Tensions prevailed in the city of Nagpur after violent clashes between Muslim mobs and Hindu Groups demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. According to the reports, unrest gripped the city over unverified rumours of the Quran burning during a protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb.
As many as 15 police officials and 5 civilians were injured in the violence as unruly mobs pelted stones, vandalised public property, and torched vehicles. Section 144 was imposed in the violence-hit region as a measure to bring situation under control.
The violence initially erupted in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas and later spread to Kotwali and Mahal areas. To control the situation, police used tear gas and carried out a baton charge to disperse the mob.OpIndia spoke to eyewitnesses who saw the clashes between the two groups.
Ram Mohan (name changed) said tension was palpable when he was at the Chitnis Park square where the police were barricading to avoid a potential escalation. “I had gone to drop my wife off at the railway station, and while returning I saw a large unruly mob passing through the Chitnis Park square, where a mosque stands,” he said.
Another eyewitness said he saw a mob of at least 500 to 600 men chanting slogans of “Allahu Akbar” and “Labaik-Ya-Rasool-Allah” in the Mahal region. He also revealed that the mob was pelting stones and that one of the stones hit his car.
“They were in hundreds. One of the stones hit my car. But since they all looked angry and agitated, I quietly skirted around them and came back to my home,” he said.
BJP MP Nitin Gadkari appealed for peace to the residents, urging them to support the administration in controlling the situation and expressing regret over the violence.
In a podcast with AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra painted a vivid image of India’s cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity and how they are united under one name—Ram. Prime Minister called Lord Ram a “common thread” that beautifully binds India’s kaleidoscopic diversity into a unified tapestry of ancient yet living civilization.
As Lex Fridman asked about what is the idea that unites India and what India is as a nation, PM Modi responded, “Look, India is a cultural identity. It is a civilization that dates back thousands of years. Consider the vastness of India, with over a hundred languages and thousands of dialects.” Further emphasising the saying that every 20 miles, the language, customs, cuisine, and clothing styles change from region to region, he said that despite this immense diversity, there is a common thread that unites the country—Lord Ram.
PM Modi highlighted the stories of Lord Ram, which resonate across India, and pointed out how names inspired by Lord Ram are found in every region, from Rambhai in Gujarat to Ramachandran in Tamil Nadu and Ram Bhau in Maharashtra. He remarked that this unique cultural bond unites India as one civilization.
“From the South to the North, you will see immense diversity across the country. But if you dig a little deeper, you will find a common thread. For example, the name of Lord Ram echoes in every corner of the country. But if you look closely, from Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir, you will always find people whose names include Ram in some form. In Gujarat, you might be called Rambhai, in Tamil Nadu, Ramachandran and in Maharashtra Rambhau. This unique cultural bond is what unites India as one civilization,” PM Modi said.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi beautifully describes how Hindu Dharma, particularly, Lord Ram, is the inextricable thread that has woven Bharat’s fabric of vast and varied civilization transcending linguistic, regional and cultural confines, let’s unpack how Bhagwan and Ramayana bind us Indians as one civilization.
Lord Ram and the revered saga of his heroism—Ramayana—manifest across India’s diverse regions not only as a shared name or figure but as a vibrant, living presence in folk traditions, dance forms, literature, festivals and the sacred geography. In fact, Lord Ram’s glory stitches together a broader Dharmic and cultural tapestry that transcends the boundaries of India.
Bhagwan Ram as the “common thread” unifying India: The journey across states and cultures
The Hindu epic of Ramayana authored by Rishi Valmiki is not a mere static epic confined to ancient Sanskrit texts rather it is entrenched in India’s cultural essence and has been retold, reimagined and relived across India’s linguistic and cultural mosaic, blending local flavours while retaining the core essence. The life and times of Bhagwan Ram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, extend to a vast geographical span—from Janakpur in Nepal where Mata Sita was born, to Sri Lanka where Ravana’s kingdom was situated, literally stretches across the subcontinent and touches neighbouring countries, every state within India leaving a trail of spectacular temples, soulful traditions and intriguing tales.
Bhagwan Ram was born in the holy city of Ayodhya in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. While Lord Ram is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu the supreme God, in the Awadh region Lord Ram is revered as the King. Ayodhya, the Hindu spiritual epicentre has seen it all, from the glory of Lord Ram’s life, the destruction of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir on the orders of Mughal tyrant Babur to the reclamation and reconstruction of Ram Mandir after 500 years. In fact, Hindus from across the country participated in some way or another to reclaim the rightful abode of Lord Ram.
Ramlila, a dramatic reenactment of the Ramayana, is performed during Dussehra or Vijay Dashami with local performers bringing the story of the divine to life through songs, music, dance and theatres. Ramcharitmanas, the 16th-century retelling of Ramayana in Awadhi rekindled the flame of Ram Bhakti (devotion towards Lord Ram) when Bharat was under consistent attacks of foreign Islamic jihadi invaders. Even to this day, Ramcharitmanas is found in almost every north Indian Hindu household and the chaupais (quatrain), Bhajans and folk songs dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita echo through villages and cities. Interestingly, Lord Rama is not only a unifier of Hindus but also unites the followers of other Indic religions. In Punjab, several Sikh traditions revere Lord Ram as Guru Nanak Ji referenced Lord Ram as the epitome of righteousness in the Guru Granth Sahib. Even Jains have composed their ‘non-violent’ retelling of Ramayana called the Paumachariyam or Padmacharitra.
In Odisha, the Jagmohana Ramayana by Balarama Dasa in the early 1400s in Odia language is a retelling of Ramayana emphasizing Lord Ram’s Leela or his divine play and incorporates local sensibilities. Folk dances like Chhau present a captivating reenactment of episodes from Ramayana. Similarly, Bengal has its lens to see Lord Ram’s life and deeds—the Krittivasi Ramayana by 15th-century poet Mahakavi Kritvasi Ojha. This Bengali retelling of Ramayana has a colloquial and folksy style resonating with the region’s devotional culture.
Even festivals like (the day Lord Ram was born as the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu), Dussehra (the day Lord Ram slayed Ravana and established Dharma), Diwali (the return of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years exile, among others relating to the figures mentioned in Ramayana as well as the events described in the epic are celebrated across the country and by Hindus living elsewhere with unbridled joy and devotion.
Be it the Tulsidas authored Geetavali, a Braj rendering of Ramayana in songs or the Geet Ramayan in Marathi describing events from Ramayana, love, devotion and inspiration is drawn from Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram’s life by people across states and linguistic backgrounds.
In Maharashtra, folk theatre and Powada ballads celebrate the life and valour of Lord Ram. Interestingly, the Orchha town in Madhya Pradesh boasts a unique Raja Ram Temple where in a regal cultural twist, Lord Ram is revered as the King rather than a deity. In Gujarat where Rampagdandi, Pampa Lake, Rameshwar, and Unaal among other sites related to Lord Ram’s journey are situated, Lord Ram is worshipped and celebrated.
