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While Congress which imposed Emergency calls PM Modi a ‘fascist’, here is how he fought the real fascists who suspended fundamental rights in their thirst for power

Anurag
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While Congress which imposed Emergency calls PM Modi a ‘fascist’, here is how he fought the real fascists who suspended fundamental rights in their thirst for power

On 25th June 1975 at midnight, India faced one of the gravest assaults on its democratic fabric. Then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi faced the heat of the Allahabad High Court’s verdict that declared her election invalid due to electoral malpractices. To avoid losing the position of the PM, Gandhi imposed a national Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution that lasted for 21 months.

Civil liberties were crushed during that period and fundamental rights suspended. Over 1,00,000 people were arrested under preventive detention laws. The government used the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) as a weapon against dissent. Pre-censorship orders were issued to silence the newspapers. Student movements were brutally ended, and political opponents were thrown into jails. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned on 4th July 1975, less than ten days after the Emergency was imposed.

In the middle of the authoritarian storm that India was facing, a 25-year-old full-time RSS Pracharak in Gujarat, Narendra Modi, chose the path of resistance, playing a significant role. Senior RSS leaders were imprisoned by the government. However, Modi managed to stay underground, leading an innovative and decentralised opposition to Indira Gandhi’s regime. His actions, strategy and fearless defiance shaped not only the movement but his own evolution as a national leader.

Who is the real “fascist” – Those who imposed the Emergency or Narendra Modi, who played a role in the resistance

There is a strange irony in Indian politics. The party, that jailed over a lakh citizens, banned the RSS, imposed pre-censorship on newspapers, tortured and murdered several citizens and reduced the Constitution to a personal diary of power, now call Narendra Modi who fought all that and played a significant role in resisting the Emergency a “fascist”.

Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge of the office, the Congress Party has launched a coordinated tirade to paint him with the darkest brushed from their own history book. Congress’s prince, the man who has been launched several times only to fail, Rahul Gandhi, time and again, likened PM Modi to Hitler.

In 2014, before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he called PM Modi “Hitler”. Sadly, “scholars” were “okay” with the Hitler jibe. Congress’s communication team, who always forget to see the mirror before commenting on anyone, regularly uses words like “autocrat”, “dictator”, and compare PM Modi to Hitler. In 2023, Rahul Gandhi claimed that India has become a fascist country under Modi’s regime. The same Modi, who, in 1975, was evading arrests, distributing underground literature, and supporting families of jailed activists, while Congress was but blacking out headlines and switching off democracy.

In one of the most recent examples, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge compared Modi government a “fascist rule”. He said, “The INDIA Bloc will continue to fight against the fascist rule of the BJP led by Modi.” All this, if had been said during actual Emergency at Indira Gandhi’s time, would have resulted in jail time. In 2018 as well, Kharge had compared PM Modi to Hitler.

Let’s get this straight, Modi did not suspend fundamental rights. Everyone is free to criticise and everyone does, especially the opposition leaders without any fear of police action against them. Modi did not censor newspapers, it was Indira Gandhi who did it. Modi did not jail Congress leaders in large batches, or even ordinary students. It was Indira Gandhi who curb the dissent using the police force. Modi didn’t run the country on an unconstitutional whim, Indira Gandhi did.

But of course, in today’s politically convenient memory, resistance becomes oppression, and the oppressors rewrite themselves as saviours. If fighting a regime that shut down Parliament, press, protests, and personal liberty is fascism, then yes, Narendra Modi was a fascist of the purest kind. He fought the real fascist, not from a podium, not from a press conference, but from the shadows, in disguise, while carrying the Constitution in his pocket and the courage to defend it in his heart.

The question remains. Who is the real fascist? The one who imposed the Emergency, or Narendra Modi, who played a role in resisting it?

Modi’s call to duty – The making of an underground leader

When the Emergency was imposed, Narendra Modi was already a known name. He was a key figure during Gujarat’s Navnirman Andolan of 1974 that led to the fall of the Congress government in the state. Everyone saw him as a committed and strategic organiser. In 1972, he had become a full-time Pracharak. It was only three years later that the Emergency was imposed. However, the maturity, discretion and adaptability of Narendra Modi made him a key link in the underground RSS network and in a strategic position to execute the role given to him – that of resisting the emergency.

Modi had worked closely with senior Sangh leaders including Laxmanrao Inamdar (Vakil Saheb), Keshavrao Deshmukh and Vasant Gajendragadkar. He was also well-connected to the national-level Lok Sangharsh Samiti movement led by veteran leaders including Nanaji Deshmukh and Dattopant Thengadi. His instructions were clear: keep the organisation alive, ensure communication, and avoid arrest at any cost.

A master of disguises – How Modi became untraceable

During the Emergency, all state police, including Gujarat Police, were on high alert. Gujarat had been one of the most active RSS zones, and the government knew how essential it was for Indira Gandhi’s regime to control the dissent in the state. Intelligence surveillance was at its peak during that time. However, Narendra Modi managed to avoid arrest for the entirety of the Emergency.

To avoid detection, he assumed various disguises including a Sadhu in saffron robes, an elderly Sikh turbaned man, a street vendor selling incense sticks, and even a college-going ‘Sardarji’.

Narendra Modi as Sanyasi

In one of the high-risk missions to Mumbai, he posed as the son of Makaran Desai, who later became a BJP leader. Modi had crafted the plan himself, allowing him to travel with impunity under the cover of legitimacy.

Narendra Modi disguised as ‘Sardarji’

In one memorable incident, he visited Bhavnagar jail disguised as a Swamiji to meet Vishnubhai Pandya and other incarcerated leaders. He claimed to have come to conduct a satsang and gained entry into the jail. Once inside, he held discussions disguised as spiritual discourse. After one hour, he walked out of the prison without raising any red flags among the guards.

The strategist of codes, printing presses, and cyclostyle machines

At any given time, communication is the backbone of a strategic play. For leaders like Narendra Modi who were keeping the organisation alive, communication was the lifeline of the resistance. However, the risks were high. If caught, entire operations could be compromised. Modi innovated several methods to outsmart state machinery.

