On 22nd December (local time), President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed his desire to gain control of Greenland. In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that it was an “absolute necessity.” Notably, Greenland is a part of the North American continent but is part of the Kingdom of Denmark as an autonomous territory.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump announced that Ken Howery would serve as the ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. Howery, who is a co-founder of PayPal and a venture capital fund among other companies, served as ambassador to Sweden during Trump’s first term as President. In the post, Trump further added, “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
Source: Truth Social/Donald Trump
This is not the first time Trump has expressed interest in taking control of Greenland. In 2019, Trump indicated that he wanted to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Greenland is known for its natural resources and geopolitical relevance. His desire to take control of Denmark’s territory, however, drew severe backlash from Denmark’s leaders. The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, categorically said that Greenland was not for sale. During a visit to the island, she had said, “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously.”
Following Frederiksen’s remarks, Trump responded by cancelling a meeting with Denmark’s PM. Notably, there is a US Space Force base, Pituffik Space Base (earlier known as Thule Air Base), located on the northwest coast of Greenland. The island is located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the world’s largest island that is not a continent. The strategic location of Greenland and its close proximity to the Arctic and some countries, including Russia, make it desirable for the US.
Trump’s desire to control the Panama Canal
Not only Greenland, but Trump has also expressed a desire to take control of the Panama Canal. In one of his recent comments, he ‘threatened’ Panama to return control of the Panama Canal to the US. Trump expressed his dismay over the fees Panama charges for American vessels’ passage through the Canal.
Responding to his remarks, the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, said that his country’s independence was non-negotiable. Furthermore, he defended the fees charged for the passage of American vessels, asserting that they were not set “on a whim.”
The Panama Canal was constructed in 1914. Until 31st December 1999, it was the US that managed the Canal. On that date, the control of the Canal was handed over to Panama based on treaties signed in 1977. OpIndia’s detailed report on Panama Canal can be checked here.
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former IAS officer Puja Khedkar and also ordered to vacate the interim protection granted to her.
The bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former IAS officer Puja Khedkar, stating that the UPSC is regarded as a prestigious examination. It further observed that the incident in question represents a fraud not only against an organization but also against society at large. The court emphasized that interrogation is necessary to uncover the conspiracy involved.
As a result, the court ruled that the plea was dismissed, and the interim protection granted to Khedkar was vacated.
The court observed that, prima facie, the conduct in this case appears to be aimed at deceiving the organization. It noted that the individual was not a legitimate candidate for the benefits but had been obtaining them through forged documents. The court also highlighted that the father and mother held high-ranking positions, suggesting the possibility of collusion with influential individuals.
Khedkar is facing criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.
Khedkar through advocate Bina Madhvan stated that she is willing to cooperate with the investigation and submitted that custodial interrogation is not necessary. However, Delhi Police through Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Sanjeev Bhandari informed the court that the investigation is ongoing, and custodial interrogation may be required to uncover the larger conspiracy, adding that certain aspects of the conspiracy still need to be examined.
This name change was done in order to fraudulently avail more attempts, he added.
Earlier, Delhi Police opposed the anticipatory bail plea and informed the Delhi High Court that as the investigation progresses, a larger conspiracy is emerging in the matter.
Meanwhile, the UPSC withdrew its perjury applications, stating that it would file a separate independent application.
The UPSC alleged that Khedkar attempted to manipulate the judicial system and stated that, Puja Khedkar has committed perjury by filing a false affidavit and the intent behind making such blatantly false statement naturally appears to be an attempt for obtaining favourable orders, on the basis of the false statement.
UPSC stated that, the claim that the Commission collected her biometrics is absolutely false made with the sole aim and purpose of deceiving this Court for obtaining favourable orders.
The said claim is denied since the Commission did not collect any biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) during her personality test or carried out any attempts verification on the basis of the same.
The Commission has not collected any biometric information from any candidate during the Personality Test of the Civil Services Examinations held so far. Puja Khedkar recently filed anticipatory bail application in relation to a FIR registered against her for allegedly “faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts beyond permissible limit” in civil services examination.
Recently, Delhi Police registered a FIR on the basis of a complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) against Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar.
The Delhi High Court has also issued notice to suspended IAS trainee Puja Khedkar on an application moved by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) claiming that she made an incorrect assertion in the petition that she was not served the order of cancellation of candidature.
