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US-Iran ceasefire: Read how Trump acknowledged Araghchi’s 10-point plan, talks to start in Pakistan as Iran insists on full control over Strait of Hormuz

Shraddha Pandey
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US-Iran ceasefire: Read how Trump acknowledged Araghchi’s 10-point plan, talks to start in Pakistan as Iran insists on full control over Strait of Hormuz

In a matter of a few hours, the US President Donald Trump went from prophesying the ‘death’ of a “whole civilisation” in Iran to accepting a humiliating two-week ceasefire. On 7th April 2026, Trump published a Truth Social post, wherein he announced haltig the US forces out to ‘destroy’ Iran and suspending military attacks on Iran for two-weeks as Iranian regime agreed to a “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital global oil chokepoint that the Iranian regime had blockaded for all except a few countries like India, Russia, and China.

Donald Trump announces ceasefire, accepts Iran’s 10-point proposal as a “workable basis for negotiation”: US President boasts victory as Iran agrees to open the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before America’s attack

Announcing the ceasefire agreement on Truth Social after Iran’s ‘deadline’ loomed, Trump said, “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!”

While the American did not explicitly use terms like “victory”, the tone of Trump’s post indicates that Iran’s agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz as a massive win. Basically, Trump told the world that it is a US victory because Iran has agreed to open the Strait, as if the whole point of the war was opening the Strait of Hormuz, or else he would’ve bombed Iran into oblivion.

However, the same Strait was open before the US and Israel decided to launch airstrikes against Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions and a perceived existential threat to Israel.

In a classic Trump-style false bravado and chest-thumping, the US President boasted, “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”

Trump further informed about the reception of a 10-point plan from Iran. He called the proposal a “workable basis on which to negotiate”.

“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” Trump posted, adding that he was honoured to represent the US as President, and the Gulf countries affected by the war, in bringing the “problem close to resolution.”

Trump reposts Iran Foreign Minister’s statement and acknowledges the 10-point plan: US’s rhetoric boasts victory, actions demonstrate capitulation

Soon after President Trump announced the Iran-US ceasefire on social media, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, issued a statement confirming the understanding arrived at between the two countries. In no time, Trump shared the statement on Truth Social and the US administration’s official handles also posted it.

What stood out here was both Araghchi’s tone and Trump’s acknowledgement of Iran’s 10-point proposal. While Trump consistently threatened to decimate Iran, Araghchi called America’s 15-point proposal-based push for negotiations a “request”.

“In response to the brotherly request of PM Sharif in his tweet, and considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations. For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi’s statement reads.

Notably, the US had pushed a 15-point framework for a temporary ceasefire, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, rejected this as insufficient and stressed a permanent end to the war rather than a pause. The Iranian regime proposed its own 10-point plan, which was delivered via Pakistan.

It is interesting to note that Trump had on Monday called the Iranian proposal a “significant step” but “not good enough”; however, as his self-announced deadline to unalive the Iranian “civilisation” neared, Trump turned on his TACO mode and declared the same “not good enough” plan as a “workable basis for negotiations”.

Iran’s 10-point plan and Trump’s acceptance of it, even as a “workable basis”, amounts to America’s defeat and betrayal of Israel

The Iranian regime has proposed a 10-point plan to achieve a permanent resolution of the prevailing dispute and war. It is essentially maximalist and focuses on security guarantees, regional dominance, economic relief and most importantly, nuclear legitimacy. The 10 points of Iran’s proposal are:

  • A fundamental and binding US commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression against Iran.
  • Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz with a secure transit protocol under Iran’s armed forces’ coordination.
  • Acceptance of Iran’s uranium enrichment rights for its nuclear program.
  • Lifting of all primary sanctions.
  • Lifting of all secondary sanctions.
  • Termination of all resolutions targeting Iran by the UN Security Council.
  • Termination of resolutions by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors.
  • Full payment of damages to Iran for war losses.
  • Withdrawal of US combat forces from the bases and deployment points in the region.
  • Cessation of hostilities across all fronts, including Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as attacks on “Axis of Resistance” allies.

In addition, Iran has also demanded the release of all its frozen assets abroad and a UNSC resolution to may any final peace deal binding. While Iran has consistently presented its 10-point proposal as the negotiation framework, now Trump has also acknowledged and accepted it as the same.

The criticisms of the Iranian regime’s past actions aside, the West Asian nation has managed to secure a major narrative victory in the immediate phase, though not without enduring losses of lives and resources.

From social media narratives to limited diplomatic backchannel engagements with the US, Iran maintained tight control on the agenda. Iran showed absolutely no urgency to secure a ceasefire, and perhaps, taking a page from India’s playbook of letting the bully bark until it gets tired and frustrated with your dignified silence while you speak of your own interests and core stance at the time of your choosing. India’s Modi government demonstrated this courage, dignity and diplomatic acumen last year when Trump launched a tariff tirade to ‘punish’ India for buying Russian oil.

Now the times have taken such a turn that Washington itself has insisted that New Delhi purchase Russian oil to achieve global energy supply stability, which is similar to the status of the Strait of Hormuz; India was already doing so before Trump launched his tariff tirade.

Coming back to Iran-US ceasefire terms, Donald Trump’s ultimatum was neutralised without Iran making any immediate and pertinently humiliating concessions beyond a temporary and conditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran retaining military coordination over the strait. Best part from Iran’s perspective? It can theoretically re-shut the strait if the talks with the US set to be held in Pakistan’s Islamabad fail.

In its 10-point proposal, Iran has essentially sought a reversal of all its historical grievances and managed to make them central to peace talks now. From full sanctions relief, nuclear enrichment acceptance, US troop withdrawal, war compensation, legitimising its regional posture to seeking discontinuation of Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran momentarily made Trump accept these otherwise unacceptable terms, as the “workable basis for negotiations”.

From weaponising the Strait of Hormuz to keeping its Axis of Resistance in play as a bargaining chip, Iran played its cards right. It, however, should be remembered that the peace talks and a deal based on Iran’s 10-point proposal could still collapse.

Iran’s continuing uranium enrichment essentially means the country will become a nuclear-armed nation in the future. This is Israel’s red line and the core reason behind the Israel-US front launching an offensive against the West Asian country. American legitimising Iran’s nuclear ambitions would essentially amount to letting Iran pose an existential threat to Israel.

Israel has already expressed discontent over the Lebanon point in Iran’s 10-point proposal, going even to the extent of saying that Lebanon is not a part of the ceasefire agreement. In rhetoric, Israel has backed the Iran-US ceasefire agreement; however, in action, it will never allow Iran to continue Uranium enrichment even if the West Asian country promises enrichment only for civilian purposes.

For now, Tehran has the momentum. If the upcoming peace talks fall apart, this momentum can shift in favour of Israel, and the US and Iran can witness the resumption of Israel-US attacks. Time alone will tell what turn these talks will take, but one thing is certain. Trump has invited monumental embarrassment for himself throughout the conflict and caused irreparable damage to America’s prestige. From European allies refusing his importunate appeals to deploy warships to clear the Hormuz blockade, failure to subjugate Iran even after the elimination of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, to now accepting the unacceptable Iranian demands as a ‘workable basis’, Trump has lost the narrative and the game.

‘Poor tribal Hindus lured into converting via financial and other inducements’: Inside the Gujarat HC’s rejection of Muslim clerics’ Discharge Pleas in Bharuch Mass Conversion case

પ્રાર્થના અમીન
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‘Poor tribal Hindus lured into converting via financial and other inducements’: Inside the Gujarat HC’s rejection of Muslim clerics’ Discharge Pleas in Bharuch Mass Conversion case

The Gujarat High Court has turned down the petition filed by two clerics requesting discharge in the mass conversion case that arose in the Amod taluka of Bharuch in 2021. This order was issued by a single-judge bench of Justice Geeta Gopi on 30th March. While dismissing the petition, the court remarked that a prima facie analysis of the witness statements and the evidence on record showed indications of conversion-related activities. Therefore, there were no valid grounds to challenge the Trial Court’s ruling regarding the accused.

The incident originates from November 2021, when a First Information Report (FIR) concerning a conversion case was filed at the Amod Police Station. As per the complaint, over 100 people from around 37 Hindu families in Kankariya village of Amod taluka and nearby tribal regions were unlawfully converted to Islam through various enticements. The police have thus far submitted a third supplementary chargesheet against multiple perpetrators in relation to this matter.

Two individuals charged in this case, Sarfaraz also known as Javid Khuji or Javid Mufti Salim Hasan Yusuf Ibrahim Khilji and Ramiz Raja also referred to as Owaish Abdul Gani Abdul Rahim Khilji had earlier submitted discharge petitions to the Trial Court which rejected them. Afterwards, both parties approached the high court. Legal actions have been initiated against the duo under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act and the Indian Penal Code.

What arguments were presented in court

Advocate Umarfaruk M. Kharadi, representing the petitioners, argued that the trial court made an error in dismissing the discharge petition, claiming that there was inadequate evidence to establish charges. He contended that the Maulvis had been wrongfully implicated and additionally insisted that these two were named as defendants in a third supplementary chargesheet, well after the investigation had been completed.

The defense counsel added that they are Maulvis by profession, stressing that it is their religious duty to promote and spread their faith. Furthermore, it was argued that the promotion of religion is a fundamental right protected by the Indian Constitution and thus, no criminal proceedings should be initiated against them solely based on their participation in religious activities.

