On Friday (4th July), a Muslim mob brutally thrashed a Hindu e-rickshaw driver for not paying chanda (donation) ahead of Muharram. The incident occurred in Sainthia town in Birbhum district of West Bengal.
A Hindu man named Bedan Ghosh informed that the victim was beaten by 8-10 youths for not paying chanda for Muharram. The victim had made a donation of ₹50 once on Thursday (3rd July) and refused to pay twice.
“While others beat him, one of the youths hit his head with a boulder. I do not know the status of the patient. He was admitted to a hospital,” Ghosh added.
“It has been 1 hour since that incident, but the police have not arrested the perpetrators. We have now blocked this road in protest. The culprits need to be punished,” he added.
The victim’s father Tamal Ghosh stated, “My son had gone there to drop off passengers. He had paid chanda the previous day. Once he reached there today, they demanded chanda from him again. He tried to tell them that his business for the day had just started but they did not listen. I can’t explain how brutally they thrashed my son. He was rescued by some locals.”
“What is the administration doing? They (Muslims) are committing atrocities against us repeatedly,” he asked.
Bedan Ghosh narrated how Muslim youths in Sainthia had been harassing Hindus for Muharram donations. “A group of 8-10 youths caught hold of me on Thursday (3rd July) when I went to drop my son at the school. They demanded chanda from them. They insisted that I pay the money to them then and there.”
Ghosh was threatened with physical harm. He assured them that he would return to pay chanda after dropping his son to school. He later chose a different route to his home so as to avoid confrontation with the Muslim youths.
Following the attack on the Hindu victim, local Hindus staged a protest and set up a blockade in the middle of the road, demanding strict action against the Muslim perpetrators.
Former NDTV ‘news anchor’ Nidhi Razdan, who was once tricked by scamsters into believing that she was being appointed Professor at Harvard University, has claimed that NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is being criticised in India for virtue of his ‘Muslim Faith.’
Razdan has written a piece to this effect for Gulf News titled ‘The Mamdani moment: Why New York’s new political star is sparking debates in India’, which was published on Monday (7th July).
She claimed that Zohran Mamdani became a ‘prime target’ of the Indian right wing ecosystem only because he is a Muslim.
While @ZohranKMamdani’s ideas were debated in the democratic primary in NY, in India it is his religion. So many undignified digs linking him to Pakistan. The bigger lesson is that civic issues should matter much more to all of us. My piece https://t.co/yWo9ieFg3l
Nidhi Razdan lamented that the Indian right wing celebrated the likes of Rishi Sunak, an Indian origin British politician who went on to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, but not Zohran Mamdani. She suggested that it was because Sunak ‘wore his Hinduism on his sleeve’ while Mamdani is a Muslim.
“The same right wing also celebrates the Vivek Ramaswamys and Nikki Haleys of the world, even though their politics is rooted against immigrants. But Zohran Mamdani really irks them. It was amusing to see pro-BJP social media handles that have expressed joy about a Sunak or a Ramaswamy sneer at those who are happy with Mamdani’s victory. And there is only one main reason for that – his faith,” she brazened out.
The former NDTV ‘news anchor’ even hit out at Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi for highlighting that the NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was repeating Pakistani talking points on India.
When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off. India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York.
“”Even Senior Congress leader and MP Abhishek Singhvi made a rather undignified dig at Mamdani for doing “Pakistani PR”. “If he’s a Muslim, of course he is pro-Pakistan” is how the Indian right wing generally thinks. To see a Congress leader speak similarly is even sadder,” Nidhi Razdan lamented in her piece in Gulf News.
She will, of course, have to look past Zohran Mamdani’s association with US-based Pakistani lobbying groups to peddle the universal and rather perpetual trump card of ‘Muslim victimhood.’
Zohran Mamdani @ZohranKMamdani , with a heart rooted in Pakistan, recites Faiz Ahmad Faiz's 'Bol ke lab azad hain tere' in a powerful speech at APAG's March 23rd Pakistan Day event, inspiring all with his passion for justice and freedom! ?? #PakistanDay#ZohranMamdanipic.twitter.com/5sxGq2gPQh
The former NDTV ‘news anchor’, nonetheless, continued her misleading narrative that the debate in India surrounding the NYC mayoral candidate was about religion and not his ‘ideas.’
“Like almost everything else in our political discourse today, Zohran Mamdani has polarised opinions both in America and India. But the reasons are different. In New York during his campaign, it was his ideas that were being debated. In India it is his religion,” she continued her dubious rhetoric.
Debunking the lies of Nidhi Razdan
The reality is far from the misleading claims made by Nidhi Razdan in her article in Gulf News. Indians or ‘Indian right wing’, as the former ‘new anchor’ puts it, are not fixated at all on the religion of Zohran Mamdani.
As a matter of fact, Zohran Mamdani is under fire for his blatant display of Hinduphobia. In August 2020, the famed son of ‘filmmaker’ Mira Nair was found leading a hate mob, demonising Hindus as ‘Harami (bastards),’ at Times Square.
“Who are the Hindus? Harami (Bastards),” the mob was heard yelling. Mamdani remained unflinched despite the dehumanisation of the Hindu community by his supporters. He instead began spewing vitriol against Ram Mandir.
NYC Candidate for Mayor Zohran Mamdani led a mob of protestors in Times Square calling Hindus as bastards and heaping abuses upon Lord Rama, who is worshipped by Hindus
“I am here today to protest against the BJP government in India and the demolition of the Babri Masjid that attempted to build a temple on the ruins of it,” claimed Zohran Mamdani.
He made it clear that the hate mob that he was leading at Times Square in August 2020 belonged to Khalistani extremists. The video coincided with the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, which was performed by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Around the same time, Zohran Mamdani peddled vicious disinformation on X (formerly Twitter) about the re-constrcution of Ram Mandir. For context, a Ram Mandir always existed at the very site in Ayodhya since time immemorial.
Screengrab of the August 2020 tweet of Zohran Mamdani
Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb destroyed part of the temple and built a disputed structure on top of the temple foundation. The historical wrongdoing was corrected on 6th December 1992 by karsevaks.
Through years of litigation, the Hindu site finally got the green light to begin the reconstruction of the temple at the same site where it existed before.
Besides his anti-Hindu rhetoric, Zohran Mamdani had peddled vicious lies about India. The NYC mayoral candidate has defamed India by falsely claiming that Muslims have been eradicated from Gujarat.
The Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani says that Narendra Modi is a war criminal just like Benjamin Netanyahu.
He says Modi was behind anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002 which wiped out the Muslim population from the state.
