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Sardar Patel’s unite India campaign and the decisive role of Bhavnagar Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji: The First Princely State’s Merger with India

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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Sardar Patel’s unite India campaign and the decisive role of Bhavnagar Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji: The First Princely State’s Merger with India

India is celebrating National Unity Day on 31st October. Special ceremonies, programs and celebrations have begun in various places and states on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. India is celebrating and taking inspiration from the grit and patriotism of Sardar Patel, the “Iron Man” who united the nation. The people of India are also remembering Bhavnagar State and its ruler Maharaja Raol Saheb Shri Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil . The only reason is that Bhavnagar became the first step towards the dream of a united India. 

When Sardar Patel commenced his efforts to unify India, Bhavnagar was the only princely state that chose to join India. The result was that seeing Bhavnagar, other princely states also joined India. Bhavnagar took the first unique step in Sardar Patel’s campaign to unite the fragmented India after independence in 1947, and from there the campaign for the merger of princely states began. 

The then ruler of Bhavnagar, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil, had set a noble example by merging Bhavnagar to the Indian Union. In this article, we will discuss the conversation between Maharaja Saheb and Sardar Patel. On the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, we will discuss in detail how Bhavnagar state contributed to his campaign to unite India.

The 1939 Praja Parishad and the Maharaja’s meeting with Sardar Patel

Bhavnagar state was a monarchy; however, it also included the Praja Parishad, hearings, courts and other important democratic elements. The common people were also given powers and Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji himself was an independent and liberal personality. He was born on 19th May 1912 in Bhavnagar. After the death of his father Maharaja Bhavsinhji II, he was entrusted with the throne of Bhavnagar at the young age of only seven years. However, till 1931, the government was run under the guidance of the Diwan. 

During Krishnakumarsinhji’s reign, Bhavnagar became the key trading centre of Kathiawar, where maritime trade and industrial development were encouraged. In 1938, he also received many international honours and was also awarded the KCSI, yet his heart was always intertwined with the Indian independence movement. 

In 1939, Maharaj Krishnakumarsinhji and Sardar Patel had their first meeting. During this conference, Sardar Patel delivered a speech on public, state development and national unity, which instilled great respect for him in the mind of the Maharaja. In this very meeting, the seeds of future unification were sown. 

“There was a transcendent power of unity in the words of the Sardar, which touched my heart,” he said.

The situation in 1947 – The challenge of making India ‘unified’ across the continent

The country gained independence in 1947, however, at that time there were 565 princely states in India, whose area was 48% of the total area of ​​India. These princely states were given three options. One was to join India, the second was to join Pakistan and the third was to remain independent. Sardar Patel, as the Home Minister, had prepared the ‘Accession Instrument’ and called upon the princely states to join the Indian Union. This document asked the princely states to give the Union of India authority over defence, foreign policy and communications, while guaranteeing the security of internal administration and inheritance.

At that time the situation was such that many princely states wanted to remain independent, making it difficult to unite India. If any princely state joined the Union of India, then the rest of the princely states could also join the Union of India. Amidst this turmoil, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji was the first to accept the call of Sardar and voluntarily offered 1,800 Padar on a Tulsi leaf to the country. During this, he said, “Joining the Union of India is the only right option for the people of Bhavnagar and its heritage.” 

Meeting with Gandhi and Sardar’s diplomacy

The main conversation between Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji and Sardar Patel took place in Delhi in December 1947. The Maharaja was only 35 years old at that time. He met Gandhi at Birla House on 17th December 1947 and expressed his commitment to merger with India. Manubhen Gandhi has written a description of the Maharaja’s meeting with Gandhi in Delhi’, According to the description, as the time seemed close, Gandhi asked Manubhen to go outside in front of the car and respectfully bring the Maharaja. The Maharaja met Gandhi alone and had a conversation. 

 “I hand over my kingdom to the feet of the country. I will accept whatever decision is made regarding my salary, private properties, etc.” Gandhi was very pleased with such a generous and noble presentation of the Maharaja. However, he asked, “Have you asked your queen and brothers?” The Maharaja replied, “Their opinion also comes into play in my decision. When the entire elephant is going, there is no point in keeping the elephant,” he humbly said.

In response, Gandhi said, “The decision of Bhavnagar Maharaj is important for the unity of India.” He also advised the Maharaja to meet Sardar Patel and asked him to move forward in this direction. Subsequently, a meeting was held between both Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji and Sardar Patel and for the first time, the merger of a princely state into the Union of India was considered. 

Notably, Dr. Gambhir Singh Gohil, who wrote the biography of Krishna Kumar Singh under the title ‘Prajavatsal Rajvi’ and former principal of Shamaldas College, Bhavnagar, has also mentioned this incident. Sardar had personally told the Maharaja that, “Unification of princely states is not only a political matter, but the welfare of the people is also hidden in it. Only with the cooperation of progressive rulers like you, India can become the great democracy of the world.” Responding to this, the Maharaja expressed concern about the traders, people and its economic stability of the Bhavnagar state. 

Sardar Patel, however, assured that all matters would be taken care of. “Bhavnagar will be given an annual annuity, autonomy of internal administration and security of trade routes. The Centre will help in strengthening your polytechnic institutions.” 

This agreement was finalised via VP Menon. Expressing gratitude to the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, the agreement stated, “This merger will further strengthen Bhavnagar and the connection and feelings of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar with his people will remain intact and unbroken.” 

The first merger and its consequences

On 15th January 1948, Sardar Patel arrived in Bhavnagar and in a special ceremony, Maharaja Krishnakumar Singh publicly announced the official declaration of ‘Responsible Democracy’ to the people of Bhavnagar . During this time, he handed over the administration to the representatives of the people and signed the Accession Instrument. With this, Bhavnagar became the first princely state in India to be completely merged with India. On 15th February 1948, Bhavnagar merged with the state of Saurashtra, which also inspired 222 other princely states of Saurashtra. 

This sent a strong message to Junagadh, Porbandar and other princely states and their people that only unity is the path to progress. With the joint efforts of Sardar Patel and the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, the process of merger started moving forward. Gandhi also used to give the example of Bhavnagar to other princely states. Manubhen’s book describes that Gandhi used to tell other princes who came to meet him, “You were asking, how should we behave now? So, you should take the example of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji of Bhavnagar and adopt the path he took.” 

Bhavnagar’s merger with India inspired other princely states. These started preparing for an official merger with India and Sardar Patel being India’s ‘unifier-in-chief’ expedited the process. he merger of Bhavnagar was the first victorious step of Sardar Patel’s strategy. He united the princely states on the basis of diplomacy and trust. On the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, this history reminds us that unity is built only through trust and dedication. What makes it important to remember Bhavnagar and the Maharaja of Bhavnagar on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is that he took the first and decisive step for the unification of India and offered the first “Aahuti” in the dream-like yagna of Sardar Patel’s Akhand Bharat.

Amit Shah remembers Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution in protecting India’s territorial integrity: Here is how the Iron Man of India protected the Lakshadweep Islands

Aditi
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Amit Shah remembers Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution in protecting India’s territorial integrity: Here is how the Iron Man of India protected the Lakshadweep Islands

Commemorating independent India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his 150th birth anniversary on Friday (31st October), Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the ‘Iron Man’ of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a floral tribute to Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar. Taking a pledge of unity, PM Modi also announced the release of a special commemorative coin and stamp as a tribute.

Marking the occasion, Union Home Minister Shah flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ program in the national capital and administered the pledge of unity and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to unity and integrity. Addressing the participants during the celebrations on the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), which is observed on Patel’s birth anniversary since 2014, Shah remembered Patel’s immeasurable contribution in shaping the current map of India.

He highlighted how the visionary statesman accomplished the monumental task of integrating 562 princely states into the Indian territory with his diplomacy. Shah recalled how, even after India got independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remained vigilant and ensured that the territorial integrity of India was intact. It was because of Patel’s forward thinking and far-sightedness that he was able to realise the strategic significance of several territories, including the Lakshadweep (Laccadive) islands and merge them into the Indian territory.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel foresaw Pakistan’s ill intentions about the Lakshadweep Islands and thwarted its attempts to capture them. Patel sent an Indian Navy ship to the Lakshadweep Islands just in time and spoiled Pakistan’s dream of maliciously acquiring the islands.

How Patel thwarted Pakistan’s plans to capture the Lakshadweep Islands

If not for the futuristic thinking of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India could have lost a vital Arabian Sea position like the Lakshadweep Islands to Pakistan. Patel recognised the strategic significance of the Lakshadweep Islands and prevented it falling into the hands of Pakistan. At the time of independence, when the Indian territory was partitioned based on religion to form East and West Pakistan, the Lakshadweep Islands, with their majority Muslim population, were eyed by Pakistan.

The islands have a critical geographical location, with proximity to India’s southern coast, which made Pakistan covet them. Sensing that Pakistan was conspiring to acquire the Islands by force, Patel ordered the Indian officials in South India to immediately dispatch a ship with troops to the islands. By the time, a Pakistani ship had also embarked on a journey to capture the islands. However, the Indian ship, surpassing the Pakistani vessel, reached the islands and unfurled the Indian tricolour, establishing India’s authority on the islands. Pakistani forces had to return empty-handed.