The government exposes the trickery

Public Prosecutor Bhargav Pandya, countering these claims on behalf of the state, emphasised that this case transcended mere religious propagation and represented a meticulously planned conspiracy aimed at facilitating religious conversions by deceiving and alluring impoverished individuals. He informed the court that the defendant, Javid Mufti, has a history of engaging in efforts to convert numerous unsuspecting villagers.

The investigation uncovered that the accused offered cash, new garments and medical supplies to those they converted. Additionally, tribal families were lured to Islam through the promise of material benefits, such as air coolers, water coolers, handcarts and items like mats or sheets intended for prayer.

The primary complainant, Pravinbhai Vasava, stated that in 2018, he and several other families were enticed into changing their religion, and modifications were made to their Aadhaar cards. Moreover, other witnesses have given compelling testimonies to the police concerning the promises of facilities made by the accused, Ramiz Raja, along with the activities related to the conversions.

In reference to incidents that took place in 2019, the Public Prosecutor indicated that the accused would often visit Kankariya village in luxury vehicles. Regular gatherings were conducted at the home of a particular individual in the village, where Namaz was performed and lectures were held under the guise of providing education about Islam. The court was also informed that the police have video recordings of these gatherings which act as evidence in the case.

The Public Prosecutor highlighted that, in accordance with Section 5 of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003, along with Rules 3, 4 and 5 of the 2008 Rules, which require prior legal authorisation for religious conversion, there was a complete lack of compliance in this instance. This failure to follow the legal procedure is, by itself, adequate to classify the activity as illegal and criminal. Thus, a prima facie case has been established against the accused.

What did the high court say

The high court accepted the arguments submitted by the state government and decided not to intervene, at this stage, with the order made by the Trial Court. The court observed that, upon a preliminary assessment of the evidence on record and the statements from witnesses, a case seems to be established. Furthermore, it was noted that the clerics’ meetings were held with the specific intention of facilitating religious conversions. The court stated that the Trial Court had made an appropriate decision and it would not interfere in this matter.

As a result, the petition was dismissed. The high court has also turned down petitions submitted by other accused parties who sought to annul the FIRs filed against them. In October 2025, the court dismissed seven such petitions. During that period, it made an important remark: if an individual who has undergone a religious conversion subsequently encourages or provokes others to convert, they cannot be considered a “victim,” instead, they may also be classified as accused and legal proceedings may be initiated against them.

Background of the matter

This mass conversion aimed at members of the Hindu tribal community in the Amod Taluka of Bharuch was not an isolated event. It was a carefully planned conspiracy that extended from 2006 to 2021. According to police investigations, over 100 individuals from around 37 Hindu tribal families in Kankariya village were converted to Islam through various inducements. Investigations have uncovered that foreign funding, and a locally active group were instrumental in orchestrating this entire scheme, with the main goal being to exploit the vulnerabilities of impoverished tribal communities for the purpose of religious conversions.

The case was brought forth by the complainant, Pravinbhai Vasantbhai Vasava, who had himself yielded to inducements in 2018, converted to Islam, and assumed the name “Salman Patel.” He confessed to the police that the accused had taken advantage of the dire circumstances faced by the local Hindu residents in the area, exploiting their severe poverty. He recounted that, at first, he was directed to live his life according to Sharia law. However, he ultimately came to understand that the entire situation was merely a fraudulent plot motivated by deception and greed.

To enable religious conversions, the accused utilised a method that included communal pressure, inducement and intimidation. Through this approach, destitute tribal individuals were enticed with misleading assurances of cash, food supplies, employment, permanent housing and marriage. They were incessantly indoctrinated with the belief that Hinduism lacks significance and that Islam is the only superior religion. This procedure also encompassed legal deception. Villagers were misled and transported to Surat, where, while confined in vehicles, they were coerced into signing documents to alter their names and religious affiliations on their Aadhaar cards and other government-issued identification proofs.

The FIR filed at the Amod Police Station in November 2021 identifies multiple individuals, both local and foreign nationals, including Shabbir and Samad Bakerywala. Haji Abdullah Fefdawala, who resides in London, has been identified as the primary mastermind. He obtained significant financial support from abroad by exaggerating the figures of religious conversions. The accused perceived this entire operation as a “business,” through which they received funds from overseas for each conversion and these earnings were then used to further attract the tribal population.

After their conversion to a new faith, the children of the tribal community were dispatched to madrasas located in Jambusar and Hazira, where they underwent indoctrination. The Tablighi Jamaat would transport them to religious assemblies in locations such as Malegaon and Mumbai, aiming to distance them from their native culture. The Gujarat Police has classified this situation not just as a local offence, but as a conspiracy of national scale.

Read the original OpIndia Gujarati report here.

Ten-point explainer why this ceasefire is not a US victory as Trump desperately wants everyone to believe

Anurag
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Ten-point explainer why this ceasefire is not a US victory as Trump desperately wants everyone to believe

On 8th April (local time), President of the United States, Donald Trump, claimed a “total and complete victory” after announcing a ceasefire with Iran. However, the terms that have been revealed in public so far, along with the strategic ground reality, suggest the situation in West Asia is far more complicated.

According to AFP, Trump, in a telephonic conversation with the news agency, stated that Iran’s enriched uranium would be “perfectly taken care of”. He claimed that China had helped push Tehran to the negotiating table. He referred to a multi framework under discussion but did not provide any clarity on enforcement, nuclear dismantlement, regime concessions, or military rollback. In a social media post, he claimed it was a “big day for World Peace” and added that “this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East”.

Source: Truth Social

Notably, the announcement of the ceasefire itself came barely an hour after Trump’s deadline to “obliterate” Iran expired. In a Truth Social post, he threatened to “wipe out” a whole civilisation. He wrote, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?”

Source: Truth Social

Tehran, on the other hand, is projecting that the outcome is favourable to its own position. Both sides are claiming victory but no one is ready to provide clarity on several questions. From the look of it, the claim of a decisive American win is hard to justify, here is why.

Iran’s regime remains intact and in control

When a country claims decisive military victory, it involves regime collapse, forced political concessions, or leadership destabilisation. While it is a fact that US and Israel managed to neutralise several leaders of Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ruling structure of the Islamic country remains fully intact.

The Supreme Leader’s authority continues unchanged, and Tehran has retained control over both domestic governance and foreign policy decisions. Iran has not surrendered. There have been no external political conditions imposed on Iran and there has been no restructuring of power. A new Supreme Leader has already been elected and the US failed to make any major leadership shift.

This means the war ended without achieving the most consequential strategic objective which is often associated with total victory.

Strait of Hormuz still remains Iran’s leverage

One of the most crucial aspects of the West Asia conflict was the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Notably, a significant portion of global oil flows through the Iran controlled Strait. Even after the ceasefire, there is uncertainty over reopening arrangements and shipping safety. In a recent statement, Trump has already signalled a week ago that US does not care much about opening the Strait of Hormuz though he continued to claim that it is a matter of concern and threatened Iran of consequences of Strait was not opened. Mixed statements by Trump only complicate the situation.

Trump himself has referred to a framework rather than a settled mechanism. The geographic control that Iran has over the region will continue to stay as it is and it will continue to enjoy the ability to threaten or influence maritime traffic. The US cannot claim “complete success” without neutralising the leverage Iran holds.

Nuclear question remains unresolved

Trump, in his statement, claimed that Iran’s enriched uranium would be “perfectly taken care of”. However, he offered zero details about the plans he has. There is no confirmation that the material will be removed, dismantled, diluted, or monitored. The absence of specifics suggests the nuclear issue remains open, which was the main reason why the US and Israel attacked Iran.

Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capability was the central justification for the West Asia conflict. Leaving the uranium stockpile intact is in direct contradiction with Trump’s claims of “total victory”.

Iran’s military capacity weakened but not dismantled

It is evident that Iran has taken losses after more than a month of strikes by the United States and Israel. However, the military structure of the country is still functional and poses a serious threat to West Asian countries that have ties with the United States. During the conflict, Iran attacked, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other countries that have US bases.

Command networks, missile units, and air defence systems of Iran continue to operate. The country retains the ability to defend itself and project power regionally. If the claims of “total victory” would have been true, the military structure would have been either destroyed or faced long term degradation of capability. That threshold has not been crossed.

Long range strike capability still operational

During the US Iran war, Tehran demonstrated that it has the capability of launching long range strikes across the Gulf region. The survival of this capability means Tehran can still target bases, infrastructure, and allied assets in case of a misadventure by the US. If the country that “lost” retains the ability to strike adversaries after the war, the outcome is closer to a balanced ceasefire than decisive victory of one side.

Iran showed patience during negotiations

The ceasefire has been announced by Trump. It came close to his deadline rather than following a visible Iranian capitulation. Tehran did not publicly signal desperation for a quick exit. Instead, it appeared willing to prolong the conflict while absorbing pressure. Tehran even rejected ceasefire proposal and called for permanent end of the conflict.

On the other hand, Trump continued to make statements and shift his stance towards the West Asia conflict. In a single day, he continued to give statements that contradict his previous stance, making it difficult to grasp if he was actually serious or just blabbering whatever came to his mind after a powernap.

The narrative that Iran was forced into negotiations by overwhelming US dominance fails to stand scrutiny.

Washington appeared eager for an off ramp

Trump’s statements emphasised proposals, frameworks, and partial agreements. He referred to a 10-point Iranian proposal as “workable” and mentioned a broader 15-point transaction under discussion.

