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2 Hindu students expelled from Bangladeshi university over allegations of ‘insulting Islam’: List of Hindus targeted for blasphemy in recent times

OpIndia Staff
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2 Hindu students expelled from Bangladeshi university over allegations of ‘insulting Islam’: List of Hindus targeted for blasphemy in recent times

On Sunday (16th March), the Pabna University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh expelled 2 Hindu students over accusations of ‘insulting Islam’ and committing ‘blasphmey’.

According to reports, the victims were identified as Pranay Kundu and Bikarna Das Dibya. They were students of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

The university administration was first coerced into issuing a show-cause notice to the Hindu students and then expelling them, despite both students filing their response.

The hounding of Pranay Kundu and Bikarna Das Dibya began on the night of 14th March after they had a heated argument with some Muslims on Facebook. Later, Muslim radicals studying at the varsity protested on campus and demanded their expulsion.

Proctor Kamruzzaman Khan justified the drastic action against the Hindu students claiming that their response to the show-cause notice was ‘not satisfactory.’

In the meantime, the Muslim students began seeking to expel 5 other Hindu students namely – Bidyut Sarkar, Suborna Sarkar, Dipu Biswas, Tanoy Sarkar and Ankan Ghosh. To coerce the administration into submission, the radicals blocked the main gate and administrative building of the university.

Muslims attack Hindu minorities in Bangladesh under pretext of blasphemy

In February 2025, a Muslim mob comprising members of the radical ‘Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’ and ‘Tawhidi Janata‘ hounded a Hindu man named Supta Saha Anik after accusing him of making ‘objectionable remarks’ about Islam.

The mob organised a protest rally in Kalmakanda upazila in the Netrakona district of Bangladesh after Jumma Namaz. They also demanded the immediate arrest of the Hindu man for supposedly insulting Prophet Muhammad and gave an ultimatum of 48 hours.

As expected, the violent Muslim mob raised genocidal slogans and vowed to make ‘ultimate sacrifie’ in order to avenge the supposed dishonour to Islam.

In January this year, a Hindu man named Pranta Talukder was abducted and tortured by a Muslim mob in the Chittagong city of Bangladesh. He was thrashed mercilessly and left severely injured over allegations of committing blasphemy.

In December 2024, Muslims carried out arson attack on 130 Hindu houses and 20 temples after accusing a young boy named Akash Das of making blasphemous comments on Facebook.

In October 2024, a frenzied Muslim mob laid siege to the Kadirdi Degree College in Boalmari in the Faridpur district of Bangladesh after accusing a Hindu boy named Hridoy Pal of ‘insulting’ Prophet Muhammad.

In September last year, a Hindu boy named Utsab Mandal was almost lynched by a Muslim mob on accusations of ‘blasphemy’ in the Sonadanga residential area of Khulna city.

Later that month, another frenzied Muslim mob laid siege to the Patiya police station in Chittagong district of Bangladesh, demanding that the cops hand over a Hindu boy accused of ‘insulting’ Prophet Muhammad.

The mob, comprising mostly local madrassa students, also attacked an army vehicle after seeing a young boy in civilian clothes and mistaking him for the Hindu victim. A 22-year-old Hindu youth named Partha Biswas Pintu was arrested on charges of committing ‘blasphemy’.

In May 2024, a Hindu student named Utsab Kumar Gian, studying at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Bangladesh, was thrashed by a Muslim mob on accusations of blasphemy.

When Bangladesh High Court recommended death penalty for blasphemy

In November 2024, OpIndia reported how the High Court of Bangladesh recommended strengthening the Cyber Security Act to make ‘blasphemy’ punishable by life imprisonment and death penalty in the country.

“There should be a provision of punishment like death penalty or life imprisonment for such unnecessary, unconscionable, obstinate and provocative speech and conduct against the Quran and Muhammad (Pbuh), which the parliament may consider,” a 2-Judge Bench of Justices MR Hassan and Fahmida Quader stated.

They further declared, “To discourage any such inflammatory speech or act which is likely to offend the minds of people of any religion, or to cause fear, terror, discomfort or apprehension in any of them, enhancing the punishment for such offences and to make them non-bailable must be considered.“

The Bangladesh High Court added, “If the offenders who are involved in the respective links of the charge sheet are not brought under the law, in every case the main culprit or the main conspirator or the main source will remain out of touch. Hence, there needs to be an appropriate order in this regard.“

Currently, the maximum punishment imposed by the blasphemy law in Bangladesh is 2 years imprisonment and a fine of 5 lakh Taka. The country’s High Court now recommends increasing the maximum punishment to non-bailable charge, life imprisonment and death penalty.

