The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a public interest litigation seeking to declare Tirupati city as a separate state or Union Territory. The PIL filed by Christian evangelist Dr KA Paul also sought a CBI probe into the Tirupati Laddu controversy and a time limit for the ongoing SIT probe.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan dismissed the plea after hearing Paul, who appeared and argued in person.
After the lab reports stated that ghee adulterated with animal fat was being used to make Tirupati’s prasadam laddus, the Supreme Court on 4 October constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.
After that on 24 October, Dr KA Paul mentioned his petition before the bench of Justices Gavai, PK Mishra and Viswanathan. Paul filed the petition against Andhra Pradesh govt, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), CBI and others. The petition alleged violations of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, and consequently, Articles 14 and 21.
Paul cited the example of Vatican City to create a separate state only for Tirupati City. He argued, “If a country can be created for 764 people, like Vatican City for a bunch of few Catholics, why can’t we create one for 30 lakh people,” which is the population of Tirupati.
Paul added that he filed the petition to protect the image of Andhra Pradesh in the country and to safeguard fundamental human rights. He argued, “hey made so many territories…29 states…why not a territory for 30 lakh people?”
However, the bench rejected the plea, saying that it can’t direct a separate State to be created for a particular temple. Responding to the demand of Tirupati state, Justice Gavai said, “Then we will have to have a separate state for Jagannath Puri, for Kedarnath, for Badrinath, for Madurai temple, for Rameshwaram temple…in Maharashtra, there will have to be 4-5…then Amritsar gurudwara…”.
After the court rejected the plea for a separate Tirupati state, petitioner Dr KA Paul urged that the court should fixing a time limit of 90 days or 6 months for the SIT to complete the probe. But the court refused to issue any such directive, and dismissed the petition.
On Friday, 8th November, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya filed a police complaint at Mulund Police station in Maharashtra’s Mumbai against the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh (MMSS) alleging them of practising vote jihad ahead of the state assembly elections, voting for which is scheduled to happen on 20th November. “I filed a complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh and such other NGOs for Provoking Muslims & executing Religious Campaigns,” Somaiya said as he added that he has also sent a complaint to the Election Commission.
Apparently, this is after reports emerged exposing the MMSS of mobilizing Muslim votes against BJP under the guise of spreading ‘voting awareness’ in several Muslim-dominated regions in different parts of the state, especially Mumbai. It has come to the fore that around 180 NGOs are working on the ground among the Muslim community to raise ‘awareness’ and increase the community’s voter turnout against the BJP, the strategy that helped the MVA led by Congress during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
As per the reports, in predominantly Muslim areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla, and Malegaon Central, voter turnout during the Lok Sabha election was significantly higher than in nearby assembly segments. This increase has been attributed to heightened ‘awareness’ and concerns within the Muslim community, with targeted efforts over the past year.
Agreeing to have ‘influenced’ the Muslim voters during the Lok Sabha elections too, Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader said that it would continue to highlight concerns among Muslim voters regarding central government policies, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), that contributed to the high voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. “These issues remain relevant in the ongoing state elections,” he said.
What is Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh? How is it operating in influencing Muslim voters?
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh (MMSS) is collaborating with over 180 NGOs in the state and has been actively working within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment, urging them to vote for the MVA alliance led by the Congress under the guise of spreading ‘vote awareness’. The group has organized meetings and informational sessions for Muslim voters across the state, urging them to vote only for the candidates belonging to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance led by Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader commenting on the issue stated that they also influenced Muslim votes against BJP during Lok Sabha elections resulting in a voter turnout exceeding 60%, about 15% higher than previous averages. “We encourage Muslims to support secular candidates and vote in line with constitutional values. Our collaboration with other organizations and religious leaders has produced a stronger response. Over 200 meetings have been conducted statewide, contributing to the increase in turnout,” he said.
A leaflet that the MMSS has been distributing to Muslims under the guise of spreading ‘voter awareness’ ahead of the state assembly elections has been obtained by OpIndia. In the leaflet, the MMSS registered as an NGO (GBBSD/181/2022) has clearly provoked the Muslims against the BJP while garnering support for the MahaVikas Aghadi candidates. It has apparently posed several questions to the Muslim community that provoke them against the BJP. Some of these questions directed to the Muslim community voters are as follows:
Do you want to vote for someone who disrespects, or interferes with Shariah law?
Do you want to vote for someone who lynch innocent Muslims’?
Do you want to vote for someone who snatched Aligarh from Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who imposed NRC against Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who plans to eliminate Madarsas from across the country?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against the Waqf Board?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against hijab?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against the teachings of Mohammed Prophet?
Do you want to vote for someone who supports the lynching of Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who spreads hatred against Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who spared, ‘supported’ rapists of Bilkis Bano?
Do you want to vote for someone who jails innocent Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who stopped the scholarship of 17 lakh Muslim students?
Do you want to vote for someone who deliberately bulldozed Muslim properties?
Just think, what will be the difference between you and hypocrites if you don’t stand for your religion?
“Would you not utilize your power to vote for protecting the Constitution and unity in Maharashtra? These elections, please give your valuable votes only to Maha Vikas Aghadi,” the leaflet concluded.
MMSS agreed to have influenced Muslim votes during the Lok Sabha 2024 elections
In another similar leaflet, the organization tried to instigate the Muslims saying that the current political scenario in the state had become worse and that no law and order was being followed within. “Provocative speeches are being given against Muslims. Elderly Muslims are assaulted on train travels. Riots against Muslims are executed at places like Vishalgadh. Muslims there have been forced to roam homeless. A wall of hatred is being built between Hindus and Muslims,” the leaflet read.