His statements made it clear that Washington also sought a negotiated pause. When both sides pursue de escalation, the outcome resembles mutual accommodation rather than one sided victory.

Differences between US and Israeli objectives became visible

During the conflict, Washington and Tel Aviv showed different expectations regarding acceptable end terms. Even now, while Israel has supported the ceasefire, it has made it clear that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire terms.

Such divergence weakens the perception of a unified strategic campaign. Iran appears to have benefited from these differences, which diluted pressure and allowed space for negotiation.

US defensive resources were heavily used

Iran extensively used missiles and drones to attack US bases and Israel across West Asia. The attacks forced US to use air defence systems in the Gulf for interception operations, consuming large numbers of interceptors and logistical resources. Even if damage done by Iranian strikes was minimal, the scale of defensive deployment suggests the US absorbed operational costs rather than imposing unilateral dominance.

Tangible costs imposed on US regional assets

Iran managed to strike or threaten high value infrastructure and sensors across Gulf states, including US’s AN/FPS 132 early warning radar at Al Udeid base in Qatar worth billions. These actions imposed measurable costs on the US regional posture. A conflict in which the adversary inflicts damage and retains capabilities cannot be seen as a “total victory”.

Taking all the aspects together, the ceasefire is more of an unresolved strategic balance rather than a decisive American triumph. Iran’s leadership is intact, nuclear ambiguity still persists, Hormuz leverage is still in Iran’s hands, and military capabilities remain a threat for US and its allies in the region. Therefore, Trump’s claim of “total and complete victory” is more of a political message than a reality.

‘Islamic law allows polygamy’: Madhya Pradesh HC rules in favour of a man’s second marriage. Read how courts have leaned on Sharia for verdicts related to the Muslim community

Rukma Rathore
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‘Islamic law allows polygamy’: Madhya Pradesh HC rules in favour of a man’s second marriage. Read how courts have leaned on Sharia for verdicts related to the Muslim community

Justice BP Sharma of the Madhya Pradesh High Court determined that a Muslim man who weds a second time and takes another wife does not commit “bigamy,” as multiple marriages are permitted for his community and cannot be termed “void” under section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Hence, a Muslim individual’s plea to have the accusation against him quashed was partially accepted, while the trial would go ahead for additional counts covered under sections 498-A, 342, 323 and 506 Part-II IPC.

His first spouse had submitted a police report, asserting that following their December 2002 union, he abused her for failing to have a child and later entered into a second marriage in May 2022. The woman further stated that she was under pressure to grant him a “divorce” by mutual consent, or “Khula.”

However, the petitioner’s attorney contended that Muslim Personal Law permits up to four spouses at once and hence section 494 cannot be invoked in the issue. Kerala High Court’s 2015 ruling was cited to support the prayer that the clause would only be effective in the event of a Muslim male’s fifth wedding.

The court declared that “the applicability of section 494 IPC depends upon whether the second marriage is void by reason of the subsistence of the first marriage. In the present case, the parties are admittedly governed by Muslim Personal Law, which recognises the permissibility of plurality of marriages. Therefore, the essential ingredient of section 494 IPC, namely that the second marriage must be void on account of the subsistence of the earlier marriage, is not satisfied.”

The complainant’s lawyer argued that the requirements of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1937 do not apply unless a declaration is made, and as a result, the husband cannot maintain four wives simultaneously under the statute. However, the bench conveyed that the aforementioned section is subject to this law, which authorises polygamy.

It also relied upon 1995 and 2015 decisions from the Supreme Court. The court added that the man’s action would not meet the requisites of section 494, even if the allegations are taken at face value and concluded that pursuing the prosecution would be a misuse of the legal system.

“Therefore, a second marriage contracted by a Muslim male during the lifetime of his first wife is not treated as void merely on the ground that the first marriage is still subsisting. In view of this legal position, the essential ingredient of Section 494 of IPC, namely that the subsequent marriage must be void on account of the subsistence of the first marriage, is not fulfilled in the present case,” it ruled.

Afterwards, the bench acknowledged that the inquiry materials and claims prima facie revealed the commission of the other violations, such as criminal intimidation and cruelty. The trial court has been instructed to look into the remaining charges and deliver a judgment.

How Islamic law impacts judicial rulings

It is noteworthy that taking a second wife while the first is alive or without a divorce constitutes a punishable offence for other religious groups, including Hindus in India, as such regressive practices should not exist or be tolerated in any civilised society. However, it has been observed that the second largest community in the nation has been allowed to continue even the most repugnant and unlawful acts in the name of personal law, which is guided by the Sharia.

Moreover, this premise has been embraced by the courts and verdicts are often rendered that enable Muslims to persist in otherwise illicit conduct. Interestingly, this special privilege is accorded just for civil matters and does not apply to criminal proceedings, entirely governed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Thus, similar orders have been given by the Indian judiciary with respect to the Muslim community in light of the Sharia. Last May, the Allahabad High Court admitted that special religious provisions are exploited by the Muslims, but stated that a Muslim man cannot be penalised for bigamy if the rituals are performed in accordance with the Islamic law.

According to Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal, it would only be perceived as a crime if the second ceremony is carried out per this law after converting to Islam while the initial wedding took place under the Special Marriage Act, Foreign Marriage Act, Christian Marriage Act, Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act or Hindu Marriage Act. He then urged the government to adopt a Uniform Civil Code.

Nonetheless, the statements from the court underscored how such infractions are seen as appropriate for a particular community under the guise of “freedom of religion.”

Supreme Court opts not to extend ban on child marriage to encompass all religions

On 18th October 2024, the Supreme Court refused to expand the restriction on child marriage to all religions, independent of personal laws. The central government had asked for an order that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) be applied to all Indians, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

However, the court declined and pointed out that a bill concerning it was pending before a standing committee. On 21st December 2021, the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Parliament and forwarded to the standing committee. The bill intended to amend the PCMA to explicitly stipulate that it shall take preference over multiple personal laws.

The bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra also announced, “The issue of the interface of personal laws with the prohibition of child marriage under the PCMA has been a subject of some confusion.”

The Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), lodged the petition, explaining that the disturbingly high number of child marriages in India endured even after the PCMA was passed 18 years ago.

It accused authorities of failing to curb child marriages and advocated for stronger enforcement mechanisms, awareness campaigns, the appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPO), and comprehensive support systems for child brides, such as education, healthcare and compensation, to ensure the protection and well-being of vulnerable kids. It pressed the apex court to offer useful direction in this regard.

The centre also encouraged the latter to consider releasing directives stating that the PCMA would have precedence over the personal laws defining marriage in a note. It also mentioned contradictory findings by different high courts about the PCMA’s supremacy over the personal laws. However, the top court reported that it was not supplied with the specifics of the verdicts by the government.

Live-in relationships not permissible under Sharia

On 8th May of that year, the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench decided that Muslims who have a living spouse cannot assert their rights in a live-in relationship since Islamic law forbids it. The observations were made by a bench of Justices AR Masoodi and AK Srivastava during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Sneha Devi and Muhammad Shadab Khan, who sought protection from police action.

The woman was directed to be returned to her parents under protection after they filed a kidnapping complaint against Kha,n who married Farida Khatoon in 2020 and had a child.

“Islamic tenets do not permit live-in relationships during a subsisting marriage. The position may be different if the two persons are unmarried and the parties being major choose to lead their lives in a way of their own,” the court emphasised. The pair wanted protection under Article 21 (life and personal liberty).

However, it insisted, “The constitutional morality may come to the rescue of such a couple and the social morality settled through the customs and usages over ages may give way to the constitutional morality and protection under Article 21 of the Constitution of India may step in to protect the cause. The case before us is, however, different.”

The bench further mentioned, “The constitutional protection under Article 21 of the Constitution of India would not lend an un-canalised support to such a right, once the usages and customs prohibit such a relationship between the two individuals of different faiths.”

Minor girls from the Muslim community are permitted to marry

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that a Muslim girl who reaches the age of 15 is free to marry whoever she chooses. “Such a marriage would not be void in terms of section 12 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006,” declared Justice Vikas Bahl in October 2022. Notably, the age of puberty is 15 based on Sharia.

Additionally, the court guaranteed that Islamic personal regulations would remain in force for Muslim girls. A 16-year-old girl had demanded clearance from a childcare agency to make amends with her 26-year-old spouse. The remark was delivered at the hearing of a habeas corpus case initiated by the husband, Javed, in which he challenged her “imprisonment” at the facility.

The girl told the court that she had left her household to stay with and marry the person of her desire, but she had been pressured into engagement with her maternal uncle by her family. It concluded that Javed had legal custody of the detainee as their relationship was lawful under Islamic law on the basis of a prior case. The union was willingly consummated and deemed as valid since both parties were Muslims, despite the fact that the girl was underage.

A month prior, the Delhi High Court pronounced that a 15-year-old girl was of “Marriageable Age” under Islamic law. It stated that a Muslim girl who has reached puberty but is under the age of 18 has the right to wed anyone without the approval of her family and reside with her husband under the religious law.

The statement was made by Justice Jasmeet Singh’s single bench while granting protection to a Muslim couple who were married in March 2022 in compliance with Islamic customs. The duo petitioned the court for orders to prevent anyone from separating them. The girl’s parents had disapproved of the union and registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 363 and 376 of the IPC. He was also booked under section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court rendered a similar judgment on 20th June of the same year when a Muslim couple from Pathankot, aged 16 and 21, approached it for protection from their family members. The couple informed that they married on 8th June in conformity with Islamic rituals, but their family members were opposed to this move and had threatened them.

