Home Blog Page 259

‘Convert to Islam if you want to keep your job’: Lucknow’s Lulu Mall supervisor Faraz arrested for drugging, raping Hindu woman and blackmailing her with obscene video

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Convert to Islam if you want to keep your job’: Lucknow’s Lulu Mall supervisor Faraz arrested for drugging, raping Hindu woman and blackmailing her with obscene video

A female Hindu employee at Lulu Mall in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow charged her manager, Farhaz also known as Faraz, with rape and blackmail. He also forced her to convert to Islam, leading to his arrest. She disclosed that he gave her a cold beverage that was spiked with drugs and then sexually violated her.

He recorded the disturbing act on video, which he later used to blackmail her and extort money and jewellery. The victim endured cigarette burns, verbal abuse and physical assaults when she resisted. He also issued death threats to her. The complaint additionally indicated that the accused persistently pressured her to embrace Islam.

He claimed that she need to comply in order to keep her job at the mall. Moreover, he repeatedly disparaged Hinduism and its deities, which deeply hurt the woman’s religious beliefs. An initial investigation revealed that the perpetrator might have links with suspicious social media accounts and conversion networks.

The police are currently carrying out a cyber forensic inquiry to determine whether he is involved in a broader network. Additionally, the police are interrogating other employees of the mall. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) informed that a case has been filed against the offender under multiple charges, including rape, threats to murder and attempts at forced conversion.

He has been presented in court and placed under remand. As of now, there has been no official statement from the management of Lulu Mall regarding the incident.

FATF raises alarm on terrorists using e-commerce sites and online payment facilities, cites procurement of explosive material for Pulwama attack from Amazon

OpIndia Staff
-
0
FATF raises alarm on terrorists using e-commerce sites and online payment facilities, cites procurement of explosive material for Pulwama attack from Amazon

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international watchdog that tracks terror funding, has identified serious concerns regarding the use of e-commerce sites and online payment facilities by terrorists to execute and finance attacks. In a recent report published on Tuesday, 8th July, FATF cited instances such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack in India to bring attention to this increasing danger.

The report, Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks, reveals terrorists’ persistent ability to exploit the international financial system to support their activities and carry out attacks. 

Pulwama Attack Used Online Platforms for Explosives, Says FATF

As per FATF’s findings, key materials used in the 2019 Pulwama attack were bought through an e-commerce platform. The report says that aluminium powder, which was used to make the explosive more powerful, was purchased via Amazon.

On 14th February, 2019, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of Indian Security forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 40 soldiers. India’s authorities concluded that the attack was orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM),  a Pakistan-based terror group. The suicide bomber was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar. After the investigation, 19 people, including seven foreign nationals, were charged under India’s anti-terror laws

FATF said the materials were part of an improvised explosive device (IED) that caused the deadly blast. FATF mentioned that in such cases, terrorists are using platforms like Amazon to quietly buy equipment and chemicals. These platforms also help them move money in ways that are difficult to track.

Lone-wolf attacker in Gorakhnath temple case used PayPal and VPN: FATF

The FATF report also discusses the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple incident in Uttar Pradesh. 

On April 3, a man identified as Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi initiated an attack on Gorakhnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place just a day before UP CM Yogi Adityanath was scheduled to visit the temple. Abbasi’s family claimed he was mentally unstable, but the claims were refuted by the Police and doctors who treated him after the attack.

According to FATF, the attacker, who was influenced by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) ideology, used online payment services like PayPal to send nearly ₹6.7 lakh (around $7,685) abroad in support of the terror group.

The person also received money from a foreign source and used a VPN to hide his identity online. The report says he made 44 international transactions through PayPal and even paid for VPN services through his bank account.

Due to these suspicious activities, PayPal suspended his account to stop further misuse. FATF said that such use of digital payment platforms gives terrorists new ways to transfer money and stay hidden.

State support for Terrorism still a big problem

The FATF didn’t just stop at online platforms. It also raised concerns over the role of national governments in supporting terrorist groups. According to the report, some terrorist organisations continue to receive financial help, training, and logistical support from certain governments.

Though the report doesn’t directly name countries, India has often accused Pakistan of backing terrorist organisations like JeM. Indian officials have long maintained that Pakistan shelters designated terrorists and misuse international funds to aid terror activities.

As per FATF, this kind of state support is often used not only for funding attacks but also for long-term management of terror operations.

How terrorists use online shopping and payments

According to FATF, terrorists have found multiple ways to misuse e-commerce platforms, also known as Electronic and Physical Online Marketplaces (EPOMs). 

These platforms are being used not just to purchase materials like chemicals, weapons, and other equipment, but also to sell items and generate funds for terrorist activities. Some even use fake transactions to disguise the movement of money, a method similar to trade-based money laundering. 

FATF noted that platforms which offer easy access across borders and allow anonymous or pseudonymous payments are particularly at risk. Such digital tools have become preferred channels for not only organised terror groups but also lone actors and extremist groups motivated by ethnic or racial ideologies to fund their operations and spread propaganda.