UPSC stated that communication regarding canceling her candidature was communicated to her on her registered mail ID. So she falsely submitted before the Delhi High Court earlier that the press release dated July 31 this year was not officially communicated to her.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
The Panama Canal which is one of the most important trade routes in the world is now at the centre of a major diplomatic firestorm that has drawn global attention. On 22nd December President-elect, Donald Trump warned to reassert U.S. control over the canal as he accused Panama of levying “exorbitant charges” to utilize the passage. Afterward, Jose Raul Mulino, the president of Panama launched a sharp rebuke in retaliation to the comments.
Trump demanded that the canal be returned to US control and lambasted Panama’s handling, telling Panamanian officials to “be guided accordingly.” The development transpired at his first significant rally in Phoenix, Arizona following his victory on 5th November. With many conservatives applauding, he also employed his remarks to commemorate his comeback to power. “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he expressed.
“The Panama Canal is considered a vital national asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s economy and national security. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for US commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to US ports. The United States is the number one user of the canal, with over 70 per cent of all transits heading to, or from, US ports,” he highlighted.
Trump then shed light on its history and conveyed, “Considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at huge cost to the United States in lives and treasure. 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction. Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States at the time of its building and understood the strength of naval power and trade. When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for one dollar, during his term in office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
“The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security.
If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama… pic.twitter.com/LLUO358P9Y
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 22, 2024
Trump added that shippers have to cough up “ridiculous” money to use the crucial transit route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. “It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage. Our navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed on Panama by the US. This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop.”
Additionally, he cautioned to prevent the canal from ending up in the “wrong hands,” citing possible Chinese influence on the passage. Interestingly, two ports on the Caribbean and Pacific entrances of the canal are managed by CK Hutchinson Holdings, a Hong Kong-based company.
“The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood. We would and will never let it fall into the wrong hands. It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. I’m not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly,” he pointed out.
Jose Raul Mulino, the president of Panama, swiftly rejected Trump’s remarks as an insult to his nation’s sovereignty. “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama),” he declared and added, “Panamanians may have different views on many issues. But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.”
He responded to criticism of growing canal prices without specifically mentioning Trump, claiming that professionals decide the tariffs based on supply-and-demand dynamics and operational costs. “The tariffs are not set on a whim,” he argued and then emphasized Panama’s autonomous initiatives to expand the canal over time to handle more ship traffic, noting that fee adjustments fund these improvements. Fees were reportedly increased to cover expenses and maintain the canal’s infrastructure after a difficult year in which droughts affected canal operations. Notably, the canal is key to Panama’s economy and generates about one-fifth of the government’s annual revenue.
“We’ll see about that,” Trump shortly responded, adding a picture of the US flag positioned in the canal zone with the phrase, “Welcome to the United States Canal.”
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 22, 2024
Brief history of Panama Canal
The concept of building a waterway to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans across the Panamanian isthmus was first proposed at least in the 1500s. King Charles I of Spain asked his regional governor to map a path down the Chagres River when explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa discovered that a small landmass separated the two oceans. France was ultimately the first country to attempt the task.
The construction crew began work on a proposed sea-level canal in 1880 under the direction of Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had previously built the Suez Canal in Egypt. The French soon realized that they faced a formidable challenge. There was no effective method to prevent the spread of malaria and yellow fever while the constant rains created massive landslides. De Lesseps redirected work toward a lock canal after realizing too late that a sea-level canal was too difficult, but funding was withdrawn from the project in 1888.
President Theodore Roosevelt’s push and the US Isthmian Canal Commission’s discussions led to the United States’ $40 million purchase of French assets in the canal zone in 1902. The US pushed its military might behind a Panamanian independence movement when a planned treaty concerning building rights in what was then Colombian territory was rejected, and eventually negotiated a settlement with the new government.
Large ships at one of the Panama Canal’s locks. (Source: Britannica)
The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which gave America exclusive and permanent sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone, was signed with Panama on 18th November 1903, after the United States recognized the Republic of Panama on 6th November of the same year. Panama received $10 million and a $250,000 annuity starting nine years later in return.
The massive project started to come to an end in 1913, and after numerous hurdles and difficulties, the Panama Canal formally opened on 15th August. Nearly 240 million cubic yards of rock and gravel were dug up during the American construction phase, and approximately 3.4 million cubic meters of concrete were used in total to build the locks. However, many people lost their lives while constructing the Panama Canal.
