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US-Trump flip-flop on Strait of Hormuz blockade and Iran war, how it endangers the region and worsens the energy crisis for Asia

Shraddha Pandey
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US-Trump flip-flop on Strait of Hormuz blockade and Iran war, how it endangers the region and worsens the energy crisis for Asia

The expected failure of the much-hyped ‘Islamabad Talks’ between the warring nations of Iran and the US has resulted in the exacerbation of the ongoing global energy crisis. On 12th April, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate ‘blockade of the Strait of Hormuz’ starting 13th April, stating that the US Navy will immediately move to enforce the blockade.

The US Central Command soon clarified that the blockade is not for all ships in the Persian Gulf, nor is it exactly a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz; rather, it will block only those ships that are entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas. The clarification was more of a U-turn from Trump’s complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announcement, given that it would have caused a full shutdown of global shipping.

Just a day after the ceasefire announcement, Trump had floated the idea of a joint Iran-US toll framework in the Strait of Hormuz. However, after the Iranian and American delegations returned from Pakistan without a deal, Trump remembered that Iran is levying an “illegal toll” on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the possibility of a joint Iran-US venture collapsed, Trump took the task upon himself to end the Iranian ‘extortion’.

 “The US Navy would begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels that had paid an “illegal toll” to Iran in international waters would be interdicted. American forces would also destroy Iranian mines in the strait, and any Iranian personnel firing on US or peaceful vessels will be BLOWN TO HELL!”, Trump announced on Truth Social.

The US claim of blockading the Strait of Hormuz and the presence of American forces in the region

The US blockade in response to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was announced to start from 13 April. It essentially applies to all vessels of any nationality entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Non-Iranian ports like those of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, etc., remain fully open and unaffected by the US naval blockade. This means that ships can transit the Strait of Hormuz for those destinations.

In addition, the US naval forces will interdict ships in international waters that have paid an “illegal toll” to Iran, as per Trump’s announcement. The US authorities have said that commercial sailors will get formal notices with details.

While the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which is already blockaded by the Iranian forces, is not a complete closure of the passage, which carries around 20% of the global seaborne oil and LNG, the counter-blockade is going to have global implications.

The American rationale behind the counterblockade is putting pressure on Iran’s oil exports and revenue. During the war, Iran exported around 1.84 million barrels of crude a day in March this year, which is about 100,000 barrels a day extra, compared to the last three months, a Kpler analysis shows.

An increase in Iranian output before the war began on 28th February has resulted in near-record levels of Iranian oil loaded on ships, with over 180 million barrels floating so far in April.

Thus, blocking Iranian oil exports would essentially help crippling the already economically distraught Iran’s revenues.

However, the US CENTCOM clarification indicates that outside Trump’s Truth Social echo chamber, the American leadership understands that a full blockade, even if somehow physically achieved, would cause a global disruption. The IRGC, meanwhile, has dubbed US naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz a ceasefire violation and vowed a strong response.

Before delving into the practicality of a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, it is pertinent to know about the current American military presence in the CENTCOM area, which comprises the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.

Infographic via X @/ShivAroor

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has been rapidly fortifying its forward presence in the Gulf states, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as staging grounds and logistics hubs for contingencies. As per the US Central Command, the USS Tripoli, carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, had arrived in recent weeks. More than 5,000 United States troops, including 2,500 Marines, have made their way to West Asia, waiting for a go-ahead from the American Commander-in-Chief to launch a ground invasion against Iran.

In the last week of March 2026, around 2,000 to 4,000 paratroopers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division were being flown in as an “Immediate Response Force” prepared for quick insertion operations, in addition to over 4,000 Marines and sailors onboard USS Tripoli and USS Boxer (2,500 Marines and sailors). USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating in the Arabian Sea. USS George H.W. Bush has also been reportedly repositioned. It is notable that each CSG contains at least 1 carrier, 4 to 6 guided-missile destroyers/cruisers, submarines, support ships and 60 to 90 aircraft.

Besides the multiple CSGs, the US forces are reported to have deployed surface combatants in the region. Guided-missile destroyers like USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E Peterson recently transited the Hormuz Strait. In addition, littoral combat ships (LCS) are present in Bahrain with mine-countermeasure packages, alongside other warships.

If we look at the overall posture, this marks one of the largest US naval concentrations in West Asia in recent decades, comparable only to the disastrous American campaign during the Iraq War. Headquartered in Bahrain, the US 5th Fleet routinely maintains over 10 to 10 warships alongside aviation and special operations assets. Moreover, amphibious ready groups (ARGs) with Marines are also reported to be heading to the theatre.

While time alone will tell if this force level will be sufficient for sustained interdiction patrols, surveillance, rapid response and boarding operations, reports suggest that the blockade enforcement will involve LCS and destroyers near Iranian port approaches backed by carrier air wings for drones, intelligence and overwatch.

Meanwhile, the US is also reported to be in talks with Indonesia for seeking US military access over Indonesian airspace. A Reuters report says that the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have even approved the proposal seeking “blanket overnight access” for ⁠American military aircraft .

President Trump has told Fox News that NATO, which has remained reluctant so far to enter the war to aid US forces in clearing the Hormuz blockade by Iran, have offered to help “clean out” the Strait. In addition, Trump claimed that the UK, a NATO member, which recently announced that it will not be dragged into the Iran war directly, would deploy minesweepers. However, UK PM Keir Starmer told the BBC, “We’re not supporting the blockade.”:

Speaking about why the US is pivoting towards blockading the very Strait it wanted to reopen, Trump said, “we’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don’t like.”

The enforcement of the US blockade will involve standard practices like warnings through radio, visual signals, boarding teams or disabling fire if the vessels ignore warnings. The interdiction will be a selective and targeted and not necessarily involve the erection of a literal wall of mines across the entire 21-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz.

The war has been targeting critical energy infra in the region

It should, however, not be forgotten that the Iranian forces will not sit back and let the Americans dominate the theatre. The IRGC employs asymmetric tactics like fast boats, cheap drones, mines and anti-ship missiles, etc. Their countermeasure could involve harassing the patrols, using proxies or laying drifting mines. Iran’s mines strategy has proven to be a success in disrupting shipping earlier. There is a possibility that the war Trump recently said would end in a week or two could get prolonged, stretching up to weeks and even months if Iran tests the blockade, pivoting to other escalation points for proxy attacks.

Iran’s unified armed forces command has already declared an American counterblockade of Iranian ports “illegal and amounts to piracy”.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson reportedly said that either the ports in West Asia are secure for everyone or for no one.

“The security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one. No port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe,” the spokesperson said.

Iran has made it clear that it will “resolutely implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz” during and after the war (whenever it ends).

“Enemy-affiliated vessels do not and will not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while other vessels will continue to be allowed passage through the strait subject to compliance with Islamic Republic of Iran armed forces regulations,” the Iranian authorities said.

Notably, Iranian media reports that the existing authorities is planning to impose a $2m toll for each ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has reportedly collected at least two tolls for ships in Chinese Yuan, in an apparent attempt to not only make money during war but also weaken the US dollar. China has already transitioned to Renminbi or Yuan-based payments for Iranian energy, with over 80-90% of Iran’s oil exports now heading to China settled in Yuan.

The revenues generated would obviously be utilised for rebuilding military and civilian infrastructure destroyed by the joint US-Israel strikes. Oman, however, has already rejected Iran’s idea.

It is apparently, for this reason, Trump, who was more than eager to get the Hormuz Strait reopened, has changed the approach and ordered its blockade. It seems that the US is not blockading the Strait of Hormuz and targeting Iranian ports as a quick fix and a pressure tactic to bend Iran to its terms, but also squeeze Chinese economy.

The Iranian ‘alternate’ route, Source: Al Jazeera

The IRGC on the other hand, has released a navigation map indicating safer routes for vessels planning on transiting the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting “the likelihood of the presence of various types of anti-ship mines in the main traffic zone”.

Global energy crisis and supply disruptions

The global energy markets are already strained by the Iran war. The US naval blockade adds fresh pressure, even if the move is selective. The Strait of Hormuz witnesses around 20 million barrels per day of oil and LNG, there will be immediate price hikes and supply chain chaos for Asia-heavy importers, although countries like India, that do not pay any ‘toll’ to Iran due to the friendship between the two nations, may not essentially be in a tough spot. The US blockade could also result in higher energy costs rippling into global inflation, particularly for fuel and petrochemicals.

However, if Iran decides to cause a disruption to dilute the American blockade, India could be at risk. India significantly relies on Gulf suppliers for its energy requirements, and is now importing even Iranian oil after a 7-year hiatus. Thin buffers could cause shortages and diesel, petrol, and LPG price hikes if the war escalates. This could have happened in March, when amidst the raging, however, the India-Iran friendship, as well as the strategy of ramping up of Russian oil imports as a hedge, paid off well.

Beyond the bravado and posturing, even the US is not immune from the crisis that will potentially escalate the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament who participated in the Islamabad talks, has posted a mocking tweet, telling Trump that fuel prices are going to skyrocket and that Trump will feel the pressure.

Sharing a Google Maps screenshot showing gas stations around White House, Ghalibaf posted a mathematical expression, insinuating how the ‘Blockade of Strait of Hormuz’ will affect the gas prices in the USA with a compounding function, rapidly escalating so that people will be nostalgic for $5 per gallon.

The failed Islamabad talks

The failure of the Iran-US negotiation talks under the ‘drafted’ mediation of Pakistan has made the ceasefire agreement fragile. Iran’s reluctance to give up its nuclear ambitions and demand for cessation of Israel attacks on Lebanon causes an impasse in the negotiations with the US and Israel, maintaining that the Lebanon conflict was never a part of the ceasefire. Now, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah are fighting each other in Lebanon, making the collapse of the fragile ceasefire nearly inevitable.

On Monday, European stock markets opened lower after Trump’s Hormuz blockade announcement. In the United Kingdom, the FTSE 100 index slumped by 0.38%. France’s Cac 40 dropped 0.95%, while Germany’s Dax index was down 1%.  Meanwhile, Brent crude prices rose by more than 7% to $102 a barrel.

In conclusion, Donald Trump has played a high-stakes game. America has unleashed a calibrated design to squeeze Iran economically without triggering an immediate absolute oil shock. The tactic might work short-term to cut Tehran’s revenues, however, any miscalculation and Iranian retaliation could birth prolonged regional instability wherein a narrow and congested waterway will be the theatre of war and crisis mired by the presence of armed and recalcitrant actors.

Trump has already begun marketing American oil as a better and ‘sweet’ alternative, with claims that vessels are lining up to have their fill. The US President’s failure to secure a joint Iran-US toll deal and the advertising of American oil while blockading the Strait of Hormuz, reinforces the speculations that for Trump, the Iran war is not simply about eliminating Iran’s nuclear dreams but also seizing control of the Iranian oil. However, the nuclear ambition of Iran, Israel’s fear of a threat to existence, and America’s oil and geopolitical interests are essentially pushing the whole world toward a supply chain crisis for the foreseeable future.

As West Bengal goes to polls, read about 40 incidents of rapes, murders and vandalism committed by TMC goons following the 2021 Vidhan Sabha election

Aditi
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As West Bengal goes to polls, read about 40 incidents of rapes, murders and vandalism committed by TMC goons following the 2021 Vidhan Sabha election

Under the Trinamool Congress rule in West Bengal, elections are not just a routine democratic exercise but a real battle for survival for those who do not support the party’s ideology. Be it the state assembly elections or any local body elections, targeted post-poll violence against political rivals has become a norm for the TMC in the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state. While organising free and fair elections in the state is a challenge in itself, the announcement of the election results unleashes a phase of TMC-enabled carnage against political rivals.

Numerous horror stories of assaults, killings and rapes emerged from across the state after the results of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections were announced. Here are 40 terrifying incidents of post-poll violence reported in the state between May 2021 and July 2021 against BJP cadres after the TMC formed the government in the state for the third time:

1. BJP worker Avijit Sarkar was lynched to death by TMC workers

BJP worker Avijit Sarkar was lynched to death by some TMC goons on May 2, 2021, hours after he uploaded two videos on Facebook. The video showed TMC workers vandalising his house and NGO office in Ward no. 30 in the Beleghata neighbourhood in Kolkata. Sarkar was a dog-lover and had adopted several stray dogs, one of whom had given birth to 5 puppies. The TMC members did not spare his dogs and brutally thrashed the 5 puppies.

