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Meghalaya HC allows ‘symbolic pilgrimage’ to Mawjymbuin Cave but restricts Hindu rituals: Read about how Hindus are being stopped from doing Puja at the naturally formed Shivling

Dibakar Dutta
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Meghalaya HC allows ‘symbolic pilgrimage’ to Mawjymbuin Cave but restricts Hindu rituals: Read about how Hindus are being stopped from doing Puja at the naturally formed Shivling

On Friday (11th July), the Meghalaya High Court allowed Hindu devotees to undertake a ‘symbolic pilgrimage’, devoid of any rituals, to the Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

The Yatra would begin from Mahadev Khola Dham in Shillong to the Mawjymbuin Cave, which houses a naturally formed Shivling. It would be supervised by district authorities.

The court imposed several conditions on the pilgrimage. This ranges from restrictions on the performance of puja or articles for performance of rituals such as flowers and incense sticks.

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At the same time, Hindu devotees have been restricted from pouring water on the naturally formed Shivling. Only a ‘symbolic sprinkling’ of water will be allowed during the pilgrimage.

“This court also emphasises the need to maintain order and solemnity and to avoid any littering, or to cause any disruption of traffic movement,” the order read.

Objections against pouring of water on the Shivling have been raised by Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram (the traditional village council responsible for governance in Mawsynram).

Dorbar Shnong vows to prevent puja at Mawjymbuin Cave

Dorbar Shnong claims to be the ‘owner‘ of the Mawjymbuin Cave and had previously campaigned against worshipping at the Shivling.

In January this year, the spokesperson of Dorbar Shnong claimed, “Since the beginning and till date, we don’t allow any group to come and perform religious rituals inside the cave.”

“However, any individual or group of people can visit the cave but they should respect the rules of the dorbar shnong, which we strongly prohibited worshipping inside the cave and to make the cave as a mandir or a temple as the cave is a tourist spot,” he warned.

The spokesperson mocked Hindu sentiments by claiming, “In the past, they have come and pour milk and burn essence and flowers, which has led to the dirtying of the cave and its surroundings.”

What happened in the past

With active support from churches and ministers in the Meghalaya government, Dorbar Shnong first banned Hindu worship at Mawjymbuin Cave in August 2024.

Dorbar Shnong’s executive committee announced that no group would be allowed to develop a place of worship at the cave. The decision came after the Hindu Yatra Pilgrimage group announced their plan to use the site for worship on 10th August and 11th August 2024.

The group had initially requested permission from the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah, which was refused. Then, they approached the Dorbar Shnong for permission. Dorbar Shnong expressed surprise at the fact that they were being bypassed initially by going directly to the DC.

At that time, it had triggered protests by Hindu groups not only in Meghalaya but also in Assam. The Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP), a Hindu organisation from Assam, threatened to block roads leading to Meghalaya from Assam if the ban was not lifted. 

KSP President Sanjay Ranjan Borah had accused social organisations and Christian missionaries in Meghalaya of hatching a conspiracy to defame and destroy the Hindu faith and culture.

On the contrary, local student groups Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District and KSU Lawbah Border Area Circle have supported the decision to ban Hindu prayers at the site.

Student union leaders even issued a joint statement “We will not accept any attempt to use force to establish the place of worship despite opposition from the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong.” They emphasised the “need to preserve the natural form” of the cave.

The ruling National People’s Party also endorsed a ban on Hindu Puja at the sacred cave. Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh had claimed, “The decision is logical and reasonable as the cave is a major tourist attraction. Allowing a particular religion to set up a place of worship can harm tourism in the area.”

“People from across the globe visit Mawjymbuin. A secular country like India cannot promote a place of worship in any tourist destination,” he brazened out.

Significance of Mawjymbuin Cave

Mawjymbuin Cave is a spiritual site, which is revered in Hinduism for its naturally formed Shivling. It is 209 m high and is made up of calcareous sandstones.

The Shivling is formed due to weathering, calcium carbonate deposition and dripping of mineral-enriched liquid. It is constantly bathed in water from a stalactite, which is shaped like a cow’s udder.

It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. In Hinduism, the Shivling is a manifestation of Lord Shiva in a formless, eternal cosmic energy.

During the month of Shravan, hordes of Hindu pilgrims across the country visit the cave as part of the Kanwar Yatra.

Lakhs of devotees clad in saffron attire walk barefoot to reach the cave and pay obeisance to the Shivalinga during the yatra. The cave is also visited by Hindu devotees during Mahashivratri.

But Hindus are now being denied their right to worship at the Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram.

Jane Street Capital deposits 4,843 Crore in escrow account to comply with SEBI regulations, read all about the scandal involving the American trading firm

Shriti Sagar
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Jane Street Capital deposits 4,843 Crore in escrow account to comply with SEBI regulations, read all about the scandal involving the American trading firm

In a significant move to comply with Indian market regulator SEBI’s directives, American proprietary trading firm Jane Street has approached the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) with a request to lift trading restrictions placed on it. This comes after the firm deposited ₹4,843.58 crore in an escrow account, as directed by SEBI following serious allegations of market manipulation.