Further, indirectly referring to the BJP, it added that some of the parties were intending to create political instability in the state. It said that two of the crucial political parties (Shiv Sena and NCP) were destroyed just for power. “Crucial projects from the state which would benefit it economically are being taken away. Farmers are continuing to commit suicide. Youngsters are roaming jobless and getting addicted to drugs. The state overall is seeing its economic low,” it added.
The MMSS further acknowledged that the MVA has hardly given opportunities to candidates belonging to the minority community. Despite this, it asked the Muslims to vote for the alliance just to keep the BJP away from power. The organization also meanwhile agreed that the Muslims mobilized the votes during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as it said that Muslims have to be active in the same way as they were during the Lok Sabha polls making MVA secure seats.
The results of the Lok Sabha Elections were wild here with the Muslims extending support to parties other than BJP. The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde secured 7 seats, and BJP won 9 seats, whereas parties like NCP (Sharad Pawar), Indian National Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT) who garnered Muslim and Communist support secured 8, 13, and 9 seats respectively. It was clearly evident by this that the Muslims in the state of Maharashtra chose to vote for any party standing against the BJP and its allies.
MMSS is not only instigating Muslims, but is also spreading fear, hatred against BJP by making false statements
It is important to note that the organization is not only instigating the Muslims against the BJP but is also attempting to spread fear in the minds of the voters by saying fake things like if BJP returns to power, it would eliminate Madarsas, lynch innocent Muslims, deliberately bulldoze Muslim properties and what not. The MMSS has been strategically working for a year to demonize the ruling political alliance under the guise of creating voter awareness among the Muslim community.
Shakir Shaikh, coordinator of the Maharashtra Democratic Forum, shared that the forum held at least 70 meetings statewide in the past two months, including 18 in Muslim-majority areas of Mumbai, Maharashtra. “Awareness and voter turnout among Muslims were traditionally quite low, but issues like the CAA, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Waqf Bill have motivated more people to vote. Our awareness initiatives and voter registration drives have played a role in boosting turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. In Mumbai alone, we’ve registered at least nine lakh new voters, and the response has been very positive,” he said.
It is crucial to note that while a report by Hindustan Times states that around 180 NGOs are working to mobilize Muslim votes on the ground, a report by Zee News states that the number of such NGOs who promote ‘vote jihad’ is around 400.
Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh also has a history of glorifying Tipu Sultan who was one of the most ruthless Islamic invaders in India. There have been several recorded instances of Tipu’s army forcefully converting, raping, and kidnapping Hindus on his orders. Many temples are recorded to have been demolished under his reign. Several historians and researchers like Khan Hussain Ali Kirmani have recorded that Tipu Sultan had animosity toward the local Hindus and tribals in the area.
screengrab of Instagram page of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh
MMSS working to support Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai
It is important to note that the MMSS has been working to extend its support to MVA, especially Shiv Sena (UBT). During the Lok Sabha polls also, MMSS had assured Muslim backing to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray had left his then party’s association the BJP and recast his understanding of Hindutva in a less dedicated light. Notably, the community’s support for the UBT party was confirmed during the Lok Sabha elections, when all MVA candidates received a landslide of votes, given minority backing.
After this, Sajid K Supariwala, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary had clearly mentioned that now Muslims would support the UBT-led party during the assembly elections as well. He said that there was no hesitation among the Muslim community and that they had plans to extend full support to the UBT-led party and the MVA during the assembly elections. “In the coming elections of assembly and civic bodies, the community will only increase its affinity with the party,” he was quoted as saying. He also had added that soon enrolment of more Muslims as party members and office bearers would begin.
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, an organization representing Maharashtrian Muslims, actively supported candidates from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena in recent campaigns. According to its president, Thakur, UBT Sena now offers a viable option for Muslims in Maharashtra, similar to how Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party does in Uttar Pradesh, Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD in Bihar, and Mamata Banerjee’s TMC in West Bengal.
Thakur, who had met with Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, had campaigned extensively in the Konkan region in support of UBT candidates. Minority votes notably bolstered the success of UBT candidate Arvind Sawant in the Mumbai South constituency, while candidates Sanjay Dina Patil and Anil Desai, who contested in Mumbai North East and Mumbai South Central, similarly benefited from strong support in Muslim areas.
During a pre-election meeting then for Sawant’s campaign, Urdu journalist Sarfraz Arzoo remarked that while Shiv Sena was once perceived as anti-Muslim, it was on the verge of considering offering tickets to Muslim candidates in assembly and BMC elections. However, that seems to not have happened as the MMSS in its targeted appeal to Muslims mentioned that though MVA had hardly given opportunities to candidates belonging to the minority community, Muslims shall choose to vote for the alliance just to keep the BJP away from power.
BJP takes cognizance, files complaint against MMSS
BJP’s Kirit Somaiya is believed to have taken cognizance of the event and filed a police complaint at Mulund Police Station in Mumbai today. He has alleged the MMSS of practicing vote jihad against the BJP and spreading hatred against the party amid the ongoing state assembly elections.
“This plan has been going on for the last 12 months. It’s a well-planned conspiracy. I visited several localities during the Lok Sabha polls and saw Muslim women being polarised. I even published a book ‘Vote Jihad’ to highlight these issues. They are hatching a poisonous conspiracy. They want to spread riots,” said Somaiya further raising questions over funding of such organizations.