Terror groups getting smarter with technology

FATF said that with the rise of fintech companies and peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, terrorists now have more ways to move money secretly. These services tend to permit the use of fictitious identities or pseudonyms, which complicate it for investigators to identify the origins of the funds.

FATF added that groups are even utilising social media to collect funds in the form of donations and crowdfunding, bringing recruitment, propaganda, and financing all together in one location.

What FATF wants the government to do

FATF has urged its 200 member jurisdictions to enhance monitoring of virtual financial services and better regulate online platforms. 

The organisation advises monitoring suspicious activity on web-based e-commerce sites, tightening controls on peer-to-peer payment services, and collaborating closely with international platforms such as PayPal and Amazon to identify and prevent abuse. 

FATF wrapped up by cautioning that while terrorists keep embracing sophisticated digital practices, it is only through robust international collaboration that they would be stopped from misusing online platforms to fund terrorism.

How a 30-kg, AI-powered, X-Guard system fooled Pakistani army into thinking they were hitting a Rafale

OpIndia Staff
-
0
How a 30-kg, AI-powered, X-Guard system fooled Pakistani army into thinking they were hitting a Rafale

Months have passed since India conducted Operation Sindoor to attack Pakistani terror and military establishments, yet stories of the tactics and ingenuity of the Indian Armed Forces continue to intrigue the world. It has now been reported that the Indian Air Force used the artificial intelligence-powered towed decoy system X-Guard on Indian Rafales during the four-day military conflict in May 2025.

A former F-16 pilot Ryan Bodenheimer, called Operation Sindoor, a breakthrough in modern aerial combat. Developed by Rafale Advanced Defense Systems, X-Guard creates a 500-watt, 360-degree jamming signal using artificial intelligence. The 30-kilogram device follows the aircraft along a fibre-optic wire that is 100 meters long. It makes it harder for adversary radar systems and missiles to spot genuine aircraft by simulating the radar emissions and Doppler effect of an authentic Rafale fighter.

Bodenheimer dubbed the X-Guard “the best spoofing and deception we’ve ever seen.” The former F-16 pilot added that the decoy system may have “redefined the rules of electronic warfare.”

As per the IDRW report, Pakistan’s Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles and J-10C fighter jets failed to detect or target the actual Indian fighter jets. The decoy misled missile systems and confounded enemy radar. An export variant of China’s PL-15, the PL-15E missile, lacked sophisticated spoofing resistance. It’s also possible that the X-Guard tricked Pakistan’s J-10C fighters’ KLJ-7A AESA radar into believing they had locked onto and struck Rafale jets.

Apparently, Pakistani ‘Aand’ Forces counted the decoys they struck as Rafale hits and came up with claims of shooting down 4 to 5 Indian fighter jets. However, when asked for proof, even their defence minister would say “It’s all over the social media.”

Other than X-Guard, the Indian decoy drones also played a vital role, especially in creating heat signatures that matched Indian fighter jets, confusing the Pakistani air defence system.

IIT Kharagpur starts ‘Campus Mothers’ program to ‘provide emotional support’ to students: Read what it is and who will be the ‘Campus Mother’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
IIT Kharagpur starts ‘Campus Mothers’ program to ‘provide emotional support’ to students: Read what it is and who will be the ‘Campus Mother’

The Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, West Bengal, has come up with a unique initiative to help students deal with stress by providing them with ‘mothers’ on campus. Under its ‘Campus Mothers’ initiative, the institute will train women residing on campus, both faculty and non-faculty, to provide emotional support and mentorship to students in distress. The proactive measure is intended to help new students adjust to life on campus.

The initiative was announced by the institute’s Director, Suman Chakraborty, who assumed charge last month. In addition to the ‘Campus Mothers’ initiative, a Student Welcome Committee has also been formed by the institute for a broader campus and community development programme. “This committee’s main role is to help new students and their parents settle in and feel at home on campus. They will address the major challenges new students might face,” Chakraborty told The Print.

The decision comes in the wake of three student suicides that happened at the IIT this year, with the most recent being reported in May. 22-year-old Mohammad Asif Qamar, a third-year BTech student and native of Bihar, died by suicide in his room at Madan Mohan Malviya Hall of Residence. Earlier in April, Aniket Walker was found dead in the hostel. In 2022, Faizan Ahmed was brutally murdered during ragging and there were attempts to look like a suicide.

“It’s a shock to me, and all of us as teachers, that we had to lose our beloved students. I believe we need to be active, not just reactive. Often, when such incidents occur, there’s a lot of noise, and steps are taken just for compliance. That approach isn’t enough,” Chakraborty said about the suicides.

Campus Mothers will have an understanding of students’ challenges

Highlighting that students in India are usually closely monitored by their parents till Class 12, the director said that new students cannot be expected to suddenly adjust to their first year in college. The Director said that many of the women receiving training to be ‘Campus Mothers’ have experienced motherhood and therefore have an understanding of the challenges faced by children.

