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Siddaramaiah forced out as CM to make way for DK Shivakumar: Inside Congress’s bitter Karnataka power tussle

Rukma Rathore
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Siddaramaiah forced out as CM to make way for DK Shivakumar: Inside Congress’s bitter Karnataka power tussle

A new chapter unfolded in the ongoing “Game of Thrones” in Karnataka, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to R Prabhushankar, special secretary of Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, on 28th May (Thursday). The move aimed to allow his deputy, DK Shivakumar, to take over following intense pressure from the Indian National Congress high command. Rahul Gandhi is reported to be the catalyst for the decision, which took place after significant reluctance and resistance from Siddaramaiah.

The unresolved dispute was once again put in the spotlight after both Kannadiga leaders landed in Delhi for separate meetings with senior Congress leaders, including All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi. The political buzz escalated as rumours about a possible change in leadership flew, and it now seems to be taking shape.

However, the party has consistently denied any such conflict, claiming, “There is only speculation, no reality at all,” despite repeated reports of the power tussle that erupted as soon as it returned to power in the state in May 2023.

Speaking to the media after resigning, Siddaramaiah said, “I have submitted my resignation today after the high command told me earlier to resign. I am fully confident that the Governor will accept it when he comes because it has to be done according to the Constitution…We are in the absolute majority. Therefore, it is constitutional that the Chief Minister should be allowed (to form govt)…I would like to express my immense gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who have provided this opportunity.”

The battle for the top role commenced between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar after the assembly election results were announced. Siddaramaiah was considered a mass leader and administrative symbol, while the latter was credited for reviving the party’s organisation in the state and a major force behind its victory.

The newly elected lawmakers were consulted. However, the top brass of Congress had to intervene to overcome the impasse. Several days of negotiations happened in the national capital. An agreement was eventually reached after which Siddaramaiah was appointed as the chief minister, and Shivakumar was declared as the deputy chief minister. A power-sharing formula was also introduced to placate both leaders.

It was reported that Siddaramaiah would serve as the chief minister for first 2.5 years and the position will be held by Shivakumar for the remaining equal period. This arrangement was never formally recognised by Congress. The peace which resulted from this compromise was both fragile and temporary.

Instability rears its head as peace shatters within a few months

The government was beset by the problem since its first year in office. The hostilities surfaced for the first time in November when some MLAs indicated that Shivakumar would be the chief minister after a period of 2.5 years. Over the following two years, Congress leaders picked sides as two camps rose within the party and the internal split deepened.

Shivakumar’s supporters openly voiced their desire to see him as the chief minister, displeasing the senior leaders. Vokkaliga seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swami also requested Siddaramaiah to relinquish his seat for Shivakumar in June 2024.

According to reports, the two sides, which included ministers and MLAs, were asked to refrain from discussing the leadership issue in public by July 2025. Shivakumar also communicated his dissatisfaction and responded, “What alternatives do I possess? I have to stand by him and provide my support.”

Nevertheless, these statements continued to transpire and show cause notices were also issued for the same, but Congress remained firm in its rejection of any rebellion and contended that no leadership modification was in the works as the issue deteriorated.

Furthermore, Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLC Yathindra exacerbated the matter by remarking that the post could be awarded to Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is a member of the scheduled caste community in October.

In November, Siddaramaiah’s followers had a breakfast event while Shivakumar loyalists congregated at a different location to show their political might within the legislature party, aggravating the situation. Shivakumar’s faction even rushed to Delhi at the conclusion of the first half of the government’s five-year term in that month to exert pressure on the central leadership to honour their part of the commitment and designate him as the chief minister for the remainder of the duration.

“Siddaramaiah has made a promise. He will keep his word,” emphasised former Lok Sabha MP DK Suresh, brother of Shivakumar. The latter also uploaded a cryptic message, “Word power is world power,” on social media in an indirect attack on Siddaramaiah. “Keeping one’s word is the greatest power in the world,” he wrote.

Will complete the term: Siddaramaiah asserts to be in charge

On the other hand, Siddaramaiah’s supporters convened meetings and demanded that he carry out his entire five-year tenure. He also met with Kharge over the issue and stressed, “There is no kranti (revolution) or bhranti (confusion). People have given us five years. We will sincerely work to fulfill the five guarantees,” he insisted at the time. He alleged that there was no need for any conversations about modification in leadership.

Siddaramaiah argued that the discussion on power-sharing could have started when he had previously informed the senior leaders that a cabinet reorganisation might be taken into consideration upon the government’s end of the first half of its five-year mandate. Interestingly, he even dismissed the “superstition” that visitors to Chamarajanagar lose their power mid-way, reacting, “I will continue to remain strong.”

Breakfast meetings were scheduled between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to present a united front in the next month. DK Suresh also returned from Delhi after meeting Congress leaders and mentioned, “It was a personal visit. I cannot reveal everything. Things are moving smoothly. Breakfast meetings are taking place. There is another breakfast meeting tomorrow. Everything will reach its conclusion in due course.”

Siddaramaiah maintained that he is both the present and future chief minister, pledging to fulfill the five-year term in the Legislative Assembly. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara’s name was also floated in February but purportedly refused to lobby for the chair whereas 30 MLAs backing Shivakumar attended a dinner party at a private hotel to advocate for his candidacy. He also travelled to Delhi in April to address the concern with Kharge and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal.

“Is there any vacancy for chief ministership? I am very much here before you. I am the chief minister of Karnataka. There is no 50-50 formula,” Siddaramaiah continually countered earlier, rebuffing any such discussions. Shivakumar asserted to have made the sacrifice for the part and stated, “Whatever decision is taken by the high command, both of us will follow. We will obey it.”

Notably, the high-profile power struggle has often encountered violence from the supporters of these leaders at different instances including the confrontations at Delhi’s Karnataka Bhavan involving a shoe-attack on an official of Shivakumar’s camp by Siddaramaiah’s aides, altercations at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office and recent try to breach the convoy of Shivakumar.

However, the face-off seemingly came to a standstill as Siddaramaiah was compelled to vacate his seat in a likely exchange for a Rajya Sabha position. He disclosed the decision to his cabinet colleagues and now Shivakumar will be sworn in as the state’s chief minister, providing a brief respite for the people from the political drama. Congress also wants to avoid a factional crisis similar to the trouble that occurred in Rajasthan, contributing to Bharatiya Janata Party’s triumph in 2023 assembly election.

However, protests have already been launched by Siddaramaiah’s sympathisers while Shivakumar’s supporters are bursting crackers and distributing sweets, highlighting the uncertainty in both life and politics. A Congress Rajya Sabha MP already hit out at the Gandhi scion and raised objections in relation to the ouster of the sole Other Backward Class (OBC) chief minister of the party. It now remains to be seen how long this tenuous truce can be sustained before the cracks begin to reappear.

“If my son had been shot, I would have felt less pain”: Why Gopal Sharma’s father said this and what happened to the 15-year-old in Greater Noida?

शिव
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“If my son had been shot, I would have felt less pain”: Why Gopal Sharma’s father said this and what happened to the 15-year-old in Greater Noida?

In Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida, people are protesting after the murder of a 15-year-old boy, Gopal Sharma. The deceased victim’s family has alleged that the ninth-grade student was brutally murdered, and the police have yet to arrest the killers. The police, however, offer a completely different account. Several Brahmin organisations have taken to the streets, demanding the immediate arrest of those behind Gopal’s killing.

Gopal Sharma had been missing since May 21. Know the details of the first FIR

Gopal, son of Ravi Bhushan alias Bunty, a resident of Banwari Bans village in the Jewar Kotwali area, had been missing since 21st May 2026. The family searched for him but found no clues and filed a missing person’s FIR at the Jewar Kotwali on 22nd May.

According to the FIR copy accessed by OpIndia, Gopal’s father wrote in the complaint, “My son, Gopal Sharma, left his home between 3:30 and 4:00 pm on May 21, 2026, and has not returned yet. We have called all our relatives to find out. We request you to take this matter seriously and initiate a search for him as soon as possible.”

Upon receiving the complaint, the police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. On Saturday, 23rd May, Gopal Sharma’s body was recovered from a room in an abandoned house in Rohi village, four kilometres from his village. A Dainik Bhaskar report says that the teenager had severe head injuries and a large amount of blood was spilt in the room. Following this, the family suspected murder. Following this, the police detained several people and began questioning them.

Eyes gouged out, burnt with acid: Claims of brutality against the minor

In this case, claims of brutality have been made against Gopal Sharma. Gopal’s father, Bunty, told Zee News that the girl’s body was in such a horrible condition that it was unbearable to even look at it. The deceased child’s eyes were bulging, acid had been hurled over his body, and his tongue was cut. Gopal’s mother, Saroj Sharma, said that the condition of Gopal’s corpse was so bad that she couldn’t even look at it. Gopal’s grandmother said that something had been stuffed into Gopal’s mouth, and his eyes were bulging out.

Speaking to another news channel, complainant Bunty claimed that he had found the body himself. He added that the police have said they have arrested six people, but no one is telling him what happened to his son. He said, “I want an encounter [of the accused], I want a bulldozer.”

He said, “My son’s private parts were cut off, and he was subjected to such cruelty. If my son had been shot, I wouldn’t have felt as much pain as I do after hearing these things. Nails were driven into his hands, acid was poured on him, and he was urinated on.”