Major changes in AAP after major setback in Delhi: Saurabh Bhardwaj to be Delhi Unit head, tainted leader Manish Sisodia to handle Punjab, but Arvind Kejriwal to remain party supremo

OpIndia Staff
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Major changes in AAP after major setback in Delhi: Saurabh Bhardwaj to be Delhi Unit head, tainted leader Manish Sisodia to handle Punjab, but Arvind Kejriwal to remain party supremo

Following the major setback in the Delhi Assembly elections where it lost heavily to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Aam Aadmi Party has announced a reshuffle in the party leadership on Friday (21st March). The organisational changes were decided during the meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) held at the residence of the party supremo and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (16th March).

The changes were announced by the party’s general secretary Sandeep Pathak who has been given charge of the party in Chhattisgarh.

As per the new arrangement, former Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj (who once tried to demonstrate he can hack an EVM, inviting ridicule) will be heading the party’s Delhi Unit, replacing party leader Gopal Rai. Bhardwaj is a three-time MLA from the Greater Kailash assembly constituency in Delhi and has served as the Health Minister of Delhi for 2 years. However, he lost his seat in the recent assembly elections in Delhi. Gopal Rai has been given the responsibility of the Gujarat unit of the party instead, while Durgesh Pathak has been made the co-incharge. The Goa unit of the party will be headed by Pankaj Gupta.

Senior AAP leader and former Deputy CM of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, who is out on bail in the Delhi liquor excise policy scam, has been given the charge of the Punjab unit of the party. Senior party leader Satyendra Jain has been made co-in-charge of the Punjab unit. Notably, both Sisodia and Satyendra Jain are out on bail and are facing serious charges.

After losing Delhi Assembly elections, Punjab is now the only state where Aam Aadmi Party is in power. Raghav Chaddha, who represents the party in Rajya Sabha, has been relieved from the post of co-in charge in Punjab. AAP leader Mehraj Malik has been appointed as the party president in Jammu and Kashmir.

AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta was re-elected to the post which he has been holding for two terms now. Rajya Sabha MP ND Gupta was also re-elected as the party Treasurer.

Arvind Kejriwal was retained as AAP’s national convenor yet again despite several setbacks

Notably, Arvind Kejriwal was appointed as the party’s national convenor once again, despite having gone to jail under corruption charges, and having to relinquish his CM Post during previous AAP Government in Delhi. Kejriwal even lost his own seat during the recent Delhi elections as public totally lost faith in him, but apparently, not the Aam Aadmi Party.

“The meeting reinforced their belief in the fact that he (Kejriwal) is the most popular leader of the party, considering that he won the public’s mandate thrice as the Chief Minister of Delhi”, the party statement said.

Actually, the party’s original constitution was amended in January 2021 to change the clause restricting a member from holding a position in the party for more than 2 successive terms. “No member will hold the same post as an office-bearer for more than two consecutive terms of three years each,” the original party constitution stated. However, after the 2021 amendment, the duration of the term has been increased to 5 years and the restriction on the number of terms for office bearers has been removed.

Kejriwal’s second term as the party’s national convenor was supposed to end in April 2019 but it was extended in 2018 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and the Delhi Assembly elections. The party meeting was then postponed in 2020 given the pandemic. In the next meeting held in 2021, the constitution was amended.

Egypt willing to temporarily absorb half a million evacuated people from Gaza amid Israel-Hamas conflict: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Egypt willing to temporarily absorb half a million evacuated people from Gaza amid Israel-Hamas conflict: Report

On 21st March, Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that his nation was prepared to temporarily house half a million people who will be removed from the Gaza Strip. The report claimed that a city in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula would be given to the Gazans. According to reports, the Egyptian leader was among those who attended a symposium on the Middle East issue that was conducted in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.

The article conveyed that Jordan, who has previously taken a strong stand against such a move, is concerned about the temporary relocation. The United States President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference at the White House in Washington at the beginning of February to reveal the former’s intentions regarding Gaza. The proposal called for the United States to occupy the Gaza Strip and to deport Gazans to nearby Arab nations like Egypt and Jordan. The US president stated in an interview with Fox News later in February that he would “recommend” his Gaza plan but would not impose it.

Egypt unveiled its $53 billion rehabilitation plan for Gaza at the beginning of March. The proposal, agreed by the Arab summit, opposed that of Trump and rejected the suggestion to remove Palestinians from the area. During a five-year gradual reconstruction of Gaza, with an emphasis on restoring housing, infrastructure and basic services, the plan would permit Palestinians to stay in Gaza. With remarks that “nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza” at a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin later in March, Trump seemed to rescind his plan. It was later welcomed by Egypt’s foreign ministry. Notably, now opening the border crossings between Sinai and Gaza to individuals who want to depart would be necessary for this to happen.