They needed printing machines to publish underground literature. It was Narendra Modi who oversaw the smuggling and operation of cyclostyle machines for printing. The pamphlets they printed condemned the Emergency, exposed atrocities, and called for the defence of democracy. The distribution of the pamphlets was also decentralised. They were hidden in luggage, tiffin boxes, or left at barber shops for silent circulation. Saints, priests, and religious preachers were enlisted to spread the material across rural India.

Phone numbers were encoded by digit-swapping. Meetings were held under the garb of religious functions such as Satyanarayan Puja. RSS meetings were often referred to as “Chandan Ka Karyakram”. Even the smallest details, like how slippers were placed outside a home, were tweaked by Modi to throw off the police who were trained to detect Sangh discipline.

Mobilising leaders, building escape networks

Narendra Modi moved pamphlets as well as people. Senior anti-Emergency leaders including George Fernandes, V. M. Tarkunde and Dattopant Thengadi visited Gujarat and the whole trip was coordinated by Modi. These meetings were held in safe houses, and multiple escape routes and decoys were in place to ensure the safety of the leaders.

The resistance was decentralised. Each volunteer or district functioned semi-independently while staying connected through covert channels. Modi was meticulous with logistics. Often, karyakartas assigned to escort leaders out of Gujarat had no idea who they were accompanying or why. Everything was planned to the last minute.

One time, Modi was disguised as a Sikh youth when police arrived at a meeting location with a tip-off. As they questioned him, Modi remained calm and redirected them elsewhere. The police did not realise that the man they were looking for was standing right in front of them.

Sustaining the movement and the morale

Revolution is not just about action, it is about resilience. Narendra Modi played his role during the emergency in ensuring that the families of jailed swayamsevaks never slept hungry and had all the financial support and medical care they needed. He personally travelled, made discreet visits, and became a lifeline for those who could no longer support themselves.

His words inspired the youth. In Porbandar, when all senior karyakartas were arrested, leading to a loss of morale among the young volunteers, Modi came forward and encouraged them. He said, “Even if you are alone, it does not matter. One person is enough if his intent is right. Democracy must win.”

Medical students were given specific roles, using their legitimate mobility to transport pamphlets. Children were used as couriers because they were least likely to arouse suspicion.

A poet in the storm

In the middle of the chaos, Modi wrote about the emergency and his role in the resistance. He composed a powerful poem in his diary and captured the idealism, sacrifice, and energy of the movement. A rough translation of the poem in Gujarati reads:

जब कर्तव्य ने पुकारा तो कदम कदम बढ़ गये
जब गूंज उठा नारा ‘भारत माँ की जय’
तब जीवन का मोह छोड़ प्राण पुष्प चढ़ गये
कदम कदम बढ़ गये
टोलियाँ की टोलियाँ जब चल पड़ी यौवन की
तो चौखट चरमरा गये सिंहासन हिल गये
प्रजातंत्र के पहरेदार सारे भेदभाव तोड़
सारे अभिनिवेश छोड़, मंजिलों पर मिल गये
चुनौती की हर पंक्ति को सब एक साथ पढ़ गये
कदम कदम बढ़ गये
सारा देश बोल उठा जयप्रकाश जिंदाबाद
तो दहल उठे तानाशाह
भृकुटियां तन गई
लाठियाँ बरस पड़ी सीनों पर माथे पर
कदम कदम बढ़ गये

It means, “When duty called, we marched without fear. When cries of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoed, we left the comfort of life and offered our breath. Step by step, we marched.

Troops of youth marched ahead, shaking thrones and cracking doors. Watchmen of democracy rose, shedding divisions. Reading the challenge line by line, we marched.

The nation roared ‘JP Zindabad’. Tyrants trembled, batons fell. But on our chests and heads, we bore them. Step by step, we marched.”

It was not just a poem, it was prophecy.

Sangharsh Ma Gujarat – Writing the resistance

After the Emergency was lifted in 1977, Narendra Modi wrote about his role and his experience fighting the Emergency in “Sangharsh Ma Gujarat”. He wrote the book in just 23 days without any reference material. The book remains one of the most comprehensive regional accounts of the Emergency.

Cover of Sangharsh Ma Gujarat.
A page from the manuscript of ‘Sangharsh ma Gujarat’ titled ‘मीसा’ का कोड़ा बरसा.

It was launched by then-Gujarat CM Babubhai Patel and recognised internationally.

Book launch

Another book, ‘Aapatkal Ke Senani’, chronicled his role as an organiser and underground leader.

News clipping of book release

Legacy of a fighter who refused to be silenced

The Emergency shaped Narendra Modi in profound ways. His belief in decentralisation, quick crisis response, and people-first communication were all honed during this crucible. Today, as Prime Minister, he frequently references that period, not as a relic of the past, but as a living reminder of what unchecked power can do.

While others were silenced, Modi strategised. While others surrendered, he stitched together a resistance. And in the silence of jails and the secrecy of safe houses, he kept democracy breathing.

The story of Narendra Modi during the Emergency is not merely a tale of survival. It is the story of resistance, of moral conviction, and of a young man who chose the underground when others chose silence. A story that shaped not only a leader, but the very idea of fighting for India’s democratic soul.

Centre introduces FASTag-based Annual Passes for non-commercial vehicles for seamless and cost-effective travel

OpIndia Staff
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Centre introduces FASTag-based Annual Passes for non-commercial vehicles for seamless and cost-effective travel

The Central government has introduced FASTag-based Annual Passes, effective from August 15, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday. The passes for non-commercial vehicles is meant to enable ‘seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country.’

Talking about the introduction of the annual passes, priced at Rs 3,000, Gadkari said that the passes will be valid for one year of activation or 200 trips, whichever comes earlier.

“In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips–whichever comes first–this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,” Gadkari said in a post on X.

The Union Minister said that the introduction of passes is regarding the concerns raised regarding toll plazas, and this method will help simplify toll payments.

“This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” Gadkari added.

A dedicated link for the activation and renewal of annual passes will soon be available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH.

The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag was first introduced in 2014. The tag uses RFID technology to enable cashless toll payments and aims to reduce congestion and improve efficiency at toll plazas.