Around 5,600 of the 56,000 labourers who were hired between 1904 and 1913 were reported deceased, however, the true number is likely far higher, as the French only documented hospital-related deaths. The United States spent roughly $375,000,000 on the Panama Canal, which included $10,000,000 paid to Panama and $40,000,000 paid to the French when they decided to abandon the project. It was the most expensive construction endeavour in American history at the time.
The Panama Canal, which was strengthened by the construction of the Madden Dam in 1935, was an essential part of the 20th century’s expansion of international commerce routes. A 1977 pact between U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos marked the beginning of the shift to local authority, and on 31st December 1999, the Panama Canal Authority took complete control. After a period of joint administration, Panama finally gained complete control of the canal from Washington in 1999. It was hailed as an important milestone in foreign policy at the time.
Significance of Panama Canal
The canal, which was named one of the seven wonders of the contemporary world by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994, witnessed its one millionth passing ship in September 2010. According to 2019 data, 13 per cent of the Panama Canal’s traffic consisted of cargo from or to China, while 66 per cent of its cargo flow started or ended at a US port, indicating that the United States remains the Canal’s largest customer.
The transit through the Panama Canal of the 72k dwt tanker Sauger
The Panama Canal measures 300 meters in width and 80 kilometres in length. One set of locks and two sets of rivers are part of the canal. The rivers and locks allow ships to move from the Pacific to the Atlantic or from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It serves as a key component of international maritime transportation. As an essential connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal allows ships to circumnavigate the dangerous and time-consuming journey around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. The canal even lessens the environmental impact of international sea transportation by offering a bypass and reducing carbon emissions.
The safe, effective, and dependable operations of the Panama Canal are of great importance to the United States. The strategic importance of the canal goes beyond its economic advantages and includes defensive capabilities, diplomatic links, national security, and logistical resilience. By reducing the distance between ports on the Americas’ east and west coasts, the canal promotes more effective trade and transit. The majority of transiting ships, roughly 72% are traveling to or from American ports.
Ships can save a significant amount of time and fuel by transiting the canal. The goods can be delivered sooner because of the decreased transit time. For industries with just-in-time supply chains, perishable items, and time-sensitive cargoes, this perk is especially remarkable. The canal assists in the passage of a variety of goods, including dry bulk, containers, chemical tankers, LPG carriers, LNG, vehicles, refrigerated freight, general cargo, and passengers. As such, it is essential to worldwide supply networks.
Moreover, the Panama Canal is strategically significant. It improves trade between Asia and North America, fostering closer ties between the two continents. Prior to the canal’s completion, a ship sailing from Los Angeles to Europe would have to either cross the Strait of Magellan or follow the South American coast to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, which is the southernmost point. Others would travel north along the coast after circling Cape Horn before making the journey to Europe. The canal cut the voyage down by almost 8,000 nautical miles. Naturally, this resulted in large financial savings because a trip from beginning to end would be completed considerably faster, saving on fuel and all other operating expenses that rise over time.
Last week, on 17th December, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared that refusing permission for the establishment of a modern slaughterhouse claiming the religious background of the city is entirely unacceptable. The said judgment was delivered by Justice Pranay Verma. The judge emphasised that a State Government notification under the MP Municipalities Act, 1961, that specifically declares a 100-meter radius as a sacred area, does not refer to the entire city as sacred.
As per the reports, permission to establish a slaughterhouse was sought by an individual identified as Sabir Hussain. Following the judgment, the court ordered the Municipal Council of Mandsaur to issue an NOC to Hussain to set up a slaughterhouse for buffalo slaughter and meat trading. Hussain reportedly had filed a petition in the High Court challenging a refusal by the Chief Municipal Officer of Mandsaur who he claimed had denied permission for a slaughterhouse stating the religious nature of the city.
Hussain had submitted an application to the Municipal Council seeking a NOC under Section 264 of the MP Municipalities Act, 1961, to establish a slaughterhouse beyond the 100-meter radius of the sacred area as designated by the 2011 State Government notification. The council however rejected his application stating the underway procedures to locate a suitable land for the modern slaughterhouse.
It added that granting permission to establish a slaughterhouse would offend and hurt the religious sentiments of the citizens of Mandsaur. The council further raised concerns over the potential law and order situation of the city as cited by the City Superintendent of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of City Kotwali, Mandsaur.
Hussain then referred to a 2017 High Court judgment that permitted the establishment of a temporary slaughterhouse until a modern one was set up and demanded that similar directions be issued in the given case.