He is being funded by the anti-India, anti-Hindu lobby of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. This explains why he falsely dubbed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘war criminal.’
Faith is a personal choice. The religious affiliation of Zohran Mamdani is immaterial to Indians or the ‘Indian right wing.’ The harsh criticism he faces in India is due to his anti-Hindu rhetoric and lies that he peddled about the country in the US.
Other Indian-origin politicians such as Rishi Sunak (Hindu), Vivek Ramaswamy (Hindu) or Nikki Haley (Sikh turned Christian) did not spew vitirol against Hindus or their religious places of worship.
They also did not make false claims about ‘Muslims being eradicated from Gujarat’ for political vendetta.This is precisely why Sunak, Ramaswamy or Haley are acceptable and a Mamdani is not.
Only Americans fixated on Faith of Zohran Mamdani
The sweeping assertions of Nidhi Razdan that only the ‘ideas’ of Zohran Mamdani are being debated in the US, the claim are false.
The Republican, Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters are, in fact, obsessed with his ‘Muslim identity.’
? How did a Socialist Muslim, Zohran Mamdani, who wants to globalize the intifada become the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor? This is the story of a 20-year political campaign — funded by the House of Soros — where Socialism?Political Islam?and the Democratic Party??merged.… pic.twitter.com/BLCKooiwXH
Zohran Mamdani is a Muslim and his allegiance is to Islam, not America. As you can see in this video he won't even denounce Sharia and tries to play it off, all part of the Islamic playbook.pic.twitter.com/UxYviSDEVq
The possibility of a Muslim ‘mayor’ in a predominantly white Christian NYC is still an unfathomable concept to many Americans, which is why they are fixated on his Faith.
Would you like to see ICE deport NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim who was born in Uganda? pic.twitter.com/SYrGgk3nmT
— Charlie Kirk ?? Commentary (@CharlieK_news) June 26, 2025
A Jewish woman married a Muslim man, so naturally Zohran Mamdani commented “Another loss for Democratic Majority for Israel.”
According to The New York Times, anti-Muslim rhetoric dominated political discourse after Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primaries.
It is Indians who are challenging the divisive ideas of Zohran Mamdani and debunking his lies on social media without being obsessed about his religion.
Indian media and intellectuals eulogised Zohran Mamdani
The Indian media has been writing eulogies for Zohran Mamdani since 2020 when he became a member of the New York State Assembly.
At that time, Zohran Mamdani was glorified for being the son of ‘filmmaker’ Mira Nair and winning election to the New York State Assembly. Indian media publications like The New Indian Express, News18, Times Now and India Today went all out to tell its readers about his biography.
Screengrab of the news reports
The Times of India also did not lose the opportunity to act as Mamdani’s PR machinery. Scroll and Moneycontrol, in particular, became fixated with his gimmicky election slogan of ‘Roti and Roses.’ Leftist propaganda outlet NDTV even conducted an online interview with Zohran Mamdani.
Screengrab of the news reports
The media ecosystem doubled down on heaping praises on Zohran Mamdani after he emerged as a strong candidate in NYC mayoral race.
India Today had suggested that Mamdani was ‘shaping NYC mayoral election’ while the Times of India published a speculative report about the earnings of the 33-year-old politician. DNA news was fixated on highlighting his ‘India connection.’
Screengrab of the news reports by The Times of India and India TodayScreengrab of the news reports by DNA India
Leftists and their obsession to make everything about ‘India’
Like a true representative of the left-liberal ecosystem, which has a habit of singling out India, Nidhi Razdan also used the Zohran Mamdani controversy to paint the country in a poor light.
India has nothing to do with Zohran Mamdani. If he kept his anti-India and anti-Hindu rhetoric to himself, none would bother challenging his outrageous claims on social media. Mamdani drew the ire only when he chose to showcase his ignorance to the world.
Indians or Indian right wing (as Nidhi Razdan puts it) cannot care less whether a Muslim man became the mayor of New York City. He is irrelevant to Indian politics.
But the former NDTV ‘news anchor’ could not resist putting Indians under the bus to write a piece on Zohran Mamdani in a foreign publication such as Gulf News.
In a sensational expose of China’s disinformation offensive, French intelligence agencies have uncovered a coordinated Chinese campaign, using its embassies and diplomatic channels, to undermine the global reputation and sales of Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jets following India’s high-profile Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
French intelligence reports say that Chinese defence attachés stationed in embassies worldwide spearheaded a targeted effort to dissuade countries especially those in Asia and Africa from purchasing or expanding orders of the Rafale. Countries like Indonesia, which had already signed contracts for the French jet, were specifically lobbied to reconsider their procurement plans in favour of Chinese-made aircraft.
Pakistan’s rapid push to publicise unverified claims of Rafale losses was to cover up its own failures against the Indian attack and China’s bid to erode confidence in the French jet and promote Chinese military exports while deflecting global attention from the failure of the Chinese defence system against India’s attacks deep inside Pakistan. While China used its embassies in foreign nations to peddle disinformation about Indian Rafales, the political opposition and the leftist media cabal have long been engaged in similar lobbying for years.
Opposition and leftist media cabal’s anti-Rafale campaign
As China’s sinister propaganda tactics to peddle falsehoods about Rafale jets to position Chinese fighter aircraft as a better and more potent alternative while also tarnishing India’s image, it must be recalled how the Indian opposition parties led by Congress and leftist media ecosystem tried to sabotage the Indo-French Rafale deal.
In a government-to-government agreement, India bought 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in 2020. This has greatly improved India’s aviation capabilities and afforded it a competitive advantage over Pakistan in the US-made F-16 fighter jet market. According to reports, India targeted Bahawalpur, which is located about 100 kilometres deep into Pakistani territory, using Rafale fighters equipped with Scalp missiles. Moreover, owing to its long-range attack potential, Rafale didn’t even need to cross the border to accomplish this.
However, former French President Francois Hollande’s statement caused a political controversy in India when he claimed that Dassault Aviation had been allegedly forced by the Modi government to collaborate with Reliance Defence of India to comply with its “offset policy.” Foreign companies must contribute at least 30% of a deal’s value back to India, according to the clause in Delhi’s defence procurement regulations.
The Congress party then accused Prime Minister Modi of prioritising an Indian company and even engaging in crony capitalism by supporting Anil Ambani’s company. On the other hand, the BJP consistently refuted these claims, asserting that the government entered into the agreement to fulfil the combat needs of the Indian Air Force and played no part in selecting the local partner of the French manufacturer.