He said that he has also sent a complaint to the Election Commissioner in this regard. “This is an attempt to provoke the religious sentiment of the people,” he added.
I filled complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh & such other NGO's for Provoking Muslims & indiltinto Religious Campaign.
It is important to note that a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on 5th November has also revealedthat the Muslims and illegal immigrants in Mumbai are changing the demography of the region and influencing politics by voting for specific political parties. The study, conducted by TISS pro-vice-chancellor Shankar Das and assistant professor Souvik Mondal, also claimed that illegal immigrants are influencing the city’s socio-economy by taking low-skilled employment, resulting in pay suppression and annoyance among locals.
“Some political entities are alleged to use illegal immigrants for vote-bank politics, which can disrupt the democratic process. Claims of voter registration manipulation, where undocumented immigrants allegedly obtain fake voter IDs, raise concerns about electoral fairness and the integrity of India’s democratic system,” the study alleged.
The authors of the study further happened to blame several NGOs and religious groups who ended up helping these immigrants which caused to change in the demography of the region and influenced the economy and politics. “Due to strict regulations, registered NGOs often avoid assisting illegal immigrants, leaving undocumented NGOs to fill the support gap without legal authority to challenge exploitation or advocate for migrant rights,” the study read.
OpIndia had after the Lok Sabha elections concluded in May-June 2024 reported that the Muslims had mobilized in the state of Maharashtra to specifically defeat the BJP. Islamists had issued fatwas, raised Islamic flags in MVA rallies, and urged voters to vote for Shiv Sena (UBT), INC and NCP (Sharad Pawar). This time also several NGOs under the roof of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh are urging Muslim voters to vote against BJP, practicing ‘vote jihad’, the conspiracy downplayed by leftist Islamists and its supporters.
The 288 legislative assembly seats will go to the polls in a single phase on November 20 while the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Kerala Chief Minister and seasoned Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Pinarayi Vijayan raised the involvement of Jamaat-e-Islami’s participation in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election on 7th November. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the general secretary of the Congress, was accused by him of contesting the Wayanad by-election with support from Jamaat-e-Islami after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha vacated the seat, opting to retain Raebareli as he won from both the seats in the general elections.
“Priyanka Gandhi is running as a candidate there with the backing of Jamaat-e-Islami. So, what exactly is Congress’s stance? Our country is not unfamiliar with Jamaat-e-Islami. Does that organisation’s ideology align with democratic values,” he asked in a Facebook post. He also questioned the commitment of the Congress party to secularism, given their alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami in Wayanad. “Shouldn’t those who stand for secularism oppose all forms of sectarianism? The Congress and allies, including the Muslim League, seem to be making certain ‘sacrifices’ to maintain their alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. Can the Congress reject Jamaat-e-Islami’s votes,” he asked.
He added that the organisation has no respect for India or its democracy and disregards the country’s governance structure. He charged that Jamaat-e-Islami was functioning under the pretence of political activity through the Welfare Party and this facade was evident in Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister said that Jamaat-e-Islami had fostered strong sectarian views by long-opposing elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “Later, they aligned themselves with the Bharatiya Janata Party (in Kashmir),” he claimed and added that Jamaat-e-Islami intended to run for three or four seats in the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, with a particular emphasis on the seat held by CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami. “The goal was to defeat Tarigami, and the BJP shared this objective. However, despite this alliance of extremists and the BJP, the people chose Tarigami,” he alleged.
According to him, the Wayanad Jamaat-e-Islami argues that they are not the same as the Kashmiri Jamaat-e-Islami. “However, the ideology remains the same–one that does not accept any form of democratic governance. This time, they feel like supporting the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF),” he highlighted.
He called on Congress leaders to remember the opposition to communal coalitions taken by the late Marxist leader EMS Namboodiripad. He mentioned in a by-election in Thalassery, EMS declared, “We do not want RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) votes.” He asked if Congress could take a similar stand against communal affiliations. He made similar allegations while addressing a by-election meeting in support of the Left candidate in Wayanad, CPI’s (Communist Party of India) Sathyan Mokeri. Navya Haridas, a member of the Kozhikode Corporation Council, is the BJP’s contender for the seat. The by-election is going to take place on 13th November.
The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice on a plea filed by convicted Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, seeking permission for his urgent medical treatment. Malik currently imprisoned at Tihar Jail in Delhi, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, stating that he has been on a hunger strike since November 1.
The imprisoned Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is protesting what he claims is the denial of his fundamental rights, including proper medical treatment and attention to his health issues, by the Tihar Jail authorities.
In his plea before the Delhi High Court, Yasin Malik has sought direction from the Tihar Jail Authority to produce records of his medical treatment. He has sought appropriate directions from the court to ensure that he is referred for proper and necessary medical care at AIIMS or any other super-speciality hospital, either in New Delhi or in the Kashmir region, to address his ongoing health concerns.
Additionally, Malik has asked the court to direct the authorities to produce him before the courts in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi whenever his presence is required.
The bench of Anoop Kumar Mendiratta is scheduled to hear this matter today itself.
Earlier this year, Yasin Malik had also approached the Delhi High Court, claiming inadequate medical treatment and citing serious cardiac and kidney issues.
In response, the court was informed that Malik had been examined by doctors at AIIMS, where he was provided the necessary medical care. The counsel for the central government and the Director General of Prisons (Tihar Jail) assured the court that Malik would receive any further required medical treatment as needed.