The significance of the Lakshadweep Islands

The Lakshadweep archipelago is a group of 36 small islands scattered across the Arabian Sea. The islands are loacted around 400–500 km off the coast of Koch in Kerala. Referred to as the Indian tropical paradise, the islands have huge environmental, strategic, and economic significance for India. Because of their strategically crucial position in the Arabian Sea, the islands prove extremely helpful for India in maritime surveillance, and naval operations. They also provide India access and control over crucial sea routes that connect Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Coral reefs in Lakshadweep Islands. (Image via undp.org)

The islands contribute immensely to India’s blue economy through their rich marine resources. The islands also have potential for eco-tourism and sustainable fishing, which can boost the local economy. The coral reefs, lagoons and atolls of the islands form a unique part of India’s marine ecosystems. They help maintain ecological balance in the Arabian Sea by acting as natural barriers against coastal erosion and sustaining biodiversity.

Priyank Kharge’s elitism is Congress’ legacy: Why Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Assam embodies the new India of talent and transformation

Dr. Prosenjit Nath
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Priyank Kharge’s elitism is Congress’ legacy: Why Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Assam embodies the new India of talent and transformation

When Karnataka cabinet minister Priyank Kharge questioned whether there was any “talent” in Assam or Gujarat to host semiconductor industries, he did more than just display political immaturity, he revealed the deep-seated arrogance of the Congress ecosystem that still believes India’s progress is limited to a few privileged states. His remarks were not simply a political gaffe; they were an insult to the hardworking youth of Assam, to the technological aspirations of India’s Northeast, and to the very spirit of equitable development that the Modi government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have been striving to achieve.

Kharge’s words were not taken out of context. His recorded statement is clear: “What is there in Gujarat? Is there talent there? What is there in Assam? Is there talent there?” This was not a policy critique, it was a derisive swipe at entire populations, implying that regions outside the traditional urban-industrial belt of South India are intellectually or economically unfit for high-technology industries. Coming from the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, it epitomizes the dynastic disdain that has long alienated the Congress Party from the grassroots energy of India’s new federal development story.

Assam’s Moment of Industrial Renaissance

Under Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, Assam has been quietly but steadily transforming itself into the industrial and infrastructural hub of the Northeast. The Tata Group’s ₹27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Jagiroad, Morigaon district, is not just a business project, it’s a statement. Scheduled to begin its first phase by mid-2025, it is projected to generate over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs, making it one of the largest industrial investments in Assam’s history.

This project is not a result of “arm-twisting” by the Centre, as Kharge insinuates. Rather, it’s the fruit of strategic vision, where the Northeast, long neglected under Congress rule, is being reimagined as a vital node in India’s technological and manufacturing map.

The semiconductor plant aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision, aiming to make India self-reliant in semiconductor manufacturing, a sector critical for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. For Assam, the facility represents both a technological leap and a social revolution, local youth trained for global industry, regional economies integrated into national value chains, and a new identity for the Northeast beyond tea and tourism.

Himanta Biswa Sarma: The Architect of a Confident Assam

The fierce response from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was both natural and justified. His retort, calling Kharge a “first-class idiot” for insulting Assamese youth, may sound harsh to some ears, but it reflects the emotion of a leader deeply protective of his people’s dignity. Sarma’s words were not mere political rhetoric; they came from the conviction of a chief minister who has seen, firsthand, the rising potential of Assam’s youth.

Sarma rightly noted, “Why shouldn’t a Northeast Chief Minister aspire for prosperity like those in the South or West? If striving for progress is desperation, so be it.” This is the essence of the new India’s federal confidence, where every state, from Gujarat to Assam, can compete on merit, innovation, and vision, not lineage or legacy.

Over the past few years, Sarma’s government has aggressively pushed industrial reforms, improved law and order, streamlined land and power policies, and expanded technical education infrastructure. The Assam Startup initiative, Skill Development Mission, and collaborations with national institutions like IIT Guwahati have created fertile ground for technology-based industries to take root. These are the kinds of structural changes that Congress governments, trapped in bureaucratic inertia and caste-communal politics, failed to achieve for decades.

Congress’s elitism and the old politics of entitlement

Priyank Kharge’s comments are symptomatic of a deeper malaise within the Congress Party, a sense of elitist entitlement that cannot reconcile with India’s decentralized development model. His words echo the old Nehruvian mindset that viewed the Northeast as a periphery, not a partner, in India’s modernization. For decades, under Congress rule, Assam and the Northeast were politically exploited but economically abandoned. Investments flowed into select states like Karnataka and Maharashtra, while the Northeast was left to grapple with insurgency, unemployment, and infrastructural neglect.

That same mindset now sneers at the idea of a semiconductor plant in Assam. But the irony is stark. Many of the engineers who fuel Bengaluru’s IT revolution come from Assam and the Northeast. Thousands of Assamese youth work in Bengaluru’s tech parks, contribute to global firms, and run startups. To claim that Assam lacks “talent” is not just factually wrong, it is morally offensive.

Even more hypocritical is Kharge’s backpedal, where he accused Sarma of “twisting his words.” But his initial statement questioning Assam’s “talent” was clear enough. When called out, he resorted to the same victimhood politics the Congress deploys whenever caught in arrogance: blame the BJP, blame the Centre, and claim misinterpretation.

The real picture: Assam’s human capital and rising aspirations

Contrary to Kharge’s dismissive claim, Assam’s educational and technological base is growing faster than ever. Institutions like IIT Guwahati, Assam Engineering College, and Tezpur University are producing world-class engineers, scientists, and researchers. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2024, Assam ranks among the top states in the Northeast in terms of technical graduates. Its youth are increasingly being absorbed into the private sector, startups, and national skill programs.

Moreover, the Tata Group itself acknowledged Assam’s potential, partnering with the state to train 1,500 youth at facilities in Bengaluru. These trainees will be employed at the Jagiroad semiconductor unit, a program that symbolizes collaboration, not condescension, between states. Even Sarma’s critics admit that this project will be a benchmark for inclusive industrialization in Eastern India.

By contrast, Karnataka, despite its established IT base, has faced investment flight in recent years due to poor governance under the Congress-JDS combine. As BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya pointed out, Karnataka lost Google’s $15-billion data center to Andhra Pradesh’s Vizag, and multiple semiconductor proposals shifted to Gujarat and Assam. Instead of introspection, Priyank Kharge has chosen to lash out with arrogance and false allegations.

Politics of progress vs. Politics of privilege

The Kharge-Sarma spat is not merely a personal duel, it encapsulates two opposing political philosophies in India today.

On one hand stands Himanta Biswa Sarma, a leader who rose through hard work and intellectual merit, symbolizing the BJP’s model of performance-driven politics. His Assam is aspirational, reform-oriented, and deeply rooted in regional pride. On the other hand is Priyank Kharge, heir to a dynastic throne, whose political existence owes more to pedigree than performance. His sneer at Assam reflects the Congress Party’s insecurity at seeing states once dismissed as “backward” now competing with and even surpassing the so-called industrial elites of the South.

In this clash, Sarma represents the new India, where leaders from diverse regions are redefining growth narratives. The BJP’s governance model emphasises equitable industrial distribution, encouraging sunrise sectors like semiconductors, electronics, and renewable energy to reach Tier-2 and Tier-3 locations. The idea is simple: growth must be national, not sectional.

The Tata semiconductor plant in Assam embodies that philosophy. It will not only create jobs but also stimulate auxiliary industries, logistics, training, housing, and digital infrastructure across the region. It signals that the Northeast is no longer a political afterthought but an economic frontier.

A lesson in humility and federalism

Kharge’s comments have rightly drawn condemnation from across Assam’s political spectrum, even from Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leaders like Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Jagadish Bhuyan, who are opposed to the BJP but united in defending Assamese pride. They reminded him that Assamese youth are already integral to Karnataka’s IT sector and are globally recognized for their skills. That a Congress ally had to rebuke a Congress minister shows how far the party has fallen from its pluralist ideals.

In contrast, Sarma’s response, though sharp, underscores a new form of regional assertiveness, not defensive or parochial, but proud and progressive. His leadership style has made Assam a talking point in national economic planning. He has brought discipline to governance, improved fiscal management, and expanded industrial linkages with Southeast Asia through the Act East Policy.

The BJP’s Northeast policy, from infrastructure to digital literacy, is dismantling decades of neglect. Under this paradigm, Assam stands tall not as a recipient of Delhi’s charity, but as an equal stakeholder in India’s future.

Conclusion: Pride in progress

Priyank Kharge’s remarks have done what decades of neglect could not: they have united Assamese people across political lines in defense of their dignity. His elitist condescension inadvertently reaffirmed what Assam already knows: that the state’s youth are capable, competent, and ready to shape the next phase of India’s technological revolution.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s spirited defense of Assamese talent is not just political theatre; it’s a reminder that leadership must be rooted in faith in one’s people, not disdain for others. Assam is no longer content being in the shadow of the South or the West; it is forging its own destiny, with confidence, competence, and courage.

I was invited to a conference of Western Conservatives: As a Hindu, here is why I decided not to go

Nupur J Sharma
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I was invited to a conference of Western Conservatives: As a Hindu, here is why I decided not to go

Note: I was invited invited to the ARC Conference (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference). The conference, set to be held in June 2026, aims to unite conservative voices, with Jordan Peterson, Douglas Murray, Vivek Ramaswamy and several others on the advisory board. As one of the first Hindus to be invited to such a conference, I was looking forward to attending it. However, I decided to decline the invitation. Following is a reproduction of my response to the organisers.

