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“Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, inko maro jute chaar”: JNU’s BAPSA calls for violence against Hindus during protests, demonises Brahmins as terrorists

OpIndia Staff
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“Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, inko maro jute chaar”: JNU’s BAPSA calls for violence against Hindus during protests, demonises Brahmins as terrorists

Hateful slogans targeting different sections of the Hindu society were raised during recent protests held by Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA), a “student” organisation at the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Videos of the protests have gone viral online, showing demonstrators, including JNUSU General Secretary Priyanshi Arya, chanting slogans against Brahmins, Baniyas, and Kshatriyas—prominent Hindu castes. The slogans not only called for violence against these communities but also dehumanized them, sparking widespread outrage.

One of the slogans chanted during the protest was, “Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, inko maro jute chaar. Brahmins are terrorists,” which carried a hateful message. Another video captured protesters shouting, “Brahmin, Baniya, Thakur Chor, baaki saare DS4 (Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti),” sparking debate on whether such slogans, which seemingly incite violence against a significant section of the population, fall under the protection of Freedom of Expression.

The protests were reportedly organized due to internal differences between BAPSA and the All India Students Association (AISA), a left-wing student organization at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Arya admitted in a post-protest interview that AISA and BAPSA had disagreements following which they had called for a meeting. Unable to resolve differences, Arya claimed one of the AISA members, who was a Thakur, passed unsavoury comments against her organisation, following which they launched a protest.

However, even when the differences were between two left-leaning organisations, BAPSA found a way to demonise Hindus instead of calling out the Maoist ideology underpinning AISA.

JNU—A bastion of Hinduphobia where slogans demonising Hindus are the order of the day

Notably, this is not the first time that JNU, a leftist bastion, is in the news for blatant Hinduphobia. For a long time now, aversion for Hindus has remained a potent glue to keep ideologically disparate elements in JNU together. Earlier in 2024, videos showing students shouting slogans like, “Mile Phule-Kanshi Ram, Hawa Mein Ud Gaye Jai Shri Ram” at the JNU had gone viral on the internet. Moreover, “Brahmanwad se azadi” (freedom from Brahminism) and “Free Palestine” slogans were also raised amidst the sounds of trumpets and Dhols.

It is pertinent to recall that in the 1990s (1993), when the SP-BSP allied against the BJP, supporters of both parties used to chant ‘Mile Mulayam-Kanshi Ram, Hawa Mein Ud Gaye Jai Shri Ram‘. As can be heard in the viral video, ‘Azadi‘ slogans were again chanted loudly in JNU. In addition, derogatory slogans were raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Notably, this is the same JNU where slogans like ‘Afzal, hum sharminda hain, tere qatil zinda hain‘ were chanted in support of the terrorists who attacked Parliament. Besides this, slogans such as ‘Bharat there tukde honge Inshallah Inshallah‘ were raised in the University.

USA expels South African ambassador calling him ‘race-baiting politician’ after Ebrahim Rasool said Trump is leading white supremacist movement

OpIndia Staff
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USA expels South African ambassador calling him ‘race-baiting politician’ after Ebrahim Rasool said Trump is leading white supremacist movement

The Donald Trump administration in the USA is expelling South Africa’s Ambassador to the country, and have given him 72 hours to leave the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on X, calling ambassador Ebrahim Rasool a “race-baiting politician”.

Rubio stated that South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in the USA. He posted on X, “South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country. Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS . We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”

In his post, the secretary of state linked a report by Breitbart on Ebrahim Rasool’s comments at an event against President Donald Trump. At the event, Rasool said Trump is leading a white supremacist movement in America and around the world. He alleged that white supremacism was motivating Trump’s “disrespect” for the “current hegemonic order” of the world.

Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool further said that the Make America Great Again movement is a white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States.

Later, South Africa confirmed that ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been expelled by the USA, adding that he has been given 72 hours to leave the country. Ebrahim Rasool “was informed by the State Department yesterday that he had 72 hours to leave,” the South African foreign ministry told AFP.

The official X account of South African president posted that it has noted the “regrettable expulsion of South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool.” The Statement added, “The Presidency urges all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter.”

The Presidency’s tweet stated that “South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America.”