Recently, the Tribunal handling matters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has upheld the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decision to extend the ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) for another five years.
The MHA had initially extended the ban on March 15, 2024, citing the group’s continued involvement in unlawful activities.
The UAPA Tribunal, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna of the Delhi High Court, reaffirmed the decision, emphasizing that associations promoting secessionism would not be tolerated. Despite Yasin Malik, the imprisoned leader of the JKLF, asserting that he had renounced armed resistance in favour of a Gandhian approach to achieve their goals since 1994, the Tribunal noted his ongoing links to violent means and groups.
The Tribunal remarked that Malik’s continued association with wanted terrorists and his admission of having visited a terrorist camp in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), where he was reportedly honoured, could not be overlooked.
The Delhi High Court is currently examining an appeal by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking the imposition of the death penalty for Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik in connection with a terror funding case.
Representing the NIA, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Malik was responsible for the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed. Mehta also highlighted that four terrorists released following the kidnapping were later involved in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Friday (8th November), the Supreme Court ruled that an educational institute’s minority status does not end simply because the parliament passes a law to regulate or govern it or because it is governed by non-minority members. The court said this while hearing the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) minority status-related case. A 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court (by a 4:3 majority) reversed the 1967 ruling in S. Azeez Basha vs. Union of India, which declared that an institution incorporated by legislation cannot claim to be a minority institution. The Supreme Court, however, stated that a separate three-judge bench will decide whether Aligarh Muslim University is a minority institution.
“The view in Azeez Basha that minority character stops when statute comes into force is overruled. Whether AMU is a minority or not will be decided as per this (today’s) judgment,” the Court said.
The Court stated that when determining whether an institution is a minority institution, who established the institution needs to be taken into consideration.
“The court has to consider the genesis of the institute and the court must see who was the brain behind the establishment of the institution. It has to be seen who got funds for the land and if minority community helped,” the Court said adding that administration by non-minority members will not eliminate an institution’s minority character.
“We have held that to be a minority institution, it only had to be established by the minority and not necessarily be administered by the minority members. Minority institutions may wish to emphasise secular education and for that minority members are not needed in administration,” the court held.
Notably, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivered the judgement on behalf of the majority which included himself, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra), while Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and SC Sharma dissented.
The Court ruled that the government may regulate minority educational institutions till it does not violate their minority status. “An educational institution established by any citizen can be regulated under Article 19(6). This court has maintained that the right under Article 30 is not absolute. Regulation of minority educational institution is permitted under Article 19(6) provided it does not infringe the minority character of the institute,” the Court said.
The Court also ruled that Article 30 of the Constitution, which grants minorities the basic right to create and run educational institutions, applies to institutions founded by minorities before the Constitution went into effect.
“Article 30 shall stand diluted if it applies to only institutes those which have been established after the Constitution came into force. Thus, educational institutions established by minorities which were established before the constitution came into force, will also be governed by Article 30,” the court said, as reported by Bar and Bench.
In his dissenting judgement, Justice Surya Kant stated that a minority can establish an institute under Article 30, but it must be recognised by law as well as by the University Grants Commission, a statutory authority within the Education Ministry.
“The legislative intent behind a statute incorporating a university or institution would be necessary to decide its minority status,” Justice Suryakant said. In his verdict, Justice Dipankar Datta stated that AMU was not a minority institution.
Justice Datta: I have clearly held that AMU is not a Minority institution and cannot come under Article 30@AMUofficialPRO#SupremeCourt
Back in 2005, the AMU further introduced a policy that reserved 50% of postgraduate medical seats for Muslim candidates. This was challenged in the Allahabad High Court, which, the same year, reversed the reservation and declared the 1981 Act invalid. The court determined that the AMU could not maintain an exclusive reservation because, according to the Supreme Court’s decision in the S. Azeez Basha case, it was not classified as a minority institution. In 2006, a series of eight petitions, including one from the Union government, challenged the High Court’s verdict in the Supreme Court.
In 2016, the NDA government told the Supreme Court that it was dropping its case, stating that “as the executive government at the Centre, we can’t be seen as setting up a minority institution in a secular state.” On February 12, 2019, a three-judge bench led by the then-CJI Ranjan Gogoi referred the case to a seven-judge bench. And, today (8th November 2024), the Supreme Court delivered its verdict while also ruling that a separate three-judge bench, which will decide whether AMU can be deemed a minority university.
On 6th November, the Switzerland government announced that a”burqa ban” in the country, which forbids the wearing of face coverings in public places, would go into force on 1st January of next year. According to the Federal Council, the prohibition will go into effect from the fixed date and those who break it risk fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs, or about $1,144 (₹96,525). A Swiss referendum in 2021 narrowly approved the policy, which was criticized by Muslim organizations.
51.2% of Swiss voters had voted in favour of the ban. It was put in place by the same group that prevented the construction of new minarets in the country in 2009.
The provision will be implemented through the Federal Act on the Prohibition of Covering the Face. Violators of the act will be penalised through an administrative fine to minimise bureaucracy. The administrative fine would be CHF100 and it can be paid on site. However, if the fine is contested, it will go through normal procedure and the maximum fine in that case will be CHF1,000.
The Swiss government has made it clear that the ban on face covering will not be enforced on aircraft or in diplomatic and consular buildings. Furthermore, it will still be permissible to conceal one’s face in houses of worship and other places of worship. According to the administration, face coverings will be allowed for traditional reasons, health and safety, or weather-related reasons.