Rahul Gandhi even called the Rafale deal a scam during the 2019 general elections, as part of the Congress party’s massive electoral attack against the Modi government for proceeding with the deal. He was even reprimanded by the Supreme Court for misusing its name and disseminating falsehoods purely for political smear tactics aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Rae Bareli Lok Sabha MP coined “chowkidar chor hai”, after which former union minister Minister Meenakshi Lekhi initiated a contempt case against him for misattributing the slogan to the initial ruling of the apex court in the Rafale case. He had issued an apology at the prior hearing for misquoting the Supreme Court. However, the latter was not persuaded by his prior affidavit and had asked for a written apology.
Notably, the matter was even dragged to the top court by Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC/TMC) leader Yashwant Sinha and others, alleging that the Rafale Fighter Jet Deal had significant procedural flaws. The bench, however, rejected the appeal for a court-monitored investigation on 14th December 2018 and noted that there were no anomalies in the price, decision-making procedure or choice of off-set partner.
While Congress, other opposition parties and the anti-Modi lobby left no stone unturned to project Narendra Modi as ‘corrupt’, not only the Supreme Court but also the people of India outrightly rejected Rahul Gandhi’s apocryphal narrative and gave a historic victory to the BJP-led alliance in the 2019 general elections.
The opposition parties were joined by leftist propaganda outlets like The Wire and The Hindu in mounting a sustained campaign alleging corruption, cronyism, inflated costs of the deal and whatnot.
OpIndia reported earlier how N. Ram, the Chairman of the Kasturi & Sons Limited and publisher of The Hindu, desperately tried to create an anti-Modi wave by manufacturing a ‘defence scam’ in the Rafale deal.
On February 8, 2019, The Hindu published a note from a defence ministry official who had objected to the Prime Minister’s office inquiring about the progress of the deal. This was even though the officer was not involved in the negotiations of the deal. The Hindu wanted to project that there was opposition to the Rafale deal in the defence ministry and only the Prime Minister was pushing for it. In doing so, the newspaper had cropped a vital part in the same document, a note by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The then defence minister had written that the officer was overreacting, and the offices of the Indian PM and French President were just monitoring the progress of the deal.
Immediately after the Hindu report, ANI published the full document, which proved that N Ram had used a cropped version of the document in his article. About 10 days after the incident, The Hindu came up with a clarification, saying that it did not doctor the document. In its column Readers Editor, it has claimed that the document published by it was an earlier version, which didn’t include the Defence Minister’s note. As proof of the same, The Hindu noted that the document published by ANI had serial numbers on each note, while there were no serial numbers on the document published by Hindu.
To hide the evidence of Parrikar’s note, the Hindu cropped the document in two places, and even digitally erased part of a stamp that should have been visible even after cropping the same. And its claim that it did not doctor the document turned out to be false, because a date stamp before the defence secretary’s note was clearly removed from the document. As such, the petition in the Supreme Court over the alleged snooping scandal looks like another desperate attempt at anti-Modi propaganda. The Hindu and its Frontline magazine had published several articles insinuating foul play in the Rafale deal.
Mediapart, a media portal in France, has published what it calls ‘fake invoices’ that are alleged to have helped Dassault secure the deal for the 36 Rafale jets with the Indian Government. Mediapart claimed that Indian agencies did not pursue the case despite the existence of the fake invoices. This report was widely cited by Indian leftist propaganda outlets like Newslaundry, The Wire, and The Hindu among others and opposition leaders, however, the ‘fake invoices’ cited by Mediapart occurred when the UPA Government was in power. According to the invoices, payments totalling around 11 million Euros were made to a firm in Singapore. The invoices are related to a deal that the UPA Government was trying to make. After the NDA Government came to power, the UPA era deal was scrapped and the Indian Government secured a government-to-government deal.
The opposition used the warp and weft of lies and propaganda concocted by the leftist and pro-China media for its political gains. Not to forget, the opposition created a ruckus demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe against the Rafale deal signed by the Modi government. The opposition hampered the functioning of the Parliamentary sessions in 2021 with the dubious media organisation fanning falsehoods within a fortnight gap with that year’s Parliamentary sessions.
Interestingly, the NGO that filed a complaint against Rafale Deal was partners with anti-Modi regime change specialist and philanthropist George Soros’ Open Society, Misereor, and Oxfam among others.
Even recently, The Wire’s website was blocked in India, for twisting an Indian Armed Forces official’s statement to peddle a false narrative and attack the Modi government for alleged aircraft loss during Operation Sindoor. At a time when Pakistan is using all tactics at hand to peddle anti-India lies, The Wire decided to bat from China-backed Pakistan’s side, however, after the Indian government blocked its website, the leftist propaganda portal reluctantly removed the misleading report.
It, however, is not shocking that the narrative pushed by Congress and leftist media portals almost always aligns with the Chinese narrative. It must be recalled that leftist propaganda outlet NewsClick was exposed in 2023 for receiving Chinese funding to push pro-China narratives. NewsClick was also among the media outlets which amplified anti-Rafale sentiment. The way the Rafale Deal faced a concerted attack from leftist media and the political opposition, it is evident that a coordinated effort was made to undermine India’s defence acquisitions.
Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s undying limerence for China
Congress and its prince Rahul Gandhi share an outrageously deep and persistent relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed his admiration for China on several occasions.
In his controversial speech at Cambridge Judge Business School in March 2023, Rahul Gandhi hailed China as an ‘aspiring superpower’ and ‘force of nature’. He further alleged that China harbours ‘social harmony’.
The Gandhi scion had also lauded China’s controversial and predatory Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as the destructive debt-trap diplomacy calling it ‘prosperity’.
During a conversation with The Print columnist Shruti Kapila in 2022, Rahul Gandhi praised the Belt and Road Initiative and claimed that China wanted the countries around it to prosper.
During his tour to Ladakh in 2023, Rahul Gandhi claimed that China had grabbed India’s grazing land in Ladakh. However, Gandhi during his UK visit in May 2022 had asserted that “Ladakh is to China what Ukraine is to Russia.”
The Congress leader back then had even urged foreign powers to intervene in India’s internal matters. Back in 2020, details about the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s (RGF) monetary operations emerged.
OpIndia had previously published detailed pieces about the Chinese government’s financial contributions of more than Rs 1 crore to RGF between 2006 and afterwards.
In 2008, during UPA1, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Congress party signed an agreement for the sharing of high-level information and collaboration.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) also provided the two parties with the “opportunity to consult each other on important bilateral, regional and international developments”.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have served as trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation since 2005, while Sonia Gandhi serves as the foundation’s chairperson.