Earlier on April 18, the Road Transport ministry highlighted that they are going to implement ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ at select toll plazas too.

The advanced tolling system will combine ‘Automatic Number Plate Recognition’ (ANPR) technology, which will identify vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing ‘FASTag system’ that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deduction, according to an official statement from the ministry.

Under this, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag Readers, without needing to stop at the toll plazas. In case of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, non-payment of which may result in suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties.

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

Supreme Court orders police protection for minor girl who escaped from in-law’s house after she was forced into child marriage by parents

ANI
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Supreme Court orders police protection for minor girl who escaped from in-law’s house after she was forced into child marriage by parents

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted relief to a minor girl, aged 16, who was forced into child marriage and directed the Bihar and Delhi Police to ensure the safety of the girl and her friend.

The girl approaching the apex court has said that her family had married her off to a 32-33-year-old contractor on December 9, 2024, from whom they had taken a loan.

A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan also issued notices to the Bihar and Delhi governments.

It asked the DGP of Bihar and the Police Commissioner of Delhi to provide full security to the girl and her friend and ensure no harm is caused to them. The bench also sought a status report from the police.

It further directed that the police have to be in touch with the girl and her friend so that, in case of emergency, necessary assistance can be provided to them.

The girl, a resident of Bihar, filed a petition in the apex court through her friend, saying that her family forcibly married her off and she has been subjected to physical abuse and harassment by her in-laws.

The teenager stated that she recently appeared for her Class 10 Board exams and wishes to continue her studies, but her in-laws are not agreeable to it.

She has appealed to the apex court to protect her from her family and husband and sought annulment of her forced marriage under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006.

The girl further explained that she willingly ran away from home with a friend. However, her family has now filed a kidnapping case against her friend, concealing the fact that her daughter was married.

The petition said that her husband has been pursuing the case personally and has told people in Madhopur village that he would not mind going to jail after killing her.

The petition stated, “The Petitioner is presently on the run with a friend (Saurabh Kumar) and fears they would be killed if they returned back to Bihar or were apprehended in the hunt launched for them.”

According to the plea, her husband, a civil contractor, claimed that the girl’s parents were indebted to them and she would have to continue in the marriage rather than go for further studies to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher or a lawyer.

She sought protection from any coercive action by police till the matter is finally decided by law.

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

With PM Modi setting the record straight during call with Trump that the US played no role in ceasefire with Pakistan, will Congress now stop promoting Trump’s wild claims

Aditi
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With PM Modi setting the record straight during call with Trump that the US played no role in ceasefire with Pakistan, will Congress now stop promoting Trump’s wild claims

PM Modi put an end to US President Trump’s baseless and boastful claims that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. PM Modi, who was in Canada to take part in the G7 Summit, talked to Trump over phone on Tuesday (17th June) on the latter’s request and made it clear that there was no mediation by US. During his 35-minute-long conversation with Trump, PM Modi set the record straight by telling Trump that the US had no role in the ceasefire agreed between India and Pakistan last month.

“PM Modi clearly told President Trump that during the entire course of events, at no point, and at no level, was there any discussion about a US-India trade deal or about US mediation between India and Pakistan,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while sharing the highlights of the conversation during a press briefing on Wednesday (18th June). “The Prime Minister said the talks regarding cessation of military action were held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries. It was done at Pakistan’s request,” Misri added.

According to Misri, PM Modi made it clear to President Trump that there was political unanimity in India over non-acceptance of third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue. “India has never accepted, does not accept, and will never accept mediation on the Kashmir issue,” PM Modi told Trump.

This was the first interaction between PM Modi and President Trump since Operation Sindoor. The phone call came after the scheduled between PM Modi and President Trump could not take place as the US President left early amid the G7-Summit due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on 10th May after Pakistan’s DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart requesting for a ceasefire. During Operation Sindoor, India first destroyed terror camps located deep inside Pakistan territory, and then struck 11 air bases across Pakistan. The terror supporting country tried to retaliate but India shot down all the drones and missiles launched by Pakistan towards India. After India inflicted serious damage on Pakistani air bases, the Islamic state requested for a ceasefire, to which India agreed.

However, even before an official communication could be made regarding the ceasefire by India, the US President jumped in and falsely took the credit for mediating between India and Pakistan. Even though India clarified later that the ceasefire with Pakistan was reached without the intervention of a third country, Congress leaders grabbed the opportunity to attack the Modi government using Trump’s false claims.

Congress caused global embarrassment to India

Despite India’s clear stand that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision, Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, kept undermining India’s global position and casting aspersions on the Indian government by repeating the baseless claims of Trump who is known for his tendency to exaggerate. Senior Congress politician Jairam Ramesh posted several times on social media, demanding clarification from PM Modi on whether Trump’s repeated claims of brokering the ceasefire are true.

He described the issue as one of national embarrassment, and accused PM Modi of allowing Trump to “equate” India with Pakistan, and wondering if Trump is lying or telling half-truths. He was joined by Congress leader, Pawan Khera, who questioned whether PM Modi’s failure to reject Trump’s comments means they might be true.

The Congress Party even circulated a humiliating meme on social media showing that PM Modi surrendered before Pakistan on Trump’s instructions echoing the claims of Congress scion Rahul Gandhi. The media in Pakistan quickly seized upon the opportunity provided by India’s largest opposition party and utilized them to advance their malicious narrative. The statements of Congress leaders were used by Pakistani media to further their narrative and undermine India’s position internationally at such a crucial time when India was trying to convey to the world its stand against terrorism.

Despite Modi government including leaders from all political parties, including Congress, in the multi-party delegations that were sent out to different countries to convey India’s policy action against terrorism, some Congress leaders continued to accuse the Modi government of taking credit for Operation Sindoor.

Now that none other than Prime Minister Modi himself has clarified that there was no mediation by US between India and Pakistan, it remains to be seen it now Congress party retracts its position and acknowledge its mistake.