Additionally, they will be permitted for advertising, creative, or entertainment purposes. If the appropriate authority gives prior clearance and public order is maintained, face coverings may also be allowed for personal protection in relation to freedom of expression and assembly.
Background of the matter
A prohibition on facial coverings, including the burqas worn by Muslim women, was passed by Switzerland’s lower house of parliament in September of last year. With a vote of 151-29, the National Council finally adopted the law, which had previously been approved by the upper house. Despite opposition from the Greens and centrists, the measure was pushed through by the Swiss People’s Party. This decision comes after a nationwide referendum in 2021 in which Swiss voters supported a ban on bandannas and ski masks, which are frequently used by protestors, as well as facial coverings like burqas and niqabs, which only leave eye slits.
Although the law prohibits covering one’s mouth, nose, or eyes in public areas and privately accessible buildings, there are some exceptions. Similar prohibitions are already in place in two Swiss cantons, St. Gallen in the north and Ticino in the south. Switzerland is now in line with nations like Belgium and France that have implemented such limitations due to their respective national law.
A constitutional amendment initiative in Switzerland requires 100,000 signatures, but a referendum on parliamentary laws can be triggered with 50,000 signatures. A national vote results from the initiation of a referendum. The purchase of new fighter jets and the “burqa ban” on face coverings have been recent referendum matters.
The assembly elections in Maharashtra are just 10-12 days away. The intensity of the campaigns, vote waves, and ideologies is increasing as the date of voting, 20th November, draws closer. Amid this, it has come to the fore that around 180 ‘NGOs’ are working on the ground to mobilize Muslim votes in the state. The said ‘NGOs’ are working specifically among the Muslim community to raise ‘awareness’ and increase the community’s voter turnout against the BJP, the strategy that helped the MVA led by Congress during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
As per the reports, in predominantly Muslim areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla, and Malegaon Central, voter turnout during the Lok Sabha election was significantly higher than in nearby assembly segments. This increase has been attributed to heightened ‘awareness’ and concerns within the Muslim community, with targeted efforts over the past year.
Muslim-dominated areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla and Malegaon Central reported a higher turnout (Hindustan Times)
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, collaborating with over 180 NGOs, has been actively working within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment. The group has organized meetings and informational sessions for Muslim voters across the state, urging them to vote for the MVA alliance led by the Congress under the guise of spreading ‘vote awareness’.
“These efforts resulted in a voter turnout exceeding 60% in the Lok Sabha election about 15% higher than previous averages. We encourage Muslims to support secular candidates and vote in line with constitutional values. Our collaboration with other organizations and religious leaders has produced a stronger response. Over 200 meetings have been conducted statewide, contributing to the increase in turnout,” stated Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader.
Thakur also highlighted that concerns among Muslim voters regarding central government policies, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), contributed to the high voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. He added that these issues remain relevant in the ongoing state elections.
Shakir Shaikh, coordinator of the Maharashtra Democratic Forum, shared that the forum held at least 70 meetings statewide in the past two months, including 18 in Muslim-majority areas of Mumbai, Maharashtra. “Awareness and voter turnout among Muslims were traditionally quite low, but issues like the CAA, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Waqf Bill have motivated more people to vote. Our awareness initiatives and voter registration drives have played a role in boosting turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. In Mumbai alone, we’ve registered at least nine lakh new voters, and the response has been very positive,” he said.
It is crucial to note that while a report by Hindustan Times states that around 180 NGOs are working to mobilize Muslim votes on the ground, a report by Zee News states that the number of such NGOs who promote ‘vote jihad’ is around 400. The media stated that it received a leaflet from the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangha who were spreading hatred against the BJP under the guise of spreading awareness about voting.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya alleged that ‘vote jihad’ was also practised during Lok Sabha elections. “This plan has been going on for the last 12 months. It’s a well-planned conspiracy. I visited several localities during the Lok Sabha polls and saw Muslim women being polarised. I even published a book ‘Vote Jihad’ to highlight these issues. They are hatching a poisonous conspiracy. They want to spread riots,” said Somaiya further raising questions over funding of such organizations.
He said that he had sent a complaint to the Election Commissioner in this regard. “This is an attempt to provoke the religious sentiment of the people,” he added. Notably, Somaiya has also filed a police complaint against the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh for planning and executing such conspiracy against the BJP, further causing harm to the democratic fabric of the state.
I filled complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh & such other NGO's for Provoking Muslims & indiltinto Religious Campaign.
Notably, the leaflet poses several questions to Muslim voters, asking whether they would support a party that aims to close madrasas, interfere with Sharia law, or impose a Uniform Civil Code on Muslims, among other issues. It also encourages Muslims to vote for the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a coalition of Congress, NCP-Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena-UBT.
It is important to note that a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on 5th November has also revealed that the Muslims and illegal immigrants in Mumbai are changing the demography of the region and influencing politics by voting for specific political parties. The study, conducted by TISS pro-vice-chancellor Shankar Das and assistant professor Souvik Mondal, also claimed that illegal immigrants are influencing the city’s socio-economy by taking low-skilled employment, resulting in pay suppression and annoyance among locals.
“Some political entities are alleged to use illegal immigrants for vote-bank politics, which can disrupt the democratic process. Claims of voter registration manipulation, where undocumented immigrants allegedly obtain fake voter IDs, raise concerns about electoral fairness and the integrity of India’s democratic system,” the study alleged.