“Many of these women have experienced motherhood themselves, some have grown-up children who may now be living abroad or otherwise independent. Having gone through motherhood, they understand the unique challenges children face. While it’s often said that Indian parents tend to overparent, it’s unrealistic to expect students to suddenly adjust in their first year of college after being closely monitored until Class 12,” he said.

Campus Mothers will engage in informal interaction with students

Explaining the programme, Chakraborty said that participation in the programme will be voluntary. Those volunteering to be Campus Mothers will receive orientation and training in counselling. “That’s why we thought of a structured approach where these ‘campus mothers’ can support students, especially in more challenging situations. They will receive orientation and training in counselling and related skills. Participation in this programme will be voluntary for those who wish to get involved,” the Director said.

The Campus Mothers will engage in informal conversations with distressed students. They can have tea, coffee or dinner with the students to listen to their concerns. Chakraborty said that the initiative will have an amalgamation of personal interaction and the use of technology, as it is not possible to have Campus Mothers engage with every student on the campus. “This kind of personal interaction allows students to express themselves in ways that a mechanised chatbot simply can’t match, there are limits to what technology can do. That’s why we need both approaches. Technology helps because it’s not scalable to have campus mothers engage with every single student individually,” he added.

To address the limitation of personal engagement, the Student Welcome Committee will launch a student engagement initiative, which will include the use of AI-based tools to monitor student well-being. Moreover, the students will also be encouraged to take part in physical activities like sports and other extracurricular pursuits. A detailed plan is being prepared for the implementation of the programme.

West Bengal: Sagar Islam sexually and physically assaults Hindu minor girl in school, complaint filed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: Sagar Islam sexually and physically assaults Hindu minor girl in school, complaint filed

On 2nd July, a minor Hindu girl was brutally assaulted at Dakghora High School, Coochbehar district in West Bengal. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. A complaint has been filed at Sitalkhuchi Police Station by the parent of the victim.

Details of the horrific incident

In the complaint, the parent of the victim stated that she is a ninth-grade student. She was sitting in her classroom when the accused, Sagar Islam, allegedly began abusing her with obscene language. The incident took place during the recess before the third period. When the victim protested, Islam reportedly beat and strangled her. The complainant stated that the victim was sexually assaulted as well. Islam threw her to the ground multiple times during the assault. The complainant accused Islam of assaulting the victim with intent to kill.

The complainant further added that while Islam was assaulting the victim, two of her classmates recorded the assault and later uploaded the video on Facebook. The video went viral on social media. Islam was seen laughing while assaulting the victim.

Plea for justice

The complainant expressed deep concern for the victim’s safety and stated, “We are all very scared after knowing about the incident. I think my daughter’s life may be in danger later.” The complainant urged the authorities to conduct an on-site investigation and take strict action against the accused.

Police yet to act

It is unclear if the police have filed an FIR or taken any action in the matter so far.

Mohammed Zubair’s deliberate omission: How the Alt News co-founder hid Lord Shiva slur to peddle a false narrative over MP HC’s denial of bail to a cartoonist

Jinit Jain
-
0
Mohammed Zubair’s deliberate omission: How the Alt News co-founder hid Lord Shiva slur to peddle a false narrative over MP HC’s denial of bail to a cartoonist

Earlier today, Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, a self-styled crusader against “hate speech” and “blasphemy”, tweeted about the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to deny anticipatory bail to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya. But true to his pattern of selective reporting and communal dog-whistling, Zubair once again chose distortion over disclosure.

His tweet painted a simplistic picture: that a cartoonist was denied bail merely for caricaturing the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, what Zubair conveniently left out and what the High Court explicitly acknowledged was the cartoonist’s demeaning reference to Lord Shiva. This omission was not accidental; it was deliberate, calculated, and consistent with Zubair’s long-standing modus operandi of peddling half-truths to provoke Islamist outrage while cloaking himself in the garb of a fact-checker.

The full story Zubair didn’t want you to see

In May, an FIR was registered against Hemant Malviya after complaints from an RSS worker and advocate Vijay Joshi. Malviya had drawn a caricature that not only mocked the RSS and Prime Minister Modi but also carried an endorsement of a vulgar, derogatory line invoking Lord Shiva, a clear affront to Hindu religious sentiments.

In its judgment, the Madhya Pradesh High Court made its position clear:

“In the considered opinion of this court, on the face of it, the conduct of the applicant in depicting the RSS, along with the Prime Minister of this country in the aforesaid caricature, coupled with his endorsement of a rather demeaning remark, dragging unnecessarily the name of Lord Shiva in the comments tagged to it, is nothing but the sheer misuse of the freedom of speech and expression… and falls under the definition of offence as contended by the complainant.”

Despite this judicial clarity, Zubair’s tweet omitted any mention of the Lord Shiva insult. Why? Because including it would dismantle the false narrative he wished to build, one of authoritarian overreach and persecution of dissenters. By presenting the case as a crackdown on criticism of the PM and RSS, Zubair attempted to inflame public sentiment and portray India’s judiciary as intolerant of political satire, when in fact the issue was one of religious slander.