Dear organisers, 

At the very outset, I wish to express my gratitude for the invitation. I am acutely aware that at this esteemed gathering, it is rare for Hindu conservatives to be welcomed. Therefore, it would ordinarily be considered a privilege to be among the first Hindus to engage in a broader discussion about the threats faced by my community, common enemies, and a loose coalition to combat civilisational adversaries. I would also like to thank my Jewish friend who recommended my name. He believed (perhaps, still does) that a conservative alliance would be just as incomplete without Hindus as it would be without Jews, since both communities face persecution and religiously motivated hostility.

When my Jewish friend and I had a conversation about ARC (The Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) and him recommending my name for an invite, I was somewhat sceptical. A conservative conference in the US, without a doubt, revolves around Christian revival. I, of course, will not criticise that. Every community has the absolute right to work towards its own cultural, religious and civilizational revival. As a Hindu, I was unsure what my role would be at such a conference. 

My friend reminded me that I have long maintained that Hindus are alone in their civilizational battle. I have long advocated that a community victory of the Hindus is for us alone to cherish, and a loss, a defeat, is for us to bear the burden of. I had also brought up Jordan Peterson’s shameful denigration of the Hindu mother Goddess (Maa Kali) and Douglas Murray’s inaccurate defence of the colonisation of India – what could I possibly have in common with these folks, I had asked. My friend, the eternal optimist, said that the world is no longer a place where persecuted communities can survive without allies and possibly, the ARC Conference could be a great opportunity to find allies against common threats and enemies. 

I have, in fact, also believed that the best way forward would be reaching a common minimum program of sorts, where, despite our theological differences, Hindus, Christians, and Jews work towards tackling common civilizational threats. What that alliance would look like, however, always eluded me, because the theological differences between Hindus and Christians are insurmountable. 

When Mr. Ram Madhav spoke at the National Conservatism Conference in July 2024, he went in solidarity. In the Christian conservative fight against the Global Left, Madhav said a billion Indians would be their brothers in arms. “We can be at the forefront”, he had said. Despite the olive branch, he was derided, mocked, humiliated and abused for his Hindu faith by Christian conservatives on X. 

I knew that if I had attended the ARC Conference, I would have been met with similar derision. But that hardly bothers me. Online hate is something every non-Left commentator is used to – regardless of where they come from. Despite these realities, I thought the ARC Conference could add value for my community because mostly, the racist attacks against Ram Madhav came from what one could dismiss as fringe quarters – random social media accounts who, I thought, had no power to impact policy or serious engagement. 

That the racist social media chatter did not affect policy or rules of engagement got slightly reinforced when those like Elon Musk, David Sachs and others defended Sriram Krishnan after MAGA enthusiasts unleashed a barrage of racist abuse against him after Donald Trump picked him as the Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

It was then that I thought maybe I was being too much of a pessimist. Perhaps a common, limited understanding could be reached, and my community could benefit from such an alliance. Even in the face of increasing racist attacks and comments, I believed that this conference could allow me to address the bias. 

That pushback or even some sign of disapproval during the Sriram Krishnan saga was completely absent during the recent flurry of anti-India and anti-Hindu comments after Donald Trump’s policies sparked a debate on H1B visas. 

In fact, the intellectual leadership of the MAGA movement or the anti-woke movement seemed either in agreement through their silence or too scared to voice their dissent. 

As someone who has spent the better part of her life advocating for Hindu rights and documenting religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus, I could not, however, overlook the Hinduphobic comments made not by fringe white supremacists but by the Vice President of the United States of America himself.

When JD Vance told USA that he hopes his wife, Usha Vance, would find Christianity, he essentially declared to the one billion-plus Hindus that their faith was not good enough. He sanctified the Hinduphobic comments made by his supporters, calling Hinduism a “false religion” and our Gods and Goddesses, Demons. 

Now, I cannot authoritatively speak for what JD Vance truly believes, but if it was not a statement of conviction, it was evident that, at the very least, he was too scared to offend fringe sentiments. While being married to an ethnic Indian and a practising Hindu, Vance not only refrained from wishing Hindus on Diwali (clearly a conscious decision) but also hoped, publicly so, that his wife would convert to Christianity. If nothing else, the statement of JD Vance proves that in the USA, the racist fringe is the mainstream now, dictating how leaders behave and what they espouse. 

One must contrast this with India and the Indian leadership, viewed as Hindu nationalists. In India, a large section of the Hindu population believes that India should be a Hindu nation. That, however, does not stop the leadership from reaching out to the Christian community or the Muslim community, because the current leadership and its ideological foundation – the RSS – believes that anyone born on this land needs to be viewed as a brother, regardless of theological differences. In fact, the USCIRF often screeches, relying on inauthentic data, to claim that Christians are being persecuted in India. The truth is quite the contrary. There are hundreds of cases and thousands of Hindus who Christians persecuted in their own land. These cases are meticulously documented on Hinduphobia Tracker – a database of Hindu persecution. Despite this, the government, viewed as Hindu nationalist and tarnished by elements in the USA, makes an earnest attempt to assuage the fears of minorities. 

I am, in fact, one of those Hindus who believe India is the civilizational, cultural and religious land of the Hindus. And since I say this, I must also place on record that as someone who believes India is a Hindu land, I am the last person to take umbrage at Christians thinking of the USA as a Christian country. However, for Hindus, India being a Hindu land does not mean the expulsion of Christians but the preservation of Hindu rights, religious and cultural. India is the only land to have accepted persecuted communities from across the world – from the Jews to Parsis, Christians and even Muslims, not once expecting them to abandon their faith. The pushback against Christians is limited to infringement on Hindu religious rights. In other words, Hindus oppose Christians only when they attempt to, by force, alienate Hindus from their faith and impose their religious beliefs on them. The pushback is not inherently due to theological differences; fundamentally, Hindus are perhaps the only people who accept differences, theological or otherwise, as part of coexistence. 

While Hindus have their fundamentals clear, it is the Christians who now need to define what their Christian nation would look like. That is not for me to weigh in on. But for now, it is apparent that the fringe racists dictate the leadership in the USA, and they will even throw their own family under the bus if it means that the fundamentalists would be assuaged. 

The sceptical hope of a broader coalition between the global non-Left, which was hanging on by a thread after Elon Musk and others had condemned racist attacks against Sriram Krishnan, his ethnic and religious identity, is now all but gone. 

When the leadership itself appears in sync or scared, attending such an event would reap no benefit. 

The obvious defence to what has recently transpired would be that it is natural for JD Vance, a Catholic, to hope that his wife embraces Christianity because Christians believe it to be the only path to salvation. And I hold no brief for Usha Vance. I, frankly, don’t particularly care what Usha Vance decides to do. But what the Vice President of the United States says about the faith of a billion people matters because it shapes how the Western World, or at least a large part of it, interacts with the followers of that faith. 

When JD Vance said that his wife is not very religious, contradicting Usha Vance’s earlier statement that she was a religious Hindu, he essentially negated the faith in its entirety. He basically said that Usha Vance was “faithless”, not because she was an atheist (by her own admission, she comes from a religious family), but because she did not follow Catholicism. When he admitted that his children were being raised Catholic, only months after claiming that their kids follow both religions, with Hindu rituals being a part of their life, he delegitimises the faith itself – presumably because he wanted to pander to the fundamentalists, his core vote bank. 

Here, I would like to reiterate: I don’t care what faith Usha Vance or their children follow. Their marital arrangement is not a matter of global concern. What is of international concern, however, is what his statements mean for Hindus and how they would translate into their dehumanisation and the delegitimisation of their faith. 

Vance’s statement wasn’t just about his wife. It implied the inferiority of the Hindu faith and furthered cultural erasure and stereotyping. 

It is a byproduct of racial and religious hate that Hindus, who neither proselytise nor impose their religious practices on others, apart from being productive members of any society, are expected to give up their religious practices and chip away at their cultural identity to “assimilate”. The pressure to give up their religious identity is such that most Hindus in the US hardly call themselves religious. They claim they are “spiritual” or pull a Vivek Ramaswamy to claim that Christian values and Hindu values are synonymous. Essentially, to escape discrimination and humiliation, even Hindus who have political power must capitulate to Christian supremacists by giving up their exclusively Hindu identity to claim they are, if not Christian, then Christian adjacent. 

Of course, I blame such Hindus just as much as I hold Christian fundamentalists responsible. The Hindus’ need to assimilate and find crumbs of acceptance from White supremacists contributes just as much to the dehumanisation of fellow Hindus. But if the Vice President of the United States of America cannot stand up and defend the faith of his wife, I have very little hope from other Christian conservatives, even for a limited alliance to fight common enemies. 

In all honesty, my only interest is the preservation and protection of Hindus, and any global non-Left alliance is pointless if that objective isn’t furthered. I have little regard for validation – from the Left or from the Christian conservatives. I do believe a Global Alliance against the Left and possibly Islamism would be beneficial to my community; however, any such alliance must be founded on equal footing. I never was, nor will I ever be, a votary of chipping away at my own religious and cultural identity for the purpose of forging such an alliance, nor would I ever capitulate to those who deem themselves superior. 

This letter would undoubtedly raise debate among my followers and readers. Should I have attended the ARC Conference to say this in person? Is it not better to be there than be derided in absentia? Would my letter change anything? And if it would not, why not simply attend and have a shot, even if it is a slim one, at convincing other conservatives that Hindus are meant to be allies. 

