On September 15, on the last day of the auspicious month of Shravan, a Lord Shiva procession came under brutal attack in the Thasra area in the Kheda district in Gujarat. According to reports, stones were pelted from a Madarsa when the Hindu devotees were taking out the procession from the area. Vijaydasji Maharaj, the organiser of the “Shivji ki savari” yatra, said that the attack appeared to be pre-planned.
The incident reportedly happened at around 3 pm in the afternoon. Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
According to preliminary details, a procession of Lord Shiva takes place every year on the last day of Shravan month in Thasra. This year too, as per the schedule, the procession started at around 1 pm today. The event saw a large number of participants. At around 3 p.m. when the procession reached the city square, stones were hurled at Hindu devotees from a nearby Madarsa. Hindus taking part in processions were forced to abandon the yatra mid-way and flee for their lives. A stampede-like situation developed, with many people running helter-skelter to seek refuge.
In this incident, three police officers were hurt, including two officers and one PSI. However, it is unknown whether any devotees were hurt.
The yatra’s organizer, Mahant Vijaydasji, expressed his concern that the attack was pre-planned.
However, no accused had been arrested till the time this report was published. The police said that they are currently looking into the case further.
According to Kheda district police chief Rajesh Garhia, when the yatra was about to end, unknown people flung bricks and stones, injuring several people, including three police officers. He added that an adequate police force had been deployed in the region and that additional officers had been called in from neighbouring divisions.
According to Rajesh Garhia, the situation has been brought under control, and police presence has been increased in communally sensitive areas. He further stated that any anti-social elements involved in this act would not be spared. A search is currently underway to find the accused.
Stone pelting at Hindu festivals common in Kheda, Gujarat
It may be noted that Kheda is the same area where last year’s Navratri celebration had turned violent after a Muslim mob led by two youths identified as Arif and Zahir pelted stones on the Hindu devotees.
Reports had stated that during Navratri celebrations, Arif and Zahir led a mob and created a ruckus during Navratri celebration. The leaders of the village tried to broker peace but the mob did not back off. They returned and started pelting stones. Local residents of the village said they asked the Navratri celebrations to be called off in the area and said that the Navratri could not be celebrated there.
Prior to this, it was reported how a Muslim teacher in Kheda had made students beat their chests and chant ‘Ya Hussein’ in Muharram-style mourning instead of performing Garba during the Navratri celebration. There have also been reports where Muslim men have tried to enter Navratri venue under fake names. Reports have also emerged where in some areas local Muslims have opposed the celebration of Navratri.
Nuh violence
A similar incident of brutal stone pelting at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s Brij Mandal Jalabhishek shobha yatra in the Muslim-majority region of Nuh in Mewat, Haryana happened recently July this year.
Several videos of the clashes had emerged which showed a mob charging in a hostile way at the yatris raising “Allahu Akbar” slogans and indulging in riotous activities. A home guard was shot dead and about a dozen policemen were injured as a mob in Haryana’s Nuh district tried to stop a Hindu religious procession on the auspicious Shravan Somvar, pelting stones and setting cars on fire.
As the religious procession came under attack in Nuh, Haryana, Hindu devotees had revealed to OpIndia and several other platforms that stones were pelted at them from the rooftops, young Muslim boys and men had taken to the mountainous area and were shooting at them from the peaks, acid bottles were thrown at them and several women were harassed. During the violence, several women and children (ranging anywhere between 2000-2500) had taken shelter at the Temple and were rescued only hours later by the police.
Further, there were others who were brutally murdered in cold blood by the Muslim mob too. OpIndia in its report revealed how one Hindu devotee, Abhishek, was first shot by the Islamists, then, his throat was slit and if that was not enough, the enraged Muslim mob then proceeded to crush his head with a large stone.
It is pertinent to note that OpIndia conducted an investigation where it was revealed that Islamists were planning this violence for at least 2 days before the Nuh procession. The Chief Minister of Haryana, ML Khattar, had also confirmed that the violence was indeed pre-planned and seemed like part of a larger conspiracy.
Richa Sinha, a NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) aspirant, killed herself on 12 September in Kota by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in her dorm room. Now, her father has demanded Rajasthan minister Shanti Dhariwal for proof that his daughter’s ‘affair’ was the cause of her death, after the minister made the claim. The minister said that the girl left a suicide note saying she died because of a love affair, but police have said that no suicide note was found and there is no evidence of any love affair angle in the case.
The urban development and housing minister has stated that love affair was a reason behind many suicide cases among students including that of the 16-year-old who died at her hostel. He proclaimed that the girl from Jharkhand ended her life and that “the reason behind the suicide, mentioned in the letter she had left, was a love affair” at a news conference on the evening of 13 September where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was also present.
He remarked, “You will be sorry to hear that a girl has also committed suicide today. It has been found that she committed suicide due to an affair. She had left a letter. All the suicides committed here (by coaching students) needed to be investigated thoroughly to find the exact reason,” while addressing the media. He added that another factor contributing to student suicide in Kota which is a coaching hotspot is ‘parental pressure.’
However, the family members of the deceased who reached Kota from Ranchi to receive the body expressed objection to Shanti Dhaliwal’s comments. They also sought inquiry and proof to prove the same.
Her father Ravindra Sinha expressed, “My daughter did not have any love affair. If the minister has made such claims, then he should prove it with evidence. He is saying that a suicide note or a letter was found in Richa’s room, however, the police say no such note or letter was found. If Shanti Dhaliwal has any such evidence, then he must share it with us.”
According to him, his daughter had complained to him about being harassed by some guys when travelling between the hostel and the coaching establishment. He charged that Kota covered up suicide cases in Kota.
He further added, “Rich had complained about some boys in Kota who used to tease her. She also said that some local boys used to enter their hostel premises and harass girls there.” He voiced that a full investigation into the entire case is required and complained about the Kota counselling services offered to pupils.
According to the local police, no such letter or note was found in her room. “No suicide note or letter has been recovered from her room,” per investigating officer Davesh Bhardwaj. He denied that a “love affair” was the motivation behind her action and asserted that no evidence of such an affair had been discovered in her room and that the precise reason for her extreme step was still undetermined.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh also refuted uncovering any suicide note or obtaining any information that would point to a romantic relationship. “No note or letter suggesting a love affair the reason behind the girl’s suicide has been recovered from her room,” affirmed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Amarchand of Vigyan Nagar police station.