From “fact-checker” to agenda-peddler

This isn’t a one-off case. Zubair’s track record is riddled with such half-truths and malicious framing. He infamously triggered the Sar Tan Se Juda (beheading) frenzy in 2022 by highlighting a snippet of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s debate comments that were drawn on directly from canonical Islamic texts regarding Prophet Muhammad’s marriage. Zubair posted the clip with suggestive commentary, unleashing a storm of Islamist threats and violence. The result? Nupur Sharma faced assassination threats, had to go underground, and India’s streets saw bloodshed in the name of “blasphemy.”

And yet, this same Zubair postures as a defender of free speech and civil liberties, so long as the speech in question attacks Hindu sentiments, not Islamic ones.

Hypocrisy at its peak

The contrast is telling. When Hindus voice concerns about being vilified, Zubair dismisses them as bigots. When Islamists threaten to behead someone over scriptural quotes, Zubair is silent or justifies the outrage as a reaction to “hurt sentiments.” He presents himself as a watchdog against hate, but his lens is deeply sectarian: he sees hate only when it suits his ideological narrative.

His tweet on the Hemant Malviya case is not just a dishonest omission. It is a continuation of a deeply dangerous playbook, one that seeks to radicalise one side by feeding it distorted grievances while mocking or silencing the concerns of the other.

‘Hate merchant’ masquerading as ‘fact-checker’ 

The Hemant Malviya episode reaffirms what many have come to suspect: that Mohammed Zubair is not an impartial fact-checker but a narrative mercenary. His platform is not about truth; it’s about weaponising selective truth to inflame communal tensions and undermine institutions.

By omitting the Lord Shiva reference, Zubair once again prioritised propaganda over principle. His brand of “fact-checking” is not journalism; it’s subversion in disguise.

‘Eunuchs joined the Sangh’: Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar’s transphobic remarks sparks a row

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Eunuchs joined the Sangh’: Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar’s transphobic remarks sparks a row

On Tuesday (8th July 2025), Congress MLA from Gwalior rural made outrageous remarks about those who Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while addressing crowd of party workers at a Nyay Satyagraha in Ashok Nagar. The Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders had gathered to court arrest in protest against the registration of FIR against the party’s state president Jeetu Patwari.

Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar did not take any BJRSS leader’s name and took an indirect jibe, as he said, “Jo mard they wo jang mein gaye, jo hijde they wo sangh mein gaye [Those who were men went to the battlefield, those who were ‘Hijra’ (eunuchs) joined the Sangh. You understood, right? Just a hint is enough].”

Notably, the FIR against Jeetu Patwari was lodged on a complaint by one Gajraj Lodhi, who initially accused a BJP worker of assaulting him. However, he eventually retracted and alleged that Patwari misled him. Following this, an FIR was registered against the Congress leader. In response, the Congress party warned of protests if the FIR was not withdrawn by 7th July.

As the FIR was not withdrawn, several senior Congress leaders and workers gathered in Ashok Nagar for a ‘Nyay Satyagraha’ demonstration, however, Congress MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar ended up making an FIR-worthy statement against RSS leaders.

Sahab Singh Gurjar is often involved in controversies. Last year, he and several others were booked for allegedly assaulting women in Gwalior.

Love Jihad kingpin busted: Chhangur Baba’s Rs 100 cr Islamic conversion racket exposed in UP, CM Yogi assures strict action

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Love Jihad kingpin busted: Chhangur Baba’s Rs 100 cr Islamic conversion racket exposed in UP, CM Yogi assures strict action

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured that the state government will take stringent action against Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, who was arrested on 5th July for running an Islamic conversion racket targeting particularly young Hindu girls.

“The Uttar Pradesh government will not tolerate any laxity in matters of law and order. The properties of the accused and all criminals associated with his gang will be confiscated, and strict legal action will be taken against them,” the CM wrote on X.

CM Yogi said that Chhangur Baba will be given an exemplary punishment as per the law. “There is no place in the state for those who disrupt peace, harmony, and the safety of women. They will be punished in accordance with the law in a manner that serves as an example for society,” he said.

Chhangur Baba’s lavish bungalow demolished

Meanwhile, intensifying action against Chhangur Baba, the authorities demolished his lavish bungalow located in the Madhupur village in the Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday (8th July) morning. The demolition was carried out in the presence of the SDM and CO. The bungalow was an illegal construction. An eviction notice was put up on the gate of the residence on Monday (7th July). Inspector-in-charge Awadhesh Raj Singh said that security was ramped up in the area to avoid any untoward situation. However, the authorities faced opposition from the people living in the bungalow. Chhangur’s daughter-in-law, Sabira, created a ruckus before the demolition, alleging that her children were scared. Three notices, in total, were served by authorities before bolldozing the house.

The bungalow was built on a plot of land spanning 3 bighas. The land was registered in the name of Neetu Rohra. Chhangur Baba and his family lived in the bungalow along with Neetu Rohra, her husband, Naveen Rohra and daughter.