“As per Article 195 from the book ‘Principles of Mohammedan Law’ by Sir Dinshah Fardunji Mulla, the girl being over 16 years of age is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice. The boy is stated to be more than 21 years of age. Thus, both the petitioners are of marriageable age as envisaged by Muslim Personal Law,” expressed Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi.

“Merely because the petitioners have got married against the wishes of their family members, they cannot possibly be deprived of their fundamental rights as envisaged in the Constitution of India,” he added while instructing the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pathankot to set up appropriate security measures. 

Justice Alka Sarin of the Punjab and Haryana High Court handed an identical ruling in February 2021 after considering a motion from a 17-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man. The verdict was based on several court decisions and Article 195 of “Principles of Mohammedan Law.” The bench stated that a Muslim girl is believed to have experienced puberty when she crosses the age of 15 in the absence of proof, quoting Article 15 of this law.

Conclusion

Judicial rulings have, in one way or another, been shaped by personal law or Sharia concerning the Muslim community. The judges also capitulated to their demands, as was the case when a local court in the Muslim-dominated Kishanganj district had to revoke its ban on wearing lungis within the premises following protests in 2018.

Likewise, the courts made peculiar judgments that have attracted attention, including directing a young woman to hand out copies of the Quran while allowing her bail for a Facebook post about Tabrez Ansari’s death and granting protection to a Hindu woman who intended to pray at the Piran Kaliyar mosque in Roorkee. Notably, she filed the plea alongside her Muslim friend and roommate.

Meanwhile, Salaam Centre, an Islamic organisation dedicated to “Dawah” (converting non-Muslims),s) boasted about distributing the Quran at the Karnataka High Court, including to judges and advocates in 2019. On one side, there are verdicts being pronounced that prioritise personal law, and on the other side, such events are becoming apparent.

Hence, this situation raises concerns among ordinary Indians about whether everyone is indeed equal in the eyes of the law, or if some people are allowed to disregard the rules and regulations in the country due to specific religious privileges that are not afforded to others.

Women positioned at the front, provocative announcements from local mosque, switched off CCTV: What NIA’s preliminary inquiry report in Malda violence case reveals

Shraddha Pandey
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Women positioned at the front, provocative announcements from local mosque, switched off CCTV: What NIA’s preliminary inquiry report in Malda violence case reveals

Days after the Chief Election Commissioner CEC) Gyanesh Kumar entrusted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the investigation of the Malda violence case, wherein 7 judicial officers on SIR duty were gheraoed and harassed by a Muslim mob on 1st April, the probe agency has filed its preliminary inquiry as ordered by the Supreme Court. The NIA stated that the Malda incident was not a spontaneous agitation but a planned and coordinated mobilisation.

NIA’s preliminary findings in the case indicate a simultaneous emergence of demonstration and road blockades across multiple locations, pointing to prior planning and strategic execution by an organised network rather than a ‘protest’ driven by organic anger over SIR.

Local mosque gave calls to Muslims to gather outside the BDO office, where seven judicial officers were present: a 1500-strong mob assembled within minutes

The NIA found that announcements were made in the Kaliachowk (also spelt, Kaliachak) area through e-rickshaws to gather a mob. Announcements were also made from a local mosque calling on Muslims to hit the streets and gherao the judicial officers, including women, at the Kaliachak-II BDO office.

In no time, a Muslim mob as strong as 1500 gathered outside the BDO office. The mob surrounded the seven judicial officers on SIR duty and held them under siege for around 13 hours.

It has also emerged that a female judicial officer was detained for nearly eight hours, indicating that the mob’s anarchic and violent actions were not confined to a single location, but that systematic obstructions were erected at various locations.

Mob obstructed the police operation to rescue stuck judicial officers, and women were deliberately deployed at the forefront

As if all those hours under siege were not horrible enough for the judicial officers, when the West Bengal Police finally woke up from its deliberate slumber and decided to rescue the stranded officers, the mob attacked the convoy of the rescued judicial officers. As they were being evacuated by the police and CAPF, their convoy was pelted with stones at several locations. One driver was seriously injured in the attack, causing the vehicle to overturn. This indicates that the attackers not only surrounded the area but also targeted the rescue operation.

Muslim mobs have a tried-and-tested strategy of deploying women and children at the forefront as a shield. In the present case, the NIA further revealed that women were positioned at the forefront of the mob, while men caused a ruckus from behind.

Notably, deploying women at the front serves three main purposes. First, the authorities would hesitate in taking strict measures to disperse them. Second, if the authorities go ahead with hard action like lathi-charge or forced dispersal, the Muslim mob would use it as an excuse to turn on their full-fledged Jihadi mode. Third, visuals of police forces cracking down on women ‘protestors’ flashed by media outlets would invoke sympathy, helping in shaping a favourable narrative. This playbook was seen during the anti-Hindu 2020 Delhi Riots, the Haldwani violence and many other such cases.

CCTV cameras installed at the Kaliachak BDO office were found switched off

The 72-hour long on-ground investigation by the NIA officials also revealed a startling fact, almost confirming that the mob attack on judicial officers in Malda was planned conspiracy to disrupt the judicial adjudication of the SIR process.

The NIA inquiry states that 9 of the 16 CCTV cameras installed at the BDO office were found to be switched off, including those at the main entrance.

Notably, of the 105 individuals named in the three primary FIRs, 24 have been arrested so far.

Now, the NIA has sought the Supreme Court’s nod to investigate a full conspiracy angle.

Supreme Court reprimanded Bengal administration, finds merit in conspiracy allegations

On the 6th of April, the Supreme Court bench led by CJI Suryakant heard the petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s electoral rolls.

The top court blasted the Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary of West Bengal for not answering the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court’s calls during the shocking event. Justice Kant slammed, “You are so busy that you cannot take the call of the Chief Justice of the High Court,” after which the Chief Secretary defended, “There was no call from any chief justice to me. I had come to Delhi for a meeting. From 2 pm to 4:30 pm, I was on a flight.”

Justice Joymala Bagchi added, “It would have been very helpful if your number had been shared with the high court chief justice,” and the senior officer replied, “It was given, but the number is a secure one.” However, the CJI retorted, “Please lower your security a bit so that ordinary minions like the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC can reach you. It is because of your and the police’s failure that the task was given to judicial officers. What kind of credibility is the West Bengal bureaucracy suffering? Please help in improving the image. You compel us.”

Justice Bagchi expressed, “That is why the Election Commission of India also could not be given any information.” Justice Kant remarked, “Even the Home Secretary was not reachable. The way these officials are being pampered. Please apologise before the Chief Justice and redeem what was done.” He then charged, “It was motivated, pre-planned and deeply instigating in nature. We also want to see this to the logical end.”

The apex court granted the NIA the liberty to register more FIRs “if the offence illustratively referred to in our order has involvement of other persons for different consideration.”

During the earlier hearing on 1st April, the Supreme Court noted that the incident was not routine but a “calculated and motivated move” to demoralise the judicial officers and to stop the ongoing process of adjudicating objections in the left-out cases. The court described the incident as a challenge to its authority since the on-duty judicial officers were an “extension of this Court”.

The court said that the attack was a “brazen attempt not only to browbeat judicial officers, but also amounts to a challenge to the authority of the Apex Court. This incident certainly cannot be construed to be a routine occurrence and, ex facie, appears to be a calculated, well-planned and deliberate act intended to demoralise judicial officers and obstruct the ongoing process of adjudication of objections in the remaining cases.”

Describing the Malda incident as an act of “criminal contempt”, the court had said that it “reflects a complete failure on the part of the civil and police administration, in so far as the law-and-order situation in Maldah District is concerned. The Bench also took note of the information provided that the judicial officers were deliberately deprived of even essentials like food and water.

The Supreme Court had also highlighted the failure on the part of the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Director General of Police, the Collector and the Superintendent of Police in taking effective measures to safely evacuate the gheraoed judicial officers despite receiving information.

Mob attack on judicial officers in Malda: The hours-long

A large mob held seven judicial officers hostage at the Block Development Officer (BDO) office in Kaliachak-II, a Muslim-dominated area. The officers, including three women, were deployed to verify documents of voters whose names were marked “under adjudication” during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India.

The frenzied mob held the judicial officers, along with a five-year-old child of one of the officers, hostage for about nine hours. The judicial officers were left stranded in the BDO office without access to food and water. The attack was linked to the deletion of the names of several infiltrators living in the area from supplementary voter lists released recently.

Following the collective efforts of the central forces and the police, the judicial officers were rescued past midnight, however, the mob did not calm down. As the judicial officers were being escorted, the mob tried to stop their vehicles by placing bamboo poles on the road and pelted stones and bricks at them. The so-called protestors also blocked the National Highway 12 (Kolkata-Siliguri National Highway) in Malda, disrupting connectivity between North and South Bengal. The seven judicial officers had even written to the Malda District Magistrate expressing concerns about their security.

OpIndia reported earlier how a local advocate, a former TMC leader, and presently a All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, Mofakkerul Islam was allegedly behind orchestrating violence in Malda. He delivered provocative speeches a night before the attack on 1st April. He raised Islamic war cry, ‘Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar’ and the mob responded in an equally aggressive manner.