It’s amusing to see how times change and even ‘partners’ turn hostile, even if just to score political brownie points.
The Congress party had signed an MoU with the Chinese government, and Rahul Gandhi had secretly met the Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui in 2017 during the Doklam standoff.
He even secretly met Chinese ministers in September 2018 during his Kailash Mansarovar visit. Before this, Rahul Gandhi and Luo Zhaohui, the Chinese ambassador to India, met on July 8th, 2017, but their conversation was private. The Congress party referred to several media reports of the meeting as fake news. Yet, the Chinese embassy afterwards posted a statement on its website confirming the meeting. Eventually, Rahul Gandhi came to his own rescue as he confirmed his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador.
In February 2025, Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress and a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, downplayed threats from China and claimed that the Communist-run country is not ‘our enemy’.
While speaking to news agency IANS, he claimed, “I don’t know what is the threat from China. I think there is always this thing blown out of (at times) proportion.”
Sam Pitroda blamed the US for creating a hostile perception of China. He went on to blame India for harbouring an attitude of confrontation towards the Communist regime.
“To assume that China is the enemy from day one is just not fair, not just to China but to anybody. I think it is time for us to learn to increase communication, collaborate, cooperate and co-create and not have this command and control mindset. China is around, China is growing,” the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress brazened out.
Interestingly, the Congress party’s love for China is not confined to lobbying against Rafale deal, signing MoUs with China, and receiving funds from the CCP for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. The party prince Rahul Gandhi has been obsessing over Chinese military technology even in the Indian parliament.
Back in 2021, Rahul Gandhi questioned in the Lok Sabha, why Indian security forces were not using Chinese-style surveillance drones, lauding the Chinese PLA’s tactics during the Ladakh standoff.
In 2023, during his UK visit, Rahul Gandhi claimed China is winning the “technology race”. Gandhi suggested India learn from Chinese military innovation, including drone warfare.
During his 45-minute speech in the parliament in February 2025, Rahul Gandhi mentioned China around 34 times and highlighted the country’s dominance in the manufacturing sector and technological advancement.
In February this year, Rahul Gandhi showcased a banned Chinese drone in a social media post. In what came across as nothing less than a China-sponsored defence advertisement, Rahul Gandhi used the banned Chinese drone to assert that India needed a “strong production base” to manufacture drones and “not empty words”. In his attempt to promote Chinese defence tech as ‘superior’, Rahul Gandhi resorted to belittling the Indian drone industry. Perhaps, Gandhi must have been very upset with the success of indigenously manufactured drones during Operation Sindoor.
“Drones are not just one technology, they are bottom-up innovations produced by a strong industrial system. Unfortunately, PM Modi has failed to grasp this. While he delivers ‘teleprompter’ speeches on AI, our competitors are mastering new technologies. India needs a strong production base, not empty words,“ Gandhi posted.
Drones have revolutionised warfare, combining batteries, motors and optics to manoeuver and communicate on the battlefield in unprecedented ways. But drones are not just one technology – they are bottom-up innovations produced by a strong industrial system.
In June this year, Rahul Gandhi defied facts and data to claim that the Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative is merely ‘Assemble in India’ and that China is far ahead of India in manufacturing sector. However, OpIndia published a data-based rebuttal to Gandhi’s pro-China claims.
Conclusion
Clearly, the political agenda and ideological imperative to oppose the BJP-led government drove the opposition parties and the leftist media cabal to amplify Chinese propaganda, weaken national security discourse, and even try to sabotage the Rafale deal. The opposition and leftist media’s persistent pro-China lobbying, echoing Chinese propaganda to attack the Indian government is nothing but a stark betrayal of Indian national interests at the cost of partisan gains.
The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench has given the go-ahead to the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to merge primary schools with fewer than 50 students with nearby institutions. While the court said the move was in the interest of better education, the decision has drawn sharp reactions from the Opposition.
On Monday, 7th July, Justice Pankaj Bhatia dismissed a petition filed by a guardian representing 51 students from Sitapur district. The plea had sought a stay on the merger order, claiming that it violated Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14.
“This Article also mandates that the government will have to set up a primary school within one km for a population of every 300 people so that small children do not have to travel far to reach school”.
The petitioner said the merger would force children to travel longer distances to attend school, putting additional stress on young students, especially those from poor and rural backgrounds.
The state government defends the policy
Representing the state, Additional Advocate General Anuj Kudesia and Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Kumar Singh told the court that many schools in Uttar Pradesh are either empty or have very few students enrolled. They argued that running such schools is not practical or beneficial for students.
The government said the decision to merge schools was based on improving access to better educational facilities, teachers, and peer learning. By shifting students from small, under-enrolled schools to bigger institutions, the state hopes to provide a better academic environment.
According to official data, UP has around 1.40 lakh government-run primary and upper primary schools. Out of these, nearly 29,000 schools have fewer than 50 students, and around 89,000 teachers are posted in these institutions. The government says the policy aims to use these resources more effectively.
Opposition slams the decision as “Anti-Education”
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav strongly criticised the move, calling it a deliberate conspiracy to weaken public education in rural areas. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he accused the BJP-led government of trying to deprive future generations, especially children from backwards, Dalit, and minority communities, of their right to education.
शिक्षा ही विकास की सबसे बड़ी कसौटी होती है। भाजपा सरकार में शिक्षा और शिक्षकों की जो उपेक्षा हो रही है उसके पीछे एक गहरी साज़िश की ये आशंका बलवती हो रही है कि :
– भाजपा आनेवाली पीढ़ी से ‘शिक्षा का अधिकार’ छीनना चाहती है। – जो शिक्षित होता है वह सकारात्मक भी होता है और सहनशील… pic.twitter.com/ajajYwi5Zn
“Education is the biggest threat to authoritarian politics. The BJP doesn’t want children to become aware and self-confident because educated people question injustice and stand up against wrong policies,” Yadav wrote.
“No schools, No opposition”: Akhilesh Yadav
The former chief minister expressed fears that closing government schools in villages could pave the way for BJP-affiliated organisations to open their institutions “under the garb of service,” where they could allegedly propagate “divisive ideologies.”
Yadav further accused the ruling party of fostering a crowd of “uneducated, superstitious, and unscientific minds” that could be easily manipulated.
He also pointed out that if a polling booth can be set up for one voter, a school for 30 students should be just as important.
He further alleged that closing down government schools would pave the way for private schools run by BJP-affiliated organisations to enter rural areas, where they could promote divisive ideologies under the guise of service.