The Yakshagana of Karnataka and Kerala, Chhau mask dance and Jatra tradition of West Bengal and Odisha, Kathakali of Kerala and Dashavatara in Maharashtra are among the popular Indian folk dances representing Ramayana though not confined to representing Ramayana alone. The events of Ramayana are also depicted through puppet performances through Tolpava Koothu of Kerala, Tholu Bommalattam of Andhra Pradesh, and Togalu Gombeyatta of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Still taken from a YouTube video titled Togalu Gombayetta by Veranna
The journey and teachings of Bhagwan Ram and Maa Janaki (Sita) are ingrained in the living traditions of the sacred geography of the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. In Tamil Nadu, the Kamba Ramayanam by 12th-century poet Kambar is a literary gem focusing on Lord Ram’s journey, his Dharma and the emotional aspect. In Tamil Nadu’s Rameshwaram, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita installed a Shivling while returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana in the great war in Lanka. Not to forget, it was in Rameshwaram where Lord Rama and the Vanar Sena built the Setu (bridge) to Lanka.
The Ramayana mentions that when Lord Ram was returning to India from Lanka, he sought to atone for the sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravan). In response, Lord Shiva advised him to install a Shivling and perform puja. Lord Ram then assigned Lord Hanuman the task of finding a Shivling on Mount Kailasa. However, when Lord Hanuman did not return on time, Goddess Sita used sand from the seashore to construct a Shivling.
The Tamil literature also celebrates Lord Ram. The Hindu god finds mentions in some of the earliest Tamil compositions like the Sangam Literature. The Purananuru, the Ahananuru and the Paripadal collection of verses mention various incidents of the Ramayana. Even the post-Sangam texts like Silappadhikaram and Manimekhalai also revolve around the incidents of Ramayana. The great Tamil dynasties, the Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, are known to have made endowments for the public exposition of Ramavataram also known as Kamba Ramayana (12th century). Even the 7th and 8th century Alvar and Nayannar saints also worshipped Lord Rama and to this day, despite the perpetual attacks on Hinduism and attempts to ‘eradicate’ Sanatan Dharma, the Hindus of Tamil Nadu continue to worship Lord Ram and take inspiration from his valorous and righteous life.
In the Telugu language, there are three main compositions of the Ramayana with the oldest being the 13th-century Ranganatha Ramayanam, the second being Bhaskara Ramayanam and the third Molla Ramayanam (15th century).
In Telangana, the Sri Seetha Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam dedicated to Bhagwan Ram and Mata Sita is famous for its grand celestial wedding ceremony, or Sri Sita Rama Kalyana Mahotsavam, performed on the occasion of Ram Navami. The ceremony attracts devotees in large numbers. Incidentally, Bhadrachalam is considered a Divya Kshetram (divine region) and is also called the Dakshina Ayodhya (the Ayodhya of the South).
Sri Seetha Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam (Image via IndiaTimes)
The earliest available literary composition in Kannada is Kavirajamarga by Nripatunga in the 9th century. It contains references to earlier poets in addition to excerpts from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The earliest Ramayana in Kannada, however, was the Jain Chavundaraya Purana which is believed to have been composed in the 10th century. There are later versions of the Hindu epic that contributed towards the spread of Ram bhakti and united the Hindu community despite linguistic and regional differences.
Interestingly, Kerala observes Ramayana Masam in the Malayalam month of Karkdakam in sync with the Shravan Maas in north India. During this holy month, temples and many Hindu households in Kerala reverberate with the divine chants of “SreeRama, Rama! Rama!, Sree Ramachandra! Jaya, SreeRama!Rama!Rama! Sree Rama Bhadra! Jaya”, taken from Aadhyatma Ramayana, a Malayalam version of Valmiki Ramayana composed by Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan in the early 17th century.
In Kerala’s Kollam district, there is an iconic Jatayu Earth’s Center that hosts the world’s largest bird sculpture. Here the massive bird sculpture is of the divine bird Jatayu mentioned in Ramayana who bravely resisted demon king Ravana’s attempt to abduct Mata Sita on his Pushpak Vimana. The Centre also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, a replica of the Palace of Janaka, the father of Goddess Sita. The legendary vulture king is believed to have attained martyrdom in Kerala’s Chadayamangalam.
Image via Jatayu Earth Centre’s website
Similarly, Karnataka’s Hampi is mentioned in Ramayana as Kishkindha or the monkey kingdom ruled by Sugriva. It was in Kishkindha that Lord Rama formed a pivotal alliance with King Sugriva and Lord Hanuman during exile. Kishkindha was the staging ground for the search for Mata Sita, marked by Lord Ram’s aid to Sugriva to defeat his brother Vali (Bali). Interestingly, Kishkindha’s landscape dotted with hills and caves mirrors the rocky and forested terrain description in Ramayana. To this day, Hampi or Kishkindha remains significant from both religious and historical perspectives.
One lesser-discussed aspect of Ramayana is its prevalence in northeast India. Ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ram were found in Assam’s Dhubri. The earliest mention of Shri Ram has been found in the 7th-century Dubi copper plate inscription of Bhaskarvarma which hails Lord Ram and his father King Dashrath. Even the Ahom kings patronised Hindu Dharma and issued land grants in the name of Lord Ram. There are many such inscriptions, temples and local traditions centred on Shri Ram’s worship, however, the Macaulay-ised education system coupled with the narrative of suppressing Hindu history pushed by leftist historians made the impact of Lord Ram on northeast India’s religious practices, traditions and literature nearly unnoticed.
North to South, East to West: Ramayana’s geographical span is as vast as the character and virtues of Lord Ram
The physical footprints of Ramayana are staggering. If one tracks it from North to South direction, it begins in Janakpur, Nepal, moves to Ayodhya, then traces the exile through Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, Panchavati in Maharashtra’s Nashik, Kishkindha in Karnataka. With other major landmarks, the journey culminates in Tamil Nadu’s Rameshwaram and crosses the sea to Sri Lanka.
In January 2024, days before performing the consecration of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram in his child form), at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the representative Yajman undertook a journey to several temples states including Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. PM Modi essentially visited temples that were connected with the incidents of Ramayana, particularly, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman’s exile. PM Modi visited Panchvati in Nasik, Maharashtra. As per the Ramayana, Lord Rama and Sita stayed in Dandakaranya forest during the 14th year of their exile. This forest which spans modern-day parts of central and eastern India, roughly covering areas of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra was back then filled with both sages and demons. Goddess Sita was abducted by demon king Ravana from Panchavati in Dandakaranya.
From Panchavati, PM Modi headed southwards to Lepakshi ( Telugu word meaning Rise! Oh bird) in Andhra Pradesh as it is believed that Lord Rama had commanded an injured Jatayu to rise.
Subsequently, PM Modi visited the Triprayar Sree Ramaswamy temple in Kerala’s Thrissur. The temple has a unique worship done with the bursting of crackers called ‘vedi vazhipadu’ which is performed to commemorate the return of Hanuman from Lanka after he met Sita and brought her ornament. It is said that after Lord Rama killed the demon Khara, he attained both the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects here. After this, PM Modi visited Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam in Tamil Nadu’s Trichy in January 2024. As per Ramayana, the temple finds mention after Shri Ram had slayed Ravan. It is believed that here Shri Ram gave Vibhishan his own dynasty’s Aradhana Murthy which is an idol of the reclining Vishnu. Lord Ram had warned Vibhishan that if he kept the idol anywhere on the ground during his travel, the idol would become permanently fixed there, however, Vibhishan failed to successfully take the idol to Lanka and it became permanently fixed in Kerala’s Thrissur. Centuries later, a Chola king Dharmavarma rediscovered the idol and established the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
PM Modi also visited Rameshwaram’s Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi dedicated to Lord Rama with a bow. It is believed that here, after the war, used his bow and arrow to break the Ram Setu and later performed Vibhishan’s coronation there. PM Modi had visited all major temples that fall under the Ramayana circuit before reaching Ayodhya just as Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman did, and performed the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in the Ram Janambhoomi Temple.