Rejecting the council’s argument, the court stated, “The reason as has been taken in the return that Mandsaur is a religious city hence permission for establishment of a slaughterhouse cannot be given is wholly unacceptable. The issue is regulated by specific legal provisions and even the notification which has been issued by the State Government on 09.12.2011 has declared an area of only 100 meters in radius to be a sacred area. Only for the issuance of such a notification can the entire city not be considered a sacred area. The stand as taken in the return by the respondent hence cannot be accepted
The Court further criticised the Council’s reliance on police recommendations as it noted that the legal provisions under the Municipalities Act should also be looked upon.
Justice Verma also stated that the Council’s underway procedures to locate suitable land for the modern slaughterhouse did not exempt it from its responsibility to issue a NOC.
The Court then ordered the administrative authorities to issue NOC to Hussain provided the latter succeeds in obtaining necessary permissions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Continuing their drive against child marriage and other social evils, the Assam Police arrested 5348 persons across the state in last two years and registered 5842 cases.
According to the data shared by Assam police, the first drive was launched against child marriage in February 2023 and the second drive was conducted in October 2023.
Assam police arrested 431 persons in the third phase drive on the night of December 21-22 across the state and registered 345 cases. In the first phase drive, police arrested 3425 persons and registered 4387 cases, in the second phase, police arrested 913 persons and registered 682 cases.
M. P. Gupta, ADGP (CID) said that, as per the direction of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, fulfilling his vision, Assam Police has been continuously fighting against the evil of child marriage.
Gupta said that the main goal was to eradicate the social evil of child marriage by 2025.
“The goal is to eradicate the social evil of child marriage by the end of 2025. In this regard 2 numbers of special drives have been conducted earlier in the month of February, 2023 and again in the month of October, 2023. In the first drive against child marriage all over Assam 4,387 cases were registered and 3,425 persons were arrested and in the 2nd drive conducted in the month of October 2023, 682 cases were registered and 913 persons were arrested. In continuity to curb the social evil of child marriage and as per the direction the Chief Minister of Assam, Assam Police launched the 3rd special drive on 21st December, 2024 throughout the state,” the ADGP said while speaking to ANI.
Further, he added that in the current drive a total of 345 cases had been registered in which most of the accused were husbands, family members and Kazis who performed the marriage rituals.
“In the current drive 345 cases were registered and 431 persons were arrested. The arrest include the accused husbands, family members, and the Kazis who performed the marriage rituals. In the first 2 drives 5,181 cases were charge sheeted and it accounts to 95.2% of the cases registered. As a result of these special drives against child marriage. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has come down drastically in the state of Assam,” M. P. Gupta said.
According to the data of Assam police, in the third phase drive, police arrested 68 persons in Dhubri district, 52 persons in Barpeta district, 42 in South Salmara Mankachar district, 22 each in Kamrup and Karimganj district, 21 each in Darrang and Hailakandi district.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Since Sheikh Hasina’s exit from Bangladesh in August 2024, the propaganda news portal The Wire has consistently downplayed the issue of violence against Hindus roiling the neighbouring country. Through a series of reports, op-eds, and interviews, The Wire diminished the severity of the targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities by framing them as politically motivated rather than religiously driven. Though the publication acknowledged the attacks on minorities, it frequently shifted the focus to so-called misinformation by Indian right-wing groups and broader political narratives. Here is an analysis of 10 reports, interviews, and op-eds published by The Wire since August 2024 that clearly show the intention to downplay the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
On 21st December, The Wire published a report quoting the Bangladeshi government’s official response to the Ministry of External Affairs’ reply in the Lok Sabha. The ministry stated that there were 2,200 incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh in 2024. The Bangladeshi press wing, as quoted by The Wire, claimed that there were only 138 incidents of violence between January and November 2024. Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organisation from Bangladesh, provided the numbers.
Source: The Wire
It further claimed that the figures presented by the MEA were close to the numbers published by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, which recorded 2,010 incidents of violence in just 16 days between 4th August and 20th August. Downplaying the incidents of attacks on Hindus and other minorities, the report quoted the press wing as stating that between 5th August and 8th August, there was no government in the neighbouring country. Indirectly, the press wing attempted to evade responsibility, and The Wire followed it. It is unclear on what basis the Bangladeshi government and The Wire dismissed the stats provided by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad.