India unlocks major milestone in nuclear power as Kalpakkam PFBR attains criticality: Read how it will help the nation to tap its vast Thorium reserves for long-term energy security

Anurag
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India unlocks major milestone in nuclear power as Kalpakkam PFBR attains criticality: Read how it will help the nation to tap its vast Thorium reserves for long-term energy security

On 6th April, India took a major step in its 3-stage nuclear power programme after the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained criticality. It marked the start of a sustained nuclear chain reaction. With this milestone, India has entered stage II of the nuclear programme that Dr Homi Bhabha had envisioned. It is being seen as a crucial step before the country moves towards thorium-based reactors in stage III.

Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) has designed, built and developed the reactor indigenously under the Department of Atomic Energy at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. The reactor is capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, which is the key feature required for India’s long term nuclear strategy.

PM Modi calls it a defining moment

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the achievement as a defining step in India’s civil nuclear journey. He said the indigenously designed and built PFBR at Kalpakkam has attained criticality, advancing the second stage of India’s nuclear programme.

In his statement, PM Modi said that the advanced reactor can produce more fuel than it consumes. It shows the depth of the scientific and engineering capabilities of the country. He added that India is now moving towards harnessing vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme.

He added that this is a proud moment for the country and congratulated engineers and scientists involved in the project.

What criticality means and why it matters

In terms of nuclear energy, criticality means that the reactor has reached the point where it can sustain a nuclear fission reaction. At this point, the number of neutrons produced in the reactor is enough to keep the chain reaction going without external intervention.

Though it does not mean the reactor has started generating electricity at full power, it is one of the most crucial milestones in commissioning any nuclear reactor. Once this stage is achieved, the reactor gradually moves towards higher power levels and eventual commercial operation.

What makes the PFBR different

Fast breeder reactors are fundamentally different from conventional nuclear reactors. In traditional reactors, uranium is the main fuel. On the other hand, fast breeder reactors use plutonium. They are designed to produce more fissile material than they consume.

Flow Diagram of PFBR. Source:Modelling and simulation of inclined fuel transfer machine in prototype fast breeder reactor operator training simulator/reasearchgate/Image Enhanced using AI.

The PFBR converts uranium-238 into plutonium-239 while generating energy. This unique capability allows the reactor to create additional fuel during operation. This is why fast breeder reactors are considered essential for countries like India that have limited uranium but large thorium reserves.

Initially, the reactor will use uranium plutonium mixed oxide fuel surrounded by a blanket of uranium. This configuration allows breeding of additional fissile material. In future, thorium will be used in the blanket to generate uranium-233, which will be used in advanced heavy water reactors.

Why stage II is necessary before stage III

The nuclear power programme of India is structured into three stages. Each stage is dependent on the previous one. The first stage uses pressurised heavy water reactors running primarily on uranium. This stage produces plutonium as part of spent fuel.

The second stage includes fast breeder reactors like the PFBR. It uses this plutonium to generate more fissile material. These reactors not only produce electricity but also create additional fuel, which is required in the next stage.

The third stage focuses on thorium-based reactors. India has some of the world’s largest thorium reserves. However, thorium cannot be used directly to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. It has to first be converted into fissile uranium-233.

This conversion is possible only using materials produced in stage II. In simple terms, stage II creates the fuel that is required to unlock India’s thorium reserves. Without fast breeder reactors producing this fissile material, the thorium-based stage III cannot be implemented at scale.

Government earlier flagged first of a kind challenges

It has been over two decades since the PFBR project started. It involved complex engineering challenges. Earlier, while replying in Parliament, Atomic Energy Minister Jitendra Singh stated that delays in completion of the PFBR project were mainly due to first-of-a-kind technological issues that were faced during the integrated commissioning phase.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, he said these issues were being solved systematically in close coordination with designers. He also clarified that India is implementing the 3-stage nuclear programme envisioned by Dr Homi Bhabha.

According to the government’s response, the first stage comprising pressurised heavy water reactors has attained maturity. For realisation of the second stage, facilities such as the Fast Breeder Test Reactor were established. The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam was described as being at an advanced stage of commissioning.

The third stage aimed at utilising India’s vast thorium reserves is currently under development.

A long-awaited milestone

PFBR construction began in 2004. The project involved some of the most complex engineering challenges undertaken by India’s atomic energy establishment. In August 2024, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board granted permission for the reactor to move to the first approach to criticality stage, which included fuel loading and low power experiments. In March 2024, PM Modi had visited the site to witness “core loading” at the site.

As the reactor has now attained criticality, India has formally entered stage II of its 3-stage nuclear power programme. This stage is expected to demonstrate fast breeder technology and pave the way for thorium-based reactors in stage III.

The milestone is also seen as a strategic step towards long term energy security and expansion of nuclear power capacity. Fast breeder reactors like the PFBR are expected to reduce dependence on imported uranium and enable India to utilise its vast thorium reserves in the future.

Uttar Pradesh: Jaunpur police bust Christian conversion racket in Badlapur, FIR registered against 10 after complaint by Hindu organisation; Exclusive details

Anurag
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Uttar Pradesh: Jaunpur police bust Christian conversion racket in Badlapur, FIR registered against 10 after complaint by Hindu organisation; Exclusive details

On 5th April, Jaunpur police busted a Christian conversion racket in Babura village under Badlapur police station area of district Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. The FIR in the matter has been registered on the complaint of a Hindu organisation. According to media reports, Hindu activists learned about the ‘prayer meeting’ happening in Babura village aiming to convert innocent Hindus to Christianity.

They approached police and filed a complaint. Police swung into action and raided the location where the prayer meeting was happening. Hindu activists stated that the accused were persuading people to adopt Christianity through threats and inducements. Several individuals were detained for questioning. OpIndia accessed the FIR registered in the case.

‘Convert or continue to suffer, and live in poverty’ – What the FIR says

The FIR in the matter has been registered on the complaint of Satya Prakash, convener of Bajrang Dal, Jaunpur, under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), against Rajesh Gautam alias Sonu Gautam, Vinod Yadav alias Mindu, Nisha, Manju Gautam, Sheela Devi, Pramod, Vikas Maurya, Vinod Yadav alias Mindu, Pramod Maurya, and Vikas Maurya.

Source: UP police

According to Satya Prakash, his friend Pramod has been suffering from illness for a long time. He consulted several doctors but did not get relief. Pramod met Rajesh Gautam, one of the accused in the case, at the hospital.

Source: UP police

During the conversation, Pramod told Rajesh about his illness. Rajesh stated that a Jesus prayer meeting is held at his house every Sunday, which is conducted by his brother Harikesh Gautam and their friend Vinod Yadav. He asked Pramod to attend the meeting and claimed that Jesus would cure all his ailments.

Pramod told Satya Prakash about it, suspecting illegal religious conversions happening at Rajesh’s house. On 5th April, Satya Prakash went with Pramod to Rajesh’s house and saw several men and women present in a room.

Source: UP police

Satya Prakash added that Vinod Yadav alias Mintu was holding a Bible and delivering a sermon. He was urging people to adopt Christianity. During the sermon, he threatened those who did not accept Christianity and claimed that anyone not taking refuge in Jesus would remain troubled and continue to suffer from misery and poverty.

Inducements were also being offered during the sermon. Rajesh Gautam alias Sonu, his wife Nisha, his sister in law Manju Gautam, Sheela Devi, and Pramod, son of Ram Achhaivar Maurya, and Vikas Maurya were supporting Vinod Yadav alias Mintu.

When Satya Prakash was fully convinced that the accused were trying to convert Hindus, he stepped out and called the police. As the police arrived, Vinod fled the scene and left his bike at the location. Two of his associates, Pramod and Vikas also fled the scene.

OpIndia spoke to Satya Prakash. He said, “There have been several such cases in the past where marginalised and poor Hindus were being lured to convert to Christianity”. He added that Hindu organisations, including Bajrang Dal, are working on a war footing against such conversion rackets. He added, “The biggest mistake they made was that they approached one of my friends and got caught”. He added that though the main accused had fled the scene, he was later caught by the police.

According to Station House Officer Shesh Kumar Shukla, Mintu Yadav fled with Pramod and Vikas Maurya, leaving behind his Bullet motorcycle and a Bible. Search operations for all accused are underway.

From Ashaval to Karnavati to Ahmedabad: How Ahmad Shah Islamised Karna Dev Solanki’s great city—the story of conquest, renaming, and a city’s changing identity

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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From Ashaval to Karnavati to Ahmedabad: How Ahmad Shah Islamised Karna Dev Solanki’s great city—the story of conquest, renaming, and a city’s changing identity

The demand to change the name of Ahmedabad, the economic capital and largest city of Gujarat, to its original name ‘Karnavati’ has been raised repeatedly. In the past, there have been discussions about changing the name of the city many times, and campaigns have also been carried out from time to time. Hindu organisations have also been demanding that the name of the city be changed to Karnavati from time to time. Now the same demand has been raised once again. The Gujarat Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has appealed to the state and central governments to immediately change Ahmedabad’s name to Karnavati. 

Gujarat unit leader Ashok Rawal made this demand through a video statement on Saturday, 4th April. In a video posted on the Facebook page of VHP Karnavati Mahanagar, he said, “The name Karnavati is linked to our glorious history and culture. This is not just a name but a symbol of the identity and tradition of our ancestors. Today’s Ahmedabad city has been known as Karnavati for centuries. We humbly appeal to the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat to immediately change the original name of the city to ‘Karnavati’, respecting the sentiments of crores of citizens.”

