermine institutions.

By omitting the Lord Shiva reference, Zubair once again prioritised propaganda over principle. His brand of “fact-checking” is not journalism; it’s subversion in disguise.

‘Eunuchs joined the Sangh’: Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar’s transphobic remarks sparks a row

OpIndia Staff
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‘Eunuchs joined the Sangh’: Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar’s transphobic remarks sparks a row

On Tuesday (8th July 2025), Congress MLA from Gwalior rural made outrageous remarks about those who Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while addressing crowd of party workers at a Nyay Satyagraha in Ashok Nagar. The Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders had gathered to court arrest in protest against the registration of FIR against the party’s state president Jeetu Patwari.

Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar did not take any BJRSS leader’s name and took an indirect jibe, as he said, “Jo mard they wo jang mein gaye, jo hijde they wo sangh mein gaye [Those who were men went to the battlefield, those who were ‘Hijra’ (eunuchs) joined the Sangh. You understood, right? Just a hint is enough].”

Notably, the FIR against Jeetu Patwari was lodged on a complaint by one Gajraj Lodhi, who initially accused a BJP worker of assaulting him. However, he eventually retracted and alleged that Patwari misled him. Following this, an FIR was registered against the Congress leader. In response, the Congress party warned of protests if the FIR was not withdrawn by 7th July.

As the FIR was not withdrawn, several senior Congress leaders and workers gathered in Ashok Nagar for a ‘Nyay Satyagraha’ demonstration, however, Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar ended up making an FIR-worthy statement against RSS leaders.

Sahab Singh Gurjar is often involved in controversies. Last year, he and several others were booked for allegedly assaulting women in Gwalior.

Love Jihad kingpin busted: Chhangur Baba’s Rs 100 cr Islamic conversion racket exposed in UP, CM Yogi assures strict action

OpIndia Staff
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Love Jihad kingpin busted: Chhangur Baba’s Rs 100 cr Islamic conversion racket exposed in UP, CM Yogi assures strict action

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured that the state government will take stringent action against Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, who was arrested on 5th July for running an Islamic conversion racket targeting particularly young Hindu girls.

“The Uttar Pradesh government will not tolerate any laxity in matters of law and order. The properties of the accused and all criminals associated with his gang will be confiscated, and strict legal action will be taken against them,” the CM wrote on X.

CM Yogi said that Chhangur Baba will be given an exemplary punishment as per the law. “There is no place in the state for those who disrupt peace, harmony, and the safety of women. They will be punished in accordance with the law in a manner that serves as an example for society,” he said.

Chhangur Baba’s lavish bungalow demolished

Meanwhile, intensifying action against Chhangur Baba, the authorities demolished his lavish bungalow located in the Madhupur village in the Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday (8th July) morning. The demolition was carried out in the presence of the SDM and CO. The bungalow was an illegal construction. An eviction notice was put up on the gate of the residence on Monday (7th July). Inspector-in-charge Awadhesh Raj Singh said that security was ramped up in the area to avoid any untoward situation. However, the authorities faced opposition from the people living in the bungalow. Chhangur’s daughter-in-law, Sabira, created a ruckus before the demolition, alleging that her children were scared. Three notices, in total, were served by authorities before bolldozing the house.

The bungalow was built on a plot of land spanning 3 bighas. The land was registered in the name of Neetu Rohra. Chhangur Baba and his family lived in the bungalow along with Neetu Rohra, her husband, Naveen Rohra and daughter.

An active network in the UAE

Uttar Pradesh ATS is investigating the foreign funding network of Chhangur Baba’s conversion racket. Neetu Rohra, who shared the bungalow with Chhangur Baba, reportedly visited the United Aran Emirates (UAE) 19 times between 2014 and 2019. The agency is looking into the reasons for her trips to the UAE.

The ATS investigation revealed that the religious conversion of Neetu Ruhra, Naveen Rohra and their daughter was at Al Farooq Qamar Bin Khatab Centre, Dubai and was certified by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department of Dubai Government on November 16, 2015. However, after examining their passports, the ATS found that they were not in Dubai on the said date.

Chhagur Baba set up fake businesses to whitewash foreing funds

Investigation by the ATS has further revealed that Chhangur Baba was running the conversion racket in a highly organised manner. He set up fake trusts and businesses, namely Aasvi Enterprises, Aasvi Charitable Trust, Aasipia Hasni Hussaini Collection, and Baba Tajuddin Aasvi Boutique, to facilitate the reception of foreign funds. Eight accounts linked to these businesses were opened in 2 banks.

Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba reportedly deposited Rs 6 lakh from one of his bank accounts into a foreign account. He also transferred Rs 10 lakh through NEFT. Authorities also uncovered suspicious financial transactions from the bank accounts of his associates. He was being assisted by a person named Idul Islam, from Pune, in spreading his conversion racket. In addition to that, he has been purchasing land and setting up bases in different states to operate his conversion racket from there.

According to the STF that led the initial probe against Chhangur Baba, he owns properties worth crores in Pune. He bought a property worth 16 crore in Lonavala, registered in the name of his associate Mohammad Ahmed Khan.

UP Women’s Commision demands death penalty for Chhangur Baba

Expressing outrage against Chhangur Baba and his religious conversion network, the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission has demanded stringent action against him. Commission Chairperson Babita Chauhan said that Chhangur Baba should be awarded the death penalty. “CM Yogi Adityanath has made a strict law against religious conversion. Now it is the responsibility of society not to remain silent and raise its voice on this issue. Death penalty should be the only punishment for those who force daughters to change their religion through lies, greed and deceit,” she said.

“Our daughters are not a laboratory where the poisonous idea of ​​conversion can be tested. Those who deceive our daughters and take away their religion are enemies of society. Such people should be hanged,” she added.

Similar pattern in Chhangur Baba’s conversion racket and Beawar Muslim Gang

Jalaluddin, originally from the Rehra Maafi village in the Balrampur district, used to sell rings. His fortune turned when he successfully contested the Panchayat elections in 2015 and became the village headman. His influence grew and he then introduced his son Mehboob into politics and made him contest 2022 Panchayat elections. But he lost despite spending huge amounts of money in the election.  

However, he amassed massive wealth by operating the conversion racket, and has bought properties worth crores, built showrooms and bungalows and purchased luxury cars using foreign funding.Chhangur Baba’s Islamic conversion racket busted by Uttar Pradesh ATS, involves around 100 crores of foreign funding which was funnelled into 40 accounts.

The money for Chhangur Baba’s Islamic conversion racket was flowing in from the Gulf countries to implement what looks like a long-term Islamisation project. Chhangur Baba used to give money to Muslim men to lure young Hindu women and convert them to Islam. He used to perform the Nikaah of these Muslim with the Hindu girls they lured and converted. Jalaluddin had fixed incentives for converting Hindu girls based on their caste. He fixed ₹15-16 lakh was fixed for conversions of Brahmin, Sikh or Kshatriya woman, ₹10-12 lakhs for OBCs and ₹8-10 lakhs for other castes. This is strikingly similar to the pattern that emerged in the Beawar Muslim gang, where Muslim men targeted school-going Hindu girls, sexually exploited them and forced them to convert to Islam. They had fixed rates for Hindu girls based on their caste.

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