An active network in the UAE

Uttar Pradesh ATS is investigating the foreign funding network of Chhangur Baba’s conversion racket. Neetu Rohra, who shared the bungalow with Chhangur Baba, reportedly visited the United Aran Emirates (UAE) 19 times between 2014 and 2019. The agency is looking into the reasons for her trips to the UAE.

The ATS investigation revealed that the religious conversion of Neetu Ruhra, Naveen Rohra and their daughter was at Al Farooq Qamar Bin Khatab Centre, Dubai and was certified by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department of Dubai Government on November 16, 2015. However, after examining their passports, the ATS found that they were not in Dubai on the said date.

Chhagur Baba set up fake businesses to whitewash foreing funds

Investigation by the ATS has further revealed that Chhangur Baba was running the conversion racket in a highly organised manner. He set up fake trusts and businesses, namely Aasvi Enterprises, Aasvi Charitable Trust, Aasipia Hasni Hussaini Collection, and Baba Tajuddin Aasvi Boutique, to facilitate the reception of foreign funds. Eight accounts linked to these businesses were opened in 2 banks.

Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba reportedly deposited Rs 6 lakh from one of his bank accounts into a foreign account. He also transferred Rs 10 lakh through NEFT. Authorities also uncovered suspicious financial transactions from the bank accounts of his associates. He was being assisted by a person named Idul Islam, from Pune, in spreading his conversion racket. In addition to that, he has been purchasing land and setting up bases in different states to operate his conversion racket from there.

According to the STF that led the initial probe against Chhangur Baba, he owns properties worth crores in Pune. He bought a property worth 16 crore in Lonavala, registered in the name of his associate Mohammad Ahmed Khan.

UP Women’s Commision demands death penalty for Chhangur Baba

Expressing outrage against Chhangur Baba and his religious conversion network, the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission has demanded stringent action against him. Commission Chairperson Babita Chauhan said that Chhangur Baba should be awarded the death penalty. “CM Yogi Adityanath has made a strict law against religious conversion. Now it is the responsibility of society not to remain silent and raise its voice on this issue. Death penalty should be the only punishment for those who force daughters to change their religion through lies, greed and deceit,” she said.

“Our daughters are not a laboratory where the poisonous idea of ​​conversion can be tested. Those who deceive our daughters and take away their religion are enemies of society. Such people should be hanged,” she added.

Similar pattern in Chhangur Baba’s conversion racket and Beawar Muslim Gang

Jalaluddin, originally from the Rehra Maafi village in the Balrampur district, used to sell rings. His fortune turned when he successfully contested the Panchayat elections in 2015 and became the village headman. His influence grew and he then introduced his son Mehboob into politics and made him contest 2022 Panchayat elections. But he lost despite spending huge amounts of money in the election.  

However, he amassed massive wealth by operating the conversion racket, and has bought properties worth crores, built showrooms and bungalows and purchased luxury cars using foreign funding.Chhangur Baba’s Islamic conversion racket busted by Uttar Pradesh ATS, involves around 100 crores of foreign funding which was funnelled into 40 accounts.

The money for Chhangur Baba’s Islamic conversion racket was flowing in from the Gulf countries to implement what looks like a long-term Islamisation project. Chhangur Baba used to give money to Muslim men to lure young Hindu women and convert them to Islam. He used to perform the Nikaah of these Muslim with the Hindu girls they lured and converted. Jalaluddin had fixed incentives for converting Hindu girls based on their caste. He fixed ₹15-16 lakh was fixed for conversions of Brahmin, Sikh or Kshatriya woman, ₹10-12 lakhs for OBCs and ₹8-10 lakhs for other castes. This is strikingly similar to the pattern that emerged in the Beawar Muslim gang, where Muslim men targeted school-going Hindu girls, sexually exploited them and forced them to convert to Islam. They had fixed rates for Hindu girls based on their caste.

Why is Oslo interested in Bihar: Norway Ambassador’s meeting with Prashant Kishor raises more than a few questions

Balendu Singh Angad
-
0
Why is Oslo interested in Bihar: Norway Ambassador’s meeting with Prashant Kishor raises more than a few questions

In a discreet meeting, that has drawn public attention, Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, met with political strategist turned politician Prashant Kishor on Monday, July 8. On the surface, it might appear as routine diplomatic engagement. But when examined against Norway’s documented history as a soft-power regime change operator and Kishor’s ambitious plans for Bihar, this meeting demands some scrutiny.

Norway: The ‘benevolent’ meddler with a troubled past

Norway projects an image of progressive neutrality and humanitarian virtue. Yet, its foreign policy machinery has repeatedly engaged in destabilizing sovereign nations under the guise of democracy promotion. The prime examples are Libya, Ethiopia, Syria, Sri Lanka, Colombia and many more.

•⁠ Libya: A Case Study in Reckless Intervention
Norwegian officials themselves admitted they had “very limited knowledge” of Libya before joining the 2011 NATO bombing campaign that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Norway flew 596 strike missions, dropping 588 bombs. The result? A failed state consumed by terrorism, slave markets, and chaos, a catastrophe Norway now admits was “not a decision to be proud of”. This was regime change sold on false humanitarian pretexts, including debunked propaganda about “Viagra-fueled mass rape” promoted by Western officials.