According to a reports, SEBI has confirmed that the specified amount has been credited to the account with a lien in the regulator’s favour. Jane Street has now formally appealed to SEBI to relax certain conditions laid out in the interim order, stating that it has fulfilled the financial compliance required under the directive. The appeal is currently under review, with SEBI assuring that the matter is being handled in line with due process while maintaining the integrity of the Indian securities market.

Why has SEBI banned Jane Street

This entire controversy erupted after SEBI launched a detailed investigation into the trading behaviour of Jane Street Group in India. The regulator concluded that the firm was not just making high profits, but was actively manipulating the market to its advantage.

According to SEBI’s 105-page interim order, Jane Street had raked in massive profits of ₹43,289 crore through index options trading while intentionally booking losses of around ₹7,208 crore in cash equities and futures trading. The motive? To influence market prices in a way that benefited their positions in the derivatives market.

The key strategy used by Jane Street was called “Intra-Day Index Manipulation”. This tactic involved aggressively buying Nifty Bank stocks and futures in the morning sessions to drive up the index. Later in the day, they would aggressively sell off these same positions to bring the index down, at times close to market closing. This deliberate movement created price fluctuations that favoured their massive options positions, especially near expiry dates.

This kind of trading pattern is known as “marking the close”, a manipulative practice where traders push prices up or down near the end of a trading session to benefit their derivative holdings. SEBI said Jane Street took this to an extreme scale, making it “prima facie manipulative” given the volume and timing of their trades.

How the matter came out

SEBI’s investigation showed that Jane Street operated across different segments, including cash equities, stock futures, index futures, and index options. The company would accept losses in stocks and futures to ensure gains in options.

The manipulation mainly happened on days when index options were about to expire. On these days, Jane Street would build large risk positions and manipulate the underlying index to move in a direction favourable to their options trades.

The firm’s Indian arm, JSI Investments Private Ltd, played a crucial role in this. It was involved in heavy trading of index constituent stocks, with no clear financial rationale except to move the market in Jane Street’s favour. These trades allowed them to mislead other investors, who reacted to the artificial price movements, unaware of the manipulation behind the scenes.

The impact of this strategy was significant. While other traders made decisions based on what they believed were real market movements, Jane Street was quietly pulling the strings to profit from the chaos it created.

How much profit did Jane Street make through this scandal

The SEBI probe revealed that Jane Street made total profits of ₹36,502 crore through this manipulation. Of this, around ₹32,681 crore came through foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) linked to the Jane Street group. The regulator also noted that the profits were “significantly higher than the average quantum of assets held by these FPIs in India,” raising red flags about the size and intent of the trades.

Jane Street’s Indian unit, JSI Investments, appeared to have no purpose other than to facilitate these trades. SEBI observed that their daily trading activities lacked legitimate economic reasoning and seemed purely focused on influencing the Nifty Bank index.

A landmark case in Indian markets

This case is being seen as one of the most significant regulatory actions taken by SEBI against a foreign trading entity, as the Indian retail investors saw substantial losses of Rs 1.05 lakh crore in derivatives trading in FY25, according to recent SEBI data. It now sends a strong message to overseas trading companies looking to manipulate markets in India.

The result of this case may have far-reaching effects on the way SEBI treats foreign portfolio investors, particularly those with high-frequency and large-scale algorithmic trading strategies. As of now, all eyes are on SEBI’s final decision and whether Jane Street will be allowed to resume its trading activities in India.

Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha: Dozens of Naxals surrender to save their lives as govt’s action continues, India well on path to be ‘Naxal-Mukt’ by March 31, 2026

Shraddha Pandey
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Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha: Dozens of Naxals surrender to save their lives as govt’s action continues, India well on path to be ‘Naxal-Mukt’ by March 31, 2026

A paradigm shift is taking place in the Naxal-infested Dandakaranya region as once powerful Maoist terrorists are now either getting eliminated by security forces or are surrendering. The Indian government is steadily moving towards achieving its objective of making India a left-wing terrorism free India by 31st March 2026.

On one hand, the security forces are eliminating Naxalite leaders, on the other, the government is ensuring proper rehabilitation and mainstreaming of the surrendered Naxals.

In Telangana, 64 Naxalites surrendered before the police in March this year in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The surrendered CPI (Maoist) members included cadres from various ranks, including an Area Committee Member (ACM) from Chhattisgarh and members from bordering villages of Telangana. In the initial months of 2025, 122 Maoist party members were reported to have surrendered before the Bhadradri Kothagudem district police.

Similarly, in May, 8 naxalites surrendered in the Mulugu district of Telangana. In another incident, 7 cadres of CPI (Maoist) party surrendered to the district police and CRPF officials. As per the Telangana Police, 355 Maoists have surrendered before the Telangana police including 68 before Mulugu District Police since January, 2025

In June, security forces eliminated three Naxalites in an encounter along the border of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. 2 AK-47 rifles and other material have been recovered from the Naxalites. Gajarla Ravi alias Udal, secretary of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), is also among those neutralised. He was assigned this post four years ago.