“My son’s private parts were cut off, and he was subjected to such cruelty. If my son had been shot, I wouldn’t have felt as much pain as I do after hearing these things. Nails were driven into his hands, acid was poured on him, and he was urinated on,” he added.

Major breakthrough: Three accused arrested after encounter

The investigation has now taken a significant turn. In a major operation, the Greater Noida police arrested three accused in connection with Gopal Sharma’s murder after an encounter.

The Greater Noida DCP announced on X that the case had been successfully solved and said three accused involved in the murder of the 15-year-old had been apprehended in an injured condition following a police encounter.

The arrests come after days of public outrage, protests and mounting pressure on authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible.

What the Greater Noida Police said about the claims of brutalities inflicted on Gopal Sharma

While the claims of brutalities against the 15-year-old boy dominated media headlines, the police have refuted such reports. Speaking to OpIndia, DCP Praveen Ranjan Singh said that the child’s body was post-mortemed and videographed, and that no evidence of brutality was found; it was merely a rumour. The DCP also addressed the viral photo of the child’s body.

Regarding the viral photo and the gruesomeness seen in it, DCP Praveen Ranjan explained that the body appears this way due to decomposition, and that no other body parts were mutilated. Regarding the eyes visible in the photo, he said, “The body was decomposing, it was hot, and the room was as hot as a furnace.” He also dismissed claims on social media that the child had been raped.

Regarding the cause of death, the DCP stated that the post-mortem report indicated a head injury, but the exact cause of death is not yet known. He also ruled out a homicide.

The Greater Noida DCP wrote on X, “A case was registered at the Jewar police station by the plaintiff regarding the uninformed departure of his son, Gopal, aged approximately 15 years. Upon receiving the information, the Jewar police, along with the family, began searching for Gopal. Meanwhile, local police received information that the boy’s body was in an empty house in Rohi village.”

The DCP further wrote, “Acting promptly on the information received, the police force immediately reached the spot and called the field unit/forensic team to inspect the scene. A post-mortem examination of the deceased’s body has been conducted after filling out a Panchnama. According to the post-mortem report, the alleged allegations of cutting of private parts and acid attack on the eyes are completely false and misleading. Four police teams have been formed to investigate the incident; important clues have been found. A successful investigation will be carried out soon.”

Strict action will be taken against Gopal Sharma’s killers: BJP MLA

Shalabh Mani Tripathi, BJP MLA from Deoria Sadar, stated that he has spoken to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the incident. Shalabh Mani wrote on X, “My heart is deeply saddened by the brutal murder of innocent boy Gopal Sharma in Greater Noida. Those who carried out this crime cannot be called human; they are brutes and will be treated as brutes.”

He further wrote, “Yogi Adityanath’s government is taking swift action on this matter. I have also spoken to Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajiv Krishna and STF Chief Amitabh Yash about this incident and have urged them to take the strongest possible action against the perpetrators. Our condolences are with the victim’s family; the incident will be revealed soon.”

The anger of those upset by the police action is growing, and several social organisations have now reached out to the victim’s family. Members of the Rashtriya Brahmin Ekta Manch met with the victim’s family and warned of a major protest if action is not taken. Local Brahmin groups are also outraged, while the police have vowed to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Detect–Delete–Deport explained: As Bangladeshi infiltrators queue up at BSF posts on border, read how the Suvendu Adhikari govt plans to enforce the immigration laws to remove illegal immigrants

Aditi
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Detect–Delete–Deport explained: As Bangladeshi infiltrators queue up at BSF posts on border, read how the Suvendu Adhikari govt plans to enforce the immigration laws to remove illegal immigrants

Visuals of large numbers of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants queued up before Border Security Force (BSF) checkposts are emerging in West Bengal. Bangladeshi infiltrators are turning up at the checkposts, accompanied by their families, willing to return to their country as they see the political landscape in the state is no longer conducive to their illegal and unwanted stay.

These Bangladeshi nationals entered India illegally and have been living here comfortably like citizens. Some of them have been residing here for decades, earning a living and, in many cases, availing of the benefits of welfare schemes by forging documents. They settled and mushroomed in the state owing to the wilful negligence of the previous governments, which found a vote bank among them.

However, the situation has now changed with the long-anticipated change in political power in the state following the 2026 Assembly elections. The scale of the ‘reverse migration’ is unprecedented and is a direct result of the newly elected Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s directive to the state officials to immediately commence the deportation proceedings against Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Earlier, such scenes appeared in the state during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted in the state by the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the assembly elections. During the SIR, the ECI revised the electoral roll in the state to conduct free and fair elections by eliminating bogus and invalid voters. This led to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who had been living here without or with forged documents, fleeing to their home country.

The BJP government in West Bengal is fulfilling its election promise

Illegal immigration, border security and demographic change were some of the key issues in the BJP election campaigns in the state. The resounding victory of the BJP in the West Bengal assembly elections proves that the issues raised by the party in its election campaign resonated with the people of the state.

Soon after swearing in, Adhikari, who led the BJP to a sweeping victory in the state, clamped down on illegal immigration, which has plagued the state for decades. In one of the first decisions that Adhikari made as the Chief Minister, he announced the policy of ‘Detect, Delete and Deport’ to uproot the long-standing menace of illegal immigration.

The policy was operationalised this week with the district authorities setting up ‘holding centres’ for undocumented immigrants ahead of deportation as directed by the Chief Minister. Reiterating his government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal immigration after an event in Kalyani, CM Adhikari told the illegal immigrants living in West Bengal to leave as soon as possible, warning them of stringent action.

“They should leave. They are Bangladeshis. Their government should accept them. We have instructed the police that they shouldn’t be sent to jails. Are they our in-laws that the country would have to pay for their food, clothes and medicines? Leave at the earliest. Else the government would do what needs to be done,” Adhikari stated in clear terms, addressing the media in Nadia district.

The previous TMC government harboured Bangladeshi infiltrators

The illegal cross-border migration of Bangladeshi nationals into India has been a long-standing challenge in West Bengal. Illegal immigrants not only strained the already scarce resources in the state but also posed a threat to law and order and national security. For several decades, illegal immigration in the state has been associated with communal tensions, resource allocation debates, and national security discussions and has also been an influential factor in the electoral politics.

Over the year, the security agencies raised concerns about illegal immigrants being involved in human trafficking networks, cattle smuggling, criminal syndicates, and even terror activities. Unchecked illegal immigration in West Bengal has altered demographics in several bordering districts, strained public infrastructure, and weakened internal security. However, the state agencies have been unable to effectively deal with the problem due to a lack of political will on the part of the previous Mamata Banerjee government.

The previous TMC government’s unwillingness to put a curb on illegal immigration, despite its direct impact on the people of West Bengal, exposes how the government chose electoral politics over national security and the interests of its own people. While the TMC did not take any independent measures to address illegal immigration, it also failed to cooperate with the central government on the issue. The TMC government’s intent with respect to the issue of illegal immigration became evident when it did not implement the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in 2025 to accelerate the verification process of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators. The number of illegal immigrants grew unchecked under the political patronage of the TMC regime, amplifying the challenge for the security agencies.

However, with a changed political approach regarding illegal immigration, the West Bengal government is finally enforcing long-neglected laws and intensifying verification drives and stricter scrutiny of identity documents. As the vision of the governments at the centre and the state regarding the issue of illegal immigration has aligned, the security agencies are now backed by the necessary political will to take action against the problem.

Pakistan’s Lahore name restoration plan hits Islamist wall: How radical backlash forced Maryam Nawaz govt to retreat and exposed Islamabad’s ‘inclusive’ image facade

Rukma Rathore
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Pakistan’s Lahore name restoration plan hits Islamist wall: How radical backlash forced Maryam Nawaz govt to retreat and exposed Islamabad’s ‘inclusive’ image facade

The provincial government of Punjab in Pakistan has deferred its decision to restore historical Hindu and Sikh (pre-partition) names of several roads and neighbourhoods in Lahore due to opposition from Islamists and social media vloggers. In March, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government suggested that these landmarks should be returned to their original identities.

The campaign was a feature of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR), a large-scale urban restoration project that was initiated in 2025. It was presided over by former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and endorsed by Maryam.

The program was estimated to cost close to 50 billion Pakistani rupees and intended to redevelop Lahore’s old buildings, markets, roads, gardens and other sites. Its goal was to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of the city. Over the past two months, at least 9 locations in Lahore have formally resumed their former names.

However, Muslim radicals and vloggers were outraged as they gave communal colour to the decision and attacked Maryam, after which the officials in Lahore turned defensive. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retired) Muhammad Ali Ijaz claimed, “No such decision has been taken as yet,” while talking to Dawn. He insisted that the recommendation continued to be “under discussion” when told that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam had previously given permission.

An official source also confirmed that the government had to hold back its decision in response to the criticism from extremist elements and social media vloggers who contended that a plan was underway to reinstate “Hindu and Sikh” names, reported PTI.

The LHAR invited scholars, historians, architects, urban planners and influential citizens to provide feedback on a proposal to revert to the original historical names of highways, streets and communities around Lahore. The committee conveyed that they talked about the “cultural, historical and civic significance” of resurrecting the old nomenclature as part of measures to protect the city’s legacy and identity.

These individuals agreed that the area’s historic character was an invaluable asset that should be preserved with care for the next generations. According to the statement, “The meeting concluded with a consensus that Lahore’s historic identity constitutes an invaluable legacy, deserving of thoughtful preservation for future generations.” An attendee likewise informed Dawn, “Most of the participants spoke in favour of restoring the historical names of the roads and streets of Lahore.”