•⁠ The Deep State Machinery
Norway’s foreign adventures are not accidental. They are facilitated by a well-documented “deep state” (Maktnorge) centred in Oslo, with historic ties to NATO, US intelligence, and covert networks like Operation Gladio. This apparatus, rebooted after WWII with CIA support, treats Norway as a “vassal state” of the Atlantic alliance. Per capita, Norway is the world’s largest arms exporter and has participated in more recent wars than all but the US and Israel.

•⁠ Oil Wealth as a Weapon
Norway’s $1.4 trillion sovereign oil fund – built on record “war profits” from Europe’s energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – funds its global ambitions. The fund owns 1.5% of global stocks and has financed initiatives tied to the Clinton Foundation, Bill Gates’ projects, and NATO-aligned regime change efforts. Economists are now urging Norway to tap this fund to directly finance Ukraine’s war effort, proving its use as a geopolitical tool.

Why Norway? Why Bihar? The covert convergence

Norway’s engagement in Bihar reflects a broader and disturbing pattern of strategic overreach, where ethical guises often mask deeper geopolitical ambitions. Historically, Norway has funded dissent under the banner of noble causes, as seen in 2021 when it indirectly supported Greenpeace’s lawsuit against its own government over Arctic oil drilling.

While domestically contested, this move bolstered Norway’s “climate leader” image globally, even as its state-owned energy giant Equinor continues expanding fossil fuel operations worldwide. In Bihar, backing strategists like Prashant Kishor allows Norway to position itself as an informal kingmaker, potentially destabilizing India’s federal dynamics under the pretext of promoting governance or environmental goals.

Simultaneously, Norway pursues “energy imperialism” through Equinor, which has aggressively sought new global markets. Bihar, rich in untapped minerals and bordering energy-deficient eastern states, represents a strategic prize.

A Pattern of subversion: Kashmir and beyond

Norway’s involvement in the region is not merely theoretical. Norwegian diplomats have previously attempted to mediate in Kashmir, presenting themselves as “neutral” facilitators. India promptly expelled them, recognizing the potential threat to its sovereignty. Their re-emergence in the region, in Bihar, a state that borders Nepal and has intricate security dynamics indicates a recalibrated strategy.

Norway funds numerous Indian NGOs under humanitarian banners. These networks could easily be activated to bolster Kishor’s grassroots image while embedding Oslo’s influence. Recall how Norway relied on “media and other countries” for regime change intelligence in Libya – a tactic transferable to Bihar.

The deep state’s toolkit

Norway’s approach to international engagement follows a consistent, some might say cynical, pattern. They start by identifying regions already labelled as “failed” or unstable – places like Libya, Ethiopia, Colombia or Bihar, India. Once a target zone is selected, they deploy the immense financial resources of their sovereign oil wealth, channeled through NGOs, foreign aid programs, or direct political financing. To gain local traction.

They actively seek out and co-opt ambitious regional leaders or power brokers hungry for international recognition and support – figures like political strategist Prashant Kishor. Crucially, they meticulously frame these interventions not as strategic meddling, but as virtuous efforts promoting democracy or humanitarian relief. This calculated strategy was starkly revealed by former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (now NATO Secretary-General) regarding Libya: “Norway joined the attack on Libya because ‘it will make good practice for the Norwegian Air Force’.” This quote lays bare the realpolitik often masked by virtuous rhetoric

India’s sovereignty at stake: A call for vigilance

This meeting is not mere diplomacy. It echoes hybrid warfare tactics, using seemingly benign institutions (embassies, pension funds) to destabilize targeted nations. India must audit all NGOs and “research initiatives” for Norwegian ties. Norway drills Arctic oil while lecturing India on climate. Its wealth stems from the very fossil fuels it now “ethically” divests from . The Intelligence Bureau (IB) must monitor foreign embassies’ engagements with regional leaders, especially before elections.

Norway’s ambassador meet Kishor dispite his irrelevance, He is a local leader, desperate for resources and validation, is the perfect vector for a petrostate posing as a philanthropist. Bihar’s future must be decided by Biharis—not by a trillion-dollar sovereign fund exploiting India’s democratic fissures. The shadows of Kashmir and Ukraine remind us: where Norway’s oil wealth flows, sovereignty often bleeds.

If Mexico, Thailand and other countries can eliminate dog-mediated rabies, why can’t India?

Anurag
-
0
If Mexico, Thailand and other countries can eliminate dog-mediated rabies, why can’t India?

On 28th June, state-level Kabaddi player Brajesh Solanki died of rabies. He was bit by a puppy in May last week and ignored the bite as a sratch. He did not recieve post-exposure vaccine and started showing symptoms in the last week of June. On 6th July, a 60-year-old woman was mauled by two rottweilers at around 4:10 AM when she was going to the temple for morning ritual. In January 2025, a five-year-old girl, Samreen Kouser, was killed by a pack of dogs in Jammu and Kashmir. Not only stray dogs, but pet dogs, especially of aggressive breeds, have become a major threat in India. Such tragedies and millions of bite cases have been fuelling public panic.