I fear, now more than ever, that a Global Non-Left Alliance may not be forged. Theologically, Christians would always be inclined to alienate Hindus from their faith. In India, there are thousands of cases of Christians persecuting Hindus, forcing them, and threatening them to convert to Christianity. Politically, the ‘right’ would always be local in nature, unlike the Left, which finds global consonance. Hindus would want to focus on the religious, cultural, and traditional preservation of their people’s faith and the land of their ancestors. In contrast, Christians, in addition to working towards cultural and religious revival, would also be theologically invested in eradicating Hindus and their faith. 

I am sure the ARC Conference or other Conservative Conferences would find several other Hindus who would be more than willing to capitulate, to blame Hindus for their own persecution and humiliation. I refuse to be one of them. 

I believe the need is for Christian conservatives to get their house in order because, currently, their message to the world is clear – Christian conservatism is either subservient or indistinguishable from fundamentalism rooted in pristine theology and xenophobia, which hates Hindu existence itself.

I do hope there comes a time in the future when Christian conservatives realise that while they poured their energies into converting the “heathens”, their land and their identity were being stolen by common enemies – forces inimical to civilizational survival. I do hope that someday, forging a common alliance would not necessarily entail Hindus chipping away at their own cultural and religious identity. Until then, I would be uncomfortable attending this conference, while being deeply appreciative of the invitation extended to me. 

I am, of course, not placing the blame for JD Vance’s Hinduphobia on the ARC Conference. But in the absence of any condemnation from the conservatives and widespread agreement in contrast, I believe a Christian Conservative gathering is not one I feel the need to attend. 

India Today’s Marya Shakil justifies RJD’s genocidal “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” slogan in 90s calling it “political necessity,” read how it led to violence targeting upper caste Hindus in Bihar

Shraddha Pandey
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India Today’s Marya Shakil justifies RJD’s genocidal “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” slogan in 90s calling it “political necessity,” read how it led to violence targeting upper caste Hindus in Bihar

In the turbulent 1990s, Bihar under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was witnessing politics of caste-based mobilisation masquerading as social justice. The so-called upper caste Hindus were singled out, targeted and villainised by the RJD and its supporters with slogans like “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo”. Decades after, India Today journalist Marya Shakil has justified the RJD’s genocidal “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” slogan.

Marya Shakil is the daughter of Shakil Ahmed Khan, who was a minister in Rabri Devi’s cabinet for 10 years.

During a panel discussion program on India Today, Marya Shakil said that in the Bihar of 1990s, “Lalu Prasad Yadav was a political necessity. When he carried out the movement of ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo’ and the entire movement against the upper castes, that was the need of the hour.”

She further justified the anti-upper caste movement and genocidal calls by the RJD in the 1990s by saying that when Nitish Kumar arrived on the political scene in 2005 and emphasised “Mahila voters (women voters), etc that was the need of the hour. How conveniently, Marya Shakil whitewashed a political movement calling for the targeting and elimination of upper caste Hindus, not only a ‘political necessity’ but also equating with other social issues like the push to increase participation of women in voting.

This is not only an attempt at justifying and romanticising caste-based targeting and genocide calls as some sort of savvy realpolitik, but also normalising it. Just imagine, if today a BJP leader gives a slogan calling for genocide of a particular religious or ideological group it deems oppressive, arguing that most terrorists or anti-national elements emerge from this community, would Marya Shakil call it ‘political necessity’, ‘need of the hour’ or ‘realpolitik’?

No! Then it would have been hate speech, collapse of democracy, ‘Hindutva fascism’ and triggered ‘Minority khatre mein hai’, ‘I can’t breathe’, ‘Not the India I grew up in’ and similar such responses.

Bhura Baal Saaf Karo: RJD’s genocidal call becomes a political necessity for the daughter of a Jungle Raj-era minister

It is essential to recall that back in the 1990s, particularly 1996, RJD coined the slogan “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” which became a rallying cry to wipe off the ‘upper-caste’ Hindus. This slogan was not confined to seeking social justice or a mere subtle poetry used during election campaigns. It was an acronym targeting specific Hindu upper castes, Bhu for Bhumihars, Ra for Rajputs, Ba for Brahmins and L for Lalas or Kayasths.

Taking inspiration from the British ‘divide and rule’ policy, the RJD came up with this anti-Savarn slogan to sow divisions within the Hindu community on caste lines by projecting RJD as the sole fighter and defender of the backward caste against ‘oppressive’ Savarn groups. RJD aimed to unite and empower the Hindu backward castes and Muslims. This became the infamous “MY” formula replicated by the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.

It was after Lalu Yadav gave the ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo’ slogan, which essentially meant eliminate Bhumihars, Rajputs, Brahmins, and Lalas/Kayasths, a series of caste-based killings targeting the upper caste Hindus unfolded in Bihar. The caste fire ignited by the RJD engulfed Bihar and significantly contributed to the Lalu era’s “Jungle Raj”. Lawlessness, kidnappings for ransom, caste-based murders, loot and absolute lawlessness became the new normal in Bihar.

Driven by political desperation and perhaps genuine hatred for the upper caste Hindus, Lalu Yadav and his party’s caste-based politics devolved into a license for goons, especially those linked to his own party, to terrorise upper-caste Hindu villages. These incidents resulted in forced migrations. While Lalu’s Yadav-Muslim supremacist regime rode this wave to power, it scarred generations.

During the 15-year RJD rule, law enforcement collapsed, crimes became rampant, the economy decayed, kidnappings for ransom became a thriving industry, and mass murders, caste clashes became the new normal. This opprobrious era also marked the rise of brutal ‘Bahubalis’ like Mohammed Shahabuddin and Mohammed Taslimuddin, who ran their fiefdom with impunity. Police became a puppet of the RJD government, and migration of youth in search of jobs and to flee violence contributed to the law and economic collapse in the state.

Unsurprisingly, much like his denial of involvement in corruption cases he was convicted in, Lalu Yadav denies coining the ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo’ slogan and blames the media for falsely attributing it to him.

However, even decades later, the RJD is using election campaign strategies for the coming state assembly election, particularly songs glorifying guns, violence, the idea of establishing Yadav supremacy and eliminating political opponents just as it used to be during the Jungle Raj.

In fact, the dormant but never dead “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” has resurfaced in poll-bound Bihar’s charged political chatter. In July this year, a senior RJD leader while addressing a public event has said the same genocidal slogan.

In another incident reported from Gayaji, a crowd in July this year, ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo’ slogans were raised in the presence of RJD MLA from Attari, Ranjit Yadav.

Munarik Yadav, husband of Sahoda Panchayat head Photu Devi, referring to former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, said, “Our leader used to say, ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo,’ and he was right. Now is the time to truly execute the Bhura Baal Saaf Karo slogan.’”

While Marya Shakil’s blatant justification of the ‘Bhura Baal Saaf Karo’ slogan has sparked online outrage, it is not shocking coming from the daughter of Ahmed Shakil Khan, who was a close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav and served as the energy and law minister when Lalu’s wife Rabri Devi was the chief minister of Bihar. The daughter of a jungle-raj era minister justifying the horrors of those days would not have been very surprising; however, it coming from a journalist does raise concern.

If Bihar’s casteist and violent nightmare is what Marya Shakil would call ‘political necessity’, then the state is better off without those dreaming of scripting its sequel.

From Governance to Greatness: NDA’s Sankalp Patra for Bihar elections is a roadmap to turn the once-BIMARU state into an industrial powerhouse

Raju Das
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From Governance to Greatness: NDA’s Sankalp Patra for Bihar elections is a roadmap to turn the once-BIMARU state into an industrial powerhouse

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. Nitish Kumar has been the chief minister of the state for a long time, since 2005, except a brief intervention when Jitan Ram Manjhi was the CM. Therefore, the alliance is fighting anti-incumbency along with combined strength of RJD and Congress. To ensure return to power, NDA has released the Sankalp Patra that reads less like a list of poll promises and more like an agenda for development.

Created around the slogan “Viksit Bihar,” it envisions a confident, self-reliant, and industrially developed Bihar, with the aim to join the league of India’s top ten states within the next five years. The Sankalp Patra contains 25 main promises.

The document reminds voters of the journey from the lawless, infrastructure-starved Bihar of the 1990s to the transformed state of the 2020s, while laying down a detailed plan to sustain double-digit growth, create one crore jobs, and turn Bihar into the industrial heart of eastern India.

From Darkness to Development: The Numbers Tell the Story

A key section of the manifesto, titled “Bihar Kal Aur Aaj” (Bihar Then and Now), shows the contrasts in the condition of the state between 1990–2005 and 2005–2025. The comparison serves as the NDA’s central argument, that Nitish Kumar’s two decades of governance have fundamentally changed the economic and social status of Bihar.

The state’s average annual growth rate has jumped from a meagre 3% in the pre-NDA years to 11% over the past two decades. Per capita income, which was just ₹7,840, now stands at ₹66,828, over eight times higher. Notably, Bihar’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) stood in 2005 was ₹79,000 crore, which has gone up to ₹11 lakh crore by 2025, a more than thirteenfold increase.

The state’s economic growth is reflected in the size of its budget, which has gone up to ₹3,16,895 crore from just ₹23,885 20 years ago, an increase of over 13 times.

Infrastructure growth tells an equally striking story. In 1990–2005, Bihar had barely 8,000 km of rural roads. Between 2005 and 2025, that figure has expanded to over 1.2 lakh km, connecting virtually every village. The state had 0 km of expressways, now it has over 2000 kilometres.