Earlier, Trump suggested a mass exodus of Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt, on 25th January. He added  that he wants to “clean out that whole thing” and called Gaza a “demolition site.” Following a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu on 5th February, Trump declared in a joint press conference that the US would occupy the Gaza Strip and rebuild it as a developed region where people could live in peace. After the US assumes control, he continued, the Gaza Strip might turn into the Middle East’s Riviera. The Egyptian plan for rebuilding Gaza was then rejected by the United States after it was endorsed by Arab nations, at a Cairo meeting on 4th March.

Moreover, Jordan’s King Abdullah II resisted the US president’s plan to seize Gaza and expatriate its people but added that his nation would take in about 2,000 sick youngsters from the war-torn area, in February. “I reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This is the unified Arab position. Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all,” he declared on social media.

King Abdullah warned earlier in the same month that Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan is a recipe for radicalism that will destabilize the Middle East, endanger the kingdom’s peace with Israel and even pose a threat to the nation’s future. Marwan Muasher, a former Jordanian foreign minister stated, “This is existential. There is very strong public opposition, and it’s not something Jordan can entertain. This is not an economic or a security issue for Jordan, it’s an identity issue.” He helped negotiate Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with the Jewish state.

On 25th July 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Jordanian King Hussein bin Talal and US President Clinton signed the Washington Declaration in Washington, DC (District of Columbia). According to the Declaration, Israel and Jordan declared their intention to terminate their formal state of enmity and begin negotiations to bring about a fair and sustainable peace, as well as an “end to bloodshed and sorrow.” It officially put an end to the conflict that had been going on between the two countries in West Asia since 1948.

Israeli Cabinet votes to remove Shin Bet chief head Ronen Bar, Netanyahu says he lost faith in Bar after the Hamas terror attack on Israel

OpIndia Staff
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Israeli Cabinet votes to remove Shin Bet chief head Ronen Bar, Netanyahu says he lost faith in Bar after the Hamas terror attack on Israel

The government of Israel unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to end Shin Bet’s head, Ronen Bar’s term in office, the PM’s office announced. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office, it was noted that Ronen Bar will conclude his duties on April 10 or when the Israel Security Agency (ISA)’s new director is appointed, whichever comes first.

In a post on X, the PMO said, “The Government unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to end ISA Director Ronen Bar’s term of office. Ronen Bar will conclude his duties on 10 April 2025 or when a permanent ISA Director is appointed – whichever comes first.”

As per reports, this vote becomes the first time in Israel’s history that a government has fired the Shin Bet’s leader. The meeting to approve his dismissal lasted some three-and-a-half hours. Ronen Bar did not attend the meeting, however he sent a letter saying that firing him was “entirely tainted by conflicts of interest,” and constituted a “fundamentally invalid” attempt to undermine the Shin Bet as it probes Qatar’s influence at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, PM Netanyahu said that he lost faith in Bar after the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel. Bar is “soft” and “not the right person to rehabilitate the organization,” Netanyahu reportedly said. “He had a soft approach and was not aggressive enough,” the PM alleged.

Netanyahu also said that after Bar was replaced with another official on the negotiation team, “the leaks have decreased dramatically, and through very successful negotiations we have managed to return the hostages.”

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, who was present at the meeting, expressed her opposition to the move. Her office had told PM Netanyahu earlier in the day that the government must obtain a recommendation from an advisory committee before weighing Bar’s dismissal.

However, PM Netanyahu added that removing Bar would be necessary for achieving Israel’s war goals in Gaza and “preventing the next disaster.” Netanyahu has previously removed both Bar and the head of the Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, from the negotiating team engaging in indirect talks with Hamas regarding the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.

US Judge halts deportation of Indian “student” Badar Khan Suri, who was pictured with Haniyeh, over ties to Hamas, Khan starts deleting anti-Hindu tweets: Details

OpIndia Staff
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US Judge halts deportation of Indian “student” Badar Khan Suri, who was pictured with Haniyeh, over ties to Hamas, Khan starts deleting anti-Hindu tweets: Details

The deportation of Indian post-doctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri, who was detained by US authorities on Monday (17th March), has been halted by a US court. US District Judge Patricia Giles issued a temporary order in Alexandria, Virginia on Thursday (20th March) stopping Suri’s removal from the country. Suri is detained in Louisiana for having links to the terrorist group Hamas.

