Home Blog Page 4441

Venezuela President uses wife’s Facebook page to slam the social media giant for freezing his page

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Venezuela President uses wife’s Facebook page to slam the social media giant for freezing his page

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed the social media giant Facebook for freezing his page over alleged violation of policies. He had to use his wife’s Facebook account to broadcast a government briefing, after the social network temporarily suspended access to his page, reported Republic.

Maduro is restricted from posting on his page for a month for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 where he recommended the use of an antiviral treatment which has not yet been proven scientifically, said a company spokesperson.

The Venezuelan President in January had promoted Carvativir, an oral solution derived from thyme, as a “miracle” medication that allegedly neutralizes the coronavirus with no side effects. This claim is not backed by science, said doctors.

Facebook had immediately taken down a video that promoted the medication as it violates the company’s policy against false claims.

Maduro then shared a televised press conference saying, “Facebook, in a totalitarian and abusive way, censored me. They think they are above the rights to freedom of expression.”

On the other hand, a company spokesperson clarified, “We follow guidance from the World Health Organisation that says there is currently no medication to cure the virus infection. Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, during which it will be read-only.”

The Venezuelan President has been miffed with the social media giant and had previously alleged that he and his allies have been treated unfairly by social media companies, including the suspension of accounts.

Big Tech vs Governments:

Off late, the social media giants like Facebook and Twitter have been acting as editors rather than publishers of information. Twitter and Facebook have rubbed some countries the wrong way.

Facebook had in mid-February banned Australian news organizations from posting content on the platform and barred users based in Australia from linking to news articles from Australian and international outlets.

Italy in February had fined Facebook Inc and Facebook Ireland Ltd. to the tune of $8.45 million for failing to implement a 2018 order, requiring them to abandon a wrongful practice in the use of user’s data. Facebook also failed to publish a corrective declaration disregarding the requests from the watchdog.

Facebook has faced a similar fine in Hungary, requiring to pay around $4.3 million to the country’s competition authority for falsely advertising its services as being free.

Be it de-platforming ex-US President, Donald Trump or blocking handles of a particular political leaning, Twitter and Facebook have both faced international criticism from many governments. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in an interview with CNN had admitted that most of the employees of Twitter have a left-leaning bias.

Countries across the globe have started to take coercive action against the bullish nature of the Big Techs who have been caught misusing their power especially to influence democratic elections.

Sharad Pawar to be wheeled into surgery on 31st March, all engagements cancelled: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sharad Pawar to be wheeled into surgery on 31st March, all engagements cancelled: Here is what happened

NCP leader Nawab Malik informed on Monday that Sharad Pawar had been admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai following pain in his abdomen.

According to Malik, upon diagnosis, it came to light that Sharad Pawar had a problem in his Gallbladder and thus, the blood-thinning medication that Sharad Pawar was initially on is being stopped due to this issue.

Nawab Malik further informed that, “He will be admitted to hospital on March 31 & an endoscopy & surgery will be conducted. All his programmes stand cancelled until further notice”.

While Sharad Pawar has now cancelled all his engagement due to his health issue and pending surgery, it was only on Saturday that Pawar had allegedly met Amit Shah at the Adani residence, if rumours are to be believed.

On Saturday Home Minister Amit Shah, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and NCP leader Praful Patel were in Ahmedabad. The trio reportedly met at Gautam Adani’s residence there. There were media reports claiming that they had met to discuss the possibility of a government formation in Maharashtra. Interestingly, both political parties had not uttered a word regarding the high-level meet between the leadership of the two parties. 

A day later, Home Minister Amit Shah hinted that a meeting was held between the leadership of the two parties and added that not everything can be made public.

Ever since the Maharashtra extortion scam began to make headlines causing massive embarrassment to the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra, there have been rumours that one of the either NCP or Shiv Sena may break away from the coalition to join hands with BJP to form a government. It is pertinent to note that BJP is the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly with 105 seats. However, with Sharad Pawar getting wheeled into surgery soon, the discussions that were reportedly underway could be kept on hold for now.