The number of police stations has increased from 817 to 1,380, while the police force itself has grown from 42,000 to 1.35 lakh, including 35,000 women personnel. Electricity availability was just 22% with power available for just 7-8 hours a day, has now surged to approximatively 100% with supply for around 23-24 hours.

The transformation in education and healthcare spending is equally dramatic. Bihar’s education budget has grown from ₹4,366 crore in 2005 to ₹77,690 crore in 2025. The number of engineering colleges has expanded from just two to 38, ITIs from 23 to 152, and medical colleges from six (pre-1990s) to 15 functional and 21 under construction. The state’s health budget has risen from ₹705 crore to over ₹20,000 crore. These statistics form the bedrock of the NDA’s claim that Bihar has not only recovered from decades of neglect but is now poised for industrial takeoff.

The 25 Sankalp: A Roadmap for a “Viksit Bihar”

At the heart of the manifesto are 25 key commitments, or Sankalp, that map out Bihar’s next stage of growth. They span sectors like employment, industry, agriculture, women empowerment, infrastructure, education, and welfare. The 25 Sankalps are as follows:

  1. Jobs and Employment for Every Youth: Provide over one crore (10 million) government and private jobs; conduct a statewide skill census and establish global-level skill centers in every district.
  2. Women’s Prosperity and Self-Reliance: Financial support up to ₹2 lakh for women entrepreneurs; empower one crore women to become “Lakhpati Didis” and launch “Mission Crorepati Didi” to help top-performing women become millionaires.
  3. Economic and Social Empowerment of Extremely Backward Classes: Provide ₹10 lakh financial assistance to EBC occupational groups and form a high-level commission to assess and promote their social and economic progress.
  4. Farmers’ Dignity and Guaranteed MSP: Launch the Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi giving ₹9,000 annually to farmers, and ensure MSP-based procurement of key crops — paddy, wheat, pulses, and maize.
  5. Prosperous Farmers through Dairy and Fisheries Missions: Launch Jalaj Sahni Fish Farmers Assistance Scheme and Bihar Dairy Mission to double fish and milk production and exports.
  6. High-Speed Connectivity through Expressways and Rail: Build seven new expressways, modernize 3,600 km of rail tracks, expand metro services, and develop new high-speed train routes.
  7. Modern Urban Development: Develop a New Patna Satellite City, greenfield smart townships, and “Seetapuram” near Sitamarhi as a world-class spiritual city dedicated to Goddess Sita.
  8. Direct International Flights from Bihar: Establish international airports at Darbhanga, Purnea, and Bhagalpur; add 10 new domestic air routes.
  9. Guarantee of Industrial Revolution: Launch the Developed Bihar Industrial Mission with ₹1 lakh crore investment to build mega industrial parks, create jobs, and ensure large-scale industrialization.
  10. Factory in Every District, Jobs in Every Home: Establish 10 new mega industrial parks and district-level manufacturing units under the One District One Factory model.
  11. The Era of the New Age Economy: Develop Bihar into a Global Back-End Hub and Global Work Skill Centre, attracting ₹50 lakh crore in investments over the next five years.
  12. ‘Panchamrit’ Guarantee for the Poor: Ensure five basic welfare guarantees: Free ration, 125 units of free electricity, Free healthcare up to ₹5 lakh, 50 lakh new houses, Comprehensive social security pensions.
  13. Free Education from KG to PG: Provide quality education completely free for children from poor families, with nutritious meals, modern labs, and smart schools.
  14. ‘Made in Bihar for the World’ – Doubling Agri Exports: Develop five mega food parks, boost exports of makhana, fish, and pulses, and achieve self-sufficiency in key crops by 2030.
  15. South Asia’s Textile Hub: Establish Mithila Mega Textile and Design Park and Ang Mega Silk Park to make Bihar a textile and design powerhouse.
  16. Eastern India’s New Tech Hub: Create a Defense Corridor, Semiconductor Manufacturing Park, Mega Tech City, and Fintech City to attract high-tech industries.
  17. Network of Cottage Industries and MSMEs: Build 100 MSME parks and 50,000 cottage industries; promote ‘Vocal for Local’ with testing labs, quality certification, and marketing support.
  18. World-Class Education Infrastructure: Build a ₹5,000 crore Education City, make major schools AI-enabled, develop Bihar as a “State of Excellence in Learning and Innovation.”
  19. Health Services at Global Standards: Set up a world-class Medical City, complete construction of all district medical colleges, establish specialized hospitals for cancer, autism, and super-specialty care.
  20. Promotion of Sports and Youth Excellence: Build dedicated Sports Cities in every division, set up State-of-Excellence Training Centres for priority sports disciplines.
  21. Welfare of Scheduled Castes: Provide ₹2,000 monthly stipend to SC students; set up residential schools and entrepreneurship programs for their upliftment.
  22. Dignity and Support for Gig Workers and Drivers: Offer ₹4 lakh life insurance and low-interest collateral-free vehicle loans to auto, taxi, and e-rickshaw drivers; social security for gig workers.
  23. Development of Religious Tourism: Develop Ramayan, Buddhist, Jain, and Ganga Circuits; build Janaki Corridor and Mahabodhi Corridor; promote eco-friendly homestays.
  24. A New Centre for Art, Culture, and Cinema: Establish a Film City, Sharada School of Arts, Bihar School of Dramatics, and Ubhaya Bharati School of Performing Arts to make Bihar a cultural capital.
  25. A Flood-Free Bihar in Five Years: Form a Flood Management Board and implement major river-linking projects (Koshi–Gandak–Son, etc.) to make Bihar free from annual floods within five years.

The Sankalp Patra outlines detailed plans to achieve these promises.

Jobs and Economic Growth

The most attention-grabbing pledge is the creation of over one crore jobs, including government jobs. To achieve this ambitious goal, the NDA government will set up a mega still centre in every district. The NDA promises to make Bihar a “Global Skilling Centre” with the development of skills among the youth.

If the 2000s were about restoring governance, the 2020s, the manifesto asserts, will be about industrial revolution. Bihar’s ethanol, already credited for bringing ₹32,000 crore in investment, is cited as a model of success. The document pledges more mega food parks, an electronics manufacturing hub, a green energy park for solar and battery production, and a South Asia Textile and Design Park in Mithila. The Sankalp Patra promises make Bihar a textile hub of South Asia with establishment of textile and design parks, and a Khadi Promotion Mission.

Under the Developed Bihar Industrial Mission, the state plans a ₹1 lakh crore industrial push, establishing 10 mega industrial parks, 5 mega food parks, district-level manufacturing clusters, and special economic zones across Champaran, Begusarai, and Khagaria. The manifesto outlines a “Made in Bihar for the World” campaign, aimed at doubling exports in sectors like food processing, textiles, leather, and electronics.

NDA promises to complete the ongoing industrial parks at an accelerated rate. The Sankalp Patra promises ₹50 lakh crore investment in new age economy, targeting establishing Bihar as a Global Back End Hub and a source for Global Workforce.

It also promises a Fintech City in Patna, a Tech City and Defense Corridor in southern Bihar, and specialized industrial corridors linking Chhapra to Kishanganj. By 2030, the NDA aims to place Bihar among India’s top five states in “Ease of Doing Business.”

The manifesto envisions “One District, One Factory,” ensuring every district has a distinct manufacturing identity tied to its local resources. The Sankalp Patra promises 100 MSME parks and over 50,000 cottage industries to promote ‘vocal for local’ campaign.

The state’s NDA government will collaborate with the central government to establish a defence corridor in the state. They also aim to establish Aircraft MRO centres.

Together, these measures aim to create lakhs of new jobs and move Bihar beyond its traditional image as a labour-exporting state.

Agriculture: From Annadata to Agro Processing Powerhouse

For Bihar’s large agrarian population, the NDA promises a shift from subsistence farming to high-value agriculture. NDA aims to double food processing industry in the state in the next five years. Mega Food Parks and Fishery & Poultry Parks will be established for this purpose.

A ₹1.6 lakh crore Fourth Agriculture Roadmap aims to mechanize farming, modernize irrigation, and triple cold-storage capacity to 50 lakh metric tonnes. Along with this, network of integrated cold storage and refrigerated vans will be set up for fruits, vegetables, dairy and poultry products. NDA also plans to launch 10 new national and international cooperative food brands to establish Bihar as Food Brand leader. Modern food processing, packaging and quality certification unites will be established to achieve this goal.

Every panchayat will have modern procurement centres for paddy, wheat, pulses, and maize under a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. The manifesto also pledges a Mukhyamantri Makhana Mission, Fishery Export Promotion Board, and the Bihar Dahi Mission to make the state self-reliant in dairy and aquaculture.

The NDA promises subsidised power to farmers for irrigation, and resolves to complete the ongoing irrigation projects in time. They will also promote establishment of solar energy production on farm land.

To combat recurring floods, the NDA plans a Flood Management Board and river-linking projects connecting the Koshi, Gandak, and Son rivers, with the ambitious goal of a “Flood-Free Bihar in five years.”

Women and Youth: The Human Capital

The manifesto puts a lot of emphasis on women’s empowerment. The NDA credits its tenure with making Bihar the first state to reserve 35% of government jobs and 50% of local body seats for women. Going forward, it pledges to make one crore women “Lakhpati Didis”, through self-help groups, easy microcredit, and entrepreneurship programs. They also launch a Mission Crorepati Didis for successful Lakhpati Didis, providing them with collateral free loans upto ₹20 lakh and other supports.