In an op-ed authored by Partha S. Ghosh published in The Wire on 12th December, the author conspicuously downplayed the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He dismissed concerns about the deteriorating communal situation in the neighbouring country and portrayed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s accusations of genocide against Hindus as “politically motivated” and “exaggerated” to suit her Indian hosts.
Source: The Wire
Ghosh acknowledged the stronghold of pro-Islamic forces in Bangladeshi politics but diminished the gravity of the violence. He questioned the authenticity of reports from Bangladesh regarding the attacks on Hindus and other minorities, attributing them to “fake news” or “Hindutva propaganda.” Furthermore, he claimed that the communal situation in Bangladesh is no different from that in India and indirectly shifted the focus from the targeted violence faced by minorities in Bangladesh to criticising the BJP-led central government in India. He wrote, “As such, when the BJP, which has been ruling India for ten long years with its avowedly anti-Muslim politics, tends to shed tears for the minorities in a neighbouring country it sounds rather ironical.” In doing so, he minimised the plight of the victims and sidestepped the responsibility of addressing the issue at its core.
Source: The Wire
Even in regular reports, The Wire did not miss any opportunity to portray day-to-day life in Bangladesh as “normal” while accusing the BJP of circulating videos of “violence” against minorities in India. In a report published on 10th December on declining trade between Bangladesh and India at Petrapole in West Bengal, The Wire quoted a trader from Bongaon, Tapan Saha, who, according to the portal, claimed that “everyday life in Dhaka seemed normal” to him and that it was puzzling to see videos of unrest shared by the BJP on social media, which were absent from Bangladeshi media.
Source: The Wire
In another report published on 5th December, The Wire effectively downplayed the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh by amplifying the narrative of interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and other Bangladeshi officials. The report highlighted allegations made by Yunus, claiming that reports of attacks on minorities were “exaggerated” and part of a “fabricated narrative” spread by India and other global powers.
Source: The Wire
It further cited Yunus’s claims that Durga Puja was celebrated “peacefully” despite anticipated troubles, portraying Indian concerns as unfounded. The Wire subtly diverted attention from the plight of minorities to Bangladesh’s grievances over incidents such as the Agartala protest. Notably, the protest and the alleged attack on the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala had already been condemned by the Indian government.
Source: The Wire
Interestingly, on 3rd December, The Wire published a report citing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who claimed that “anti-Bangladesh sentiment” has been fuelled in India. Citing a post on X by Rahman, The Wire quoted him saying, “Since the fall of autocrat Sheikh Hasina, there is an increase of inflammatory media commentary and political rhetoric against Bangladesh coming from certain Indian quarters. There is now an echo chamber filled with misinformation, fuelling persistent anti-Bangladesh sentiment.”
Source: The Wire
Notably, Rahman, currently living in the United Kingdom under forced exile, is the prime convict and mastermind of the 21st August 2004 terrorist grenade attack on the Awami League’s political rally. Having fled to London in 2008, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the grenade attack in 2018. However, on 1st December, the Bangladesh Supreme Court quashed all lower courts’ decisions against him in the 2004 attack.
Ironically, while Rahman alleged the existence of anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India, he called for a boycott of Indian products. In early 2024, he orchestrated a campaign against India, primarily on social media platforms, using the hashtag #IndiaOut.
On 29th November, in an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Zafar Sobhan, editor of the Dhaka Tribune, downplayed the severity of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by asserting that the situation has “far improved” compared to previous months.
During the discussion on the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, Sobhan criticised the sedition charges as “out of line, unwarranted and unwise” but simultaneously shifted focus to blaming Indian politicians and media for allegedly exaggerating the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Source: The Wire
He cited Bangladesh’s transition following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and echoed interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s dismissal of reports on Hindu persecution as “propaganda,” subtly minimising the targeted violence against minorities. The Wire’s report on the interview noted him saying, “Our neighbour, our friend, our ally needs to understand that Bangladesh is a country in transition, and after the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina ‘autocracy’, there will be a period of uncertainty and instability, but, importantly, it’s being brought under control.”
In an alleged fact-checking report published by Prothom Alo and featured on The Wire on 19th August, the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh were effectively downplayed by citing a study from Rumor Scanner. The report accused Indian media outlets and individuals of spreading communal misinformation. The report scrutinised social media posts that allegedly misrepresented incidents in Bangladesh as attacks on Hindus, yet it failed to adequately address several incidents of violence or the plight of the Hindu victims.
