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JNU student accused of sexual assault on campus: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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JNU student accused of sexual assault on campus: Read details

A Jawaharlal Nehru University student has been accused of sexual assault on campus. On Saturday (May 28) night, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) accused an AISA (All India Students Association) member of sexually assaulting a female student within the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

The accused has been identified as Prasanna Raj, who is pursuing a Master’s degree from the Centre for Political Studies (CPS). The alleged incident took place on the rooftop of JNU’s Chandrabagha hotel.

“Not only did he attempt to forcefully sexually assault her, but also threatened her if she spoke out in public. The senior ‘comrades’ have been desperately trying to shield this atrocious act. Not one female activist of the organization has spoken up against this despicable, vile assault.,” ABVP said in a statement.

It added that the accused Prasanna Raj was seen roaming freely within the JNU campus, with no fear of law while other AISA members have been involved in victim blaming.

The student organisation lamented how Aishe Ghosh, the President of JNU’s Student Union, has maintained a stoic silence over the said incident. “Waving flags of feminism, they first lure students into their organizations under the garb of activism but when their very own activists perpetrate sexual crimes against women, they keep mum,” it added.

“It has come to our knowledge that Aishe Ghosh shamelessly misled the survivor by asking her to approach non-existing GSCASH and prohibited her from complaining to the ICC. This was a classic textbook case of shielding sexual harassers belonging to the Communist cabal,” it informed.

ABVP pointed out how several activists associated with the leftist outfit had been involved in sexual assault in the past. It alleged that one officer bearer of AISA named Anmol Ratan had raped a student for 2 days in his room.

“Akbar Chaudhary, Keshav Kumar is just a few assaulters whose names should not be lost in the sands of time. Well, it wouldn’t be in vain to change AISA’ s name to All India Sexual Assaulters. Due to such ideological and organizational flaws, around 11 activists resigned from AISA,” it added.

“The communists of the campus now want to push their agenda GSCASH because sexual assaulters from AISA and SFI got shielded by it. It is known to everyone how GSCASH saved Akbar Choudhaiy, Arshad Alam , Shakeel Anjum while finding them guilty. The GSCASH protected the culprits by stopping filing of F.I.R by Delhi Police,” ABVP concluded.

 JNU PhD student molested inside campus

In January this year, a youth tried to molest a girl inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus in Delhi. As per reports, the incident took place at around 11.45 pm on the night of January 17 night.

One individual came on a bike inside the campus from the Eastern gate and reportedly tried to molest a girl, who is a PhD student residing on the campus. The Delhi Police had registered a case against the unnamed accused for sexual assault.

In 2018, a JNU student had alleged that the ‘hero’ of Kathua protests had brutally raped her. Choosing to stay anonymous, she had said, she chose to remain anonymous and has stated that ‘the activist’ had not only caused her lasting bodily harm but also a great mental trauma. The victim had further written that she did not speak up earlier due to apprehensions that such shocking revelations about a ‘hero’ could jeopardise the Kathua child rape-and-murder case.

Kerala: Father of child who raised hateful slogans at PFI rally admits similar slogans were raised by the kid earlier too

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Father of child who raised hateful slogans at PFI rally admits similar slogans were raised by the kid earlier too

In connection to the hateful slogans raised by a kid at Popular Front of India’s “Save the Republic” rally in Kerala’s Alappuzha, the Police have arrested 20 people, including the child’s father. The father was arrested from his Palluruthy house on May 28. As per reports, after the video went viral, the family had fled home. The Police said they would take the father to Alappuzha for interrogation.

Father justified his son’s actions

While justifying the actions of his son, the father said no one raised any objections over similar videos on the part. Speaking to the media, the child said, “When I went for the NRC programme, I heard these slogans there and learnt it by heart.” As per Police officials, they would send the child for counselling at a government centre soon.

His father said, “This was a slogan he learnt at the NRC, CAA protest. He has raised the slogans at another place also. I do not know why now it has become a controversy and a big discussion. The video of him raising slogans in the past is available on YouTube. I do not know what mistake he has made that everybody is harassing a child.” The father, a PFI worker, failed to understand if the slogans were ‘hateful’.

PFI functionary targeted judges

As the Police got into action against PFI members on directions of the Kerala High Court, the PFI officials have started targeting the judges. While addressing to organization’s members, PFI leader Yahiya Thangal targeted the judges and said, “Courts are getting shocked easily now. High Court judges are getting shocked after hearing the slogans at our Alappuzha march. Do you know the reason? The reason is that their innerwear is saffron. Since it’s saffron, they will get the heat very fast. You will feel the burn, and it will disturb you.”