Suri’s lawyer Hassan Ahmad reportedly welcomed the court’s order saying, “the first bit of due process Dr. Khan Suri has received since he was snatched from his family Monday night”. Ahmad had criticised his detention alleging that he was being targeted for expressing support for Palestinian rights. Notably, Suri is married to the daughter of a senior Hamas leader. His wife Mapheze Saleh, a Journalism graduate from the Islamic University of Gaza, is a US citizen. She also holds a master’s degree from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. She has reportedly worked for pro-Hamas Al Jazeera in the past.

Badar Khan Suri and his wife Mapheze Saleh (via X)

The DHS accused Suri of spreading Hamas propaganda

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that Suri posed a risk to the US foreign policy by spreading Hamas propaganda on social media. Hamas has been designated by the US as a terrorist organisation.

Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant DHS secretary, said that Suri was actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. In a post on X on 20 March, she wrote, “Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025 that Suri’s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).”

McLaughlin was responding to a Politico report claiming that Suri is being deported for the pro-Palestine views of his wife who is a US citizen. She made it clear that Suri is deportable under US laws for his own actions, and not for his wife’s activities.

Following the news of Suri’s detention and anticipated deportation, some X users highlighted his old posts revealing his contempt for Hindus and India. In one of his posts, Suri said that Hindus had a habit of dancing in front of mosques and churches to please their inferiority complex.

Another X user shared a screenshot of Suri’s post on X in which he reposted a post alleging that the remains of a missile found in Gaza were made in India. In his post, Suri called India an ‘enabler of Genocide’. Commenting on the post Suri wrote, “From being an ally of Palestinians, to an enabler of a genocide. What a disgrace for Made in India, to supply missiles to Israel so that Palestinian children can be butchered. Change of values for blood money. Shame.”

One X user shared a photo of Suri in which he can be seen celebrating with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

One X user shared a report of the Middle East Forum alleging that Suri posted a video of Israeli children held captive by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 (2023) terrorist attack on Israel. He reportedly captioned the video, “This is how Hamas men dealt with kids on Oct 7”.

The report also claimed that Suri’s father-in-law, Ahmed Yousef, is the founder of the United Association for Studies and Research (a Hamas-affiliated think tank) which has links to officials at Georgetown University and its Alwaleed Centre where Suri teaches on a student visa.

Suri has apparently deleted all his old posts on X as none of the posts whose screenshots have been posted by these X users are available on his X account.

Who is Badar Khan Suri?

Suri is a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He completed his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi in 2020. His doctoral thesis was entitled ‘Transitional Democracy, Divided Societies and Prospects for Peace: A Study of State Building in Afghanistan and Iraq’. Suri is said to have conducted considerable research in conflict zones including Pakistan, Balochistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine.

Badar Khan Suri holds a position at Georgetown’s Alwaleed Center for Christian and Muslim Understanding, which is funded by Saudi tycoon Alwaleed bin Talal. He has repeatedly endorsed Hamas activities and actively spread its propaganda while claiming to specialize in “peace processes in the Middle East”.

Suri’s ties to Hamas were first exposed by Jewish News Syndicate in February this year, which cited several of his social media posts showing support for Hamas and its terror activities. Most of these posts are now deleted.

He is an active supporter of Hamas and has openly denied the atrocities done on innocent Israelis by Hamas terrorists in the 7 October attack. He had posted on Facebook, “Three lies by Israeli occupation, no proof whatsoever of babies beheaded, rapes or mass killings at carnival”.

In another Facebook post, he wrote, “This is how Hamas men dealt with kids on Oct. 7,” posting a video showing Hamas terrorists holding Israeli child hostages. Instead of condemning the abduction of children by terrorists, he defended it and even praised Hamas for ‘treating hostages well’.

“How can Georgetown continue to employ someone who not only has familial ties to Hamas but also openly spreads its propaganda and defends its barbaric attacks?” Jewish News Syndicate questioned while exposing his Hamas links.

Suri’s wife Mapheze Saleh is the daughter of Ahmed Yousef, a senior Hamas advisor. Reportedly, Ahmed Yousef was an advisor to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel. Yousef was also associated with the United Association for Studies and Research in 1989, a Hamas-affiliated think tank that closed down in 2004. It was established by Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook and served as a front for Hamas activities in the United States, which included spreading propaganda and raising funds.

According to a Hindustan Times report in 2018,  Badar Khan Suri met Mapheze Saleh when he was part of an international humanitarian convoy to Gaza in 2011. Suri was pursuing a PhD in peace and conflict studies at Jamia Millia at that time. He said that Mapheze worked as a translator for the group visiting Gaza, which led to the relationship between the two, as they kept in touch over the phone and social media after he returned to India.