Kannauj schools also face closure
Yadav also shared a news report from Kannauj, which claimed that 38 schools in the district are facing the threat of closure due to the new policy. He warned that this is not an isolated incident and that similar actions may follow in other districts too.
Government says it’s about better education
Sources from the UP government say the policy is not about closing schools but about rationalising resources, improving the student-teacher ratio, and enhancing overall academic outcomes. They argue that merging small schools will help deliver quality education, particularly in rural areas.
Officials have said that students who have to move will be relocated to nearby schools within accessible distances, and logistical support will be provided where necessary.
Verdict triggers political heat
With the court backing the state’s decision, the school merger policy is set to go forward. However, the strong political reactions show that this will remain a contentious issue in the coming months, especially with the Opposition accusing the government of hurting the education rights of marginalised communities.
Multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh, Sitapur, Bareilly and Lakhimpur-Kheri, witnessed violent clashes during Muharram processions on Sunday, 6th July. Resulting in stone pelting, stick fighting, property damage and mob clashing.
Sitapur: Muslim mob attacked a shopkeeper with the sticks
On Sunday, 6th, July, Violence broke out during a Muharram procession in Sahadatnagar village, Sitapur. The Tazia was going from Shahadatnagar to Karbala, simultaneously, the Tazia of Nauwa Amberpur also reached Karbala. To make their way, Muslims started removing the bricks kept outside the shop of Benchelal. When he resisted, the argument started which later turned into a fight. Tajidars attacked the shopkeeper with the sticks.
As soon as the news of the incident spread, the people of Sahadatnagar reached the spot with sticks. The clash erupted between two groups and four people got injured. CO Maholi Deepak Singh and SHO Imalia Sultanpur Shyamu Kanojia reached the spot along with the police force and pacified both parties.
Due to the tension, the Tajiedar took the Tajiya back. Later, Tajiya was buried at around 1 AM. The police have shifted the injured to hospital and started an investigation into the matter. The police force has been deployed in the village. The administration has appealed to the people to maintain peace.
Bareilly: Muslims chanted slogans in support of Pakistan
Muslim mob created a ruckus while keeping Tajiya on Sunday, 6 July, in Faridpur, Bareilly. Tensions rose when individuals damaged a clothing shop’s slab while carrying the Tajiya. In response, upset shopkeepers halted the procession and closed the market, demanding action against those responsible. Shopkeepers also reported that slogans in support of Pakistan were shouted during the incident by the Muslims.
Upon receiving the news, representatives from Hindu organizations arrived at the scene. Consequently, shopkeepers began protesting alongside these groups. To quell the unrest, Faridpur SDM Mallika Jain and CO Sandeep Kumar Singh intervened and spoke to the shopkeepers.
After the police arrested the individuals involved and filed charges against them, the shopkeepers ended their demonstration, allowing the Muslim community to continue with the Tajiya procession.
यूपी के बरेली में मुहर्रम के दौरान फरीदपुर के साहूकारा मोहल्ले में कुछ शरारती तत्वों ने माहौल बिगाड़ने की कोशिश की. शनिवार देर रात ताजिया रखने के दौरान सराफा व्यापारी की दुकान का चबूतरा तोड़ा गया. सुबह जब बाजार खुला तो दुकानदारों ने टूटी दुकान देखी, जिससे गुस्सा भड़क उठा.… pic.twitter.com/ojcE6VtExt
— State Mirror Hindi (@statemirrornews) July 6, 2025
Lakhimpur-Kheri: Stone pelting during Muharram procession
A similar case has come to light from Shardangar, Lakhimpur-Kheri where two groups pelted stones at each other. According to the reports, On Sunday afternoon, the Tajiya processionof Sansuri village reached the Bada village. The people involved in the procession were mourning and blowing white powder with firecrackers.
During this time, some mischievous elements threw white powder on the houses of Siyaram and Jamunadin When they protested, some people in the procession started beating up Jamunadin’s grandson Pankaj. The situation further deteriorated when stone pelting broke out between the two sides.
Tin sheds, solar panels and stoves of many houses were damaged. Some people alleged that miscreants involved in the procession forcibly entered the houses and also threatened them. A policeman was also reported to have sustained minor injuries, although the police have denied it
Police have registered a case against Talib, Zahid, Suleman and Noori on the basis of the victim Pankaj’s complain. OpIndia also has a copy of this FIR. CO City Ramesh Tiwari said that strict action will be taken against those who try to spoil the atmosphere.
The rape claim made by a 22-year-old data scientist in Pune turned out to be a false complaint, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated on Sunday, 6th July. The woman alleged a man posing as a delivery agent sprayed her with a chemical, knocked her unconscious, raped her, took a selfie, and left a threatening message. According to Kumar, investigators found her story full of inconsistencies and ruled it fabricated, saying it misled the police.
Investigation unravels the story in just 24 hours
The woman had claimed that an unidentified man who posed as a courier delivery agent entered her flat in the Kondhwa area on Wednesday evening when she was alone, and forced himself on her. She passed out, and when she regained consciousness, he was gone, she stated in her complaint.
The investigation, however, revealed that neither was there any sign of forced entry nor any spray that could be used on the victim, the police commissioner had said.
According to the complainant, the man identified himself as a delivery executive who came on the pretext of delivering a courier bank document. But the probe finding says, The 25-year-old accused was not a delivery agent. He works with a multinational accounting firm in Pune and is someone the complainant knew for over a year after connecting with him socially. The man had come to the complainant’s house in the past.
Commissioner Kumar highlighted how quickly the Pune Police dug into the case. “We used all our resources,” he said, stressing that the city’s image as a safe place for women shouldn’t be tarnished by false narratives.
The police measured evidence from CCTV footage, apartment access logs, forensic tests, and tried to trace any delivery agent who might have entered the building.
In less than a day, they found no sign of any intruder or unusual chemicals. CCTV and door logs showed no unrecognised person entering the apartment complex. Forensics found no trace of a chemical being sprayed.
The selfie and message were fake
Police discovered that the man in the selfie was known to the complainant. Commissioner Kumar explained, “She’s known him for years, and they’re from the same community.” Investigators concluded the selfie was taken on the woman’s phone, in which her back and part of his face are seen. The threatening message, “I’ll come back”, on her phone was also typed by her.
A highly qualified college professor, her friend was detained and questioned. Deputy Commissioner Rajkumar Shinde mentioned that a private college professor advised her on how to file the complaint and guide her through the process.