According to the plan, Fatima Jinnah Road was to be redesignated as Queen’s Road and Allama Iqbal Road as Jail Road. Furthermore, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk was to be renamed as Lakshmi Chowk and Islampura as Krishan Nagar. Mustafaabad was again going to be called Dharampura, Hameed Nizami Road as Temple Street, and Babri Masjid Chowk as Jain Mandir Road, among the other intended reversions.

Nawaz Sharif reportedly personally advocated for the restoration of Lahore’s original names and identity. Churches, temples, gurdwaras and Sikh-era structures connected to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s empire were also included in the larger revival effort. The Kharak Singh Haveli’s restoration, a painting of Princess Bamba Sutherland at Lahore Fort and conservation attempts at gurdwaras close to the Badshahi Mosque were among the crucial targets. He also advocated for reconstructing old cricket grounds and a classic wrestling arena at Minto Park, alias Greater Iqbal Park.

The real motivation for the name change

Countries have an inherent right to celebrate their historical identity, reclaim their past and overcome colonial legacies. It is a widely held sentiment that has promoted movements for educational reform, cultural restoration and the preservation of indigenous histories.

However, Pakistan is a strange exception, desperate to distance itself from its Hindu past, boasting about its manufactured lineage from Islamic marauders such as Muhammad Ghori, Mahmud Ghaznavi and Muhammad bin Qasim. It is only natural for suspicions to arise when such a country seeks to reclaim its non-Muslim past.

On the surface, the move appears to be a noble endeavour to tie places with their authentic roots and backgrounds. It is also regarded as a method to attract more tourism and investment in Punjab by promoting an inclusive and vibrant image, which could merely exist as a facade, one that might only deceive the gullible or unaware.

Unsurprisingly, the truth could not be further from reality, which is marred by the persistent suffering and oppression of the true representatives of pluralism, diversity and multiculturalism — Pakistani minorities, especially Hindus, whose population is declining rapidly with each passing day.

“Historian” Yaqoob Khan Bangash alleged, “The PMLN is not very ideologically driven. They are a more business-oriented party. And the fact remains that Pakistan reacts to what India does. When India was projecting a secular image, Pakistan was more determinedly Islamic. Now that India is taking a communal turn, Pakistan is becoming a more inclusive democracy,” reported The Indian Express.

Nonetheless, as the proverb states, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” the lived experiences and situation of the minority groups in the Islamic Republic directly counter the grand assertions and unveil the hidden purpose of the ambitious “name change” venture.

Pakistan grapples with a profound identity crisis and an inferiority complex, leading to an obsession with positioning itself alongside India. It is aware that there can never be any equality or competition between a giant and a flea, as evidenced by numerous factors ranging from the economies of the respective nations to the wars fought between them.

However, Islamabad harbours a secret fascination for its “traditional adversary.” It often engages in these self-styled contests to paint itself as at least somewhat similar to New Delhi, if not better, despite repeated embarrassments and failures. The latest step was likewise oriented before the jihadists burst the “secularism” bubble created to deceive the global community.

India has been drawing upon the historical legacy of multiple places from north to south. The names of different buildings, locations and regions have been modified to reflect their fundamental status. Thus, Pakistan considered it a prime moment to depict its neighbour as a religiously zealous entity while appearing as a tolerant society that accommodates multiculturalism.

Furthermore, the terror state does not have to show itself in direct contrast with India, which it fundamentally is, particularly in relation to religious extremism that has continuously been a main factor guiding both private and public life. Thus, it is very convenient for the nation to invoke secularism by changing names when there are hardly any Hindus left, which is its genuine indicator.

Pakistan was founded, ruled and made up of hardliners, and, of course, the government yielded to their demand, which thwarted the plan to cast India in a poor light via the name restoration project, for ironically, adopting the same stance on its side of the border. It also inadvertently reinforced the fact that the structures and localities in these nations were primarily associated with Hindu, Sikh or Indic religions, whose names were altered by Muslim and white invaders with ulterior goals.

What’s in a name: Why such decisions are significant

India’s ongoing journey to shed foreign subjugation is also a multifaceted process, and restoring the original names of places is a vital part of this mission. The official renaming of locations in the country started after independence to reclaim their historical, linguistic and cultural backgrounds and eliminate the remnants of the British Empire.

However, numerous places continued to carry the baggage of brutal Islamic rule. The Modi government assumed office in 2014 and accelerated initiatives to restore their historical identities and also altered the names of those previously venerating anti-Hindu genocidal maniacs like Aurangzeb to honour prominent Indian personalities such as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Similar decisions had been made in Uttar Pradesh under the Yogi Adityanath government, where the revered Hindu destination earlier known as Allahabad (the abode of Allah) during Akbar’s regime was reverted to its real name, Prayagraj. These actions were taken in multiple parts of the country, especially by the Bharatiya Janata Party governments, to restore the deliberately severed ties of these places with their origin.

This also aimed to obliterate the perverse practice of glorifying invaders who had a deep-seated hatred for Hindus, committed rapes and massacres against them, destroyed temples and looted their treasures. The BJP governments encountered resistance from “secular” parties dependent on the Muslim vote bank, but decisively moved forward without hesitation.

Meanwhile, a proposal had been handed over to the Bihar government for final approval, after the Bakhtiyarpur Municipal Council’s official resolution to rename the town to “Magadh Dwar” to delineate it from Bakhtiyar Khilji. The Turkic general destroyed the world-renowned universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila. He was also notorious for committing major atrocities against Hindus.

Notably, these decisions are not confined to “Hindutvadi” governments, as even the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led Kerala, the name was popularised by the British, transitioned into Keralam to accurately reflect the authentic pronunciation in Malayalam and to underscore the state’s historical and cultural significance.

Bangalore also reverted to Bengaluru under the Indian National Congress government in Karnataka in November 2014. The centre had cleared these submissions, paving the way for the new names. Similar events unfolded in many regions of the country where the Indian civilisation once again held its head high and reclaimed its past, which had been fading in the shadows of foreign occupation.

The exaltation of those who actively took part in enslaving, murdering, and severely abusing its people is intolerable for any proud and independent civilisation with thousands of years of history, and India is certainly no exception.

On the other hand, Pakistan, which enthusiastically commemorates its colonial history instead of respecting the real character of its land, will obviously have issues if India tries to embrace and celebrate its past. However, only that country could be so clever yet so ridiculous as to attempt to shame the latter by taking the same course, amusingly, only to retreat when faced with pressure and disclosing the agenda.

It scarcely needs to be highlighted that the term “radical elements” is irrelevant in a country where, from the highest military ranks to average citizens, want to wage jihad against India. The entire country stands united and acts as a singular front on this point, and any opposing claims are lies and fabrications.

Bengaluru woman tests negative for Ebola as India steps up vigil against the deadly virus gripping African countries: Here is what the disease is and how it spreads

Aditi
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Bengaluru woman tests negative for Ebola as India steps up vigil against the deadly virus gripping African countries: Here is what the disease is and how it spreads

A health alert was triggered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, after a woman, who travelled through from an Ebola-affected region, developed mild symptoms, including body ache. The 28-year-old woman was shifted from a hotel to the State-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital on Tuesday (May 26, 2026). However, in a major relief, her tests for Ebola infection have turned out to be negative.

As per reports, the woman had landed at Kempegowda International Airport on May 23, 2026, after travelling from Uganda through Ahmedabad. She went through the screening at the airport but displayed no symptoms at that time. However, the health authorities continued to monitor her as she had a travel history in an Ebola-affected region.

Her samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for testing. Pending her test results, the woman was placed in isolation as a precautionary measure. With her test results coming out negative, the number of Ebola cases in India remains zero. Bengaluru District Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Anil Kumar Banagar, said that a repeat test will be conducted after 48 hours of observation as an additional precautionary measure. She will be discharged only after testing negative twice.

India prepares to deal with the Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also designated the outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security” (PHECS). Responding to the global health situation, the Union Health Ministry has asked all States and Union Territories to boost surveillance, hospital preparedness, and rapid response systems to handle suspected Ebola cases. “The Government of India is closely monitoring the evolving Ebola Virus Disease situation in view of recent outbreaks reported in parts of Africa,” the ministry said in a statement.

The government issued an advisory advising all citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, where more than 220 suspected deaths due to Ebola have been reported. The authorities have advised returning from Ebola-affected countries to monitor their health and self-observe for 21 days. Besides, Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been formed for surveillance and contact monitoring activities.

To assess India’s readiness amid the Ebola outbreak, Union Health Minister JP Nadda held a high-level review meeting with senior officials. During the meeting, Nadda directed the authorities to ensure that Ebola screening arrangements at all airports, seaports and land border crossings are “fully vigilant and robust”.

The Union Minister directed the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to remain prepared for “tracking, testing, and surveillance” in case of any suspected infections. Following the review meeting chaired by Nadda, the Union Health Secretary chaired a joint review meeting involving multiple ministries and concerned agencies to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms.

In Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has been identified as the isolation centre, while Epidemic Diseases Hospital, where the woman was admitted, has been designated as the quarantine and treatment facility.

What is the Ebola virus, and how does it spread?