Sarkar, an office-bearer of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Trade Union Council, had responded to a knock at his door. He was then dragged outside, brutally assaulted, and strangled with a cable TV wire. His dead body was later discovered at some distance from his house. Sarkar’s only fault was that he was a supporter of the BJP.

2. The house of a BJP worker, Bishwanath Dhar vandalised

In another act of post-poll violence, several TMC goons attacked the house of an active BJP worker, Bishwanath Dhar, on May 2, 2021. The incident took place in Ghola Mallikpara in Panihati municipality in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

The TMC goons broke into Dhar’s house and vandalised his property. The hoodlums first destroyed the CCTV cameras and then began looting the BJP worker’s residence. They broke open the almirah and stole cash and ornaments. On their way out, they also damaged his Maruti car and a Royal Enfield (Bullet) bike.

3. A BJP worker was assaulted mercilessly at his own house

In one such incident that has now come to light, a BJP worker was assaulted mercilessly at his own residence, allegedly by the workers of the ruling TMC. The incident took place in Kismatdapat village of Trimohini in the South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. The area falls under the Balurghat Vidhan Sabha constituency.

TMC goons ambushed the victim’s house and attacked him. The BJP worker sustained head injuries and bled profusely. The miscreants also entered his house and vandalised the property. A video of the video surfaced online, showing a visibly drunken man abusing the victim and his wife with the choicest of expletives. Referring to the BJP worker as a ‘son of a pig’, he proceeded to hit him with a bamboo shaft. “BJP dekhachis (Showing me the might of BJP). How much power do you? Do you think you came to power?” the miscreant threatened.

4. BJP candidate Scientist Gobardhan Das, trapped inside his house by TMC goons

After the elections, TMC goons surrounded and attacked several belonging to the BJP volunteers in the village of Gobardhan Das, a BJP candidate who contested from Purbasthalu Uttar constituency. Das, a scientist and a Professor of Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. Das faced a life-threatening situation on May 4, 2021, after he was trapped in his own house by TMC goons. His residence was also ambushed by the miscreants, resulting in him being trapped in his own house along with other family members. The TMC goons hurled country-made crude bombs at his house. 

5. TMC workers attacked the houses of BSF personnel

TMC goons not only targeted BJP workers but also did not spare security personnel, who did not even qualify as their political rivals. The house of BSF jawan Kamal Sen was attacked, plundered and ransacked by the TMC hooligans in Raniparhat in the Jalpaiguri district. The jawan, who was on leave, and his family were assaulted, and his house, tractor and bike were set on fire.

Similar violence was unleashed against BSF jawan Sushant Burman in Cooch Behar. Burman was attacked and looted by TMC workers, simply because his brother was a BJP supporter. His family members had to flee home to save their lives.

6. TMC hooligans vandalised the ABVP office

After the TMC swept the 2021 state assembly elections, TMC goons set out to settle scores with their political rivals. They attacked the office of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Kolkata. Over 20 goons from TMC stormed into the ABVP Office, attacking ABVP workers, including the National Joint Secretary of ABVP. The TMC workers are said to have vandalised several idols of deities and thought leaders alike. The ABVP said that the attack was pre-planned, as more than 150 bikes of TMC goons were circling the ABVP office several times.

7. Sunil Baksi attacked

In another case of post-poll violence, the house of Sunil Baksi, a booth worker of the BJP, was attacked by a Muslim mob in July 2021. The mob entered his house, destroyed furniture and other items, molested the women and even threatened to rape his wife. Around 15 houses were set on fire, as per the complaint. Following the incident, they fled the village. When Baksi approached the Police, he was threatened that the consequences would be much worse if he chose to file a complaint. The Police also tried to have them write that the houses were burnt due to lightning, the complaint says.

Earlier, on May 3, 2021, Baksi was attacked by goons associated with the Trinamool Congress. He said that he was hit on the head but was eventually saved by his brother. When he approached the police to make a complaint, they declined to register his complaint and instead filed cases against him. Sunil Baksi had filed a complaint with the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST) as well.

8. BJP worker Joy Prakash Yadav killed in crude bomb attack

In the TMC-sponsored post-poll violence, a 28-year-old BJP worker named Joy Prakash Yadav was murdered during a crude bomb attack in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal in July 2021. Joy Prakash Yadav had a heated argument with the two men before he was killed after a crude bomb hit his head. Before his murder, one of the men could be heard as saying, “Forget police…. You are doing too much BJP, BJP… leave it.”

The incident was recorded on camera by Yadav’s 17-year-old niece, Swapna. During the deadly attack on the victim, his mother, Rajmati Devi, also suffered from hearing loss.

9. BJP workers converted to Islam and went missing

In another case of targeting of BJP workers in West Bengal, two BJP leaders were supposedly given a ‘punishment’ for supporting the BJP by forcefully converting them to Islam. Subsequently, the two BJP leaders, who were brothers, went missing. A petition was filed before the Calcutta High Court by their wives who wanted to know their husbands’ whereabouts.

The Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI and NIA after serious lapses in the investigation were detected in a case. The petitioners told the High Court that their husbands went missing and were not traceable. After that, they filed two complaints, first at the Mothabari Police Station and subsequently to the Kaliachak Police Station. They said that one complaint was filed, which was received by the police station; however, it was torn up by a ‘civic volunteer’, who informed the petitioners that their husbands had converted to Islam.

10. BJP worker Anil Barman found mysteriously hanging from a tree in Cooch Behar

The body of a BJP worker was found mysteriously hanging from a tree in Sitai in Adabari in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on May 30, 2021. His dead body was spotted by locals in a garden, which is located near his residence. The BJP accused the ruling Trinamool Congress dispensation of murdering its party worker. The party informed that Anil Barman was on the hitlist of the TMC during the time of elections. It also claimed that the TMC hoodlums had earlier vandalised the deceased’s house.

11. BJP supporter Kush Khetrapal killed by TMC goons

26-year-old Kush Khetrapal, who was a BJP supporter, went missing on May 5, 2021. His dead body was found lying near the Baishtam pond, behind a Ganesha idol, two days later, on May 8, 2021. As per the FIR, there were various stab marks on his body. His brother, Srikanta Khetrapal, said that he was killed by TMC goons, who took him to their Raibhagini party office before killing him. Srikanta stated that Kush worked at a hotel and was frequently approached by TMC members Kanan Khetrapal, Sukumar Khetrapal, and Dilip Khetrapal on his way back home from work. They had warned Kush of grave repercussions if he did not join TMC.

12. TMC goons attacked BJP worker Rajib Pally’s house

Soon after the state assembly elections were declared, some TMC goons hurled bombs at BJP worker Rajib Pally’s house in Howrah. They looted cash and jewellery from the victim’s house and also allegedly molested the women members of the house.

13. Woman BJP Chandana Haldar beaten to death by TMC workers

BJP worker Chandana Haldar was beaten to death by TMC goons on July 2, 2021, in West Bengal’s South 24 Paragana district. Haldar was a resident of Ramchandarpur Village, which falls under the Satgachhia Vidhan Sabha constituency of West Bengal. Speaking to OpIndia, her husband Gautam Haldar said that he and his wife were BJP workers. On the day of the incident, TMC goons first attacked his cousin, Swarup Haldar. When he and his wife came to save him, they were also brutally beaten, and his wife died as a result.

14. BJP booth president Raja Samonto beaten to death

In another incident of TMC-enabled post-pill violence, a BJP booth president, Raja Samonto, was brutally beaten to death at Sadhurghat village in South 24 Parganas’ Diamond Harbour on 29th May.

15. BJP worker Dhiren Barman murdered by TMC members

After the state assembly results, Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal, informed on X (formerly) that a BJP supporter, Dhiren Barman (34), belonging to the SC Rajbangshi of Sitalkuchi Assembly, was brutally murdered by TMC goons. Condemning the attack on BJP workers, Adhikari criticised Mamata Banerjee for providing tactical support to the TMC goons.

16. BJP activist Prosenjit Das commits suicide due to torture by TMC goons

In another horrible incident, a BJP worker, Prosenjit Das, committed suicide after facing mental and physical harassment by some TMC members. His family said that TMC goons had beaten him twice and threatened him with dire consequences. Mentally traumatised, Das, a resident of Harijan Palli in the Gopalpur area in Rajarhat, could not handle the pressure and decided to commit suicide.

17. BJP Nirmal Mandal worker Nirmal Mandal beaten to death

In yet another similar incident, a BJP worker named Nirmal Mandal was beaten to death by his political rivals in Sonarpur North Assembly constituency. The mother of the deceased BJP worker said that the local councillor, Shampa Chakraborty, instead of penalising the accused, rebuked them for not being able to take care of their son.

18. BJP worker Ghanshyam Rana first shot and then brutally stabbed outside his own house

A similar case of an attack on a BJP worker came to light in Khanakul in Arambagh town, Hooghly. Victim Ghanshyam Rana was first shot, then brutally stabbed outside his own house. He was rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition. The BJP accused TMC goons of killing Rana.

19. Arindam Midya hanged to death by TMC goons

A young BJP supporter named Arindam Midya was hanged to death by Islamist supporters of West Bengal’s ruling dispensation after the state assembly election results. Midya was a resident of Panchkoli village, falling in the Falta assembly constituency in Diamond Harbour.

20. BJP worker Dharma Mandal, attacked by the TMC goons, died

On May 14, 2021, a BJP worker named Dharma Mandal was mercilessly attacked by the TMC goons at his own house in Nadia district of West Bengal. He was hospitalised after being critically injured by the TMC cadres, but succumbed to his injuries in a Kolkata hospital on May 16, 2021.

21. BJP worker Manoj Jaiswal found murdered

On the same day, another BJP activist named Manoj Jaiswal of Nalhati Assembly Constituency under Bhirbhum district was found murdered. The BJP alleged that Jaiswal was murdered by the TMC goons.

22. Twin murder of BJP supporters in West Bengal

The West Bengal BJP accused TMC goons of murdering two of its karyakartas in Uttar Lakshmipur, Malda. According to BJP Bengal, the deceased has been identified as Manoj Mandal and Chaitanya Mandal. The gruesome image shared by the BJP shows that the two workers were hanged from a tree, tied together with a rope. Despite the widespread TMC-sponsored violence, senior TMC leaders denied it, accusing the BJP of spreading falsehoods. Mamata Banerjee, however, eventually acknowledged the violence and promised compensation to the victims’ families.

23. BJP worker Arup Ruidas killed and hanged from a tree

In yet another case of political killings, a BJP worker named Arup Ruidas was killed and hanged from a tree in Bankura district. According to the reports, Arup Ruidas, who was a booth agent from the Indus Assembly of West Bengal, had allegedly been murdered by TMC workers.

24. BJP worker Debabrata Maity brutally killed in the post-poll violence

On May 3, 2021, a BJP worker named Debabrata Maity was brutally attacked by TMC goons in the post-poll violence. Maity, who hailed from Nandigram, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after being attacked by Trinamool Congress hoodlums, where he succumbed to his injuries on May 13, 2021.

25. Gaurav Sarkar killed by TMC hoodlums

Similarly, a BJP worker named Gaurav Sarkar from Bolpur, in Birbhum district in West Bengal, also fell prey to the post-poll violence in the state.

26. BJP karyakarta Manik Mondal killed in Sitalkuchi

In a similar incident, BJP karyakarta Manik Mondal was killed in post-poll violence in the Sitalkuchi Legislative Assembly in West Bengal. The incident happened in the first week of May, 2021, soon after the assembly results were announced.

27. 80-year-old mother of BJP worker killed while trying to save her son from TMC goons

In another incident, an eighty-year-old lady, namely Sova Rani Mondal, mother of Jagaddal BJP worker Kamal Mondal, was killed while trying to save her son from the TMC cadres. The TMC goons were beating up Kamal Mandal and his wife for being affiliated with the BJP when his mother intervened to save her son. She was injured in the ensuing scuffle and later succumbed to her injuries.