The presence of ancient temples, traditions, folklores, festivals and scriptures across regions, languages and cultures celebrating the journey of Lord Ram shows that every Indian state claims a piece, a share in God’s Leela making Lord Ram a literal and metaphorical bridge across the Indian subcontinent.
Rama beyond Bharat
The unifying “thread” Prime Minister Modi referred Lord Ram as, extends beyond India into Southeast Asia, where the Ramayana though with its core elements preserved, gets a local touch. In Thailand, Ramakein is a national epic, with Lord Ram (Phra Ram) as a valorous king. This Thai version of Ramayana is performed in the elaborate Khon masked dance.
Similarly, Indonesia’s Kakawin Ramayana has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions and is performed through Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry symbolising Lord Ram as the epitome of virtue.
Image via Radar Jogja
In Cambodia, Reamker (Glory of Rama), a local version of Ramayana is designated as the national epic and its incidents are beautifully performed through local dance forms.
Malaysia has a Malay adaptation of Ramayana named Hikayat Seri Rama. This is not a direct translation of Valmiki Ramayana rather it incorporates the elements of both Hindu and Islamic mythology.
Similarly, Laos and Myanmar also have their own poetic versions of Phra Lak Phra Lam and Yama Zatdaw respectively.
Ram: The soul of a civilisation
Indeed, Lord Ram is the “common thread” unifying Bharat as a civilisation. Bhagwan Ram is the heartbeat of our civilisation that thrives on its diversity. From the rugged forests of Dandakaranya to the vibrant Kishkindha, Lord Ram’s story, his journey stitches the Indic civilisation together echoing in the “Ram Ram” greetings of the north, the temples bells of the south and the beautiful renditions of Ramayana in Indic languages, play, puppetry and dance performances and its adaptations in Southeast Asian countries.
Bhagwan Ram is not only a historical figure, but a living bridge, linking past to present, region to region, heart to heart, soul to soul. His journey is retold in countless languages, and myriad dance forms, his glory sung in various musical forms, from his birth to marriage, and exile, his valour and virtue are all celebrated in every corner of Bharat. Goswami Tulsidas ji wrote this chaupai (quatrain),
हरि अनंत हरि कथा अनंता। कहहिं सुनहिं बहुबिधि सब संता॥ रामचंद्र के चरित सुहाए। कलप कोटि लगि जाहिं न गाए॥
This means that Hari (Lord Vishnu) is infinite (no one can surpass him) and his story (Katha) is also infinite. All the saints tell and listen to him in many ways. The beautiful character of Ramchandra cannot be sung even in millions of Kalpas (cosmic cycle). Prime Minister Modi was absolutely correct when he called Lord Ram as the common thread, as only the infinite, the supreme, the unsurpassable Lord Ram could be the unifying force that binds such a vast and diverse kaleidoscope of cultures, traditions, languages, regionalities and people together.
China on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on India-China relations, commending his emphasis on dialogue over discord. Beijing likened the bilateral relationship to a “ballet between the dragon and the elephant,” emphasizing the necessity of cooperation for mutual prosperity.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning acknowledged PM Modi’s “positive” comments and highlighted progress in ties since his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia. “China has taken note of Prime Minister Modi’s recent positive statement on China-India relations and appreciates it,” she stated during a media briefing. Mao reiterated that their discussions had set a strategic course for both nations.
#FMsays China expressed appreciation on Monday over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent positive remarks on China-India relations. The two countries should be partners that contribute to each other's success, FM spokeswoman Mao Ning said. pic.twitter.com/a7uMIBTUic
Reflecting on historical ties, she noted that for over 2,000 years, India and China have engaged in friendly exchanges and contributed to human progress. Stressing the importance of collaboration, she stated, “The two countries should support each other’s success, and a ‘cooperative pas de deux,’ a ballet between the dragon and elephant, remains the only viable path forward.”
During a nearly three-hour conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, PM Modi expressed optimism about the two nations’ ties, underscoring their shared history and the importance of ensuring “differences do not turn into disputes.” He pointed out that India and China once accounted for over 50% of the global GDP, highlighting the benefits of cooperation for global peace and prosperity.
Chinese state-run daily The Global Timesalso lauded PM Modi’s remarks, viewing them as a pragmatic approach to balancing competition and cooperation. The publication cited experts who noted that both nations have taken “positive strides” since the Kazan summit, improving diplomatic and military communications while maintaining border stability.
A series of financial irregularities and governance violations have come to light at Exclusive Capital Limited (ECL), a non-banking financial company (NBFC), leading to multiple investigations and regulatory interventions. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Delhi has ordered an investigation under Section 242 of the Companies Act, 2013, while the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified serious breaches of financial regulations.
Exclusive Capital’s Role in Hindustan National Glass CIRP
Exclusive Capital is also a Committee of Creditors (CoC) member in the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of Hindustan National Glass (HNG). In a landmark judgment on January 29, 2025, the Supreme Court set aside the resolution plan of AGI Greenpac, stating that the plan was not legally tenable. Further, in paragraph 155 of the judgment, the Supreme Court directed the CoC to consider INSCO’s resolution plan or any other resolution plan that had valid Competition Commission of India (CCI) approval as of October 28, 2022.
The CoC, exercising its commercial wisdom, approved INSCO’s resolution plan and subsequently issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to INSCO. Following this, the resolution plan of INSCO was filed with NCLT Kolkata for final approval.
However, in a surprising move, Exclusive Capital, a minority CoC member, challenged the majority CoC’s decision by filing an Interlocutory Application (IA) before NCLT Kolkata. The IA opposed the CoC’s decision to approve INSCO’s resolution plan and declare INSCO as the successful resolution applicant.
OpIndia has obtained a letter from the workers’ union of HNG addressed to the Court-appointed Observer/Administrator, Justice (Retd.) R.K. Gauba, raising concerns over Exclusive Capital’s actions. The letter alleges that Exclusive Capital’s conduct is aimed at derailing the resolution process of HNG and that it may be acting in the interests of AGI Greenpac, the Supreme Court-rejected resolution applicant. The workers’ union has urged Justice Gauba to intervene and examine whether Exclusive Capital, already under financial scrutiny, has been filing frivolous legal challenges at the behest of vested interests.
OpIndia’s Investigation and Justice Gauba’s Response
OpIndia has been tracking the insolvency proceedings of HNG for long and, therefore it preferred to send a list of questions to Justice R.K. Gauba. The reply is quoted below:
Dear Mr. Bagla / Mr. Jindal / Mr.Abraham,
I am in receipt of the email forwarded herewith, sent at my personal email ID, which seems to be already marked to Mr. Bagla and one another in Exclusive Capital Limited (ECL). A large number of facts mentioned in this communication are not part of the disclosures made to me by ECL and so are taken as inputs. Please share the entire information on the subject. You are also reminded that ECL is expected to disclose to the undersigned the facts and status of all litigation in which it is involved.