Security forces saw a group of 16 Naxalites in the Maredumilli forest of East Godavari district. The Naxalites started firing at the security forces when cornered. There was an encounter between the security forces and the Naxalites for about 25 minutes. After the encounter, three bodies were recovered from the site.

According to the information, among those killed, Gajrala had a reward of 40 lakhs, and there was a reward of 50 lakhs on Aruna, wife of Maoist Central Committee leader Chalapathi. Chalapathi himself was killed in an encounter recently. Another female Naxalite, Anju, was also killed in the encounter.

Meanwhile, on 1st July, the Chhattisgarh government and central government intensified the campaign to eradicate Naxalism. Under this, a target has been set to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. Narayanpur Collector Pratishtha Mamgai said that a survey was conducted for housing for all Naxal victims and surrendered Naxalites, and all eligible beneficiaries have been approved for PM housing.

In Chhattisgarh’s new Naxal rehabilitation policy, arrangements are being made to secure the future of surrendered Naxalites. Under this initiative, dedicated Naxalites are being trained according to their proficiency in the Livelihood College, focusing on skill development and upgradation at the district level. After completing this training, they will also receive a monthly allowance of ten thousand rupees for a period of three years to support their employment or self-employment.

Former Naxalites are being given skill development training in special training camps run by the government through the Livelihood College at Narayanpur district headquarters. Surrendered Naxalites are moving on the path of becoming self-reliant and are raising their families. The surrendered Naxalites taking training in these camps seem satisfied with the present while expressing regret over their past. At Narayanpur’s Livelihood College, surrendered Naxalites receive technical education in sewing, embroidery, masonry, plumbing, driving, and computer skills.

Meanwhile, in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, 23 Naxalites carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 1.18 crore surrendered. The group comprised 14 men and nine women, all identified as hardcore Naxalites.

In June this year, 16 naxals with a cumulative bounty of Rs 25 lakh surrendered in Sukma’s Kerlapenda village panchayat under Chintalanar police station precinct.

In the Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, three Naxalites, including women carrying a collective cash reward of Rs 19 lakh, surrendered before security forces in June 2025.

All the surrendered Naxalites were provided Rs 50,000 each, and the authorities are rehabilitating them as per the government’s policy. In Narayanpur alone, 104 Naxalites have quit left-wing terrorism.

In a major success in ending the Naxal menace, two Naxalites, a husband and wife identified as Jeevan Tulavi and Agasha, working in the ideological and propaganda machinery of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), surrendered before security forces in June 2025. The duo were active Naxalites for nearly two decades and held major roles in the Maad division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).

Similarly, in April this year, 33 Maoists/Naxalites surrendered in the Sukma district. These Naxalites carried a collective reward of Rs 49 lakh. 11 of these were active in Sukma’s Badesetti. After their surrender, Badesetti was officially declared the first Naxal-free gram panchayat of the Bastar division.

On July 5, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised that the state will soon be free from Naxal violence, and the affected areas will have all the necessary facilities, including roads and electricity.

“Our state is rich in every sense. About 44 per cent of the land is forested. The soil is fertile, and our farmers are hardworking. Naxalism was a major obstacle to our progress, but we are overcoming it. For those Naxals who have surrendered, we have designed an excellent rehabilitation policy. Soon, Chhattisgarh will be free from Naxal violence, and regions like Bastar will have roads, electricity, drinking water, and all basic amenities,” CM Sai said.

As per an official statement from the government of India, in 2024 alone, 290 Naxals were neutralised, 1,090 arrested, and 881 surrendered. Major recent operations in March 2025 saw 50 Naxals surrender in Bijapur, 16 neutralised in Sukma, and 22 others neutralised in Kanker and Bijapur. With continued support through Special Central Assistance and targeted development, the government is on track to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

In Maharashtra’s Gadhchiroli, 12 hardcore Naxalites carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 1 crore laid down their arms and surrendered before the security forces in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in June this year.

The Maharashtra CM highlighted that in the past 18 months, 28 Maoists had been killed, 31 arrested, and 44 surrendered in the state.

In Gadhchiroli, a region once under heavy dominance of the violent Naxalites, the local police have set up 71 libraries across the district under the ‘One Village, One Library’ initiative, aimed at countering Naxal influence by providing youth with education and employment opportunities.

The initiative, launched on January 18, 2023, began in Kotgul, a remote village near the Chhattisgarh border. It aims to establish one library in each village under the jurisdiction of a police station or outpost. The authorities aim to counter the Naxalite efforts to lure youngsters into Maoist terrorism.

On 10th July 2025, the Maharashtra government introduced a law Maharashtra Public Security Bill 2024 to check the spread of Maoist ideology in the state.

The Bill was presented in the Assembly after being reviewed by a 25-member Joint Committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and included several senior leaders. CM Fadnavis said that the Bill has been finalised after considering the suggestions from the public.