Meet Barak Magen, Israel’s “Lightening Shield” that made its debut during conflict with Iran, will protect Naval assets from missiles and drone attacks

Rukma Rathore
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Meet Barak Magen, Israel’s “Lightening Shield” that made its debut during conflict with Iran, will protect Naval assets from missiles and drone attacks

The conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East has increased the likelihood of regional escalation as the two nations continued to exchange missiles. Meanwhile, after several Iranian airstrikes broke through the Iron Dome and hit structures in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other cities, Israel turned to its newest aerial defense system, “Barak Magen” for the first time.

On the evening of 15th June, the new defense system successfully intercepted Iranian drones which were launched as retaliation for Israeli strikes on its military and nuclear infrastructure. The Israeli Navy shot down eight UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) using its long-range air defense (LRAD) interceptor and the Barak Magen system which were fired from an Israeli Sa’ar 6 missile ship.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Flotilla 3’s missile ships continue to be employed “across all arenas and serve as a force multiplier in the mission of defending the skies of Israel” in cooperation with the country’s air force. At this point, the Navy has eliminated about 25 drone threats since the start of the ongoing conflict. The C-Dome system, the naval equivalent of Iron Dome, brought down the majority of these drones.

It was determined that these UAVs were targeting Israeli residential areas. The Israeli Air Force and the naval response were closely synchronized, enabling effective layered interception and real-time threat tracking. On 16th June, Iran reportedly launched more than 100 UAVs, however, all were intercepted by the Jewish state.

Barak Magen adds a potent naval layer to Israel’s defenses, boosting its current systems (Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow, and the forthcoming laser Iron Beam).

Its purpose is to counter the growing threat of asymmetric aerial attacks, specifically precision weapons and drone swarms carried out by enemies such as Iran and its proxies. Barak Magen is designed for naval operations and offers instant protection against inbound threats from the air and sea, in contrast to land-based systems like Iron Dome or David’s Sling.

What is the Barak Magen

“Lightning Shield” or “Barak Magen” (the Hebrew name for Israel’s latest naval air defense system) is intended to supplement the Iron Dome defense system on land by providing a lightning-fast response to airborne threats originating from the water including UAVs, cruise missiles, high-trajectory projectiles, shore-to-sea missiles and even aircrafts, among others.

It is a customized variant of the Barak MX missile defense system, designed to defend naval vessels against aerial threats such as sea-skimming, ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. The equipment is installed on Sa’ar 6 corvettes which are advanced Israeli Navy vessels. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) created the aerial defense system to identify and eliminate a variety of airborne threats.

The nation’s defense ministry stated that the multi-mission radar weapon system consists of a long-range interceptor, a weapons system and an enhanced radar for threat detection. It is adaptable to different platforms and has been installed on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes to protect the nation’s offshore energy resources and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar and electro-optical sensors capable of extremely accurate 360-degree detection, a long-range interceptor that can neutralize threats up to 150 kilometers away and a modular architecture that enables it to be deployed across multiple naval platforms constitute the multi-layered Barak Magen system.

Barak Magen incorporates a combination of command systems, radar and a series of intelligent vertical launchers that are capable of firing several kinds of missiles. Short, medium and long-range interceptors fall under them and they are all released directly from the ship to strike oncoming threats from any direction. This enables the system to cover 360 degrees and handle many targets simultaneously.

It has Barak MRAD for short to medium ranges (up to 35 kilometers), Barak LRAD for medium to long ranges (up to 70 kilometers) and Barak ER for longer ranges (up to 150 kilometers). The same launcher can be used to operate all of these interceptors.

In November 2022, the Israel Defense Ministry launched the Barak surface-to-air missile’s first live-fire test from the INS (Israeli Navy Ship) Magen, one of its warships. Israel published a video of the missile’s launch from a Sa’ar 6-class corvette and its destruction of a target near sea level after it was developed.

Why is Barak Magen significant

Barak Magen’s goal is to protect Israel’s territorial waters and its critical infrastructures, especially the Mediterranean offshore gas fields of Leviathan and Tamar, thus securing its energy autonomy.

The air defense system “significantly enhances” Israel’s navy’s air and missile defense architecture, according to John Hannah, senior fellow at The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and co-author of a report released earlier this month on Israel’s defense against two massive Iranian missile attacks in 2024, reported Fox News.

He conveyed, “The Barak Magen is simply another arrow in the expanding quiver of Israel’s highly sophisticated and increasingly diverse multi-tiered missile defense architecture which was already, by leaps and bounds, the most advanced and experienced air defense system fielded by any country in the world.”

According to Hannah, the system offers long-distance defense for Israel’s growing oil and gas facilities in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as vital infrastructure and populated areas along Israel’s coastline, in addition to protection for the Israeli fleet. “It allows Israel to conduct interceptions at significant distances from the Israeli homeland, both out in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and thereby adds critically important strategic depth when defending Israel’s tiny geographic area,” he pointed out.

Barak 8

With $1.2 billion in sales already secured, Israel’s Barak system has attracted interest from all around the world. One primary partner is India and according to an Indian government statement, Israel has worked together with India’s Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) to develop Barak 8, a surface-to-air missile version of the Barak defense system, to protect against aerial threats including drones, aircraft, anti-ship missiles and ballistic missiles.

Barak-8 could be used from land or the water and has a maximum range of 100 kilometers and an altitude of 20 kilometers. The air and naval forces of India and Israel use it to combat an assortment of aerial threats, such as ballistic missiles and drones.

PM Modi’s phone conversation with Donald Trump after G7 Summit: 7 Reasons why it was a masterclass in power and poise

Sanghamitra
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PM Modi’s phone conversation with Donald Trump after G7 Summit: 7 Reasons why it was a masterclass in power and poise

On the morning of June 18, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared a press statement detailing the phone conversation between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Trump had to leave the G7 Summit early, so the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump could not take place. US President Trump and Prime Minister Modi had a formal phone call at the former’s request. The discussion lasted for over 35 minutes, Vikram Misri stated.

This phone conversation is significant for many reasons, not just for the content of the discussion but also for its timing and messaging. Here is why:

It was the first time the two global leaders spoke after the Pahalgam attack

Vikram misri stated that in the phone call was the first time the two leaders spoke since the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where US President expressed condolences for victims and conveyed that USA supports India’s stand against terrorism. This is a significant point in itself because due to the boastful media statements made by the US president, it was insinuated as if there has been more talks between the US and Indian leadership. This was implied multiple times by Donald Trump where he kept claiming that he used trade as a leverage to make India ‘talk’ with Pakistan and ‘agree’ to a ceasefire.