The authors of the study further happened to blame several NGOs and religious groups who ended up helping these immigrants which caused to change in the demography of the region and influenced the economy and politics. “Due to strict regulations, registered NGOs often avoid assisting illegal immigrants, leaving undocumented NGOs to fill the support gap without legal authority to challenge exploitation or advocate for migrant rights,” the study read.
OpIndia had after the Lok Sabha elections concluded in May-June 2024 reported that the Muslims had mobilized in the state of Maharashtra to specifically defeat the BJP. Islamists had issued fatwas, raised Islamic flags in MVA rallies, and urged voters to vote for Shiv Sena (UBT), INC and NCP (Sharad Pawar). This time also several NGOs under the roof of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh are urging Muslim voters to vote against BJP, practicing ‘vote jihad’, the conspiracy downplayed by leftist Islamists and its supporters.
The 288 legislative assembly seats will go to the polls in a single phase on November 20 while the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Last week, on November 5th, a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) revealed that the number of illegal immigrants, especially Muslims from Bangladesh and Myanmar, has been on the rise in Mumbai and that certain political parties have been using them as a voting bloc. The study, conducted by TISS pro-vice-chancellor Shankar Das and assistant professor Souvik Mondal, also said that illegal immigrants are influencing the city’s socio-economy by taking low-skilled employment, resulting in pay suppression and annoyance among locals.
The findings of the study titled ‘Illegal Immigrants to Mumbai: Analysing Socio-economic and Political Consequences’ were presented at a private seminar in Mumbai’s TISS institute on 5th November. The chief guest and the keynote speaker of the event was Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, VC, JNU, New Delhi.
“Some political entities are alleged to use illegal immigrants for vote-bank politics, which can disrupt the democratic process. Claims of voter registration manipulation, where undocumented immigrants allegedly obtain fake voter IDs, raise concerns about electoral fairness and the integrity of India’s democratic system,” the study found.
“Some politicians may support granting IDs or ration cards to migrants for votes but politics-driven migration increases polarization and can impact electoral outcomes, diverting focus from essential development,” it added. The study additionally claimed that a significant influx of Muslim immigrants had shifted religious demographics, contributing to feelings of insecurity and communal tensions, particularly within Mumbai’s Hindu communities. It also suggested a link between illegal immigration and increased crime rates in the city.
The authors of the study further happened to blame several NGOs and religious groups who end up helping these immigrants who cause to change the demography of the region and influence the economy and politics. “Due to strict regulations, registered NGOs often avoid assisting illegal immigrants, leaving undocumented NGOs to fill the support gap without legal authority to challenge exploitation or advocate for migrant rights,” the study read.
As per the reports, the authors of the study examined around 3000 immigrants but the report was presented early on the basis of 300 samples ahead of the state elections scheduled on 20th November. The immigrants considered for this study currently reside in Dharavi, Govandi, Mankhurd, Mahim West, and Ambedkar Nagar.
Muslim community mobilized 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra
It is crucial to note that OpIndia had after the Lok Sabha elections concluded in May-June 2024 reported that the Muslims had mobilized in the state of Maharashtra to specifically defeat BJP. The results of the Lok Sabha Elections were wild here with the Muslims extending support to parties other than BJP. The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde secured 7 seats, and BJP won 9 seats, whereas parties like NCP (Sharad Pawar), Indian National Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT) who garnered Muslim and Communist support secured 8, 13, and 9 seats respectively. It was clearly evident by this that the Muslims in the state of Maharashtra chose to vote for any party standing against the BJP and its allies.
Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar, a loyalist of chief minister Eknath Shinde then had issued a statement saying that it was because of ‘fatwas’ issued by Muslims against BJP that Shiv Sena (UBT) and INC, NCP (Sharad Pawar) could secure majority of the seats in Mumbai and several other parts of the state.
Notably, Islamists in the Pune region had issued fatwas against the BJP and had asked the Muslim voters to vote only for the candidates representing Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) from the Pune, Shirur, Baramati and Mawal constituencies respectively. The declaration by the Islamist leaders was made at the ‘Taqreer By Hazrat Maulana Sajjad Nomani’ event organized by Kul Jamati Tanzeem Pune in the Kondwa region on 2nd May.
Jamiyat-Ulema-E-Hind (Pune) has issued a fatwa to vote for Congress+Pawar+UT Indi alliance candidates in Maharashtra.
During his speech, Nomani stated that every Muslim who is a voter today should exercise his right in favor of the community. He also instilled fear in the minds of the Muslims saying that if Modi came to power, all the Mazars and Madarsas would be razed to the ground. Islamic flags were also raised in the rally hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai.
UBT च्या मिरवणुकित पाकिस्तान चा झेंडा !
आता काय PFI , SIMI, AL QAEDA चे लोक मातोश्रीत बिर्याणी घेऊन जातील…
Over 180 NGOs work to enrol Muslim voters, increase awareness
Amid the ongoing campaign for the upcoming elections scheduled on 20th November in the state, around 180 NGOs are working on the ground among the Muslim community to raise ‘awareness’ and increase the community’s voter turnout, the strategy that helped MVA during the Lok Sabha elections.
As per the reports, in predominantly Muslim areas like Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla, and Malegaon Central, voter turnout was notably higher than in neighbouring assembly segments during the Lok Sabha election. Organizations have attributed this increase to a combination of Muslim voter concerns and awareness efforts directed at the community over the past year.