Source: The Wire
By focusing heavily on debunking misinformation from Indian sources, the report shifted attention away from the real concerns of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The report even accused OpIndia of spreading misinformation while downplaying the extensive reporting done by the portal highlighting attacks on Hindus following Sheikh Hasina’s exit.
In a report published by The Wire on 18th August, which mentioned Bangladesh’s claims that reports of attacks on its Hindu minorities were “exaggerated,” the historical data presents a contrasting reality. While The Wire cited a so-called fact-checker to contest Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the declining Hindu population in Bangladesh, official Bangladeshi data shows a significant decline in the minority population.
Source: The Wire
The “Percentage Distribution of Population by Religious Communities” indicates a drop from 33% in 1901 to 10.5% in 1991, with the 2022 census confirming a further reduction to just 7.95%. HM Shah, while distributing citizenship certificates to Hindu refugees in Gujarat under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), highlighted the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, attributing the decline to forced conversions and systemic discrimination.
In an op-ed by Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee published in The Wire on 17th August, the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are downplayed by framing the violence as political rather than religious. Bhattacharjee echoes interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s rhetoric, suggesting that Hindus asking for special safeguards were “compartmentalising their demands” and detracting from a nationalistic “humanist aspiration.”
Source: The Wire
While acknowledging the violence, the op-ed misrepresents it as an extension of political retribution linked to the Awami League rather than targeted religious persecution. Furthermore, it accuses Indian right-wing groups of making a mockery of Bangladeshi Hindus’ suffering by allegedly exaggerating their distress to foster animosity against Indian Muslims. The author went ahead and compared the Islamist organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned by Bangladesh, with RSS in India. He wrote, “Just as the RSS says there are no minorities in India, the Jamaat’s ‘emir’ says no one is a minority in Bangladesh as everyone is equal before the law.” By prioritising critiques of Indian narratives and advancing a universalist framework, the op-ed categorically downplayed the gravity of the attacks and the specific vulnerabilities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
In an op-ed by Ram Puniyani published in The Wire on 15th August, the author severely downplayed the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by portraying them as politically motivated rather than religiously targeted. Though he acknowledged that there were attacks on Hindus, the author emphasised narratives of pluralism and democratic progress in Bangladesh.
Source: The Wire
He claimed that Yunus and student groups were “protecting” Hindu temples. Simultaneously, he criticised the Indian response and accused right-wing groups and media of spreading misinformation, which fuelled Islamophobia in India and perpetuated divisive rhetoric.
Source: The Wire
His extensive focus on “Indian propaganda” and conflating the violence with broader political unrest diminished the severity of targeted attacks on Hindus. He attempted to shift the narrative towards communalism in India rather than addressing the root causes of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
Simultaneously, he criticised the Indian response and accused right-wing groups and media of spreading misinformation, which fuelled Islamophobia in India and perpetuated divisive rhetoric. His extensive focus on “Indian propaganda” and conflating the violence with broader political unrest diminished the severity of targeted attacks on Hindus. He attempted to shift the narrative towards communalism in India rather than addressing the root causes of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
The Wire kept its emphasis on the claims of exaggerated reports and Indian propaganda, setting a narrative to deflect attention from the alarming persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Historical data highlights a significant decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh, but The Wire, instead of verifying the statistics itself, relied on another propagandist portal’s report to downplay the population decline. Throughout its reporting, The Wire remained more invested in criticising the Indian response rather than holding the interim government in Bangladesh accountable.
On Monday (23rd December), three Khalistani terrorists were injured in a police encounter in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.
They were initially treated at the Community Health Centre in Puranpur, before being shifted to the district hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.
The Khalistani terrorists neutralised in the police encounter included Gurwinder Singh, Virendra Singh, and Jasanpreet Singh. They were wanted for attacking a police post with a grenade in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
VIDEO | Pilibhit Encounter: "The three injured accused were referred to the district hospital after initial treatment at CHC Puranpur. However, the CMO and his team confirmed that they dead upon arrival here. Two AK47s, two foreign made Glock pistols and a huge cache of… pic.twitter.com/lihFwb1zgS
As per the initial reports, these Khalistani terrorists were associated with the banned Khalistan Commando Force. The authorities have recovered two AK-47 rifles and two Glock pistols from their possession.
The police acted upon the tip-off and gheraoed the region to restrict the terrorist movement. Following this, the police asked the terrorists to surrender.