According to official data, there were over 30 lakh cases of dog bites in 2023, whereas in 2022, 20.1 lakh cases were reported. The number rose again in 2024 with around 37 lakh dog bite cases reported across the country. In January 2025 alone, there were 4.29 lakh cases of dog bites in India. Is almost 40 lakh dog bite cases something to brush off under the rug just because animal lovers want every Indian to “share” resources with dogs?

According to a survey, around 80% of people have either faced or know someone who has faced a dog attack. While the number of rabies deaths reported officially by India every year is in hundreds, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of rabies deaths in India can be estimated between 18,000 and 20,000. WHO says that 36% of the overall deaths caused by rabies across the world happen in India.

The fear and anxiety caused by the increasing number of aggressive stray dogs who move and hunt in packs is growing. Notably, there are nations that have “cracked the code” on canine rabies. Countries like Mexico, Sri Lanka, and others have eliminated dog-mediated rabies. The question is, why has India lagged behind?

In this article, we will focus on eliminating the number of deaths by rabies.

Global Models – Success Stories Abroad

Mexico eliminated dog-mediated rabies in 2005

Mexico is the first country validated by WHO to eliminate human rabies from dogs. According to recent reports, there are around 15–20 million dogs in Mexico against a human population of 130 million. Though it reports around 1,00,000 cases of dog bites every year, the number of deaths by rabies mediated by dogs is virtually zero. Not to forget, there are almost 19 million dogs in Mexico.

Mexico runs a national “One Health” strategy with free mass dog vaccination and compulsory annual boosters since the 1990s. It has achieved 80% coverage in such campaigns. Continuous surveillance and public awareness have complemented the effort. In 1990, there were 60 cases of rabies deaths in Mexico, which has remained zero since 2006. In 2019, Mexico received WHO validation for “eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies” as a public health problem.

However, uncontrolled breeding and rising population of stray dogs due to abandonment is a major issue in Mexico as well. Despite the high number of dogs, death by rabies is negligible.

Massive vaccination programme in Sri Lanka

In the early 2010s, Sri Lanka set an ambitious goal of zero human rabies by 2020. Under a government-led One Health programme, it provides free rabies post-exposure prophylaxis at all government hospitals. Furthermore, the government has enforced strict dog vaccination and neutering rules. In 2015, there were 24 human rabies cases caused by dog bites, which fell to 5 in 2016. Sri Lanka also scaled up dog vaccinations. In 1990, the number of dogs vaccinated was around 4,00,000, which rose to 1.5 million dogs in 2015. Notably, there are around six million dogs in Sri Lanka.

While Sri Lanka reports around 3,00,000 dog bite cases every year, the number of deaths by rabies mediated by dogs is comparatively less. Around 20 people succumbed to death by rabies in 2024, out of which 11 were attributed to dog bites, one to a golden palm civet bite, and 8 cases were non-conclusive about the source.

Notably, there are around six million dogs in Sri Lanka. A large number of them are “semi-owned”, meaning they are community dogs that live in schools, temples, hospital premises, markets, and other public places. The government has made it mandatory that all dogs should get rabies vaccination within 4–6 weeks of birth. Furthermore, an annual booster dose is also mandatory. According to government data, the number of rabies deaths has been between 25–30 every year for the past few years.

Not to forget, Sri Lanka was the first country in South-East Asia to draft a national “Zero Rabies” strategy. WHO says that Sri Lanka is on its path to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2026, much before the global target of 2030.

Thailand leads the way

In 1992, Thailand passed the Rabies Prevention Act which mandates annual vaccination of all dogs. In the 1990s, only 20% of dogs were regularly vaccinated in the country, and the number of deaths by dog-mediated rabies in humans was in hundreds. Continued campaigns and public education, however, changed things drastically, and in 1995, only 74 such deaths were reported. In 2020, only 3 deaths by rabies were reported in Thailand.

There are around 8 to 12 million dogs in Thailand. The country operates regular mass vaccination drives and sterilisation schemes targeting 70% coverage. It also has intradermal PEP training nationwide. While reports suggest there are around 10 rabies deaths every year in Thailand, the numbers are steadily declining through rigorous control measures.

India’s NAPRE Plan

In 2021, India launched the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) program and in 2023, GoI launched National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies. Under NAPRE, which is led by the National Centre for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and the Department of Animal Husbandry, India adopted a One Health approach, that is, coordinating the animal, human and municipal sectors.

The goal is zero human rabies by 2030, which is the global target set by WHO. The plan sets ambitious targets such as reducing dog bites by 50% by the end of 2025 and achieving 70% vaccination coverage of dogs. The programme emphasises mass dog vaccination, dog birth control through sterilisation, timely human post-exposure vaccination, improved waste management, and public awareness.