From the reply of Justice Gauba, it seems that he is not aware of any such IAs being filed by Achal Jindal on behalf of Exclusive Capital (CoC member of HNGIL). Such major revelations directly question the legitimacy and intentions of Exclusive Capital and under whose approval or authority such frivolous IAs have been preferred to be filed by the top management of the board, which itself is under massive financial misappropriation investigation by various agencies. In light of these findings, NCLT and NCLAT have appointed an Observer on the board to oversee the operations of Exclusive Capital.
Workers Union’s writ petition against IBBI, CoC, and RP
On March 12, 2025, the workers union of HNG filed a writ petition against IBBI, CoC, and RP, seeking clarification from IBBI regarding whether the Resolution Professional (RP) of HNG, whose Authorization for Assignment (AFA) is suspended, can continue to discharge his duties in the ongoing CIRP of Hindustan National Glass.
In a shocking turn of events, Supreme Court-rejected resolution applicant AGI Greenpac and CoC member Exclusive Capital attempted to intervene in the proceedings at the Delhi High Court, opposing the clarification issued by IBBI. Such conduct raises serious questions about Exclusive Capital’s role in derailing the resolution process of HNG to favour vested interests.
During the Delhi High Court hearing on March 12, 2025, IBBI’s counsel clarified and submitted to the court, which was recorded in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the court’s order:
“According to the petitioner, the same only precludes the RP from undertaking any new assignment. In this regard, reliance has been placed by the petitioner on the Division Bench judgment of the Bombay High Court in the case of Kairav Anil Trivedi vs. IBBI & Ors., 2024 SCC Online Bom 2572, particularly on paragraph 14 thereof.
When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, learned counsel for the IBBI sought time to take instructions. Today, it is submitted by learned counsel for the IBBI that in line with the judgment of the Bombay High Court, the order dated 30.01.2025 precludes the concerned RP from undertaking any new assignment/s; the same does not prevent him from continuing with any existing assignment/s. The said statement is taken on record.”
This statement by IBBI further discredits Exclusive Capital’s attempt to intervene in the proceedings and raises concerns over their intentions in opposing the clarification issued by IBBI.
Other ongoing investigations against Exclusive Capital:`
Exclusive Capital, formerly known as UT Leasing Limited, has been accused of siphoning funds, mismanagement, and regulatory non-compliance. The company, under the directorship of Satya Prakash Bagla has allegedly engaged in unauthorized financial activities, leading to legal scrutiny. Some of the major violations include:
Unapproved Issuance and Conversion of Debentures:
The company issued Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) worth ₹315 crores between October 2021 and March 2022 without RBI’s prior approval. These were later converted into Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS), violating RBI regulations.
Breach of Leverage Ratio:
RBI guidelines prescribe a maximum leverage ratio of 7 for base-layer NBFCs. However, ECL had an astonishing leverage ratio of 117.77 as of March 2022. This indicates that the company took on a disproportionate amount of debt, posing significant risks to its financial stability and investor interests.
Failure to Submit Financial Documents:
ECL has not provided its balance sheet, profit & loss statements, and auditor reports for multiple financial years, raising concerns over financial misrepresentation.
Allegations of Siphoning Funds:
Investigations have uncovered potential financial misconduct and misappropriation of funds. There are accusations of funds being transferred to related parties, allegedly for personal gain.
Criminal Investigations Against Management:
Satya Prakash Bagla and other directors are reportedly under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Economic Offenses Wing (EOW).
Conclusion
To conclude, it looks like major material facts regarding Hindustan National Glass are being suppressed by the management of Exclusive Capital from Court-appointed Observer Justice R.K. Gauba. It further appears that the actions of Exclusive Capital’s directors—who themselves are under investigation—are solely aimed at derailing HNG’s CIRP. This raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and true intentions of Exclusive Capital in this entire insolvency process.
The ongoing investigations into Exclusive Capital and Satya Prakash Bagla expose a deep-rooted pattern of financial violations and corporate mismanagement. With multiple agencies, including RBI, NCLT, CBI, and ED, now involved, the case is expected to have far-reaching legal and financial implications.
Incidents of targeted attacks by Islamists on people celebrating Hindu festivals have become a new normal over the years. This year as well, several incidents of attacks on Holi celebrations were reported from different areas. Here is a list of 10 such incidents in which people celebrating Holi were attacked by Islamists on some pretext or the other.
‘If you celebrate Holi, we will kill you’
In February, some members of the Hindu community were planning to organise a Holi programme in their locality in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh when some Muslim men attacked them with sticks and gave them death threats, “If you celebrate Holi, we kill you.” The victims identified as Laxman, Munna, Shani and Akash were attacked by the accused identified as Ayan, Salman, Aman, Rehan, Bhura and Alam.
On receiving information about the incident, the police sprung into action. An FIR was registered against six persons.
‘How dare you to say Jai Shri Ram’
A Muslim mob attacked some people from the Hindu community celebrating Dol Purnima and Holi on 14th March in Anaipur village in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Sharing the details of the incident on X, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said that the attack was led by a Trinamool Panchayat member. He added that Muslims attacked Hindus for chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and questioned them, “How dare you raise this slogan?”.
Malviya alleged that the attacks happened in the presence of police who instead of preventing the violence shielded the attackers. He said that videos of the attack showed Hindus alleging that they were attacked while police stood there watching. Following the violent clash, the Birbhum district administration imposed restrictions on internet and VoIP services in five Gram Panchayats near Sainthia town till 17th March 2025.
Stone-pelting on Holi celebrations inside a college
On 11th March, stones were pelted at a group of students celebrating Holi on the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi. The students were playing music, dancing and singing inside the college campus some outsiders entered the campus starting interrupting the celebrations. When the students objected to this, the outsiders were removed from the campus. However, the intruders started throwing stones in the campus from outside. The students also started throwing the stones back on the intruders. This continued for over half an hour.
The situation was pacified after the police force from several police stations arrived on the spot and took control. An FIR was registered by the police on the complaint of the students.
Muslim family attacked for celebrating Holi with Hindus
A Muslim family celebrating Holi on 14th March was attacked by members of their community in Jalesar, Etah, Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place in the Mahanamai village in which one Shamshad and his two sons Mustaq and Imran were beaten up by some Muslim men. The victims were celebrating Holi with Hindu families in the village.
The victims said that they celebrate Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali every year with Hindus. However, members of their community disapproved of this. They threatened the family that they would not be allowed to live in the village if they celebrated Hindu festivals.
Maulana asks Hindu students not to play Holi in AMU
The Aligarh Muslim University administration denied permission to Hindu students to celebrate Holi on the university campus. The students wanted to organise a ‘Holi Milan’ event on the campus on Holi. The national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, claimed that since Muslims compose the majority of the university’s students, Holi shouldn’t be celebrated there. Advising that mutual respect is important to maintain peace, Bareilvi said that such an event need not be organised on campus if Muslim students were opposed to it.