By highlighting that it was the first time Donald Trump and PM Modi spoke directly after the Pahalgam attack, Vikram Misri made it clear once again that the claims of Trump being the key ‘peacemaker’ were false and misleading.

PM Modi reiterates ‘Goli will be answered with Gola’,

In the phone call, PM Modi reminded Trump that India had made it clear to the whole world that it will take significant retaliatiory action for the Pahalgam attack. PM Modi told Trump that India’s Operation Sindoor on the nights of 6-7 May was measured, non-escalatory and precision strikes against terror infrastructures located in PoK and Pakistan. He also told Trump that India has and will respond to any escalatory actions by Pakistan in a bigger manner, and that ‘Goli will be responded with Gola’.

PM Modi’s statement displays the calm conviction of a new India under his leadership, an India that does not depend on foreign powers to tell it what to do and how to respond, but retaliates with conviction to target the enemy and takes punitive military measures against any attacks on its sovereignty and safety.

JD Vance called PM Modi to warn about ‘big attack’ from Pakistan, was told that India will respond with a bigger attack

During the phone conversation, PM Modi also told Trump that after the first phase of India’s Operation Sindoor, on the night of May 9, US Vice President JD Vance called PM Modi to warn about a ‘big attack’ from Pakistan. The US vice president was communicated by India in very clear terms that India would retaliate in a bigger, stronger manner to any escalation from Pakistan.

India did exactly that, PM Modi told Trump, mentioning how India’s retaliatory strikes against Pakistan’s escalation hit military targest with precision and obliterated much of their air defence, establishing complete air dominance. Pakistan’s air bases were rendered inoperable by India’s air strikes. Following which, a battered Pakistan had to request a ceasefire from India.

Nowhere was a trade deal discussed: PM Modi reminds Trump

PM Modi reminded US President Trump that at no point in the discussion with Pakistani military leadership, and US leadership, trade with USA was even mentioned. He even mentioned that at no point India discussed ‘mediation’ with US leadership because India will never accept third-party mediation in bilateral issues with Pakistan and there is complete political consensus in India about the issue. PM Modi reiterated to Trump that all discussions about a halt in the military operation were held through the established military channels between India and Pakistan and no other country, and no trade deal was ever a part of these discussions.

PM Modi also told Donald Trump that Operation Sindoor is not over yet. He also reminded the US President that India will now treat any acts of terrorism as acts of war.

Modi declines Trump’s invitation for a stopover meeting in USA

In a bold and strategically significant move, PM Modi declined Trump’s invitation for a stopover in the USA on his return journey from Canada to India. PM Modi reportedly told Trump that he has scheduled engagements and commitments, and a stopover would not be possible.

The polite refusal is a powerful statement by PM Modi. Without uttering the words, he has subtly communicated to the USA that India is no longer a ‘minor country’ whose leaders would be flocking for a meeting with heads of bigger nations. PM Modi’s polite refusal for a stopover also communicates India’s priorities and power projection in today’s world.

Was Trump trying to ‘trap’ PM Modi in an attempt to show that he is hosting India and Pakistan together?

The timing of the stopover request is crucial here. Pakistan’s Army chief Asim Munir is currently in the USA, trying to get invited to ‘important’ events so he gets a one-on-one meeting with Donald Trump. Munir, who is the de-facto leader in Pakistan, is on a 5-day visit to the USA. He arrived on June 15. So it is quite clear that the ‘stopover’ that Trump requested to PM Modi, was to coincide with Munir’s prolonged stay.

Seeing the way the US President has been behaving with respect to India and Pakistan, prioritising his PR and personal glorification with the false claims of brokering a ceasefire, even going so far as to claim that he “stopped” a potential nuclear war, it would have been unsurprising to see him trying to have PM Modi and Asim Munir in the same room, or worse, at the same table.

By refusing a stopover visit to the USA, PM Modi has very smoothly avoided this trap, thus denying Trump the gratification of another massive personal PR campaign, and Munir an enormous image-saver to justify his existence. PM Modi has silently conveyed to both of them that India won’t be fooled into gimmicks and PR games. India won’t gratify useless stunts, and India won’t waste its time on vacuous posturings by vain leaders trying to project their importance.

After days of Munir being in the USA, reports have emerged today that Trump may finally meet him. Juxtaposing it with his request to PM Modi to stop in the USA for a meeting on his way back from the G7 Summit, one cannot shake away the thought that he might have been thinking to ‘use’ Munir’s current presence and orchestrate a Modi meeting to try and manufacture the biggest PR statement in his current term, to further project his self-fuelled claims of ‘peacemaker’.

Judging by Trump’s claims and boastfulness, it would not be too speculative to think he would have used the images of Modi and Munir being in the same room to claim he has stopped a potential ‘nuclear war’.

India and Pakistan are not equals, the USA, and the whole world needs to remember that

PM Modi’s phone conversation has conveyed a lot of things, and the most important message has been conveyed silently here. By declining Trump the gratification of hosting the leaders of India and Pakistan together, PM Modi has conveyed that India and Pakistan are not equals. That the world’s fourth largest economy with one of the strongest, most advanced military and a stable democratic government, won’t be hyphenated with a broken, terror-infested, unstable and poverty-stricken swamp of a landmass called Pakistan.

“India is here to stay. It is a multi-polar world, and India is one of the poles that will make its own rules and chart its own path. Ignoring and miscalculating India will be a mistake”, This is what PM Modi has managed to convey in a phone call during his return journey from the G7 Summit in Canada.

Paperless census, caste data to be collected, employment details to be recorded: Know all about the population census and how it will be carried out

OpIndia Staff
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Paperless census, caste data to be collected, employment details to be recorded: Know all about the population census and how it will be carried out

For the first time in the history of India, the 2027 census is going to be conducted digitally. The Central Government issued a notification regarding this on June 16, 2025. Sharing information about the census, Home Minister Amit Shah said that for the first time, caste data will also be collected in India’s 16th census.