Davesh Bhardwaj, the Vigyan Nagar police station’s circle inspector and an investigator in the matter rejected charges that any suicide note was retrieved from her dormitory room. Additionally, he turned down the accusation that the suicide was triggered by a love affair and reiterated that the police had not discovered any confirmation of this in her room.
The police have reportedly lodged a case under section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the body has been handed over to the family members. The family decided that her final rituals would be carried out at an electric pyre in Kota itself.
Richa Sinha was in class eleven and had been attending a local coaching facility since May of this year to study for the NEET exam. She became the 23rd student to commit suicide in Kota this year, the most ever for the nation’s coaching centre, based on government statistics. The number was fifteen the previous year.
The Supreme Court bench led by CJI Chandrachud on Friday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s recent comments at the ‘Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference’, where the DMK leader had called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma and likened it to mosquitos and coronavirus.
Refusing to entertain the request for the urgent listing, CJI Chandrachud turned down the plea filed by a Madras High Court lawyer and advised him to follow standard operating procedures circulated by the court.
The plea filed by the lawyer asked for a declaration stating that the State Ministers’ participation in the event titled “Sanatana Dharma Eradication conference” on September 2, 2023, is unconstitutional and violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
Furthermore, the plea asked the top court to direct the Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu to immediately register a First Information Report (FIR) against the organisers of the said conference & the perpetrators of Hate speech including Stalin, PK Sekar Babu & Peter Alphonse.
G Balaji, the advocate who filed the petition, also demanded a CBI investigation to ascertain if there is any involvement of terror funding, especially from Sri Lanka Tamil LTTE funds, in the organisation of the ‘Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference’. Citing a Supreme Court judgment in the case, the plea contended that such events that seek to demonise the Hindu Dharma should not be held in secondary schools in the state.
The plea is scheduled for hearing on September 22. Earlier, a similar petition had been filed by a Delhi-based lawyer against Udhayanidhi for his derogatory remarks against the Sanatana Dharma, along with contempt action against Delhi Police for not implementing the Supreme Court’s guidelines concerning the complaint filed against Stalin’s ‘hate speech.’ Besides, on September 5, a list of 262 eminent citizens, including former high court judges, bureaucrats, and war veterans, submitted a letter to the Chief Justice of India, urging him to take suo motu cognizance of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma.
The development came hours after he courted controversy for comparing the Hindu civilisational, religious philosophy with ‘malaria’ and ‘dengue.’ While talking to X (formerly Twitter), Udhayanidhi Stalin wrote, “Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion.”
“Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality…I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalised who suffer from the Sanatan Dharma. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalised, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma,” he said.
(This article is not to justify or promote any kind of violence. It is just to state facts as to what triggered the recent violence reported from Maharashtra’s Satara district)
The violence that happened in the Pusesavali village of Maharashtra’s Satara district created panic and disturbed the law and order situation in the region. The violence happened on the night of September 10 and continued on the next day as the shops and residences of several local people were set on fire by some unidentified persons from the furious mob.
As reported earlier, some unidentified people in the mob also caused injuries to around 16-17 persons. The police took cognizance of the incident and booked around 28 persons and 100 other unidentified persons under the relevant sections of the law. A total of four cases have been filed in this case, copies of which have been obtained by OpIndia.
What triggered the violence?
While several reports mention what happened amid and post-violence in Pusesavali village on Sunday, September 10, this report is to reveal what exactly triggered the violence in the first place in the said area resulting in the death of one belonging to the minority community, as confirmed to OpIndia by DSP office Satara.
The saga is said to have started on August 18 when a police complaint was filed at the Aundh Police station of Satara under section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint mentioned that one Adil Bagwan of Pusesavali and another person having an Instagram account ID as ‘officialsaffu80’ had posted derogatory comments about Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
Image exclusively obtained by OpIndia
The derogatory comment showed Goddess Sita in bad character and indicated that she was manhandled by Ravana. “This is the identity of Sanatan Dharma,” the comment roughly read in Hindi. The comment had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and had caused insult to the Sanatan Dharma. The local Hindus took cognizance of the event and lodged an FIR against Adil of Pusesavali and another person having an Instagram account ID ‘officialsaffu80’.
Complaint copy obtained by OpIndia
The complaint mentioned that a deliberate attempt had been made by the accused to create communal tensions and create a divide between the Hindu and Muslim communities in the village.
Accused Muslims posted derogatory comments against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Goddess Sita
Later, on September 10 a similar incident happened. One local individual identified as Altamash Bagwan having Instagram ID as ‘al.tamash2069’ posted a derogatory comment on social media causing an insult to Goddess Sita. The horrible comment further highlighted the mentality of the fanatic Muslims and read that they (Muslims) were desperate to establish the rule of Islam over India.
Also, another individual identified as Muzzamil Bagwan used derogatory language for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The comment called the pride of Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a coward erring the local villagers. The members then happened to file a police complaint against Altamash and Muzzamil under sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code.
Image exclusively obtained by OpIndia
Clashes erupted on September 10, one was reported dead
On September 10, clashes erupted in the Pusegaon region over the derogatory comments posted on social media resulting in the death of one person. The Satara police identified and arrested the accused persons who posted the objectionable post causing insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Goddess Sita.
Meanwhile, a third complaint was filed by Sarfraz, one of the journalists with Tarun Bharat, a local daily who accused 28 persons and 100 other unidentified persons of creating violence in the village. In the complaint filed under sections 302, 307, 324, 141, 143, 147, 148, 149, 427, 435, 449, and 450 of the Indian Penal Code, the complainant said that the 28 persons gathered near the Masjid in the area and allegedly launched an attack on the members of the minority community who had gathered to offer Namaz in the said Masjid.
FIR copy obtained by OpIndia
The complainant also said that the mob ‘attacked’ with sticks, rods, and stones and set ablaze the vehicles parked in the area near Masjid. The complaint also mentioned that the mob attacked the Police jeeps and caused severe damage to the law and order situation within the village. Amid the violence one individual identified as Nurul Hasan Liaqat Shikalgar, 32, is said to have lost his life.
Based on the complaint, the police arrested 23 suspects in the case and presented them before the court. The police also demanded 7 days of police custody of the suspects to investigate the case.