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh has collaborated with over 180 NGOs and these organizations work within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment and awareness. The group has been organizing meetings and informational sessions with Muslim voters across the state. “This led to a voter turnout exceeding 60% in the Lok Sabha election, about 15% higher than the previous average. We urge Muslims to support secular candidates and vote in alignment with the Constitution. Our partnership with other organizations and religious leaders has brought a stronger response. Over 200 meetings have been held statewide, contributing to the increase in voter turnout,” said Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader.
Thakur also noted that Muslim voters’ concerns over central government policies, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens, played a role in the high voting percentage, adding that these issues continue to resonate in the state elections.
Shakir Shaikh, coordinator of the Maharashtra Democratic Forum, shared that the forum conducted at least 70 meetings across the state, including 18 in Muslim-majority areas of Mumbai over the past two months. “Awareness and voter turnout among Muslims used to be quite low until recently. However, issues like the CAA, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Waqf Bill have motivated people to participate in voting. The awareness-building efforts and registration drive contributed to the high turnout in the Lok Sabha elections. In Mumbai alone, we have registered at least nine lakh new voters, and the response has been very encouraging,” he noted.
It is important to note that Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh has a history of glorifying Tipu Sultan who was one of the most ruthless Islamic invaders in India. There have been several recorded instances of Tipu’s army forcefully converting, raping, and kidnapping Hindus on his orders. Many temples are recorded to have been demolished under his reign. Several historians and researchers like Khan Hussain Ali Kirmani have recorded that Tipu Sultan had animosity toward the local Hindus and tribals in the area.
screengrab of Instagram page of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is boosting the intensity of its campaign, claiming that they are the only ones raising Muslim issues. The AIMIM wielded influence among Muslim youth in the 2014 and 2019 Assembly elections, as well as the Lok Sabha elections. After 2019, Muslims realized that they would have to vote tactically to ‘remove’ the BJP from power. This strengthened the MVA in Maharashtra. However, the community this time is believed to have expressed dissatisfaction with the candidates’ lack of representation.
Conclusion
Muslims in Mumbai are allegedly working for MVA, especially the Shiv Sena UBT with a zeal that has not been seen since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept them aside. At the time, a panicked Congress, aware of the Muslims’ dissatisfaction with it, invoked the specter of Gujarat 2002 to scare them into not dividing their votes. The plan worked; however, Muslim youth, delighted by a party that recognized them not as a vote bank but as equal citizens, pushed themselves into the campaigns for the 48 AAP candidates in Maharashtra.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) coalition received Maharashtra’s Muslim vote by default, even though it was not in the minds of Muslims. By then, lynchings and the ruling party’s facilitation of lynch mobs had become common. There was no choice but to vote for the party that stood up against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), even if its presence on the ground appeared to be non-existent, such as the Congress in Maharashtra. The party won one seat in the state it ruled for the past 15 years.
During the recent 2024 LS elections, the I.N.D.I.A. alliance became the obvious alternative not only for Muslims but for all those who opposed the BJP. As if the Muslims and the anti-BJP individuals had some particular theme to follow, ‘Candidate toh majboori hai, I.N.A.I Alliance zaruri hai.’ Then several ‘theories’ appeared in the market highlighting ‘vote jihad’ which was obviously downplayed by the leftist Islamist supporters as usual. However, this time the Muslims agreed to the fact that they mobilized the LS elections 2024 and that they have the power to change the political scenario in the upcoming elections too.
Notably, at least 9 lack Muslim voters have been newly registered in alone Mumbai by the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, posing a major challenge to the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP. Muslim voters overwhelmingly supported and they would evidently continue to support parties like INC, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT), given the former’s opposition to CAA and NRC. However, several non-Muslims too who believe in ‘secularism’ at such times ignore such dreadful community waves and end up supporting parties who wear the masks of ‘secularism’, but allegedly exist because of and for specific communities.
In the coming years, people, particularly non-Muslims, who tend to support the NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), and INC who have been obtaining positions based on Muslim votes would understand what a mistake they have been making in an endeavor to simply wrestle against the BJP.
The 288 legislative assembly seats will go to the polls in a single phase on November 20 while the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
A goof-up has led to a CID investigation in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh. Who ate Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s samosas and cake? A five-star hotel order intended for him was seemingly served to the wrong persons, that is, his security staff. Now, the silly fumble has blown into a major controversy and led to a CID probe into the matter. Furthermore, the agency has been very active in addressing the brouhaha which transpired on 21st October.
Five police officers have received show-cause notifications including a female inspector. The CID investigation referred to the irresponsible consumption of the three boxes containing the cake and samosas as “anti-government” conduct, as per reports.
“The police personnel served the show cause notices are in the process of recording their final statements before a DSP-rank probe officer, who has recommended strict disciplinary action against the five,” based on the sources. On 25th October, Vikram Chauhan, the concerned Detective Superintendent of Police (DSP), delivered the investigative report to the Inspector General of Police (CID).
“CM Sukhu had gone to the CID Headquarters to inaugurate a Cyber Wing station when an Inspector General (IG)-rank officer, who was not aware that the CM did not have samosas, instructed a sub-inspector to fetch three boxes of samosas and cakes from Hotel Radisson Blue for him. After the eatables were brought to the CID headquarters, these were served to the CM’s security staff,” a source mentioned while giving background on the matter.
A large number of officials were present at the CID Headquarters at the time. While Sukhu was joined by local MLA Harish Janartha and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, the police brass comprised the DGP, CID, S R Ojha, IG Santosh Patial, DIG (Crime) D K Chaudhary, and DIG (Cyber Crime) Mohit Chawla.