This statement has come to the fore soon after the announcement of local elections, and the demands of the Hindu organisation have also intensified. In this scenario, it becomes very important to know the history of the name of the city. Because this city was earlier known as Ashaval, Karnavati and Rajnagar. Its last name was Karnavati; it was called ‘Rajnagar’ in many Jain texts. But from the 14th century, this glorious city of Hindus started being Islamized, and finally Karnavati became ‘Ahmedabad‘. Let’s take a look at history.

From Ashaval to Karnavati Nagari

The history of any region or city in India is seen from the Vedic era. But in the Vedic era, there is no specific mention of the area where Ahmedabad is now. That is, there is no possibility of any city or other settlement there in earlier times. However, that entire area was called Anart Kshetra, which included many areas of Kutch and North Gujarat. The Sabarmati River was also mentioned later in the Puranic tradition, but its name is also ‘Shvabhravati’. That is, there is no evidence of any civilised town or city in this area until the Puranic era. 

Later in the modern era, a city was established in this area, known as Ashaval. Today’s Ahmedabad, which modern India recognises as an industrial and cultural metropolis, has its historical roots dating back to the time when this area was known as ‘Ashaval’ or ‘Ashapalli’. This was not just a name, but a reflection of the social structure, local authority and natural geography of that time. This settlement, located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, gradually developed into an important human settlement due to trade routes and water sources.

According to historians, the Ashawal region was dominated by the Bhil community and King Asha is mentioned as the ruler here. This description is not limited to folklore, but is also reflected in various historical references and regional histories. Many history books mention that Ashawal was an early settlement on the banks of the Sabarmati, which later became the basis for major political changes.

Al-Biruni of the 11th century mentioned Ashaval in his scripture Al-Hind. It was known as an important centre on the trade route from Patan (Anhilwad) to Khambhat. At this time, the area was under the rule of the Bhil kings and was one of the early cities of Gujarat. Historical sources such as the 14th century Jain scholar Acharya Merutunga’s Prabandhachintamani describe Ashaval as a village, which predates the arrival of the Solanki kings. The name of the settlement evolved from ‘Ashapalli’, which came from the name of Asha Bhil. At this time, there was no major city in the area, but it was a centre of trade and local tribal Hindu culture. 

It is important to understand that it would be an injustice to history to view Ashaval as just a slum. This was the period when local communities in this part of Gujarat developed their own social and economic structures. Due to the riverine settlement, a balanced system of agriculture, animal husbandry and small-scale trade developed here, which provided stability to the area. This stability made it suitable as a strategic and administrative centre for the rulers who came after it. 

Change of power and the arrival of Karnadeva

A decisive turning point in the history of Gujarat came in the latter half of the 11th century, when Karnadeva Solanki, a ruler of the Chalukya or Solanki dynasty, entered the region. By that time, the Solanki dynasty had emerged as a powerful force on the political scene of Gujarat, with its capital at Anhilwad (Patan). Karnadeva’s rule was not only expansionist, but was also important in terms of administrative consolidation and cultural development.

According to historical accounts, Karnadeva established control over the Ashaval region and established an organised city here, which was called ‘Karnavati’. This was not just a symbolic naming but an announcement of a new political era. Literature of the contemporary Solanki era points to the fact that Karnadeva developed new areas during his reign and organised them administratively.

The establishment of Karnavati was part of a wider process in which dynasties in various parts of the Indian subcontinent built new cities to consolidate their territories. This process involved the reorganisation of not just forts or administrative buildings, but the entire social structure. Karnavati was one such city, where governance, religion, trade and culture developed together.

The rise of the Solanki era and the role of Karnavati

The Solanki period is considered a golden age in the history of Gujarat, and Karnavati was an important part of this era. During this time, architecture in Gujarat was at its peak, with unique advancements in temple construction, vavs (stepwells) and town planning. This was a time when the state was not just a political entity, but also a centre of cultural and economic activities.

The Chalukya texts underline that Gujarat underwent extensive cultural development during the Solanki rule. Karnavati was one such place in the chain of development where this development is clearly visible. In the Prabandhachintamani, Merutunga narrates that Karnadeva built the Karn Sagar lake in Ashaval and built the Karneshwar Dev (Shiva temple). In addition, he also developed the Jayanti Mata temple and other structures. Karnavati quickly became another important centre of Gujarat and emerged as the capital after Patan (Anhilwad Patan).

In the development of Karnavati, the Solankis developed temples, lakes and trade routes. At this time, Karnavati was the centre of the culture and economy of Gujarat. Historical sources such as famous Gujarati historians Ratnamani Rao Bhimrao Jote, Hariprasad Shastri and Keshavram Kashiram Shastri have also supported these facts.

Today, the physical remains of Karnavati are not as clearly visible as those of places like Patan or Modhera, but that does not mean that it was of less importance or existence. There have been many cities in history whose form changed over time, but their identity and context remained alive in historical sources. Karnavati is also a historical entity of the same kind, which was important in its time and which laid the foundation for the city that came after.

There is also an interesting debate among historians regarding Karnavati. Some scholars consider it a fully developed town, while some see it as an administrative or territorial unit. But despite this controversy, one fact is undeniable: the name ‘Karnavati’ is associated with the Solanki period and has been a part of the historical identity of this area.

The presence of this name in local traditions and literature also indicates that it was not just a ruling name, but was also accepted in society. This continuity further reinforces the idea that Karnavati was not just a fleeting name but a permanent historical identity, which was suppressed over time but could not be erased.

Ashaval was a slum based on local, tribal and natural resources, while Karnavati emerged as an organised, politically and culturally developed town. This change was not only external, but also affected the social structure, economic activities and cultural form of the area. However, it is worth noting that Karnadeva did not intend to uproot the old name, because the name Ashaval was also associated with Karnavati in the literature of the Solanki era of that time. 

The history of Ashaval and Karnavati makes it clear that Ahmedabad’s identity does not begin with the 15th century, but has been developing for many centuries before that. Karnavati is the stage in the historical sequence where the region was at its peak, and which laid the foundation for the times to come.

This story is not just about a city, but about continuity that remains in history, even if the name changes or the power changes. Karnavati is a symbol of this continuity, which is still alive in the pages of history and keeps registering its presence from time to time. 

Karnavati to Ahmedabad

The 14th and 15th centuries were a period of political change in the Indian subcontinent. The decline of the Delhi Sultanate gave way to the rise of regional sultanates, with the Gujarat Sultanate emerging as a major power. This change affected not only the system of governance, but also urban structure, administrative centres and cultural symbols.

In the early 15th century, the Muzaffar dynasty began to rule Gujarat. After the founder of this dynasty, Muzaffar Shah I, his grandson Ahmad Shah I decided to shift the capital from Patan. On 26th February 1411, the alleged foundation of Ahmedabad was laid on the Manek Burj on the banks of the Sabarmati River. This place was Karnavati/Ashawal, but it was established in history that Ahmad Shah had settled there.

It is against this historical backdrop that the rise of Ahmad Shah I took place, who in 1411 AD shifted the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate to a new location, Karnavati. This change was not just an administrative decision, but also an attempt to centralise power and create a new political symbol.

According to ‘Ahmedabad foundation history 1411’, Ahmed Shah laid the foundation of a new city on the banks of the Sabarmati River, which later came to be known as ‘Ahmedabad’. However, there is a gap in this history, too. Because this place was already historically important, because previous centres like Ashaval and Karnavati existed here. In simple terms, Ahmed did not establish any new city, but there was an attempt to steal the entire history by attaching his name to the already developed Karnavati city. Later, such structures were systematically erected in Karnavati city, which could be proven in the future that this was an Islamic rule.

It is not historically accurate to assume that Ahmedabad was established in a completely new location. In fact, the city developed on the same land where settlements like Ashaval and Karnavati had previously existed. This means that Ahmad Shah did not create an entirely new geographical entity, but rather attempted to credit an already established and developed area with his own name.

In this process, old names and identities were gradually erased, and a new identity was established. This has been a common process in Indian history, where new Islamic rulers have renamed cities to establish the legitimacy and influence of their rule and have also erected many Islamic structures in the same cities to justify it. Allahabad of Prayagraj was also formed similarly. Persian sources such as Mirat-i-Ahmadi also confirm that Ahmedabad was founded as an organised royal project, which included fortifications, administrative buildings and religious structures. 

Spread of naming stories

The name ‘Ahmedabad’ also has a historical and symbolic context. It has been spread from time to time that this name was named after Sultan Ahmad Shah, although some spread stories also mention that the city was associated with the names of four ‘Ahmads’ (Sufi fakirs/persons). Many books shed light on this subject and say that the new naming of the city was the result of a combination of power and religious-cultural symbols.

This naming was not just a formality, but also a clear political message that the city was now under a new authority and its identity would also correspond to it. In this process, the previous name ‘Karnavati’ was gradually and systematically removed from administrative and public use, so that the name ‘Ahmedabad-Ahmedabad’ (Ahmedabad) would become so strong that it would have to be fought for in the future as well, and that is what ultimately happened. This name was woven into the vernacular and literature in such a way that even after the name change, the name Ahmedabad would continue to live on for decades or even centuries.

Islamisation of Karnavati

The Islamic ruler also knew that it was not enough to simply change the name of the city of Karnavati. Therefore, he emphasised Islamising the entire city. He erected so many striking Islamic monuments that it would be difficult to remove them and even to think about changing the name.