Counsel argued saying no involvement of the suspects could be linked to the alleged incident
The court was informed that the 23 suspects were arrested by the police merely on the basis of doubt and that no prima facie involvement of the suspects could be linked to the alleged crime. “Accused are not habitual offenders and nothing is to be recovered in the present crime. The accused are residents of Pusesavali and they had gone to the spot to see what had happened on the night of September 10. They did not enter the Masjid, nor can their involvement can be linked to the alleged crime,” the counsel representing the suspects said.
The court, however, ruled that the incident had caused damage to the property and law and order situation in the village of around 5000 houses. Thus, it ordered four days of police custody of the suspects.
The district administration had suspended internet in the district from the early hours of Monday. Prohibitory orders had also been issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The Police are said to have taken more than 15 people into custody on the basis of the third police complaint filed in the incident.
How is insulting Hindu Gods and Goddesses and leaders fine?
It is important to note that this article is not to justify or promote any kind of violence but to state clear facts in regard to the violence that recently happened in the city of Satara. Several mainstream media reports wrote about the incident and mentioned that the violence happened over some ‘alleged’ derogatory, objectionable social media posts. They highlighted the death of Shikalgar and claimed that the violence happened over an ‘objectionable’ post about a “historical figure and mythological character.”
Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are worshiped by Hindus and they are definitely not mythological characters as defined by the mainstream media. Causing insult to the Hindu Gods and Goddess and the pride of Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is no less than blasphemy.
The Islamists worldwide in the case of blasphemy demand the death of the individual who allegedly insults Prophet Muhammad. They have done so in the case of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Kamlesh Tiwari, Mahashay Rajpal, Kishan Bharwad, Harsha, Sri Lankan man Priyantha Kumara, Kanhaiya Lal and the list shall go on.
If causing insult to Prophet Muhammad is believed to be a sin, so it is when Hindu Gods and Goddesses are insulted. It is an immoral act that needs to be condemned nationwide and worldwide. While Islamists claim that Islam is the religion of peace, it is Hinduism which is the most peaceful religion as it does not demand ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ in the case of insult to Hindu deities but seeks the help of law to attain justice.
In the given case, two police complaints had been filed and justice had been sought from the administration after some locals saw accused Muslims posting derogatory comments about Hindu deities. However, the violence erupted in the village in which the unidentified frenzied mob caused disturbance of the law and order situation in the village which further led to the death of one individual.
It was reported that some unidentified persons from the mob also set on fire the residences and shops of the local villagers. However, the police initially arrested 23 suspects in the case whose counsel said that their links to the incident could not be established in the first place and that they had gone to the spot just to see what had happened on the night of September 10.
Locals confirmed to OpIndia that a legal way of seeking justice was adopted initially, ‘Muslims attacked’ they say
OpIndia talked to a few local persons who happened to witness the incident. They confirmed the incident and said that tensions had been mounting in the region since August 18 when the first post insulting Goddess Sita was made viral. “The locals then filed a police complaint and also held a small protest demanding action against the accused Muslims. The protest was executed in the presence of the Police who ensured the locals that no such incident would happen again. However, within a gap of 10 days or so, one similar social media post was posted that insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Goddess Sita. This time also a police complaint was filed,” one of the locals said on the condition of anonymity.
The other one meanwhile stated that on the day of the incident, some journalists filed a police complaint but failed to mention that even the Muslims attacked the mob. “Nothing is one-sided. The incident began on August 18 after which a legal way to seek justice was adopted. However, the insult to Hindu Gods and our Chhatrapati repeated and now those who posted derogatory comments have been taken into custody. They posted the comments to create a divide between Hindus and Muslims in the village,” he added.
Reportedly, the police have filed another FIR in the case under section 353 of the Indian Penal Code and section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. 15 additional arrests have also been made. Police Patrolling continues in the village to ensure peace is maintained in the area. Internet and other services have been restored. Further investigations are underway.
On Friday, September 15, the Karnataka High Court asked the state police not to take coercive steps against Aaj Tak anchor Sudhir Choudhury. The judge also opined that there was no need to interrogate the anchor in custody since all the information required was already in the public domain.
The order was passed while the court was hearing the plea filed by Sudhir Chaudhary and Hindi news channel Aaj Tak seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) recently filed against them by the Congress government in Karnataka for doing a show on the state government’s Swawalambi Sarathi scheme.
In his appeal against the criminal prosecution filed against him, Chaudhury argued that in a democracy, the press and media have the freedom to question the administration of the day.
According to the plea, any questions raised by the media against the administration now result in the filing of criminal charges, and the State machinery “goes into overdrive” to silence the press’s voice.
Furthermore, the plea indicated that mens rea was not present in the case because there was no desire to foster animosity amongst groups of individuals.
As a result, the criminal case that was submitted cannot stand.
While hearing the plea, the single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar said that he would decide on the plea next Wednesday, and asked the police not to take any coercive steps against Chaudhary in the meantime.
The judge also stated that there was no need to question the anchor in custody because all of the required information was already available in the public domain.
The judge also orally said that there appeared to be a prima facie case against Chaudhary but whether or not the news report had fueled any hatred against a religion is something that may have to be examined through an investigation.
Notably, the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation lodged an FIR against news anchor Sudhir Chaudhary for merely doing a show on the ‘Swavalambi Sarathi ‘scheme launched by the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation.
Chaudhary was booked at the Seshadripuram police station in Bengaluru on multiple counts, many of which are non-bailable offences, according to the sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In the show Aaj Tak’s Sudhir Chaudhury did on the 12th of September, he spoke about this scheme and how it was being implemented for minorities and not Hindus. As soon as the video was out, Congress’ Priyank Kharge, who has recently also made anti-Hindu statements, tweeted that Sudhir was spreading misinformation and he would take legal action against the anchor.
The same day, at 11:36 PM, Mohammad Zubair, the co-founder of AltNews and dog-whistler-in-chief, was the first to tweet that an FIR had been filed against Sudhir Chaudhury.
OpIndia did a detailed report on the entire controversy surrounding the Karnataka government’s Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme. In our report, we covered in detail what exactly transpired. Delved into the misleading claims made by Mohammad Zubair which led to Congress leader Priyank Kharge filing an FIR against Sudhir Chaudhury. OpIndia’s report provided detailed information, facts and data that went on to prove that there was, indeed, no misinformation spread by Sudhir Chaudhury or other media houses, nevertheless, the Karnataka government continued to file an FIR against the anchor instead of conceding to facts.
