Home Blog Page 2302

FIR filed against Amethi youth Arif for keeping a Sarus Crane he had rescued, Akhilesh asks if Yogi’s pet dog will be sent to zoo after the bird shifted to Kanpur Zoo

OpIndia Staff
-
0
FIR filed against Amethi youth Arif for keeping a Sarus Crane he had rescued, Akhilesh asks if Yogi’s pet dog will be sent to zoo after the bird shifted to Kanpur Zoo

On Saturday, March 25, a case was registered against a person named Mohammad Arif under the Wildlife Protection Act who gained media attention last year after he brought home an injured sarus crane he found in his village of Mandhka in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh and took care of it.

Officials reportedly showed up at the home of farmer Mohammad Arif, who found the crane last year, on Tuesday afternoon and informed him that the bird could no longer stay with him. Arif said that the officials informed him that they had received orders from the wildlife department to confiscate the sarus crane. After shifting the bird to Samaspur bird sanctuary, it was later shifted to Kanpur Zoo.

30-year-old Mohammad Arif, a resident of Amethi’s Jodhpur Mandkha village, had saved the life of the badly injured sarus crane in February 2022, and took care of it by keeping it with him. After full recovery in April of that year, the sarus chose to stay back like a domesticated bird, forming a close bond with Arif. However, after reels Arif had posted on social media with the bird flying by his side went viral. When this was spotted by wildlife officials, they took action, took away the bird, and then went ahead to file an FIR against the man.

Sarus is protected under Schedule (II) of the Wildlife Protection Act and can’t be domesticated. Moreover, it is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, if any wildlife is kept in captivity, it is considered a crime equivalent to hunting, and there is a provision for filing FIR in such cases. 

The matter became political after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the bird was snatched from Arif because he had gone to Arif’s village to meet him. “Because I went to meet the man, the bird was snatched away from him. Is this democracy? The government should also take away peacocks from those who feed them,” the former UP chief minister said.

A day after the bird was brought to the sanctuary, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav stated in a tweet that the sarus crane was missing. He tagged a news article that claimed that the bird has gone missing. “The famous stork, which was forcibly taken away from Amethi by the UP Forest Department and released in the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary in Rae Bareilly, is now missing. Such government negligence towards the state bird of UP is a serious matter. The BJP government should immediately find the stork, otherwise the bird lovers of the whole world will agitate,” Yadav wrote in Hindi.

Taking a dig at the BJP govt for renaming places, Akhilesh Yadav said that the CM can give a name to the bird if he wants, but he should ensure that it is found and saved.

The Sarus crane reportedly flew away after being transported to the Samaspur bird sanctuary. Videos of locals feeding the bird also surfaced online. But the officials denied that it had gone missing, and asserted that the bird was inside the confines of the sanctuary.

“It’s not been confined to a room but has been released in the sanctuary. Although we provide it with water, wheat, and bread in addition to the food it finds on its own,” Rupesh Srivastava, a forest official, told BBC Hindi. However, after that, the bird was shifted to Kanpur Zoo as it was feared that it will not be able to survive in the wild as it has become domesticated after staying at Mohammad Arif’s house for a long time.

The team of Kanpur Zoo told that the sarus crane has been brought there by the team of Bird Sanctuary. It will remain in quarantine for 15 days. Following that, it will be let out in that large portion of the zoo where it can sit on the trees. The crane is totally healthy, according to the zoo administration, and is being monitored for 15 days as per protocol. Apart from the caretaker, no one else is allowed to get inside.

Akhilesh Yadav posted two videos showing the bird being transported to the zoo, and a video of the bird inside an enclosure at Kanpur Zoo. “The Sarus has been sent to Kanpur Zoo… Will Golu be sent to the Gorakhpur zoo as well?” he tweeted. By Golu, probably he was referring to Gullu, a pet dog owned by UP CM Yogi Adityanath. In an earlier tweet, he said, ‘A bird locked in a zoo… what kind of freedom is this?’