Following much outrage by Hindu students, the university administration allowed Hindu students to celebrate Holi on the 13th and 14th of March at the NRSC Hall between 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Hindu boy attacked by a Muslim man over Holi celebrations
On Saturday (15th March), a day after Holi, tension erupted in the Buniyadganj area near Joda Masjid in Gaya, Bihar, after some Hindu boys playing Holi accidentally threw colour on a Muslim man. This led to a heated argument. The Muslim man tried to pull one of the Hindu boys into his area. The argument soon turned into a violent clash reportedly involving stone pelting.
On receiving the information about the incident, senior police officials reached at the spot to pacify the situation. The police attempted to mediate, but tensions prevailed in the area. Eventually, an additional police force was called to ensure no further incidents occurred in the region. The police denied any communal angle in the incident and said that the reason for the clashes was a personal dispute.
Stone pelting over Holika Dahan
Stone pelting occurred on the occasion of Holika Dahan in Sahnoura village in the NTPC police station area of Patna in Bihar. According to reports, Holika Dahan was taking place on a street in the village which was opposed by the people from the Muslim community. Soon tensions mounted between the two communities in the village and clashes broke out. Some police personnel who tried to pacify the situation were chased away by angry villagers. The police arrived again with a larger force and took control of the situation.
Several people from both sides were reportedly injured. Some shots were also fired. Police vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting that took place between the two communities.
Muslim man gives death threats to Hindu man on Holi
A Muslim man barged into a Hindu man’s house in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao and threatened him and his family with death for testing DJ on the occasion of Holi. According to the victim, Ajay, the accused Mohammad Aarif stormed into his house when he was testing DJ for Holi. When Ajay asked him to wait, Aarif attacked him and asked him to stop it immediately. Aarif also threatened him and his family with death.
Stone pelting on Holi procession in Ludhiana
On the occasion of Holi on 14th March, a Holi procession came under attack in the Bihari Colony in the Transport Nagar area of Ludhiana in Punjab. Several people were reportedly injured during the clashes.
As per reports, the clashes erupted in the evening near a local mosque when a Holi procession passed from the area. Members of the Muslim community were offering prayers inside the mosque when a procession celebrating Holi with colours and loud music passed by the mosque. This resulted in both sides reportedly pelting stones at each other. The police sprung into action on receiving the information about the clashes. The situation was brought under control after the police arrived. Eight people were arrested by the police in connection with the incident. However, the police denied any communal angle.
Stone pelting on Holi procession passing through ‘Masjid Lane’
Stones were pelted on a Holi procession in the Ghodthamba OP Police Station area of Giridih district of Jharkhand when the procession passed through the ‘masjid lane’, triggering members of the Muslim community over a Hindu procession traversing through their area and from a road that had a mosque situated on its side.
Soon the altercation between the two communities turned violent. At least three shops, one four-wheeler, and seven bikes were torched during the clashes. The police were informed about the clashes, and officials from the district headquarters rushed to the location to control the situation. The police quickly dispersed the miscreants.
On Monday, 17th March, the Sambhal administration categorically refused to allow any event glorifying historical invaders. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shirish Chandra, stated that the annual Neja Mela, which is traditionally held in Sambhal honouring Syed Salar Masud Ghazi, cannot be allowed as he was an invader.
सम्भल: क्रूर आक्रांता सैयद सालार मसूद गाजी के नाम पर हर वर्ष लगने वाले नेजा मेला की पुलिस ने नहीं दी इजाजत.
ASP बोले: कोई कुरीति सालों से चली आ रही है तो उसे बदलने की जरूरत है. गजनवी के भांजे मसूद गाज़ी ने भारत में क्रूरता की थी, ऐसे लुटेरे-हत्यारे की याद में नहीं होगा कोई मेला. pic.twitter.com/Q0ccGY5gQZ
The event, which is organised every year after Holi, had drawn objections from members of the Hindu community in the past. They had approached the police administration to express their concerns. Responding to these concerns, the authorities asserted that Salar Masud Ghazi had harmed the nation and it would not be appropriate to celebrate him through such events.
‘No festival for looters’ – Sambhal ASP Shirish Chandra
A video of ASP Chandra went viral on social media where he was seen talking to members of the Muslim community who had come to seek permission for the event. ASP made it clear that the administration would not permit a festival honouring an invader.
The Sambhal ASP further remarked that those who plundered Somnath cannot be celebrated. He unequivocally said, “No memorial will be erected in the name of a looter. If anyone attempts to do so, strict action will be taken.”
The ASP added, “Anyone who supports those who committed crimes against the country is no different from a traitor. If someone believes that such a person deserves honour and celebration, then they too are working against the country. This is not a tradition; this was a practice carried forward in ignorance. But if anyone is now insisting on continuing this knowingly, then they are doing so with malicious intent.”
SDM had previously denied permission
Earlier, members of the Neja Committee had approached SDM Dr Vandana Mishra seeking permission for the event. However, she too had firmly refused, stating it would not be allowed in its current form. She referred to the 2023 meeting where a decision was taken to rebrand the event as “Sadbhavna Mela” to maintain social harmony.
Notably, in the previous administrative meetings, all stakeholders had agreed to rebrand the event as “Sadbhavna Mela” in the interest of communal harmony. However, the Neja Committee officials pushed for the traditional format of the festival, insisting that it was a centuries-old tradition that should not be altered.
The Islamic invader Ghazi Salar Masud
Ghazi Salar Masud, as per some mentions, was the nephew of barbaric invader Mahmud of Ghaznavi. Though Islamists eulogize Ghazi Salar Masud as a “martyr” who died fighting the “kafirs”, the fact is that Salar Masud was a fanatic who, under the tutelage of his uncle, Mahmud of Ghaznavi, drew pleasure in the rampant killing of Hindus. Masud during the 11th century carried out mass conversions and execution of Hindus. He plundered and destructed Hindu temples and Maths including the sacred Suraj Kund at Bahraich, as he went ahead to conquer various parts of India until Raja Suheldev finally halted his advent.
Ghazi Salar Masud was ultimately killed by Maharaja Suheldev when the two engaged in the fierce Battle of Bahraich in 1034 CE. The battle was fought near Chittaura Lake near the present-day Bahraich city in Uttar Pradesh.
In 1026 CE, during the destruction of the famous Somnath Temple, Mahmud of Ghaznavi was accompanied by his 11-year-old nephew Saiyyad Salar Masud. After the death of Mahmud Ghaznavi, Masud invaded India in May 1031 CE with a 100,000 strong army. He had imbibed the fanatism and barbarism of his uncle.
His first military conflict was with Raja Mahipal Tomar of Delhi, which he conquered. From here he marched into the upper Doab towards Meerut whose ruler Raja Hari Dutt surrendered and accepted Islam. Continuing the series of invasions, killings, loot and destructions, Ghazi Salar Masud eventually conquered Multan, Delhi, Meerut and marched forward.
After several kings were defeated by him, some other kings from Meerut, Badayun, Kannauj etc decided to ally with him instead of fighting against his mighty army. After conquering these places, Masud had planned to invade Ayodhya, a sacred city for Hindus. But to reach Ayodhya, his army had to first cross Bahraich, which fell under Shravasti. During this period the Kingdom of Shravasti was ruled by Raja Suheldev.
When Raja Suhaldev became aware of Masud’s plans, he prepared a counter-attack. He talked to kings of the neighbouring states, and they together formed a large defence force against the invader.