A son paying last respects to his father, a father laying his son to rest. The martyrdom of India’s Bravehearts in Operation Garol, Anantnag has sent the nation into mourning.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, SM, Major Aashish Dhonchak, SM of 19 RR Battalion, and Deputy Superintended of J&K Police Humayun Muzamil Bhat were martyred on 13 September following an anti-terror operation in the forest of Kokernag in Anantnag.
Dressed in Olive Green, the six-year-old son of martyr Colonel Manpreet Singh raises his tiny hands to pay one last salute to his father. He is too young to fully comprehend the gravity of what has unfolded and how it will remain with him for life.
#WATCH | Son of Col. Manpreet Singh salutes before the mortal remains of his father who laid down his life in the service of the nation during an anti-terror operation in J&K's Anantnag on 13th September
Colonel Manpreet Singh is survived by his mother, wife, a two-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. His last rites will be performed in Mohali, Punjab.
Major Aashish Dhonchak’s mortal remains were brought to his hometown Panipat in Haryana amid chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Major Aashish Amar Rahein”. His last rites were performed earlier on Friday. He is survived by his wife, a two-year-old daughter, and three sisters.
#WATCH | Chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' by school students and locals in Panipat as mortal remains of Major Aashish Dhonchak are being taken to Binjhol
Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police Humayun Muzamil Bhat was laid to rest on 14 September in his village Budgam. He is survived by his parents and wife, and a month-old baby.
The men in Olive Green are undeterred. Operations are still underway in Anantnag to eliminate Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and clean out their hideouts in the valley. Here is a sequence of events that has led to a massive crackdown on terror by the Indian forces.
#WATCH | Kokernag, Anantnag (J&K): Security forces are using IEDs to target those areas in the forest where they suspect terrorists are hiding. Drones and quadcopters are put in place to track down these areas. pic.twitter.com/pUsP8MZjCt
A joint anti-terror operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday (13 September) in Garol forests in Kokrenag, Anantnag district.
The official handle of the Chinar Corps took to X sharing information about Operation Garol which was launched on the intervening night of 12-13 September on specific input.
Based on specific intelligence on presence of terrorists a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on the intervening night of 12-13 Sep in Area Garol, Anantnag. Contact established and firefight ensued. Two Army personnel and one J&K… pic.twitter.com/AZyfTawOaW
“Based on specific intelligence on the presence of terrorists a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on the intervening night of 12-13 Sep in Area Garol, Anantnag. Contact was established and a firefight ensued. Two Army personnel and one J&K Police personnel were injured. Operation in progress,” said the Army in a statement on X.
According to sources, information was given by a source to the forces that some three to four terrorists were trapped in a hideout created by the source. Following this, Operation Garol was launched.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, the commanding officer (CO) 19 RR Battalion, Major Aashish Dhonchak of 19 RR and DSP Humayun Bhat who were at the forefront were incessantly fired upon by the terrorists. Colonel Singh died on the spot, and Major Dhonchak and DSP Bhat succumbed to their injuries during treatment.
Former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir SP Vaid has raised suspicion about the source who is believed to have informed the Indian forces of the terrorist hideout.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Vaid said, “It must be checked that this source is not compromised.” He said, “If terrorists were present then they would have either deployed a sentry to keep an eye out if someone approaches towards their hideout, or they saw the forces approaching and attacked them,” Vaid said.
The former J&K top cop said, “My hunch is we need to look after whether this source was compromised or not. That aspect needs to be looked into. But even if he was not compromised, there was a hideout, there was a likelihood of a sentry protecting that hideout. And if he had spotted the senior officers, a contingent coming led by the CO and also consisting of the Army Major and Deputy SP, that guy (sentry) was not on the spot, my apprehension is that all these three terrorists have targeted these officers without them knowing about the exact location of the hideout. We need to look into this.”
Operation Garol Day 2
As the terrorist group ‘The Resistance Front’, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the Anantnag attack, the Indian forces resumed operations on day 2. Initial reports said two Lashkar-E-Taiba terrorists including Uzair Khan were surrounded by the jawans.
A new round of firing and blasts were reported from the site of the encounter. A joint search operation was launched in the Garol forest area for two to three terrorists who were hiding there.
In solemn tribute to the unwavering valor of Col Manpreet Singh,Major Ashish Dhonak & DSP Humayun Bhat who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation. Our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists including Uzair Khan
The security forces including the Army and local police were provided with support from small quadcopters and larger drones to keep an eye on the entire area. Senior officials including China Corps Commander Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai and Rashtriya Rifles’ Victor Force commander Major General Balbir Singh were at the site to boost the morale of the soldiers.
Heron drones with highly capable surveillance pods were deployed over the forest area where the terrorists were in hiding. Forces were also equipped with night vision devices in case the need arose. The entire operation was monitored by the Chinar Corps.
Operation Garol Day 3
Operations in Anantnag have entered day 3. Forces are using drones and fire mortar shells to bust terrorist hideouts. GOC 15 Corps and GOC Victor Force are closely monitoring operations. Rocket-propelled Grenades (RPG) have also been brought to the site of operation.
Another soldier was martyred during the encounter between forces and terrorists in Anantnag on 15 September. The body of the soldier, who has not yet been identified, had gone missing.
An intense face-off continues in the area where senior security officials are monitoring the operations closely. Forces are using IEDs, drones, and quadcopters to pinpoint the location of the terrorists in the dense and hilly terrain. Rocket launchers have also been brought in at the encounter site.
Meanwhile, former DGP of J&K SP Vaid has said that the encounters in Anantnag, Kokernag, and Rajouri Poonch indicate a new trend involving terrorists avoiding inhabited localities and increasing the use of forest and hilly areas.
Since commencement of operation all-out in 2017 to wipe out terrorism in J&K and since then terror orgs having suffered 1000s of casualties, they have now changed their strategy and tactics. The encounters in #Anantnag, Kokernag and Rajouri Poonch are indicative of a new trend… pic.twitter.com/A6Ku4ISG51
Among the high-tech heavy equipment being used in the Anantnag operations are Heron drones and Carl Gustaf M4.
The Heron drones have strike capability and can be equipped with long-range missiles and other weapons systems. The Israeli Heron drones also have satellite communication capability and can operate at long distances for 36 hours at a stretch. Forces are also reportedly using the Carl Gustaf weapons system manufactured by Swedish giant SAAB.