Elderly mother of BJP worker, attacked by TMC, dies, ‘TMC’s politics of violence has bruised Bengal’s soul’ says BJP

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Elderly mother of BJP worker, attacked by TMC, dies, ‘TMC’s politics of violence has bruised Bengal’s soul’ says BJP

A month after the elderly mother of a BJP worker was brutally assaulted by Trinamool Congress (TMC) party members, the woman has succumbed to her injuries, according to BJP. The attack took place at around 1:30 am on February 26 when a BJP worker, identified as Gopal Mazumdar, and his aged mother Shobha Mazumdar were at their residence in Ward No.6 in Nimta in North DumDum city.

In a tweet posted by BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya, he wrote, “This daughter of Bengal, someone’s mother, someone’s sister… is dead.” Malviya further added, “She was brutally assaulted by TMC cadres but Mamata Banerjee didn’t have a word of compassion for her. Who will heal the wounds of her family? TMC’s politics of violence has bruised Bengal’s soul…”

The Background of the Case

As per reports, the accused men attacked Gopal Mazumdar with the hood of a gun and pushed his mother, following which they sustained grave injuries to their face. A First Information Report (No. 197/21) has been registered at the Nimta police station, following a complaint by the victim.

“They thrashed us”, the mother of the Gopal Mazumdar had broken into tears as the reporter inquired about the incident. “My son is a BJP worker and so they assaulted him. They thrashed him mercilessly,” she had recounted. “They hit me on the head and said that they will eliminate my son… They were Trinamool workers. They have been camping here since evening,” she had added. During the attack, the victim’s mother sustained injuries to her face and head.

Shobha Majumder said that her entire body was paining. From her posture, it was evident that she was struggling to speak and was still suffering the effects of the assault. The attack on her only revealed the hollowness of Mamata Banerjee’s slogan ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’.

Farmer leader slammed by SDM for trying to interfere in the removal of an illegal majaar in UP, audio viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Farmer leader slammed by SDM for trying to interfere in the removal of an illegal majaar in UP, audio viral

On March 12, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had issued an order to remove all illegal religious places that are blocking roads and pavements across the state. The work has begun in the direction where the district administration marks such illegal religious structures and submits a report to the government for further action.

This order has acted as a lucrative political gimmick for many leaders who are now trying to save the illegal structures. In an audio clip that has gone viral, ‘farmer leader’ Ashu Chaudhary can be heard lobbying for a majaar in Barabanki, UP to SDM claiming the structure is not on the main road.

The SDM can be heard slamming the farmer leader for trying to politicize the matter. SDM specifies that he has no right to interfere in the government’s administrative work.

The audio clip was shared by a popular BJP leader, Tajinder Bagga on Twitter.

Ashu Chaudhary first tries to arrange for a meeting with the SDM, however, after the refusal by SDM citing training for panchayat elections, the farmer leader questions the SDM about the removal of majaar. The SDM then tells clearly to the so-called farmer leader that he should talk regarding issues related to farmers and not try to poke nose in issues that do not concern him.

The district administration has sent a list of religious places encroaching roads and pavements and notices have been issued to the ones marked for removal.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, SDM Divyanshu Patel clarified that the High Court has given 15 days’ time to the ones opposing the demolition to prove that the land on which the majaar is built, belongs to the Sunni Waqf Board.

Removal of Pakariya Majaar:

The first religious structure to be removed from the middle of the road was Pakariya majaar in Barabanki, district Fatehpur on March 14. Superintendent of Police Yamuna Prasad, Barabanki Police, had informed that the Pakariya majaar was removed only after taking locals in confidence.

The illegal structures being removed will be shifted to the land offered by the followers of the respective religion or private land that is under the ownership of persons responsible for the management of that structure. The order states that the new location must be handed over to the community within six months.

We were being beaten by TMC workers: Girl attacked and bruised while trying to save her father and uncle from TMC goons, BJP shares viral video

OpIndia Staff
-
0
We were being beaten by TMC workers: Girl attacked and bruised while trying to save her father and uncle from TMC goons, BJP shares viral video

Amidst the ongoing West Bengal Vidhan Sabha polls, a viral video has surfaced where a young girl is seen, bruised, saying that TMC goons assaulted her. The viral video was shared by the state unit of BJP which has said that the young girl was assaulted in Kashipur in Dum Dum municipality in North 24 Parganas district.