On their refusal, a major scuffle happened between the police and the accused persons after which the encounter was executed in which three terrorists were put to death.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar commented on the matter and confirmed that the operation was conducted as a part of joint efforts put in by the Punjab Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The UP police were informed that the terrorists had been hiding in the Pilibht district and that they were wanted in Punjab after they attacked a police post in Gurdaspur.
“We first asked them to surrender. But they failed to surrender. After this, a major scuffle occurred between the authorities and the terrorists following which the encounter was executed. The injured terrorists were taken to the hospital for treatment but they were declared dead. This is the result of our joint efforts,” he said.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, a Hindu fast food hawker named Bhupendra was allegedly assaulted by some Muslim men Abdul, Pappu and two others, after the accused persons abused the victim on 22nd December. The victim has suffered serious injuries.
In his complaint, the victim, a resident of Kesarpur village in the Bhuta Bareilly police station area, said that he was going to the market at around 3 p.m. with his Chowmein cart. On the way, Abdul, son of Shamshuddin Mamma of the village, started abusing Bhupendra without any reason. When Bhupendra stopped them from doing so, the accused overturned his fast food cart.
प्रकरण के सम्बन्ध में थाना भुता,बरेली पर सुसंगत धाराओं में अभियोग पंजीकृत है तथा अग्रिम विवेचनात्मक कार्यवाही प्रचलित है।
Following this, Abdul, Pappu and two others began thrashing the victim. The complainant alleged that accused Abdul hit him with a rod. The victim was also threatened.
“When I stopped him from abusing, he overturned the cart. Upon hearing this, the above-mentioned people Abdul and Pappu sons of Shamshuddin Gayema and two unknown people resident of Kesarpur started beating me. They took a rod and a pistol and Abdul hit me on my head. People from the neighbourhood then came and threatened to kill me,” the victim said in his complaint and demanded action against the accused persons.
Meanwhile, the Bareilly Police has said that a case has been registered under relevant sections and an investigation is underway.
“In relation to this matter, a case has been registered under relevant sections at Police Station Bhuta, Bareilly and further investigation proceedings are underway,” the police said.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), an entity of the United Nations, had been deliberately ignoring the plight of Hindus who have been suffering at the hands of Islamists in Bangladesh.
On 5th August this year, extremists masquerading as ‘student protesters’ ousted Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Thereafter, Hindus and other religious minorities were left at the mercy of violent Muslim mobs.
Instead of documenting the atrocities committed against the vulnerable Hindus, OHCHR announced on 16th September this year that they are conducting an ‘independent and impartial investigation’ into human rights violations.
It revealed that the so-called independent probe was being done at the behest of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, which coincidentally has been pandering to Islamists and anti-Hindu forces.
OHCHR clarified that its ‘impartial investigation’ is limited to the anti-Hasina protests and the ‘human rights violations’ occurring in the context of it between 1st July and 15th August.
Thus, the United Nations entity was able to skirt specific instances of violence against vulnerable Hindus, committed by the majority Muslim community.
OHCHR, which is known for mouthing platitudes about the ‘human rights’ situation in India, thus shrewdly avoided holding the interim government accountable.
“The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes, and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence,” it claimed in its announcement.
The ‘confidential nature’ of the fact-finding process further nullified any hopes of transparency and justice for the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh since the fall of Dhaka
While the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had deliberately avoided documenting the plight of Bangladesh Hindus, OpIndia had been vetting and reporting cases of atrocities since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
There have been at least 205 attacks on Hindu temples, shops and businesses within 3 days of the fall of Dhaka.
We previously exposed how Muslim students have forced as many as 60 Hindu teachers, professors and government officials to resign from their positions.
Human rights activist and exiled Bangladeshi blogger, Asad Noor, has recently revealed that the minority community is now being coerced into joining ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’.
On 6th September, a procession of Hindu devotees carrying the idol of Lord Ganesha came under attack in the Kadam Mubarak area in Chittagong city of Bangladesh.
Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, a radical Muslim man named Yasin Mia vandalised the idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities in Gouripur town in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on 25th September.
In the latest series of attacks, idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities were vandalised at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap and the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap on 28th September and 1st October respectively.
The attacks were carried out in Sujanagar upazila in Pabna district in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. While a total of 4 idols were defaced at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap, another 5 Hindu idols were destroyed at the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap.
On 3rd October, 7 idols of Hindu deities were destroyed at the Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja mandap in Kishoreganj, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh.
On 5th November, the Hindu community came under attack from police and law enforcement authorities in Hazari Goli in Chittagong city of Bangladesh.