28. BJP Karyakarta Uttam Ghosh murdered in post-poll violence

One Uttam Ghosh, a BJP Karyakarta, was murdered by TMC workers at midnight on May 2, 2021, at Gangnapur, Ranaghat.

29. BJP worker Horom Adhikari brutally murdered in West Bengal post-poll violence

Horom Adhikari was a BJP supporter, employed in the South 24 Parganas district of Sonarpur Dakshin. He was brutally murdered in the post-poll violence.

30. BJP’s Momik Moitra was brutally killed by TMC goons after the counting of votes

A BJP karyakarta named Momik Moitra was brutally killed by TMC goons after the counting of votes on May 2, 2021. The incident occurred in the Sitalkuchi Legislative Assembly of Cooch Behar district, where a mob had attacked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) during the fourth phase of elections in West Bengal after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee asked her followers to gherao the central forces.

31. BJP supporters, Chandan Roy and Haradhon Ray, murdered by TMC workers

BJP supporters, Chandan Roy and Haradhon Ray, were murdered by TMC workers at Chooch Behar and Dinhata respectively,, after the poll results were announced in West Bengal on May 2, 2021.

32. BJP worker Mintu Burman beaten to death by TMC goons in West Bengal

In another incident of political violence, a BJP worker named Mintu Burman was beaten to death by TMC goons in Cooch Behar. Mintu Burman was hurriedly taken to the hospital, where he died during treatment.

33. Girl gangraped by TMC goons in front of her father

A young Ritu (name changed) was subjected to horrendous violence and sexual abuse by TMC goons, in front of her helpless father, after the state assembly results were announced in West Bengal. On May 2, 2021, as Ritu and her father, who were BJP supporters, were preparing to leave their house, anticipating a possible attack by TMC goons, a group of Muslim men barged into their house. They mercilessly beat her father and then gangraped her in front of her father.

She narrated her harrowing ordeal and alleged lack of support and action by the police while speaking to OpIndia.

34. A 60-year-old woman gangraped by TMC goons in front of her grandson

In another such incident, a 60-year-old woman was brutally raped in front of her six-year-old grandson. The victim said that after the results were declared, TMC workers forcefully entered her house and raped her. The incident happened on the intervening night of May 4 and 5, 2021, just two days after the election results were declared. The TMC workers also allegedly robbed her of the valuables.

35. Woman BJP supporter dodged a rape attempt as her husband was killed in front of her

On May 14, 2021, Purnima Mondal and her husband, Dharama Mondal, who had campaigned for the BJP, were identified and assaulted with axes. Purnima was made to witness the assault on her husband and brother-in-law, while she was disrobed, grabbed and faced a rape attempt. She said that the mob was led by a local elected representative, Kalu Shaikh. Her husband succumbed to his injuries on May 16, 2021.

36. A teenage girl gangraped by TMC members

On May 9, 2021, a 17-year-old minor girl from the Scheduled Caste community was gang-raped by TMC workers and left to die in a jungle. The next day, a TMC leader, Bahadur SK, went to her house and threatened her family members against not lodging a complaint. He threatened that he would burn their house and kill them if they did.

37. RSS worker Balaram Majhi,

22-year-old RSS worker Balaram Majhi was mercilessly beaten by TMC goons at his house in Sripur village in the Ketugram Tehsil in East Bardhaman district after the state assembly elections results. Manjhi succumbed to injuries later that day.

38. Exodus of BJP workers due to TMC violence

As the TMC registered a sweeping victory in the 2021 assembly elections, several BJP workers and their families left their houses in West Bengal and moved to the neighbouring state of Assam, fearing violence from TMC cadres. Around 300-400 people entered the Dhubri district in Assam from North Bengal by crossing the border. The BJP supporters and their families were sheltered in refugee camps. Several BJP leaders visited these camps and distributed relief material and food essentials.

The Assam government provided temporary aid to the party workers in Dhubri. The government also set up a centre for COVID-19 testing as the unfortunate exodus took place amidst the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

39. Houses of BJP workers vandalised

In another incident, bombs were hurled at the residence of a BJP worker in the Kankinara area of Bhatpara after the 2021 West Bengal assembly election results. Raj Biswas, a BJP worker, said three people hurled bombs at his home. In a separate incident, TMC party workers attacked Jadavpur BJP candidate Rinku Naskar’s house. The TMC goons entered the house of the BJP candidate to vandalise following her defeat in the elections.

40. A BJP worker forced out of West Bengal, his property vandalised

In another incident, a BJP worker, Ganesh Ghosh, was forced to leave the state after the 2021 assembly election results in West Bengal. He was forced to flee West Bengal along with his family members after the Trinamool Congress goons wrought havoc at his resort. The miscreants attacked Ghosh’s resort in Shakuntala village in Khoai Haat in Shantinektan. The resort is located just 5 minutes away from the Vishwa Bharati University.

With TMC’s consistent track record of post-poll violence in West Bengal, it remains to be seen whether the post-election scenario in the state will be any different this time, both in terms of poll results and the resultant political environment.

Much hyped Islamabad Talk collapses: Why Iran and US failed to come to an agreement, and what happens to the Strait of Hormuz and the West Asia war next

OpIndia Staff
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Much hyped Islamabad Talk collapses: Why Iran and US failed to come to an agreement, and what happens to the Strait of Hormuz and the West Asia war next

The high-stakes direct talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, hyped as a potential breakthrough after weeks of devastating conflict, collapsed on 12 April, 2026, after roughly 21 hours of intensive, round-the-clock negotiations. No deal was reached to transform the fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement.

US Vice President JD Vance, leading the American side alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, announced the failure shortly after dawn, stating bluntly that Iran had refused to accept Washington’s “best and final offer.” Iranian officials countered that US demands were “excessive” and “unlawful,” citing deep historical mistrust.⁠

The collapse leaves the temporary truce, already strained by mutual accusations of violations, in a precarious limbo as its two-week clock ticks toward an April 22 expiration. At the centre of the impasse: Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and linked regional flashpoints like Israeli strikes in Lebanon. With President Donald Trump now signalling a potential naval blockade as leverage, the risk of renewed escalation in West Asia looms large.

From War to Fragile Ceasefire

The 2026 Iran war erupted in late February when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, prompting Iranian retaliation via missiles, proxies, and a near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict that has disrupted global energy markets, prompted US to use Pakistan to broker a two-week ceasefire on April 8. Under the pause, both sides agreed to halt direct attacks, with Iran pledging to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe international shipping in exchange for de-escalation.

However, the ceasefire was a non-starter, as it was alleged that Pakistan shared two different lists of points to Iran and US. Iran had widely circulated a list of 10 demands, which includes its complete control over Strait of Hormuz, right to enrich uranium, and halt in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, and claimed that US has agreed to these. However, US denied agreeing to these points, leading to virtual collapse of the ceasefire. Israel also claimed that strikes on it continued even after the ceasefire was announced.

Hopes were high for the Islamabad talks, the first face-to-face US-Iran negotiations in decades, to hammer out a durable settlement. Pakistan hosted the talks amid tight security, with roads sealed and the capital under a de facto curfew. Yet pre-talks signals were ominous: Iran linked the talks to on an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon and the unfreezing of assets, while the US accused Tehran of bad-faith delays on the Strait.

Why the Talks Collapsed

Negotiators clashed on several interconnected issues that proved irreconcilable in a single marathon session. Here are the main reasons:

Iran’s Nuclear Program: The US insisted on “affirmative commitments” from Iran to verifiably abandon any nuclear weapons ambitions and accept long-term restrictions on enrichment. Iran’s facilities had already been damaged in earlier strikes, but Tehran refused the sweeping guarantees demanded, viewing them as an infringement on its “legitimate rights.” This remained a non-negotiable “core goal” for Washington.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz: The strategic waterway, through which around 20% of global oil and LNG flows, emerged as a major flashpoint. Iran has maintained effective control via threats of mines and Revolutionary Guard patrols, drastically reducing traffic even during the ceasefire. Iran is demanding to collect tolls on ships using the Strait to fund the rebuilding of the country. The US pushed for unrestricted, safe transit without Iranian tolls or unilateral oversight.

Disagreements over fees, security arrangements, and reopening timelines deadlocked progress. Iran saw US demands as an attempt to strip away its leverage. While Trump had agreed to the toll proposal, he had proposed an Iran-US joint venture to collect the money. But Iran didn’t agree to it.  

Lebanon: Iran demanded that the truce explicitly cover an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the US and Israel made it clear that operations against Hezbollah were separate from the current conflict, and it won’t be stopped. Israeli strikes on Lebanon have escalated in recent days, after the ceasefire announcement. Iran is refusing to leave Lebanon out of the deal, marking a major point of disagreement.

Frozen assets: Iran is also demanding the release of blocked assets, estimated at over $6 billion. In fact, there were media reports that the US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets. But later, the US clarified that there is no such proposal, and Iran’s overseas assets will remain blocked. The funds were frozen in 2018 after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran during the first presidency of Donald Trump and withdrew from the nuclear deal with Tehran.

The funds were to be released in 2023 as part of a U.S.-Iranian prisoner swap, but that was not done after the October 2023 terror attack on Israel by Iran’s ally Hamas.

Both sides entered talks declaring “victory” from the battlefield phase and projecting maximalist positions. Vance described the US approach as flexible yet firm; Iranian state media portrayed Washington as seeking excuses to exit.

Trump threatens Naval Blockade

President Trump has not issued any statement after the failure of the talks, but made his position clear hours after the talks ended. Hours after the end of the talks, he posted on Truth Social: “The Trump card the president holds if Iran won’t bend: a naval blockade”, linking to a Just the News article.

The article highlights how Trump previously used a naval blockade to pressure Venezuela before Nicolás Maduro’s ouster and argues the US could similarly “out-blockade” Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz to cripple its economy and oil exports to buyers like China and India.⁠

Trump had earlier told reporters the outcome “makes no difference” to him and that the US would “win regardless.” The post signals a willingness to escalate economically and militarily if Iran does not concede on Hormuz and nuclear issues, framing blockade as a potent, non-kinetic “Trump card.”

What happens next

The Strait of Hormuz: Despite the ceasefire, the Strait remains effectively choked. Shipping traffic is at a trickle, with only a handful of vessels per day transiting the passage due to Iranian threats and lingering mines. The US has deployed minesweepers and conducted limited transits with destroyers, which Iran views as provocative. Full reopening under neutral or joint arrangements was a key US demand that went unmet.

Moreover, there are reports that Iran has lost track of mines it had deployed to block the strait. This means that even if Iran agrees to fully open the strait, it will take time to reopen it fully. Iran lacks the capabilities to remove naval mines. While the US has minesweepers, it is a slow process.

The economic fallout of the blockade is severe: soaring oil prices, disrupted supply chains, and higher global inflation. Gulf states are staring at an uncertain future with their oil exports heavily restricted. Qatar and Kuwait are the most affected, as they are completely dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for the export of oil and gas. Others in the nation, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman, have alternate export points through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, but their export capacities have come down due to the blockade.

It US is unable to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it will be a major embarrassment for the Trump administration. Access to the Strait was free for all before the war. Therefore, any Iranian control and toll on it will be the direct result of the US-Israeli operations against Iran.

The Ceasefire and War: The two-week ceasefire is now in serious jeopardy, though it has not formally been cancelled. Immediate large-scale strikes have not resumed, but the window for diplomacy is narrowing. The Gulf nations, NATO and others want an immediate end to the war, but the US will be unwilling to exit without making any significant gain.

Trump’s signalling opens the door to naval interdiction, patrolling, boarding vessels, or enforcing sanctions-style measures to force Hormuz compliance. This could be like Venezuela tactics without a full invasion but risks Iranian responses. Trump has already announced that US forces will be cleaning up the Strait.

If Iran maintains its stance, US-Israeli strikes could restart, potentially targeting energy infrastructure or nuclear remnants. Trump had threatened to hit the Iranian road and energy infrastructure before the ceasefire, and he may execute the same now. Iran has warned of retaliation through proxies across the region.

On the Lebanon front, it is certain that Israel will not stop the strikes unless Hezbollah lays down arms and stops targeting Israel with rockets.

Failure of the Islamabad talks prolongs uncertainty for global energy markets, heightens risks of wider regional spillover, and underscores the limits of high-pressure diplomacy amid profound distrust. For now, the much-hyped talks have resulted in more tension.