FIR against PFI

An FIR was filed based on the complaint by Vijayakumar PK under sections Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class), 505(1)(b) (act against the public tranquillity), 505(1)(c), 505(2) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and Section 120(o) of KP Act against PFI Alappuzha district secretary Mujeeb and Navas along with others.

Anti-Hindu slogans at PFI rally

A video from the May 21 rally of PFI had gone viral on social media in which a child was seen raising slogans. PFI members were echoing the slogans. He said, “Be ready for your death rituals if you won’t live in our land quietly. Be ready with rice flakes to fill your mouth if you won’t live quietly (For Hindus ). Be ready to burn amber in your home if you won’t live quietly ( For Christians). Because we are coming, we are your death. We won’t go to Pakistan or Bangladesh, you have to live here as we say, or else we know how to make you live quietly, we will kill you even if we are attacked. We take pride in being a martyr, we salute them. If you don’t live quietly, we know how to ask for ‘Azadi’. Be prepared for your death.”

The Kerala High Court had directed the Police to take strict action in the matter. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan said that if a member of the rally raised the provocative slogans, the organizers of the rally were also responsible. He said, “The police officers will do the needful by the law against all the persons who are responsible for this.” The petition in this regard was filed by R Ramaraja Varma, who is a former professor of the SD College of Alappuzha.

Union Minister accused Kerala Govt of supporting PFI

On May 28, Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan lashed out at the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala and alleged that it supported PFI. Speaking over the case in Alappuzha, he said, “It is much delayed. But I appreciate they were taken into custody. Such things happen in Kerala repeatedly because of the covert support of the government in power. The government has taken a lenient view against terrorist activities and groups.”

He further said the government should take strict action against hatemongers, and such activities should be stopped at the beginning. “But that has not happened. That too in the district of Alappuzha, which had recently seen such disturbances and attacks with the support of the terrorist groups. That shows that the state government is hand in gloves with the terrorist groups who are active in the state,” said Muraleedharan.

Maharashtra: Mumbai Police files case against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her remarks on Prophet Muhammad on behest of Islamist group Raza Academy

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Mumbai Police files case against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her remarks on Prophet Muhammad on behest of Islamist group Raza Academy

Mumbai Police has filed case u/s 295A, 153A and 505B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on behest of Raza Academy, an Islamist outfit with a history of violence. Raza Academy was responsible for the 2012 Azad Maidan riots. Founded in 1978, it has its office located on Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai. The Islamist outfit was established to publish and propagate the work of Sunni leader Ahmed Raza Khan, who lived in the 20th century.

In 2012, it came to light that the organisation did not have any registration. The most surprising aspect about Raza Academy is that its founder and President Saeed Noori did not even receive a formal Islamic education. He was into the sewing thread business when he decided to become a leader of Sunni Islam.

Raza Academy has led several protests, including the recent on in Nanded which often led to violence, injuries and deaths. Despite its activities, Raza Academy has not been banned or subjected to police scrutiny.

Vandalism of Amar Jawan Jyothi memorial at Azad Madian

On 11 August 2012, Raza academy had staged a morcha at Azad Maidan ground to protest against the alleged atrocities on Muslims in Assam and Myanmar. However, the protest turned violent after the notorious group attacked the policemen. This led to police firing, resulting in 2 deaths and 63 injuries. Raza Academy had earlier assured the Mumbai Police that only 1500 people would turn up for the protest. 

However, more than 15000 people assembled at the Azad Maidan, which later increased to 40000. The most shocking incident of the Azad Maidan Riots was the desecration of the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial by the Muslim mobs.

Later, it came to light that the police waited for one week until Eid to arrest the 35-40 Muslim youths, who were involved in rioting. The riots had caused approximately Rs 2.72 crores worth of damages to various public properties.

Raza Academy and its crusade against ‘blasphemy’

In July 2020, the Islamist outfit forced the Maha Vikas Aghadi government to write to the Centre, seeking a ban on the online streaming of the Iranian movie ‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God.‘ The film was originally released in Iran in 2015 and was selected as the Iranian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 88th Academy Awards. Raza Academy had claimed that Prophet Muhammad could not be picturised and that the makers of the film had committed blasphemy. “A Muslim will die in honour than to see or hear even the slightest insult on his Holy Prophet,” it had threatened.

In October 2020, the Islamist outfit had demanded that Muslim countries issue a fatwa against French President Emmanuel Macron after cartoons on Prophet Mohammed by Charlie Hebdo were projected onto government buildings. It demanded that all French embassies and consulates in Muslim countries be shut down and all ambassadors to France be recalled. It also urged people on social media to exercise their freedom of expression against the ‘Satanic minded president’ using the hashtag ‘Macron the Devil’.