The girl was continue changing her statements
The case initially included charges of rape, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Forensic teams took samples from the scene, seized her phone for analysis, and examined her medical report from Sassoon General Hospital, which gave inconclusive results.
Commissioner Kumar noted that the woman’s mental state was not good. He said, “The rape part is still under investigation.” She has since been referred for counselling and has provided her formal statement to a Judicial Magistrate First Class.
Police also noted that she kept changing the sequence of events, which raised suspicion.
Nation outcry over techie’s claim
The case triggered widespread headlines across the country. News that a young IT professional and techie from Pune had been raped sparked strong outrage online and offline.
Once the police revealed the claim was fabricated, Commissioner Kumar warned that such false narratives risk damaging public trust and overshadowing genuine victim cases.
Maharashtra | On alleged rape case of a 22-year old data scientist in Pune by an unidentified man posing as a delivery agent, Pune CP Amitesh Kumar says, "It was found that the woman had filed a false complaint. Her complaint misled the Pune Police."
He cited broader concerns, saying government directives recently warned against communities being unfairly targeted with false allegations.
Commissioner Kumar urged people not to misuse emotional narratives in attempts to defame the city, emphasising that Pune’s reputation as a safe place for women must be preserved.
Billionaire Elon Musk, embroiled in a bitter feud with former ally, the US President Donald Trump, declared the formation of the “America Party” on July 5, 2025. The move, announced on his social media platform X, follows weeks of public clashes over Trump’s $3.3 trillion “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk decries as fiscally catastrophic.
The America Party’s ambiguous platform
While lacking formal registration or a detailed policy platform, Musk’s America party leans heavily on three pillars, aggressive fiscal conservatism focused on slashing debt and “wasteful” spending, technological accelerationism promoting AI, robotics, and deregulation, particularly in energy, and a claim to represent the “80% in the middle” alienated by partisan extremes. Initial polling suggests potential interest, with 40% of voters (including 57% of male Republicans) expressing openness, though Musk’s personal favorability sits at a concerning -18.
Why third parties crumble: History’s lessons
However, the history of American third parties since 1776 paints a grim picture for Musk’s ambitions. The US political system has consistently smothered challengers. Landmark failures include Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive “Bull Moose” Party, which won an impressive 27% of the popular vote in 1912 only to collapse immediately afterward. Another one is Ross Perot’s well-funded Reform Party surged to 19% in 1992 but faded rapidly without Perot at the helm. Modern persistent efforts like the Libertarian and Green parties have struggled for decades, collectively holding less than 1% of Congressional seats.
Apart from that, Structural barriers are immense. Ballot access alone is a logistical and legal nightmare, requiring millions of signatures under wildly varying state laws. California alone demands 1.1 million signatures or 75,000 registered members.
The “spoiler effect” is a powerful deterrent as well, as third parties often drain votes from ideologically aligned major parties, potentially handing elections to their opponents. A notable example of this is Ralph Nader’s Green Party which handed the florida to Bush in 2000. Furthermore, the financial and media dominance of the two major parties is overwhelming; they spent a combined $16 billion in the 2024 cycle, while third parties struggle for coverage without proven electoral viability.
Musk’s edge and limit
Mausk brings a unique advantage to table which is his $350+ billion fortune. Providing near unlimited self funding dwarfing even Perot’s self-financing. His ownership of X grants him direct, free access to over 220 million users, which helps him bypassing the gatkeeping of traditional media. His party’s strategy reportedly focuses on targeting just 2-3 Senate and 8-10 House races to exploit “razor-thin margins”.
Yet, experts remain deeply skeptical. Political scientist Bernard Tamas of Valdosta State University warns, “It’s not like running a business. You need a grassroots movement. Money isn’t enough.” Lee Drutman of the New America think tank echoes the historical pattern: “Third parties are spoilers. They sting like a bee, then die when major parties co-opt their ideas.” Trump himself has mocked the effort, stating, “Third parties have never succeeded. The system seems not designed for them.”
The verdict: a billionaire’s Waterloo?
While Musk’s crusade taps into genuine discontent 58% of Americans desire more parties the weight of history and the mechanics of the system heavily favor failure. His party risks splitting the Republican vote, potentially aiding Democrats in the short term, before fading as most insurgent parties do. For a man who conquered the automotive industry and space travel, the fortress of America’s two-party democracy may prove his ultimate unconquerable frontier. As one associate reportedly cautioned him: “It’s a tougher problem to fix than landing a rocket.”
Musk’s war on Washington mirrors the hubris of past wealthy outsiders, suggesting that even the world’s richest man might finally meet his match in the arena of American electoral politics.
On 6th July, several incidents of violence and Islamic flag-waving occurred during Muharram processions across Bihar. In Jamui district, two separate flag-related controversies surfaced. In one viral video from Sonou block’s Paramathihana village, one Muslim man was seen waving a Pakistani flag while standing atop a DJ system during a Muharram procession. The incident sparked widespread outrage on social media. Reportedly, police personnel were present but failed to intervene.
Following the backlash, Sonou police station in-charge Dharmendra Kumar admitted that the flag was not noticed during the event. He assured that legal action will be taken after identifying the individual involved in waving the Pakistani flag.
In another incident from Jamui town, a Palestinian flag was waved in broad daylight during a similar Muharram procession. Though no violence was reported in this case, the matter has been taken up by the SDPO, who confirmed that an investigation is underway. Additional police force has been deployed in the district to avoid further tensions.
Hajipur violence turns procession into stampede-like chaos
In Hajipur of Vaishali district, communal tension escalated near Karbala on the morning of 7th July when an argument broke out over the display of sharp weapons during a Tajia procession. The dispute led to severe stone-pelting between two groups. Several persons were injured and a stampede-like situation formed at the site of the incident.
SDPO Subodh Kumar led the police response along with the SDM. He said in a statement that the situation was promptly brought under control. The injured were given first aid. He confirmed that the confrontation began over the provocative display of weapons and was not a premeditated clash. Further investigation in the matter is underway. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the sensitive areas.
Hindu man killed in East Champaran as tensions explode
A 22-year-old young man named Ajay Yadav was brutally murdered and two others were critically injured during a violent clash in East Champaran’s Menhasi block on the night of 6th July. The incident took place near Kothiya Bazar. There was already tension between the two communities in the region that escalated during the Muharram procession.
According to the police, a group of Muslim youths allegedly attacked the other side with sticks and stones. Two individuals have been detained so far. The authorities are trying to identify the remaining accused in the case using video evidence and eyewitness accounts. A flag march was conducted on the morning of 7th July. Internet services have been put under surveillance to prevent the spread of rumours.
