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Producer Guild of India issues open letter, says Sushant’s death being used as a ‘tool’ to defame the film industry

OpIndia Staff
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Producer Guild of India issues open letter, says Sushant’s death being used as a ‘tool’ to defame the film industry

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, which sparked a debate on nepotism and hypocrisy in Bollywood, ruffled many feathers in the film industry. The Producer guild of India has taken to it’s official Twitter account to share an open letter in which it says that the “tragic death of a promising young star has been used by some as a tool to defame and slander the film industry and its members”.

Decrying the “relentless attacks on the reputation of the Indian film industry”, key filmmakers’ body has accused media of painting the film industry as a terrible place for outsiders. It slammed “concerted effort” over perceived ‘singling out’ of the film industry for alleged nepotism and blocking outside talent to bloom.

The organisation explained that the picture painted of the industry as a “terrible place for outsiders to aspire to, a place that threatens those who dare to enter it with contempt and derision; a murky den of substance abuse and criminality” was not the truth.

Painting the entire industry with the same brush is unfair: Producer Guild on India

Though it accepted that the film industry has its “imperfections”, it said that like any other sector, there is an ongoing attempt to improve. Saying so, the organisation said that painting the entire industry with the same brush is unfair. “Like any other sector there is no doubt that the film industry has its imperfections, and there must always be an ongoing attempt by any industry to improve upon itself, learn and evolve while weeding out unsavoury elements or improper practices that hold it back. But to paint an entire industry with the same brush is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” read the statement.

The organisation wrote that it was pertinent to understand that Bollywood was one of the most important sources of soft power for the nation at a global level. “The film industry employs hundreds of thousands of people, boosts travel and tourism and is one of the most important sources of soft power for India across the world”, read the letter, furthering that the industry has contributed generously to “national causes in times of need, and has readily offered its resources, name, recognition, time and funds – whenever called upon to do so, and often even without having to be called upon”.

It said that though they agreed that it was not easy to enter the industry and that there are struggles, but it said that these struggles are no different from the challenges and obstacles faced by new entrants in any field that they are not born into, be it politics, law, business, medicine or the media.

“These are difficult times for our country and the world, so rather than venting our fears and frustrations on each other with vile and vicious trolling, it is more important than ever to come together instead of tearing each other apart. Members of the industry on both sides of this debate, especially women, have been subjected to rape threats and death threats. This is unacceptable and must stop now,” the statement said.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death sparked a debate over nepotism in Bollywood

The sudden and untimely demise of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has opened a can of worms and sparked a debate over nepotism in the cinema industry. Many celebrities have opened up on how the big and influential families in Bollywood have been propagating it over the years. Many blamed the big filmmakers such as Mahesh Bhatt and Karan Johar for their favouritism in the industry, which according to a few resulted in the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

Pertinently, Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt’s brother Mukesh Bhatt are eminent members of the Producer Guild of India.

Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times uses Congress rants to target India’s moves in Ladakh

OpIndia Staff
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Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times uses Congress rants to target India’s moves in Ladakh

With the Indian Forces scaling the heights of the strategic points along the tense Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh to keep the wanton aggression by China’s PLA troops under check, Chinese propaganda arm, Global Times, has leaned on Congress propaganda against the Modi government to mount pressure on India. In an article published by Global Times, allegations made by the Congress party against Modi govt has been used by the Chinese govt’s media house.

The article is published at a time when the meeting between the Defence Ministers of the two countries concluded in Moscow, with the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sharply noting that the Chinese manoeuvres along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh were in violation of bilateral agreements.

As a part of its psychological warfare, Chinese state-affiliated mouthpiece attempted to undermine the Modi government, claiming that the BJP-ruled centre in India is facing much more domestic pressure as compared to the Chinese government, notwithstanding the United States’ aggressive posturing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chinese mouthpiece cites Congress criticism to dissuade Modi government from sustaining border conflict

Citing an undistinguished research fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Hu Zhiyong, the article published by Global Times on Saturday contended that the Indian National Congress was waiting for an opportune time like this to launch an attack against the Modi government for its “disappointing domestic governance and fraught foreign policy”.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Modi are facing much heavier domestic pressure than the Chinese government, even with the US showing its aggressive posture in the West Pacific against China. This is because the opposition, the Indian National Congress party, has been waiting for such a chance to shake the BJP by heavily criticizing the Modi administration for its disappointing domestic governance and risky foreign policy,” Global Times quoted Hu as saying.