Meanwhile, Arif who still is hopeful of getting the sarus crane he named ‘baccha’ will return to him. He has been summoned by the Assistant Conservator of Forest, Ranveer Singh, to record his statement.

It is notable that Arif has been accused of flouting the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Sarus is also the ‘state bird’ of Uttar Pradesh and it is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Sarus cranes are the world’s tallest flying birds, standing around 150 cm tall.

While technically Arif committed a crime, some forest officials are of the opinion that intention also should be considered before implementing laws. Arif had rescued the bird and kept it with him taking full care. Officials also point out that not everyone is aware of wildlife-related rules and regulations, and don’t know that they are not allowed to keep wild animals even if they have no intention to harm them or sell them.

Priyanka Vadra compares her family to Lord Ram and Pandavs, claims her family’s blood nurtured Indian democracy

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Priyanka Vadra compares her family to Lord Ram and Pandavs, claims her family’s blood nurtured Indian democracy

Following the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha MP after his conviction in a criminal defamation case, the entire Congress party has stepped out to defend their leader, and leading the charge is Rahul’s sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. While addressing party workers in the nation’s capital, Priyanka Vadra attacked the ruling BJP and tried her best to defend Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party.

Responding to BJP’s regular accusation that Congress is just a Nehru-Gandhi family party and there is parivarvaad (family rule) in the party, Priyanka Vadra said, “You (BJP) talk about ‘Parivarvaad’, I want to ask who was Lord Ram? Was he ‘Parivarvaadi’, or were the Pandavas ‘Parivarvaadi’ just because they fought for the culture of their family? Should we be ashamed because our family members fought for the people of the country? My family has nurtured the democracy of this country with their blood.”

Reminding people of the awkward hug that Rahul Gandhi dramatically gave PM Narendra Modi in the parliament, Ms Vadra said, “We might have different ideologies but we do not have the ideology of hatred. In 2018, Rahul Gandhi gave the PM a hug after his nearly hour-long speech.”

Congress is holding a day-long satyagraha across the country on Sunday, March 26, to protest against party leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha. The alleged satyagraha is led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Rahul Gandhi disqualified from Lok Sabha after his conviction

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case. He was disqualified under section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which states that any MP or MLA convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of conviction.

Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala, has been disqualified with immediate effect, as section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act states that an MP or MLA will be disqualified from the date of conviction, if the jail sentence awarded is two years or more.

Apart from the current disqualification, Rahul Gandhi will also not be able to contest the next general election, and also perhaps the 2029 elections, if the conviction is not overturned by a higher court. According to the law, the disqualification will continue for six years after release from jail.

‘Don’t take Lawrence Bishnoi’s name’: Sidhu Moosewala’s father receives death threat

ANI
-
0
‘Don’t take Lawrence Bishnoi’s name’: Sidhu Moosewala’s father receives death threat

The father of late Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala, Balkaur Singh, on Sunday alleged that he was threatened once again through an email saying that he would be killed soon. 

“I’ve received threats on email from Rajasthan saying that I’ll be killed soon, so don’t take Lawrence Bishnoi’s name”, alleged Moosewala’s father. Previously also, Balkaur Singh alleged that he was threatened and said that he will be killed before April 25. 

“What wrong am I doing? Should I not fight my son’s case? I was threatened on February 18, 24 and 27 that I will be killed before April 25…I would like to tell the Government, to take back my security, I will continue to fight,” he added. 

According to the police, a case has been registered against unknown people for threatening Moosewala’s father. 

On March 7, Singh held a protest outside the Punjab Assembly and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the murder of his son. 

Speaking to media persons outside the Punjab Assembly, Singh said no investigation is happening in his favour. 

“In the last 10 months, I went to Police and Administration several times. I was assured. But what’s happening here is being done to brush under the carpet the murder of my child. Nothing is going in my favour. So, I had to come to Assembly,” said the father of the late singer. 

He questioned the government about action taken against the gangster Goldy Brar. 

“CBI should investigate the matter…Who are these gangsters (arrested in the case), they are just henchmen. They took the money and shot him dead. The mastermind, who targeted my son…what action is being taken against Goldy Brar?” he asked. 