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana will provide up to ₹2 lakh per woman for business ventures, while the “Mission Crorepati Didi” will identify and mentor high-performing entrepreneurs. Skill development partnerships with IIMs and IITs are planned to professionalize rural enterprises.

For youth, the focus is on employability. A Mega Skill Census will map local job demand, and new Skill Hubs in every district will train workers for global outsourcing roles under a Global Work Skill Centre plan. Education reforms include free quality schooling from KG to PG, mid-day meals with nutritious breakfast, AI-enabled smart classrooms, and a ₹5,000 crore Education City to make Bihar a “Start-up Hub of Eastern India.”

The state govt will set up coaching centres in the state, which will include hostels and libraries. NDA promises self-help allowance of ₹2000 for graduates and post graduates for a period of two years.

Infrastructure and Connectivity: The Engine of Growth

The manifesto promises seven new expressways, including the Champaran–Kishanganj and Rajgir–Banka industrial corridors, and modernization of 3,600 km of railway tracks. Patna will be connected with all major districts with 4 or 6 lane highways. It proposes three new international airports, at Darbhanga, Purnea, and Bhagalpur, and three new domestic airports at Raxaul, Bhagalpur and Rajgir. A new International Airport at Patna is also planned.

River transport will get a boost through a Ganga Multimodal Logistics Park and Gandak Inland Water Corridor. But connectivity will also see improvements with modernisation of bus depots and launch of inter-state bus services.  

Urban Bihar will see the rise of greenfield smart townships and expansion of metro services. A new greenfield city ‘New Patna’ comprising areas of Patna, Saran and Vishali will come up. Piped natural gas is promised in every district by 2030.

NDA promises a Delhi-Patna-Kolkata bullet train route, and establishment of Namo Rapid Train Services in major industrial and tourism corridors.  

Welfare, Governance, and Heritage

The NDA’s welfare push promises free ration for the poor, 125 units of free electricity, free healthcare up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat, 50 lakh new houses, and expanded social security pensions. Governance reforms include e-administration, paperless services, and a drive to place Bihar among India’s top five states for ease of doing business.

On the cultural front, the manifesto taps into pride and heritage. It envisions a Film City, Performing Arts University, and spiritual tourism circuits — Ramayan, Buddhist, Jain, and Ganga — to make Bihar the cultural capital of eastern India once again.

The Vision: From Governance to Greatness

If promises in the manifesto are realized, the roadmap could turn Bihar into a regional powerhouse, self-reliant, industrially dynamic, and socially inclusive. Bihar has come a long away from the jungle raj days, and in re-elected, the Nitish Kumar government promises to continue the progress of the state.

From crediting Usha and her Hindu faith for his own religious journey to wanting her to convert: JD Vance panders to white Christian extremists amid racist anti-Hindu hate rising in USA

Rukma Rathore
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From crediting Usha and her Hindu faith for his own religious journey to wanting her to convert: JD Vance panders to white Christian extremists amid racist anti-Hindu hate rising in USA

United States Vice President JD Vance has sparked a massive controversy when he voiced his desire for his Hindu wife Usha Bala Chilukuri to adopt his Christian beliefs.

What incited even greater outrage was his description of her as “agnostic” and his shocking reluctance to recognize her “Hindu faith,” despite his earlier candid acknowledgment of how Usha and her religion helped him draw closer to Jesus Christ. Likewise, she linked Hinduism to her excellent upbringing and pointed out the role it played in shaping her parents into such admirable people.

“I was never baptised. I was raised Christian but never baptised. I was first baptised in 2018. Usha was raised non-Christian. She is actually not Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my faith, Usha was very supportive,” he pointed out while talking to Fox News.

Vance’s latest statement has come months after Usha’s declaration of her clear disinterest in conversion to Christianity during an interview with Meghan McCain where she emphasized that her children were being educated about India, her religion as well as traditions through trips to the country and relevant books.

Meanwhile, the Republican leader who credited his wife’s beliefs for assisting in his own religious journey seems to be failing to accept her clear reluctance to embrace Christianity. Furthermore, Vance’s statement comes across as blatant appeasement, pandering to religious bigotry and supremacist ideology that is raising in the USA.

Vance’s contradictory comments from now and earlier reveal stunning hypocrisy and even a degree of political shrewdness. He is the man who expressed guilt for taking his spouse to mass as she was not a Christian and felt regret over the fact that she “didn’t sign up to marry a weekly churchgoer.”

Moreover, Vance disclosed that Usha was comfortable with their church visits and aided him in carving his own spiritual path but it appears to be too much to expect the same from him in return. Now, Vance does not hesitate to boast to a crowd of thousands that he would like to get his Hindu wife converted into Christianity, fully cognizant of the rising anti-India and Hinduphobia present in the nation.

The vice president understood what his supporters wished to hear and certainly met their expectations, without reflecting on the implications of his remarks or perhaps he simply did not care because the political agenda and religious supremacy take precedence. Worse still, he essentially cast his wife to the racist wolves to secure their backing and attract their support.

Usha highlighted her Hindu background

Usha mentioned in the aforementioned conversation with McCain that her grandmother prays daily, performs puja, and regularly attends the temple. “My children have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit,” she conveyed.

She noted that they had given their children the liberty to choose their own path and stated, “So what we’ve ended up doing is we send our kids to Catholic school, and we have given them each the choice, right? They can choose whether they want to be baptised Catholic and then go through the whole step-by-step process with their classes in school.” 

“We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when I’m not Catholic, and I’m not intending to convert or anything like that,” the second lady of the United States outlined while discussing their interfaith household. “Kids are smart. They know I’m not Catholic, and they know there are many ways to experience the divine,” she emphasized. However, her spouse does not seem to hold the same view, especially at this time, as indicated by his public efforts of pressuring her to convert.

“My parents are Hindu and that’s one of the things that made them such good parents and good people and I have seen the power of that in my own life. I knew that JD was searching for something. This just felt right for him,” Usha likewise conveyed in the interview to Fox News.

Vance who is well aware of his wife’s Hindu heritage, which he attributed to his own spiritual awakening, has opted to label her as “agnostic.” He married a Hindu but apparently draws the line at naming her religion in front of his radical fans.

Racists target Usha and her children due to their Indian heritage

The white Christian nationalists express their animosity and disdain towards Hindus and Indians on a daily basis. No one from the community, not even those affiliated with the Donald Trump administration, is immune to this rampant hatred. A similar incident unfolded when Usha and her three children were targeted by this vitriol.

Vance’s nomination as vice president was severely criticised due to his marriage to a non-Christian brown person. She was subjected to racial slurs while the neo-Nazis derided her ancestry, skin color and background. Social media was rife with bigoted and xenophobic posts such as “Tragic. I presumed Vance was a Christian,” “Our forefathers are rolling in their graves,” “Christ is King, not a distasteful Indian idol,” and “Will a cow soon be in the White House,” among others.

Nevertheless, Vance supported 25-year-old Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee Marko Elez after his resignation over racist posts even after the vitriol directed at his family, rather than taking a stand against the irrational enmity towards Hindus and Indians. He even received backlash for emboldening such elements but remained unfazed.

Vance had been siding with these bigots despite knowing the adverse effects it could have on both the larger Indian Hindu community and his own family.

Elez had written “I was racist before it was cool,” “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity,” and “Normalize India hate,” on his later deleted social media account and was exposed by The Wall Street Journal.

Interestingly, Vance had earlier identified as a “Never Trump guy” and rightly emphasized that “there is undoubtedly an aspect of Donald Trump’s backing rooted in racism or xenophobia.” However, he subsequently referenced “many successes in office” as a reason for altering his perspective on the president after being selected as a running mate.

Conclusion

The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, which was once a refuge for the aspirations of conservatives weary of leftist hypocrisy and appeasement towards Islamists, has now devolved into a white Christian extremist cabal. Disturbingly, even the tallest right-wing leaders occupying the most influential positions are catering to this audience.

Nonetheless, it is even more crucial to note that these remarks not only reinforce the delusions about religious or race supremacy but also empower the hateful sentiments against Indians in general and Hindus in particular, as proven by ongoing and increasing incidents of violence. This rhetoric has far-reaching consequences for Indians, even transcending the borders of the United States.

King Charles strips Prince Andrew of all royal titles and honours over Epstein sex scandal: All you need to know

Shraddha Pandey
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King Charles strips Prince Andrew of all royal titles and honours over Epstein sex scandal: All you need to know

The alleged links of Prince Andrew of England with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have cost him his royal titles and honours. On Wednesday (30th October), the Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles has stripped his 65-year-old brother Prince Andrew of all his remaining royal titles and honours.

Andrew is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He has been under pressure since his alleged links with Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in public. Earlier this month, Prince Andrew was stripped of from the title of Duke of York.

In a statement, the Buckingham Palace said that Prince Andrew will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The Mountbatten Windsor surname was created in 1960, and combines the surnames of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip when they married.

The Palace stated that King Charles has initiated a formal process to remove his “Style, Titles and Honours”. It added that Andrew’s lease on Royal Lodge “has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence”.

“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation…These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement reads.

From being a celebrated naval officer and trade ambassador to accusations of sexual misconduct and losing royal patronages: The rise and fall of Prince Andrew

During the early 1980s Falklands War with Argentina, Andrew was a member of the armed forces and was once a noted navy officer.
However, he was stripped of his royal patronages and military connections in 2022 because to accusations of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied, after having to quit from his position as a travelling UK trade ambassador in 2011. He also stepped down from his royal obligations in 2019. 