Carl Gustaf M4 weapons system which is a recoilless rifle. Key features of this weapon system are that it is lightweight and is combat-proven. It is compatible with programmable ammunition and advanced fire control devices. The weapon gives a tactical advantage to the forces in a combat scenario with the capability to neutralise armoured tanks and protect against enemy gunfire.
The operation has been ongoing for over 54 hours now as forces close in on the Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar terrorists.
Another jawan attained martyrdom during the anti-terror operations in Anantnag making this the fourth casualty. The soldier, who has not yet been identified to the public, had been missing since yesterday (14 September). The soldier lost his life due to injuries sustained during a gunfight.
J&K | One more soldier has lost his life in Anantnag. He had been reported missing since yesterday. During joint security operations against terrorists in the area, forces dropped grenades on suspected terrorist hideout locations using drones: Security officials
Operation Garol, which was launched on 13 September on specific input from a source, is still underway. Troops led by senior officials have launched an intense crackdown on Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the Garol forest area of Kokrenag in Anantnag district. Forces dropped grenades on suspected terrorist hideout locations using drones.
Wanted Lashkar terrorist Uzair Khan who is responsible for the killing of Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and DSP Humayun Bhat has been trapped by the forces. His associates have also been trapped in the Kokrenag forest area.
Heron drones, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), Carl Gustaf M4, rocket launchers, IEDs, and quadcopters are some of the massive equipment being used by the joint forces including the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Forces have busted several terrorist hideouts.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, CO of 19 RR Battalion, Major Aashish Dhonchak of 19 RR Battalion, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat were martyred on 13 September during a gunfight in the Garol forest in Kokrenag. Incessant firing by terrorists killed Colonel Singh on the spot while Major Dhonchak and DSP Bhat died owing to heavy blood loss.
The forces launched Operation Garol on the intervening night of 12-13 September after receiving input from a local source that three to four terrorists were trapped in a hideout which he had created. Senior officers are present on the site of the encounter to boost the morale of the jawans who have gone all out in their quest to avenge the murder of India’s bravehearts.
Colonel Singh’s last rites were performed in Mohali on Friday (15 September) whereas Major Dhonchak’s last rites were performed in Panipat. DSP Bhat was laid to rest in Budgam on 14 September.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for nine capital acquisition proposals of approx. Rs 45,000 crore on September 15. The approval was granted in a meeting of the DAC held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category.
This will give a substantial boost to the Indian defence Industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, said a statement issued by the defence ministry.
The DAC has accorded the AoN for the procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S). This will help in enhancing protection, mobility, attack capability and increased survivability of Mechanised Forces.
Another AoN was cleared by the Council for procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles for swift mobilisation and deployment of Artillery Guns and Radars.
The DAC also approved the procurement of Next Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy which will greatly enhance its capabilities in performing Hydrographic Operations.
The DAC also accorded AoN for proposals of the Indian Air Force which included the Avionic upgradation of Dornier Aircraft to improve the accuracy and reliability of operations. Apart from this, procurement of Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile as a potent Indigenous Precision Guided Weapon for indigenously built ALH Mk-IV Helicopters has also been cleared by the DAC.
The AoN for the procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was also accorded. It is notable that HAL manufactures the Su-30 MKI aircraft in India under licence from Sukhoi, and it is the main fighter plane of the IAF at present.
During the meeting, Rajnath Singh stated that it is time to upgrade the ambitions towards indigenisation. “Rather than a threshold of 50% indigenous content for IDDM projects, we should aim for a minimum 60-65% indigenous content,” he said.
The defence minister directed the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary and DG (Acquisition) to work towards increasing the minimum indigenous content threshold in consultation with the Indian Industry.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia was on a state visit to India from 9th to 11th September 2023. On 9th and 10th September 2023, he attended the G20 Summit in Delhi, while on Monday, 11th September, he engaged in meetings and ceremonial events with Indian leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For some time now, Mohammed Bin Salman’s efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia have sparked extensive discussions in the Indian subcontinent. These discussions have also been a source of frustration for Islamists in the region. They find it challenging to accept the fact that the ruler of Islam’s holy land is ‘deviating’ from strict religious interpretations currently prevalent in the region, in various Islamic schools of thought dominating a large Muslim population.
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and PM attend the Ceremonial Reception of the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on September 11, 2023. Image Source: Press Information Bureau
Mohammed Bin Salman’s transformation of Saudi Arabia is notable. He’s slowly shifting the country from its traditional, religiously conservative stance to a more progressive and economically prosperous nation in the 21st century. This transformation is catching global attention. However, it must be noted that the changes he is bringing about in the oil kingdom are not absolute religious reforms but more of an altered presentation of a state in order to survive the changes in the modern-day world economy.
The changes in Saudi Arabia include social and economic reforms, such as granting women the right to drive, diversifying the economy away from oil dependence, and encouraging foreign investments. These moves have ushered in a wave of opportunities and a sense of modernity.
However, this shift has also faced opposition, particularly from hardline religious elements who resist these changes and consider them a departure from the strict interpretations of their faith. It therefore becomes necessary to revisit how Saudi Arabia has historically been, how it was before Mohammed Bin Salman took over, and how it is transforming under his leadership.
Brief history of Saudi Arabia at a glance
For millennia, the Arabian Peninsula, including what is now modern-day Saudi Arabia, was primarily inhabited by nomadic tribes engaged in trade, herding, and small-scale agriculture. These desert dwellers lived in close-knit communities, adhering to a tribal social structure and pagan worshipping practices just like in the Indian subcontinent.
In the early 7th century, a seminal event occurred in this region when the Prophet Muhammad received revelations from Allah, leading to the birth of Islam in 610 CE. Over the next century, the Islamic faith spread rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula, and through conquests, it extended its influence across the Middle East and North Africa. This expansion essentially involved conflicts and bloodshed at every stage.
The expansion of the desert faith essentially involved bloodshed. Image Source: Brewminate
Throughout history, the Arabian Peninsula remained a significant crossroads for trade, culture, religion, and the conflicts regarding them all. The region’s strategic location at the nexus of Africa, Asia, and Europe made it a focal point for various civilizations and empires.
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the Arab land experienced a colossal transformative shift with the discovery of vast oil reserves. The newfound oil wealth fueled unprecedented economic development, slight modernization, and urbanization in Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf states, bringing prosperity and global significance to the once-traditional desert tribes.