Raza Academy had hailed the actions of Muslim protestors in Mumbai, who had put up images of the French President on the streets of the city, walked and drove on those posters as a mark of protest against Macron. The protests had come after Macron had condemned the Islamic terror attack on a French teacher who was beheaded by his student for showing Charlie Hebdo caricatures.

In February 2021, an organisation named Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat Board (Protection of the Honour of Prophet), backed by Raza Academy had filed a complaint against BBC Hindi for displaying a portrait of Prophet Mohammed in one of their shows. BBC, which champions the cause of free speech, gave in to the threats and issued an apology immediately.

Later in September, Raza Academy ran a campaign on social media platforms, urging King Salman of Saudi Arabia to impose a ban on cinema halls in Madina Shareef. The Islamist outfit also held a protest march outside Minara Masjid in Mumbai. The protestors were heard raising slogans of “Saudi Hukumat Murdabad” and holding placards that read, “Saudi Government Must Stop Desecration of The Holy City of Madina Munawwarah.” The development came at the backdrop of the Kingdom’s decision to open 10 cinema halls in the country.

Islamists lead attack on Nupur Sharma, BJP spokesperson

Following a debate on Times Now on Thursday evening, AltNews cofounder Mohammed Zubair dog-whistled an online mob against Sharma accusing her of insulting Prophet Muhammad. He was supported by other Islamists, many of who issued death and rape threats to her and her family.

During a debate on Times Now on the disputed Gyanvapi structure, Nupur Sharma argued that since people are mocking the Hindu faith repeatedly, then they can also mock other religions referring to Islamic beliefs. Taking that video out of context, Zubair shared it with his 464,000 Twitter followers declaring Nupur a rabid communal hatemonger and someone who can incite riots.

The dog-whistling obviously worked perfectly as troll accounts descended upon Nupur Sharma’s timeline giving her all kinds of threats including threats to behead her. With several similar incidents like Kamlesh Tiwari and Kishan Bharwad abound, the police should look at these threats seriously.

Twitter Spaces were organised where Islamists could be heard making open calls to murder her over the alleged ‘blasphemy’.

No action has been taken against Mohammed Zubair yet.

Karnataka Hijab row resurfaces: Mangalore University students arrive in hijabs a day after the university bans religious attire, sent back

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka Hijab row resurfaces: Mangalore University students arrive in hijabs a day after the university bans religious attire, sent back

After calm of weeks, the Hijab row in Karnataka has resurfaced again, this time in Mangalore University. A group of female students wearing hijabs was denied entry to the classrooms in the Mangalore University College campus in Karnataka on Saturday 28th May 2022. The university administration had decided in a meeting on Friday that the Karnataka High Court order dated March 15 will be enforced in the university.

A group of twelve students came to Mangalore university wearing hijabs on Saturday. Anusuya Rai, the principal of the college, explained them as to why they cannot wear hijab inside the campus and asked them to remove the hijabs inside the ladies’ room and then enter the classrooms, but the students insisted on keeping the hijabs on. The students then went to library. However, the students were not allowed to enter inside the library as well. After that they were sent back from the campus.

Vice-Chancellor Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said that as the university has decided to ban hijab in the campus, arrangements will be made to transfer these students to some other institution where there is no compulsory uniform and hijab is allowed. The VC added that students can wear the hijab and come on the campus but they will have to remove the Islamic veil before entering classrooms or the library.

A meeting was held on Friday in which the College Development Council (CDC) with the Vice-Chancellor, principal and members of the syndicate of Mangalore University decided that the Karnataka High Court order dated March 15 will be enforced and no hijabs will be allowed inside classrooms. Students had protested against it. The vice-chancellor of the university Subramanya Yadapadithaya said, “Students can wear the hijab and come on the campus but they will have to remove the headscarf before entering classrooms or the library. There will be suitable arrangements made for their transfer to other colleges where uniforms are not compulsory and hijabs are allowed.”

Yadapadithaya had said that the college would provide counselling to the Muslim students in the hopes that they change the decision. However, if they insist on wearing a hijab, then, the college administration will help them get admission elsewhere.

“We have learned that about 15 girls are firm about wearing the hijab to class. We are ready to counsel these girls and make them understand the Karnataka high court order. If counselling does not work, we will help them get admission in educational institutions where the hijab is allowed or where there are no uniforms,” he had added.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has also given his reaction on this issue. He said, “The issue has been resolved at the syndicate meeting through deliberations. The court has delivered its orders on the hijab issue and everyone should obey the court orders. The students should follow the orders of the College Development Committee (CDC) in PU colleges and the College Administrative Board or the principal in colleges which do not have the CDC. In Universities, the decision of the syndicate should be adhered to. It is better for students to focus on their studies than on these controversies.”