The reference to the Indian National Congress was made by the Chinese propaganda media outlet to dissuade the Modi government from embroiling itself in a border dispute with Beijing and risk losing the political capital to the principal opposition party. It was a veiled threat issued by the Chinese mouthpiece, alleging that any wrong move by the PM Modi concerning the Ladakh standoff might provide an opening to the Congress party, which is restlessly seeking to depose the BJP government

Global Times wages propaganda campaign against the Modi government after India captures strategic heights in Ladakh

China seems to be thoroughly rattled by the Indian government’s audacious move in the Eastern Ladakh. The fact that the article in Global Times, the media house which works under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party(CCP), cautions the Modi government against the domestic challenges posed by the Congress party, is a reflection of the profound disquiet that has swept across China after Indian Army’s agile moves in the Pangong Tso Lake region.

The article also mentions that the raging coronavirus pandemic and the economic recession induced by the lockdown imposed to tame the contagion had further weakened India’s ability to engage in a border confrontation with China. It also highlighted the steepest fall in India’s GDP to claim that India is in no position to escalate the border standoff with China.

While the Global Times has called for India to defuse the border tensions, it is worth considering that the Indian Forces in the South Bank of Pangong Tso Lake region are perched on a vantage point as compared to their Chinese counterpart. However, the Chinese-state media has still persisted with his proclamations, claiming that the Indian forces could not continue their standoff against the Chinese soldiers.

This is a typical modus operandi adopted by the Chinese propaganda machinery to accentuate the perceived vulnerabilities of its opponents while glossing over its shortcomings. The Global Times, which is an integral part of this Chinese propaganda machinery, has employed the same strategy by trying to deter the Modi government from stopping the expansionist Chinese manoeuvres by highlighting the strident criticism from the Indian National Congress and the economic woes facing the country.

Congress ties up with AIUDF for 2021 Assam Assembly Elections, rift within party grows, BJP calls it ‘conspiracy’ to harm the state

OpIndia Staff
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Congress ties up with AIUDF for 2021 Assam Assembly Elections, rift within party grows, BJP calls it ‘conspiracy’ to harm the state

The Congress party is set for an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) for the Assembly Elections in the state scheduled for 2021. The Congress party has announced that it will contest in 90 seats and leave the remaining 36 open to its allies including the Badruddin Ajmal led AIUDF. However, there is no clarity yet regarding the precise number of seats.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora said, “We will contest alone in 90 seats. Remaining 36 seats will be given to other parties in our alliance.” “They can’t become the single largest party. It is impossible for AIUDF. There are 13 AIUDF MLAs now. Three-four MLAs may increase in the next assembly election,” he added commenting on a possible Chief-Ministerial candidate for the alliance.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said that the Congress party was open to joining hands with all those who opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act and insisted that an alliance with only AIUDF would not benefit the party. “Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora has earlier informed about an alliance with AIUDF during a party core committee meeting. Responding to it, we all said that an alliance with AIUDF only will not work. We have advocated for a grand alliance with all the anti BJP and anti-CAA forces together,” he said.

“BJP came to power with false promises and the people of Assam have realized that already. People of the state have become so frustrated with BJP’s actions that they are advocating the need for a new regional force.  And that’s why we all must join hands and uproot BJP,” added Saikia. However, not everyone within the Congress party is pleased with an alliance with AIUDF.

Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi said, “I have been opposing the alliance with AIUDF. I fully oppose the alliance.” However, he was ready for an alliance with regional parties and left parties in the state. Cracks are opening up within the Congress party as a section of leaders opposed to the alliance are voicing their discontent against the state leadership of the party.

The BJP, for its part, has slammed the alliance and asserted that it revealed the anti-Assamese nature of the party. “The tie-up with the AIUDF has brought to the fore the anti-Assam character of the Congress. To ensure the rights are protected, the indigenous people should take serious note of the alliance,” a political resolution of the BJP at its state executive said. The BJP also called it “conspiracy hatched to harm the State”.

“There was a massive change in the State’s demography during that period. So much was the change that the indigenous people were forced to flee from their lands,” the BJP stated. “Infiltration of immigrants reached its peak during the Congress’ rule in the state,” it added.

Railway recruitment examinations for 3 categories to be conducted from December 15

OpIndia Staff
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Railway recruitment examinations for 3 categories to be conducted from December 15

The Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRB) today announced that recruitment exams for three categories of railway vacancies will be conducted from December 15, 2020.