The development comes a week after President Trump stopped all funding to South Africa over a controversial land appropriation law. He also offered asylum with rapid citizenship to farmers seeking to leave South Africa, with immediate effect. Trump called the South Africa’s controversial land expropriation law a rights violation against the white minority in the African country.

The law allows the South African government to expropriate land from private parties if it’s in the public interest and allows for expropriation without compensation. The Act aims to address historical land ownership disparities resulting from apartheid-era policies. Donald Trump alleges that this law targets lands owned by farmers from the white minority Afrikaner group, who are descended from Dutch and other European colonial settlers.

Assam Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh arrested over objectionable comments on BJP MLA, kept cops waiting for hours and resisted arrest

OpIndia Staff
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Assam Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh arrested over objectionable comments on BJP MLA, kept cops waiting for hours and resisted arrest

Assam Congress spokesperson and habitual fake news spreader Reetam Singh was arrested on Saturday over his objectionable comments against BJP MLA Manab Deka. He was arrested after hours long drama, as Singh refused to open the door for the police, demanding a court order for his arrest. He was arrested after Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi visited his house, forcing him to open the door.

A case was filed against Reetam Singh by Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka’s wife over Singh’s social media comments against Deka and his family. Among other comments Reetam had called the MLA a ‘rapist’ in a post on X on 13th March. Singh made a post with a news report about three individuals being convicted by a court for a rape case in the Dhemaji district in 2021.

He commented in tweet, “These culprits got the punishment they deserved. But what @BJP4Assam r@pe accused Ministers and MLAs like Manab Deka, Ex Party President Bhabesh Kalita, ex Minister Rajen Gohain? Is the law equal for all?”

In her complaint, Manab Deka’s wife called him a habitual offender, citing previous cases registered against him on similar charges.

Based on the complaint, a team of Lakhimpur Police along with a Guwahati Police team arrived at Reetam Singh’s house on Saturday, but he refused to open the door. He posted several tweets during the day, alleging that the police were trying enter his house violating a High Court order.

He posted, “A team of @lakhimpurpolice of @assampolice is here to apprehend me without warrant and notice. I showed them the recent Gauhati High Court Judgement making it compulsory for police to give Notice. @HardiSpeaks @DGPAssamPolice any arrest of mine without Warrant and Notice will be contempt of Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita Judgement dated 07/03/2025 in Sakib Chowdhury Vs State of Assam in Bail Appln./629/2025.”

He further added, “I am an Advocate and I will comply with any investigation. But I wont go with Police if they are here without arrest or warrant simply on instructions of @himantabiswa Everything has been recorded on CCTV Cameras. You cannot barge into my home without a search warrant.”

Reetam Singh later posted several tweets, with photos of police team waiting outside his house. As a result, the Congress party sprung into action, and party MP Gaurav Gogoi arrived at Singh’s house. However, when Singh opened the door for Gogoi, the waiting police team barged in and arrested him.

Videos show that Reetam Singh resisted being arrested by police, and the cops had to drag him to the police vehicle. He was then transferred to Lakhimpur, where the case is registered against him.

In April last year, Reetam Singh was arrested for posting a doctored video of Amit Shah, claiming that Shah said that BJP will end reservations for SC, ST and OBCs in India if it wins the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

‘Arrested from aircraft, physically assaulted, and sleep-deprived’: Actor Ranya Rao alleges custodial torture by DRI

OpIndia Staff
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‘Arrested from aircraft, physically assaulted, and sleep-deprived’: Actor Ranya Rao alleges custodial torture by DRI

Actor Ranya Rao has written a letter to the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) alleging that she was subjected to custodial torture and falsely implicated in a high-profile gold smuggling case.

Rao has claimed that she was arrested directly from the aircraft, contradicting the official statement that she was detained at the airport terminal.

Rao further alleges that she was physically assaulted, deprived of food and sleep, and coerced into signing blank documents under duress. Her accusations surfaced a day after a special court in Bengaluru denied her bail request.

Notably, the case took a political turn, with the Karnataka government ordering an inquiry into the alleged involvement of her stepfather, Karnataka Director General of Police K Ramachandra Rao, and examining possible lapses by law enforcement.