Ahmad Shah’s religious thinking is clearly visible in his architecture. He demolished the temples of Karnavati and used their stones in the construction of the new city. The most important example is the destruction of the Bhadrakali temple. Ahmad Shah demolished this Hindu temple and built a Jama in its place. Hindu carvings – lotuses, kundalini-like snakes, dancing nymphs and bells – are still visible on more than 100 pillars of this mosque. The fort of Bhadra also became known by the name of this temple. This action is described in the Mirat-i-Ahmadi and other Persian sources as a symbol of victory. Ahmad Shah also defeated the descendants of Asha Bhil in 1413-14, so that he could take complete control of the old settlement.

This action was not just political, but a strategy of religious conquest, like other Islamic conquests. A new model was established by partially destroying Karnavati. Even today, this history is hidden in the old population of Ahmedabad. The UNESCO World Heritage Status (2017) is also based on this old population, but it cannot hide the Hindu heritage.

During the reign of Ahmad Shah, the city underwent extensive construction, including Islamic forts, mosques and other Islamic architectural structures. The Bhadra Fort, Jama Masjid and other Islamic structures are evidence that the city was not only an administrative centre, but also developed as a religious centre. This process completely changed the character of the city. Where earlier settlements were in local and regional styles, a new Islamic architectural style now emerged, reflecting Sultanate influence.

This change was not just physical, but it was a clear attempt to change the broader culture that comes with a change of power. The new name of the city, new structures and a new administrative system – all these together create a new identity, and due to this, the old identity is automatically erased, and the same is seen to be happening in the case of Ahmedabad.

After the end of the Gujarat Sultanate, the Mughal Emperor Akbar captured Ahmedabad in 1573. At this time, Ahmedabad became an important centre of the Gujarat Suba of the Mughal Empire. During the time of Mughal rulers like Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the city achieved new heights in trade, art and architecture. 

The foundation was laid for Ahmedabad to develop as the ‘Manchester of India’ during the Mughal period, as it became the hub of the cotton trade and textile industry. But this development came at the expense of the Hindu heritage. The remains of the temples of Ahmad Shah’s time were added to the architectural style by the Gujarat Sultans and later by the Mughals, such as the Hindu carvings in the Jama Masjid and other Islamic buildings that are still visible today.

Ali Muhammad Khan, in his book “Mirat-e-Ahmadi”, describes the Mughal period, depicting Ahmedabad as a prosperous trading city. With the decline of the Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Ahmedabad became increasingly unstable. The city’s name remained Ahmedabad during this period, as the Mughals and subsequent rulers retained the symbol of the victory of the Akrantas and religious brothers rather than accepting their Hindu origins. Even during this period, the remains of Karnavati – the Karnsagar Lake and the Karneshwar Temple – remained hidden.

Is Karnavati completely over?

The question is whether the name ‘Karnavati’ had completely died out or whether it had survived in some form. Historically, the name ‘Ahmedabad’ had become established at the administrative level, but the mention of ‘Karnavati’ in local traditions and historical references had not completely died out. This is the same situation that is seen in many other cities in India, where the old name persists in cultural memory despite the official name change. The name of Karnavati has also survived in history and tradition, even though it has ceased to be used administratively. 

Over time, Ahmedabad developed into a major urban centre, which retained its Islamic identity during the Mughal period, the Maratha period and finally the British rule. The name ‘Ahmedabad’ continued to be used throughout all these periods, thus establishing the name permanently. However, the historical context of ‘Karnavati’ has not completely died out. In modern times, when there is a discussion on history, identity and cultural restoration, the name comes up again.

The demand to bring back the name Karnavati is not new. In 1990, the BJP-controlled Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation passed a resolution. In 2018, the then Chief Minister Vijay Rupani spoke about examining the legal and other aspects. In 2023, ABVP and Bajrang Dal campaigned and in April 2026, Ashok Rawal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad appealed in a video statement to include this demand in the BJP manifesto before the AMC elections.

This demand is part of the civilisational correction, like changing Allahabad to Prayagraj and Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar. From a Hindu perspective, the name Ahmedabad keeps alive the conquests of the aggressive Ahmad Shah, while Karnavati revives the glory of the Solanki king Karnadeva. The Prabandha Chintamani and other Jain-Hindu sources prove this Hindu heritage.

The Hindu community does not accept the fears of UNESCO and the arguments of the opponents, because correcting history is the work of removing injustice. In the present time, when India is moving towards self-reliance and cultural revival, making Ahmedabad Karnavati is a matter of pride for Gujarat and the entire Hindu community. History reminds us that a name is not just a word; it is a symbol of identity. The story of Ashaval-Karnavati is one of Hindu conquest and glory, while Ahmedabad is one of invasion. The time has come for us to reclaim our heritage. 

This controversy is not limited to a name, but is linked to the question of how much a city’s identity should be linked to its original historical context and to what extent it can be restored. Ahmedabad, named after Ahmad Shah, is a modern city today, but the layers of Ashaval and Karnavati remain within it. These layers remind us that history never completely ends; it only changes form and resurfaces from time to time.

References :

(This article is the translation of the original article published on OpIndia Gujarati.)

Opposition for optics, not principle: Congress, SP and allies cry “haste” on Women’s Reservation Bill despite earlier demanding immediate rollout — hypocrisy exposed

Rukma Rathore
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Opposition for optics, not principle: Congress, SP and allies cry “haste” on Women’s Reservation Bill despite earlier demanding immediate rollout — hypocrisy exposed

On 3rd April (Friday), Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed that the Women Reservation Bill of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is going to be discussed in a special session of Parliament from 16th to 18th April. “We are convening the Parliament on 16th April. We will take up the Women’s Reservation Bill then. Empowerment of women is our commitment. We must come together for the empowerment of women, not play politics,” he stated. The announcement elicited strong reactions from the opposition parties.

Opposition challenges and the government respond

The Indian National Congress complained about a potential breach of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the centre of pursuing political gain prior to the assembly elections. Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, alleged that he demanded an all-party meeting twice after 29th April.

“We are not against women’s reservation. We are the first ones to bring that. It has become unanimous with our support only. These people take credit whenever they want. Everybody agrees, but at what time, how to bring it, and how to do it. Stop your games. If you had to do it, why didn’t you bring it at the beginning of this session? We discussed rural development for three days. Could we not have discussed this? You call after the election. We will all cooperate. Don’t take credit before the election,” he accused.

Kharge was countered by Leader of the House and Union Minister JP Nadda, who charged, “You were not able to pass it in 30 years. We have already taken credit for it. You always see everything from the angle of politics, not humanity.”

Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh likewise insisted, “Kharge had back then demanded that it should be immediately implemented, as you don’t need a census or delimitation, but they said these were necessary. They kept sleeping for 30 months. The only objective of this special session is to grab political mileage and influence the elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Could it not have been called 15 days later?”

However, Rijiju conveyed that the critical issue was already discussed with more than 80% of the parties and added that the Indian National Congress had written to the government asking for the Parliament session to be organised following the assembly elections. He highlighted that the government is consulting with all parties and lawmakers. The minister asserted that their action is not arbitrary and these reservations should receive unanimous approval from the Parliament.

“For us, this has nothing to do with a specific state election. We have to take it forward because we face certain limitations when looking at the time scale. The principal opposition party has written to us requesting that we convene the meeting after 29th April. We have noted down,” he expressed.

Ramesh even referred to the move as another part of “Weapons of Mass Diversion,” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aimed “to change the narrative from his foreign policy failures and setbacks and from the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and energy crisis facing the country.”

On 5th April (Sunday) Samajwadi Party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav contended that the proposed bill’s foundation was “baseless” because it was founded on data that had been gathered 15 years earlier. He added that reservations should rely on the current proportion of women in the population to achieve proper representation.

“When the count itself is wrong, how can the reservation be right? Doubts should not exist when it comes to sincere intentions,” he wrote on social media. According to him, the notion that women should receive a one-third reservation is predicated on the reality that they constitute a sizable portion of the population. However, as the premise is built on demographic information from the 2011 census, the current number of women will not serve as the cornerstone for this provision.

“That is why our biggest objection is this: First conduct the census, then raise the issue of women’s reservation. A government that doesn’t even want to count women, how will it possibly give them a reservation? We will not allow the BJP and their allies, who want to deceive women, to play this trickery with them. In short, this is what we say to the government: Until there is a census, there will be no debate on women’s reservation,” Yadav announced.

Manickam Tagore, the Congress whip in the Lok Sabha and MP from Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar, stressed that the Bharatiya Janata Party intends to deny OBC (Other Backwards Classes) representation in the women’s quota. “Because a caste-based census would provide clear data on the OBC population, it would lead to demands for fair representation of OBCs within the women’s quota. BJP’s hidden agenda is to deny the OBC women the right to have a reservation in Parliament. That’s why they advanced the delimitation,” he alleged while talking to The New Indian Express.

He further submitted that the estimated 50% increase in lower house seats could lead to an inequality in representation, arguing that although southern states might receive more members, their relative power in Parliament might decrease in comparison to northern states. Notably, PM Modi has already assured that the Southern states will not lose any seats in the forthcoming delimitation exercise.

From wanting swift implementation to resisting it: The multiple U-turns of the opposition

The opposition, headed by the grand old party, has begun fearmongering that several states, especially those in the south, northeast and northwest, might face “dangerous consequences” from a “rushed attempt” to amend the Constitution for delimitation and the aforementioned reservation.