The applications were invited against vacancies in various categories before the corona breakout. The vacancies were notified against One Lakh Forty Thousand Six Hundred Forty positions in three categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories, Isolated and Ministerial Categories and Level 1 Categories. The total number of applications received against these vacancies is 2.42 Crore. All the applications had already been scrutinised but the examinations could not be held due to the pandemic situation.

However, considering successful conduct of the NEET-JEE examinations, now the Railway is planning to conduct the recruitment examinations in the 3 categories through a computer-based test from December 15, 2020, as told by an official. The detailed schedule will soon be announced regarding the examination.

The JEE examinations were conducted by the Centre earlier this week amidst strict protocols. The examination was held after the Supreme court passed an order allowing the Centre to conduct the exams.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut goes on a misogynistic tirade against actress Kangana Ranaut, calls her ‘haramkhor’

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut goes on a misogynistic tirade against actress Kangana Ranaut, calls her ‘haramkhor’

After threatening actress Kangana Ranaut to not return to Mumbai, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has hit a new low now. In a brazen display of misogyny, he referred to the ‘Manikarnika’ actress as a ‘haramzadi’.

Responding to Kangana’s comment that no big daddy can stop her from coming to Mumbai, the Shiv Sena leader said, “Maharashtra ka baap Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj hai... Mujhe lagata hai asa vakti ke baap ko idhaar la kar dikahan padega.. aapka ki baap dikhaya agar hai toh (The father of Maharashtra is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… We need to bring Kangana’s daddy here and show him around… You (reporter) too show your father, if you have any).”

On being asked by the News Nation reporter whether he will take unlawful steps to prevent Kangana Ranaut from entering Mumbai, Sanjay Raut replied, “What is law? Did that girl respect the law in the manner in which she spoke? Why are you acting as the lawyer of that ‘haramkhor’ girl?”

Even though Kangana Ranaut has not made any remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Raut nevertheless admonished the reporter saying, “She had disrespected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the State of maharashtra. And your channel is shamelessly siding with her?”

In a veiled threat, he also said that the ‘fate’ of Kangana Ranaut has be decided by everyone, not just the Shiv Sena. Raut also said that he did not believe in ‘war of words’ as it does not depict ‘masculinity’.

Sanjay Raut threatens Kangana Ranaut, asks her not to return to Mumbai

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, in an article in Sena mouthpiece Saamana, had asked actress Kangana Ranaut to not to travel back to Mumbai after she had expressed fear stating that that the city police force was more threatening to her than the ‘movie mafia’. Responding to his remarks, she had tweeted, “Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai after Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?”

Kangana Ranaut’s statements against Mumbai Police had come in the backdrop of a recent controversy after Commissioner of Mumbai Police Param Bir Singh had ‘liked’ a tweet which had asked for public shaming of the actress.

Ahmedabad: One Moin Qureshi marries Hindu girl by promising not to force her to convert, later starts torturing her to embrace Islam

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmedabad: One Moin Qureshi marries Hindu girl by promising not to force her to convert, later starts torturing her to embrace Islam

The Ahmedabad police have filed an FIR against one Muslim youth named Moin Qureshi on the basis of the complaint lodged against him by his wife accusing him of cheating. Qureshi’s wife Nayana (name changed), who is a Hindu by birth, said that her husband lured her into the marriage by promising her that she would never be forced to give up Hinduism and embrace Islam. Later, however, Moin Qureshi allegedly started torturing and pressuring Nayana to convert to Islam.

Based on her complaint, the Ahmedabad police have registered a case against Moin Qureshi, under Sections, 498-A and 294-B of the IPC and started investigating the matter. The FIR copies are given below, which were posted by Twitter user Harshil Mehta.

The copy of FIR filed with Ahmedabad police (source: Twitter user Harshil Mehta)
The copy of FIR filed with Ahmedabad police (source: Twitter user Harshil Mehta)

In a video, which has emerged online, Nayana narrates what exactly transpired with her. Speaking in Gujarati, Nayana says that before marriage Qureshi claimed of living in Ahmedabad’s posh area called Shahibaug, but later it emerged that Qureshi lived in some area called Dudheshwar. 

She furthers that Qureshi promised her that she won’t be forced to convert to Islam and can continue with Hinduism after marriage. For the first one and a half years, Qureshi kept to his words, but things changed after that.