DSP Vikram Chauhan stated in his investigation report that the sub-inspector who was instructed by the IG to obtain some food “in turn directed an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable to bring the refreshments. The ASI and the head constable fetched the refreshments from the hotel in three sealed boxes and informed the SI.” The probe officer was informed by at least two of the five police personnel who received show-cause notices that they were informed that the snacks in the three boxes were not on the CM’s menu when they questioned the on-duty Tourism Department employees, who normally supply refreshments at CM events.
The two informed the sub-inspector of this, per sources. The sub-inspector was the only one who knew the three boxes were for Sukhu, according to the probe. Without consulting a senior officer, the female inspector who received the food items reportedly gave them to the Mechanical Transport unit, which was tasked with setting up the refreshments. In his deposition before DSP Chauhan, one of the police officers claimed that he was instructed to deliver the food to ten or twelve individuals seated in the IG’s office. The three refreshment cartons passed from multiple people.
A senior official in the CID department stated that the items could not be provided to the VVIPs since all of the individuals included in the inquiry report had acted in an anti-CID and anti-government manner. The note further charged that they acted in accordance with their own agenda. Questions concerning possible motivations have now been highlighted by the CID’s internal report, suggesting that a further inquiry into the conduct of the involved officers may be in progress.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Himachal government of caring more about the chief minister’s snacks than the issues facing the people. On 7th November, the party’s chief spokesperson Randhir Sharma charged, “The state government is not concerned about the development of the state and its only concern seems to be the chief minister’s samosa.” He stated that there is now controversy surrounding the recent occurrence involving the samosas brought for Sukhu.
According to the MLA, the error was referred to as an “anti-government” act throughout the investigation, which is a strong word. “This incident has become a topic of discussion in the political circles of Himachal Pradesh. In fact, the government machinery is embarrassed due to such coordination problems in a programme related to a VVIP like the chief minister,” he added.
In a second instance this year, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ‘visited’ the Chinese embassy on Wednesday (6th November) to condemn the fire incident in Karachi wherein two Chinese nationals were injured. This comes after Chinese nationals were shot and injured on Tuesday (5th November) in Karachi’s SITE Industrial Area. Chinese nationals Wang Xing Zhong, Zheng Luwen, Zhou Baolin, and Wei Sixian were at the Liberty Mill in Karachi to install new machinery.
Reports say that the Chinese nationals arrived daily in a bulletproof vehicle, with protection provided by a private agency and Sindh Police’s Special Protection Unit (SPU).
“I have come here to condemn the attack on Chinese nationals and to inquire about the health of the injured. I am personally overseeing the process of apprehending those involved in this incident and ensuring they are given due punishment,” Shehbaz Sharif told Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
While the Pakistani PM claimed that China is Pakistan’s long-standing friend, it appears that India’s hostile neighbour is nothing but a puppet of China, a de-facto colony, the leader of which summoned from time to time only to be rebuked by China over failure to protect Chinese nationals on Pakistani soil.
Although the Pakistani PMO presented PM Sharif’s meeting with the Chinese ambassador as a ‘visit’ to offer condolences and assure action, the fact that Prime Ministers usually do not visit the embassies of other nations and ambassadors are summoned by PMO suggests China summoned the Pakistani PM.
Rampant attacks on Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects have China worried
In March this year, five Chinese nationals working on a dam project were killed in a suicide bombing in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. It was reported that a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of these Chinese engineers when it was heading to the CPEC-linked dam project site in Bakht Zahir.
Within hours, Prime Minister Sharif arrived at the Chinese embassy to ease tensions and offer his condolences.
Notably, attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan have become rampant in the recent past with reports suggesting that Baloch rebels are behind them.
In 2022, an explosion ripped through a van at the University of Karachi, killing three Chinese instructors and their Pakistani driver. In 2021, a bus explosion in northern Pakistan killed 13 persons, of these 9 were Chinese nationals.
In October 2024, Baloch militants ambushed a car near the airport, apparently killing several Chinese nationals. It was reported that two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the suicide explosion.
China demands ‘better’ security, miffed over Pakistan’s failure to prevent attacks
Last month, Pakistan stated in a joint statement with China that it had committed to boost security for Chinese nationals and projects in the South Asian country, as Beijing demanded immediate security steps in response to an upsurge in attacks by Baloch rebels. China also sought a thorough probe of attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
“[The team] demanded that the Pakistani side properly handle the aftermath, spare no effort in treating the injured, thoroughly investigate the truth of the incident, apprehend and punish the perpetrators, and adopt stricter security measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan,” according to China’s foreign ministry.
China’s displeasure over Pakistan’s failure to protect Chinese nationals on its soil despite repeated pledges and commitments to prioritise the security of Chinese nationals can be understood from the fact that on 31st October 2024, raised concerns about Pakistan’s failure to protect Chinese nationals an in a rebuking tone that it was “unacceptable” for China that its citizens are time and again attacked and killed in Pakistan.
Chinese military inside Pakistan soon?
Fed up with Pakistan’s failure to protect Chinese nationals, China wants its own armoured vehicles and its own security troops to protect its citizens working in Pakistan. In September this year, it was reported that China and Pakistan were near reaching an agreement to establish joint security companies to safeguard Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. The proposed agreement would involve Chinese security troops working inside Pakistan, which Pakistan had earlier opposed despite China’s pressure. The arrangement might also result in Chinese nationals being transported around in armoured vehicles. The proposal involves incorporating advanced security measures like vehicle-mounted mobile security equipment and ballistic-protected armoured vehicles.