In a video uploaded by the BJP, the unnamed victim could be seen narrating her ordeal. She had sustained injuries to her eye during the attack. On being asked how she was bruised, the young girl informed, “I got hurt in the eye. My father had gone to save my uncle, who was being beaten by party members of the Trinamool Congress”.

She further added, “Several people thrashed my uncle. On learning about it, my father went to save him. He was also beaten. When we (family members) went to protect him, they also assaulted us.” The injured girl, a resident of Kashipur in Dum Dum, was then seen putting a handkerchief to her injured eye.

In a tweet, the BJP said, “TMC’s barbarism at it’s peak! This time they beat up a young girl blue black just because she tried to save her father, who was being beaten by TMC goons. Question that needs to be asked to Pishi – Is she not a daughter of Bengal?”

The spate of political violence in poll-bound West Bengal has been on the rise. On Friday, the body of a 30-year-old BJP worker named Lal Mohan Soren was found in a forest near his home in Bagmari in the Salboni police station area. The body of the booth secretary of the Medinipur assembly was found hanging from a Jamun tree near his house.

Informing about the brutal incident on Twitter, BJP claimed that Soren’s murder was the fourth such political murder in the state in the last 72 hours. “Pishi (Mamata Banerjee) continues her ‘khela’ with human lives. Lalmohan Soren, aged 30 and Booth secretary of Medinipur assembly was found hanging this morning. 4 murders in the last 72 hours”, wrote BJP. It alleged that TMC goons have been behind these gruesome acts, the occurrence of which has become extremely common under Mamata Banerjee’s regime.

The Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, the 4 amendments, what they mean and why the outrage by media is misplaced

S. Sudhir Kumar
-
0
The Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, the 4 amendments, what they mean and why the outrage by media is misplaced

The sound and fury of the English media when it comes to matters pertaining to Arvind Kejriwal started to get boring. So, I wasn’t paying much attention to the murder of democracy articles/tweets related to the Amendments to the NCT Act. Until I heard the Minister of State for Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy speak in the Rajya Sabha. First and foremost, the amendments are being made to “THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI ACT, 1991”.

This was drafted and passed by the Parliament when Congress was in power at the centre. This 1991 Act already gives some discretionary powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the state. 

Every now and then, debates have opened up about giving full statehood to Delhi; about how the powers of LG are more than the elected Chief Minister of Delhi; about how the post of LG is more political etc. The 1991 Act in fact defines what the “duties” of the Chief Minister are, with respect to his communication to the LG (Note how the Act requires the CM to communicate even the proposals for legislation). 

This noise became louder after Arvind Kejriwal came to power. During his previous term, I had even wondered if he is actually intentionally designing bills to set them up for rejection and then cry victim. He had then deliberately flouted existing rules and then went to town crying victim and he was dutifully helped by a very compliant English media that sought to pin the blame on Modi for a law bought by the Congress party.

Thereafter, the courts have been approached which have indeed upheld the interpretations made in the Constitution. The Modi government has bought in certain amendments to clarify the confusion revolving around certain aspects of this. 

The first amendment proposed in the 2021 Amendment Act is pretty simple – ‘(3) The expression “Government” referred to in any law to be made by the Legislative Assembly shall mean the Lieutenant Governor.’

The furore around this totally beats me. All Government Orders (GOs) of all state governments go out in the name of the Governor. All orders of the central government go out in the name of the President. Does it in any way take away the powers of the elected state governments and central governments? Shri Kishan Reddy had also referred to “The General Clauses Act” in which the definition is quite clear too – for a Part C state, government means “the Chief Commissioner or the Lieutenant Governor”

Since many people are going to both High Court and the Supreme Court on multiple occasions seeking this clarification, this amendment was necessitated to make it clear what the legal definition of “government” is. For fun, I went to the Gazette pages of the Delhi government and was clicking randomly. There are many GOs issued by the Arvind Kejriwal led Government of Delhi “in the name of Lt Governor of the NCT”.

In fact, this amendment brings uniformity in how all states are currently operating too. Is it the argument of the opponents of this bill that Delhi deserves special treatment? Especially when not a single power of the Delhi government is being snatched away because of this legal clarification. 