Ms Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 for allegedly smuggling over 14 kg of gold from Dubai. However, in her letter from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, she insists she was taken into custody inside the aircraft before disembarking, contradicting official reports.

The letter, submitted as part of a jail memo, details claims of mistreatment, including being slapped, threatened with exposure of her father’s identity, and forced to sign blank papers. She alleges that she is being framed to protect more influential figures in the smuggling network.

However, these claims raise questions. Ms Rao wrote the letter on March 6, but when presented in court on March 9, she denied experiencing custodial torture when asked three times by the judge. Her lawyers also did not bring up any allegations of mistreatment.

On Friday, the Special Court for Economic Offences in Bengaluru rejected Ms Rao’s bail plea. Special Judge Vishwanath C. Gowdar noted that Ms Rao, holding a UAE Resident Identity Card, had travelled to Dubai 27 times since January 2025, a factor that weighed against granting bail. The court emphasized the seriousness of the alleged offence, given the large quantity of smuggled gold and its economic implications.

Preliminary findings indicate that Ms Rao allegedly hid gold bars by taping them to her body, concealing them in her jeans pockets, and even placing them inside her shoes. The DRI estimates the evasion of customs duties and penalties at ₹4.83 crore, far exceeding the ₹50 lakh threshold under the Customs Act.

Punjab government in Pakistan directs all educational institutions to ban students and teachers from dancing to Bollywood songs

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab government in Pakistan directs all educational institutions to ban students and teachers from dancing to Bollywood songs

In a ridiculous move, the Punjab government in Pakistan has directed all educational institutions in the province to ban students and teachers from dancing to Indian Bollywood songs. The Punjab government issued the direction through a circular dated March 12, 2025.

According to the circular, dances to Indian songs and such performances are prohibited during sports galas and fun fairs in colleges, and obscene clothing or language will also be banned. The circular adds that any educational institute or college found violating the direction will face strict disciplinary action.

The Higher Education Commission said in the circular that it is the responsibility of college administrations to ensure the education and moral upbringing of both male and female students.

“The competent authority /Secretary Higher Education Department has shown great concern on funfair/sports gala and other activities taking place in Public and Private Colleges in which the students and teachers have been observed dancing on Indian songs on stage or in classes. The Educational Institutions are sacred places to impart quality education to aspirant students. Such activities in the Educational Institutions must not take place,” read the circular.

”In case of negligence, the concerned Principal, Deputy Director and Director of Education (Colleges) shall be held responsible and strict disciplinary shall be proposed against them, “ the circular added.

Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman lures Hindu teenage girl into offering Namaz and keeping Roza, threatens suicide in victim’s house after getting caught

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman lures Hindu teenage girl into offering Namaz and keeping Roza, threatens suicide in victim’s house after getting caught

In a shocking incident of religious conversion in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu teenage girl was reportedly brainwashed by her Muslim neighbour into offering namaaz and observing Roza. The Hindu girl was a neighbour and friend of the Muslim woman. As per reports, a Muslim woman named Shahnaz alias Sana influenced a 16-year-old Hindu girl by promising her that if she offered namaaz and observed Roza, her family would become rich.

When the teenager’s family saw her fasting after the start of Ramazan month, they talked to her. On this, the teenager took Shahnaz’s name and said that she had asked her to do so. By doing this, she will soon become rich. The family was shocked to hear their daughter’s words. The girl’s father went to Shahnaz’s house and protested against this. 

On being confronted, Shahnaz threatened the victim’s family with a false case

The matter came to light after the victim’s father filed a complaint against Shahnaz, alleging that she brainwashed his teenage daughter into observing Islamic rituals to become rich. Influenced by the woman’s words, the teenage girl followed her advice for 3-4 days. When the father came to know about this, he went to Shahnaz’s house and protested. He informed about the incident to his other neighbours.

After this, Shahnaaz allegedly tried to implicate the Hindu girl’s family in a false case. On Thursday, Shahnaz entered the girl’s house and locked herself in her uncle’s room. She then attempted to hang herself inside the room. The victim’s uncle immediately dialled 112 and informed the police. Shahnaz fled the spot before the police arrived and threatened to file a false case against the victim’s family.