At first Mapheze’s father said that his daughter would marry only a Palestinian. But after Suri along with his father visited Gaza again in 2013 to meet her father, he agreed to the marriage which took place in December 2013. The wedding was to take place in Gaza, but Suri’s family could not visit due to deteriorating political situation in the region, and later the wedding took place in Delhi.

‘Offended Hindu sentiments, prima facie no mental issues’: Kerala HC orders action against Abdul Hakkim for desecrating Tulsi plant

OpIndia Staff
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‘Offended Hindu sentiments, prima facie no mental issues’: Kerala HC orders action against Abdul Hakkim for desecrating Tulsi plant

The police have been ordered by the Kerala High Court to take “appropriate action by law” against Abdul Hakkim for defaming a Hindu tradition by removing hairs from his private areas and throwing them in a Thulasithara (an elevated platform containing the sacred basil plant).

The development transpired when the bail application of 32-year-old Sreeraj R A, an Alappuzha native, was being considered by a single bench of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan. He was taken into custody on charges of posting the incident’s footage online on his Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The authorities claimed Abdul Hakkim was mentally ill and charged the petitioner with inciting religious animosity and creating a nuisance. A case was filed against him at Thrissur’s Guruvayur temple police station. However, the judge granted him bail and strongly objected to the police acting against him while Abdul Hakeem was still at large and no case was registered against him.

“The Thulasithara is a sacred place in the Hindu religion. In the video, it can be seen that Abdul Hakkim plucked hair from his private part and put it in the Thulasithara. It will infringe on the sentiments of Hindu religions. It seems that no case has been registered against Abdul Hakkim. It seems that he is the owner of a hotel on the premises of Guruvayoor Temple,” the court observed and rejected the prosecution’s claim that he was a troubled individual.

It expressed suspicion about his alleged mental state, pointing out that he has a valid driver’s license and runs a hotel close to the Guruvayur Temple. “Even now that the hotel is functioning, it seems that the person who committed the mischief is continuing as the owner and license holder. He even has a driving license. Such a person is set free by the police without registering a case and the petitioner herein is arrested and put behind bars,” the court highlighted.

“I am of the considered opinion that the police should take appropriate action against Abdul Hakkim, by the law. From the facts, it is not clear whether he is a mental patient. Even if he is a mental patient, how he is continuing as the licensee of a hotel which is situated within the premises of Guruvayur Temple, is a question to be investigated by the Investigating Officer. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that he has a driving license. If he is a mental patient, how he is allowed to drive the vehicle is also a matter to be investigated by the Investigating Officer,” the justice questioned.

Section 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which was later changed to 196 (1)(a) (promoting enmity between different groups of religion) of the BNS and section 120 (o) (the penalty for causing a public nuisance and violation of public order) of the Kerala Police Act were invoked against Sreeraj R A. Before the court, the petitioner argued that he had only posted a video that was already on social media. Additionally, he contended that the perpetrator of the offence is not held accountable.

Tulsi plant in houses, Murtis of Gods in vehicles: Local Hindus reveal how Muslim mobs targeted Hindu homes during Nagpur violence

OpIndia Staff
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Tulsi plant in houses, Murtis of Gods in vehicles: Local Hindus reveal how Muslim mobs targeted Hindu homes during Nagpur violence

In the Nagpur violence case, details of how the Muslim mob specifically targeted Hindu houses and vehicles on 17th March have been gradually emerging. The local Hindus have revealed that the Muslim rioters threw Tulsi pot/ plant containers installed in Hindu houses.

Speaking to TimesNow Navbharat, a local Hindu woman revealed that during the Islamist mob violence on 17th March, the jihadis threw “Tulsi ki Kundi” which the Hindus worship, upon failing to find any other object at the Hindu houses. They were also hurling abuses and raising inflammatory slogans.

“They (Muslim rioters) were telling local Hindus to go away. When I went to pick up my daughter, they threatened an auto rickshaw driver that if you entered here, we will chop you down,” a local Hindu woman said.

Another one told Republic that the rioters were hurling abuses at Hindus while vandalizing property. “Hindus we will see how you stay here and live here in Nagpur,” the Hindu woman revealed.

A Hindu woman also raised concern over what would have happened if the Muslim rioters caught hold of any women during the violence.

The local Hindus added that the rioters were mostly teenagers.

It has also been reported that the Muslim rioters with their faces covered, identified Hindu-owned vehicles by checking for pictures or idols of Hindu deities as well as Hindu symbols like Swastik. It was only after it was confirmed that the cars and bikes belonged to Hindus that the Muslim rioters set them ablaze or vandalized them. The rioters did not attack Muslim houses or vehicles owned by Muslims.