The war that began in February remains unresolved, with the Strait of Hormuz as its most dangerous chokepoint.

Russia offers LNG at 40% discount to South Asia amid global supply crunch caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz: Read Moscow’s rationale behind the move and India’s stand on it

Shriti Sagar
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Russia offers LNG at 40% discount to South Asia amid global supply crunch caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz: Read Moscow’s rationale behind the move and India’s stand on it

Russia is once again trying to turn global turmoil into an economic opportunity. In a significant development, Moscow has started offering liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments at steep discounts, as much as 40% below prevailing spot market prices, to buyers in South Asia. The move comes on Wednesday, 8th April, at a time when global gas supplies are under severe strain, making cheaper alternatives highly attractive for countries like India and Bangladesh.

According to a report by Bloomberg, these discounted cargoes are being marketed through little-known intermediary firms based in China and Russia. The intermediaries are saying that they can provide paperwork to show that the shipments are from non-Russian sources, like Oman or Nigeria, and remove any traces of true origin.

The move comes as disruptions in the Middle East have throttled roughly one-fifth of global LNG supply. 

Global crisis reshaped energy markets  

The backdrop to this development is a rapidly deteriorating geopolitical situation, particularly in West Asia. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with attacks on Qatar’s massive export facilities, has sent Asian spot LNG prices soaring, creating acute pressure on import-dependent economies across South Asia. 

Although a ceasefire was recently announced, it has failed to fully restore stability. The United States’ refusal to accept certain demands from Iran has meant that the Strait remains largely inaccessible, keeping energy flows restricted. As a result, countries heavily dependent on LNG imports, especially in South Asia, are facing mounting pressure to secure alternative supplies.

Bangladesh, for instance, sourced nearly 60% of its LNG from Qatar last year. With those supplies disrupted, it has been forced to rely on expensive spot market purchases. Similarly, India has had to cut gas supply to key sectors like fertiliser production due to reduced availability and rising costs.

In this scenario, Russian LNG, despite sanctions, has started to appear as a viable fallback option.

Sanctions continue to complicate Russian exports   

However, Russia’s ability to fully capitalise on this opportunity remains constrained by Western sanctions. The European Union’s 19th sanctions package, announced in October 2025, includes a ban on importing Russian LNG, set to take effect from April 25, 2026. The sanctions also include asset freezes on major Russian companies.

Similarly, the United Kingdom has imposed asset-freeze sanctions on key Russian oil giants like Rosneft and Lukoil. These measures are part of broader efforts to restrict Moscow’s revenue streams following its invasion of Ukraine.

Due to the fear of these sanctions, most international companies refrain from buying Russian LNG for fear of being targeted with US-led sanctions. To date, only China remains a reliable importer of sanctioned Russian LNG via a fleet of shadow ships.

Russian energy still finds buyers  

Despite these hurdles, Russian energy continues to find demand in the global market. The Kremlin recently stated that there has been a “huge number of requests” for Russian energy from different parts of the world amid the ongoing crisis.

Russia has also been ramping up production from its sanctioned projects, including Arctic LNG 2 and Portovaya. Nevertheless, those projects have yet to achieve their full potential due to the lack of sufficient transportation means and potential consumers.

On the other hand, the economic situation within Russia becomes more complicated. The state reported its budget deficit at 4.58 trillion roubles (about 1.9% of its GDP) in Quarter 1 of 2026. Additionally, Russia’s energy infrastructure faces further Ukrainian attacks that affect the output and revenue.

Strategic opportunity behind the discount strategy

Russia’s aggressive discounting strategy is not just about clearing excess supply; it is a calculated move shaped by shifting global dynamics. The disruption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz has created a significant gap in supply, particularly for Asian markets that rely heavily on Middle Eastern energy.

An estimated 66% of LNG passing through the Strait is destined for Asia, making the region especially vulnerable to disruptions. For countries like India, where dependence on crude oil through the Strait reached as high as 55% in early 2026, securing alternative sources has become a top priority.

This situation gives Russia a strategic edge. With Gulf supplies constrained, Moscow can position itself as an alternative supplier. Reports suggest that millions of tonnes of Russian crude were left without buyers earlier this year, and discounted LNG is now being used as a tool to attract new markets.

Following recent geopolitical tensions, Russia’s fossil fuel export earnings have reportedly risen, with daily revenues increasing by 14% compared to February averages. This highlights how Moscow is leveraging the crisis to stabilise its energy sector.

Discounted LNG will give a major financial boost to Russia

Russia’s ongoing strategy to sell discounted LNG is also translating into a significant financial boost, despite Western sanctions and global pressure.

According to a report by Reuters, Russia is expected to see a sharp rise in revenue from its key oil-related taxes amid the ongoing global energy crisis. The report states that earnings from Russia’s biggest single oil tax are likely to double to around $9 billion in April.

Unlike export duties, which were scrapped in 2024 as part of Russia’s long-term tax reforms, the country now relies heavily on production-based taxes for revenue. The mineral extraction tax, a key source of income for the Russian government, is expected to rise significantly due to higher global prices and steady production levels.

As per Reuters’ calculations based on early production data and prevailing oil prices, Russia’s mineral extraction tax on oil output is projected to reach around 700 billion roubles (approximately $9 billion) in April. This is more than double the 327 billion roubles collected in March and also marks a roughly 10% increase compared to April last year.

For the full year 2026, Russia has already projected earnings of about 7.9 trillion roubles from this tax alone. This indicates how Moscow is still managing to benefit financially from global instability, even as sanctions continue to restrict its access to traditional markets.

India’s cautious yet flexible approach 

India, one of the largest energy importers in the region, is treading carefully. The Indian government had earlier made it clear that it would not purchase any LNG from Russian projects, which were banned because of sanctions. 

But then again, India’s policies with respect to energy tend to be quite flexible as well. For instance, India resumed oil imports from Iran recently due to a waiver eased by the US, marking a shift since 2019. 

India’s need for cheap oil is obvious from the statistics, as it increased its imports of crude oil from Russia by 90% in March 2026 compared to February amid the ongoing conflict in the West Asian region. India is increasingly reliant on these discounted barrels to keep its economy afloat and expects the United States to extend waivers on Russian oil purchases to help stabilise global prices. 

While Indian companies like Petronet LNG and GAIL remain vulnerable to rising input costs, the government’s ability to secure discounted energy is seen as a vital buffer against inflation. 

As the global supply remains tight, the pressure on India to eventually accept discounted Russian LNG, perhaps through the very intermediaries and masked paperwork currently being offered, will only grow. For New Delhi, the challenge remains a delicate dance between maintaining strategic ties with the West and ensuring the lights stay on at home. 

The global LNG market is currently in a state of flux, shaped by geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and shifting alliances. Russia’s move to offer discounted LNG highlights how energy is increasingly being used as a strategic tool in international relations.

The Wire demands reservations for ‘Dalit Christians’, attacks the Supreme Court’s verdict, accuses BJP of playing politics: The autopsy of a flawed argument

Rukma Rathore
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The Wire demands reservations for ‘Dalit Christians’, attacks the Supreme Court’s verdict, accuses BJP of playing politics: The autopsy of a flawed argument

On 24th March (Tuesday), the Supreme Court upheld a decision by the Andhra Pradesh High Court stating that only Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs can identify as members of a Scheduled Caste community and demand protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It outlined that embracing any other religion, including Christianity or Islam, will result in the “immediate and complete loss of Scheduled Caste status from the moment of conversion, regardless of birth.”

This, as was anticipated, displeased the leftists and liberal hypocrites who, on other occasions, claim to respect the judiciary as the paramount Constitutional institution and adhere to its rulings, but only when it is advantageous for them. This is their most crucial caveat regarding democracy, media, the Election Commission and even the Constitution. Otherwise, this faction always stands in opposition, not on the grounds of merit but ideology and vested interests.

The Wire attacks the Supreme Court for sticking to the Constitution

On 9th April (Thursday), “The Wire” published an article reflecting similar frustration and associated the fresh development with the “Dalit Christians” of Punjab. “In Punjab, the Supreme Court’s ruling that Christians cannot be classified as Dalit has caused unrest,” by Kusum Arora, contended that it has struck a sensitive chord throughout the nation, particularly within the community in the northern state.

“The state with the highest proportion of Scheduled Castes – nearly one-third (31.9% as per Census 2011) of the population – also has a history of caste-based discrimination,” she wrote. Arora cited the recent case of Chinthada Anand vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, in which a pastor requested protection under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 from the Supreme Court but was refused.

“The judgement denying this protection has led to widespread concern among Dalit Christians in Punjab, who primarily belong to the Valmiki, Majhbi Sikh and Ad-dharmi communities, the major Scheduled Caste groups of the state,” the piece complained.

She added that approximately 1.5 percent of Punjab’s population is Christian, according to Census 211 and the number is on the rise owing to the ministries and churches emerging “in villages, towns and cities around Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Pathankot districts in the Majha and Doaba regions.”

“The Dalit Christians mostly live in the Doaba region, a belt with over 32% of the Punjabi Dalit population across faiths. Conversely, the Majha belt has a sizeable population of the Valmiki community and Majhbi Sikhs, who, too, have a significant number of followers of the Christian faith,” she informed.

The fundamental argument of the author seemed to neglect the legal stipulations of the land. In fact, she wanted the top court to violate them to accommodate conversions. It almost suggested that she wished for the judiciary to act as a facilitator in this regard.

BJP wants anti-conversion law, the court fanned the fire: The article bats for illicit conversions

How can any such tirade not include attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Arora did not disappoint. “Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a ‘badlav’ (change) rally at Moga in the state, said the BJP would ban religious conversion in Punjab through a new law. In this context, the Supreme Court’s judgement has added to the fears among Dalit Christians, even though the BJP – Shah’s party – is a marginal player in Punjab’s politics,” she stated.

It is crucial to recognise that Punjab has been plagued by unlawful conversions, prompting many to voice their worries. Last year, reports unveiled that 3.5 lakh individuals had converted to Christianity over the past 24 months. Notably, these figures are more related to fraudulent assurances of healing illnesses, financial and material rewards, job offers and other similar promises rather than genuine faith.

The Punjab Bachao Morcha announced its intention to pursue legal action against this epidemic linked to “miracle cures” within the state. Its president, Tejasvi Minhas, advocated for the implementation of an anti-conversion bill in Punjab to curb the conversions orchestrated by “self-styled godmen and pastors.”

“Around 65,000 pastors are operating in the state and engaging in conversions through enticement, coercion and fake miracle cures in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” the organistaion informed. It also promised confidentiality and an incentive Rs 2 lakh to anybody who could produce “proof of illegal conversions.”

This exemplifies the severity of the problem. However, the media house hungers for further perpetuation of these activities, which not only mislead innocent persons into abandoning their beliefs due to false assurances but also endanger the lives and well-being of the impoverished and underprivileged population, who should consult medical professionals rather than Christian clergy for treatment. Arora is likewise indifferent to scientific temper or blind faith, which turns into a central issue when a Hindu dares to visit a saint or sage.

The “discriminatory” Indian state

The Wire then used interviews to claim that the court’s judgment is contrary to the sentiments of the Dalit Christian and Muslim communities staying in the country, as well as mentioned the controversial Sachar Committee report to evoke a sense of victimhood for these people.

It quoted Professor Emanual Nahar, Punjab’s former chairman of the Minority Commission, who stated, “The Majhbi Sikhs and Ravidassia were included in the list of Scheduled Castes in 1956, when parliament passed the first amendment (to the constitution), and added the Buddhists following the second amendment in 1990. Christians and Muslims were left to fend for themselves.”

He added that while the Ad-dharmi, Ravidassia, and Ramdasia Sikh communities in Punjab prospered through reservations, the Valmiki, Christians and Muslims who converted had to endure challenges and were exposed to social, educational, economic and political stagnation.

Nahar then challenged the home minister to “take action, but he should reveal the data on how many people changed their religion under pressure,” insisting “Punjab is a remarkable state, which has never bowed to such sentiments.” He expressed his plan to reach out to the Members of Parliament to request them to address the issue and seek the President’s intervention.