Although the Suhaldev’s army had to face defeat initially, the king motivated the soldiers to fight back with full force, saying that not a single foe should not return alive. After days of intense battle in 1034, Raja Suhaldev was able to trap Salar Masud, and the Muslim invader was killed in the battle. According to legends, none of the 1.5 lakh soldiers in Masud’s army survived the battle and this halted the Islamic conquest of India for almost a century.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu presented the budget for the financial year 2025-26 on 17th March and announced to increase the price of cow milk from ₹45 to ₹51 per litre and the price of buffalo milk from ₹55 to ₹61 per litre, in a fresh economic jolt to the state’s people. A six rupees increase has been made to the minimum support price for cow and buffalo milk. Additionally, cattle farmers would receive a ₹2 transit subsidy.
CM Sukhu stated that tea estates would be developed as eco-tourism destinations and that the focus is on increasing religious tourism and investigating lesser-known tourist destinations. He stated that 70% of the loans taken over the last two years were used to repay the loans taken by the previous government and its interest component, bringing the state’s debt exposure to ₹1,04,729 crore, of which ₹29,046 lakh have been taken out by the current government. The amount spent on development activities was a mere ₹8,093.
“The financial year 2025-26 is full of financial challenges due to reduction in revenue deficit grant and stopping GST compensation,” stated Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu in his budget speech. “Repayment of the loan and interest from the previous government accounted for almost 70% of the state government’s loan,” he claimed.
According to Sukhu, the goal is to enroll one lakh farmers in natural farming by 2025–2026. Approximately 1.58 lakh farmers have switched to natural farming thus far. He added that the state government intends to establish a Spice Park in Hamirpur and that farmers who cultivate kachi haldi (raw turmeric) organically will receive a minimum support price of ₹90 per kg. He also announced a ₹20 rise in the daily salaries of workers covered by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, from ₹300 to ₹320. He approved the creation of a Special Task Force (STF) to address drug misuse in Himachal Pradesh.
The assured that the Shimla Ropeway project would begin in the upcoming financial year and roughly 500 electric buses will be acquired in 2025–2026. Furthermore, he noted that distinct directorates for schools and universities would be established and promised a number of programs for women, children, Divyangs and farmers.
Freebies policies of Congress govt cripples economy
Himachal Pradesh’s economy is in ruins as a result of the Congress government’s freebies strategy to win elections. The government faced ire last month when it demanded temple funds for Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana and Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojna. The state, which is struggling financially, previously decided to lease the century-old Hotel Wildflower Hall and authorized the appointment of a consulting firm to help with the leasing process in a cabinet meeting.
As part of its borrowing cap of ₹6,300 crore, which was set to expire in December 2024, the state decided even to issue an extra Rs 500 crore loan in November 2024 to satisfy its developmental demands. 381,000 people were impacted when the Himachal Pradesh government’s acute financial situation prevented it from paying its employees and retirees in August of last year. In September 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha adopted an amendment bill that would have imposed an environment tax on energy use that ranged from 2 paise to ₹6 per unit and a milk tax of 10 paise per unit.
The administration’s decision to eliminate 125 units of free power, raise the price of diesel by ₹7 per litre, and renege on its election pledge to provide customers with 300 units of free power was already a burden for the common person. The price of tap water in rural regions was increased from ₹10 to ₹100 by the government.
In 2023, OpIndia reported that the government would face severe difficulties if the Old Pension Scheme, a major component of the Congress party’s election promise, were to be reintroduced. OPS was phased out and replaced by the National Pension Scheme (NPS) on 1st April 2024.
The debt to gross state product ratio for Himachal Pradesh was estimated to have been 43% in the previous fiscal year. At 53%, it was already on pace with a state like Punjab, which had reverted to the earlier pension plan. It had already exceeded the prudential threshold of 3% with a budget deficit of nearly 5%. However, the Congress party’s trivial attempt to take the state away from the saffron party only made its financial problems worse.
For the last few days, Indians have been having a field time on social media, particularly X, engaging with Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, in unique ways—from having unfiltered conversations in colloquial Hindi to asking ideologically loaded questions as a part of their political agenda.
One such question that caught the eye of thousands of social media users was in a screenshot shared by RJ Sayema, an inveterate fake news peddler often exposed for sharing Islamist propaganda posts.
The screenshot shared by Sayema had an X user asking Grok to answer which of the two—Indian Muslims or the RSS had a larger role to play in India’s independence.
While such binary queries on complex historical figures are seldom sought to slake one’s intellectual curiosity, the intriguing response offered by Grok brought to the fore the role of a controversial personality who wavered from once being a staunch advocate of complete independence to a passionate proponent of Two Nation Theory and creation of Pakistan.
Maulana Hasrat Mohani: From supporting complete independence to advocating the creation of Pakistan
Maulana Hasrat Mohani (1875–1951) was a unique and multifaceted figure in the history of South Asia—an Urdu poet, Islamic scholar, and a “freedom fighter” as per left-leaning historians. Mohani was amongst the earliest supporters of the divisive Two-Nation Theory—that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations with irreconcilable differences—the idea which later formed the bedrock for the formation of Pakistan.
Yet, in a remarkable twist, despite supporting Pakistan’s ideological foundation, Mohani chose to remain in India after partition. He died in 1951 in Lucknow, India. His paradoxical stance has made him one of the most complex and contested figures in contemporary Indian history.
However, much before his avowed support for Pakistan and Two Nation Theory, in 1921, Mohani echoed Lokmanya Tilak’s clarion call for Poorna Swaraj or complete independence and demanded Indians be handed over the complete governance of their country. He was also a founding member of the Communist Party of India and played a significant role in shaping socialist thought in the country.
As a poet, Hasrat Mohani was deeply influenced by classical Urdu poetry, particularly the ghazal tradition. He is most famous for the ghazal ‘Chupke chupke raat din’, which was later picturised in the 1982 Bollywood movie ‘Nikaah’ and sung by Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali. His poetry reflects themes of love, revolution, and mysticism. He skillfully blended romance with resistance, using traditional poetic forms to express both personal emotions and nationalist sentiments.
Support for Ottoman Caliphate, Moplah Jihad, and TNT: A more radicalised version of Allama Iqbal?
Maulana Hasrat Mohani is often compared to Allama Muhammad Iqbal due to their shared passion for Urdu and Persian poetry, their deep support for Islamism, and their political activism for Muslim rights. However, Hasrat Mohani could be seen as a more radical and uncompromising version of Iqbal in many respects.
Mohani was more revolutionary of the two, for instance, he openly advocated for political upheaval and social justice while Iqbal leaned toward introspection and the revival of Islamic civilisation. Like Iqbal, Mohani also championed Muslim empowerment and solidarity for Ummah, as evidenced by his writings for an Urdu newspaper he established to mobilise Muslim subjects of British India to rally in support of the “most valued institution of Islam”—The Ottoman Caliphate.
However, the most controversial aspect of Mohani’s legacy resides in his unabashed justification of Moplah Jihad, claiming that Muslims in Malabar were right in asking Hindus to choose between the Quran and sword as changing one’s religion to save their life is a voluntary and not forced conversion.