Several witnesses stated that the enraged Muslims, armed with petrol bombs also stone-pelted children, indiscriminately attacking all nearby people and property. They further unveiled that the rioters wielded swords, weapons and bottles but concealed their faces. “They came in large numbers. They had big stones and petrol bombs in their hands. They pelted stones, vandalised property and torched vehicles,” disclosed a witness.

Two police cars were set on fire near Geetanjali Chowk in addition to two cranes employed for the ongoing road construction using petrol bombs, reported “The Times of India. The Muslims shouted anti-Hindu slogans and threw communal insults at Hindu police officers. Petrol bombs were also used to injure officers.

It has been reported that most of the injured victims have head injuries due to stone pelting with multiple victims requiring CT scans and surgical intervention. Those injured mostly included men in the age range of 24 to 40.

Islamist violence in Nagpur

As reported earlier, on the evening of 17th March, Nagpur underwent violent unrest that left more than 30 people wounded over rumours of the burning of a copy of the Quran during a protest by Hindu organisations demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Demonstrators covered an effigy of the Mughal despot with a sheet and then put it on fire during the agitation.

Muslim mob molested a woman officer

During the violence, a Muslim mob molested a woman police officer in the Bhhaladarpura area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, and attempted to disrobe her during the violence by the mob over Hindus demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. An FIR has been filed against the rioters at Ganeshpeth police station.

Curfew is effective in several parts of the city as part of measures to restore peace.

CM Devendra Fadnavis assures action

While addressing the state assembly on 19th March, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Those who attacked police during the arson in Nagpur will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable. They will get the strictest punishment. We won’t spare them.”

Nagpur riots mastermind Faheem Khan arrested

The Nagpur police have arrested 84 people so far, including mastermind Faheem Shamim Khan, city president of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP). However, on Wednesday, Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam had put the number at 69. These include eight Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) workers.

19 accused have been sent to police custody till 21st March. Mastermind Faheem is accused of gathering more than 500 rioters and instigating violence. Khan was reportedly arrested within hours of filing the FIR at the Ganeshpath Police Station wherein he is named as an accused. The FIR includes charges of conspiracy to rape, molestation and misconduct. Police had released a photograph of 38-year-old Khan, a resident of Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar. He has been remanded to police custody till 21st March. A video had also reportedly emerged showing Khan delivering a provocative speech moments before the violence. Reports say that murderous “Sar tan se juda” slogans were also raised by the Muslim rioters.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a sedition case against Faheem Khan. In a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police(DCP), Lohit Matani informed that four FIRs have been registered by the police in this incident and in one of them, Faheem Khan is explicitly named as an accused alongside five others.

Bangladeshi connection emerges in Nagpur riots

Maharashtra Police has found social media accounts from Bangladesh that issued a threat to incite violence. 97 social media accounts which posted offensive and false rumours have been identified. Most of these posts were published from computers with Bangladeshi IP addresses. One such post threatened that Monday’s riots were just a small incident and there would be bigger riots in the future. The cyber cell has taken action against 34 social media accounts for spreading rumours and inciting violence and 10 FIRs have been registered.

Congress forms fact-finding committee to ‘investigate’ anti-Hindu violence in Nagpur

The Congress party has formed a fact-finding committee to assess the aftermath of the violence unleashed by Muslim mobs in Nagpur on 17th March. As per a TOI report, the committee comprises senior Congress leaders including former MPCC president Manikrao Thakre, former MP Hussain Dalwai, ex-ministers Nitin Raut and Yashomati Thakur, and MLA Sajid Pathan. Nagpur City Congress president MLA Vikas Thakre shall serve as the convener, whilst AICC secretary Praful Gudde Patil has been appointed coordinator.

Given the Congress party’s historical record of Muslim appeasement, it remains a question whether the party is in search of truth or will they try to shield the Islamist aggressors.

Malaysia: Prominent 130-year-old Hindu temple in the centre of Kuala Lumpur set to be moved to make way for the construction of a mosque

OpIndia Staff
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Malaysia: Prominent 130-year-old Hindu temple in the centre of Kuala Lumpur set to be moved to make way for the construction of a mosque

The 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Malaysia, which is located directly across Jakel Mall on the crowded Jalan Masjid India street, in the center of Kuala Lumpur, is in danger of being removed from there. On the site, a mosque will be constructed instead. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), however, alleged that it had found a new site for the temple’s relocation following protests by the Hindu community.

The temple was built before Malaysia’s independence. The mosque which is set to replace it, has already held its groundbreaking ceremony. “The mosque is to be named Masjid Madani,” per media reports. The temple committee had earlier requested a suitable alternative parcel of land that would be accessible to Hindu worshippers in the vicinity of Masjid India, but the request was not accepted.