It must be mentioned that the college had earlier allowed headscarves, which matched the colour of their uniform. The Vice-Chancellor of Mangaluru University College informed that there was confusion about whether the Karnataka High Court order on hijab was applicable to degree colleges. An emergency meeting, which was attended by Mangalore South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, was called to resolve the issue. During the meeting, it was decided that wearing the hijab and other religious attire will be prohibited in classrooms in degree colleges too. “According to the advisory of the state government, the higher education council, and the court order, all colleges will have to comply with the uniform,” he had informed.

The Muslim students can, however, wear hijab within the campus but must remove their religious attire while attending classes or entering the canteen and the library. The Vice-Chancellor of Mangaluru University College has also vowed to take action against college professors, who were encouraging Muslim students to wear hijab in class.

Threats to Nupur Sharma once again show how ‘Indian Muslim genocide alert’ is a smokescreen created to hide the ugly truth

Guest Author
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Threats to Nupur Sharma once again show how ‘Indian Muslim genocide alert’ is a smokescreen created to hide the ugly truth

Nupur Sharma, the national spokeswoman for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a leader of the party’s Delhi unit, has received several death threats, including the threat to behead her and her family. This is just one of the hundreds of threats that several people receive in India even on the pretext of a rumour that someone has said something against Islam that has been perceived as an offence by Muslims.

These threats expose a narrative that is being peddled to portray that Muslims in India are under threat and are subjected to differential treatment by society. Nupur Sharma simply asserted in the video that if people are insulting the Hindu faith on a regular basis, they can equally criticise other religions, referring to Islamic beliefs. She was only responding to the mocking she was receiving throughout the program, but Islamists took advantage of the opportunity to harass her and threaten her with execution.

It is normal for Islamists to perpetuate the myth that Muslims face a threat in India. Actually, the truth is that this particular section is the safest among all the communities existing in India because they have an armour called “minority” and they employ bunkers called “persecution,” “intolerance,” and “genocide” to defend themselves from all the actions brought by their transgressions.

The mockery of the Shivling discovered in the Gyanvapi complex is the latest indication that Hindus have always been at a disadvantage. Islamists and liberals posted several abusive and derogatory caricatures and posts against Hindu deities, yet not a single protest was logged across the country. This is the kind of free speech that Islamists and leftists have been pushing for. This is the reality in which anybody can make insulting statements against Hindus, their festivals, and culture without fear of repercussions since the offender can simply claim freedom of expression, but when it comes to Islam, ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ is the final call.

Not to forget, in 2019, Kamlesh Tiwari, a former Hindu Mahasabha leader, was murdered for reportedly making derogatory statements about Prophet Mohammad back in 2015. Following his remarks,  Muslims around the country held ‘protests’ with placards demanding Tiwari’s head. “Gustakhe Nabi Ko Ek Hi Saza, Sar Tan Se Juda,” the banners stated. He was even arrested for his remarks by the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh.

The Allahabad High Court eventually invalidated the NSA accusations against him in September 2016, and he was later freed. Tiwari, however, was murdered in October 2019 owing to the same remarks for which he was jailed, for which he was under trial. This is the Islamist, presuming the role of being guardians of Indian Muslims, fanning fear psychosis among them and demanding beheading of people for making remarks that they regard as offensive. And the irony is that Kamlesh Tiwari did not ask for anyone to be killed, but the people who demanded were never jailed.

There were scores of people yelling for blood on the streets, demanding that a man be decapitated for something he said, but no action was taken against them, and eventually, what they desired occurred. A similar thing happened in Gujarat with Kishan Bharwad, a 27-year-old man who was murdered for posting a video containing a picture of Prophet Muhammad. Kishan was arrested after the incident and even repented, but the ‘peaceful’ community only wanted one thing, which they also ended up getting; his death.

In recent days, they have been multiple attacks against Hindus while they were celebrating their festivals. Several Hindus were injured in these incidents. Whether it be the attack by Islamist in Karauli, Khargone, or Jahangirpuri, the fault lies with the Hindus, because they cannot even celebrate their religion let alone make remarks about others’.

Only Hindus should limit their conduct in so-called secular, democratic India, whereas Islamists have the freedom to stir crowds and kill anyone without fear of legal repercussions. It is the apologists and sympathisers of Islamist goons who have so much freedom that even if they urge a mob to kill someone because of a rumour, no action is taken against them. Instead, it is being disseminated through loudspeakers installed on vehicles of freedom of speech and expression that India is a terrible place to live because Muslims are persecuted there!

