The deepening crisis in West Asia as Israel engages in war on multiple fronts has sent alarm bells ringing for the Indian intel agencies which said the conflict has resulted in a rising trend of online radicalisation among credulous youth, a report published by New Indian Express said while quoting sources.
The intel agencies have cautioned the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through its report to the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), highlighting that there is a dramatic increase in the consumption of what could be described as hate literature that portrays Israeli retaliation against attacks on its sovereignty as “genocide” against Muslims.
The report citing Indian intelligence agencies states such “hate literature” and provocative online content designed to whip up resentment among Indian youths are being spread by notorious elements across the United States and Europe through newly created websites, which should be monitored and promptly blocked.
It also said the escalating conflict in the Middle East is also impacting the Shia communities in India, especially with Israel’s war with Hezbollah, a terror group supported by a Shia-majority Iran. On the other hand, in Gaza, Israel is fighting the terrorists belonging to the Hamas, a predominantly Sunni terror group. Abnormal online traffic promoting attacks and abuse against Israel, and America have been observed in areas like Lucknow, Leh, Ladakh, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
While radicalisation among Indian Shias had been negligent up until now, the recent conflict has changed that, the report said. “Anti-America” and ‘Anti-Israel” sentiments have risen among youth, posing the challenges of growing multi-dimensional radicalisation faced by the Indian security apparatus.
The intel reports asserted that such development has never been witnessed in India before, highlighting the unprecedented practice of collection of funds in Shia-dominated pockets in India to fund the ongoing war against Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. Some NGOs, the intel report said, are offering services to provide financial assistance to those fighting in Lebanon and Gaza.
The report comes a year after the horrifying October 7 attacks led by Hamas terrorists that plunged into a crisis that it is yet to recover from. After the October 7 attacks, Israel launched retaliatory attacks to rescue abducted civilians and decimate the Hamas leadership responsible for engineering the raids that claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis.
As Israel pounded Gaza with bombs and conducted ground operations to achieve its military objectives, Hezbollah started firing missiles to its north in solidarity with Hamas. Israel hit back by assassinating Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Hezbollah, last month, giving a new dimension to the conflict that seems to have no end in sight. Following Nasrallah’s killing, Iran launched hundreds of projectiles against Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which were neutralised by the famed Iron Dome missile shields, designed to intercept short-range rockets, as well as shells and mortars.
On Monday (7 October 2024), a mob of Islamic fundamentalists created a ruckus in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, calling a 14-year-old Hindu student ‘gustaakh’. The mob raised provocative slogans accusing the minor of making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. An FIR was registered against the minor, but his photos and videos were still made viral on social media. This mob was apparently led by Congress leader Abdul Moeed. However, the police took timely action and prevented any major incident from happening.
This incident is from Nanpara police station area of Bahraich. Rahmat Ali lodged a complaint with the police against the 14-year-old Hindu student, alleging that the student made indecent remarks against Prophet Mohammad on Instagram. In this case, the police have registered a case under sections 298, 299, 302, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). OpIndia has the FIR copy.
इस आपत्तिजनक पोस्ट का तत्काल संज्ञान लेते हुए इसमें सुसंगत धाराओं में अभियोग पंजीकृत कर लिया गया है तथा जल्द ही आरोपी को पुलिस हिरासत में ले लिया जाएगा। बहराइच पुलिस जनपद में शान्ति एवं सौहार्द बनाए रखने के प्रति कटिबद्ध है।
When the FIR was being registered, a crowd of Islamist fundamentalists had gathered in the Sarafa market of Nanpara. It included people from small children to the elderly, who were raising provocative slogans. The administration tried to explain, but the crowd did not listen to them. The police finally dispersed the crowd by using force. OpIndia has several videos related to the Islamist protest, in which the crowd of fundamentalists can be seen raising frenzied slogans.
Photos and videos of the minor accused were made viral
After this incident, the identity, photo, and video of the minor were made public, while the matter was about an argument between two minors. The family of the Hindu student says that the Muslim student also used abusive language, but he deleted his comments. After this, the mob made a video of the comments of the Hindu student and spread it on social media.
X platform user Vijay Patel has complained about this to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman Priyank Kanoongo. Vijay has demanded action against those who targeted the minor. Vijay has also shared some screenshots in support of the allegations.
OpIndia spoke to the uncle of the Hindu student after this incident. We were told that the matter is about 10 days old when two Muslim women performed puja wearing burqa in Kalikunda Mata temple of Bahraich. Many people were discussing this matter on social media. Before the incident, an argument had started between the two students on this matter. The family of the Hindu student says that the Muslim student also abused but he wisely deleted his comments.
The uncle of the accused Hindu student further told us that his nephew was also sent a video of Salman Azhari, who is in jail and makes inflammatory statements, by the Muslim student. Along with this, the Muslim student comment was deleted after abusing Lord Ram. Later, a video of the Hindu student’s comment was made and posted as a status and other Muslims were also asked to do the same. Within a short time, this video went viral in the area.
The Hindu family thought that the matter was over but it turned out to be their misunderstanding. Initially, around 11 in the morning, some people from the Muslim community came to the Hindu student’s house. They made the student apologize and also made a video of it. Despite this, the Muslim mob united at night and created a ruckus. In this ruckus, the jewelry shop of the Hindu family was surrounded by the mob.