Today, Saudi Arabia stands as an emerging player on the world stage as Mohammed Bin Salman is heading this country which has seen a medieval history that lasted so long that it began its wrap-up when half of the world had already advanced ahead in modern times.
Who is Mohammed Bin Salman?
Born on August 31, 1985, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He belongs to the ruling Al Saud dynasty which has ruled Saudi Arabia since 1932. He studied law at King Saud University. Following graduation, he served as his father’s advisor.
In 2015, he became the defense minister and deputy crown prince, eventually rising to the position of the crown prince in 2017 after the removal of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Nayef, who was King Salman’s nephew.
How was Saudi Arabia just before the MBS took over?
Before the ascent of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia adhered to a strict interpretation of Islamic law, resulting in numerous restrictions on citizens’ daily lives. Women were prohibited from driving, working in certain professions, or traveling without a male guardian. Public displays of affection were strictly prohibited, and non-Muslims couldn’t openly practice their religions. Music and entertainment were banned, and media and freedom of expression were tightly controlled by the government.
The religious police, known as the Mutaween, had the authority to arrest and detain those who violated these laws. These stringent social and religious rules created a challenging living environment for many, particularly women who had limited rights. Foreigners often faced suspicion and discrimination in the country.
The rise of Mohammed Bin Salman, his quick actions, and his friendship with PM Modi irritates Islamists in India
In January 2015, following the death of King Abdullah, Salman bin Abdulaziz ascended to the throne of Saudi Arabia. He promptly named Mohammed as the defence minister. In 2016, the Vision 2030 plan was launched, outlining Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s (MBS) vision for Saudi Arabia’s future. It aimed to diversify the economy, reduce oil dependence, and foster social change.
In June 2017, Mohammed Bin Salman was appointed crown prince. In October 2017, a significant shift occurred as the ban on music concerts was lifted, signaling a new era of cultural vibrancy in Saudi Arabia. All this was happening when Maulanas in India were arguing on TV debates that music, cinema, etc. is haram in Islam.
In a country that had been under strict religious influence for centuries, such steps were bound to face immediate opposition from many strata of society. Mohammed Bin Salman crushed that opposition when Islamists in India were busy criticising Narendra Modi and his government over the perceived attacks on free speech and expression and Islamoapologetic self-styled journalists were championing their moral stands on the freedom of press and media.
November 2017 saw Mohammed Bin Salman take bold steps to consolidate his power. He initiated a campaign that led to the arrest and detention of prominent Saudi figures, including members of the royal family and influential businessmen. This move was part of his strategy to eliminate political rivals and reshape the Saudi political landscape. The crown prince also took hard steps against corruption.
In April 2018, another milestone was reached as movie theatres were opened in the kingdom, offering Saudis access to films and cultural experiences that had long been absent. June 2018 marked a historic moment with the lifting of the ban on women driving. This decision granted women newfound mobility and a pinch of autonomy. However, this improved status of women in Saudi Arabia is still a way short of gender equality.
This revolutionary modernization of the Arab land was taking place when Islamists in India and the subcontinent were busy appropriating regressive practices like Burkha and Hijab as the choice of Muslim females whereas, in reality, scores of religious texts available online were asserting that it is anything but a choice.
One of the most controversial actions of MBS occurred in October 2018 when Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi had been critical of the Saudi government, and his death sparked international outrage and condemnation. This was just 15 months before Islamists in India were busy instigating riots against Hindus in the guise of protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act.
These fanatics were given cover fire by ‘journalists’ like Arfa Khanum Sherwani, Rana Ayyub and others, none of whom have actually experienced any of the so-called persecution and injustice they claim the Modi government has been inflicting on them. In fact, these critiques of the Modi government are enjoying the utmost freedom of criticizing the democratically elected government of a clear majority despite their views being diametrically opposite to that of the government they hate the most.
Mohammed Bin Salman’s friendship with Narendra Modi and thus irritates this clout the most. Notably, UAE and Saudi Arabia are important stakeholders in the India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor which was agreed upon by 8 countries in the recent G20 Summit held in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, King Abdulaziz Sash in 2016. The honor is named after the founder of the modern Saudi state, Abdulaziz Al Saud. This happened within one year of Mohammed Bin Salman becoming the defense minister of Saidi Arabia.
Narendra Modi received this award in 2016 when the ‘intolerance’ debate in India initiated after Barack Obama’s visit in 2015 was at its peak. Islamists in India were accusing the Modi government of religious intolerance and animosity towards Muslims in India. And one day, they saw the rulers of the holy land of Islam honoring the person they hated the most.
Mohammed Bin Salman and his interpretation of Islam is a reason why Islamists in India worry. What led Mohammed Bin Salman to make this drastic change in the holy land of Islam? It is a blend of a futuristic approach towards the economy of Saudi Arabia and his own interpretation of Islam. Let us discuss it one by one.
Modernizing the economy and opening up the country as a global business hub is necessary, that oil is not going to last forever
To explore what Mohammed Bin Salman thinks of the oil economy, we have to revisit what he says in one of his interviews from April 2021. In this interview, he said, “The amount of income and growth that oil has realized is much more than what we needed at that time in the thirties and forties. So, the volume of the surplus of income and economic growth was much more than we were aspiring for by hundreds of times. This has created the impression that oil will ensure all of our needs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Considering the rising population, oil has barely been able to cover the needs and the type of living we have been accustomed to since the 60s, 70s, 80s, and after. If we were to proceed in the same manner and in the light of the increased population number this will have quite an impact in 20 years on the standard of living, we’ve become accustomed to for about 50 years.”
He further said, “There are numerous opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in different sectors other than just the oil sector. In mining, in tourism services, in logistics, in investment, etc. I believe that was the main emphasis for Vision 2030 in order to eliminate the challenges that we face and to exploit the untapped opportunities.”
Harsh Saudi laws are changed to attract foreign money, global investors, and talents from across the world
The Saudi Crown Prince is very well aware of the changing world and the changes in the laws needed to attract global players to the Gulf country. He underlined the necessity of modern laws in this interview. He said, “One can’t go and reinvent the wheel. The world follows clear laws that regulate the lives of people. Our role is to make sure all the laws passed in Saudi Arabia reflect the following: One, that they do not violate the Quran and the Sunnah; the Quran being our constitution, that they do not contradict our interests, that they preserve the security and interests of citizens, and that they help in the development and prosperity of the country. So, laws are passed based on this procedure according to international conventions.”