Case filed by the police

The father in his complaint said that Shahnaz alias Sana lives in their neighborhood. She lured their 16-year-old daughter, saying that keeping roza fasts and offering namaz will bring prosperity to the house. The daughter fell into her trap and kept roza for 3 to 4 days. She also prayed namaz.

After getting to know about the incident, members of some Hindu organisations reached the spot and protested against it. CO City Sneha Tiwari said that a case has been registered against Shahnaz based on the complaint of the father under the charges of forcing the victim to convert. The police are investigating the case.

Karnataka Congress government approves 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts, BJP calls it attack on Constitution

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Karnataka Congress government approves 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts, BJP calls it attack on Constitution

On 14th March, the Congress-led Karnataka government approved a proposal to grant 4% reservation to Muslims in government contracts. The state cabinet cleared the bill, and it will soon be introduced in the state assembly. The move will ensure that a portion of government tenders is reserved for Muslims. The decision has sparked a strong reaction in the political landscape, not only in the state but at the national level.

Reservation in government contracts

With the new provision, the overall reservation in government contracts in the state will rise to 47%. Karnataka already grants reservations in contracts to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The policy of giving reservations in tenders was initially introduced by Siddaramaiah. During his 2013-18 tenure, he first granted reservations to SCs and STs. It was later extended to OBCs last year.

This is not the first time the Siddaramaiah-led government has attempted to introduce reservations for Muslims. However, last time the proposal faced strong opposition and was shelved. This time, Congress has managed to bring the bill to the assembly.

BJP calls it an attack on the Constitution

The decision has triggered controversy in the political landscape. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised the move. BJP Yuva Morcha president and MP Tejasvi Surya condemned the decision, calling it an attack on the Constitution.

Surya said, “The Congress government’s approval of a 4% quota for Muslims in government contracts is a direct assault on the Constitution and a step towards encouraging religious conversions.” He added, “Reservation has always been based on social and economic backwardness, not religion. This move is a blatant political tactic to secure electoral gains, undermining the true purpose of reservations. The government is misusing power and public resources for vote-bank politics, turning the economy into a political battleground.”

‘Jinnah’s mindset’ – BJP national spokesperson hits out

The national spokesperson of the BJP, Shehzad Poonawalla, also lashed out at the Congress government. He likened the decision to the ideology of the Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“Will roads and bridges now be built based on religion instead of quality?” Poonawalla questioned, warning that the biggest losers from this move would be SCs, STs, and OBCs.

The decision is expected to become a key political flashpoint in the coming days in Karnataka, as the opposition is expected to actively pursue the matter.

Lawlessness in Karnataka? Israeli tourist molested during Hampi Utsav days after the gang-rape horror, cops let off the assaulters

OpIndia Staff
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Lawlessness in Karnataka? Israeli tourist molested during Hampi Utsav days after the gang-rape horror, cops let off the assaulters

In yet another incident raising questions over law and order and the safety of women in Karnataka, an Israeli tourist was allegedly molested by three youths during the Hampi Utsav last week.

As per reports, an auto driver intervened to protect the woman being harassed but was thrashed by the youths who brutally assaulted him and left him with a bloody nose.

Despite the gravity of the incident, the Hampi police conveniently booked the accused only under Section 109 IPC—for assaulting the auto driver. No case was registered for the alleged molestation of the foreign national, even though she was also taken to the police station along with the auto driver.

The accused were produced before a local court, which let them off lightly after they admitted to assaulting the auto driver and submitted a written promise not to repeat such acts.

Meanwhile, the Israeli woman reportedly told the auto driver that she would escalate the matter to her embassy and seek legal action. However, Hampi police have not received any official complaint from the embassy yet—a convenient excuse for inaction.

The police are also facing criticism for downplaying the molestation aspect and pressing only assault charges against the accused, especially after the gang-rape horror witnessed in Hampi last week where two women, including an Israeli tourist, were gang-raped.

Israeli tourist and her homestay operator gang-raped in Hampi

Two women, including an Israeli tourist, were gang-raped in Karnataka’s Hampi while stargazing. The heinous crime took place on the banks of Sanapur Lake on Thursday, March 6.