NCDC and partners have rolled out supporting systems. Each state now drafts a State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) under NAPRE according to local needs. In March 2023, the Union government notified the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023, which tightened standards for humane capture and sterilisation, vet qualifications, and monitoring of dog clinics.

While the expanded helpline 15400 is live and provides bite victims instant guidance on PEP, the national rabies dashboard which was announced is yet to go live.

According to reports, India has achieved a 75% reduction in rabies deaths in recent years. Millions of dogs are vaccinated every year. However, exact coverage is still improving.

Challenges in India

While the government is making efforts to control the dog population and deaths by rabies, there are well-documented gaps. First of all, there is a huge disparity between the dog population and the sterilisation and vaccination coverage. For example, in Amritsar, there are reportedly 50,000 stray dogs. However, in a five-year period, only 9,250 were sterilised. According to experts, unless 70% of dogs are neutered in an area, the population of stray dogs cannot be curbed in the long run. India is far from achieving the target. Furthermore, many ABC clinics are irregular. Catch-neuter-return drives stall without enough transport and kennels.

Another issue is the lack of manpower and infrastructure deficits. India has too few trained dog-catchers, vets and kennels. For example, in Tiruchirapalli, there are 10,000 stray dogs. Thirteen municipal kennels with a capacity of 150 dogs per month could only sterilise 496 of them in five months. The campaign lapsed when skilled catchers could not be found. Many towns report abandoned sterilisation drives once contracts expire.

Furthermore, there is massive legal pressure. Courts remain divided on solutions. In July 2024, the Supreme Court of India declined to entertain new PILs on stray dogs and directed petitioners to seek relief under the ABC Rules via state High Courts. The apex court reaffirmed that the ABC Rules 2023 now govern stray dog issues. Several state High Courts have ruled against those who want the stray dogs to be removed from their locality. In some cases, RWAs have been penalised on the complaints of animal lovers when they tried to establish feed areas away from parks etc. or tried to get the rabid dogs picked up by the municipal corporation.

There is poor inter-sectoral coordination. To control dog-mediated rabies deaths, there must be smooth coordination between the animal husbandry, public health, urban sanitation and police departments. However, these departments work in silos. Lines of accountability and data-sharing remain unclear.

Stray dogs often enjoy sympathy from dog lovers and animal welfare organisations. Feeding and caring for them have become another massive issue, where dog lovers walk with bags of dog food and give stray dogs food without considering the consequences of their actions in the locality. Dogs form packs and become a life-threatening issue for the locals. Notably, this popular support can stall sterilisation or relocation efforts. These dog feeders often do not care about sterilisation and resist any removal or “culling” of even rabid dogs. Courts have even suggested that people who feed strays be marked and held responsible for vaccinating “their” dogs.

In many cases, it has been seen that the Animal Welfare Board of India and local police threaten local communities if they try to get rid of rabid stray dogs. Many local leaders hesitate to act against notorious dog-feeding groups for fear of upsetting voters.

Currently, there is little enforcement against leaving out food waste or turning a blind eye to unvaccinated packs. Even the Supreme Court only suggested feeders could be held liable for attack victims’ costs. In practice, nobody is fined for sustaining stray colonies, nor for failing to manage garbage that feeds them.

Open garbage and street food waste make India’s cities a buffet for strays. Unless waste management is improved and feeding regulated, neutered dogs will simply be replaced by hungry newcomers, frustrating any control campaign.

India, while equipped with a well-structured plan on paper, still lags far behind these nations in actual implementation. It has the rules, the intent, and the resources, but until coverage, enforcement, public engagement, and surveillance improve to match global standards, the stray dog crisis and rabies threat will persist.

What India must do

India needs to treat rabies as the public health emergency it is. This requires high-level focus on par with other national disease campaigns. There must be fully funded, government-controlled sterilisation and vaccination campaigns. Outsourcing it to NGOs and animal welfare groups is not working.

There has to be enforced accountability and transparency. All sterilisation and vaccination drives must be reported and recorded in real time by the central government. India also needs a transparent dashboard of surgeries done and vaccines used. All reports must be made public in real time, and proper audits must happen to prevent “paper clinics” and inflated numbers.

Anyone and everyone who feeds stray dogs must be held responsible if any incident happens. They must face penalties or jail time if they fail to sterilise the dogs they feed and report rabid dogs for removal. Anyone coming in the way of the removal of rabid stray dogs, especially those that walk and hunt in packs, must be dealt with strictly, with fines and jail time. Furthermore, abandoning a dog or wilfully dumping garbage should be punishable.

Conclusion

India has enough financial resources. What lacks is veterinary expertise, institutional framework and the willingness to work to eliminate dog-mediated rabies. India has done it for polio, smallpox and other diseases, and it can do it for rabies as well. Sustainable political, bureaucratic, judicial and administrative will is what India needs to eliminate rabies. India needed decisive action yesterday, not tomorrow. It is time to act and not think about vote banks. The lives of thousands of citizens are on the line, and the government must act, fast.

1...258259260...7,604Page 259 of 7,604