Census will be conducted in two phases

The notification states that the process of census of India’s population will be completed during the year 2027. The census process will start on October 1, 2026, in the four hilly regions in the north of the country, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In the rest of the country, the census will start from March 1, 2027. After the data is collected, it will be made public by December 2027. For this, mobile apps, online and other digital tools will be used. What makes it unique is that both census and caste census will be conducted under the Census Act 1948.

Delay due to COVID-19 pandemic

In India, census is conducted every 10 years. In 2011, the 7th census after independence was conducted. The next census was to be conducted in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed. Now, finally the notification for the census has been issued. However, since the cycle of the census has changed now, the notification for the next census may be issued in 2035.

How many people will be involved in conducting the census

For the first time, caste census will also be conducted in the 16th census. To carry out this humongous exercise, 34 lakh counters and supervisors, and 1.3 lakh census officers will be engaged and staff will be appointed and trained. The training will go on for about 2 months under the supervisors. During this time, people will be taught to use digital devices and mobile apps. ₹13 crore thousand are estimated to be spent for the census.

Delimitation commission will be formed after the census

In addition to this, delimitation of seats in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is expected to begin in 2028. After the census, a delimitation commission will be formed and Lok Sabha seats will be re-determined keeping in mind the population. Some South Indian states have expressed their concerns regarding the delimitation. However, the central government has assured states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu that the concerns of the southern states will be addressed in the delimitation process.

How is the 2027 census different

Census is being conducted in the country 16 years after the last census in 2011. New columns and menus for castes, sub-castes and OBCs have been included. Questions related to these will be asked in the questionnaire of this census which will be paperless. The data will be entirely digital and mobile apps will be used for this. Apart from Hindi and English, these apps will also have 14 regional languages ​. In 2011, data was collected door to door, and there was very limited use of technology.

There will also be questions related to health

The census process will be completed in two phases just like in 2011. In the first phase, information will be collected about the residential status, property etc of families. Subsequently, in the second phase, details like the age, caste, education, gender, employment and other information of the persons living in each house will be collected. This will give an idea of ​​the demographic ratio, socio-economic and cultural status as well as the standard of living of the people. This data will be useful for the government in making plans and formulating policies. India has the highest number of diabetes patients in the world, so health related questions will also be asked.

Special arrangements will be made to transfer and store all the information related to the census so that the data is protected. The privacy of each individual will also be taken care of. The responsibility of conducting the census lies with the Registrar General of India and the Census Commissioner, both of these come under the Home Ministry.

The first census was conducted in 1881

The first census in the country was conducted in 1881. At that time the population of the country was 25.38 crores. Since then, the census is being held every 10 years. Caste data was collected in 1941 but it was not made public. After independence, the first census was conducted in 1951. At that time it was believed that caste census would divide the country and harm the unity and integrity of the country. Therefore, only SC-ST data was collected.

For the first time in the country, simultaneous caste census

Caste census will also be conducted in the Census 2027. This means that data relating to caste identity of people will also be collected. This data will reveal the concentration of a caste in an area and its socio-economic status. It can be useful for social welfare and other schemes and improve the standard of living of the people. After this census, government will have the data of all castes together for the first time since independence. The last caste census was conducted in 1931 by the British.

Did you know Iran and Israel were once strategic allies? Read what transformed the alliance into a battle for survival

Jinit Jain
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Did you know Iran and Israel were once strategic allies? Read what transformed the alliance into a battle for survival

Once strategic partners in the volatile Middle East, Iran and Israel today sit on opposite ends of one of the region’s most dangerous confrontations. What began as a pragmatic partnership in the early days of Israeli statehood has now devolved into direct military clashes, proxy wars, and threats of mutual annihilation. The most recent escalation: Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, and Tehran’s ballistic missile retaliation has brought decades of shadow conflict into open warfare, with terrifying implications for the region and beyond.

The latest flashpoint: Iran’s nuclear ambitions

On the morning of June 13, Israel launched a wide-scale military operation targeting Iran’s critical Natanz underground nuclear facility, multiple Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) bases, and key air defense installations. The airstrikes reportedly killed several nuclear scientists and senior IRGC commanders. Israel justified the operation as a preemptive strike to cripple Iran’s allegedly advancing nuclear weapons program, which Tel Aviv has long seen as an existential threat.

Iran, meanwhile, denounced the attacks as a “massacre” that included civilian casualties and vowed swift retaliation. By evening, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israeli air bases, targeting refueling stations for warplanes and damaging parts of central Tel Aviv, including areas close to the headquarters of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Despite Israel’s advanced Iron Dome defense system, some missiles penetrated, shaking public confidence in Israel’s invincibility.

The conflict, now entering its fifth day, has shown no signs of de-escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly declared that the war could only end with the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — rhetoric that has shocked global observers and left the region on edge.

Once allies: The forgotten era of Iran-Israel cooperation

The current hostility is a far cry from the diplomatic warmth of the 1950s and 60s. In 1948, as most Muslim-majority nations rejected the formation of Israel, Shia-majority Iran and Turkey stood apart, choosing recognition over rejection. Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran leaned heavily into a pro-Western, anti-Soviet alignment, a position that brought it closer to both the United States and Israel.

The 1950s and 60s saw extensive cooperation between Iran and Israel:

  • Crude oil pipelines and energy trade sustained Israel’s economy after the Arab oil embargoes.
  • Arms and intelligence exchanges flourished. Israel’s Mossad and Iran’s infamous SAVAK (secret police) worked closely to counter Arab nationalism and Soviet influence.
  • The Shah’s Iran was one of the few Muslim nations with a resident Israeli diplomatic mission, and Israeli firms contributed to Iran’s infrastructure and agricultural development.

This period of covert friendship culminated in David Ben Gurion’s “Periphery Doctrine”, which sought alliances with non-Arab regional powers — Iran, Turkey, and Ethiopia — to isolate hostile Arab neighbors.

1979: The “Revolution” that changed everything

Everything changed in 1979.