He added, “If you want tourists to come here… If you aim to attract 100 million tourists to create three million jobs, and you say that you are following something new other than common laws and international norms, then those tourists will not come to you. If you want to double foreign investments, as we have done, from five million to 17 million, and you tell investors to invest in your country that is running on an unknown system that their lawyers do not know how to navigate nor know how those regulations are applied and enforced, then those investors will just cut their losses and not invest all together. When you want to attract certain talents and human resources to work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and say that you have a new invention for enacting laws, no one will come to you. So, you will have to adopt the laws that are internationally recognized based on your constitution, the Quran, and your interests and objectives and based on the preservation of the security and interests of the citizens and with the development and prosperity of the country in mind.”
Mohammed Bin Salman and the authenticity of Hadiths
Quran, Hadiths, and Sharia form the whole of the Islamic religious literature. Various Fatwas are issued by different Islamic scholars across the world in light of these scriptures. Quran is the direct word of Allah – the Islamic God, and is the supreme text. Hadiths are a collection of stories and incidents from the life of Prophet Muhammad justifying various verses in the Quran. Sharia is the law implemented in an Islamic state in accordance with Quran and Hadiths.
There are nearly 7000 Hadiths in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim versions of Hadiths. These two are most widely followed in the Islamic world. Other versions have a variable number of Hadiths like 3000 or 4000.
Now, these Hadiths are classified according to various criteria. One of the criteria to ascertain the veracity of these Hadiths is the number of story-tellers over generations after the death of the Prophet Muhammad who agree upon the core crux of the said Hadiths. If there are multiple such accounts agreeing in general with the story, those Hadiths are called Mutawatir Hadiths. The number of people agreeing with these stories does not change much over generations.
If the number of people telling the stories changes over generations significantly, then those Hadiths are called Ahad Hadiths. Ahad Hadith is one which is narrated by people whose number does not reach that of the Mutawatir case. Ahad is further classified into Gharib, Aziz and Mashhur.
A hadith is termed Gharib (scarce, strange) when only a single reporter is found relating it at some stage. If only two reporters are found to narrate the hadith, it is termed Aziz. A hadith that is reported by more than two reporters is known as Mashhur.
Mohammed Bin Salman has apparently rejected all Hadiths except Mutawatir Hadiths. The number of Mutawatir Hadiths is 113 to 324 according to various schools of thought in Islam. Most of these Hadiths are related to the mode of worship and core belief only.
Discarding other Hadiths pulls away the very basis of Sharia legislation thereby making some room to accommodate foreign people in Saudi Arabia with laws competent to other modern laws in various countries across the world. Saudi Arabia thus does not have to rely on medieval legislation anymore.
What did Mohammed Bin Salman say about Hadiths and Sharia?
Mohammed Bin Salman said, “I cannot enforce a Sharia punishment without a clear Quranic stipulation or an explicit stipulation from the Sunnah. When I talk about an explicit stipulation from the Sunnah, most hadith writers classify hadith based on their own typology, like Bukhari, Muslim, and others, into correct hadith or weak hadith. But there is another classification which is more important, namely whether a tradition or hadith has been narrated by many people or a single narrator, and this is a main reference for jurisprudence for deducing regulations, Sharia-wise.”
He further said, “So, when we talk about a Mutawatir hadith, i.e., narrated and handed down from one group to another group to another starting with the Prophet, PBUH, these hadiths are very few in number, but they are strong in terms of veracity, and their interpretations vary based on the time and place they were revealed and how the hadith was understood at the time. But when we talk about Ahad hadiths, which are handed down from a single person to another starting with the Prophet PBUH, or from a group to a group to a single individual then another group etc. starting with the Prophet PBUH, so that there’s another individual in the chain. This is called ahad hadith. And this is broken down into many classifications, such as correct, weak, or good hadith. And this type of hadith, the ahad, is not as compelling as the mutawatir hadiths.”
A Hadith from the eighth century. Image Source: Wikipedia
He added, “While a ‘khabar’ is a hadith handed down from a single person to another single person etc. to an unknown source, starting with the Prophet PBUH, or from a group to a group, then a person to another person, and so on, starting with the Prophet PBUH, so that there’s a missing link. This represents the majority of hadith and this type of hadith is unreliable whatsoever, in the sense that its veracity is not established and that it isn’t binding. And in the biography of the Prophet PBUH, when the hadith was first recorded the Prophet PBUH ordered those records to be burnt and forbade the writing of hadith, and that should apply even more so to ‘Khabar’ hadiths so that people are not obliged to implement them from a Sharia perspective since they also might be used as ammunition to dispute God Almighty’s power to produce teachings that are fit for every time and place.”
A Hadith from the ninth century. Image Source: Wikipedia
He concluded this topic by saying, “Hence, the government, where Sharia is concerned, has to implement Quran regulations and teachings in mutawater hadiths, and to look into the veracity and reliability of ahad hadiths, and to disregard “khabar” hadiths entirely, unless if a clear benefit is derived from it for humanity. So, there should be no punishment related to a religious matter except when there is a clear Quranic stipulation, and this penalty will be implemented based on the way that the Prophet PBUH applied it.”
MBS cited Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulwahhab to deny aligning with any particular sect including the Wahhabi Sect
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said in his interview to Al Arabiya, “When we commit ourselves to following a certain school or scholar, this means we are deifying human beings. God Almighty did not put a barrier between himself and his people. He revealed the Quran and the Prophet PBUH implemented it and the space for interpretation is open permanently.”
He added, “If Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulwahhab were with us today and he found us committed blindly to his texts and closing our minds to interpretation and jurisprudence while deifying and sanctifying him he would be the first to object to this. There are no fixed schools of thought and there is no infallible person. We should engage in continuous interpretation of Quranic texts and the same goes for the sunnah of the Prophet PBUH, and all fatwas should be based on the time, place, and mindset in which they are issued.”
It is notable that this Wahhabi Islam was systematically spread in the Indian subcontinent as Saudi Arabia put in heavy oil money to fund the Islamic preachers through various mosques, madrasas, etc. There are many reports suggesting how the nature of Islam in the Indian subcontinent went on to become more puritan, especially from the 1970s onwards.
Why Islamists in the Indian subcontinent are not so happy with Mohammed Bin Salman?