The Hindu girl who has now been staying with her parents for the last one and a half month said that their marriage got solemnised in the court in February 2017. In 2018, during Ramzan, Qureshi started pressuring her to take up Islam. He started picking up fights with her over petty things.

On January 16, 2020, when her son was born, Qureshi outrightly refused to allow Nayana to keep a Hindu name for her son. Nayana recollects how after the birth of their child, their relationship became more strained. When she confided in her mother about her problems she was asked to compromise. On July 23, 2020, Qureshi took Nayana and their son to her parent’s house and left them there. Since then Nayana, along with her son has been living with her parents. Accusing her husband of mentally torturing her, Nayana has sought justice.

Madhya Pradesh High Court grants bail to rape accused to marry the victim

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh High Court grants bail to rape accused to marry the victim

In a strange incident in Madhya Pradesh, an accused in a rape case was granted two-months bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court to marry the victim. The victim complainant had filed a rape case against the accused under sections 376 (2) (n) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3(I), (W-II), 3(2)(V) and 3(2)(V-a) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The victim had made allegations against the accused that she was having a love affair with him while she was still married. The accused first has had sexual intercourse with her in 2017. Thereafter, the accused started coming to her house regularly and had sexual intercourse with her on the pretext of marriage. The victim had even divorced her husband on the insistence of the accused. However, later the accused went back on his promise and refused to marry her. Therefore, the victims filed a rape case against the accused.

But in a strange turn of events, the accused appealed to the Madhya Pradesh High Court against the order of Special Judge Dewas district wherein his request for regular was declined. Actually the accused was seeking bail for the purpose of marrying the victim. The families of the accused and the victim had agreed to their marriage. The HC granted bail to the accused. “Looking at the fact that the appellant and the prosecutrix are major and now they are ready to solemnise a marriage. In these circumstances, the present appeal is allowed and the appellant is granted temporary bail for a period of two months from the date of release so that during this period the appellant can solemnise the marriage with the prosecutrix”, the court order read. The bail plea was opposed by the Public Prosecutor in the case who contended that there were no sufficient grounds for releasing him on bail.

There is no provision of law expressly dealing with the cases of sexual intercourse on the pretext of marriage. The courts look into the facts and the circumstances of each case to infer whether a case of rape is made out or not. The courts generally look for two things, whether the promise of marriage was the sole reason behind the woman agreeing for the sexual intercourse and whether the promise was dishonest i.e. the man did not have an intention to keep the promise. The courts are usually reluctant to treat the cases of sexual intercourse on the promise of marriage as rape cases and the reason is that many times such cases either arise from the breach of promise to marry or the cases of elopement wherein the parents of the girl charge the boy for rape.

Bengaluru Archbishop, who criticised CAA, now accused of a multi-million dollar scam: Read the full details

Dibakar Dutta
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Bengaluru Archbishop, who criticised CAA, now accused of a multi-million dollar scam: Read the full details

In a shocking development, the Karnataka Catholic Christian Association (AKCCA) has accused the Bengaluru Archbishop Peter Machado of being involved in a multi-million dollar scam. Machado, a vocal critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), was appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore by Pope Francis. 

Catholic group alleges fraud of $42 million, archbishop denies charges

On August 28, AKCCA has demanded an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the financial misappropriation of Asha Charitable Trust, which is owned by the archdiocese. The group, in a press conference held at Bangalore, has accused the Trust of siphoning off ₹3 billion ($42 million).

“It is a scam worth three billion, and it needs investigation, “AKCCA leader Raphael Raj informed the media. Raj stated that even though the archdiocese collected funds from foreign donors, it was not utilised as promised. He added that the annual audit report highlighted financial irregularities but the archdiocese ignored it and did not take action against the ‘guilty’.

Dismissing the charges levelled against him, Machado said on Wednesday, “I am open to any probe as I have nothing to hide. (They are trying) to make a mountain out of a molehill.” He claimed to have taken action against an official after discovering ‘manipulation’ to the tune of ₹2 million ($28,000). The matter is reportedly being investigated by the Bangalore police.