Bhagalpur sees swords and gunfire in the streets
On the evening of 6th July, the Goradih area of Bhagalpur district turned into a warzone. Two groups clashed during a Muharram procession which began peacefully but soon turned into violent chaos involving sword fights, open gunfire, and massive stone-pelting.
According to the eyewitnesses, the procession passed through a neighbourhood with a history of communal tensions. One group provoked the other by hurling abuses and entering sensitive areas, which led to a full-blown confrontation.
Several people were injured. Mobile videos of gunshots and armed men went viral on social media. Several FIRs have been registered by the police on the complaint of both sides. Police have vowed strict action in the matter. A senior police officer told media, “We are analysing CCTV and mobile footage. The guilty will not be spared.”
Tensions in Lodipur and Navgachia
On 6th July, violence broke out in Ustu village of Lodipur during a Muharram procession, reportedly over a route disagreement. A Muslim group wanted to take the procession through a path passing close to the residential area where the other faction lived. When opposed, the argument escalated to gunfire and baton fights. Several people were injured.
Local police acted swiftly on receiving the information and rushed to the spot to restore order. Injured persons were taken to the nearby hospital. Meanwhile, in Navgachia’s Nhawanipur Balha area, stones were allegedly thrown from a mosque’s rooftop on the passing procession, in which several participants were injured. Senior individuals camped at both locations and additional forces were deployed.
Official response
Authorities across the affected districts have said that strict action will be taken against those involved in violence. Peace meetings between community elders were organised by the local authorities. Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert.
According to the Additional Chief Secretary, district administrations have been instructed to enhance pre-emptive intelligence gathering and ensure visible policing during all upcoming events.
On July 4, All India News journalist Supriya Pathak and cameraman Shyam were brutally attacked by an Islamist mob in the Bengali colony of the Seemapuri area of Delhi. The Burqa-clad women assaulted Supriya and pulled her hair, along with attacking the cameraman accompanying her.
This, however, is not the first time that Islamist mobs have attacked Hindu journalists. There have been numerous incidents wherein Muslim mobs assaulted Hindu journalists if their reporting centered on bringing up facts instead of peddling the Muslim victimhood narrative. OpIndia has compiled 14 such incidents.
All India News reporter Supriya and cameraman Shyam attacked by Muslim mob in Seemapuri
On Friday, 4th July 2025 evening, All India News reporter Supriya Pathak and her cameraman Shyam were brutally attacked by a Muslim mob in the Bengali settlement of the Seemapuri area of Delhi. The attack took place when Supriya was reporting on the issue of illegal encroachment on government land and slums and her cameraman Shyam was holding the camera in front of a mosque near the Bengali market.
कल रात दिल्ली की सीमापुरी बंगाली बस्ती में सरकारी ज़मीन पर हो रहे अवैध कब्ज़े की रिपोर्टिंग कर रहीं पत्रकार सुप्रिया पाठक और कैमरामैन श्याम पर हिंसक भीड़ ने हमला किया।
– फोन, माइक, कैमरा, वॉलेट सब छीन लिया गया। – महिला पत्रकार को इतनी बेरहमी से पीटा गया कि पैर टूट गया, ये… pic.twitter.com/yQZMiVVYRm
The Burqa-clad Muslim women pulled Supriya’s hair, and the mob assaulted both her and her cameraman Shyam with stones and belts. Supriya’s leg suffered a fracture in this attack. The attackers snatched the camera and mic along with Supriya’s phone and purse.
Muslim mob attacks Hindu woman journalist in Delhi
On Wednesday, 2 July 2025 in Delhi, a Hindu female journalist went to talk to some Muslims residing there illegally. In no time, a Muslim mob surrounded her and started beating her. The fundamentalists attacked the female journalist with stones while she was reporting. When she questioned their illegal stay there, the mob started threatening her with a knife.
डरी हुई क़ौम
जब एक महिला पत्रकार अवैध रूप से रह रहे कुछ मुसलमानों से बात करने गई, तो उन्होंने उस पर पत्थर फेंकना शुरू कर दिया और चाकू लेकर पहुंच गए!! pic.twitter.com/fgmlMgv6pd
Female journalist doing ground report from Jaipur’s Muslim-dominated area, gets threats and chased out
In Rajasthan’s Jaipur, a female journalist went to a Muslim-dominated area for reporting on 28th April 2025. The Muslim mob asked the female journalist to turn off the camera, and when she refused to do so, they threatened her and started chasing her out of the area.
"कैमरा ऑफ करो, बताता हूँ!"
मुस्लिम बहुल इलाके में रिपोर्टिंग कर रहे एक पत्रकार को स्थानीय मुसलमानों ने खुलेआम धमकी दी।
यह घिनौना और असहिष्णु व्यवहार है, जो लोकतंत्र और स्वतंत्रता की धज्जियाँ उड़ाता है! pic.twitter.com/7ObtIO0ln8
Sudarshan News journalists attacked by pro-Waqf board mob in Delhi
On 17th March 2025, Muslim protesters were protesting against Waqf in Delhi. Like other media persons, journalists of Sudarshan News also asked questions about this to the Muslims gathered there. Since the Muslims interacting with the reporter could not answer, they resorted to what they are best at and attacked the journalists.
AmarUjala journalist attacked by Muslim mob in Haldwani, Nainital
On 8 February 2024, an administrative team reached Haldwani in Nainital to demolish the illegal mosque and madrassas built in Banbhulpura. Media personnel were also present there during this time. Miffed over the decision to demolish the mosque despite it being illegal, the local Muslims not only assaulted the administrative teams but also beat up journalists.
Ironically, these included journalists who had once published news in support of the same Islamists. Amar Ujala journalist Rajendra Singh Bisht was also injured in this attack. Not only this, Muslims also burnt down police stations and petrol pumps and tried to burn a policeman alive.
Hindu journalists were selectively attacked in Haldwani
In the February 2024 violence in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, the rioting Muslims identified the police officials and the Hindu journalists reporting there and attacked them. Sanjay, a journalist at Amrit Vichar was also critically injured in this attack and was admitted to the ICU for several days.
Monis and Ehsaan chopped off the fingers of a journalist in Lucknow
In Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, the renowned and courageous journalist Kavi Tiwari was ambushed by Mohammad Monis, Mohammad Ehsan and his companions on 29th April 2025. The Muslim assailants attacked Kavi Tiwari when he was going to the temple.
Tiwari suffered serious injuries in this sudden attack. The attackers stabbed him several times with a knife, due to which not only his fingers but also his face was badly cut.