The second amendment proposed in the 2021 Amendment Act is again pretty straight forward. Section (24) of the original 1991 act already defines those categories of bills that are passed by the Legislative Assembly but can be referred to the President of India by the LG for further consideration. 

The amendment simply seeks to add another category to this – “(d) incidentally covers any of the matters which falls outside the purview of the powers conferred on the Legislative Assembly.”

Basically, this says that if the Legislative Assembly passes a bill on matters that don’t fall under its purview, the LG has the right to either give assent to the bill or send it to the President of India for consideration. That’s it – the LG sends it to the President for a final decision. That’s the amendment. Now, what exactly is the problem with this amendment? Is it their argument that the Delhi Assembly can pass any bill that it likes, and the LG has to simply accept it? Why would those who constantly argue day in and day out about their love for the constitution make so much noise about a simple amendment that brings in a well-defined structure to the law? 

The third amendment of the 2021 Amendment Act gives clarity to the rules of the “conduct of business” of the Legislative Assembly. To keep matters simple, the amendment states that these rules “shall not be inconsistent with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in House of People“. Simply put, what holds good for the Lok Sabha should hold good for the Delhi Legislative Assembly too. Instead of making fun of the amendment, it is time for us to think about why such an amendment was even necessitated in the first place. 

It was necessitated because Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP were going about interfering in the day to day functioning of the Delhi Police through committees constituted by the Delhi Assembly (note that AAP has a “brute majority” in the Assembly). The lovers of the Constitution and the rule of law have failed to tell you that the constitution clearly states that the Delhi Police and Law and Order in Delhi come under the purview of the Central government. Neither the state government nor the legislative Assembly has any powers to interfere in the day to day functioning of the Delhi police (for example, cannot investigate riots). 

These are all powers well defined in the Constitution of India and the 1991 Act that defines the National Capital Territory of Delhi as a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly with limited powers (similar to Puducherry and J&K). Arvind Kejriwal cannot overstep his legal mandate. He cannot simply use his massive victories to function outside the ambit that the Constitution of India has defined (multiple court judgments have also upheld these provisions – Kishan Reddy elucidates them well in his 20-minute reply in Rajya Sabha). 

Even today, parliamentary committees don’t involve themselves in the day-to-day functioning of their respective departments. They don’t conduct investigations into the administrative decisions of their departments. This amendment simply seeks to make the rules of Delhi Assembly consistent with that of the Lok Sabha (and also all other state assemblies in the country). One must analyse why the alleged liberals want the Delhi Assembly to have special unlimited powers that no other UT or State in India has. 

The fourth amendment (though verbose) of the 2021 Amendment Act simply states that the opinion of the LG is to be taken before any executive action is taken on certain subjects. That’s it – the opinion has to be taken by the government. It is not mandatory to invoke that opinion. When it is not mandatory to invoke that opinion, how exactly is this a death knell to democracy? 

The Government of India is very clear that these amendments only bring legal clarity to the functioning of the Delhi government and does not take away a single power of the elected Chief Minister. The proof that this argument holds good is evident in the vacuous editorials that have been dished out in this matter – not a single one of them have stated the obvious! 

Arvind Kejriwal’s sound and fury mean nothing. His constant victimhood drama has found many takers in the English media. More often than not, the noise he makes is very disproportionate to the gravity of the issues. The latest storm in a teacup proves this, yet again. 

‘They wanted to murder’: 4 BKU leaders arrested, 24 booked for mob attack on BJP MLA, police in Punjab

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘They wanted to murder’: 4 BKU leaders arrested, 24 booked for mob attack on BJP MLA, police in Punjab

On March 28, the Punjab Police filed a case against Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Sidhupur) Muktsar president Sukhdev Singh and 26 others for an attempt to murder BJP MLA Arun Narang at Malout town. As per reports, Narang was attacked by the alleged protestors present at the scene where he went for a press conference.

As soon as he got out of his car, Arun Narang was brutally thrashed, and his clothes were torn off. The BJP workers and Police present at the scene somehow managed to save him. He was taken to Civil Hospital, Abohar for preliminary treatment.

Police have so far arrested four people identified as Surjit Singh, Nem Pal Singh, Baldev Singh (Bodhiwala Kharak Village) and Gurmeet Singh (Khan Kalan). When OpIndia reached out to MLA Narang, he said that FIR had been registered against the culprits and the party will take the necessary action as per the law. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has claimed that the farmers were not behind the attack.