Retired Karnataka High Court Judge revealed details of financial impropriety

As per a report in Goa Chronicle, former Karnataka High Court Judge Michael F Saldanha had accused Peter Machado and Bishop of Mysuru, K A William, of ‘criminally misappropriating’ ₹49.5 crores collected for Coorg Disaster Relief work in 2018. Accusing William of fraud, he wrote, “Everybody overlooked the fact that this man was virtually cheating and looting because even after four months, not one rupee reached the victims. In the instances of natural calamity the relief has to be immediate and fast. In this case, neither happened.”

The former Judge revealed that both William and Machado together raised ₹6 crores in the name of charity. He stated that the duo convinced singer Sonu Nigam to perform free of cost at the St. Joseph High School Grounds while they charged for tickets, sponsors and enmassed ₹13 crores. All in all, they collected ₹49.50 crores. While William promised path-breaking relief work, the affected people were still struggling to make ends meet after 24 months. “This was the impressive package put out by this man who said that in the name of Jesus the rehabilitation would be real and meaningful,” the former Judge lamented.

Accusing Machado of misappropriation, ex-Judge Michael F Saldanha wrote, “Perhaps Archbishop Peter Machado can tell us how many night shelters for homeless persons he has constructed because this was one of his appeals made more than a year back at the time of the concert. If it is there in writing in the annexure so he is certainly accountable.”

Letter by Justice Michael F Saldanha – Page 1 (Image Courtesy: Goa Chronicle)


In his defence, Peter Machado stated, “great respect for Justice Saldanha but I don’t know why he levels such allegations without verifying the facts. If we were not transparent, why did we inform the police? Allegations of this magnitude from a person like Saldanha will only tarnish the image of the Church. We account for every penny we get. We audit our accounts every year and file income tax returns.”

Bangalore Archbishop a vocal critic of CAA

Earlier in January, the Bangalore Archbishop had appealed to the Prime Minister to ‘reconsider’ his decision on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). With complete disregard to the fact that the minorities in the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh were persecuted on religious lines, Peter Machado stated in a memorandum, “We appeal to the central government to grant citizenship to the illegal migrants not on the basis of their religions, but on the merit of each individual case.” Highlighting ‘dangers’ of polarisation, he further advocated, “Religion should never be the criterion for citizenship of a country. Nor is violence a solution when there is a difference of opinion.”

Book published by Union Ministry of Culture and ICHR glorifies the chief architects of Moplah Massacre, that resulted in genocide of Hindus, as ‘martyrs’

OpIndia Staff
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Book published by Union Ministry of Culture and ICHR glorifies the chief architects of Moplah Massacre, that resulted in genocide of Hindus, as ‘martyrs’

A ‘Dictionary of Martyrs’ published by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Indian Council of Historical Research eulogises the Islamic genocidal maniacs responsible for the Moplah Massacre and refers to the campaign of genocide against Hindus as a ‘rebellion’. Variankunnath Kunhamad Haji and Ali Musliyar, the chief architects of the Moplah Massacre, are deemed to be martyrs by the book published. The book was published in 2019.

Collage of screengrabs from the document

The book says of Ali Musliyar, “Born in Nellikottu amsom in Eranad, distt. Malappuram, Kerala; s/o Kunju Moideen Sahib and Amina; Education at Ponnani, higher education at Mecca. Scholar in Islamic History, Shariat and Theology. Chief quasi at Kavaratti Island. Chief Musaliar of Tirurangadi Mosque in 1907. Great orator; organized Madrasas in different parts of Malabar; wide following in many parts of south Malabar; the most influential leader of the Khilafat movement.”

It adds, “In search of a Khilafat leader police in full uniform entered Tirurangadi Mosque and this aroused religious passion. Ali Musaliar accompanied by followers reached the police station to release the arrested Khilafat leaders. Police opened fire and killed hundreds of volunteers. The rebellion began on 21 August 1921 and spread to Eranad, Valluvanad and Ponnani taluks. Martial Law was declared. Gurkha Regiment was rushed to Malabar. Tirurangadi mosque was seized and rebels were flushed out. Ali Musaliar and followers surrendered and after trial he was sent to gallows. Executed by hanging on 17 February 1922.”

The book conveniently skips around the fact that the Khilafat Movement led directly to the creation of Pakistan. And therefore, glorifying the leaders of the Khilafat as ‘martyrs’ is shocking indiscretion. Similarly, Variankunnath Kunhamad Haji is also glorified in the book. It says of him, “Born in Nellikottu in Eranad, South Malabar, Kerala; s/o. Moideen Haji and Aminakutty Hajjumma. A close associate and relative of Ali Musaliar, an important rebel Mappila leader, he and his father were exiled to Mecca for a short period for anti-government activities.”