This stand by the ruler of the holy land of Islam is a big blow to Islamists in the guise of Islamic scholars in the Indian subcontinent who quote Islamic scriptures at their comfort to use the religion as a tool to spread Islamic terrorism, to demand Sharia law in India, to demand personal law in India, to exploit Muslim women in India over various issues like Nikah, Halala, Talaq, Burkha, Hijab, to support Islamic terrorists in the name of Ummah, to run Madrasas preaching all these things, to sexually exploit children in those madrasas, to propel various kinds of jihads ranging from land jihad to love jihad.
For these Islamist hardliners, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is anything but a Muslim. They consider him as detrimental to Islam as any ex-Muslim. This is the reason Islamic hardliners and many Islamist organizations have been objecting to MBS and have even vocally criticized Saudi Arabia’s modernization.
Growing atheism in the Middle East
While many surveys on various issues of the people living in the Middle East are there, the most interesting among them is about the percentage of people adhering to the religion. This number has significantly declined in most of the Middle Eastern countries in the past few years. Islam is the prominent religion in these countries. Apostasy is an offense in Islam, punishable by death. Many countries in the Middle East have practiced Islamic legislation for centuries. However, in 2021, the Middle East Forum reported that atheism among Muslims is spreading like wildfire.
During the spring of 2011, a sweeping wave of revolution swept across the Arab world. Public squares were occupied by thousands of young individuals, all united in their quest for increased freedoms. This concept of freedom covered a wide canvas ranging from politics to governance also encompassing religious beliefs. Atheism gradually made its own place in the Arab world. For instance, out of the 75,000 mosques in Iran, 50,000 have been shuttered, reflecting a decline in the number of people who attend.
“The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins is widely popular in Saudi Arabia, with three million downloads in a country where apostasy can carry the death penalty. While it’s challenging to determine the exact number of atheists in Saudi Arabia, a 2012 WIN/Gallup International poll revealed that 5% identified as “convinced atheists,” the same percentage as in the United States, and 19% described themselves as “non-religious.”
While this percentage may seem relatively low, it holds significance within a nation where punishments for expressing disbelief, whether real or perceived, range from physical punishments to extended periods of imprisonment, and even execution, though the latter is rarely enforced. Typically, those found guilty of apostasy can anticipate lengthy incarceration.
However, as Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extends his global initiatives, atheism remains one of the Arab nation’s most enduring taboos even today. Nevertheless, an increasing number of Saudi citizens are questioning the religious authorities as atheism continues to gain traction throughout the Middle East.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the transformation of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is a profound shift from its conservative past to a more modern and economically diversified nation. This transformation, marked by social and economic reforms, has sparked both global attention and internal opposition, particularly from those who resist these changes as deviations from strict religious interpretations.
While the Crown Prince’s efforts have been met with skepticism from some quarters, his vision for a more open and prosperous Saudi Arabia has brought about significant changes. These reforms reflect a pragmatic approach to governance, aligning Saudi Arabia with global norms and attracting international investors and talents. Notably, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s stance on religious texts and his willingness to reevaluate Hadiths have raised eyebrows among traditionalists. However, this approach represents a significant departure from the rigid interpretations that have long defined Saudi Arabia’s legal and religious landscape.
While challenges persist and opposition remains, it is evident that Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Mohammed Bin Salman is undergoing a profound transformation, with implications that reach far beyond its borders. As atheism gains ground in the Middle East, the evolving Saudi society remains a focal point in the region, challenging traditional religious norms while embracing a more modern and diversified future.
As the oil kingdom evaluates and upgrades its relationship with religion, the changes will also affect the larger Muslim population in the Indian subcontinent, albeit slowly. As the growing Wahabism in the region grew and spread from Saudi Arabia, the ‘modern’ kingdom will also influence the choices of young Muslims in a larger geographical area in the future.
“They (mafias) used to keep water bottles in front of us, but we were not allowed to drink until our task was complete,” says 19-year-old Manpreet Singh while recalling the hardship endured by him and other Indian nationals in Libya after being “sold as labour.”
The Indian government rescued four individuals from Libya on Friday. The nationals—Parvesh Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Rohit, and Sukhwinder Singh — returned to Delhi on Friday morning.
These young men went to Libya early this year in February after fake travel agents promised them jobs in Italy. All of them were flown from India in February 2023 via Dubai and then Egypt. After a few days, they were landed in Libya and kept in Zuwara City.
Visibly shaken and shocked, these young men remembered their horrific experiences in the North African country, saying they had to survive on a meagre meal of bread, faced constant punishment for missed deadlines, and were sold as labour multiple times.
Last month, 17 Indian youths, mostly belonging to the Punjab and Haryana states, were rescued by Indian authorities from Libya.
“We were sold to the mafia, who were engaged in the labour work at construction sites. They (mafia) used to keep a bottle of water in front of us but we were not allowed to drink before completing our task. We faced a lot of hardships. They used to give us only one or two slices of bread. We were sold many times,” said Manpreet Singh.
#WATCH | Manpreet Singh says, "Indian Embassy and MEA have helped us a lot…I went there on January 14. For two months we had contact with our family but after that, we were sold to the mafia…The mafia made us do the work of construction and then further sold us to other…" pic.twitter.com/9dJ811sb3o
Manpreet’s mother, Satveer Kaur, who was waiting for his son at the airport early morning, couldn’t control her tears as she saw her son coming out of the airport.
“He left for Libya in January. We could not talk to him for several months and we did not know where he was. These past few months have been tough. My child is back,” said Kaur in a cracking voice.
Kaur wept as she hugged her son. She took out a packet of sweets to distribute among the people.
Another evacuee 22-year-old Sukwinder Singh’s sister came to receive him and got emotional.
“We did not send our child like this. We had no contact with him. We tried contacting everyone. It was an extremely difficult time for us. I am happy my brother is here,” Singh’s sister said.
Sukwinder, while recalling his experience, informed that he and other Indian nationals were sold multiple times.
“We were sold to different mafias after the work. It continued for a month. We somehow were able to contact the embassy. They helped us and brought us back. I am extremely thankful for this,” Sukwinder said.
Parvesh Kumar, who is in his late twenties, was relieved after returning to India.
#WATCH | Pravesh Kumar says, "First of all I want to thank MEA and EAM S Jaishankar…We can't forget the pains and hardships that we faced in Libya. They (mafia) gave us just one piece of bread to have. They used to keep a bottle of water in front of us, but we were not allowed… pic.twitter.com/QAQG7bL4Dg