On 29th November, a violent Muslim mob attacked Hindu minorities and vandalised 3 temples in Patharghata in Chittagong district of Bangladesh.
The Hindu religious sites that the Muslims targeted included the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple. The attack took place immediately after the conclusion of Jumma Namaz.
On 30th November, a prominent Hindu journalist named Munni Saha was arrested by the police from Karwan Bazar in Dhaka city of Bangladesh.
A group of extremists attacked the Mahashmashan Kali Mata Mandir, vandalised 7 idols of deities and stole gold ornaments on 13th December 2024.
On 19th December, a Muslim man identified as Alal Uddin vandalised an idol at the Polashkanda Kali Temple and then attempted to create a fake alibi. The incident occurred in Haluaghat upazila in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.
Another 37-year-old Muslim man identified as Azharul vandalised several idols of deities in Haluaghat Upazila in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.
The recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu and his aides, attempts at banning Hindu organisation ISKCON and stiffling Hindu protests with cases of ‘sedition’ highlight systematic persecution under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.
India and Kuwait signed four Memorandum of Understandings in the areas of defence, sports and cultural cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
MEA Secretary CPV and OIA, Arun Kumar Chatterjee during a special briefing today, said the MoUs are expected to deepen the multifaceted bilateral relationship as well as open avenues for newer areas of cooperation.
“Following the delegation level talks today, four bilateral documents were signed during the visit. The first one is a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation, the second one is a Cultural Exchange program for the years 2025-2029, the third is an executive program on cooperation in the field of sports for the period 2025- 2028. We also had Kuwait joining as a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA),” he said.
“We are pretty confident that this historic visit of the Prime Minister will open up a new chapter in the relationship between India and Kuwait. Both the sides have been able to identify several important areas of cooperation and the governments will be working towards fulfillment of the plans that have been made during this visit,” Chatterjee added.
The MoU on Defence cooperation will institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration in research and development, among others, a statement by MEA said.
“The MoU between India and Kuwait in the field of Defence cooperation will institutionalise the bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence. The key areas of cooperation would include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment and collaboration in research and development,” Chatterjee said.
Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029 will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theatre, cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the area of culture and organizing of festivals, an MEA statement said.
“The cultural exchange program will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theater. Cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the areas of culture and organization of festivals,” he said.
Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports for the years 2025-2028 will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others, the statement said.
“The executive program for cooperation in the field of sports will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science among some of the areas that we have identified,” Chatterjee said.
Kuwait became a member of the ISA. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, the MEA statement said.
“Kuwait becoming a member of the International Solar Alliance collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member states develop low carbon growth trajectories,” Chatterjee said.
The MEA Secy said that Kuwaiti side acknowledged the important contribution made by Indians there in their economy. Both sides agreed that working groups in the sectors of health and education will identify new sectors of cooperation.
“Regarding the health and education sector, both the sides acknowledged the important contribution that Indians are making in the Kuwaiti economy today and the Kuwaiti side also acknowledged the major contribution that the Indian diaspora is making for the development of the Kuwaiti economy on the issues like health and education. We have separate working groups that have been set up. Both the leaders agreed that these working groups will be meeting frequently and regularly to identify new areas of cooperation. On manpower front also we have a joint working group that exclusively looks at manpower-related issues of Indians in Kuwait and that working group usually looks at and addresses the major issues that are there in this sector but in the general context the leaders discussed about the contribution of the of the Indian community here,” Chatterjee said.
He said that intensification of visits from Kuwaiti side may be anticipated as new areas of cooperation have been identified.
“The elevation of a relationship to a strategic partnership means you have taken your bilateral relationship to the next level. Which means you will have greater intensity of cooperation in several areas, plus we have identified new areas. We will see intensification of exchanges and visits in the coming days to materialize whatever has been planned by the leaders of both the countries,” he said.
Chatterjee added that health is an important sector that has been identified for cooperation.
“Health and pharmaceuticals is one important area which both the sides have identified for cooperation and that could include investments by the Kuwaiti side in India or expansion of the trade basket to increase pharmaceutical exports also from India. Pharmaceutical would continue to be one of the important sectors of cooperation between our two countries,’ he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day official visit to Kuwait, and emplaned for New Delhi on Sunday.
Visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, PM Modi held multiple engagements and held discussions to further deepen the India-Kuwait ties.
In a special gesture, the PM of Kuwait came to see off PM Modi at the airport as he left for India.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