FIR against 27 persons

As per reports, a case was registered based on a complaint by Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurmail Singh against Muktsar BKU (Sidhupur) president Sukhdev Singh, block president Lakhan Pal Sharma, general secretary Nirmal Singh and 24 other members. The Police also book 250 other unidentified persons. The case was registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307, 353, 186, 188, 332, 342, 506, 148 and 149 at the Malout Police Station.

According to D Sudarvizhi, senior superintendent of Police (SSP), Muktsar, the case against 27 persons was registered based on the video footage they acquired. Four out of the 27 booked have been arrested so far. Jaspal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said that they had contacted Narang and other BJP leaders twice on Saturday. However, they did not file any complaint. He said, “A case was registered on the complaint of SP Gurmail Singh, who also sustained injuries in the attack. We have recorded Narang’s statement today. Four farmer union members, who were involved in the attack on MLA, were arrested. However, BKU leaders are on the run. Raids are on to arrest them.”

BJP leaders questioned the law and order situation in Punjab

Punjab BJP leader Anil Sarin said that around 300 protesters attacked Arun Narang and ransacked the party office. He further alleged that the attack was sponsored by the Congress government. “Law and order have collapsed in the state. Captain Amarinder Singh should step down on moral grounds,” he added.

SP claims he had warned BJP leaders

In a statement issued by SP Gurmail Singh, he said that BJP leaders were warned about the volatile situation. He said,” I was appointed security in-charge for the event. Around 3 pm, Lakhan Pal Sharma and Nirmal Singh led 250-300 unidentified persons to protest in front of the BJP office. After assessing the situation, I sent an SMS to Muktsar BJP chief Rajesh Pathela and Malout BJP president Sita Ram, informing them not to come to the office due to security reasons. I requested them to change the venue of the programme. Yet Narang, along with the others, reached the BJP office, but when he tried to enter, the protesters strongly opposed him, and the Police took them inside a shop.”

He further added that MLA Narang was provided with regular updates about the situation, and the control room was asked for additional force. Meanwhile, the number of protesters kept on increasing at the spot. When additional force reached there, he talked to the protesters who had assured him they would return after staging a protest. SP also told them that the BJP MLA had cancelled the programme in order to disperse them.

Protesters attacked Police with an intent to murder – alleged SP

SP Singh said that when the Police tried to take the MLA out of the shop after making necessary arrangements, protesters led by Lakhan Pal and Nirmal Singh attacked Narang and other leaders from BJP. The Police tried to save them that further irked the protesters, and they attacked the Police team. “The protesters attacked the Police also with the intention to murder. Police personnel, including me, sustained injuries during the incident,” he added. The SP is currently admitted to a hospital in Malout for treatment.

From giving them a makeover to getting them a job: Kumbh Police starts a unique initiative that has so far changed the lives of 24 beggars

OpIndia Staff
-
0
From giving them a makeover to getting them a job: Kumbh Police starts a unique initiative that has so far changed the lives of 24 beggars

Thanks to a campaign by Kumbh Mela Police in Uttarakhand, the lives of 24 beggars have changed forever. Back in January 2021, when Kumbh Mela was about to start, the Police decided to bring a significant change in the system. The brainchild of DGP Ashok Kumar, a program was created by the Police to bring beggars into the mainstream economy.

The first step: Makeover

A team of Kumbh Police went to Har Ki Paudi and located beggars in the area. They were sent to Beggar Houses but not as a part of the punishment. All the beggars got haircuts and makeover from professionals. In the Facebook post, the Police mentioned that the beggars could not recognize themselves after the makeover. All the beggars were tested for Covid-19 and were provided with the medical treatment they required once the medical team cleared them, the initiative to get them jobs begun.

Bank accounts were opened for the beggars

A few beggars wanted to go back to their native places and start a new life there, arranged by the team. The rest of the beggars went through the verification process so that they can get the required documents. Police initiated the process to get them an Aadhaar card, followed by bank accounts in their name. Once the verification process was complete, the beggars were offered a job in Police Stations.