United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) chairman P Ramasamy maintained that the move has a deeper meaning. According to a statement, he questioned why the temple’s land was picked for a mosque and why the land was sold to Jakel Trading before its status was settled. Additionally, he inquired why a different site for the mosque was not taken into consideration and highlighted that there was sufficient property closeby that did not need the temple to be moved.

“This issue is not just about relocation, it is about historical preservation, religious rights and responsible governance. Knowing the historical and religious significance of the temple, how did Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) approve a mosque project on the very land where the temple stands? Why should a place of worship with deep historical and cultural significance be relocated at all? It is unacceptable for such a significant heritage site to be forcibly moved for a new development. The temple’s history, cultural identity and the religious sentiments of its devotees must be respected. This is not just about one temple, it is about setting a precedent for how heritage and religious rights are treated in Malaysia. Hindu temples are not placed on wheels to be moved at the whims of the powerful,” Ramasamy conveyed while voicing his opposition.

The administration of the temple complained that the government and the private firm made multiple attempts to force a move and threatened legal action if temple authorities did not cooperate. The announcement of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a mosque on government land, that DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Council) sold to the textile company Jakel Trading came as a shocking news to the devotees. “We fail to understand how a groundbreaking ceremony can be held when talks on the status of the temple have yet to reach a conclusion,” Raj Mohan Pillai, deputy president of Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple stated in a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also planned to attend the event. DBKL has, however, pledged not to destroy the temple. However, it sent the temple a letter last year stating that it would not be responsible for any potential losses and they had 14 days to leave the property or face “the necessary enforcement action.” Urimai and the temple committee, Ramasamy disclosed, are adamantly against the move and have called for the temple to stay where it is.

“There is no need to tear down the temple. The adjoining lot is big enough to build the mosque,” Pillai expressed as human rights advocates and Hindus suggested that a mosque could be constructed at the place without requiring the temple to shift. The land reportedly comprises of two lots, one of which belonged to the government and the other to a private firm. Human rights advocates contended that the government had to be aware of the delicate nature of constructing a mosque on land that was cleared by displacing another religion’s place of worship.

According to Pillai, the proposed alternate piece of property was too distant from the Masjid India region and only half as large as the existing site. He added, “It is very unfair to us. A big part of the Indian community in Masjid India come to the temple to visit and worship.” He further outlined, “Since 2016, there have been efforts by the government and the private company involved to force the temple to move from this location.”

Lawyer N Surendran also challenged DBKL’s assertion that it was not associated with the plan to erect a mosque. “In fact, DBKL is the one that gave the development order on 12th Feb 2020. It is aware of the proposed construction,” he pointed out. The area has been converted to private property due to the government’s own activities, he added.

The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple was first built in 1893. It was moved to the present location in 2008 and the property was purchased by Jakel in 2014.

Rahul Gandhi believes merit is flawed and unfair, claims those opposed to ‘caste census’ are anti-national: Here is why his ideas are dangerous for India

Dibakar Dutta
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Rahul Gandhi believes merit is flawed and unfair, claims those opposed to ‘caste census’ are anti-national: Here is why his ideas are dangerous for India

On Thursday (20th March), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi courted controversy after he attacked merit in India as ‘unfair’ to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes. He also promoted ‘caste census’, meant to divide the Hindu community

He made the disturbing remarks during his podcast with ‘economist’ Sukhadeo Thorat. During the course of the 15-minute programme, Rahul Gandhi claimed, “I have had discussions with people about the caste census, where I am saying, look, all we are doing is exposing the truth. Nothing else. And they will say to me directly that no, one must not expose this truth.“

The Gandhi scion then mouthed platitudes about the Indian constitution and how the equality of Indians could only be ensured through a ‘caste census.’

He alleged that the concept of ‘merit’ is flawed and inherently discriminatory to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Castes. The Congress leader also claimed that merit is unfair and an ‘upper-caste narrative’.

“There is a completely flawed concept of merit where I confuse my social position with my capability. Because for anybody to say that our education system or our bureaucratic entry systems are fair to Dalits and OBCs and tribals, that is just a complete fallacy. Because they are culturally not connected to these communities at all. So the entire narrative is an upper-caste narrative. This notion of merit is actually itself an unfair idea,” Rahul Gandhi was heard saying.

He also claimed that electoral representation of SCs, STs and OBCs meant nothing as the ‘real power’ lay with the bureaucracy, corporations and intelligence agencies.