Ebola is a rare but deadly disease caused by a group of viruses belonging to the genus Orthoebolavirus. Six species from the Orthoebolavirus group have been identified, and three of them, namely, the Ebola virus, the Sudan virus and the Bundibugyo virus, are known to have caused the large Ebola outbreaks. According to the WHO, the fatality rate in Ebola disease cases is 50%. During the past Ebola outbreaks, the fatality rates varied from 25–90%.

The first occurrence of Ebola disease was reported in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks. One outbreak was caused by the Sudan virus in Nzara (now South Sudan), and the other outbreak was caused by the Ebola virus in Yambuku village (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Multiple outbreaks of the virus have since been reported in Central and West Africa, with the largest outbreaks happening in 2014 and 2016 in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, resulting in over 11,000 deaths.

The disease affects humans and some animals, such as fruit bats, and its outbreaks have largely been reported in Africa. The transmission of the virus into humans happens when they eat or come in contact with an animal carrying the virus. It does not spread through the air and only spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of the infected animal or human. This puts healthcare givers and family members of infected people at higher risk of catching the infection in the absence of protective equipment. A person who has not yet developed the symptoms cannot transmit the disease. However, he will remain infectious as long as the virus is present in his blood.

What are its symptoms?

The incubation period, from the infection to the onset of symptoms, ranges from 2 to 21 days. The symptoms can be sudden, and include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions. In some cases, internal bleeding can also occur, but that is rare.

The disease impacts the central nervous system in humans, which can result in confusion, irritability and aggression. The chances of survival can be increased through early intensive supportive care, through rehydration and the treatment of symptoms.

Why the current Ebola outbreak is more lethal

The current Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is more dangerous as it is caused by the virus for which no vaccine has yet been developed. The rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola is behind the present outbreak, and no vaccine currently exists for it. The virus is named after a district in Uganda where it was first detected. Previously, the virus caused two outbreaks: one in 2007 and the other in 2012. According to a study, Bundibugyo killed one-third of those infected, which sounds alarming, but is less deadly when compared to the more common Zaire and Sudan species, whose fatality rates were recorded at 66.6% and 48.5%, respectively.

Byju Raveendran’s legal troubles deepen as Singapore court sentences him to six months in jail: Inside the court order and global cases against him

Shraddha Pandey
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Byju Raveendran’s legal troubles deepen as Singapore court sentences him to six months in jail: Inside the court order and global cases against him

In a fresh trouble for Byju Raveendran, the founder of edtech firm Byju’s, a Singapore court has sentenced him to six months in jail for contempt of court. The Singaporean court has also imposed a fine of S$90,000 (₹67.2 lakh approx.). Byju Raveendran has been ordered by the Singapore Court to surrender and submit documents proving ownership of several entities, including Beeaar Investco Pte.

The court verdict came in the wake of persistent disobedience of its orders since April 2024. These orders pertained to assert disclosure in a case regarding a defaulted loan and a $235 million arbitral award won by a Qatar Investment Authority subsidiary named Qatar Holdings. This loan was personally guaranteed by Byju Raveendran for a stake in test-preparatory coaching giant Aakash Institute.

Location unknown, future uncertain: Byju Raveendran facing contempt and non-compliance verdicts across jurisdictions

Byju Raveendran’s latest whereabouts remain unclear, though some media reports speculate that he is currently residing in Dubai. It is also unlikely that he will arrive in Singapore and surrender before the court.

It is notable that the Singapore court verdict is not the first court sentencing against Byju Raveendran.

In 2025, a Delaware Bankruptcy Court in the US held Raveendran in civil contempt over failure to appear, produce documents, and comply with discovery orders in the Byju’s Alpha, the US financing arm, Chapter 11 case. Raveendra faced $10,000 sanctions daily.

Later, in November 2025, a default judgment of more than $1.07 billion was entered against him personally for alleged fraudulent transfers and concealment of $533 million in funds.

In December 2025, the court overturned the monetary damages portion after Byju Raveendran’s motion. The court ruled that damages were never properly assessed. The default finding of which liability on non-compliance stood; however, the court did not fix a payout.

From January 2026 onwards, fresh proceedings commenced and briefs were filed. As of present, Byju Raveendran is reported to be planning counter-claims and submitting evidence backing his claim that funds were legitimately reinvested in India as per local laws.

Besides the US, there have been legal proceedings against Byju Raveendran in the United Arab Emirates as well. This case forms a part of the global creditor pursuit linked to the $1.2 billion Term Loan B default, in addition to the disputed $533 million in ‘missing’ Alpha Funds.

The UAE against Byju Raveendran was filed in 2025 in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. In this case, Byju’s Alpha, the US financing arm in Chapter 11, is the claimant. Alpha seeks to hold Raveendran and his wife, Divya Gokulnath, personally liable through asset freezing, information disclosure, and other related remedies.

In May 2025, interim injunction orders were obtained ex parte, attaching assets and banning the disposal or transfer of up to $540.6 million. On 11th June 2025, the DIFC Court imposed a temporary travel ban on Byju Raveendran and a separate travel ban on Divya Gokulnath and Riju Raveendran. This travel ban was linked to the $540 million security requirement and circulated to the UAE’s border points. As per the court, this ban would be lifted only upon depositing the amount or providing a bank guarantee. During the issuance of this order, Raveendran claimed not to be present in the UAE.

Between June and July 2025, hearings took place on the continuation of injunctions, discharge applications by Raveendra and others, in addition to adjournment pleas. The injunction continued.

Interestingly, Byju Raveendran claimed that he was not in the UAE when the DIFC court delivered its rulings against him in 2025 but cited these Dubai hearings as the main reason for his non-attendance in the US proceedings.

By October 2025, the DIFC Court ordered Raveendran and his wife to pay S51,736.67 in respect of costs of and incidental to the Adjournment Application, in addition to $143,835.68 in respect of costs thrown away due to the adjournment.

Byju Raveendran claims that lender settlement talks are near the end as the Singapore court sentences him to six months’ jail

As the Singapore Court sentenced Byju Raveendran to six months’ jail over contempt of court, the former CEO of Byju’s published a statement on X. He said that settlement discussions with lenders and investors pursuing lawsuits against him are nearing an end.

“For months, the lenders (including GLAS Trust and QIA), other stakeholders and us (the founders) have been in advanced settlement discussions. A settlement has been agreed in principle, with only minor residual issues left between certain parties – none involving me. As part of those discussions, the parties have acknowledged there is no wrongdoing on my part or by the other founders,” Raveendran wrote.

“All parties – the lenders and the founders – had in principle agreed not to actively pursue cases against each other, and have effectively been at a standstill for the last three months while working towards a comprehensive resolution. I chose resolution over confrontation. Against that backdrop, QIA’s decision to press this matter now appears to be an unnecessary pressure tactic at a sensitive stage,” he added.

Raveendran further claimed that he has always acted in “good faith – for BYJU’S, its employees, its students, and everyone who built this with us. After and giving everything back, I remain committed to seeing this through to a constructive resolution. The truth doesn’t change with a headline.”

The meteoric rise and the failure saga of Byju Raveendran of Byju’s

Byju’s Think & Learn Pvt Ltd was founded in 2011 by former teacher Byju Raveendran and his wife Dviya Gokulnath as an offline tutoring service that soon expanded into an online learning application.

Byju’s swiftly rose to become India’s most valuable startup, achieving a peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022 during Covid pandemic, when the nation observed lockdowns and education witnessed a shift to online classes. Raveendran’s brainchild disrupted the education sector with its innovative learning application, catering for elementary school to MBA students. Byju’s proceeded with aggressive acquisitions, involving Aakash, WhiteHat Jr., signed Shah Rukh Khan and Lionel Messi for endorsements, and rapid international expansion. Byju’s also entered a Rs 160 crore jersey sponsorship deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019.

However, financial disclosures in recent years, court cases across several countries and mounting controversies have severely impacted the company’s prosperity.

The downfall of Byju’s began after 2022, when Raveendran went ahead with over-expansion and acquisitions without proper integration and focus on profitability. When the Covid pandemic tailwind ended, and edtech demand cooled with the reopening of educational institutions, Byju’s suffered a high burn rate, losses, and accounting issues.

The crisis soon spiralled into debt defaults, layoffs as massive as tens of thousands, investor disputes, public anger in India, and lawsuits abroad.

In 2024, insolvency proceedings were initiated in India. In no time, Byju’s $22 billion valuation dropped to zero. Meanwhile, Byju’s Alpha, the US arm, filed for Chapter 11. Raveendran’s company faced allegations of $533 million fund diversion. The edtech’s creditors, including lenders through GLAS Trust and OIA, moved court, with personal liability claims against Byju Raveendran.

Not to forget, the rapid success of Byju’s was accompanied by an exploitative work environment. Unachievable targets were given to sales representatives; they were trained to execute fraudulent tactics to guilt-trap parents, especially poor and illiterate ones, into buying Byju’s expensive coaching programs.

In September 2021, it was revealed that Byju’s sales representatives were trapping parents just to meet their targets. Parents were pressured to take loans from private firms without verifying their ability to repay, especially at a time when the majority of the workforce was without work.

Besides, Byju’s also laid a loan trap, offering loans through two partners. It was alleged that Byju’s would deliberately not inform the parents that the EMI option they are taking would be via a loan that would be taken in the name of the parents. A failure of EMI payment meant that the loan company would directly threaten parents, as Byju’s already got its money and the liability of repaying the loan is on the parents.