Iqbal and Mohani also shared similarities in their support for the creation of Pakistan. While Iqbal is considered the philosophical father of the state, Hasrat Mohani backed the Two-Nation Theory from a practical standpoint—yet he did not migrate to Pakistan when it was created.
Hasrat Mohani was an early advocate of the Two-Nation Theory, which argued that Muslims and Hindus were two distinct nations requiring separate political identities. Long before the Muslim League formally adopted this ideology, Mohani believed that Muslims needed their own space to govern themselves according to Islamic principles, free from Hindu-majority domination.
In this sense, Hasrat Mohani was not just another Iqbal; he was a more radicalized, pragmatic, and politically involved version—one who was willing to push boundaries both in poetry and politics.
Unlike many Muslim leaders of that era who were inconsistent in their political views, Mohani remained steadfast in his belief that Muslims should uphold their distinct political identity. His support for Pakistan was driven not only by communal considerations but also by a strategic effort to safeguard Muslim interests.
Famous author Venkat Dhulipali in his seminal book ‘Creating a New Medina: State Power, Islam, and the Quest for Pakistan in Late Colonial North India’ mentions how Muslim leaders like Mohani played a critical role in shaping the political and geographical contours of Pakistan, an idea that had hitherto largely remained abstract and difficult to conceive.
Relevant section from Venkat Dhulipala’s ‘Creating a New Medina’
Mohani’s decision to stay back in India despite being a staunch advocate of Pakistan
However, his vision of Pakistan was very different from the state that emerged in 1947. So despite contributing immensely to the conceptualization and materialisation of Pakistan, the difference of opinions, especially with his commitment to socialist ideals, and growing disillusionment with the elite leadership of Pakistan, Mohani stayed back, not out of any love for secular India but apparently to fight for the rights of Muslims in a Hindu-majority India.
But even while staying in India, he never wavered in his belief that Pakistan was a justified political entity for Muslims. This dual stance—supporting Pakistan but refusing to migrate—has made his legacy both fascinating and controversial. Despite supporting the concept of a separate nation for Indian Muslims, his decision not to migrate to Pakistan does not make him a critic of the Two-Nation Theory. Instead, it reflects his opposition to the specific way India was partitioned and his commitment to advocating for Muslim rights while remaining in India.
A historical enigma and a contested legacy
Hasrat Mohani remains a polarizing figure in both India and Pakistan.
For a section of India that falls over itself to embrace every Muslim historical figure as a vindication of Muslim contribution towards India’s freedom struggle, Mohani offers them yet another metaphorical stick to beat their ideological opponents by partially leaning on his contested legacy and papering over his Islamic fanaticism.
This section celebrates him as a “freedom fighter” who coined the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution), which became a rallying cry for the independence movement. While he is acknowledged as a patriot, his ideological leanings are often downplayed.
However, his support for Pakistan and the Two-Nation Theory makes him a somewhat uncomfortable figure in India’s nationalist historiography, which is not swayed by the Nehruvian-Marxist monopoly over history, and views complex historical figures for a tapestry of emotions, contradictions, paradoxes, and nuances they represent.
In Pakistan, Mohani is recognized as an early proponent of Muslim nationalism, but his decision to stay in India makes him an ambiguous figure in Pakistan’s nationalist narrative. His leftist and socialist ideology contrasts sharply with the more right-leaning nationalism that eventually dominated Pakistan’s political discourse. Unlike Iqbal and Jinnah, who are revered as founding fathers, Mohani remains a lesser-known and less celebrated figure, despite his early contributions to Muslim separatism.
Pakistanis, to this day, view him as a man with divided loyalty, unsure of celebrating his contribution towards the creation of Pakistan or condemn his “betrayal” for choosing to stay back in India. An anecdote allegedly from Mohani’s life as shared by a Pakistani commentator in the tweet below perfectly sums up the ambivalence about his legacy in Pakistan.
Video for the purpose of review and criticism only.
Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a man of contradictions—an ardent supporter of Pakistan who chose to live in India, a deeply religious Muslim who was also a staunch socialist, and a poet whose love for revolution was as strong as his love for classical ghazals. His legacy does not fit neatly into the nationalist narratives of either India or Pakistan, making him a historical enigma.
If Jinnah is the father of Pakistan, Hasrat Mohani was the radical revolutionary who was among the earliest proponents of Pakistan. But unlike Jinnah and several Muslim League leaders of his time, Mohani was acutely aware of Pakistan’s many limitations and fragile moorings. His story reminds us that history cannot be compartmentalised into binaries of white and black—often, it is the gray areas that hold the most truth.
The central utility Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) recently received the required approval from the Mamata Banerjee Government in West Bengal to start extensive oil drilling activities in Ashoknagar, North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal. The decision transpired after mineral oil was found in the region. The reserves were found at several sites, most notably in the vicinity of Baigachhi in the area. The government decided to provide 50-acre of land for the project.
The framework for additional exploration was laid in December 2020 when Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union petroleum minister at the time, officially opened commercial oil and gas extraction there. However, the endeavor was unable to proceed further due to the lack of a formal nod for extraction from the state government. ONGC is now prepared to extend its activities throughout Bengal with the state government’s assent.
The preparations for drilling and land leasing at four locations in North 24-Parganas are reportedly close to completion. Furthermore, land acquisition has begun in two other locations, Bhagwanpur II block in East Midnapore and Chapatla gram panchayat in Deganga of North 24-Parganas. Thirteen locations in North 24-Parganas, three in South 24-Parganas, one in Nadia, and five in East and West Midnapore districts have been selected by ONGC for drilling.
An estimated five acres of leased land would be needed for each project. According to reports, these districts in Bengal contain substantial oil reserves. ONGC intends to lease land in strategic areas in order to extract oil. However, extraction didn’t commence so far due to lack of state administration permission which has now been granted and the work is scheduled to begin soon. Full-scale extraction won’t start until after comprehensive evaluations of the oil and gas deposits at depths between 2,500 and 6,000 meters, as per the ONGC officials.
“If the findings are favourable and conducive, commercial extraction will proceed, unlocking new economic opportunities for the state. We are hopeful that this venture will significantly bolster Bengal’s economic landscape, particularly in India’s energy sector,” an ONGC officer conveyed. In 2018, ONGC made the first discovery of an oil field in eastern India, in Ashoknagar within the Bengal Basin. The natural gas reserves there were formally inaugurated by Union Minister Pradhan by December 2020. ONGC anticipated that the reserves could produce between 45,000 and 50,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day.
Repeated reminders, a massive loss and furious opposition
A reply in Lok Sabha exposed the staggering loss incurred due to the reluctant behavior of the West Bengal administration despite repeated appeals by the center. “Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 1959, the state government is empowered to grant Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) with the prior recommendation of the central government. The application for PML was made in 10.09.2020, based on Early Development Plan (EDP) considering the single well, Ashoknagar-1 (discovery well) for an area (5.88 sq. km. subsequently increased to 99.06 sq. km.). The recommendation of the central government for grant of PML was conveyed to state government of West Bengal on 21.10.2020, followed by government of India subsequent reminder letters dated 01.02.2023 and 12.01.2024,” it stated.