In that year, he reached a settlement in a case filed by Virginia Giuffre, who passed away in April, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her as a teenager. Since the publication of her memoir, Andrew has consistently rejected her accusations.

In her memoir, Virginia Giuffre wrote that an “entitled” Andrew believed it was his birthright to have sex with her.

Earlier this month, the British media reported about a correspondence between Andrew and Epstein from 2011, revealing that Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein that they should “keep in close touch” and that they would “play some more soon”.

According to a 2016 deposition in a lawsuit, Giuffre said she was pimped out to disgraced royal Andrew but also claimed she had sex with another prince on Epstein’s direction.

Giuffre revealed that she met this prince in 2001, when she was 17, at a lavish party in the south of France. She could not recognise the prince but said he spoke a “foreign language” and English fluently. Giuffre testified that she met “the Prince” alone on the directives of Epstein and his former companion Ghislaine Maxwell, who were well aware that she was being sex-trafficked to this royal.

“They were present before the sexual activity and then I went to have sexual activity with him alone … on the instruction of Epstein and Ghislaine,” Giuffre went on to say. The newly revealed court documents also include testimony from Maxwell, who strongly refuted Giuffre’s claims and asserted she was lying.

Virginia Giuffre also claimed to have seen Bill Clinton twice on Epstein’s Caribbean Island. Another renowned face she mentioned was former presidential candidate Al Gore and his wife Tipper. Giuffre clarified that she saw them having private discussions during dinner but did not accuse them of anything.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 (Image via BBC)

Lawyers questioned Giuffre in a 2015 deposition about the precise incident in 2001 in which she reported spending time with Prince Andrew. “Were you paid $10,000 – $15,000 by or on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein for having sex with Prince Andrew?” she was asked, to which she replied, “Yes, I was paid $15,000.I don’t know what equivalent that is to pounds. I received it in US dollars.”

The late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Prince Andrew of his military and royal titles, and he paid a $12 million lawsuit launched by Giuffre. He has, however, always denied any involvement, claiming he never met Giuffre.

The unsealed court documents in the Epstein scandal brought to light serious allegations that disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein filmed sex tapes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Sir Richard Branson. The documents are part of a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. The matter was settled in 2017. However, Miami Herald’s legal battle ensured that the documents were released, revealing high-profile names and a shocking series of events on Epstein’s Island.  

Amanda, the sister-in-law of Virgina Giuffre told BBC that King Charles is “setting a precedent for the rest of the world leaders out there to actually come forward and say even if it is my brother I’m going to hold him to account because I believe survivors”.

However, she opined that this is not enough. “We have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this, he’s still walking around a free man. I commend the King… but we need to take it one step further, he needs to be behind bars,” she said.

Who was Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier who was convicted by a Florida state court for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. He served 13 months in jail and was arrested again in July 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He died a month later in August while undergoing trial. Authorities deemed the death as a suicide, but there have been questions around the circumstances and handling.

Epstein files are investigative documents containing files, records, videos, and contacts compiled by federal agencies during the investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities. The files are said to contain flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft, contact lists, accounting records, and even video evidence of abuse.

During his presidential election campaign, Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein Files in public, which would have exposed numerous celebrities who were at some point in time involved in sexual abuse at Epstein’s Island. However, after coming to power, President Trump reneged from his poll promise and refused to make the files public. Meanwhile, Trump himself was reported to have had links with Jeffrey Epstein.

JD Vance hopes his Hindu wife will convert to Christianity: How US Vice President’s remarks reflect America’s institutionalised Christian supremacism and anti-Hindu bias

Rukma Rathore
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JD Vance hopes his Hindu wife will convert to Christianity: How US Vice President’s remarks reflect America’s institutionalised Christian supremacism and anti-Hindu bias

On 29th October, United States Vice President James David (JD) Vance declared that he hoped his wife, Usha Bala Chilukuri who comes from a Hindu family of Telugu immigrants, would eventually convert to Christianity in the name of “free will” and “mutual respect” in their interfaith union. He made the comments while addressing the Turning Point USA (United States of America) Event in Mississippi.

“Now, most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As I’ve told her, and as I’ve said publicly, and as I’ll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends, do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way,” he expressed.

The statement came after a query about Vance’s hopes for his wife to possibly “come to Christ” in the future. He emphasised that the couple had made their “own arrangement” in their dual-faith home as well as insisted that religious beliefs are very personal and do not cause any issues in their family.

“If she doesn’t, then god says everybody has free will, and so that doesn’t cause a problem for me. One of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free will,” Vance claimed. “My wife did not grow up Christian. I think it’s fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction,” he conveyed and maintained that the pair has managed their interfaith household in a “balanced” manner.

“Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here. The way that we’ve come to our arrangement is that she’s my best friend. We talk to each other about this stuff. We’ve decided to raise our kids Christian. Our two oldest kids, who go to school, go to a Christian school. Our 8-year-old did his first communion about a year ago. That’s the way that we have come to our arrangement,” the vice president highlighted.

Vance also boasted that Usha was more acquainted with the priest who performed his baptism.

Vance advocates for the integration of religion and politics

The Republican leader even disagreed with the idea that religion must be kept out of politics and public life. “Anybody who tells you it’s required by the Constitution is lying to you. The Supreme Court interpreted ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion’ to effectively exclude religion from public spaces at the federal, state and local level. I think it was a terrible mistake, and we’re still paying for the consequences of it today,” he complained.

“I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country. Anybody who’s telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you and I’m at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing,” Vance asserted regarding the separation of church and state.

Vance engaged in discussions with college students at the occasion amid roaring applause from the conservative crowd, taking the place of his late friend and conservative leader Charlie Kirk who was shot dead in Utah last month.

Usha showed reluctance to embrace Christianity

The Second Lady of the United States spoke out just a few months ago about how she, a Hindu and her husband who is a Catholic, were raising their children in an interfaith home. “When you convert to Catholicism it comes with several important obligations, like to raise your child in the faith and all that,” she explained in a conversation with Meghan McCain.

However, contrary to her spouse’s wishes, she outlined her disinterest and stressed, “We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when I’m not Catholic, and I’m not intending to convert or anything like that.”

Usha stressed that they had given “them each the choice,” as she talked about sending their children to a Catholic school. She stated that her children understood her position on the issue properly, even if she hoped to turn their church-going custom into a “family experience.”

Usha pointed out, “The kids know that I’m not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit.”

How Usha’s Hindu roots supported Vance in his beliefs

Vance met Usha while attending Yale Law School prior to his conversion to Catholicism in 2019. He was brought up in a non-Christian household and did not frequently attend church as a child. “In fact, when I met my wife I would consider myself an agnostic or an atheist, that’s what she would have considered herself as well,” he voiced at the recent program.

Interestingly, the faith he desires her to substitute with Christianity has played a crucial role in assisting him to overcome challenges and harmonise his Catholic beliefs.

“I was never baptised. I was raised Christian but never baptised. I was first baptised in 2018. Usha was raised non-Christian. She is actually not Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my faith, Usha was very supportive. Usha was actually raised non-Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my faith, Usha was very supportive,” Vance recounted in an interview with Fox News.

“My parents are Hindu and that’s one of the things that made them such good parents and good people and I have seen the power of that in my own life. I knew that JD was searching for something. This just felt right for him,” Usha added with pride.

Notably, the former Donald Trump detractor also acknowledged that he felt guilty about taking his Hindu wife to church on Sundays, in contrast to his current conversion aspirations. Vance stated that she was “more than ok with it,” even if she “didn’t sign up to marry a weekly churchgoer,” in a previous interview with the New York Times.

Stunning change of stance amidst rising Hindu animosity, anti-Indian rhetoric in the US

It is not unusual for politicians to shift their positions, retract promises or resort to dishonorable tactics for petty agendas as this is part of the political landscape. However, Vance’s remarks have laid bare the pervasive supremacist ideology embedded in the American society.

This is not the first display of such distasteful discourse as the escalating anti-India sentiment and hatred for Hindus have been present for years and have recently become prominent in the age of internet. This vitriol which is brazenly portrayed on social media has also culminated in fatal crimes against the members of the Indian community in the land of the Ku Klux Klan.

A disturbing incident occurred last month when a Dallas motel manager Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, a Karnataka native, was brutally killed after advising a guest against using a malfunctioning washing machine. The horrific act was committed by 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez in the presence of the victim’s wife and children who unsuccessfully tried to intervene.

Cobos-Martinez and a woman were cleaning a room and he became irritated since Nagamallaiah relied on her to translate for him rather than speaking to the perpetrator directly. Hence, he decapitated him, kicked his head into the parking lot and then placed it in a dumpster. A trivial matter led to the death of an innocent man, demonstrating that the venom directed at Indians has tangible consequences in reality.

There appears to be no distinction between the ideology of a career criminal and that of a police officer, as showcased following the death of 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula who was from Andhra Pradesh, in January 2023. She was killed by a police officer named Kevin Dave in Seattle, Washington.

A bodycam video featuring Daniel Auderer, a leader of the Seattle Police Department union gained widespread attention as he was captured making jokes about the tragedy. He chuckled and mocked that she was 26 and her life had “limited value” alongside adding that the city should simply “write a cheque” for $11,000.