The Islamic Revolution overthrew the Shah and replaced his pro-Western regime with a radical theocracy under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolutionaries saw Israel not just as an occupying power in Palestine but as a “Little Satan”, a close ally of the “Great Satan” — the United States. The regime banned Israeli travel, severed diplomatic ties, and declared total solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Iran’s foreign policy was reoriented around Islamic anti-Zionism and asymmetric warfare. By the 1980s, Iran began sponsoring Hezbollah in Lebanon, supplying them with training, funds, and weapons to wage a guerrilla war against Israel. This was followed by support for Hamas in Gaza, Islamic Jihad, and even the Houthis in Yemen — all part of a growing “Axis of Resistance” aimed at encircling Israel.

From proxy battles to open hostilities

For decades, Israel and Iran fought in the shadows:

  • Hezbollah’s 1983 suicide bombing in Beirut killed dozens of Israeli and Western personnel.
  • Israel retaliated with assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, cyber-attacks like Stuxnet, and precision airstrikes on Iranian arms convoys in Syria.
  • Iran responded with attacks on Israeli diplomats, cyber intrusions, and rocket strikes via Hezbollah and Hamas.

By 2023, the rivalry reached new heights. On October 7, Hamas launched a massive terror assault on Israel, prompting a brutal Israeli response in Gaza that decimated much of the Hamas leadership. Iranian proxies in Lebanon and Syria also engaged Israeli forces, prompting Tel Aviv to respond with airstrikes deeper into Iranian territory and its foreign bases.

Iran’s direct missile attacks on Israel last year marked the end of the era of indirect conflict. For the first time in decades, Iran and Israel were engaging each other head-on — no longer via proxies but with each other’s capitals in the crosshairs.

The current crisis: Diplomatic collapse and spiraling war

The latest Israeli strikes — particularly on Natanz, long seen as the crown jewel of Iran’s nuclear program — came just as Iran and the U.S. were preparing for renewed talks over uranium enrichment. Iran insists its program is peaceful; Israel views any enrichment as a red line. Tel Aviv reportedly believed that Iran was weeks away from developing a nuclear weapon, and decided it was time to act.

Iran’s response — launching ballistic missiles at Israeli cities — shattered illusions of containment.

Global reaction has been swift but largely ineffective. Western powers have urged restraint but are split on whom to blame. Arab states, many of which have normalized ties with Israel in recent years, have been conspicuously silent or cautiously neutral.

Looking Ahead: No way back?

The current crisis may be the most dangerous flashpoint in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War. With Israel openly seeking the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and Iran vowing revenge, diplomacy is at a standstill. The conflict risks dragging in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and even global superpowers if it continues to spiral.

The irony is bitter: once strategic partners, Iran and Israel are now locked in a battle that could reshape the Middle East forever.

As history shows, alliances in this region are fragile, and enmity can be just as enduring. But with missiles flying, nuclear facilities under attack, and rhetoric crossing lines once unthinkable, the question isn’t whether Iran and Israel can be friends again — but whether either side will survive the war they’ve unleashed.

Congress spreads lies over caste census, gets fact checked by PIB: Is Rahul Gandhi’s party getting frustrated after their favourite political issue was snatched away

Shraddha Pandey
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Congress spreads lies over caste census, gets fact checked by PIB: Is Rahul Gandhi’s party getting frustrated after their favourite political issue was snatched away

The chagrin of losing its main political issue—caste census—to its bête noire BJP, has deeply affected the Congress party’s collective sensibility. Congress, especially the party prince Rahul Gandhi, placed high bets on the caste census issue in the recent past, hoping that positioning himself as the messiah of the SCs, STs and OBCs would garner him their support, however, their main political plank disappeared before their eyes as the NDA government announced that caste census will take place along with the 2027 census.

Frustrated with this, the Congress party has started peddling falsehoods about caste enumeration in the impending Census 2027.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, on Monday, June 16, said that complete “absence” of the term caste census census in the government’s gazette notification issued for the 16th Census has raised questions over the mindset of the BJP on this subject. Shrinate recalled that the government had earlier promised that a caste census will be conducted by them.

“Census is a decadal exercise and it has been delayed which is why people are not able to get the benefits of government schemes. This is a routine notification. There is no mention of the caste census here, a promise that the government said would be fulfilled on April 30,” Shrinate said.

Asserting that BJP has always opposed the idea of caste-based reservations, Shrinate pointed out that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have forced the government to conduct a caste census.

“BJP should be the last one talking about the SC/ST and OBC as they have historically been against the constitution… Pt. Nehru brought the first amendment to the constitution about reservation, but it was opposed by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee… RSS Chiefs opposed the reservations… This government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in September 2021 saying we are against the Caste Census,” she said.

Before Supriya Shrinate, Congress General Secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over “no mention” of caste census in the gazette notification for the population census by the Ministry of Home Affairs, asking, “Has the Prime Minister changed his mind?”

“Today’s gazette notification says only census will be done in late October of 2026 in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal and the rest of the country it will be done in March 2027. It does not talk of the word caste census. So, my question is, has the Prime Minister changed his mind again? Why is there no mention of the caste census?” Jairam Ramesh said.

Similarly, Congress leader Pawan Khera also claimed that Census 2027 will not include caste enumeration and wrote on X, “If it is still spelled c-a-s-t-e, it is not in today’s MHA Gazette notification on census.

In another post, Khera lamented that the ‘caste’ was not mentioned in the gazette notification for Census 2027. He compared the notification issued by Congress government in Telangana with BJP-led Central government’s notification.

“Exhibit 1 – Telangana announced caste census, mentioning the word caste thrice. Exhibit 2 – Government of India announces census (supposed to be caste census) without mentioning the word caste even once,” Khera posted.

As Congress leader are insinuating that the Modi government is backtracking from its caste census promise, it is pertinent to find out if the Centre has indeed reneged from its promise or the Congress party is peddling lies for political traction.

Has Modi government taken a U-turn on caste census? What does the gazette notification on Census 2027 say

Contrary to the claims made by Congress leaders and their supporters on social media, the Central government has already announced that the Caste enumeration  will be conducted along with Census 2027.

In a press release dated 15th June 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed about preparations underway to conduct Census 2027. The press release mentioned that the census will be conducted in two phases alongside caste enumeration.