The now-dismantled edtech firm was also issued a notice in December 2022 by the apex child rights body, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The NCPCR summoned Raveendran over accusations that Byju’s was indulging in malpractices to lure parents and children to buy their courses.

In January 2024, major stakeholders of the company voted to remove Byju Raveendran from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and stripped him of his authority. In February 2024, the Enforcement Directorate’s Bengaluru unit, which was probing possible violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), concluded that Raveendran needed an LOC to prohibit him from leaving the nation. 

By March 2024, Byju’s vacated all its offices except the Bengaluru headquarters, reducing the number of employees from around 20,000 to just 1,000.

At present, Byju’s has perished into oblivion, and what remains of it is lawsuits, insolvency, and a massive caveat for startup founders against how to handle a meteoric rise. Although Byju Raveendran has earlier talked about a ‘Byju’s 3.0’ reboot focusing on India and Artificial Intelligence. However, not much has moved in terms of operations.

Pertinently, both Byju Raveendran and his Byju’s have lost public trust and creditor confidence. The court rulings against Raveendran and his failure to properly address them are only adding to his reputational loss.

Did India snub US Secretary of State Marco Rubio? The protocol debate and the larger message New Delhi sent to Washington

Shraddha Pandey
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Did India snub US Secretary of State Marco Rubio? The protocol debate and the larger message New Delhi sent to Washington

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his first official four-day visit to India starting on 23rd May 2026. After months of US President Donald Trump’s asinine policy and rhetorical attacks on India, Rubio’s visit turned out to be more of a stabiliser than a breakthrough spectacle. Ever since Marco Rubio landed in Kolkata, there has been an online chatter that the top US official was “royally ignored” and received a “cold welcome” from the Modi government.

Upon his initial Kolkata arrival, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was present; however, from the Indian side, no senior minister arrived to welcome Rubio. Even during low-key stops in Agra and Jaipur, the US Secretary of State was accompanied by minimal local officials, including police SHO, administrative officials and standard security. India is known for its warm and lavish welcomes; Rubio, being deprived of one, is being seen as a snub.

So much so that even the hostile neighbour Pakistan is discussing how they lay a red carpet and the entire top Pakistani government and military leadership rushes to the airport to accord a grand welcome, while India does not make a big deal out of such visits.

Before delving into whether Trump’s trusted official was snubbed or not, let’s take a look at how the Indian side of social media reacted to Marco Rubio’s ‘cold welcome’ in India.

One X user wrote, “I suspect that something has happened between India & USA that is not widely known. Otherwise, Marco Rubio would not have got such a bad reception. Even Asim Munir would get a better welcome than this, were he to come.”

Another one had a rather hilarious take as he wrote that whoever planned Rubio itinerary wanted to punish him by exposing him to India’s peak summer. “Bare minimum protocol continues, no extra courtesies. Rubio is additionally being punished in 45 degrees, like who planned Agra at 11.30 am and Jaipur at 2.45 PM? Unless someone wanted Rubio to be punished,” the X user posted.

One “Panther” dropped a short and sarcastic, “Secretary of State- USA Zabardast Swagat Hota hua (receiving ‘grand’ welcome)”, remark.

Highlighting how Rubio was sent off from Rajasthan’s Jaipur by local police and administrative officials, one X user called it “one of the coldest receptions ever for a US Administrator.”

A popular OSINT handle “Osint TV” lauded the Central government for demonstrating professional diplomacy and correct handling of protocol. The X user posted, “This is India, this is how professional diplomacy works. No PM, no CDS, no EAM and no unnecessary top-level political presence just to send off U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he departed Jaipur for Delhi to attend the QUAD meetings. Protocol was handled correctly by the appropriate ranking diplomatic and local officials, strictly adhering to standard international practice. India relies on institutional protocol, not theatrical over-hospitality or performative drama like our paijaans doing.”

Meanwhile, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, Shesh Paul Vaid deemed the supposed snub by the Modi government to US administration’s third most powerful person, a response to Trump’s recent amplification of the “India is hellhole” remark.

“Modi government brought down the level of Secretary of State of USA, the number three most powerful man of only Super Power of the world to the level of SHO. Atleast I have not seen such a shabby treatment to the USA’s External Affairs Minister. What a response to Trump’s Shithole comment!” Vaid posted.

Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi also dubbed Rubio’s reception in India as “relatively lower-key protocol” and wrote, “If the US chooses pressure tactics against India, it should not expect red-carpet diplomacy in return. The relatively lower-key protocol for Marco Rubio is a reminder that respect in international relations must be mutual. India engages as an equal, not as a client state.”

Even during Rubio’s departure from India, it was again local police and some government officials, alongside US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor.

Was Marco Rubio accorded a low-key welcome? The protocol reality and the snub

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India centred on the agenda of trade, energy, critical minerals, Quad cooperation against Chinese assertiveness, and the prevailing West Asia crisis. Rubio called the trip “phenomenal” and even conveyed President Trump’s White House invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Phenomenal or not, the timing of Rubio’s visit to India indicated Trump’s interest in mending ties with India, especially when the R-I-C, Russia, India and China are coming closer, though not without cautious optimism. The timing is also of particular significance, given that Trump’s recent visit to China did not yield any apparent positives for the US.

The US has given India many reasons in the past few months to be upset and give its visiting officials a cold shoulder; however, for a Secretary of State on a multi-city trip, minimum protocol is not absolutely surprising. Rubio was met with a respectful welcome, as is expected from a powerful nation like India.

The ‘snub’ speculations, however, gain credence from the fact that back in 2023, when then US Secretary of State under Biden administration, Antony Blinken, arrived in New Delhi, he was received by top officials from the External Affairs Ministry.

Marco Rubio was given a mature welcome warranted in a transactional relationship between two countries. He was received by the head of the American mission in India, which is technically the right protocol.

It must also not be forgotten that meting out any special protocol treatment to Rubio would mean that India give equivalent treatment to the visiting Japanese and Australian Foreign Ministers for the Quad meeting, as noted by former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

“That Rubio was not received at appropriate level on arrival is not correct. He was received by the head of the Americas division, which is the right protocol. Any special protocol treatment to Rubio, even if considered exceptionally, would also have to be given to the visiting Japanese and Australian FMs for the Quad meeting,” Sibal said.

Counterarguments to this, however, have also come up with many saying that India has good relations with Japan and Australia, and the Indian government would have had no reservations about giving them a ‘grand’ welcome as well, if the Centre decided to pull off a spectacular show for Rubio.

Rubio caught off guard by Indian media on racism in the US against Indians

Moving ahead, Rubio also faced some tough questions from the Indian media, particularly about the growing racism against Indians and Indian Americans in the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen visibly uncomfortable while responding to a question about racism targeting Indians and Indian-Americans in the United States during a joint media interaction in New Delhi alongside External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on 24th May.

During the press briefing, Rubio appeared momentarily uncomfortable when journalist Sidhant Sibal asked about racist comments and hostility faced by Indians and Indian-origin communities in the United States. At first, he seemed to pretend he had not fully understood the question and briefly paused before responding cautiously.

He then gave a defensive reply, saying such comments come from “stupid people” and should not be seen as representative of the United States as a whole.

Although the Indian journalist did not explicitly name Donald Trump, the question was mainly in the backdrop of Trump’s Truth Social post amplifying a racist podcaster’s remarks calling India a “hellhole”.

The US State Department published an X post sharing the video of the press conference exchange between Rubio and Sibal. However, after a realisation perhaps that it was not a win, they thought it is, the US State Department deleted the post.

Even foreign media also questioned Rubio on the racism issue. Rubio’s responses, however, clearly indicated that he was not expecting such blunt questions from Indian media.

Rubio was also questioned about America’s sudden tilt towards Pakistan. Though Rubio could not compensate for the trust deficit, he assured that US-Pakistan tactical ties will not undermine the India-US partnership.

‘India will buy oil from whoever it wants’: EAM Jaishankar’s unapologetic “India First” statement right in front of Marco Rubio

For the past few weeks, a narrative was being pushed by a section of media in India and abroad that somehow New Delhi was seeking permission from Washington to purchase Russian oil amidst supply chain disruptions caused by America’s war on Iran. There have been attempts to portray India as ‘weak’ and that it has abandoned Russian oil imports to please Trump, even as India never really stopped buying Russian oil.

In fact, while India not giving Trump a false credit for ending the India-Pakistan conflict last May, the entire tariff tirade was meant to dissuade India from buying Russian oil.

However, during a joint press conference in Delhi with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, India’s Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, clearly stated that India will continue to diversify its energy sources to fulfil its energy needs. Answering a question relating to energy sources in the context of the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, Jaishankar said that India has to fulfil its energy requirements, and for that, it will keep multiple cheaper and dependable options to source energy.

“Where the energy issues are concerned… I want to say, for our energy security, it is important that we have multiple sources, large sources, dependable sources, cheap sources… so we will continue to diversify and maintain multiple sources of supply at the most reasonable cost because at the end of the day we have an obligation to our people to provide them energy at affordable and accessible uh rates. Now, what we don’t want to see we don’t want to see energy markets distorted. We don’t want to see energy markets constricted because it has a cost implication…,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar’s blunt “Trump administration has been very forthright… America First. We have a view of India First”, statement, right in front of Rubio, holds immense significance. India has been among the few countries which did not surrender to Trump’s intransigence. EAM Jaishankar’s straight talk sent a message to Rubio, to the Trump administration and the world, that strategic autonomy, for India, is not a mere fancy term but a non-negotiable policy.  