Left-wing nearing its eradication

The menace of Naxalism is nearing its end in the country after the consistent efforts of the government and the security forces. The Maoist cadres are staring at an inevitable end with dwindling numbers of foot soldiers and depleting leadership as a result of collaborative efforts of the central forces and the state police.

The Indian government has resolved to uproot Naxalism from the country by March 2026. To achieve this end, the government has adopted an aggressive military approach to counter Naxal terrorism, which entered its last phase under Operation Kagar, which was launched by the government in January 2024.

Under the operation, around 1 lakh para-military troops, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite CoBRA units, District Reserve Guards DRG), and state police, equipped with modern technology, have been deployed in the left-wing terrorism affected areas to uproot the naxal terrorism from its last remaining strongholds completely. Since the inception of the operation, the security forces have eliminated over 400 Naxal terrorists so far, while more than 800 Maoists have surrendered.

From 2019 to 2025, the central forces, in collaboration with state police, have established a total of 320 camps in Naxal-affected states, including 68 night-landing helipads. The number of fortified police stations, which was 66 in 2014, has now increased to 555.

In May 2025, the security forces registered a massive win in their fight against left-wing terrorism, as they eliminated top Maoist terrorist Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju. The Maoist leader was killed in an encounter in the Abujhmadh forests of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.

Basavaraju was among the 26 Naxal terrorists killed by the security forces on the 21st of May 2025. Basavaraju, the general secretary of the banned outfit Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist). The 70-year-old Maoist leader was among India’s most wanted Maoist leaders and had a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore on his head. He was behind the 2010 Chintalnar massacre of 76 CRPF jawans and the 2013 attack in Jhiram Ghati, wherein several Congress leaders were killed.

With Basavaraju’s killing, Abujhmadh, the last fortress of Naxalites, also fell after 40 years. Unsurprisingly, Basavaraju’s killing caused a severe meltdown among the left liberal ecosystem.

Earlier, security forces conducted ‘Operation Black Forest’ to break the backbone of Naxals near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The 21-day-long operation carried out by the joint forces of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police between April 21 and May 11 neutralised 31 Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 1.72 crore. A total of 214 Naxal hideouts and bunkers were destroyed in the operation, and a total of 450 IEDs, 818 BGL shells, 899 bundles of Codex, detonators and a huge amount of explosive material have been recovered during the searches.

The Modi government’s four-pronged approach of targeting and neutralising Naxal leaders, disrupting their funding, promoting development in LWE-affected areas, and encouraging surrenders. The effective implementation of this multi-faceted strategy has yielded positive results for the country, bringing India closer to the absolute end of the menace of Naxal/Maoist/Left-wing terrorism by 31st March 2026.

Hindu traditions under attack in Kerala? Schools booked for Guru Purnima celebrations, Education Minister orders probe: Know what happened

Rukma Rathore
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Hindu traditions under attack in Kerala? Schools booked for Guru Purnima celebrations, Education Minister orders probe: Know what happened

On 10th July some private schools participated in a series of “Pada Pooja” (foot-worship) ceremonies as part of the Guru Purnima celebrations which triggered political controversy in Kerala. Students kneeled, washed the feet of teachers including retired staff and offered flowers as a symbolic act of respect during the Vyasa Jayanti festivities. The event was observed in institutions affiliated with the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar vigorously defended the practice as an aspect of Indian culture, while the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) was instructed by General Education Minister V Sivankutty to demand clarification from the schools.

He claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is using the governor as leverage to advance its backward policies, which are intended to instill a slave mindset among the pupils. The development turned into yet another confrontation between the Raj Bhavan and the Left government.

The minister expressed that even if the government’s authority to take action against unassisted school administration was limited, they depend on a government No Objection Certificate (NOC) to run. The DPI’s report, which is anticipated in a week, is going to be used by the government to determine the course of action.

Attacks on RSS, Governor

V Sivankutty termed the rituals as anti-democratic and incompatible with contemporary educational ideals. He threatened to take severe measures against institutions that disregard educational standards and instructed the Director of General Education to produce a report.

 “It is unfortunate that someone holding the position of governor would make such statements. I would like to know which particular text related to Indian culture celebrates the practice of students washing the feet of their teachers. We are issuing directions to all the school authorities that no student studying in any school in Kerala should be made to wash the feet of teachers or anyone else,” he stated during a program on 13th July. He added that the state’s culture is not accustomed to the kinds of practices being promoted by the RSS.

According to MV Govindan, state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the RSS is trying to resurrect a feudal-era custom which was abandoned centuries ago, to further its goal of enforcing the Chaturvarnya (caste system).

He declared, “We are not against respecting teachers, but that should not be an excuse to revive such feudalistic practices. Students were even made to wash the feet of RSS leaders. It is part of an RSS agenda to erode Kerala’s secular and democratic fabric. The secular society of Kerala has to unitedly oppose this.”

KC Venugopal, general secretary of the All India Congress Committee claimed that by supporting such activities, the governor is trying to drag Kerala society back to the prehistoric era. He remarked, “Such a Governor is a shame for progressive Kerala.”