It stated further, “Thereafter they came back, but continued with their anti-Britis demeanour. He became a significant Khilafat leader in Majeri and Nilambur, and led an attack on the British army at Kallamala, as well as on the Gudalur Police Training Camp. He also proclaimed himself a ruler in the area, paralyzing the British administration there for a short period. But Haji was captured from Kallamoola in January 1922, and after a summary trial at Martial Law Court, shot dead on 20 January 1922.”

It is intriguing how the book skips around Haji’s critical role in the Moplah Massacre. Haji fancied himself the ‘Sultan of Eranad’ and was eventually put to death. He is, in fact, considered the ‘Father of the Moplah Riots’. He ran a parallel government for more than a half year before it was crushed by the British.

What the book calls a ‘rebellion’ was, in reality, a campaign of Jihad against Hindus. The estimated Hindu deaths of the ethnic cleansing in Moplah massacre tantamount to somewhere around 10,000 and it is believed that as many a 100,000 Hindus were forced to leave Kerala in the wake of the massacre. The number of Hindu Temples that were destroyed in the genocide is speculated to be a hundred. Forcible conversion of Hindus were rampant and unspeakable atrocities were poured upon Hindus.

Babasaheb Ambedkar in his book, Pakistan or the Partition of India, described the Moplah Massacre in the following manner: “The blood-curdling atrocities committed by the Moplas in Malabar against the Hindus were indescribable. All over Southern India, a wave of horrified feeling had spread among the Hindus of every shade of opinion, which was intensified when certain Khilafat leaders were so misguided as to pass resolutions of “congratulations to the Moplas on the brave fight they were conducting for the sake of religion”.”

Update: After the intervention of the state unit of the BJP and central government, the 5th volume of the book that had the problematic portions has been withdrawn. The website of the ministry that has all the books, now does not display the 5th volume of the series that is mentioned in this article.

Tipu Sultan: a freedom fighter or Islamic bigot?

Nivan
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Tipu Sultan: a freedom fighter or Islamic bigot?

Tipu Sultan is often credited in our history textbooks as a ‘secular’ ruler of Mysore who fought against the British in the late 1700s. While the latter part of the sentence does hold merit, the former is nothing but blatant propaganda planted in History textbooks by the Congress party. 

Tipu Sultan was one of the most ruthless Islamic invaders in South India. There have been several recorded instances of Tipu’s army forcefully converting, raping and kidnapping Hindus on his orders. Many temples are recorded to have been demolished under his reign. Historians such as Khan Hussain Ali Kirmani have pointed out that Tipu Sultan had animosity for the local Hindus and tribals in the area. 

Letters to army commanders ordering them to kill Hindus

(Cited from K M Panicker’s article in ‘Basha Posini magazine’ dated August 1923 and also mentioned in ‘Tipu Sultan: Villain or Hero’, by Sita Ram Goel, also cited by Rediff in their article ‘The truth about Tipu Sultan’)

Letter dated March 22, 1788, to Abdul Kadir: ‘Over 12,000 Hindus were honoured with Islam. There were many Namboodri Brahmins among them. This achievement should be widely publicised among the Hindus. Then the local Hindus should be brought before you and converted to Islam. No Namboodri Brahmin should be spared.’

The letter set a precedent and it followed several other orders by Tipu Sultan, calling for violence against Hindus. 

One of his letters to an army commander in Calicut on 14th December 1788 says- 

“I am sending two of my followers with Mir Hussain Ali. Along with them you should capture and kill all Hindus. Those below 20 years may be kept in prison and 5000 from the rest should be killed by hanging from tree tops. These are my orders.”

In a letter dated January 18, 1790 to Syed Abdul Dulai, Tipu Sultan openly condones the killing and forced conversions of Hindus, and proclaims this as a ‘Jihad’. The letter reads- 

‘… almost all Hindus in Calicut are converted to Islam. I consider this as jihad.’