Rahul Gandhi claims BJP, and RSS are eliminating Dalit history without evidence

Without furnishing any evidence, the Gandhi scion alleged that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) have been eliminating the history of SCs, STs and the OBCs.

“There is another bigger problem. The history of the Dalits, the history of the OBCs, the histories of tribals have just been eliminated. I never heard of a Dalit narrative. And then at the same time, there is this idea that is being pushed by the RSS and the BJP – it is basically to destroy their history, to destroy the history of the Dalits and the Adivasis and the OBCs,” he brazened out.

Rahul Gandhi suggested a deep-seated ‘conspiracy’ behind the supposed ‘non-existence’ of Dalit history in mainstream Indian education.

“No, but that history is not available to, through the main education system. An upper-caste boy or girl who is going to a school in New Delhi has no idea about this. You know, that’s how they can say things like, oh, I don’t see any caste discrimination.Obviously, you don’t see caste discrimination,” he was head saying.

Rahul Gandhi misleads about caste census through emotional appeal

During the course of the podcast, Rahul Gandhi was seen making an emotional appeal (bereft of logic and rationale) to convince his audience about the ‘merits’ of the caste census. He suggested that a ‘caste census’ would magically expose the ‘truth of discrimination’.

“But I think the idea that truth of discrimination in India should be known to everybody. This is a powerful idea. Why are people so much against the caste census? Like what don’t they like about it? What is it that creates this reaction?” he claimed.

The Gandhi dynast insinuated that the incumbent BJP govt had somehow captured the political, education, healthcare and bureaucratic system and thus prevented the SC, ST and OBCs from knowing the ‘actual truth’.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that the caste census is a fundamental exercise and those not supporting it are somehow ‘anti-national.’

“I think not supporting the caste census is actually anti-national. Because what you are saying is that we are not ready to accept the truth of what is going on in our country. So I’m quite wedded to the idea of the caste census,” the Congress leader alleged.

He further recommended ‘deepening’ the exercise to further divide the nation along caste lines and make the exercise more ‘sophisticated.’

Rahul Gandhi and his anti-national agenda

After having failed to counter the BJP on issues of development, national security and cultural preservation, Congress has taken it upon itself to divide the Hindu community by exploiting existing fault lines.

Besides promising a caste census, the party has also assured to lift the upper limit on reservation in its 2024 election manifesto.

Rahul Gandhi himself has been campaigning with the slogan ‘Jitni abadi utna haq,‘ hinting at proportional representation in government jobs, admission to colleges and more.

This has the potential to further polarise and divide the society. Not only that, once such demands are fulfilled, it can extend to electoral politics.

Given that India’s demography is changing fast, it may not be long until certain religious communities like Muslims to demand fixed representation based on their population size. It would then be akin to setting the nation on the path to disaster.

The nefarious objective behind the caste census is to divide the Hindus into castes and unify the Muslims, rendering the Hindu majority helpless and weak in the face of Muslim vote bank consolidation.

The Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, thereby hopes to gain electorally through such a strategy and return to the corridors of power.

While the drastic implications of the exercise of ‘caste census’ may look far-fetched today, it will not take long for the country to plunge into chaos when dangerous ideas of proportional representation manifest in reality.

OpIndia had previously reported how the concept of ‘proportional representation’ turned out to be a disaster for a peaceful country like Lebanon and why India must be wary of it.

IPL 2025: BCCI removes ban on bowlers using saliva on balls, lifts penalty on captains for slow over rate, Impact Player rule to continue

ANI
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IPL 2025: BCCI removes ban on bowlers using saliva on balls, lifts penalty on captains for slow over rate, Impact Player rule to continue

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made some significant changes in rules for IPL 2025, which begins on March 22.

BCCI has introduced rule changes in IPL 2025, including the lifting of the saliva ban, the continuation of the Impact Player rule and slow over rate ban cannot be imposed on Captains anymore, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal to ANI

The removal of the saliva ban, introduced as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, is a major move.

The rule against using saliva was introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure, but the ICC made it permanent in September 2022.

Several fast bowlers have opined that the ban impedes their effectiveness by not allowing reverse swing, which has become uncommon in white-ball cricket, including ODIs, where two new balls are utilized.

Bowlers were only allowed to use sweat to shine the bowl. From time to time, bowlers have raised their voices to revise the saliva ban.

Captains will no longer face a ban for slow over rates.

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya had received a one-match ban after the team’s last encounter in IPL 2024 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for maintaining a slow over-rate.

The much-debated Impact Player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, will continue to be a part of the tournament. The rule allows teams to substitute one player during a match, adding a strategic element to the game.

These changes are expected to have a significant impact on team strategies and gameplay in the IPL.

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

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