Leftist organisations outrage

The ceremony took place in Kasaragod, Kannur and Alappuzha as well as Vivekananda Vidya Peedom in Mavelikara reported a similar incident, in which students conducted the ceremony for Anoop, the district secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Videos of the rituals swiftly went viral, prompting angry reaction from leftist outfits including the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Balasangham, and the Student Federation of India (SFI), who called the practice “degrading” and “regressive.” They alleged that the organisers were trying to introduce Sangh Parivar ideology into educational settings.

According to the DYFI, pupils at the Cheemeni school washed the feet of hundreds of teachers and declared, “Though these brahmanical rituals were conducted in RSS-backed schools, it is a matter of shame for our state.” Furthermore, on 14th July, the DYFI planned a statewide demonstration against these activities in educational establishments.

SFI state president M Sivaprasad contended, “The incident demands strong condemnation and legal action as it reflects an attempt to impose the RSS-backed Chaturvarnya system in Kerala.” SFI state committee submitted a formal complaint to V Sivankutty. The same was forwarded to the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) by the group after which a case was lauched.

“We noticed similar practices taking place in other institutions after receiving the initial complaint about Saraswathy Vidyalaya, Bandadka. The commission has asked the state police to submit a report,” informed Mohanakumar B who spoke to The News Minute. He is the member in charge of Kasaragod district. The body also requested thorough reports from Badudka and Bekal police officials.

Governor, school adminsitration defends the practice

During an event held in Balaramapuram by the Hindu organisation Balagokulam, the governor stated, “Guru puja is part of our culture, where we offer flowers at the feet of our gurus. But some people have objected to it. I don’t understand which culture these people come from.”

He also pointed out the value of “honouring teachers” and underlined that gurus are “great souls” who “deserve respect” and added, “If we forget our culture, we forget ourselves, we’ll be nowhere in this world.”

The headmistress of the Bandadka school, PT Uma, argued that the rite was a part of the traditional “Vyasa Jayanthi” occasion. She voiced, “The feet of the honourable invitees were washed by teachers themselves. Students only offered flowers at their feet. Our children received blessings from the guests through these acts.”

She mentioned that students are urged to touch their feet of their parents every morning and holds the view that the lack of such practices in their lives could contribute to drug use and unethical behavior.

Moreover, Rajeevan, a representative of the Vidyalaya Samithi, a group of parents and teachers of Vivekananda School in Cheemeni, also defended the same and emphasised that it was an element of the ancient and sacred Sanatana Dharma. Any opposition to the same will be “unitedly resisted,” he highlighted.

BVN was founded in Kerala with the goal of advancing Vidya Bharati’s (Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan) educational vision. It is part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) educational branch. Notably, the event was defined as a traditional Indian custom of honouring teachers on Vyasa Jayanti in a promotional social media post on 9th July.

‘Kerala Story’ type case from Uttar Pradesh: Hindu woman raped by Haider with the help of her own friend Reena Bano, later blackmailed and pressurised to convert to Islam

OpIndia Staff
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‘Kerala Story’ type case from Uttar Pradesh: Hindu woman raped by Haider with the help of her own friend Reena Bano, later blackmailed and pressurised to convert to Islam

A shocking incident has emerged from Uttar Pradesh‘s Hardoi district, where a 24-year-old Hindu woman has said that she was raped by a man made Haider with the help of her own Muslim friend Reena Bano.

The victim says they raped her, blackmailed her, and attempted to convert her to Islam. The nightmare for the victim started in December 2024 and continued for months, leaving her scared and helpless.

The Hindu victim and her ‘friend’ Reena Bano both attend the ITI college of Hardoi, and the girl met Reena at college. They soon became friends and began to hang out with each other like good friends do. But things went dark when Reena asked her to visit her home in the Lohani near the Pihani police station. Upon arrival, Reena led her to a room where Haider, Reena’s relative from Prayagraj, was already inside the room.

As soon as she entered, Reena slipped out and closed the door. Haider also had a gun, and he said that if she uttered a word, he would kill her, and then he raped her. He also recorded the entire incident on his phone. The girl cried out for help, but nobody came. When Reena returned, Reena and Haider started blackmailing her and warned that they would show the video to her family and put it on the internet if she did not obey them.

The blackmailing went on for seven months. They used to phone her every two weeks or so and ask her to meet them, and they snapped more pictures or made more videos of her so that they could hold her hostage.

Haider also instructed her to abandon Hinduism and become a Muslim, and marry him even though he was already married. She attempted to refuse, but fearing the video would be released, so she kept her silence.

Finally, after seven months, on 11th July, 2025, she visited Shahabad police station and complained, revealing everything regarding the rape, blackmail, and coercion to convert. The police also acted promptly and arrested Reena Bano on the same day. Haider, however, remains evasive, and the police are trying to trace him.

Circle Officer Anuj Mishra of Shahabad revealed that the case is registered under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law. The police are making every effort to arrest Haider and ensure the woman receives justice.