Even earlier this month, the Modi government reiterated that it is going to keep procuring crude oil from Russia, irrespective of any exemption from the United States. 

Overall, Rubio had a decent trip to India; talks happened, he met PM Modi, Quad advanced, amid speculations that it is losing importance, talks advanced on trade. India did not accord a maximal welcome to the US, obviously, because the relationship between India and the US is not as warm as it was prior to Trump’s tantrums. New Delhi asserted agency without alienation. This is peak diplomacy, wherein those who have drifted apart are welcome but not subjected to India’s hallmark grand welcome.

Confusion, different answer sheets and more: What is the fiasco over CBSE Class 12 results, why the digital evaluation, OSM system, is under fire

Rukma Rathore
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Confusion, different answer sheets and more: What is the fiasco over CBSE Class 12 results, why the digital evaluation, OSM system, is under fire

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) acknowledged anomalies in Class 12 answer sheet evaluations and mistakes in providing the copy of the checked marksheets. The development took place following a Delhi-based student’s viral social media post that revealed a Physics answer sheet mix-up during the re-evaluation procedure.

Vedant Shrivastava had pointed out inconsistencies in the new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system after which the board announced that a technical problem had caused an incorrect scanned copy to be uploaded against his roll number. On 23rd May, he took to social media and wrote a detailed thread to share his experience, informing that he sought photocopies of his answer sheets after scoring unexpectedly poor marks in Physics. His request was granted, however, he was “shattered” after realising that the answer sheet uploaded by CBSE did not belong to him.

Vedant reaffirmed that the Physics answer sheet that CBSE had supplied him was definitely not his. He highlighted that the handwriting was not his and did not contain the questions he attempted. “Not just me – my family, teachers, and everyone who knows my writing immediately noticed the difference,” he added.

The student maintained that the answer sheets for Computer Science and English “clearly match each other” while the Physics one seemed to belong to “another student entirely.” He emphasised that the glaring difference could be noticed by anyone and remarked, “The handwriting style, letter formation, spacing, slant, sentence flow, everything is different. This is not a minor variation. It is completely different writing.”

Vedant challenged that he was prepared to conduct a public comparison of his answer sheets because he knew “that the Physics copy uploaded under my roll number is not mine.” He voiced that there might be a grave “answer-sheet exchange or tagging error in CBSE’s OSM system.”

The youth expressed that he had been studying all year and had given up his “sleep, peace of mind, outings, and everything for these exams,” only to find out that his Physics answer sheet might not had been checked, asking “Do students really deserve this?”

Vedant urged CBSE to verify his original physical answer sheet, audit the OSM tagging and scanning process, investigate possible exchange of answer sheets and ensure that the correct paper was evaluated. He implored the board to take his significant concerns into account as it “directly affects my future.”

The incident resulted in a massive backlash and the board reached out to the youngster and responded that the right answer sheet had been forwarded to his registered email address after review of his submission. “Necessary action for updating your result, as applicable, is also being undertaken accordingly,” it assured.

Vedant also stated that CBSE officials contacted him and delivered the right answer sheet, outlining that it was indeed exchanged. “We will still apply for reevaluation of this answer sheet after checking it more closely since they have slashed my marks even when the answer is correct,” he mentioned.

The case was considered as a “top priority” and Vedant even obtained a communication from the board’s Joint Secretary (Coordination) alongside his answer book, confirming that his results would be revised. According to Vedant’s brother Siddhant, there was no official mechanism to report such a disparity and thus “we had to take to Twitter to make CBSE aware of the matter.” They even posted a video on Instagram about the same.

Image via India Today

CBSE also accepted a separate complaint pertaining to a Chemistry answer sheet of another Class 12 student, Sanjana. She similarly asserted that the copy uploaded for reevaluation did not match her handwriting. She revealed that the initial page of the answer booklet with her personal information appeared to be hers. However, the internal pages did not correspond to her handwriting.

Sanjana conveyed that CBSE had replied to her email and accepted the validity of her doubts upon examination. “We have located your correct answer book. You will shortly be provided your correct evaluated answer book of chemistry. Further, your result will also be updated subsequently based on the correct marks in chemistry,” mentioned the Joint Secretary, Coordination Unit of CBSE.

CBSE recognised the discrepancies, but this triggered inquiries regarding its digitised evaluation and verification method. Currently, a specialised CBSE team is keeping an eye on enquiries and reservations about board exam results that are being discussed on social media. “Whatever complaints are coming, online or offline, by any means, CBSE is actively taking them up,” a source disclosed insisting the board’s determination to assisting the pupils.

According to reports, senior authorities are “providing all possible support to students” and are constantly interacting with parents and kids to deal with their grievances.

CBSE’s digital assessment is under scrutiny

This year, the CBSE implemented electronic evaluation for the Class 12 examinations. The goal of the new On-Screen Marking system was to improve precision and minimise errors in manual calculations across the country. However, the move has drawn severe criticism after students who wanted access to scanned copies of their answer books reported missing pages, blurry and incomplete answer sheets, surprisingly less marks, receiving someone else’s answer book and other major problems.

Many applicants probed if examiners accurately checked their original answer books. On the other hand, students with these complaints have to wait for the launch of re-evaluation before entering an application, reported The Indian Express. They have faced repeated crashes, login failures and delayed reposes, among other hindrances while trying to access the CBSE website.

Additionally, the board’s payment portal system also failed between 21st and 22nd May, either withdrawing more money or less than the essential amount. Afterwards, the central government demanded a report in relation to the chaos. Refunds were problematic too and despite three changes in the deadline date, the system did not show improvement.

Furthermore, uncertainty about the stringent digital marking procedure was also voiced by examiners. Teachers reported that the program required extensive and step-by-step marking before commencement of final submission. The children studying for competitive tests frequently write direct responses without substantial intermediary calculations. Many educators believed that even accurate answers resulted in lower marks.

It is notable here that the cost of re-addition and obtaining a scanned copy of the answer sheet was Rs 100 for each answer copy, while the cost of re-evaluation for a specific question was Rs 25 per question.

In a viral video, Rakhi Mishra, who has been teaching chemistry to 11th and 12th grade students for the past 25 years conveyed that she has never witnessed such scenes as those occurring after the latest measures imposed by the CBSE. She indicated that students who have been achieving very high scores, over 65 out of 70 in their schools and tuitions, cannot suddenly fall to 60 out of 100. She also had conversations with them after the exam, which showcased that their mistakes were not beyond 2 or 3 marks, contrary to the shocking results.

“How can a student who usually gets above 90 find themselves in the 70s or 80s? Imagine the consequences this would have on their overall percentage. You (CBSE) should have guided and properly trained the teachers. Why did you implement this in haste? We do not understand it. Many teachers went to check the answer sheets, and we are aware of the events that took place. I implore you, with folded hands, to at least give a year for the teachers to train before enforcing any fresh measures,” Mishra submitted.

She emphasised that the system should have been applied to Class 10 first. “However, you chose Class 12, which has an immense influence on a child’s future. Not everyone can succeed in the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination). Such students have hopes tied to their 12th board results. Their admission into reputable institutions relies on it,” she remarked.

“These students can no longer either succeed in the JEE or earn high marks in their board examinations. First, it was NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test), and presently this. You had teachers evaluate the answer sheets until 2 am in the name of announcing results the next day.” the teacher questioned.

She subsequently unveiled that the answer sheets had not even been examined and marks were allocated on average basis. “If students are seeking rechecking or reevaluation, please proceed with the process manually,” Mishra submitted.

What is OSM system

The CBSE Governing Body, its apex decision-making council, permitted the current OSM system last year. Members were told that it was set to be more robust, mitigate errors and would “take care of imparity in region-wise evaluation of answer books” during a meeting in June.

Therefore, for the first time, Class 11 and 12 teachers in India evaluated more than 98.6 lakh answer books belonging to more than 18 lakh pupils online. Every answer book had a secret code on it. The copies were scanned and uploaded on a portal after they were transferred from exam centres to regional offices. After logging onto the portal, evaluators analysed copies using a marking system created by a group of CBSE school teachers.

Each answer booklet was given a unique identifying code prior to scanning and digital upload processes. Teachers used fixed marking rules to thoroughly examine scripts that were uploaded via secure web portals. According to officials, every step and answer had to be marked by the examiner otherwise the answer book could not be turned in. Every single answer was reviewed separately using the computerised system. The total marks were automatically computed by the system. Nearly 13,000 of over 98 lakh reviewed answer books were manually graded after they were deemed to be illegible.

The result came out on 13th May, and the pass percentage slipped from 88.39% last year to 85.29%. The previous lower pass percentage than this year was recorded in 2019 at 83.40%. Likewise, there were about 16% fewer students who scored higher than 90% in comparison to 2025. Worried parents and children connected the dots to the OSM system, which was allegedly implemented in a hurry and without adequate training.

The board had tried an on-screen marking method in 2014, but it was abandoned because there were no facilities to scan answer books without cutting them at the spine. It was introduced for Class 10 in a few regional offices in that year and for Class 12 in the Delhi area in 2015. However, improved facilities had apparently been made available.

“Student concerns are the main focus. The technology was not ready in 2014, but now it has been reintroduced. ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), IB (International Baccalaureate) and Cambridge also follow similar systems,” contended Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar who added that a three-layer security structure was in place for the review of answer sheets.