Sidhu Moosewala, 28, was shot dead on May 29 last year in Mansa, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. 

The Punjabi singer was shot at point-blank range and declared dead on arrival at the Mansa civil hospital. 

The assailants fired over 30 rounds at Moosewala, who was found slumped in the driver’s seat by locals. 

The investigation suggested gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was the mastermind of the daylight killing. His close aide Goldy Brar, who is said to be based in Canada, was also under investigation in this case. Police issued a Red Corner Notice against Brar through Interpol. 

The incident occurred two days after Punjab Police withdrew the security cover of 424 persons, including that Moosewala. 
Moosewala had fought an election from Mansa in the last Assembly election on a Congress ticket but was defeated by AAP’s Vijay Singla. 

On November 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Bishnoi in a case related to the alleged conspiracy to recruit youth to carry out terror strikes in Delhi and other parts of the country.

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

Akal Takht head asks Amritpal Singh to surrender and cooperate with the police investigation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Akal Takht head asks Amritpal Singh to surrender and cooperate with the police investigation

Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) Jathedar (Sikh leader) Giani Harpreet Singh, on Saturday, asked ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief and Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh to turn himself in and assist with the investigation. ”If Amritpal is out (of police net), then I will ask him to present (before police) and cooperate with (police) investigation,” he stated.

He also criticized the police’s ability, questioning why, despite having a large force, they were unable to apprehend the self-styled Sikh preacher. He denounced the police and claimed that they apprehended innocent Sikh youth from their homes. He also alleged that the residences of journalists in Punjab are being raided.

He contended that unfair arrests by the police are being made of individuals for merely posting on social media. He underlined that people’s human rights have been infringed by the government and mentioned that the administration ought to make its position clear.

He earlier bemoaned that the administration was attempting to destabilise Punjab. He complained that the internet shutdown led to creating rumours and panic among people in the state. He reminded the authorities of the precarious circumstances in the 1980s and forewarned them of the negative effects of their actions.

He accused the government of engaging in ‘dirty politics.’ He charged it with attempting to defame and harm Sikhs in order to advance their political goals. He alleged that Sikh youth are being harassed by the police.

He argued that for a peaceful Punjab, the governments, both centre and state, must address the Sikhs’ concerns. He opined that taking harsh measures will not only make Punjab unstable but also disturb the country’s tranquilly.

The ‘innocent’ young Sikhs who have been held by the police, he added, should be freed since their parents are very concerned. He remarked that the state administration need to clarify its position on the current situation in Punjab.

On March 27, the Jathedar summoned a special gathering at Akal Takht for Sikh organisations, intellectuals, lawyers, journalists, student organisations, and others to deliberate on the issue.

Sufficient material to show reputation of RSS is lowered: Mumbai court rejects revision application of Javed Akhtar in defamation case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sufficient material to show reputation of RSS is lowered: Mumbai court rejects revision application of Javed Akhtar in defamation case

A Sessions court in Mumbai has rejected the revision application of lyricist Javed Akhtar, challenging summons issued by a Magistrate’s Court in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) defamation case.

“The statement of the petitioner (Akhtar) in the interview was on a national channel and YouTube. The reputation of volunteers, and supporters of RSS, is tarnished and a message is given to the world that RSS is similar to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Thus, there is sufficient material to show the reputation of RSS is lowered,” the Sessions court noted.

The words uttered by the accused in his interview definitely carry weightage and are heard by the public at large,” it further added. The Sessions Court also observed that the Magistrate Court was right in its application of mind and held that there was prima facie evidence for defamation.

“The accused is a highly renowned person against whom the process is issued. So also RSS is well-known in the nation with enormous followers and supporters. At the same time, Taliban and its activities are known worldwide, on which the interview of the accused was focused,” it emphasised.

The Background of the Case

The original case was filed by an RSS volunteer and advocate named Santosh Dubey before the Magistrate’s court after Akhtar compared the Hindu rights organisation with the radical Islamist outfit, Taliban in a 2021 interview with NDTV.