Can Rs 8.6 crores ‘blood money’ save Nimisha Priya from death penalty in Yemen? SC to hear plea to save Kerala nurse 2 days before her planned execution

Jinit Jain
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Can Rs 8.6 crores ‘blood money’ save Nimisha Priya from death penalty in Yemen? SC to hear plea to save Kerala nurse 2 days before her planned execution

With just two days left before her scheduled execution in war-torn Yemen, the fate of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya now rests on an urgent intervention from India’s Supreme Court. On Monday, July 15, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta is expected to hear a plea seeking diplomatic efforts and legal recourse to save the 38-year-old nurse from execution. And yet, the variables are so complex, it cannot be certain if Priya’s execution could be averted even if the Supreme Court orders in her favour.

The petition, filed by Advocate Subhash Chandran KR, pleads for the Indian government to engage Yemen’s authorities, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, and facilitate the payment of “blood money” to the victim’s family, by Sharia law provisions prevalent in Yemen.

From medical mission to death row

Nimisha Priya, 38, hailing from Palakkad in Kerala, moved to Yemen in 2011 to work as a nurse in private hospitals. In 2014, her husband and minor daughter returned to India due to the escalating civil war. Left behind in a conflict-ridden foreign land, Nimisha decided to open a clinic in Sana’a to support her family.

Under Yemeni law, foreign nationals can only start clinics in partnership with local citizens. That led Nimisha to partner with Talal Abdo Mahdi. However, what began as a business arrangement soon turned into a nightmare. Mahdi allegedly forged documents to claim he was married to Nimisha, seized her passport, and subjected her to years of abuse—physical, emotional, and financial. He reportedly drained her earnings, tortured her under the influence of drugs, and even threatened her at gunpoint.

In 2015, Mahdi accompanied her to Kerala during a vacation, where he allegedly stole a wedding photograph to falsely claim marital rights over her and manipulate clinic ownership records. Nimisha’s repeated appeals to local Yemeni police reportedly fell on deaf ears. According to her mother’s plea, after a short arrest herself, she returned from jail to find the abuse intensifying.

The crime and conviction

In July 2017, desperate to retrieve her passport and escape Yemen, Nimisha allegedly attempted to sedate Mahdi. The dose proved fatal. With the help of fellow nurse Hannan, she dismembered the body and concealed it in a water tank. Both were arrested soon after. Hannan received a life sentence, but Nimisha was handed the death penalty in 2020 by a trial court in Sana’a. Her appeal was rejected by the Houthi-controlled Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023, and Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi authorised the execution in December 2024.

The ‘Blood Money’ offer: A last-minute lifeline?

The plea is centered around a desperate yet lawful option: an offer of $1 million (approximately ₹8.6 crore) as diyya, blood money, to the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the Yemeni national Nimisha is accused of murdering in 2017. Under Sharia law, the victim’s kin have the power to pardon the convicted in exchange for such compensation. The petition contends that this route remains the only viable alternative to halt her imminent execution.

Advocate Subhash Chandran KR initially moved the plea, later supported by Advocate Ragenth Basant, representing the Save Nimisha Priya International Council. During an earlier hearing before a vacation bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, Basant told the court, “I am an Indian citizen from Kerala. Went there for employment as a nurse. A local person started torturing me… and he was killed.”

While the bench had listed the matter for July 14, counsel requested an earlier date due to the proximity of the execution. The court obliged, setting the hearing for July 11.

‘Blood Money’: Price of a pardon

Nimisha’s family has reportedly arranged $1 million (approx. ₹8.6 crore) as blood money to offer to Mahdi’s family. However, the path to negotiation has been fraught with delays and mistrust. Yemeni lawyer Abdullah Ameer, representing Nimisha, had demanded $40,000 as a pre-negotiation fee. Though the Indian Ministry of External Affairs paid nearly $20,000, disputes over the remaining amount stalled proceedings.

Efforts to crowdfund the legal expenses through the Save Nimisha Priya Council also drew criticism due to an alleged lack of transparency in fund management. Meanwhile, Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, travelled to Yemen in April 2024, the first time she had seen her daughter in 11 years, in a bid to personally appeal for forgiveness and begin the dialogue with Mahdi’s tribal leaders.

Indian govt’s limited but active role

The complexity of Nimisha’s case is compounded by Yemen’s ongoing civil war and the fact that she is incarcerated in Sana’, territory controlled by the Houthi rebels. India does not have official diplomatic relations with the Houthis, which has severely restricted its ability to intervene directly.

Despite this, Indian authorities have reportedly been making backchannel efforts to engage with tribal leaders and intermediaries to save Nimisha’s life. But with the clock ticking down to July 16, the scheduled date of her execution, every minute counts.

Desperate and diminishing options

The apex court in India on Monday will finalise whether the Indian government must intensify its efforts to secure a pardon using options available to them, even though the Ministry of External Affairs had already clarified they had done all they could to help 

The Supreme Court hearing on Monday will decide whether the Indian government must intensify its efforts to secure a pardon using the available legal tools in Yemen. For Nimisha Priya, whose case has sparked emotional appeals and international media attention, the ₹8.6 crore offer may represent her final hope.