CBSE’s reaction to the intensifying complaints

The board pronounced that a scanned copy of the answer book would only be priced at Rs 100 instead of Rs 700. Verification costs were cut from Rs 500 to Rs 100. The fee of re-evaluation, which involves double-checking particular answers, were slashed from Rs 100 per question to Rs 25.

It reinstated an approach that the board had not used since 2019 because of obstacles to returning the money and stated that the amount would be reimbursed if re-evaluation led to a rise in marks. On 19th May, the application link for answer book copies went live. The original deadline of 22nd May was then repeatedly pushed back to 25th May due to technical difficulties. The portal had “unprecedented traffic” and “several attempts of unauthorised interference, which has made it prone to disruptions,” according to the board.

Schedule issued earlier by CBSE. (Source: The Economic Times)

It asserted to encounter an exceptionally large number of demands for copies of the answer books. Officials reported that 2.94 lakh applications for 8.56 lakh answer books were obtained on 23rd May while talking to the aforementioned media house. It was 1.31 lakh for 2.82 lakh answer sheets last year. 2.5 lakh from the present requests had already been distributed.

Students must receive copies of their answer books before demanding verification and re-evaluation. The board mentioned that the re-evaluation portal will be accessible for a minimum of two days post the issuance of the final answer book copy to candidates.

Ministry of Education and CBSE defends OSM and the road ahead

Notably, the Education Ministry and the board defended the system, arguing that it eradicated totalling flaws and made the grading process transparent, objective and uniform. CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh insisted that OSM evaluations were “code-independent” during a news conference. This reportedly made the review process “more consistent and fairer across regions,” as articles could possibly be sent out for evaluation outside of the regions where it used to be handled.

CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj similarly stated, “We evaluate approximately 1.25 crore answer scripts. There is a possibility that an error may occur somewhere. The CBSE is an institution that works in the best interest of the students, and we operate with complete transparency.”

According to the meeting minutes, “members (of the Governing Body) suggested that the on-screen marking may be implemented in all subjects only after completion of pilot projects in some subjects across the various Regional Offices of the Board.” The recommendation had been “noted” by the regulatory body.

However, it had been discovered that not all of the board’s regional offices carried out experimental projects. Teachers from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, state government schools and private schools were trained during a trial run in five schools in January. The system was modified based on suggestions offered during the three-day process. Teachers attended training and participated in a large-scale mock assessment. Around 77,000 teachers checked papers after undergoing training in marking patterns and previous papers.

Officials agreed that there were setbacks during the rollout but they were later rectified. The CBSE clarified that answer sheets were not evaluated using artificial intelligence. The board stated that OSM would continue as the assessment procedure has not altered but simply standardisation.

Meanwhile, IIT (Indian Institutes of Technology) Kanpur and IIT Madras have been invited to resolve the technical problems with the post-result services portal. The responsibility of helping the board with its payment gateway has been assigned to four public sector banks: Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and Indian Bank. Its comprehensive overhaul was agreed upon following a discussion between Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Image via Moneycontrol

CBSE had blamed technical glitches and declared, “In all cases of excess payment, the exact excess amounts shall be refunded to the same payment method which was used for payment. Similarly, in cases where lesser payment was deducted, candidates shall be informed separately regarding payment of the balance amount, if required scanned copies of the evaluated answer books shall be provided in all such cases, without candidates being required to submit fresh requests.”

According to board authorities, the verification and re-evaluation protocols are the sole means to address the issues at hand. They stated that complaints made on the portal will be properly looked into.

Conclusion

The Education Ministry has been under continuous fire, particularly in the last few weeks, due to the shocking scandals that threaten the future of students. The National Testing Agency (NTA) failed to prevent the paper leak of the crucial NEET exam just days before it was set to take place. Now, serious issues have arisen regarding the Class 12 results under the CBSE. This has compounded the troubles for the students who were already apprehensive about the NEET re-examination and have also got unsatisfactory results for class 12th. A lot of colleges in the country admit students based on the 12th board marks.

The recurring nature of these issues points to important fears that need to be rectified with utmost urgency. Otherwise, the future of students will be persistently jeopardised, and the ministry will continue to be rightfully held accountable for it.

BJP government’s attack on corruption in Bengal: Over 70 TMC leaders Municipal Chiefs, and Councilors arrested across districts in one week

OpIndia Staff
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BJP government’s attack on corruption in Bengal: Over 70 TMC leaders Municipal Chiefs, and Councilors arrested across districts in one week

The BJP government’s crackdown on corruption and law-and-order cases in West Bengal has intensified sharply over the past week, with police and central agencies taking action against several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders across districts. More than 70 leaders, councillors and public representatives have been arrested in cases linked to corruption, extortion, misuse of government property, post-poll violence and intimidation.

The latest and one of the biggest developments came from Baduria in North 24 Parganas, where Baduria Municipality chairman and TMC leader Dipankar Bhattacharya was arrested after police recovered around Rs 80 lakh cash and government relief tarpaulins from locations linked to him.

Baduria chairman Dipankar Bhattacharya arrested after cash recovery

Police arrested the Baduria Municipality chairman, Dipankar Bhattacharya, on the night of 25th May in connection with financial improprieties. The action came after raids at multiple places linked to him led to the recovery of around Rs 80 lakh in cash and large quantities of government relief tarpaulins.

Investigators recovered the cash from a computer training centre situated beside the chairman’s residence. According to officials, the centre was under his control, and he had access to its keys. The case widened after police also recovered government relief tarpaulins from a party office and a garden house near his home in Ward No. 12 of Baduria Municipality. Sources said around 4,000 government tarpaulins had already been seized from these places.

Residents claimed that before police reached the spot, TMC workers shifted tarpaulins and other materials from the party office using vans. Bundles of documents were also reportedly burnt outside the office premises. Police reached the area after receiving information late Sunday night, 24th May. During the operation, officers recovered relief materials and other items from the party office and an isolated garden house nearby.

A complaint was later submitted by BJP workers at Baduria police station, after which Dipankar Bhattacharya was arrested.

TMC labour leader Sheikh Wasul held over intimidation, fraud and poll pressure charges

The police arrested Sheikh Wasul, president of a TMC labour union unit, during a late-night operation in the Laudoha area under Durgapur-Faridpur block. Police sources said complaints against him had existed for a long time. Residents accused him of taking money from people by promising jobs and creating pressure among locals to maintain control in the area. He was also facing accusations of trying to influence oters and creating tension before the Assembly elections.

Several local residents had reportedly approached police with complaints even before polling. Following the operation, Wasul, a resident of Rangamati in Durgapur-Faridpur, was presented before the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court. His arrest has become part of the wider action being taken against TMC leaders after the political shift in Bengal.

Bidhannagar: Amit Chakrabarty arrested in assault and extortion case

The crackdown also reached Bidhannagar, where TMC leader Amit Chakrabarty was arrested late on 19th May. Amit is considered a close associate of former Rajarhat-Gopalpur MLA Debraj Chakraborty and has influence in the Baguiati area. Police arrested him after real estate businessman Kishor Halder filed complaints related to assault, intimidation and wrongful restraint. According to police, the incident happened on May 4 when BJP supporters had organised a victory procession.

The arrest came just days after police had taken Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation councillor Samaresh Chakrabarty into custody in another extortion-related case involving the same businessman. Halder had earlier also raised complaints against TMC leaders over intimidation and money demands.

Ranjan Poddar and other local TMC leaders arrested in extortion cases

The action in Bidhannagar expanded further with the arrest of Ranjan Poddar, councillor of Ward No. 34 and borough chairman of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Poddar, considered close to former minister Sujit Basu, came under police action after hawkers, transport operators and businessmen from Salt Lake lodged complaints against him.

Police questioned him before formally arresting him. His associate, Rana Haldar, was also taken into custody in the same matter. Apart from them, separate complaints led to the arrests of local TMC functionaries Soumik Das, known as Raja, and Bijoy Rajbanshi in extortion cases.

These arrests have brought increased attention to Bidhannagar, where several leaders linked to the earlier municipal administration are facing scrutiny.

Former minister Sujit Basu arrested by ED in municipal recruitment case

The biggest political name caught in the ongoing drive is former West Bengal minister Sujit Basu. The Enforcement Directorate arrested the former Fire and Emergency Services minister in connection with the South Dum Dum Municipality recruitment scam. ED officials said Basu recommended nearly 150 candidates for jobs in South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for financial benefits.

Investigators stated that properties, including flats, were traced during the probe and were connected to municipal appointments. The agency also found large cash deposits in bank accounts linked to him. The arrest happened after over ten hours of questioning by ED officials. According to investigators, irregular appointments took place between 2014 and 2016 when Basu was associated with South Dum Dum Municipality as vice-chairman.

The agency believes nearly 1,000 recruitments across 17 municipalities were made unlawfully during that period. The case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Sujit Basu, who recently lost the Bidhannagar Assembly seat to BJP by over 37,000 votes, became the first former minister to be arrested after the BJP government came to power in Bengal.

Arrests spread across Bengal districts

The anti-corruption and law-and-order drive has now spread across multiple districts.

On Saturday, 23rd May, 17 TMC leaders were arrested in different parts of the state. Among them were Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor Sudip Polle from Ward No. 123 and Bidhannagar councillor Samrat Baruah, who is facing extortion-related charges.