The sequence of threats received by BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma, as well as the ambience formed under that pretext, uncovers the veil of ‘Muslim Genocide’ intended to conceal the awful truth of Islamists deemed authorised to take lives in the name of religious objection. It is the lives of Hindus at risk because no one listens to their explanations when it comes to any offence against Islam. And strangely, it is the Islamists and their allies in the liberal firmament who define the offence, try the accused, and adjudicate the matter in whichever way they deem suitable, even considering beheading a reasonable punishment based on the ’offence’ committed.

Hindus are supposed to keep mum. Hindus are expected to remain silent on all issues, including personal concerns, in a country where they are the majority. By contrast, any honest attempt at discussing the critical aspects of Islam and Prophet Muhammad invariably invites unabashed death threats, with Islamists baying for blood of people who refuse to take their impertinence lying down and respond in a language they understand better.

Times Group’s duplicity: Economic Times publishes memes mocking Shivling, Times Now deletes video that ‘hurt Muslim sentiments’

OpIndia Staff
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Times Group’s duplicity: Economic Times publishes memes mocking Shivling, Times Now deletes video that ‘hurt Muslim sentiments’

Since Friday, 27th of May, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Nupur Sharma has been facing rape and death threats after her appearance on Times Now, the flagship television channel of the Times group. Egged on by Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair and alleged journalist Rana Ayyub, Islamists have been threatening to behead her at the first available opportunity for ‘hurting Muslim sentiments’.

Reacting to the controversy over an appearance by Nupur Sharma on a ‘news debate’ on Times Now, the Times group decided to delete the ‘offending video’ and tried to distance themselves from the controversy instead of standing by the freedom of expression of their guest.

Taking to Twitter, Times Now tweeted that they don’t endorse the views of their guests. They also asked the participants in their debates to maintain restraint and avoid unparliamentary language.

From their reaction, it is very obvious that Times Now is worried about the backlash from Islamists over their ‘hurt religious sentiments’, and they don’t want any of their employees to face the same threats of beheading that their guest, Nupur Sharma, is facing right now.

However, the Times group hasn’t always worried about hurting religious sentiments and the backlash resulting from such acts. In fact, as recently as last week, the Times group was proudly mocking Hindus by posting offensive memes on Shivling in the print edition of Economic Times.

Even though multiple FIRs were filed by Hindus over the offensive memes about Shivling at the disputed Gyanvapi structure, Economic Times thought it is wise to reproduce those offensive memes in their print edition, a place where they will stay forever. Something that can’t be deleted like they deleted the video ‘offending’ Muslims.

Even after the outrage over the publishing of offensive memes, the Times group never thought it is worth their time to distance themselves from the memes, or even issue a token apology. They just ignored all the outrage and carried on. However, when it came to the hurt Muslim sentiments, they were very prompt in issuing a statement, deleting the offensive video, and by distancing themselves from their guest’s statement, threw her to the wolves.

This raises the question that why does the Times group think it is fine to abuse and insult Hindu sentiments, but when it comes to any other religion, they think they have to delete immediately and distance themselves from the ‘offensive content’.

Islamists issue death threats to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma: What she said and what the Islamic scriptures say

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists issue death threats to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma: What she said and what the Islamic scriptures say

Earlier yesterday, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma found herself at the centre of a raging storm after Islamists, egged on by the likes of AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair, issued multiple threats against her and her family for expressing her views on Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

Sharma was a part of a debate panel on Times Now, discussing the finding of Shivling in the Gyanvapi complex and the subsequent mockery of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses that followed in the wake of the discovery. Islamists have claimed that the Shivling discovered inside the wuzukhana of the Gyanvapi disputed structure was not a Shivling but a fountain. Across social media platforms, detractors have been repeating ad nauseam that the Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi premises is a fountain and not an idol of a Hindu God.

In response to the contempt and scorn poured over Hindu Gods and Goddesses, which was evident even during the Times Now debate where some of the fellow panellists referred to the Shivling as a fountain, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma asked them to refrain from insulting Hindu Gods and cited Islamic scriptures and Holy Quran for substantiating her remarks on Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

“Should I start mocking claims of flying horses or the flat-earth theory as mentioned in your Quran? You are marrying a 6-year-old girl and having sex with her when she turned 9. Who did it? Prophet Muhammad. Should I start saying all these things that are mentioned in your scriptures?” said Sharma, after being heckled by Taslim Ahmed Rehmani while talking about the longstanding practice of mocking Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

However, this did sit well with the AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair and others, who shared the video of the debate on social media, attracting an Islamist attack against the BJP spokesperson. Right after Zubair posted the tweet, Islamists descended on her Twitter page, dishing out vile expletives and issuing dangerous death threats against her and her family. A Twitter Spaces session conducted by Islamists made unapologetic and open calls for the murder of the BJP spokesperson.