“The way the Taliban are trying to build a Muslim nation. In the same way, some people present the concept of Hindu Rashtra to us. These people have the same mentality. The Taliban are violent. Are wild. But the people who support RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have the same mentality,” Akhtar had said.

After the summons was issued by the Magistrate’s Court, the lyricist approached the Sessions Court in Mumbai under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Sections 397 and 399. In a revision application, he claimed that Santosh Dubey has no locus standi in the case.

“There are no allegations against the petitioner either specific or general but just the fact that he expressed his thoughts over something does not constitute an offence of defamation and it does not give any right to the complainant to file a complaint,” his application read.

Rahul Gandhi changes his Twitter bio after disqualification over conviction in defamation case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rahul Gandhi changes his Twitter bio after disqualification over conviction in defamation case

Days after his conviction in a criminal defamation case and subsequent disqualification from Lok Sabha, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi changed his ‘bio’ on Twitter.

“This is the official account of Rahul Gandhi | Member of the Indian National Congress | Dis’Qualified MP,” read his new ‘bio’ on the micro-blogging platform.

Screengrab of the Twitter profile of Rahul Gandhi

This has left netizens wondering why the Congress leader chose to add an apostrophe after the letters ‘Dis’ instead of the simple term ‘disqualified.’ Some social media users have suggested that Rahul Gandhi wants to give the impression that he is qualified but has been forcibly disqualified by the ruling BJP government.

The Background of the Controversy

On Thursday (March 23), Rahul Gandhi was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in Surat for his defamatory comments against people with the ‘Modi surname’ in a speech in 2019.

A criminal defamation case was filed by Gujarat BJP leader Purnesh Modi after Rahul Gandhi in an election rally had asked why everyone with the Modi surname is a thief, mentioning Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi. PM Modi belongs to the ‘Ghanchi’ community which falls under the Other Backward Caste (OBC). Hence, Purnesh Modi had said how this kind of comment by an MP is an insult to the OBC community.

Apart from the current disqualification, Rahul Gandhi will also not be able to contest the next general election, and also perhaps the 2029 elections, if the conviction is not overturned by a higher court. According to the law, the disqualification will continue for six years after release from jail.

1984 Anti-Sikh riot accused Jagdish Tytler joins Congress protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification

ANI
-
0
1984 Anti-Sikh riot accused Jagdish Tytler joins Congress protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification

Former Congress MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Jagdish Tytler joined the Congress protest at Raj Ghat, where the party is carrying out ‘Sankalp Satyagraha’ against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. 

Notably, the name of Tytler made headlines in February too, when he was elected as an All India Congress Committee (AICC) member. The Congress is holding Sankalp Satyagraha at Raj Ghat. Priyanka Gandhi arrived at Raj Ghar for the protest on Sunday. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party general secretary KC Venugopal and several other party leaders also joined the protest. 

Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. 

The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname” at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi’s bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts. 

After being convicted in the defamation case and subsequently disqualified from Lok Sabha, Gandhi, hit out BJP. While addressing a press conference, Gandhi said that he is not scared of going to prison and his disqualification from Parliament was aimed at distracting people from the Adani issue.

“Moot question remains who invested Rs 20,000 crore in Adani shell firms. I will keep asking the question,” he said. 
The former MP alleged that BJP-led central government is allegedly protecting businessman Gautam Adani, who has been accused of stock manipulation 

“Why is the BJP-led centre is allegedly protecting the businessman Gautam Adani? Kyuki aap hi Adani ho,” he alleged. 

Attacking PM Modi, he said, “Prime Minister was scared of the next speech that was going to come on Adani. I have seen it in his eyes. That is why, first the distraction and then the disqualification”. 

The BJP hit back at him with Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stating that the central government and Lok Sabha have no role to play in his disqualification and that Rahul Gandhi “is a case of political immaturity”. 

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also slammed Rahul Gandhi saying his utterances on Modi’s surname “were abusive, not critical and that the BJP is going launch a stir against his insult to OBCs.”