In Jagatballabhpur of Howrah district, gram panchayat deputy president Gurupad Majhi and his brother Raju Majhi were arrested in a post-poll violence case linked to attacks on BJP workers after the 2021 Assembly elections.

Hooghly also saw action where Dadpur panchayat member Altab Hussain Malik was arrested in another post-poll violence case.

Konnagar municipal councillor Bablu Pal, also known as Khokhan, was arrested over accusations of occupying government land for party offices, running illegal businesses and preparing fake documents for land transactions. The operation was conducted in the presence of BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty.

In Nadia district, TMC leader Ramzan Ali Mondal was arrested after residents accused him of intimidation, forcing contractors to buy materials through his syndicate network and running a parallel system in the locality. His associate, Pradeep Santra, was also arrested.

Murshidabad strongman Abu Bakkar was caught in a special police operation in an attempted murder case.

Meanwhile, in Paschim Bardhaman, panchayat member Sheikh Kamruddin was arrested in cases linked to election-related terror, corruption and extortion.

In Dinhata of Behar region, panchayat deputy president Bhavranjan Barman was arrested after accusations that BJP worker Ajay Adhikari was taken to a party office, beaten and asked to pay Rs 50,000.

With more than 70 arrests in just one week, the BJP government’s attack on corruption in Bengal has now moved beyond recruitment scams and reached local bodies, municipalities and grassroots organisations, putting several TMC leaders under investigation across the state.

Mohammad Deepak used money collected during membership drive pushed by Rahul Gandhi and leftists to meet his personal expenses instead of running gym, now faces eviction due to non-payment of rent

Shraddha Pandey
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Mohammad Deepak used money collected during membership drive pushed by Rahul Gandhi and leftists to meet his personal expenses instead of running gym, now faces eviction due to non-payment of rent

In late January 2026, Deepak Kumar, aka Mohammad Deepak, a gym-trainer running Hulk Gym in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwara, gained national attention over a communal dispute. Days after the incident, Deepak Kumar claimed that there was a sharp decline in his gym’s membership, dropping from 150 to 15.  Deepak’s ordeal triggered an Islamo-leftist sympathy wave, and many politicians and celebrities promised to buy his gym membership. Three months on, Mohammad Deepak is on the brink of losing his gym.

Mohammad Deepak gave an interview to The Indian Express recently, in which the gym trainer played the victim card and claimed that, due to a supposed ‘economic boycott’ and ‘social isolation’ after the January incident, he has been unable to pay the Rs 40,000 rent for his gym. Deepak Kumar said the owner of the building that houses his gym has given him an ultimatum to vacate the space after he failed to pay rent for four months.

Mohammad Deepak Kumar paints his landlord a communal figure for threatening eviction over non-payment of four months’ gym rent

Deepak Kumar also villainised his landlord and gave a communal spin to the Hindu landlord’s natural reaction to a tenant failing to pay rent for four months straight. Kumar claimed that the landlord does not want to rent the gym to him because he helped a Muslim man.

“I have not been able to consistently pay the rent. However, things were looking up as almost 70 people had started coming in every day. He implied that he did not want to rent it out to me because I ‘stood up for Muslims’,” Mohammad Deepak told Indian Express.

A question arises here: if the landlord was so bigoted and anti-Muslim that he does not want to rent out his space to Mohammad Deepak for his gym, why would he allow him to continue gym operations for nearly four months without rent payment? Isn’t a 1-month notice a standard practice? Would he really wait for four months to warn of eviction over non-payment of rent?

It is also quite natural for common people to avoid having anything to do with anyone embroiled in police-court cases, and yet the landlord apparently waited for Deepak to work things out and pay the rent. And yet, Mohammad Deepak Kumar comes out in the media to play victim and villainise his landlord as a bigoted Hindu.

Deepak used money collected during the membership drive for personal expenses instead of running the gym, and now cries victim

When asked about the money collected during the membership drive after the controversy, Mohammad Deepak Kumar admitted that he used the incoming funds for personal expenses, including payment of home loan EMIs and his child’s school fees, etc, rather than investing it in gym operations and paying rent.

It must be recalled that on 26th January 2026, members of Bajrang Dal asked the owner of Ahmed’s Baba School Dress and Matching Centre to change the name of his shop. The shopkeeper reportedly refused, which led to an argument. Deepak Kumar intervened and sided with the Muslim shop owner. When his name was asked, he said, “Mohammad Deepak”.

The video of the incident went viral online, with Islamo-leftists heaping praises on Deepak for declaring his name as ‘Mohammad Deepak’ to somehow help the Muslim shop-owner.

Politicians, entertainers, and a group of Supreme Court lawyers pledged support to Mohammad Deepak, with many promising to buy his gym’s membership.

Among the top names were Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, entertainer Swara Bhasker, and author and Islamist sympathiser Harsh Mander.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi published a social media post on 1st February, declaring Mohammad Deepak a ‘hero’. “Deepak from Uttarakhand is a hero of India. Deepak is fighting for the Constitution and humanity—for that Constitution which the BJP and the Sangh Parivar are conspiring every day to trample underfoot. He is a living symbol of a shop of love in the marketplace of hate, and that’s what stings those in power the most. The Sangh Parivar is deliberately poisoning the country’s economy and society, so that India remains divided and a few people continue to rule on the crutches of fear,” Gandhi wrote.

“Uttarakhand’s BJP government is openly siding with those anti-social forces that are engaged in intimidating and harassing ordinary citizens. No country can move forward in an atmosphere of hate, fear, and anarchy. Without peace, development is just an empty slogan. We need more Deepaks—those who do not bow, who do not fear, and who stand firmly with the Constitution with all their might. We are with you, brother. Don’t be afraid. You are a lion-hearted warrior,” he added.

Days later, Mohammad Deepak Kumar met Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s residence. Gandhi shared a video of the meeting and wrote, “In the hearts of millions of Indians lies the ideology of harmony and love, but there is also fear in their minds—Deepak has shown the path to all of them with his courage. Those who try to intimidate society by spreading hatred are, in reality, cowards—never be afraid of them. Deepak has defended our tricolor and our Constitution. He stood firm against hatred, protected the weak— There is no greater patriotism than this.”

Mohammad Deepak had confirmed that during the meeting, Rahul Gandhi promised to visit his gym in Kotdwara and take a membership. However, Gandhi never showed up.

Uttarakhand Congress leadership, including former CM Harish Rawat, who promised to open a Muslim University if elected to power, had also lauded Mohammad Deepak Kumar as a beacon of justice.

Bollywood ‘entertainer’ Swara Bhasker and also committed to purchasing the membership of Deepak’s gym, as she wrote, “This is an excellent idea! Let’s all – whoever of us can- take membership of Mohd. Deepak’s gym.. I’m in! Brilliant idea Adheesh ji.. who can help with details?”

There, however, is no public confirmation that Bhasker actually fulfilled her self-declared commitment.

In February, Harsh Mander, author and Islamist-sympathising activist, also promised to buy the membership of Deepak’s gym. “Let as many of us as possible take membership of Deepak’s Gym as an act of solidarity Could someone please share details of how we can pay our membership fees for this? Thanks,” Mander posted on X.

Apparently, only CPIM MP John Brittas actually visited Deepak’s gym and purchased a membership. In addition, a group of 15 senior Supreme Court advocates bought an annual membership to Deepak’s gym for Rs 10,000 each.

Mohammad Deepak confirmed that he did receive support from Supreme Court lawyers; however, he said that the money collected during the membership drive was not enough to run the gym.

Notably, Deepak said that after the membership drive, the number of gym members, which went down from 150 before the controversy to just 15 after that, went up to 70.

In fact, Deepak said that he used all the money collected during the membership drive in February this year to pay the EMIs and his child’s fees.

“It required more to keep the gym running. When the membership drive was active, I used the amount for the EMIs and my child’s fees, and I could not pay the rent regularly. Now he has threatened me with eviction,” Deepak said.

Deepak Kumar’s admission, though aimed at garnering sympathy and fiscal support, raises questions over his integrity. The whole idea of buying gym membership was to ‘help’ Deepak run the gym smoothly amidst dwindling numbers of pre-existing members due to the controversy. But, instead of utilising the collected funds for the gym’s operation and paying the rent, Deepak spent it all on regular pre-controversy expenses.

It is interesting how most left-liberals who hailed Mohammad Deepak Kumar a hero, a beacon of hope in Modi’s ‘communal’ India, were mostly only confined to rhetorical support and little ground action.

What is even more amusing is that the Muslim community, for whom Deepak Kumar stood up and even went to the extent of calling himself Mohammad Deepak, did not come out in his support, as evident from his membership number reaching just around 70 after all the controversy, politics, and social media support wave.

Mohammad Deepak Kumar and his controversial past

OpIndia’s investigation earlier revealed Mohammad Deepak Kumar’s links to a Dubai-based businessman, Chand Maula Baksh, who regularly organised bodybuilding events for him. During the controversy, a video of Mohammad Deepak went viral on social media in which he was heard saying that there is immense power in the name “Mohammad”.

In a comment on the same post, he said, “If the terrorists took off the pants of Hindu men before killing them, then what did they take off the women?”

Another viral post by Mohammad Deepak calls those who describe the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack as Muslims “chutiy@”. 

Mohammad Deepak is said to be closely associated with Youth Congress District President Vijay Rawat.

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