23-year-old Richard Florez shot and killed a 27-year-old Indian student in Dallas. Hyderabad native Chandrashekar Pole who moved to the Western country in 2023 for higher studies was slain while he was working at a gas station.

The prevalence of such incidents is escalating with the intensifying rhetoric against Indian Hindus in America as they are being painted as lesser humans, making them vulnerable targets and easy preys to both deranged individuals and racists, irrespective of their social standing.

Neo-Nazis demonstrate genocidal loathing for Indians and deride Hindu gods

While Indians are facing violence and attacks, the racists are focused on stoking the flames online by belittling Sanatan Dharma, its deities and even calling for an end to its practice, especially in “Christian nations.” The same was at peak during Diwali when they could not bear the celebrations and festivities, prompting them to initiate an abhorrent attack on Hindus, reminiscent of jihadis and Islamists.

Additionally, referring to Hindus as pagans, labeling Hindu gods as “false or demonic” and encouraging others to write “Curse Vishnu” to prove their their non-Indianness has become a widespread behavior among the MAGA (Make America Great Again) group.

American politicians are similarly complicit in this reprehensible rhetoric as evidenced by Republican Senate candidate for Texas, Alexander Duncan who referred to Lord Hanuman as a “false god” and opposed his idol in the “Christian country.” He then proceeded to quote Bible versus to prove his point and later defended his Hinduphobic post.

This cabal aims to deport all Indians even those from the Trump administration, including Tulsi Gabbard which is quite amusing as she is of Samoan and Caucasian descent, solely due to her Hindu faith. The citizenship of these individuals or their shared conservative views does not prevent them from pursuing a racist agenda and harboring a toxic mindset.

Likewise, these racists even exalt colonization, genocide and the deaths of Indians, employ the most derogatory language against them, hold them accountable for all the ills under the sun including the destruction of wildlife which India has remarkably excelled in conserving despite the near-endangerment caused by the invaders, merely to undermine the bloodstained history of their white ancestors.

All Indian stereotypes, regardless of the inaccuracy are amplified and their every achievement is downplayed while shamelessly justifying the actions of their imperialist heroes. More importantly, these neo-Nazis do not have hesitation in making open threats of genocide and colonization against Indians.

It is significant to mention that even Vance’s family has been targeted by white supremacists due to his wife. Now, if that same man who occupies the second most significant position in the world’s most powerful country which claims to be an ideal liberal democracy, is engaging in such rhetoric, it is very troubling.

The United States claims to grant equal rights to all its citizens, regardless of their religion, gender, race or other differences. Thus, what effect will these comments have on the Indian or Hindu community there which is already grappling with a high degree of racism? Is it not likely to embolden Christian radicals and racists to intensify their attacks?

Moreover, does it not highlight Vance’s own biases and personal prejudices particularly considering that his wife is part of the community despised by his conservative supporters. He was even refraining from stating that she is a Hindu and opted to replace the term with “agnostic.” How could it be so difficult to marry a Hindu woman yet not recognize her religion?

Such statements from the vice president of a country that releases a mandated “US Commission on International Religious Freedom” vividly paints a picture of hypocrisy and double standards, which honestly is quite characteristic of America.

Meanwhile, the hostile remarks and policies orchestrated by Donald Trump, owing to the Modi government’s refusal to submit to his demands in relation to accepting his self-proclaimed mediation between New Delhi and Islamabad, halting the purchase of Russian oil and nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize have only added fuel to the anti-India sentiment among the racists.

Conclusion

The United States, which often lectures the world, particularly India, on individual freedom, equality, tolerance, minority rights and similar aspects, consistently favors Christianity over other religions. This nation, which strives to portray itself as nothing less than a real world utopia, despite being the farthest from perfection, is, in fact, a hub of racism and Hindumisia.

The President of the United States swears an oath on the Bible, unlike in India where the Constitution is utilized, highlighting the subjective and non-secular nature of the Oval Office. Their media has likewise communicated such malice for ages, as evidenced by American newspapers in 1910 which were filled with spite towards the “Hindoos.”

The shared theme among these conservatives, from Trump and Vance to an ordinary troll or their media and diplomats, appears to be the same: to insult Hinduism as well as target India and Indians, of course, with varying degrees of bile and manipulation in language.

The present administration is thus catering to its racist audience, fully aware of the consequences for ordinary Indians and Hindus. However, as has always been the case, when has America ever prioritised anything other than its own interests and agenda?

Moreover, Vance will likely be the presidential candidate for the GOP after the end of the Trump’s term, and he is likely to be criticised by conservatives for non having a non-Christian wife. Despite being the so-called champion of democracy, the post of president in the USA is always occupied by Christians, and that to men, and it is unlikely to change in near future. Therefore, it is very much possible for Vance to convince his wife to convert to Christianity before the next presidential elections.

Shashankasana has nothing to do with Namaz, yet caught teachers keep giving the same excuse: Know the vast difference between ‘Sajda’ and Yogic postures

विशेषता
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Shashankasana has nothing to do with Namaz, yet caught teachers keep giving the same excuse: Know the vast difference between ‘Sajda’ and Yogic postures

Cases like these often come to light where Muslim teachers in schools are accused of teaching Hindu students prayer-like postures under the guise of yoga classes. After parents raise complaints, such teachers are caught, yet the same defense is always offered: that the posture being taught was merely a yoga pose.

A similar case has recently emerged from Deohari village in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district. A government school teacher named Jabur Ahmad has been accused of teaching Hindu students Islamic prayer postures during yoga and Surya Namaskar sessions. As the controversy escalated, the Muslim teacher was immediately suspended, and an inquiry was initiated.

In his defense, Jabur Ahmad claimed he was only teaching students the “Shashankasana” (Rabbit Pose). He argued that while this pose might resemble an Islamic prayer posture, it is purely a yogic asana. So what is the actual difference between a yoga posture and a namaz (Islamic prayer) position, and why do some individuals deliberately exploit this confusion?

The difference between Shashankasana and Namaz posture

Examining the frequently cited “Shashankasana” argument shows clear distinctions between the posture used in namaz and the yogic pose. Their physical configuration and procedural sequence are fundamentally different.

Namaz’s “Sajda” posture

The most controversial part of the namaz is the “sajda,” in which the worshipper places their forehead on the ground. In this position, the body’s balance rests on five main points: the toes, knees, palms, and forehead.

In sajda, the elbows are kept above the ground and away from the body, ensuring that the forearms do not touch the floor. The toes are curled inward and touch the ground, while the ankles remain bent, and the heels are raised.

Shashankasana (Rabbit Pose)

Shashankasana is a beneficial yogic posture derived from the Sanskrit word Shashanka, meaning “rabbit,” as the body assumes a rabbit-like shape. It is known to improve digestion, relieve constipation, and help with asthma, diabetes, and heart ailments by calming the nervous system.

To perform Shashankasana, one sits in Padmasana or Vajrasana with the spine erect. The knees are spread apart, and the arms are extended above the head. Exhaling, one bends forward from the waist, keeping the arms straight until the forehead, arms, and chin touch the floor. After holding the pose briefly, one slowly returns to the starting position while inhaling. This process can be repeated three to five times. The position of the arms and elbows here differs completely from the namaz posture, where the elbows must remain lifted.

Similar past incidents

This is not the first time that Muslim teachers or event organizers have been accused of teaching namaz postures to Hindu students under the guise of yoga or Surya Namaskar. Such incidents reveal a recurring pattern that can hardly be dismissed as coincidence.

One of the major incidents took place in April 2025 at Guru Ghasidas Central University (GGU) in Chhattisgarh. There, 155 Hindu students accused seven teachers and one student leader of forcing them to perform Islamic prayer postures during a morning “yoga class” at an NSS camp. Students alleged that they were threatened with disciplinary action if they refused. Police later registered a case against the eight accused individuals.

Forcing Hindu students to perform namaz without even the yoga pretext

In several other instances, Muslim teachers have allegedly compelled Hindu students to perform namaz without disguising it as yoga. One such case was reported from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, where Hindu students were allegedly made to perform namaz in 40°C heat and recite Fatiha (an Islamic prayer). Hindu girls were reportedly made to wear burqas, and students were coerced into chanting “Allahu Akbar.” The incident triggered massive protests in the area.

In another case, parents in Gujarat’s Karnavati accused Kelorex Future School of making Hindu students perform namaz. The revelation caused a major uproar, prompting the Gujarat government to order an immediate inquiry and direct schools to ensure that no religious practice is imposed on students.

Though these cases differ from the Burhanpur “Shashankasana” controversy, together they highlight an alarming pattern of complaints that Hindu students are being exposed to Islamic rituals in schools, a trend that warrants strict action.

Misunderstanding or a convenient excuse?

A comparison between the Shashankasana and namaz postures reveals unmistakable physical and procedural differences, particularly in weight distribution, arm positioning, and point of contact with the ground. In Shashankasana, the body’s weight is concentrated on the hips, while in namaz it is distributed across multiple points (palms, knees, toes, and forehead).

Given these differences, the repeated claim by accused teachers that the posture was simply “Shashankasana” and that the issue arose from a “misunderstanding” appears highly dubious. The fact that the same excuse is used every time points toward a deliberate attempt to deflect blame and conceal religious activity under a secular cover like yoga.

This repeated pattern strongly suggests that the “Shashankasana defense” is less a misunderstanding and more a calculated strategy to normalize and disguise Islamic practices within educational spaces.

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