While the arbitrary inquiries might not yield an immediate response, the relentless support for unauthorised conversions suggests a sinister agenda. Furthermore, the “remarkable,” sensitive border region has been grappling with malicious schemes to change its demographic landscape, which could even lead to a national security threat, specifically because of outsider missionaries, which was recently witnessed in Rajasthan.

“The court does not consider Muslims and Christians as natives of India when, fact is, they have lived here since ages,” similarly voiced the President of Punjab Christian Movement, Hamid Masih and pointed out the Presidential Order of 1950, which confined the Scheduled Caste status to Hindus.

“The court overlooked the caste system and focused on religious conversions,” and asked, “will the court consider a Christian a (native) Indian citizen if they were to convert to Hinduism?” Afterwards, Masih accused Shah of divisive political actions and provoking communal sentiments before the assembly elections.

“Look – only the Dalits benefit from reservation under the Scheduled Castes category. The rest, including the Muslims and Christians, face discrimination,” he reiterated. “The Dalit Christians in Punjab are either working in the private sector or as daily wagers, leaving them with no scope of economic growth. In the church, at least they are treated equally and with respect, which they fail to get in other religions,” he alleged, lamenting “no provision of jobs for Christians under Punjab government.”

Masih emphasised that there is no discrimination in the Church and it is also the first and foremost premise peddled by Abrahamic Faiths to convert others under the guise of equality. The concept of caste is associated with Hinduism by them. Therefore, does it not undermine their submissions for reservations?

How can there be any discrimination against them when their adopted religions do not acknowledge caste? Isn’t the core of conversion and severing ties with their original roots aimed to free themselves from this practice? Thus, why they should be granted access to the perks of caste-based reservations? Are they devoid of the native religion but purport to be bound by caste? Irony indeed suffers countless deaths.

More portrayal of the “victimhood” narrative for reservations

The entire piece embodies an extensive assortment of contradictions, declaring equality following conversions and at the same time crying discrimination and soliciting reservations. It is sheer discrimination that Dalit Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists in Punjab get the benefit of reservation, but those Dalits who convert their religion to Christianity end up in penury just because they fall under the minorities category,” conveyed Tarsem Peter, President of Pendu Mazdoor Union.

According to him, several pastors started setting up independent ministries after the Modi government ceased the overseas flow of funds for Christian missionaries. “Following this change, there has been a steep rise in the ministries, who promise and preach miraculous changes in people’s their economic and physical conditions,” he added.

Peter maintained that governments and politicians exploit the system, and then swiftly hit out at the saffron party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and the “Godi” media for trying to stop illegal conversions.

He confessed that investment from abroad has been directed towards converting people, which has been one of the key reasons for the introduction of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment bill. Additionally, how are the Muslim and Christian communities qualified for the laws specially tailored for the Dalits? Can Hindus exercise their rights on regulations formed to appease the former, including the Muslim Personal Law, which allows the second-largest religious group to flout the statutes with impunity.

Hence, how can they expect to be awarded every privilege irrespective of the validity of their demands? “The government talks about Amrit Kaal and Digital India, then why this discrimination with us? They should understand our suffering,” stated Christian Jasbir Sandhu. He also talked about the serious economic hardships of Dalit Christians and charged the BJP with exploiting the issue for political purposes, showing alarm over the ruling.

“The BJP knows that largely, the minorities do not support them. As Punjab Assembly elections are due early next year, they have started raking up this issue to seek votes. Perhaps, the BJP does not know that the seed of hatred can never grow in Punjab. Punjabis have always remained together, irrespective of caste or religious preferences,” Sandhu vented out.

First off, the programs and schemes initiated by the centre are designed to steer the country towards progress, and not to enable illicit religious conversions. However, the government is obliged to address any action that could be detrimental to India’s security, social structure and national interest.

There are various groups in the country dealing with tough financial conditions who do not push for any special measures to assist them or improve their situation. In truth, they are often used as primary targets for conversions by wicked actors.

“Most Dalits do visit a church but have not adopted Christianity officially. At the same time, there are converted Christians in Punjab, who still avail benefits under Scheduled Castes category,” Sandhu then underscored, verifying how some people are abusing reservations and breaking the law.

Sandhu insisted that attending church is about social equality for a Dalit, as it did not influence their life and problems, adding “Neither has our condition improved nor have our sufferings come to an end.”

The inconsistencies are quite bewildering. If the Church has conferred equality upon them, then why do they still confront discrimination that is absent in their religion? You cannot have your cake and eat it too. While no one is denying their struggles, the weak foundation of their argument and the absurdity of their demands are evident.

However, it is imperative that the Dalit Hindus are not subjected to a grave injustice through the appropriation of their share and its transfer to others which is the goal of this cabal that feigns to be pro SC-ST.

The legal battle

The article then pointed out how Dalit Christian organisations are campaigning for the reservation quota via pleas. It also brought up the case of Christian pastor Chinthada Anand, who was admonished by the Andhra Pradesh High Court for misusing the SC/ST Act in relation to an alleged assault. It declared that the registration of the FIR (First Information Report) under act was illegal due to the complainant’s conversion to Christianity.

“Meanwhile, the Union government in October 2022 appointed a three-member Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice K.G. Balakrishnan to examine the feasibility of granting Scheduled Caste status to Dalits who choose a faith other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism, specifically focusing on Christians and Muslims,” Arora stated afterwards.

“The commission has received objections from groups such as the Dr Ambedkar Anusuchit Jati Adhikari Karmchari Manch, who have been arguing that extending Scheduled Caste status to converts will dilute the existing rights and benefits of existing beneficiaries,” she observed, highlighting the stand of the Dalit Hindu community on the matter.

The definitive verdict

A bench of Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria referenced Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950, which explicitly mentions that “no person professing a religion other than Hinduism” can assert Scheduled Caste status. The apex court declared that the restriction was permanent and irrevocable.

“No statutory benefit, protection or reservation or entitlement under the Constitution or enactment of parliament or state legislature can be claimed by or extended to any person who by operation of Clause 3 is not deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Caste. This bar is absolute and admits no exception. A person cannot simultaneously profess and practice a religion other than the one specified in Clause 3 and claim membership of the Scheduled Caste,” the order noted.

Why no reservations to non-Indic communities

The unlawful conversions have transmogrified into a menace throughout India, and providing Scheduled Caste status to the converts would only strengthen elements such as the predatory evangelists who view the nation as a golden spot to pressure people to embrace their faith. Likewise, the conversion bogey is driven by non-discrimination and thus how can they claim reservations that are founded on caste? These two cannot coexist parallelly.

It would be profoundly unfair to the Dalit Hindus who have chosen to remain loyal to their beliefs despite the temptations and deprive them of adequate rightful opportunities, such as in the fields of education and employment, to advance in their lives. The government exclusively taxes the wealth of Hindu temples, which could have been utilised to aid the needful members of the community. Consequently, they have to be dependent on reservations while Muslims and Christians can put all their resources for the upliftment of their communities.

Dalit Hindus are against any such move and the fears of the community that will be directly impacted cannot be overlooked. Last but not least, India is already encountering massive issues with conversions related to love jihad, changai sabhas (prayer meetings) and criminal pastors. The country can never have a law that would further strengthen their sinister ambitions.

Exclusive: Justice Yashwant Varma says ‘burned cash’ storehouse was accessible to domestic staff, didn’t have security, raises questions on investigation and lack of CCTV footage

Rukma Rathore
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Exclusive: Justice Yashwant Varma says ‘burned cash’ storehouse was accessible to domestic staff, didn’t have security, raises questions on investigation and lack of CCTV footage

The President of India has received the resignation of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. The resignation comes as Justice Varma faces an ongoing in-house inquiry by the judiciary and the threat of parliamentary removal proceedings, which had been set in motion last year.

He has also withdrawn from the proceedings before the Judges Inquiry Committee constituted by the Lok Sabha to examine the charges against him in connection with the alleged recovery of cash from a storeroom at his official residence.

In a 13-page letter to the Judges Inquiry Committee, Justice Varma has maintained his innocence and asserted that he wasn’t even home when the fire erupted, leading to the alleged discovery of a large amount of money inside his storeroom. “During the Holi break of the High Court in 2025, my spouse and I travelled for a short vacation with friends on 12.03.2025. While we were at a remote location with limited mobile connectivity, a fire occurred in a storeroom located within the premises,” he stated in a letter. The occurrence happened on 14th March, but he claimed to have been communicated concerning it on 15th March.

Varma conveyed that some of the Delhi Fire Services and Delhi Police officers who were present at the event captured videos and pictures of the currency, but he was not made aware of it and learned about it along with the investigation that was started against him later. He added that the visuals were uploaded to the Supreme Court website, “and the entire episode was sensationally reported in the media with the clear narrative that the cash belonged to me.”

‘Storehouse a standalone unit in the premises, but used by staff and servants only’

Justice Varma has mentioned that the storeroom was a standalone facility open to his domestic staff and was devoid of any security oversight. “The undisputed factual position that I have consistently set out from the very beginning is that the storeroom was a detached structure adjacent to the staff quarters, physically separated by boundary walls from the family living quarters and my office. It was accessible from the back gate of the premises, which was not manned by any security,” the former justice stressed.

He wrote that domestic workers, maintenance professionals, and others frequently utilised and accessed it for routine duties and to store ordinary products including unwanted furniture, bottles, cutlery, mattresses, soiled carpets, outdated speakers, garden tools, and CPWD material. “The storeroom was usually kept unlocked and, even when locked, the key was never in my possession or under my instructions. I myself had visited the storeroom only four or five times in the entire two years of my stay,” Varma claimed.

“A CCTV camera was positioned directly facing the entry to the storeroom, with its live footage streaming to the guardroom and being recorded on equipment completely outside my control. The CRPF guards and my Personal Security Officers reported to persons other than myself, and thus, the entire security apparatus was never under my control,” he insisted, remarking that it defies reason and common sense to indicate that such a position can be used for hoarding cash.

Varma than contends that he has never been subjected to such charges in his judicial career as a high court judge, which has extended over 13 years. He expressed that he was not given the opportunity to cross-examine the in-house committee witnesses, and that the preliminary report should not be considered evidence.

Varma charged that all probes against him “proceeded on unstated suggestions, insinuations and imputations requiring me to disprove assumed facts and innumerable presumptions. This has resulted not only in a reversal of the burden of proof as we commonly understand but also in placing upon me the onerous obligation of proving multiple negatives.”

According to him, the allegations imply that the occupier of the property should bear a substantial burden of care, requiring that they should be cognisant of and accountable for any offensive objects or supplies that might be spotted or uncovered in any section of the property, regardless of whether they were placed there voluntarily or with their knowledge. Therefore, it is demanded of the occupier to be mindful of and liable for everything that could possibly be identified in any part of the premises.

Verma further insisted that the materials which were detrimental to him were extracted from the IHC record were utilised, while those beneficial to him were disregarded including 27 out of 54 witnesses which were left out.

“In any event, the evidence that was actually led falls far short of establishing even a prima facie case on any of the three charges. In proceedings of this nature, which seek to determine whether a sitting Judge is guilty of misbehaviour warranting removal, it is incumbent upon those prosecuting the charges to first establish a foundational case through credible evidence. Only then can any burden shift to the Judge to lead defence evidence. Here, that threshold has not been crossed on any charge,” he declared.

Varma pointed out that a standard of proof is equivalent to a criminal trial, beyond reasonable doubt, as described by earlier inquiry committees of judges. An analysis of the existing record should have resulted in the dismissal of the proceedings rather than expecting him to substantiate his defence.

‘Was it even genuine Indian currency? Why was no CCTV footage produced’, asks Justice Varma

Varma submitted that there was never any evidence that the money found in the storage on the property by the Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Services Officers was authentic Indian cash. “No CCTV footage from the premises was produced. The conclusion in the CFSL Extraction Report, that data from the CCTV hard drive could not be accessed, is highly suspect. The DVR itself was never received for forensic examination, as admitted by the CFSL Expert during cross-examination,” the letter read.

Varma asserted that there can be no assumption of his ownership, knowledge or accountability if there is no proof that the property (or the storage) was secured under his competent authority at the pertinent time. “The charge therefore fails at its very foundation,” he announced.