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

Meet Irfan Mehraj, Editor of ‘Two Circles’, the first to be arrested by NIA in a terror funding case and how left-liberals are painting him as victim

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
Meet Irfan Mehraj, Editor of ‘Two Circles’, the first to be arrested by NIA in a terror funding case and how left-liberals are painting him as victim

On March 20 this year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested ‘journalist’ Irfan Mehraj in connection with a ‘terror funding case’, which was registered in October 2020.

In a statement, the central agency stated that Mehraj was a close associate of ‘activist’ Khurram Parvez and a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS).

“Investigation revealed that the JKCCS was funding terror activities in the valley and had also been in (the) propagation of secessionist agenda in the Valley under the garb of protection of human rights,” NIA informed.

It further added that several registered and unregistered NGOs and Trusts operating in Jammu and Kashmir have developed links with terror outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Soon after his employer ‘Two Circles.Net’ tried to distance itself from the accused by dubbing Irfan Mehraj as a mere contributor to the non-profit propaganda portal (although he worked as an Editor).

In a statement, it said, “TCN has learned that one of our editorial contributors Mr. Irfan Mehraj has been arrested…Since 2020, Irfan has worked as an independent contractor with TCN assuming editorial and writing responsibilities for our English section.”

Two Circles.Net further claimed, “Although the alleged activity of Mr. Mehraj is from a period before his association with TCN, we are concerned about the seriousness of the charges and are monitoring the situation.”

As per the LinkedIn profile of Irfan Mehraj, he started working as the Editor of TCN in April 2020. And the case in question was registered in October of that year. It implied his involvement in the case was during his tenure at the propaganda portal.

Moreover, ‘Two Circles.Net’ was privy to the fact that the accused was working as a ‘researcher’ with the dubious outfit, Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS) since 2016. In a detailed research by D-Intent Data, an online research group, it was found that Mehraj worked at TCN and JKCCS at same time for a few months. His association with both the organisations overlapped for a few months in 2020.

In a Facebook post from June 2020, Irfan Mehraj was seen in awe of controversial activist Khurram Parvez. “You keep inspiring us every day,” he wrote.

Although ‘Two Circles.Net’ has tried to pass off the accused as a ‘contributor’, its founder Kashif-ul-Huda was seen referring to Irfan Mehraj as a ‘Editor’ in one of his tweets.

Interestingly, Kashif had expressed his displeasure over the recent verdict of the Supreme Court, which held that mere membership of an unlawful organisation is enough to constitute an offence under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Presumably, this is why ‘Two Circles. Net’ is now trying to distance itself from Irfan Mehraj. However, this did not stop the usual suspects from painting the accused ‘journalist’ as a victim on social media.

Financial fraud accused Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub shared an Instagram post of ‘Maktoob media’, decrying the arrest of Irfan Mehraj, and wrote, “The tyranny.”

Maktoob Media is a dubious website which is often found spreading fake news about ‘hate crimes’ on Muslims in India, in a bid to what appears to be creating a wedge amongst Indians. The page is regularly promoted by terror apologists. Interesting, Maktoob Media Facebook page started out as a fanpage of former Congress IT head Divya Spandana.

Suchitra Vijayan, the founder of the George Soros-funded-Polis Project, claimed, “Kashmiri journalist IrfanMeraj was arrested by the National Investigation Agency under draconian UAPA in Srinagar today. He has been moved to Delhi. Irfan is a reporter and the founding editor of Wande Magazine.”

Former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted, “While conmen are given a free run in Kashmir, journalists like Irfan Mehraj are arrested for doing their duty by speaking the truth. Draconian laws like UAPA are abused constantly to ensure that the process itself becomes the punishment.”

The Editor of the ‘Kashmiriyat’, Qazi Shibil, wrote, “Lest we forget: Irfan Mehraj, another Kashmiri journalist was arrested today from his residence in Srinagar. He is the latest addition to Kashmiri journalists to be jailed. Three are currently jailed under PSA: Fahad Shah: 411 days Asif Sultan: 1668 days Sajad Gul: 436 days.”