Muslims stopped a woman journalist’s car for hours in Jharkhand
On 18 October 2024, journalist Archana reached Pakur in Jharkhand to report on illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis staying there. When her car was passing through Pakur, Muslims came close to Archana’s car and threatened her. Muslims stopped her car created a ruckus for a long time and prevented her from leaving. However, Archana somehow managed to save her life and get out of there.
Female journalist beaten up in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh
On 31 March 2024, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, female journalist Archana Tiwari, who had gone to report after the death of Mukhtar Ansari, was attacked by a Muslim mob. During the reporting, the female journalist was also pushed and shoved by the local Muslims. Archana was also injured in this attack.
Dainik Jagran journalist attacked by Muslim mob
On 10 July 2024, Dainik Jagran journalist Amit was attacked with a sharp weapon by people of the Muslim community in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. He suffered serious injuries in this. Amit somehow saved his life from the Muslim mob.
Muslim mob attacked Sudarshan News journalist
A journalist of Sudarshan News was reporting on 31 August 2023. Meanwhile, a Muslim man attacked him. Not only this, he also tried to run his car over the journalist. Due to this, the journalist fell to the ground.
Muslim mob attacks woman journalist who exposed cow slaughter in Karnataka
On 5 December 2020, a Muslim mob attacked a female journalist who exposed the truth of the illegal cow slaughter gang in Pension Mohalla of Hassan district in Karnataka. The burqa-clad women in the mob not only misbehaved with the female journalist but also threatened to kill her.
Republic TV journalist Pooja Prasanna attacked by a Muslim mob in Kerala
Republic TV journalist Pooja Prasanna was attacked by a Muslim mob while covering the Sabarimala temple on 17 October 2018 in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Meanwhile, Islamic fundamentalists also tried to break the glass of Pooja Prasanna’s car.
India Today journalist attacked for reporting on illegal slaughterhouse in Karnataka
On 10 August 2018, while an India Today journalist was reporting on a raid against illegal slaughterhouses in Kodipalya village in Karnataka’s Ramnagar district, a Muslim mob attacked the journalist and the police team outside the slaughterhouse. After the raid, 71 calves were rescued and an FIR was registered against 7 accused.
There is an evident pattern that Islamists are following across the country and that pattern is to resort to violence to silence those voices, especially media voices, which do not align with their agenda. When journalists question them about any illegal construction and these Muslims do not have an answer, then they start deadly attacks to prevent the truth of their sinister intentions from coming out.
In a monumental stride towards making India a global maritime hub, the Modi government has unveiled plans to develop eight mega shipbuilding and repair clusters along India’s coastline. This ambitious initiative, central to India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims to propel the nation into the world’s top five shipbuilding powers by 2047, directly challenging the dominance of China, South Korea, and Japan in the $220 billion global market.
The Blueprint: Clusters, capacities, and coastal transformation
This project is a cornerstone of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The blueprint includes five greenfield hubs in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, designed as integrated ecosystems for ship manufacturing, equipment production, and allied services.
Complementing these are three brownfield expansions at Vadinar and Kandla in Gujarat, and Cochin in Kerala, focusing on specialised ship repair and large vessel construction. Land with statutory clearances and road-rail connectivity has been secured, with state governments forming Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to accelerate development.
'बंदरगाहों की बात' में आज की कहानी: दीनदयाल पोर्ट की!
कच्छ से दुनिया तक — 150 MMT से ज्यादा कार्गो, हाईटेक सिस्टम और ग्रीन एनर्जी।
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) June 23, 2025
Financial engine room: Policy, funds, and incentives
Fueling this vision is unprecedented financial backing. The Union Budget 2025-26 established a ₹25,000 crore ($3 billion) Maritime Devlopment Fund to finance infrastructure and ship acquisition, targeting ₹1.5 lakh crore ($18 billion) in sectoral investments by 2030. A revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP 2.0) allocates ₹18,090 crore ($2.2 billion) for subsidies, including 30% support for green vessels.
The grant of infrastructure status for large ships is expected to reduce capital costs by 20-25%. A flagship ₹57,000 crore investment at Kandla Port featuring a VLCC shipyard for 320,000-tonne crude carriers epitomises the project’s scale.
Global partnerships: Technology transfer and market access
To bridge technology gaps, India is forging strategic global partnerships. South Korea’s HD Hyundai is finalizing a ₹10,000 crore joint venture with Cochin Shipyard in Tamil Nadu for container vessels. European collaborators like Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime and Denmark’s Maersk are advancing projects in smart ports and green shipping, while Japanese giants Imabari and Mitsubishi are being courted for green hybrid vessel projects in Andhra Pradesh.
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India's premier shipbuilder under @shipmin_india & Hyundai’s KSOE, globally acclaimed shipbuilding giant from South Korea have signed a MoU for long-term collaboration in following key areas:-
— Cochin Shipyard Limited (@cslcochin) July 5, 2025
Economic ripple effects: Jobs, trade, and security
Economically, the clusters promise transformative impact: India’s domestic shipbuilding market share is projected to surge from under 1% today to 7% by 2030 and 69% by 2047, creating 1.1 million direct and indirect jobs in allied industries. The newly launched Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) will enhance trade resilience, reducing reliance on foreign vessels exposed during crises like Red Sea disruptions.
Sustainability Imperative: Green ports and corridors
Sustainability is woven into the plan, with ports like Kandla, Paradip in Odisha, and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu pioneering green hydrogen bunkering. A pilot coastal corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin will showcase hydrogen/ammonia-powered vessels, while all major ports must deploy eco-friendly “green tugs” within three months.
Navigating challenges
Despite momentum, the Challenges still remain, including port capacity deficits. Port capacity must quadruple to 10 billion tonnes by 2047 to handle projected 6-7 billion tonne cargo flows. SBFAP 2.0 is giving subsidies to counter 15-20% higher building costs compared to Asian rivals, and execution speed. The Shipping Ministry’s “Chintan Shivir” aims to complete 150 maritime projects by September 2025 to maintain momentum.
The horizon ahead
As cranes rise over coastal Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, India’s shipbuilding gamble embodies a broader economic ambition. With ₹2 trillion already committed to maritime projects and global supply chains diversifying from China, these clusters could anchor India’s ascent as a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
“Ports are pivotal to our Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey,” declared Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. “We aim not just to build ships, but to craft a new industrial ecosystem”. If successfully executed, these shipyards may well become the engines propelling India from a maritime participant to a global maritime powerhouse.