According to Varma, a charge was lodged that material objects and the environment at the scene were modified or taken away while he had control over the premises after the fire was put out and prior to any lawful inspection or sealing while he did not take steps to preserve the evidence, thereby allowing its disturbance. He countered that the evidence presented is opposed to this and confirmed that both the Delhi Fire Services and the Delhi Police had made independent decisions not to report or confiscate the cash long before he came to knwo about the instance.

Varma emphasised that the allegations implying he offered an “evasive explanation” and “denied” the existence of cash are inaccurate. “A plain reading of my written response dated 22.03.2025 shows no denial of the discovery of cash. I stated only that the cash did not belong to me or my family members, that neither I nor my family had any knowledge of its presence, and that no one had reported seeing any cash after the first responders left the premises. That position has remained consistent throughout. No evidence has been led to demonstrate that my knowledge or involvement was different from what I stated,” he outlined.

Varma has withdrawn from the proceedings and concluded, “I withdraw with the deepest sadness, conscious of the gravity of my decision and with the hope that history will one day record the unfairness with which a sitting High Court Judge was treated and that has marked this entire episode from its inception.”

Background of the case

The scandal erupted on 14 March 2025 when a fire broke out in a storeroom at Justice Varma’s government bungalow on Tughlak Crescent in New Delhi, while he was serving on the Delhi High Court. Firefighters and police officers who responded to the blaze reported seeing stacks of ₹500 notes, some burning, others partially burnt, scattered on the floor. Officials later confirmed to an inquiry committee that the cash was found in a room under the judge’s control.

Following the incident, the Supreme Court constituted an in-house panel, which concluded that cash had indeed been discovered and that Justice Varma exercised “covert or active control” over the storeroom. He was promptly transferred back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, in late March 2025. He took the oath of office there on 5 April 2025, but was not assigned any judicial work.

Justice Varma initially refused calls to resign in May 2025, prompting the Chief Justice of India to recommend his removal. An impeachment motion signed by more than 140 MPs was admitted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in August 2025, and a three-member inquiry committee was formed to examine the charges.

The Supreme Court later dismissed Justice Varma’s challenge to the removal proceedings, clearing the path for Parliament to act. Under Indian constitutional rules, removal by Parliament would have stripped him of his pension and other retirement benefits. By resigning voluntarily, he is expected to retain those entitlements.

Christian pastor Joel Webbon calls Hinduism ‘insanely demonic’ Alex Stein’s podcast: Read how both Americans are notorious for mocking Hinduism using lies

Shraddha Pandey
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Christian pastor Joel Webbon calls Hinduism ‘insanely demonic’ Alex Stein’s podcast: Read how both Americans are notorious for mocking Hinduism using lies

In recent years, there has been an alarming mainstreaming of Hinduphobia in the United States. Incidents of temple vandalism, online slurs, racist attacks on American Hindus, and Christian extremists openly mocking and vilifying Hinduism on podcasts have become a disgraceful ‘normal’. In a fresh attack on the Hindu faith, Christian pastor Joel Webbon called Hinduism an “insanely demonic” religion during his appearance on the podcast of Comedian and notorious Hinduphobe, Alex Stein.

The clown-to-clown conversation took place in a segment of the episode ‘After Hours with Alex Stein’ podcast, which was aired on 8th April 2026. The discussion centred on the supposed demographic and cultural ‘changes’ in Texas, H1-B visas, Indian immigration, and Texas somehow turning into a “Little Mumbai”.

During the conversation, pastor and founder of Right Response Ministries, Joel Webbon, resorted to vilifying Hinduism when Alex Stein pivoted to mocking the religion’s practices and asking Webbon to rank its “craziness” relative to other religions like Scientology.

“Hindus “like to worship the cow, they drink the cow pee, they eat the cow poop.Is that one of the most demonic religions? How does Hindu rank on levels I guess craziness of religion. Is Hinduism crazier than Scientology?” Stein asked.

Stein’s question, riddled with hatred and ignorance, received an equally hateful and ignorant answer from Joel Webbon.

Webbon responded: “Oh… Scientology is pretty crazy. Yeah. No… Hinduism is insanely demonic because it’s not monotheistic. It’s literally millions of gods. And if you’ve ever watched—there have been videos that have gone viral of Hindu temples where they’re pouring blood-looking liquid on themselves or chopping off the head of a goat and then drinking the blood—so it is very pagan, very demonic, polytheistic. Hinduism is satanic in a lot of ways.”

The Christian pastor further proceeded to contrast Hinduism with Islam, saying that both “send you to hell” but Hinduism is “terribly pagan” and does not align with “western culture values.”

Webbon’s diatribe triggered a backlash from the Hindu community on social media.

Shridhar Vembu, the Chief Scientist at Zoho, called out Webbon for labelling Hinduism as some primitive and regressive faith, and wrote on X, “As a Hindu, I believe the entire Universe is the manifestation of the Divine. All of it – the river, the tree, the snake, the stone, the earthworm, the cow, the monkey, the elephant – all of it is divine manifestation. That belief is not Demonic, it is not Satanic, that is the path to living in harmony with nature and with other human beings. Arrogant, intolerant monotheism – see the video below – that goes around labelling reverence for all of nature as “demonic” and “satanic”- that belief is what makes men do evil.”

Vembu further highlighted how Christians used to run crusades and invade nations in the name of ‘civilising’ them, and wrote, “History supplies ample evidence. Hindus did not run crusades. Hindus did not burn witches at the stake. Hindus did not invade nations and enslave people in the name of bringing “Civilization” and “God” to “pagans”.”

Similarly, Suhag Shukla, the Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) also criticised Joel Webbon’s Hinduphobic remarks, and wrote, “Hindus are demonic! Oh the horror. They’re saying it with a straight face…so remember, this is the attitude that fueled & justified crusades around the world and the genocide of Native Americans—who like us “pagan” Hindus, see divinity in nature, in the feminine (and masculine), and in various forms.”

Joel Webbon and Alex Stein sounded like typical 15th or 17th-century entitled Christian fanatics who looked down upon those who did not share their faith and toiled for a self-imposed imperative of spreading Christianity in distant ‘pagan-dominated’ lands to ‘civilise’ the ‘heathens’.

Webbon’s argument rests on the usual evangelical critique that conveniently labels Hinduism as extremely polytheistic and idolatrous, and its certain practices like animal sacrifice, cow worship, and use of diverse substances as offerings to deities. The Christian extremists use half-truths and twisted narratives to declare Hindu rituals as ‘pagan depravity’ and the religion downright “demonic” or “satanic”.

Pastor Joel Webbon’s factually incorrect, hateful and oversimplified rhetoric comes from a strict Christian monotheistic framework. Hinduism, however, is too vast and diverse a faith to be comprehended from a singular or monotheistic lens. Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma does not fit at all in the Abrahamic concept of ‘demonic’ or ‘satanic’.

Webbon’s claim that there are “millions of Gods” in Hinduism is also incorrect. Hindu gods are no demons, and there are no 330 million gods, as many Christian extremists mindlessly claim. Hinduism does venerate many Devas (deities); however, the religion is rooted in the Vedic wisdom that all deities are manifestations or aspects of that one ultimate reality, Brahma, also spelt Brahman (not the Brahmin caste). Despite there being a multiplicity, the core of the Hindu concept of God remains that there is only one God, one absolute truth and one unchanging reality, which the Hindu scriptures describe as “Hari Om Tat Sat”.

The Rig Ved, the oldest Vedic text, explicitly states,

 “इन्द्रं॑ मि॒त्रं वरु॑णम॒ग्निमा॑हु॒रथो॑ दि॒व्यः स सु॑प॒र्णो ग॒रुत्मा॑न् । एकं॒ सद्विप्रा॑ बहु॒धा व॑दन्त्य॒ग्निं य॒मं मा॑त॒रिश्वा॑नमाहुः ॥
इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहुरथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् । एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः ॥ (1.164.46)

This hymn means: “They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutmān. To what is One, sages give many a title.”

Much before Jesus Christ supposedly walked this earth, Hindus had the Vedic wisdom guiding their daily lives and spiritual journey towards One God, Brahman, through Yajna, and other rituals. The Upanishads, particularly the Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads, further reinforce the Vedic concept of there being only one God, who may have diverse names and manifestations.

Later, the Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita reveals Lord Krishna, the avatar or human reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, as the Almighty, not without emphasising the divine unity. Take this shlok for example:

yo yo yāṃ yāṃ tanuṃ bhaktaḥ śraddhayārcitumicchati
tasya tasyācalāṃ śraddhāṃ tāmeva vidadhāmyaham

This verse from Chapter 7 of the Gita means, “Whatever celestial form a devotee seeks to worship with faith, I steady the faith of such a devotee in that form.”

While there is a more profound interpretation of this verse spoken by Lord Krishna, in simple terms, particularly in context of this discussion, it can be understood as: no matter which deity or God and in whichever manner you worship with true devotion, Lord Krishna makes your devotion in that believed form of God firm yet it is him who is ultimately accepting and giving the fruits of your prayers.

Dvaita, Advaita Vedanta, Shakta tradition, Vaishnavs, Shaivas, and more such sects exist and thrive within the Hindu fold as one. There is nothing demonic about polytheism. In fact, a Christian extremist’s description of Hinduism as demonic is nothing but a theological polemic. Hinduism has no Satan figure and no concept of eternal damnation for infidels, heathens, or simply non-believers, in the Christian sense. Hinduism is the path of Moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and rebirth through knowledge, devotion and Dharma. From a Hindu religious perspective, Jesus Christ, if believed to be real, will not be labelled a non-believer or infidel, as the Vedas, the authoritative text of the Hindu faith, do not have any such theological category. One can either be an Ārya (noble) or an Anārya (ignoble) based on one’s conduct.

Practices like animal sacrifice too are not mainstream but confined to specific traditions within the Hindu fold. These rituals are highly regulated and permitted to be performed only by specific learned practitioners and not by anyone.

While Webbon did not detail what he meant by Hindus offering their deities “blood-looking liquid”, it can be assumed that he was most probably talking about Sindoor or Kumkum. There is no mainstream Hindu tradition of offering blood to Devi Devtas in Hinduism.

Pastor Joel Webbon and comedian Alex Stein condescendingly claimed that Hindus eat cow dung and consume cow urine. Again, this is a misrepresentation of the relevance of cow worship in Hinduism. The cow is revered as a symbol of life, growth, and non-violence. The Panchagavya use exists for medicinal and ritual purposes in some contexts; however, it is not a daily practice or “eating cow poop” or “drinking cow pee”. This is more an hate-drive exaggeration that has been used to mock Hindus not only by the likes of Webbon and Stein, but also by Islamic terrorists.

Pluralistic civilisations and polytheistic faiths are not ‘demonic’ by default, just because Hinduism don’t have a Christian equivalent to crusades, inquisitions, and forced and deceitful conversions, does not mean the world’s most ancient religion and its adherents are ‘insanely demonic’.

Joel Webbon and Alex Stein: Two Christian fanatics notorious for mocking Hinduism

Pastor Joel Webbon regularly slanders religions other than Christianity. In recent times, Webbon has faced backlash for demonstrating doctrinal animosity towards Hindus and their faith.

In October 2025, Joel Webbon made abusive remarks on X, targeting Hindu deities in response to a Diwali greeting post. The incident began when Kash Patel, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, extended Diwali wishes from his official X handle. In response, Webbon quote-tweeted Patel’s message with a derogatory comment, stating: “Go back home (to India) and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country.”

The ‘sand demons’ jibe was directed at idols or murtis, which in Hinduism serve as tangible symbols through which devotees focus their devotion, perform rituals, and establish a spiritual connection with the divine.

‘Comedian’ Alex Stein has been even worse in his expression of blatant Hinduphobia. In February this year, Stein wore a traditional Kurta and a Tilak on his forehead as a caricatured Hindu persona at the Plano City Council.

Stein peddled hatred and lies against Hindus and said, he was being “bullied for drinking and eating special stuff that in your culture is not very respected but in my culture it has lots of healing properties. “I worship cows, but cow is not animal, cow is divine mother, her milk is Amrit nectar from heaven her urine Gomutra is purest medicine straight from the gods, her dung Gobar is holy old blessing for health and prosperity. Please, mayor, I beg you, let me eat the cow dung. It has healing properties.