“The Census will be conducted in two phases. In phase one i.e. Houselisting Operation (HLO), the housing conditions, assets and amenities of each household will be collected. Subsequently, in second phase i.e. Population Enumeration (PE), the demographic, socio-economic, cultural and other details of every person in each household will be collected. In Census, Caste enumeration will also be done,” the press release reads.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also announced on 15th June, that Census 2027 will also include caste enumeration as promised earlier.

“The census will include caste enumeration for the first time. As many as 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and around 1.3 lakh census functionaries will conduct the operation with cutting-edge mobile digital gadgets,” Minister Shah said in an X post.

Just because the term “caste enumeration” is not mentioned in the gazette notification, it does not mean that caste survey will not be conducted. If Congress leaders carefully looked at the notification, it does not make any mention of the two phases under the census will be conducted. Does that mean the census will not be conducted in those two phases? No.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of the Registrar General, India) number S.O. 1455(E), dated the 26th March, 2019 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3, sub-section (ii), dated the 28th March, 2019, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby declares that a census of the population of India shall be taken during the year 2027,” the gazette notification issued by the Central government reads.

“The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of the 1st day of March, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In respect of the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of the 1st day of October, 2026,” the notification adds.

However, desperate after losing the only card that got the Congress party some traction, its leaders are trying hard to project the Central government, which in just one stroke snatched away Congress’s last hope of reviving caste-based politics, as anti-SC/ST/OBC.

It must be recalled how the Congress prince Rahul Gandhi, for months, had been harping about conducting caste census to incite SC, ST and OBC Hindus.

Besides promising a caste census, the party had also assured to lift the upper limit on reservation in its 2024 election manifesto. Rahul Gandhi himself was campaigning with the slogan ‘Jitni aabadi utna haq,‘ hinting at proportional representation in government jobs, admission to colleges and more. However, the world has seen how ‘jitni aabadi utna haq’ turned out to be disastrous for countries like Lebanon.

Congress’s frustration, however, is understandable as after continuous electoral failures, Rahul Gandhi found that one issue that could have propelled him at least closer to his ‘Prime Minister’ dream. But, as the BJP effectively co-opted the caste census issue, the party and its prince are making desperate attempts to retain whatever political leverage they can.

Calcutta HC stays West Bengal’s new OBC list notification: Read how Mamata’s move opens a backdoor for religion-based quotas

Amit Kelkar
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Calcutta HC stays West Bengal’s new OBC list notification: Read how Mamata’s move opens a backdoor for religion-based quotas

In a significant blow to the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, the Calcutta High Court has issued an interim stay on the preparation and publication of a revised list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state. The decision comes in the wake of allegations that the new inclusions are heavily skewed along religious lines, defying constitutional principles and prior judicial rulings.

A division bench of Justices Rajasekhar Mantha and Tapabrata Chakraborty passed the order on June 14, halting the process until July 31, 2025, the next date of hearing. The court has also stayed the launch of a portal by the state for submission of caste certificates intended to enable mass inclusion in the updated OBC list.

The legal challenge

The petitioners contested the Mamata Banerjee government’s attempt to reintroduce and expand the OBC list—particularly the inclusion of groups whose earlier OBC status had been struck down by the court in 2023. The Calcutta High Court had then cancelled all OBC certificates issued post-2010, citing arbitrary and religion-motivated classifications. The state’s appeal to the Supreme Court was met with a strong reminder: reservations cannot be granted on the basis of religion.

Despite this, the state moved to recompile its OBC list, asserting that it had constituted a fresh commission and followed “scientific” surveys and legal norms.

Mamata’s claim vs her government’s numbers

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a recent Assembly session, strongly denied accusations of religion-based reservation, declaring:

“A section is trying to campaign that our government is giving reservation based on religion. This is baseless… There is no question of making the OBC list on the basis of religion.”

But her own government’s data tells a different story.

  • Pre-2010 OBC List: 66 total classes
    • Muslim: 11
    • Non-Muslim: 55
      → Muslims comprised 20% of the OBC categories
  • 2025 Additions (Total: 76):
    • Part 1 (51 new classes): 46 Muslim (90%)
    • Part 2 (25 new classes): 21 Muslim (84%)
      → Overall Muslim share in new inclusions: 86%

These figures are wildly disproportionate in a state where Muslims form approximately 27% of the population. The distortion raises alarming questions about vote-bank politics masquerading as social justice.

A backdoor for religion-based quotas?

The controversy deepened after the government increased OBC reservations from 7% to 17% on June 3—just days before the High Court stay. Critics argue that this move was tailor-made to benefit the newly included Muslim groups, turning the OBC quota system into a covert vehicle for religious appeasement.

While the CM emphasized procedural compliance and “scientific” methodology, the repetition of groups struck down in earlier court rulings suggests a blatant attempt to bypass constitutional scrutiny under a new guise.

Constitutional and judicial violations

Both the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court have made it unequivocally clear that religion cannot be a basis for affirmative action. Yet, the West Bengal government appears to be testing the limits of judicial patience, reintroducing the same groups and processes that were earlier declared unconstitutional.

This isn’t just about poor governance — it’s about deliberate defiance. The move not only undermines court orders but also erodes the legitimacy of India’s caste-based reservation system, which was designed to uplift the socially and educationally backward, not religious communities for political mileage.

Vote bank appeasement disguised as social justice?

By disproportionately filling the OBC list with Muslim groups, Mamata Banerjee’s administration risks pushing genuinely backward Hindu, SC, and ST communities further to the margins. The principle of affirmative action is being diluted, not to help the underprivileged, but to cultivate electoral loyalty ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

If allowed to continue, this sets a dangerous precedent — where constitutional norms are ignored, and judicial verdicts are circumvented, all in the name of politically expedient “social justice.”

Mamata Banerjee’s repeated assurances that the OBC list is “not based on religion” now ring hollow in light of hard data and repeated court interventions. The Calcutta High Court’s stay is not just a legal pause — it’s a constitutional alarm bell.

This case isn’t merely about reservations; it’s about defending the integrity of India’s legal and democratic institutions. Unless reined in, this trend could fundamentally alter the nature of affirmative action, transforming it from a tool of empowerment to a weapon of vote-bank politics.

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