Congress, which is lashing out at the ruling party for taking credit for the bill, not only boasted about it as its brainchild but also criticised the government for not putting it into effect promptly after its introduction in 2023. Interestingly, the party is currently exploring strategies to attack the government, maintaining that the reservation cannot be carried out before the delimitation and census. Meanwhile, it had consistently indicated that there was no link among the trio previously.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, remarked that the bill could be adopted the next morning as there is a consensus among all parties. “All you have to mention is that 33% of the seats will be reserved for women in both the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha. It is very straightforward. There is nothing beyond that. If the BJP were genuinely committed to this, that is what they would implement. There is no relationship between granting women reservations and the census or delimitation. The three are not tied.”

He reiterated this, regularly blaming the government for unnecessarily prolonging the enactment for 10 years upon the completion of the delimitation and census. The sentiment was echoed by other leaders as well.

“We demand that the women’s reservation bill that has been passed recently should be implemented from the 2024 elections. Whatever hurdles have been put by the BJP government, the first census will happen, then delimitation will be done, and then reservation will be given. We want these conditions to be removed. We want the bill to be implemented immediately,” stated President of All India Mahila Congress, Alka Lamba. “We want the census to be done, but connecting the census with women’s reservation is injustice,” she added at the time.

The former head of Congress, Sonia Gandhi, who was a Lok Sabha MP during that period, expressed that the women of the country have been waiting for their political responsibilities for the last 13 years, and the government is instructing them to wait for additional years. “How many more years should they endure this? Is this behaviour towards Indian women appropriate? Congress demands instant implementation of the bill,” she declared.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra similarly insisted that the government was appropriating the credit for the bill yet had no intention of enforcing it for at least ten years. She had proclaimed, “We, the women of India, do not have any more time to lose. It is our right to participate in the political process. I demand that our work be appreciated and respected.”

“We won’t back down on our demand: Immediate implementation of the bill, with provision for reservation for OBC women,” the party shared, touting its “15 press conferences in 15 cities to expose the Modi government” on the matter.

Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate, hit out at the government, alleging that the bill would not come into force until 2029 owing to census and delimitation and this “jumla” has been put forth out of fear of losing in the 2024 general elections.

Other political parties were also engaged in levelling similar allegations against the government, stating that it was not granting the rightful dues owed to women. According to Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP and accused in the Delhi excise policy scam, the reservation is nothing but a ruse, as the government has always fallen short of its promises. “The women have been misled by them this time. This is their fresh jumla. We do not even know how long it will take for the bill to be passed, or if it will ever be approved,” he argued.

Another AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister, Atishi Marlena, termed the bill as a means of fooling women, as the reservation was not for the 2024 general election and would instead depend on the census and delimitation. Hence, it would not be enacted for at least the next few years.

The All India Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP, notorious for her shrill voice, uncouth antics and divisive politics, also described the bill as a “jumla,” charging that the dates for the census and delimitation were unspecified. Therefore, the bill could not be executed even by 2029, mocking that it is the “Women Reservation Rescheduling Bill” and should be named accordingly.

Conclusion

The opposition, which has a track record of opposing simply for the sake of it, has resumed its shenanigans. They have accused the government of misleading women by linking the reservation to the census and delimitation. Now, the latter has made the announcement they sought. However, they have found new ways to object by retracting their earlier statements and crying about the assembly elections.

India is a vast country, and elections are held every year in different states. Thus, pivotal decisions cannot be held hostage to the electoral process. Furthermore, the same parties furiously reject “One nation, one election,” arguing that it would benefit the BJP. Thus, there is truly no reasoning with them, as their actions are not based on merit but guided by political gimmicks.

US rescues injured soldier from deep inside Iran: How the sophisticated operation unfolded and why the ‘ground war impossible’ narrative is now busted

Sanghamitra
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US rescues injured soldier from deep inside Iran: How the sophisticated operation unfolded and why the ‘ground war impossible’ narrative is now busted

US President Donald Trump on April 5 posted on social media about a significant combat search and rescue (CSAR) operation that the US forces, aided by the CIA, have pulled off in the ongoing war with Iran. 

“WE GOT HIM”, Trump declared, terming the operation one of the “most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History”, he informed that the Weapons Systems Officer, who was stranded in Iran after the April 3 incident where the US lost an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft inside Iran, has been successfully rescued from deep inside Iranian territory.


The CSAR operation has become one of the most discussed events in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, the US war against Iran. Here is a breakdown of the events that unfolded.

The April 3 shoot down

On April 3, an F-15E Strike Eagle engaged in a combat mission over the Iranian sky and was shot down somewhere in southwestern Iran, amid the rugged terrain in the Zagros Mountains. Media reports have described the area as somewhere in the Kohgiluyeh or Khuzestan provinces. It was the first confirmed loss of a manned US fighter jet inside Iranian territory, because it meant that the pilots were most likely to be captured alive by Iranian forces.

The two-person crew in the F-15E, a pilot and a weapons systems officer managed to eject safely, but they landed in completely different areas, separately. Speculations were rife in the media and social media, because, capturing US crew alive was definitely going to be a major barganing piece for Iran in the ongoing war. 

The pilot was located and rescued on the same day. Reports say that two Jolly Green II Black Hawks responded to the pilot’s beacon and managed to evacuate him, despite coming under Iranian fire. The helicopters sustained firing, and the crew were injured, but they managed to land safely in an unnamed US base. 

This was no small feat in itself, because it is extremely difficult to locate, land and successfully evacuate a stranded and injured pilot inside enemy territory amid an ongoing war, especially when there are no US troops on the ground in Iran.

On the same day, an A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog’ was hit by Iranians while circling in the search and rescue corridor. The pilot, however, flew on and managed to eject inside Kuwaiti airspace.

The second man, a Weapons Systems Officer

The WSO who had landed away from his pilot managed to evade capture for nearly 36-48 hours. He is believed to have used complex SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) training despite injuries. 

The WSO reportedly hiked far away from the crash site, climbed a ridge that was roughly 7500 feet and hid himself inside crevices before activating communication. He maintained intermittent, encrypted communication to evade detection by Iranians.

The Iranians had already launched an aggressive manhunt to locate the WSO, engaging locals and trained personnel to hunt down the WSO. A steep bounty of $60,000 was also announced for the capture of the crew, as soon as the news of the F-15E crashing was out.

The CSAR operation 

The CSAR operation, launched by the US to rescue their man from Iranian territory is being described as one of the most sophisticated, and daring missions that needed multi-domain coordination and hundreds of personnel and the best available military tech.

A team of Navy Seals, working with Delta Force operators, Air Force Pararescue Jumpers were reportedly engaged by the US administration to rescue the WSO. CIA was actively involved in the operation too, engaging ground assets and an elaborate electronic disinformation campaign to confuse the Iranians about the location of the WSO. 

The US engaged MQ9 Reaper drones and other aircraft to blow up any approaching Iranian convoys in a broad radius around the WSO while the rescue team tried to reach his location. ‘Area saturation’ tactic was employed to overwhelm Iranian air defences. The NYT has reported that US attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from the area where the WSO was hiding.

The rescue team is believed to have reached the WSO, even engaging in firefight with some locals while approaching. The WSO was extracted and evacuated amid active firefight. Reports indicate that the CSAR operation was activated almost as soon as the WSO activated his locator beacon.

Most remarkably, no personnel died in the complex operation. 

US says it blew up its own aircraft to prevent Iranians from getting their hands on tech


Images of US aircraft blown to pieces have been circulated on social media. While Iran claims to have shot down these aircraft, US says that the aircraft, two MC-130J (each worth around $100 million) were ‘stuck’ during the operation, unable to take off, and hence the US forces blew them up with explosives to prevent sensitive technology from reaching enemy hands.

Reports say that an MH-6 Little Bird and an F-16 have also been damaged in the rescue operation. These are in addition to the F-15E and the A-10 Warthog that were destroyed on April 3.

Why this rescue operation is remarkable: Demolition of the ‘ground war impossible’ bogey

The daring, action-movie style rescue operation is significant for two reasons. First, it reestablished the ‘leave no man behind’ policy of the US military, where they risk anything and go to unbelievable lengths to rescue their personnel. It is already being hailed as among the most sophisticated and challenging CSAR operations in the history of modern warfare. 

Second, the operation has dealt a blow to the Iranian narrative that US forces are incapable of launching a ground war in the ongoing conflict. The rescue displayed that the US is capable of carrying out group operations deep inside the enemy territory, amid extremely hostile conditions. 

Since the beginning of the Iran war, Iranian officials and state media have repeatedly claimed that US and Israeli operations were confined to the air domain, and the attacking forces were incapable of carrying out ground operations, because of Iran’s rugged terrain and dominance of Iran’s ground forces. That idea has been shattered. 

Though the CSAR mission to extract the WSO was extensively aided by air power, it involved remarkable and cutting edge ground capabilities under extremely hostile conditions. 

The WSO had hidden himself, braving the cold in the high terrain of mountain ridges. The extraction force, reportedly a SEAL Team Six, Delta Force and Pararescue Jumpers inserted via helicopters, possibly moved on foot or with small vehicles, engaged in direct firefights with the IRGC and managed to successfully evacuate the wounded WSO from high-elevation ridges and crevices. 

The US-Iran war is far from over, but the rescue operation is going to be counted among the most sophisticated missions in modern warfare, probably inspiring movies and books in the near future.

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