One of the victims was a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, while the other victim was her 29-year-old homestay operator. The 2 victims were also accompanied by 3 male tourists, one from the USA, and two from India. They were allegedly attacked at around 11 PM on Thursday.

The accused arrived on a motorcycle and initially inquired about petrol, and later demanded ₹100 from the group. When the victims refused, the accused turned violent and physically assaulted the group. They pushed the men into the canal and then sexually assaulted the women. One of the three men perished in the assault.

Ordered to clean up Washington DC so that PM Modi and others don’t see tents, potholes, broken barriers and graffiti: President Trump

OpIndia Staff
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Ordered to clean up Washington DC so that PM Modi and others don’t see tents, potholes, broken barriers and graffiti: President Trump

US President Donald Trump has pledged to transform Washington, DC, into a “crime-free capital,” emphasising the need for a cleaner, safer, and more visually appealing city for visiting world leaders.

Speaking at an event, Trump stressed his commitment to restoring the capital’s image, asserting that heads of state – including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi–should not have to witness urban decay when they visit.

“We want to have a capital that can be the talk of the world–when Prime Minister Modi of India, when the President of France, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, all of these people came to see me in the last week and a half–and when they come in, I don’t want them to see tents, I don’t want them to see graffiti, don’t want them to see broken barriers and potholes in the roads,” Trump said. “I had it looking beautiful. We’re going to do that for the city.”

Trump further vowed to restore law and order in Washington, promising a drastic reduction in crime rates and a safer environment for residents and visitors alike. “We are going to have a crime-free capital. When people come here, they’re not going to be mugged, or shot, or raped. They’re going to have a crime-free capital again. It’s going to be cleaner, better, and safer than it ever was. It’s not going to take us too long,” he added.

His comments come just weeks after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, which was hailed as “productive and substantive.” During his time in Washington, PM Modi held extensive discussions with Trump and other key figures, including newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The talks covered strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade, economic engagement, technology, energy security, and regional and global concerns.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had highlighted the importance of the visit, stating, “The PM just concluded a very substantive and productive visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This is the Prime Minister’s first visit to the United States after the inauguration of President Trump for a second term. This visit is a signal of the priority that both leaders attach to the India-US relationship.”

During their White House meeting, PM Modi and Trump shared a warm embrace, with the US President reaffirming that the relationship between the two nations would continue to grow stronger.

“We have great unity and great friendship,” Trump said, adding that it was “important” for both nations to remain aligned. PM Modi, in turn, expressed confidence that India and the US would continue to advance their strategic partnership with “the same bond, trust, and excitement.”

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

Indian Government warns Google Chrome users to update the browser immediately due to security risk

OpIndia Staff
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Indian Government warns Google Chrome users to update the browser immediately due to security risk

On 12th March, Government of India issued a high-severity warning for Google Chrome users. The government has urged them to update their browsers immediately to avoid serious security threats. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) said in a notification, CIVN-2025-0046, that it has identified multiple vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to steal data, take control of the user’s system or crash the browser entirely.

As per the notification by CERT-In and Google, these vulnerabilities affect users running older versions of Google Chrome on Windows, Mac and Linux. Specifically, if the browser version is below 134.0.6998.88/89 on Windows and Mac or 134.0.6998.88 on Linux, the system is at risk.

Cybercriminals can use these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access and manipulate sensitive information. They can also cause disruptions through denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that can overload of crash systems.

Google, in a statement on 10th March, confirmed that one of these security flaws is already being actively exploited by hackers. That means some users have already been targeted. To prevent further breaches, the company has released a new update that fixes five major security issues. These issues include critical vulnerabilities related to code execution, data leaks, and system crashes.

The user is required to manually update their browsers as, in many cases, Chrome does not update automatically.

How to check your Chrome version and update

To check which version of Chrome you are using:

  • Open Google Chrome.
  • Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
  • Select Help → About Google Chrome.
  • A new page will open, showing your current version.

If an update is available, Chrome will automatically download it. After that, simply restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

The latest Chrome version as of 15th March is 134.0.6998.88/89 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, while the latest Android version is 134.0.6998.95.

If a user fails to update the browser, it will leave personal information and system security vulnerable to cyberattacks. The government has thus advised all users dependent on Chrome browsers to immediately update them to stay protected.

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