Whether the victim’s family agrees to accept the blood money and whether the Houthis allow the process to play out remains to be seen. If the court’s push and the Indian government’s last-minute efforts achieve a diplomatic breakthrough, it may yet stop Priya’s execution. 

Aaj Tak journalist questions the Brajmandal Yatra citing 2023 Nuh violence, where Muslim mobs attacked Hindu, but fails to question Islamists, tries to put blame on Hindus

OpIndia Staff
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Aaj Tak journalist questions the Brajmandal Yatra citing 2023 Nuh violence, where Muslim mobs attacked Hindu, but fails to question Islamists, tries to put blame on Hindus

On 14th July, Hindus in Nuh district celebrated the first Monday of the Savan month with the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. The procession is conducted by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) every year. The 80 KM long procession began at 12 PM.

Security arrangements for 2025 Yatra

Amidst all the chaos, Aaj Tak’s anchor Neha Batham made a controversial statement during reporting on the preparations for the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra.

Media coverage and controversial remarks

While talking to the on-ground reporter, Neha questioned why the procession was allowed when there were chances of communal tension. She said, “When such incident happened in 2023, what was the need of the procession? After all, peace is the top priority.” Interestingly, during the reporting, on-ground reporter Anmol Vali and Neha avoided mentioning that the 2023 riots were caused by an Muslim mob.

Narrative distortion and omission of facts

Anmol mentioned that Bittu Bajrangi has been stopped from attending the procession and claimed he was accused of causing the riots. He also mentioned that weapons like “Trishul”, “baseball bat”, have been banned from the procession. However, he completely ignored the fact that it was the Muslim mob that attacked Hindus, police personnel and home guards in 2023. He completely ignored the fact that Muslims had pelted stones, attacked Hindus with sticks and batons and opened fire at them.

Aaj Tak’s reporters conveniently ignored mentioning Abhishek, who was brutally murdered. He was first shot at, then his throat was slit and his face crushed with stones. They did not mention how shops belonging to Hindus were selectively looted and torched in Nuh and nearby regions.

Nuh violence of 2023

On 31st July 2023, during the procession, large mobs of Muslims had attacked Hindus, leading to massive chaos. Seven people had lost their lives and several were injured. Public and police vehicles were torched. Shops were looted and burnt down.

A Hindu youth named Abhishek was brutally murdered by the Muslim mob at the Shiv temple premises. He was shot and his head was crushed, leaving no chance of survival. A female judicial officer who was going back home with her 3-year-old daughter was attacked by the Muslims. Her vehicle was torched. She somehow managed to escape.

Police action in 2023 and preventive measures in following years

Following the attack on Hindus, Haryana police filed over 60 FIRs and over 400 Muslims were arrested, most of whom are now out on bail. All the cases filed in the matter are under trial. The following year, the Haryana government was prepared. Internet was shut down. Heavy police force was deployed to avoid any unwanted incidents.

For the 2025 Yatra, similar arrangements were made. Over 2,500 police personnel were deployed. Internet services were shut down for the day. Notably, Nuh district is Muslim-dominant, making it a hotbed for communal tension. Sniffer dogs and drones have been deployed for surveillance.

Media bias and its consequences

The selective amnesia displayed by mainstream media outlets is not just irresponsible, it is dangerous. They conveniently glossed over the real perpetrators of the 2023 violence and cast doubt on a peaceful religious procession. They feed into a narrative that vilifies Hindu devotees while downplaying Muslim aggression. When justice is diluted by silence and reportage is tinted by bias, truth suffers.

Congress supporting troll accuses Air Kanishka bombing survivor Sanjay Lazar, who had lost his parents and sister in the Khalistani terror attack, of making money off the attack

OpIndia Staff
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Congress supporting troll accuses Air Kanishka bombing survivor Sanjay Lazar, who had lost his parents and sister in the Khalistani terror attack, of making money off the attack

On 13th July 2025, Congress sympathiser-cum-troll Suryanarayan Ganesh resorted to mocking Sanjay Lazar, author and survivor of the 1985 Air Kanishka bombing. Lazar, who lost his family members including parents and sister in the Khalistani terror attack decades ago, wrote an X post sharing his article regarding the June 2025 Ahmedabad Air India 171 Boeing Dreamliner tragedy that claimed around 240 lives.

What started as a usual social media exchange over Lazar tagging several activists and journalists in his post, Congress supporter Suryanarayan Ganesh claimed that Lazar made money off Kanishka ‘disaster’. The pro-Congress troll accused Sanjay Lazar of exploiting the Ahmedabad Air crash as a career opportunity by peddling conspiracy theories.

“You are the one who wrote and sold books to make money off Kanishka disaster, now you see this one as another career opportunity by spewing conspiracy bullshit that flies against evidence seen so far,” Ganesh wrote.