As the controversy continues to rage on, it is difficult to determine whether the Islamists are offended by Nupur Sharma’s impertinence to cite Islamic scriptures and Holy Quran to put across her argument or do they dispute the authenticity of the assertions made by her during the debate.

In her response, Sharma said Islamic scriptures talk about a celestial creature in the form of a flying horse. As it turns out, the Muslim texts do talk about something called ‘Buraq’, a heavenly equine or chimeral beast, which according to Islamic traditions, served as the mount of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad during his Isra and Mi’raj journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and up through the heavens and back by night.

According to an article published in leftist rag Scroll, Islam’s winged horse bears a mention in various Islamic records from medieval times, with most of them linking it to the enigmatic steed that carried Prophet Muhammad on his night journey to heaven.

What do Hadiths, and Islamic scriptures say about the existence of winged horses?

Hadith 22 of Book 38 talks about the existence of winged horses in paradise. Abu Ayyub, an Ansar who supported Muhammad after the hijra (migration) to Medina in 622, recounts an incident about a Bedouin asking the Islamic prophet if there indeed are winged horses in paradise.

“O Messenger of Allah, indeed, I love horses. Are there horses in Paradise?” The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “If you are admitted into Paradise, you shall be brought a horse of rubies with two wings, then you shall be carried on it, then it will fly with you wherever you want,” the Hadith says.

Islamic hadiths on the marriage between Prophet Muhammad and Aisha and the latter’s age when the marriage consummated

However, Islamists appeared most offended by Sharma’s comment regarding Prophet Muhammad and Aisha. Sharma had said that Prophet married Aisha at the age of 6, and the marriage was consummated when Aisha was 9.

There are reliable Islamic hadiths that support this assertion. According to the revered Sahih al-Bukhari, 5134; Book 67, Hadith 70, ‎”The Prophet [ﷺ] married Aisha when she was six years old, and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old.” Bukhari mentions that Prophet Muhammad was 53 years old when he married Aisha.

Likewise, Hadith 3380 of Book 26, Vol 4, of Sunan an-Nasa’i 3378, quotes Aisha as saying: “The Messenger of Allah [ﷺ] married me when I was six years old and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine, and I used to play with dolls.”

Most Sunni clerics and scholars consider the aforementioned-hadiths reliable. According to them, Prophet Muhammad had indeed married Aisha when she was six and consummated the marriage after she turned nine. In addition, numerous other authentic Hadiths outside support these two ages. Thus, it would be fair even for one with limited knowledge of Islam and Hadiths to accept these accounts as authentic and as a part of Islamic history.

However, some contemporary Maulanas try to rationalise marriage and the sexual union by leaning on science, claiming that in those times, females could reach puberty at the age of 9, and thus consummation of marriage at nine should be viewed with this ‘context’. For instance, in the video shared below, a Muslim preacher justifies how Aisha had attained puberty at the age of nine and, therefore, there were no problems with her marriage to Prophet Muhammad.

“A lady came to me and told me about her doubts about Prophet’s marriage with a six-year-old girl. I told her Aisha attained puberty at the age of nine, by which she was ready to conceive. Medical science also proves that girls aged between 12-13 are sexually mature and capable of bearing children, then why is there a problem with the consummation of Aisha’s marriage with Prophet Muhammad,” the Islamic scholar said.

Some Sunni sects and Shia claim Aisha was well into her adulthood when she married Prophet Muhammad

However, there is a contrarian viewpoint among Muslims who peg Aisha’s age to be between 17-19 when she married Prophet Muhammad. Some Sunni sects and overwhelming sections of Shia claim Aisha was a teenager when she tied the knot with the Islamic prophet. They premise their argument on the age difference between Aisha and her elder sister to conclude that Aisha had married Prophet Muhammad in her adulthood.

According to them, Asma, the elder sister of Aisha, was ten years older than Aisha. In Taqreeb al-Tehzeeb, as well as in Ibn Kathir’s Al-Bidayan Wan al-Nihayah, Asma died at the age of 100 and in the 73rd year after the migration of Muhammad. The proponents of this theory claim as Asma died at the age of 100 and during the 73rd year of Muhammad’s migration, she would be 27 or 28 years old at the time of migration. Citing that Aisha was 10 years younger than Asma, they claim that Aisha would have been 17-18 years old at the time of migration and she must be 19-20 years old at the time of her marriage.