Local media reports that Stein regularly uses municipal government meetings to further his Christian extremist and racist agenda.

While America has had a long and opprobrious history of targeted attacks and vilification of Hindus, there has been a dramatic surge in such attacks ever since Donald Trump came to power in 2025. Beyond online hate campaigns and podcasts, Christian extremists are working at organisational levels to vilify Hindus.

In November 2025, the New York State Council of Churches (NYCOC), through its Religious Nationalisms Project (TRNP) joined forces with the Islamist group, the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), to hold anti-Hindu seminars.

OpIndia reported earlier how White and Christian supremacists ignited the H1-B visas debate after Donald Trump nominated American-born Indian Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The online discussion soon snowballed into a full-fledged campaign against H1-B visas for highly-skilled Indians. This was followed by derision and insults directed at Hindus and Hinduism.

The Christian supremacists have normalised slandering and mocking Hindu deities, labelling them ‘demonic’ and ‘false gods’. In September last year, Alexander Duncan, the Republican Senate candidate for Texas, called Lord Hanuman a ‘false god’ and objected to the construction of his statue in the US, saying that America is a ‘Christian’ nation, although by law, America is not a Christian nation.

In July 2025, a video of a White American berating an Indian man with “Why are you in my country? I don’t like you guys here. There are too many of you guys here. Indians! You guys are flooding all the white countries. I am tired of it. Americans are sick of this sh**. I want you to go back to India…”

In Irving, Texas, three masked men carrying “Don’t India My Texas” signs showed up in a suburb where thousands of Indian tech professionals reside in October 2025.

Last year’s Diwali in America witnessed an unprecedented online hate against American Hindus and Hinduism. From vilifying FBI Director Kash Patel and US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard for wishingeveryone a happy Diwali, mocking the Trump administration for celebrating Diwali in the White House, attacking JD Vance’s Hindu wife Usha Chilukuri, and questioning Vivek Ramaswamy’s Hindu faith, to making absurd ‘Indians poaching wildlife in Canada and America’ claims, Indians and Hindus have been constantly targeted for their faith.

Besides, White racists and Christian supremacists have been villainising Indian Americans to lend credence to their ‘White Replacement Theory’. In fact, ‘Nuke India’ calls by these Christian extremists have also become a new ‘cool’ among American racists and Hinduphobes.

Unlike Islam and Christianity, Hinduism poses no proselytising threat. India, the natural homeland of Hindus, has never invaded a country with the intent to alter its religious demography or impose Hindu faith on non-Hindus. Muslims and Christians, however, have invaded lands and destroyed civilisations to establish their religious supremacy.

From the orientalist caricatures in the 19th-20th century, fears of ‘eastern/Asian mysticism’ eroding Protestant ‘purity’ to anti-Hindu violence and online hate, American Hindus have faced constant attacks. The unchecked expression of Hinduphobia by the many Joel Webbons, Alex Steins, Alexander Duncans, Nick Fuentas, Elijah Schaffer and others might become the precursor of religion-based violence against Hindus in the coming times.

Did Justice Nagarathna say Sabrimala treats women as ‘impure for 3 days’? Read what happened in court as Govt objected to ‘untouchability’ observation in 2018 verdict

Divyansh Tiwari
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Did Justice Nagarathna say Sabrimala treats women as ‘impure for 3 days’? Read what happened in court as Govt objected to ‘untouchability’ observation in 2018 verdict

The Sabarimala controversy is once again at the forefront of national legal discourse due to the Supreme Court’s current nine judge bench hearing. However, it would be completely missing the bigger constitutional point if the issue were reduced to a straightforward question of whether or not women were allowed to enter one temple. The underlying legal framework governing religious freedom, denominational rights, judicial examination of religious acts, and the definition of constitutional morality in India is currently being explored in addition to the long-standing Sabarimala dispute. Because of this, the current hearing affects not just Lord Ayyappa’s followers but the nation’s whole religious legal framework.

Much of the discussion on social media following the first day of arguments has also been misleading. Justice B.V. Nagarathna made a comment that was taken out of context and turned into a cheap political slogan, as if the Court had somehow approved the notion that women were ‘untouchable’ by divine command. That interpretation is not only unfair, but also legally reckless. The discussion centred on the constitutional interpretation of Article 17, the particular historical extent of untouchability, and whether or not that clause can be expanded to include any kind of exclusion imposed by a religious practice. Put simply, the Court was being asked to accurately read the Constitution, not to endorse discrimination.

What is the court actually hearing?

The first crucial thing to grasp is that the current bench is not limited to hearing solely the Sabarimala entrance question. The nine-judge bench’s reference raises more significant issues about the relationship between the Constitution’s provisions of equality and dignity and Articles 25 and 26. The Court is examining what legal thresholds should be used when a custom seems to violate constitutional rights, how far religious communities can control their own practices, and how far the Court itself can examine those practices.

CJI Surya Kant, along with Justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A.G. Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi, make up the bench currently unravelling this intricate web of religion and law.

The following is a layman’s explanation of the seven major concerns they are reviewing:

1. The limits of religious freedom:

 Article 25 protects the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion. However, this privilege is contingent upon public order, morality, and health. Before the State can intervene, the Court must specify the precise boundaries of an individual’s rights.

2. The clash of rights (Art 25 vs Art 26)

What happens when a person’s right to worship (Article 25) clashes with a religious denomination’s right to control its own internal affairs (Article 26)? Is it possible for an individual to force a community to change its traditions in order for them to take part? Critics contend that a denomination’s right to control its own places of worship cannot be superseded by an individual’s freedom of conscience.

3. The meaning of Constitutional Morality

The 2018 judgment mainly relied on Constitutional Morality, a broad concept that judges are increasingly using to overturn legislation. Because they see them through a contemporary, Westernized lens. Traditionalists contend that constitutional morality cannot be a blank check for unelected judges to overrule thousands of years of established religious traditions.

4. Courts determining essential religious practice?

 Should courts, presided over by judges versed in modern law, have the authority to determine what constitutes a ‘essential religious practice’ for an ancient religion? The Center has consistently maintained that the Court should not function as priests and that the judiciary’s creation of the ERP test has flaws.

5. The scope of state interference

Are a religious community’s rights limited to the particular restrictions of public order, morality, and health listed in Article 26, or are they also subject to other fundamental rights in the Constitution (such as Article 14 on Equality)? Every gender specific or tradition specific practice in India would become unlawful overnight if Article 14 were to apply strictly to sacred places.

6. Defining a religious denomination

What does the Constitution say about a religious denomination or a ‘section of Hindus’? Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan asked the Court to consider the Hindi translation of the Constitution, which employs the phrase Sampradaya, during the recent proceedings. He maintained that Hinduism is fluid and pluralistic, and that putting it into rigid, Western style organizational hierarchies (such as a Church) deprives native traditions of constitutional protection.

This is important because many outsiders see the hearing as a replay of the 2018 issue. It isn’t. The Court is currently dealing with a reference that surfaced during the review step and encompasses broader legal problems, many of which were never limited to Sabarimala alone. The truth is that a temple issue has turned into a constitutional test about equality, religion, and the role of the judiciary itself.

Why did Article 17 come up?

The social media outrage over Article 17 has disguised more than it has revealed. Article 17 eliminates untouchability. However, in constitutional and historical terms, that word has a very specific meaning rooted in caste oppression and social exclusion experienced by India’s untouchable communities. It was never intended to be a blanket term for all forms of exclusion, no matter how unjust or offensive they may be.

The Solicitor General’s remark to Article 17 makes sense because of this. His main argument was that the Court should exercise caution in equating a religious practice that is being contested with untouchability in the strict sense of the Constitution. That is also how Justice Nagarathna’s statement should be interpreted. She did not say that women should be excluded or that the deity wants them to be excluded. It was because the constitutional term ‘untouchability’ has a very definite legal history and cannot be stretched beyond recognition, making it impossible to casually state that women are ‘untouchable’ on some days and not on others.

That is an important distinction. The Court did not endorse discrimination. It clarified legal categories. A judge may reject a faulty constitutional comparison without endorsing the challenged behaviour. The online fury is thus based less on legal reading and more on selective clipping, which is unfortunately becoming the most popular approach of making constitutional arguments on social media.

The 2018 judgment in context

The 2018 Constitution Bench judgment in Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala is necessary to fully understand the purpose of the current proceeding. In that judgment, the Sabarimala temple’s ban on women of menstrual age was overturned by a majority of the Supreme Court. The majority concluded that the practice was against the freedom of religion, equality, and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. It reasoned that the exclusion was not a fundamental religious practice worthy of constitutional protection and that the followers of Lord Ayyappa did not, for the purposes of Article 26, form a distinct religious denomination.

Supporters of the decision saw it as an essential remedy for a discriminatory custom. Critics saw it as a grave invasion of a living religious tradition’s internal affairs. That gap has never truly closed. The controversy around women’s admission to a single temple is still ongoing. It is a question of whether courts should act as final arbiters of what is vital in religion, or whether they should pay more attention to the tradition’s own understanding of its practices. 

The 2018 judgment became historically significant since it dealt with more than just a temple entry controversy. It demonstrated the Court’s willingness to prioritize constitutional equality over long standing religious customs when they appear to contradict. That was a risky but contentious move. The current nine judge bench is effectively being asked whether that approach should be refined, curtailed, or articulated in a more principled manner.

The core concept: Sui generis and Naishtika Brahmacharya

The theology of Sabarimala, which SG Mehta and advocates like C.S. Vaidyanathan have masterfully presented in the 2026 hearings, is essential to understanding the justification of the practice. In Hinduism, a god in a temple is seen as a living, legal person with unique qualities, rights, and character, rather than just a symbol. Lord Ayyappa appeared in Sabarimala as a Naishtika Brahmachari, a god who observes strict, perpetual chastity.

Before the nine-judge panel, SG Mehta argued, “This unique attribute of the deity can’t be tested by the Supreme Court.” It doesn’t mean that women aren’t equal. In fact, as Mehta pointed out, India has always held women in higher regard. The only purpose of the restriction is to honour the principles, the religion, and the particular sampradaya (tradition) of that particular temple.

Why didn’t the review end the matter?

Following the 2018 decision, review petitions were filed, and the matter entered a new level of constitutional complexity. Rather than simply concluding the case at the review stage, the Court referred broader questions to a larger bench. That ruling is significant because it reveals that the Court acknowledged that the legal issues highlighted by Sabarimala were not isolated. They were linked to a broader set of cases involving religious autonomy, denominational rights, and the idea of essential religious practices. 

This is where the nine-judge bench enters the picture. The Court did not assemble such a huge bench solely to debate who can enter a temple. It did so because the disagreement raised fundamental constitutional doctrines that had previously been invoked in cases but were now being questioned or disputed. In layman’s terms, when an legal concept causes problems in several cases, the Court frequently has to pause and define the concept itself. That is the actual significance of this hearing. It is a doctrinal cleanup operation, not a publicity gimmick. The Court is attempting to establish the appropriate framework for deciding religious freedom matters.

Conclusion

Sabarimala remains a significant and controversial case since it involves religion and constitutional reform. The 2018 decision altered the legal landscape by placing equality and dignity at the forefront of the argument. The subsequent review and reference broadened the argument to include questions concerning how Indian courts should interpret religious practice, denominational rights, and judicial action.

Because of this, the current nine judge bench is justified, and it would be deceptive to reduce the hearing to a social media catchphrase. Justice Nagarathna’s remark was not an endorsement of exclusion, and the Solicitor General’s allusion to Article 17 was not directed at women. Both were involved in a significant constitutional discussion regarding precision, history, and the legal process. Precision is not pedantry in a sensitive subject like religion, it is a need.

If anything, the hearing demonstrated that constitutional interpretation requires patience. Traditions deserve respect. And public discourse requires more seriousness than selective fury. The Court is currently attempting to clarify a problematic area of law that has persisted for years. That effort should be read carefully rather than dragged into a quarrel.