In 1790, Tipu sent a letter to Syed Abdul Dulai (an army commander under his reign)- “With the grace of Prophet Mohammad and Allah, almost all Hindus in Calicut are converted to Islam. Only on the borders of Cochin State a few are still not converted. I am determined to convert them also very soon. I consider this as “Jehad” to achieve that object.” (Source: Sharma, 1991, pp. 111-112)

Destruction of temples

It has been recorded that atleast 3 temples in South India were demolished by Tipu Sultan’s army, such as Harihareswara temple at Harihar, the Varahaswami temple at Srirangapatnam, and the Odakaraya temple at Hospet. (Source: Archaeological Survey of India)

Historian Roderick Mackenzie in 1793 wrote about Tipu’s campaign to Trinomaly, recording the barbarism and brutality unleashed on the Hindu population in areas he passed. 

“Here neither respect, for the grandeur and antiquity of their temples, nor veneration for the sacred rites of a religion whose origin no time records, proved any protection for the persons or property, even of the first Brahmins. Their pagodas, breached with sacrilegious cannon, were forcibly entered, their altars defiled, their valuables seized, their dwellings reduced to ashes, and the devastation was rendered still more horrible by the scattered remains of men, women and children, mangled beneath a murderous sword.” (Ref: Roderick Mackenzie’s records cited by Narasingha Sil)

The following was found inscribed onto a stone in Seringapatam- 

“Oh Almighty God! dispose the whole body of infidels! Scatter their tribe, cause their feet to stagger! Overthrow their councils, change their state, destroy their very root! Cause death to be near them, cut off from them the means of sustenance! Shorten their days! Be their bodies the constant object of their cares (i.e., infest them with diseases), deprive their eyes of sight, make black their faces (i.e., bring shame).” (Source: Mysore Gazetteer)

Like other Islamic invaders in India, Tipu Sultan was known to brutally suppress the local Hindu population and forcefully convert several Hindus. In Tamil Nadu and Malabar, Tipu was referred to as ‘Killer of Brahmins and demolisher of Temples’. 

Murdering and converting local Hindu populations of South India

Historian IM Muthanna, in his book ‘Tipu Sultan X-Rayed’ states that Tipu’s raids weren’t a compulsion for the expansion of his territory, but was simply a barbaric intent backed by religious bigotry and cultural invasion. Muthanna claims that he murdered 40,000 Hindus in Coorg, and converted an equal number to Islam in his campaigns there. 

Several European historians have also recorded the gross brutality of Tipu on Hindus. In Calicut, several men and women were found to be tied by the neck on trees, with even young children’s neck tied to their mothers on the side of roads. Often considering the Hindus and Christians as animals, Tipu tied naked Christians and Hindus to the legs of elephants and made the elephants move around. He continued to make the elephants move until the helpless Hindus and Christians were torn into pieces or squashed by the gigantic weight of the animal. (Source: A Voyage to the East Indies by Fra Bartolomeo, a Portugese traveler in India)

A French soldier named Francois Fidele Ripaud de Montaudevert who came to Mysore to aid Tipu in his fight against the British was absolutely disgusted by his barbarism. According to him, the heads of Brahmins were daily exposed (split) by Tipu’s soldiers in forts during the siege of Mangalore, to show the Hindu population the inferiority of their religion. 

The Tyrant Diaries by Outlook magazine comments on Tipu’s campaigns in Calicut: 

“Kozhikode was then a centre of Brahmins and had over 7,000 Brahmin families living there. Over 2,000 Brahmin families perished as a result of Tipu Sultan’s Islamic cruelties. He did not spare even women and children..”

Tipu Sultan himself claimed to be the direct descendant of Islamic prophet Mohammed, and even inscribed the following words on his ceremonial sword, “My victorious sabre is lightning for the destruction of the unbelievers.” (Source: Sil, Narasingha. (2013). Tipu Sultan in History Revisionism)

In 1788, Tipu had reportedly ordered his Calicut governor Sher Khan to convert the local Hindus to Islam. According to Nishan-e-Haidari, 200 Brahmins were forced to consume cow-meat by July 1788. (Source: Sil, Narasingha 2013)

Tipu Sultan’s reign ended when Mysore was defeated in the Anglo-Mysore wars, when the Marathas and Britishers squashed the brutal rule of Tipu Sultan.

There have been malicious attempts by Marxist and Islamist historians to make Tipu gain a ‘secular’ image in modern India, however such attempts have often been futile. Recently, when the Congress government of Karnataka tried to glorify this barbaric murderer, staunch opposition was seen in Coorg, where most of the barbaric acts were committed.

Even today, several villagers in Tamil Nadu call Tipu “killer of Brahmins and demolisher of temples”, in a bitter memory of his murderous regime.

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