Several Shia accounts believe Aisha, along with Hafsa, poisoned Muhammad to death

However, Shias generally harbour an unfavourable view of Aisha. They believe she was contemptuous toward Ahl al-Bayt (Prophet Muhammad’s family) and her actions during the first civil war. Her participation in the Battle of Camel is widely regarded as her most significant sign of such contempt. Moreover, Shias also believe that she did not conduct herself in an appropriate manner in her role as Muhammad’s wife.

It is also worth noting that several prominent Shia accounts hold Aisha, along with Hafsa, responsible for Prophet Muhammad’s death. They believe Aisha and Hafsa poisoned Muhammad to death.

‘Shivling at Gyanvapi damaged with a saw, accused caught by police’: says BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, demands ban on entry of Muslims

OpIndia Staff
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‘Shivling at Gyanvapi damaged with a saw, accused caught by police’: says BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, demands ban on entry of Muslims

Amidst the ongoing controversy over the disputed structure at Gyanvapi, BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Katiyar has made a big statement. He claims that the Shivling located inside Gyanvapi was damaged with a saw, after which the police have arrested the accused. He said that to check whether it is ‘Shivling’ or ‘fountain’, a man from Muslim community ran a saw over it, and damaging it in the process. The BJP leader also said that instead of arresting such people, both their hands should be cut off.

Katiyar has said that the hearings in the Gyanvapi case, which has reached the threshold of the Supreme Court of the country starting from the district court of Varanasi, will continue to take place. But before that, in view of the security of the Shivling, the entry of Muslims into the disputed structure should be banned. Vinay Katiyar, who was involved in the Ram Mandir movement, alleged that symbols of Hindus have been tampered with in Gyanvapi. He announced that he will continue to support those who are demanding the protection of the Shivling and the expulsion of Muslims from there.

According to the BJP leader, Mughal invader Aurangzeb forcefully captured Gyanvapi, so Muslims should not be allowed to enter it. He said that Asaduddin Owaisi’s mental balance has been shaken and now he should be thrown out of the country.

There was also a case of holes being drilled in the Shivling.

It is worth mentioning that the Muslim side is referring to the Shivling found in the wuzukhana inside the Gyanvapi complex as a fountain. However, these claims seem to be hollow. Meanwhile, on May 25, Vishnu Shankar Jain, counsel for the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, had alleged that Muslims had tried to break the Shivling in the wuzukhana and tried make it a fountain. Vishnu Jain had claimed that if the video and photography of the storeroom are done, then it will be proved how the Shivling was drilled and how Muslims tried to make it a fountain. This will also prove how the 63 cm hole was made in the Shivling.

It is worth mentioning that recently a picture had also surfaced, from which it was revealed that there was also an idol of Lord Hanuman inside Gyanvapi.

Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind raises Gyanvapi issue at Deoband event, to pass resolution

OpIndia Staff
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Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind raises Gyanvapi issue at Deoband event, to pass resolution

On Saturday (May 28), the Islamic outfit Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind organised a mega gathering of 5000 Muslim organisations to discuss the raging issues of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), disputes surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque and Qutub Minar.

The event, which will continue till Sunday (May 29), is being held in the Deoband district of Uttar Pradesh. During the 2-day programme, various issues related to the Muslim community will be discussed by the Ulemas.

The district administration oversaw security arrangements for the event and deployed a large contingent of police forces. The programme was initiated by the unfurling of the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind’s flag, followed by the presentation of Naat Pak and Tilawat-e-Quran Pak.

While speaking about the development, President Maulana Mahmood Madani had alleged Islamophobia over the ongoing debate on the Gyanvapi mosque.

He claimed, “The condition of the country and the government’s silence on it is concerning…This needs to change, and therefore, the people who wish well for the country, will have to manage it, and end the prevailing environment of division.”

Madani stated, “For now, debates on the Gyanvapi mosque, the Shahi Idgah mosques are going on…A resolution with respect to them will come either by today evening or tomorrow morning.”

He informed that the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind will fight for the Gyanvapi mosque and that he would go to jail if necessary. One Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui threatened that the claim over the Gyanvapi mosque could lead to the creation of another Pakistan.

Farooqui, who serves as the media-in-charge of Jamiat- Ulama-I-Hind, warned, “Hatred is being propelled against Muslims in the country. Pakistan was created the last time there was a tirade of this sort against the Muslims. I don’t understand what exactly these people want.”