The document further informed, “The matter was also flagged to the government of West Bengal in the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting held on 04.07.2024. In the absence of PML, the operator continued with the appraisal/exploratory drilling activities and established hydrocarbon presence in other wells namely Kanpul-1, Bhurkunda-1 and Ranaghat-2. Provisional PML was subsequently granted by state government of West Bengal on 24.02.2025.”
18274 m³ of oil were expected to be produced from these oil fields in the first four years. December 2020 saw the start of test production for the well Asokenagar-1. During prolonged testing from December 2020 to July 2022, the well’s actual production was 352 m³. The well’s output, however, had to be postponed due to PML’s delay. The remaining 17922 m³ of oil will be monetized as part of the block’s future production plan now that the PML has been granted.
“Integrated Field Development Plan of Asokenagar-1 discovery has been approved by government on 10.07.2024. The provisional PML was issued by state government on 24.02.2025. The production of oil and gas in sync with activities approved under FDP, is projected within 10 and 17 months respectively, post execution of the deed,” the document added.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Amit Malviya hit out at Mamata Banerjee government and remarked, “Approved on February 24, 2025, the lease covers 99.06 sq. km. under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). While this should have been a milestone years ago, bureaucratic delays have cost Bengal immensely.” He quoted the official figures and asked, “Bengal holds immense energy potential, but can we afford such delays again?”
He then declared that it’s time for effective government to make sure Bengal’s resources propel its development and added, “It is time to vote out Mamata Banerjee.”
After a five-year delay, the West Bengal government has finally granted the Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) for the Ashoknagar Oil Field to ONGC.
Approved on February 24, 2025, the lease covers 99.06 sq. km. under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). While this should have… pic.twitter.com/n9grNze3GP
The Mahanadi-Bengal-Andaman basin encompasses the Ashoknagar field. West Bengal has consistently shown promise as a site for gas and oil. Although ONGC has been investigating the state for many years and has made significant investments, the sample’s economic viability has always been a problem. After extracting 20 kl (kiloliter) of crude oil from the Ashoknagar oilfield, ONGC transported the sample to Indian Oil’s Haldia Refinery for processing. The results of the tests showed that the product was of good quality, reported Business India.
According to the Indian government’s Early-Monetization Plan, Ashoknagar I is now considered an oil producer. This indicates that ONGC has found and developed seven of its eight basins in India, which accounts for 83% of the known oil and gas reserves in the country. The company accounts for 72% of India’s hydrocarbon production, making it the nation’s top producer of gas and oil.
The Bay of Bengal engulfs roughly two-thirds of the Bengal Basin, which spans around 122,000 square kilometers. ONGC has so far spent ₹3,361 crore to investigate hydrocarbons in the Bengal Basin, per the 2021 news report. Over the next two years, an additional ₹425 crore were set to be invested in the basin’s exploration efforts. According to reports, the field’s natural gas reserves are probably greater than its oil reserves. Oil is found in the topmost stratum, which is 2,268 meters below the surface, while gas is located another 100 meters below.
Long-term growth in the area might be promoted by the expansion of oil and gas operations, which could also lead to infrastructural development and job creation.
On 16th March, NASA confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth on 18th March. Their return will mark the end of their prolonged stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo will join American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
In its statement, NASA provided details of the revised schedule for the return of the astronauts. Initially, the return was planned for later in the week, but it was brought forward to 18th March at around 5:57 pm Florida time (3:27 am IST on 19th March), off the Florida coast.
.@NASA will provide live coverage of Crew-9’s return to Earth from the @Space_Station, beginning with @SpaceX Dragon hatch closure preparations at 10:45pm ET Monday, March 17.
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) March 16, 2025
NASA said in its statement, “The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favourable weather conditions expected for later in the week.”
The SpaceX Crew Dragon is a reusable spacecraft designed to carry astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit. It has been developed by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX and has been in operation since 2020. It is the first privately developed spacecraft to transport NASA astronauts to the ISS.
Crew Dragon consists of two primary sections, a pressurised capsule, where astronauts and sensitive cargo are housed, and an unpressurised trunk that carries additional payloads and provides structural support. The trunk of the spacecraft also contains solar panels that supply power to the spacecraft during the mission.
The spacecraft has a state-of-the-art life support system, touch-screen controls, and an advanced docking mechanism, allowing it to autonomously connect to the ISS. It has 16 Draco thrusters for precise manoeuvring in orbit. Furthermore, it is equipped with an emergency launch abort system, powered by eight SuperDraco engines, designed to rapidly separate the spacecraft from its Falcon 9 rocket in the event of a failure, ensuring the safety of the crew.
Crew Dragon is capable of carrying up to seven astronauts and can transport a significant amount of cargo. Unlike other spacecraft currently in operation, Dragon can bring back large quantities of materials from space, making it an essential part of NASA’s operations.
When the capsule re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, it deploys two drogue parachutes for initial deceleration. Four main parachutes are deployed later to ensure a controlled splashdown in the ocean. From there, a recovery team retrieves the spacecraft and the crew.
SpaceX Dragon 2 is an engineering marvel
The SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft consists of two variants, Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon. It represents a major leap in human spaceflight. Dragon 2 has been designed as the successor to Dragon 1 and is the first private spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to the ISS. Unlike its predecessor, Dragon 2 can dock autonomously with the ISS, thus eliminating the need for the station’s robotic arm. It is also the only spacecraft in operation that can bring back cargo from orbit, making it invaluable for both scientific research and logistical support.
The Dragon supporting this mission previously flew Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 to the @Space_Station and has spent over 525 days in space to date pic.twitter.com/9qvjUy80Am
One of the most impressive aspects of Dragon 2 is its integrated launch escape system. Unlike traditional escape towers that are jettisoned after launch, Dragon 2 has eight built-in SuperDraco engines, which allow for full-abort capability from the launch pad to orbit. It makes Dragon 2 safer for the crew in case of a failure. These engines are, interestingly, manufactured using advanced 3D-printing techniques.
When compared to NASA’s Orion and Boeing’s Starliner, Dragon 2 is more cost-effective, reusable, and technologically advanced. Orion is designed for deep-space missions; it lacks reusability and costs much more per mission compared to Dragon. On the other hand, Starliner is designed for the same low-Earth orbit role as Crew Dragon. However, it has suffered significant delays, cost overruns, and multiple test failures. Not to forget, Starliner was supposed to bring back Williams last year but failed in the mission.
Dragon’s 6 missions helped provide an ongoing human presence on the @Space_Station, flew humans to the highest altitude within Earth’s orbit in 50+ years, and supported our first EVA with the Polaris Dawn crew pic.twitter.com/K4ruiHyRUv
Compared to both, Dragon 2 has completed multiple successful crewed missions and has already established itself as a reliable transport vehicle. Dragon 2 is capable of rapid refurbishment. Its reusable capsules make it a game-changer in the space industry, as it significantly reduces costs while improving the frequency and reliability of missions.
Why was Williams’ stay on the ISS extended?
Williams and Wilmore went to the ISS in June 2024 for a brief mission. However, their stay was extended due to propulsion issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was initially meant to bring them back to Earth. The vehicle was deemed unfit for return, and NASA had to make alternative arrangements for their return.
Though Williams’ nine-month stay is considerably longer than usual, it is still short of the 371-day record set by NASA astronaut Frank Rubio in 2023 and the world record of 437 days held by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov aboard the Mir space station.