However, the Congress supporter’s vile comment did not go unanswered as Sanjay Lazar not only called out Suryanarayan Ganesh for mocking him without knowing much about his career, but also pointed out how the previous Congress government refused to do anything ensure justice to the victims of Air Kanishka bombing.

“Are you dumb ? I lost my entire family in Kanishka, orphaned as a teenager, you moron. I gave up my job 5 years early to take up this activism. “Made money publishing books!” FYI I self-published the books at my cost and literally gave them below print cost,” Sanjay Lazar retorted.

“I have fought for justice for my family, for 40 years in various Canadian courts on my own, because moronic congress governments refused to intervene, from Rajiv Gandhi to Zail singh to Narasimha Rao and Manmohan singh ! I met them all plus many UPA ministers who are around even today.  Even today, I travel the world at my cost to speak about terrorism & dangers of Khalistani terror.  I’ve spent 38 years in aviation and this is my life. It would do you well to google before vomitting your bile,” he added.

Air Kanishka bombing

On 23rd June 1985, Air India Flight 182, named Kanishka, disintegrated mid-air off the coast of Ireland after a bomb exploded in its cargo hold. There were 329 people on board, including the passengers and crew members, who were killed. Out of these, 268 were Canadians. Khalistani terrorists were behind the attack that still remains the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history.

Around one hour before the Kanishka bombing, a related suitcase bomb destined for another Air India flight blew up at Japan’s Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers. Khalistani terrorists were behind both the blasts.

Following the Kanishka bombing, Canadian authorities completely mishandled the investigation and let everyone except one accused go free.

Uttar Pradesh: Matloob Ahmed uses fake identity of ‘Rajeev’ to entrap young Hindu woman, wanted to marry victim to convert her to Islam, temple priest foils nefarious plan

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Matloob Ahmed uses fake identity of ‘Rajeev’ to entrap young Hindu woman, wanted to marry victim to convert her to Islam, temple priest foils nefarious plan

A shocking case has come to light from the Belha Devi temple in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, where a Muslim man was caught trying to marry a young woman by hiding his real identity. The accused, 45-year-old Matloob Ahmed, was arrested on the spot after the temple priest grew suspicious.

The incident happened on Saturday (12th July), around 11:30 am, when the temple’s head priest, Mangal Prasad, was doing his routine inspection. He noticed a middle-aged man and a young woman, around 20 years old, exchanging garlands at the temple ghat. The clear age gap between them made him suspicious, so he asked them some questions.

Matloob Ahmed had applied sandalwood paste on his forehead

The woman said she was from the Malaka area of Prayagraj, and the man claimed to be her neighbour. However, when the priest checked his Aadhaar card, he found out the man’s real name was Matloob Ahmed, not Rajiv as he had told the girl. He had even applied sandalwood paste on his forehead to appear Hindu. The priest immediately informed the police.

FIR has been registered

The Bhuliyapur police outpost team, including women constables, rushed to the spot and brought both of them to the Kotwali police station. Based on the priest’s complaint, an FIR was registered against Matloob under Sections 299 (fraud) and 287 (negligent conduct) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused had already been married twice

During interrogation, it came to light that Matloob had already been married twice and works as a roadside puncture repairman in Prayagraj. He had been in touch with the woman for about a year and chose this remote temple for the marriage to avoid being caught.

The woman told the police that Matloob had introduced himself as Rajiv and promised to marry her according to Hindu customs. She also claimed he intended to force her to convert after marriage. Police handed her over to her family and said further investigation is underway.

Madhya Pradesh: ‘Manager’ Safdar forces female Hindu employee to convert to Islam, solicits sexual favours, Bajrang Dal takes matter into their hands

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: ‘Manager’ Safdar forces female Hindu employee to convert to Islam, solicits sexual favours, Bajrang Dal takes matter into their hands

A young Hindu woman employed was lured, harassed and repeatedly forced to convert to Islam by her manager in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, reported News18. The man, identified as Safdar, was turned over to the authorities by members of the Bajrang Dal. A case has now been filed against him.

A young man in a black shirt can be seen being detained by a policeman during an altercation in an office, in the footage. Several angry individuals grabbed his shirt as the cop and others tried to placate the heated situation. The incident led to chaos and arguments following the charges. The perpetrator works at Realme’s office, Sunshine Tower, Teen Batti Square in Ujjain.

The victim disclosed, “He stated that he would provide me with an offer and when I inquired, he claimed that he would raise my salary to Rs 10,000 if I maintained a relationship with him. He then claimed that he would even offer me additional funds from his own pocket if I desired more. I informed him that I was not concerned if it took longer to increase my salary. I wanted to focus on my job and did not wish to follow his recommendations.”

She had reportedly been working at the place for the last month and a half. The Muslim youth would often make lewd comments about her and sought to trap her by promising a salary increase. He had even hacked into her mobile phone, allowing him to access her private information, chat logs and call records, among other things.

He even pressured her to accompany him to hotel to form physical relationship. The woman had recently stopped going to work because she was extremely distressed due to the ongoing harassment.

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