War of words between Congress, BJP over Deoband event

The 2-day programme by Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind has been endorsed by senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi. He claimed, “Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind is a secular and non-political organisation. Its leaders have contributed a great deal, and even made a lot of sacrifices during the freedom movement…They have spent their nights in jail.”

“All these issues, be it Gyanvapi mosque or Shahi Idgah, instead of blaming the Muslims, we should blame the parties that call themselves secular…For they have kept silent, thinking that they do not lose one side,” he added.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has expressed concern about the Deoband event, organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. He stated, “In the name of the procession (jalsa), a few parties are working to provoke the sentiments of people. It is being said that the patience of Muslims is being tested. This is a clear attempt at provocation.”

He had lambasted Owaisi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tauqeer Raza for inciting the religious feelings.

Gyanvapi mosque controversy

The Gyanvapi Mosque is a disputed structure built over the ruins of the desecrated old Kashi Vishwanath Temple by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex, which is adjacent to the disputed mosque complex, was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. A Varanasi court on May 12 allowed a videographic survey of the disputed structure.

Varanasi’s Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar issued guidelines for the same and added that a report of the survey must be submitted by May 17. A 54-member team, led by advocate commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra, surveyed the Gyanvapi complex basement and the western wall on May 14.

According to the reports, the survey team opened eight vaults of the disputed structure of the Gyanvapi mosque. On May 16,  counsel Hari Shankar Jain representing the Hindu side informed the court that a Shivling was discovered inside the premises during the survey.

While speaking to Aaj Tak, he claimed that the Shivling was originally studded with a diamond and was removed after occupation. He explained the missing diamond as the cause behind the crack on the upper part of the Shivling.

Madan Mohan Yadav, another lawyer representing the Hindu side, said the Shivling is 12 feet by 8 inches in diameter and is in the direction where Nandi is facing, as is customary.

‘Can’t do anything, monkeys are Hanuman incarnation and now all chant Hanuman Chalisa’: Maharashtra minister when farmer complained about monkey menace

OpIndia Staff
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‘Can’t do anything, monkeys are Hanuman incarnation and now all chant Hanuman Chalisa’: Maharashtra minister when farmer complained about monkey menace

Maharashtra has been seeing heated politics around Hanuman Chalisa and Azaan for the past few months. Now, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Minister of Water Resources Jayant Patil has used the Hanuman Chalisa issue to run away from his responsibility to serve the people of the state. He dodged a poor farmer’s complaint about monkey menace and used the reference to the recent controversy to avoid his responsibility.

Jayant Patil was interacting with the farmers residing in the areas under Gosikhurd National Irrigation Project in the Bhandara district of the state. While he was listening to various complaints, a villager told him about the problem of monkeys in his village and how they trouble the farmers. However, rather than assuring him some way out or some help through the local administration, minister Jayant Patil, in return, told the audience about his childhood memories of monkeys. Moreover, he went on to dodge the complaint and used the Hanuman Chalisa issue for the same.

The poor villager asked Jayant Patil, “There are very big trees here in this area. But we don’t see any monkeys here. In our village, there are fewer trees but the monkeys come and sit on the roofs of our houses. They not only damage our roofs but also cause a great loss to the crops.”

In response to this, Jayant Patil laughed and said, “I had been to a temple in Ramtek when I was a kid. A monkey had snatched away a banana from my hands. What you are saying is correct, and in the last 40-50 years, the number of monkeys must have increased a lot.”

Everyone accompanying the minister on the stage laughed at this. The farmer again urged what will he do if the house does not remain intact. Listening to this, Jayant Patil suggested to him something very unexpected. He said, “How much land do you have? Ok, five acres. So now, you leave that old earthen house and build a new cement-concrete house. So that the problem of monkeys damaging the roof will be arrested.” Jayant Patil did not say what the local administration or the forest department may jointly do on this issue. He did not say anything about what kind of instructions he may give to concerned officials.

Taking this opportunity to make a politically motivated remark, he further said, “The problem of monkeys damaging the roof will be arrested, but monkeys will be there for sure. We can’t do anything about it. Look, the monkey is an incarnation of Hanuman. And now we all chant Hanuman Chalisa. And now you are saying that the monkeys are troubling you.”

It is notable that Jayant Patil was present on the dais when NCP leader Amol Mitkari made fun of Hindu rituals while addressing a public meeting on 19th April 2022. Jayant Patil was seen laughing aloud on the stage as Mitkari ridiculed Hindu rituals of marriage. Now Jayant Patil himself has used the Hanuman Chalisa issue to dodge the complaint of a common citizen of the state and ran away from his responsibility to serve the people.

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