“Never had a relationship with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell’: Melania Trump denies being a victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or being associated with him

Shraddha Pandey
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“Never had a relationship with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell’: Melania Trump denies being a victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or being associated with him

On Thursday (10th April), the US First Lady, Melania Trump, issued a rare public statement wherein she denied association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Melania Trump said that she was neither Epstein’s victim nor was introduced by him to her husband and US President Donald Trump.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today…I have never been friends with Epstein.  Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach,” Trump stated.

Melania Trump also denied having any links with Ghislaine Maxwell, the main accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein.

“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell.  My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.  My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note. I am not Epstein’s victim.  Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.  I met my husband, by chance, at a New York City party in 1998.  This initial encounter with my husband is documented in detail in my book, MELANIA.  The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000, at an event Donald and I attended together.  At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings,” Trump stated.

Melania Trump added that numerous fake images and statements about Jeffrey Epstein and her have been circulating on social media for years now.

Further refuting the allegations of her association with Epstein, Trump said, “I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.  My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.  I was never involved in any capacity—I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.”

“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein’s sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior,” she continued.

The US First Lady also highlighted how “several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.”

Melania Trump demands a congressional hearing

Reading her statement in the Grand Foyer on Thursday, Melania Trump called for a congressional hearing focused on  survivors of Epstein’s crimes, saying that the accusations against her came from “individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name.”

The US First Lady added that those behind targeting her are financially and politically motivated.

“Now is the time for Congress to act.  Epstein was not alone.  Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized.  Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth,” she said.

“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.  Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony.  Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record. Then, and only then, will we have the truth,” added.

Melania Trump did not take media questions after reading her statement on Thursday at the Grand Foyer of the White House. Her call for a congressional hearing on the matter is significant, as lying there will be a crime of perjury.

Melania Trump’s name appears multiple times in the Epstein Files

The US First Lady’s statement comes after the Department of Justice confirmed that former Attorney General Pam Bondi would not be appearing for a subpoena before the House Oversight Committee on 14th April. The subpoena addressed Bondi’s handling of the DOJ documents about Epstein.

The controversy began when Melania Trump’s name appeared in the tranche of Epstein files documents published in January this year. Donald Trump’s name had also appeared in the files.

While Melania Trump claimed to have had only a passing acquaintance with Jeffry Epstein, she was photographed with Jeffrey Epstein several times at a party at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago beach club in 2000.

A partially redacted 2002 email exchange reportedly between Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell was posted online in January this year by the US Justice Department.

“Sweet pea thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though.<br><br> Keep well<br><br>Gx<br>At 03:40 PM 10/23/2002-0400, you wrote:<br><br><blockquote type-cite class-cite cite><font face=”Bookman Old Style, Bookman”color=”#0000FF”>Dear G! <br>How are you? <br>Nice story about JE in NY mag.You look great on the picture. <br>I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to godown. Give me a call when you are back in NY. <br>Have a great time! <br>Love, <br>Melania</font><font face=”arial”> </font></blockquote></html>,” the US DOJ-released email file reads.

A purported email sent to Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, shows Melania Trump lauding how Maxwell looked in a photo.  “Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania,” Melania Trump wrote.

Interestingly, Melania Trump admitted to having written a friendly email to Maxwell during a media interaction on Thursday. However, she made no mention of the email in which she praised a profile of Jeffrey Epstein in New York magazine in 2002 as a “nice story”. The profile contained a quote from Donald Trump, heaping praises on Epstein.

Another email sent by “Jeffrey E.” to author Michael Wolf reads, “achlles heal , melania, transcipt. melania also focused on dates of porn star, before birth of baron or after. . they also now have two army people escorting her to kids school :)”

Another controversial email mentioning Melania Trump’s name, sent to Jeffery Epstein in 2016, reads, “I remember flying back with Donald on his plane the first weekend I went to v=sit you in Florida was the weekend he met Melania and he kept on coming out=of the bedroom saying ‘ wow what a hot piece of ass’.”

Who was Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier who was convicted by a Florida state court for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. He served 13 months in jail and was arrested again in July 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He died a month later in August while undergoing trial. Authorities deemed the death a suicide, but there have been questions around the circumstances and handling.

Epstein files are investigative documents containing files, records, videos, and contacts compiled by federal agencies during the investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities. The files are said to contain flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft, contact lists, accounting records, and even video evidence of abuse.

During his presidential election campaign, Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein Files in public, which would have exposed numerous celebrities who were at some point in time involved in sexual abuse at Epstein’s Island. Trump himself was reported to have had links with Jeffrey Epstein.

While biographer Michael Wolf has consistently been levelling serious allegations against Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump regarding their relations with Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual abuse scandal, with Melania threatening a $1 billion lawsuit, the fresh controversy erupted after the release of another tranche of Epstein files January this year.

Back in 2017, Michael Wolf claimed that Jeffrey Epstein told author Michael Wolff he “had sex with Melania a full year before” she met Donald Trump. Wolf also claimed that Trump and Melania’s first encounter was on Epstein’s plane, Lolita Express. Melania had strongly denied these claims back then.

With Melana Trump’s fresh statement and online chatter, conspiracy theories have picked up steam again.

‘Civilisation will die’, ‘back to the Stone Age’, ‘a fate worse than Maduro’s’ and more: Understanding Trump’s penchant for using threats and coercion as tools of diplomacy

Rukma Rathore
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‘Civilisation will die’, ‘back to the Stone Age’, ‘a fate worse than Maduro’s’ and more: Understanding Trump’s penchant for using threats and coercion as tools of diplomacy

President Donald Trump of the United States possesses a unique ability to dominate the news, not only because he holds one of the most powerful positions in the world but also because of his propensity to create headlines with remarks that can range from outrageous to downright genocidal, regardless of the situation. He recently consented to an uncertain peace agreement for 2 weeks with Iran; however, this occurred before he issued a series of shocking statements designed to intimidate the regime with the supremacy of American military capabilities.

Likewise, other nations have also been subjected to Trump’s startling comments aimed at forcing them to comply with Washington’s directives. Additionally, close partners, comprising the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), have experienced a similar confrontational approach for opposing his policies in relation to Europe and other regions. The president has deployed every weapon, including tariffs to obliteration, from his arsenal of offensive diplomacy, if it can even be labelled as such.

The whole civilisation will die tonight

“A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump posted on Truth Social, delivering a stark threat amid the escalating war with Iran on 7th April. He subsequently asserted that there has been a “total and complete” change in government, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, and perhaps “something revolutionarily wonderful” was on the cards. He ominously described the event as one of the most significant moments in the lengthy and intricate history of the world. “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally end,” he declared.

Trump had threatened to destroy all bridges and power plants if the blockade on Gulf oil was not lifted by Iran, which vowed retaliation against the allies of the United States in the Middle East. The clock ticked, and attacks on the latter’s infrastructure grew intense as an airport, a petrochemical factory, road and railway bridges were hit. Kharg Island, the location of Iran’s primary oil export terminal, which Trump publicly considered seizing, was also bombed.

He frequently targeted public infrastructure, such as energy plants, and even resorted to abusive terms to insist on the opening of the “Strait of Hormuz.” “Tuesday will be power plant day and bridge day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it. Open the f**king strait, you crazy b**t**ds, or you’ll be living in hell. Just watch. Praise be to Allah,” he announced on 5th April.

Will bomb Iran back to the Stone Age

Trump and his officials routinely predicted that Iran would be returned to the Stone Age through relentless bombings. “Iran’s navy is gone. Their air force is in ruins. Most of their leaders are dead. Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear losses in a matter of weeks. Thanks to the progress we have made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly,” he highlighted in a speech at the White House on 1st April.

“We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong,” Trump warned, emphasising that the measures were “on the cusp” of terminating Tehran’s “sinister threat” to the US and the world, while the nuclear risk had also been eliminated.

All potential Iranian leaders are dead

On 3rd March, Trump informed that recent attacks on Iran killed the senior leadership and preferred successors of his administration. He mentioned that those who have not yet been reported dead will be confirmed in the near future.

“Most of the people that we had in mind are dead. We had some in mind from that group that is dead. Now we have another group, they may be dead also, based on reports. So, I guess you have a third wave coming in. Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody,” he conveyed during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Venezuela was so incredible because we did the attack and we kept govt totally intact,” he added, astonishingly.

“And the leader of the pack is gone. And as you know, 49 people were taken out in the first hit. And I guess there was another hit today on the new leadership, and it looks like that was pretty substantial also,” Trump pointed out. “Just about everything’s been knocked out. They have no navy; it’s been knocked out. They have no air force. It’s been knocked out. They have no air detection, that’s been knocked out. Their radar has been knocked out,” he further detailed concerning the assault.

No peace in Greenland without a Nobel Prize

Trump was not given his much-desired Nobel Peace Prize, which was handed over to Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado in October 2025. Afterwards, the former expressed that he no longer feels obligated to care only about peace. He accused Norway of not awarding him the honour in a scathing letter to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who clarified that the decision was made by an independent committee rather than the government.

“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 wars plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the US,” Trump responded after Støre and Finnish President, Alexander Stubb urged him for deescalation over Greenland.

Trump has continually shown his desire to take control of the resource-rich, autonomous Arctic island, within the Kingdom of Denmark, and imposed 10% tariff on 8 European states for not supporting him in his demands. He later rescinded the move.

Trump contended that Denmark was unable to defend Greenland from China or Russia. “Why do they have a right of ownership anyway? There are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,” Trump asked. “I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland,” he further stated.

On 9th April (Thursday), Trump restated that NATO has never been there to assist the United States during difficult times and this trend will persist in the future, ominously adding, “remember Greenland, that large, poorly managed, piece of ice,” after a two-hour White House meeting with the Secretary General of the bloc, Mark Rutte. He has used diverse platforms, in media, politics and otherwise, to lay claim to the precious territory.

The Trump administration wanted aid from NATO in the conflict against Iran and dispatched ships to secure the Strait, but was refused. He mocked the group as “coward” and “paper tiger,” and is currently mulling a proposal to penalise the nations he believes were unhelpful, which would entail removing US soldiers from their lands and putting them in places that were more supportive of the military camping, reported The Wall Street Journal. He previously revealed that he was prepping for this step.

Fate worse than Maduro’s

The Trump administration threatened that more military action might put the overthrown Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s inner circle at risk of suffering a similar fate to coerce them into toeing the US line. Washington could execute another operation if the South American country’s interim rulers refused to cooperate.

“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” he stated while talking about Delcy Rodriguez to The Atlantic. This unfolded after he lauded her after Maduro and his wife were apprehended. “If they don’t behave, we will do a second strike,” he later told journalists.

According to Trump, Rodriguez should grant private businesses and the United States “total access” to Venezuela’s struggling oil infrastructure as well as its dilapidated roads and bridges. “I just say that she will face a situation probably worse than Maduro,” he cautioned and reminded that the captured president “gave up immediately.”

Notably, the accusation that Maduro was in command of the “Cartel de los Soles,” an organisation that various US government platforms asserted was involved in narco-terrorism were dropped by the Department of Justice. Moreover, it is not even an outfit but rather a colloquial expression to describe politicians tainted by drug money.

Military invasion in Nigeria

Last November, Trump declared that if Nigeria failed to take decisive action against the massacre of Christians, he had instructed the Defence Department to get ready for “fast, vicious and sweet” possible military action. Additionally, the US government would immediately cease all aid and support to the country, which is the largest oil producer and most populous region in Africa.

He remarked that the US troops “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.” This aggressive ultimatum was made just a day after Trump declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for its inability to uphold religious freedom.

Trump could have easily extended a helping hand to address the menace of jihad and protect the Christians, but the inclination towards invasion is difficult to shake off for his Western mind.

Conclusion

Trump does not value politeness and is recognised for his odd “sense of humour” and absurd statements. He never hesitates to threaten both his adversaries and allies if they are perceived as not conforming to his administration’s policies and objectives. He utilises “tough” diplomacy and military force as tools. He resorts to the latter when he presumes that it would not result in significant consequences and employs the former to “punish” nations with economies like India, as that is his only available recourse.

More importantly, he also tends to reverse his decisions upon strong opposition, as demonstrated by the tariffs on New Delhi or the extension of deadlines, and then the establishment of a ceasefire with Iran, which presently seems exceedingly vulnerable. However, the propensity to heighten disputes with further bloodshed and violence is consistently evident and reflected in his startling threats.

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