As expected, the Press Club of India, Editors Guild of India, Amnesty and Al Jazeera left no stone unturned to defend terror accused Irfan Mehraj and dub his arrest under UAPA as attack on press freedom in India.

Khalistanis threaten the Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Sandhu in Washington DC: Watch video

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Khalistanis threaten the Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Sandhu in Washington DC: Watch video

On Saturday, a group of Khalistani protestors hurled abuses and threatened Taranjit Sandhu, the Indian Ambassador to the US in Washington DC. Some of the protestors were also seen inciting violence and to vandalise the Indian embassy. 

In a video tweeted by ANI, one of the Khalistani demonstrators is heard making baseless claims about alleged killings of religious minorities in India. 

“Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the face of Indian terror diplomacy in the free world, we want to remind him that it is unacceptable for you guys to kill minorities, rape Christian women, to kill innocent Sikh men, to kill Muslims, people in Nagaland and then come here and say you are the biggest democracy, this hypocrisy comes to an end now,” Khalistani protestor said.

Protesters were seen trying to instigate violence against the embassy staff through their speeches, not just in India but also doing physical damage to the Indian Embassy’s property.

Earlier it was reported that a Washington-based Indian journalist Lalit Jha was physically attacked and verbally abused by pro-Khalistan supporters in Washington, DC. Jha was covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian Embassy on Saturday afternoon. 

Speaking to ANI, Jha said, “The pro-Khalistan protestors in support of Amrit Pal waved Khalistan flags and descended upon the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even openly threatened the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.”

The protesters included turbaned men of all ages who raised pro-Khalistan slogans. They came in from different parts of the DC-Maryland- Virginia (DMV) area. Anti-India speeches were made in English and Punjabi targeting Punjab Police over alleged human rights violations.  

Muslim students offer namaz in Sanskriti University in Mathura, video viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Muslim students offer namaz in Sanskriti University in Mathura, video viral

A video of the incident wherein six Muslim students performed the namaz at Sanskriti University in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh has sparked outrage. Hindu organizations have since voiced their objection. The Hindu Mahasabha has warned to recite the Hanuman Chalisa in the university if action is not taken against people who offered namaz on the varsity premises.

The students reciting the namaz at the esteemed Sanskriti University campus in Mathura are Kashmiri Muslims. According to reports, a university student recorded the video and made it viral on social media.

The “All India Hindu Mahasabha” protested vehemently at the Collectorate over the namaz being offered at the University. A memorandum has also been sent to the Collector along with this. According to Chhaya Gautam, district president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Namaz has long been offered at the university. Although they already had information about the situation, Chhaya continued, there was no proof. Now that the video has emerged, there is evidence of this. The All India Hindu Mahasabha leader also warned of a massive protest if action is not taken against the accused students.

Memorandum submitted by All India Hindu Mahasabha (Image via Bhaskar)

82 Muslim students who are enrolled in the university, according to Chhaya Gautam, have received government scholarships. Most of these students are residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Namaz is being performed consistently at the university for the last 6 days. Gautam also asserted that he had a video of the incident.

The offering of Namaz in a university, however, has been deemed a serious issue by Dinesh Sharma, the national treasurer of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. The Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha, according to him, will not accept this way of offering Namaz in the temple of education. Hanuman Chalisa will be recited in the university by the Hindu Mahasabha if action is not taken in this matter promptly. Despite the ongoing protest and action, the people of the particular community are not desisting from their actions. The Hindu Mahasabha office bearers will also be performing the ‘Shuddhi’ (purification) of the campus with Gangajal. 

The university’s PRO, Kishan Chaturvedi, has described the matter as old. Chaturvedi claimed that the namaz was offered 25–30 days ago.  After the matter came to their notice, the Muslim students were counseled. Students perform religious activities in their hostel rooms only. The issue is being exaggerated for no apparent reason.

1...2,3012,3022,303...7,596Page 2,302 of 7,596