The first salary

Recently, 16 of them have received approximately Rs.10,000 as their first salaries in the newly opened bank accounts. Some of them sent back money to their homes, while some donated a part of their social work salary. The Police are adding more beggars to the program so that they can live their lives with dignity. So far, 24 beggars have got jobs as a part of the initiative.

Police ensured a secure future

IG Kumbh Mela Sanjay Gunjyaal took the initiative to ensure they have jobs after the Kumbh festival. They will work in different industries and hotels as per their skills once Kumbh Mela is over. The beggars who completed their first month at the job were honoured by the IG. He said that the initiative has made it possible for the Police to bring positive change in society rather than punishing the beggars.

‘I don’t do so much even for CM, are you kidding me?’: TMC MP Nusrat gets angry during rally, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘I don’t do so much even for CM, are you kidding me?’: TMC MP Nusrat gets angry during rally, video goes viral

A video has gone viral on social media where Trinamool MP Nusrat Jahan was spotted losing her temper at the party cadres at a rally. In the video, Nusrat can be heard saying, “I am rallying for over an hour. I don’t do so much even for the Chief Minister. Are you kidding?”

The incident reportedly occurred while Nusrat was campaigning for Trinamool Ashoknagar candidate Narayan Goswami on Saturday. Anandabazar Digital said that they could not independently verify the video.

The video has attracted widespread mockery on social media.

The assembly elections are currently underway in West Bengal with first phase completed on the 27th of March which saw a high voter turnout. Voting in Ashoknagar Vidhan Sabha constituency will take place on the 22nd of April.

The results of the elections will be declared on the 2nd of May.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan wishes Hindus in his country a happy Holi. Do you know how many Hindus remain in Pakistan?

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pakistan PM Imran Khan wishes Hindus in his country a happy Holi. Do you know how many Hindus remain in Pakistan?

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday took to Twitter to wish the Pakistani Hindu community a “very happy holi”.

Khan, who tested positive for COVID-19 disease last week, extended his greetings to the Hindu community on Holi, a festival of colours celebrated across the Indian subcontinent. The festival is being celebrated in Pakistan on Sunday and Monday.

“Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours,” the prime minister tweeted.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s wishes to Hindus on the occasion of Holi, however, came at a time when there has been an increase in the targeted religious persecutions against Hindus by Islamists in Pakistan. Hindus, who form a minuscule population in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, have been victims of state-sponsored atrocities, who are often abducted, raped and forcefully converted into Islam.

Sindh at one time had a Hindu majority, however, rampant religious conversion by Islamists has led to a decrease in the proportion of Hindus. The Hindu population of Sindh have either fled their homeland or converted to Islam.

After the partition in 1947, Hindus in Pakistan were close to 14 per cent of the total population of Pakistan. However, today they have been reduced to less than 3 per cent of the total population in Pakistan. Today, there are only about 75 lakh Hindus in Pakistan who are fighting every day to save their honour. The decline is mainly due to the increasing Islamisation of Pakistan, which has resulted in the targeted persecution of non-Muslims living in the country.

It is rather ironic that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is wishing the very same set of people on the occasion of Holi, who are being persecuted on a daily basis by Islamists in his country.

Religious persecution of Hindus in Pakistan

Pakistan is notoriously known for its persecution of religious minorities, especially Hindus living in the country. The forceful conversion programs have often been unleashed against the minorities Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs living in Pakistan with utmost brutality. There have been many such cases reported in the recent past.

Pakistan has a history of atrocities against the minority community. Women are raped at an alarming frequency, forcibly converted to Islam and life is made hell for them. Due to the continuous atrocities, many poor Hindus of Pakistan have been left with no choice but to accept Islam. According to reports, many Hindus have become Muslims in hope that they will get money and dignity to survive in the Islamic state of Pakistan.

In the wake of such incidents, the United States Of America officially launched a 27-nation International Religious Freedom Alliance in February 2020, which will try to protect and preserve religious freedom across the world. During the launch, the USA especially highlighted the plight of Hindus in Pakistan.

Recently, a report released by the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) threw light on the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan. The report claims that around 1000 girls from Hindus are forcibly converted to Islam every year. The numbers might be higher as many cases are not even reported.

1...4,4404,4414,442...7,655Page 4,441 of 7,655