According to the victim, the mob was shouting slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’. He also said that if the police had not been active, the entire Sarafa Bazar would have been burnt down. The family of the Hindu student is also upset that the administration, which immediately filed an FIR against them, has not yet registered a case against the Muslim side on the basis of the complaint given by them. They have expressed hope that the administration will take legal action by filing a case not only on their complaint but also against the violent mob.
Mohsin, Naved Sarrafa and Congress leader gathered the crowd
The family of the minor Hindu student further told OpIndia that Mohsin, who runs a salon in their locality, and jeweler Naved were the main players in gathering the violent mob. The mob was led by Congress party leader and former chairman Abdul Moeed. Along with these three, a Muslim lawyer and a councilor of the same religion were also seen trying to spread chaos. The jeweler’s shop towards which this mob wanted to move is mostly owned by people of Soni and Rastogi community.
The results of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir once again demonstrate how the lofty claims of “insaniyat jamhuriyat kashmiriyat” die a miserable death when it comes to the rights of the Kashmiri Pandits and the Hindu minority community of the valley. In an attempt to secure the repatriation and rehabilitation of their fellow community members, who number in the range of three lakh, thirteen Kashmiri Pandits had submitted nominations to run for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the valley.
As expected, despite repeated statements of “religious harmony and brotherhood,” from both Kashmiri politics and the populace, nobody supported them or their cause, and as a result, all of them lost their deposits in the polls.
Out of the 13 Kashmiri Pandits, a record six submitted their nominations for the assembly segment which went to the polls in the second round of elections on 25th September. Santosh Labroo ran as a candidate for the All Alliance Democratic Party, Sanjay Saraf for the Lok Jan Shakti Party, Ashok Kumar Bhat for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nanaji Dembi of Sampoorna Bharat Kranti Party. Ashok Shaib and Ashok Raina fought as Independents.
“As many as six candidates from the KP community have filed their nomination papers in Habba Kadal. Of them, four have filed under recognised political parties, while two have filed as Independents,” an election department official informed before the voting.
Saraf, who contested the seat twice already, stated that his goal was to ensure that the community that has been dispersed throughout the nation returns to the valley. He also aimed to bridge the divide between communities. “If I am elected as an MLA, I will work to ensure the return of KPs to the valley with respect, dignity, and security. This includes carving out places for them here. We should be ambassadors of peace,” he voiced. Saraf ran from his home constituency of Anantnag.
The candidates who ran for the Shangus-Anantnag seat were Vir Ji Saraf of the BJP, Maharaj Krishan Yogi of the Apni Party and Independent Dilip Kumar Pandita. There were 13 contenders from the segment in the overall contest. Yogi is a former leader of the National Conference and the president of the influential Martand temple committee. He declared, “I will ensure that KPs are brought back through a return and rehabilitation policy. BJP did marketing and sold their pain but did nothing in the past 15 years.”
Other Kashmiri Pandits in the contest were Rakesh Handoo from the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar, Dr Sanjay Parva from the Beerwah seat in Budgam, and Ramesh Wagnoo, an Independent, from Pampore. As candidates for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Republican Party of India (Athawale), Daisy Raina and Arun Kumar Raina were running from Rajpora in the Pulwama district.
Daisy Raina arrived in Kashmir five years ago and began serving as a Sarpanch in South Kashmir after being elected. The candidate stated, “I have worked hard for the past five years as a Sarpanch. Because of my work, the youths are on my side. I am sure that I will win the election. I want to create an environment where Kashmiri Pandits can move freely to any place without any fear.”
Following their unsuccessful attempts to win the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla and Anantnag, Arun Kumar Raina and Dilip Kumar Pandita made the decision to run for the assembly from Shangus-Anantnag and Rajpora in Pulwama district.
The number of Kashmiri Pandit candidates has fluctuated in past elections, previously peaking at 12 in 2008. The community’s continuing efforts to address its long-standing challenges and obtain political representation are reflected in their electoral participation in the valley. However, it seems that there is a long way and numerous hurdles before they can actually be in a position to deliver on their promises.
The assembly election result which was announced on 8th October showed an impressive performance of the National Conference and Congress alliance as they secured over fifty seats while BJP managed to win around 27 seats. Meanwhile, the saffron party managed to pull a stunning victory in Haryana, where the election results were also announced on the same day, defying all the opinion and exit polls. BJP is poised to establish the government for the third consecutive term.
In the Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, two employees at a government hospital have been booked for forcing a lower-level employee to mix critical tuberculosis (TB) patient’s phlegm with toxic substances in the food and drinks the hospital purchased for the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
According to reports, Dr Yashveer Singh, Deputy CMO of Baghpat district hospital and Baghpat district TB officer, asked a Class 4 employee to buy food for him and other family members, according to the police. Those arrested have been identified as Jabbar Khan, TB/HIV coordinator, and Musheer Ahmed, technician. Jabbar and Musheer are currently absconding.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Tirath Lal has ordered a departmental investigation into the matter. He also directed the lab where such samples are stored to be shut down. On Monday (7th October), Dr. Yashveer Singh filed a police complaint at Baghpat Kotwali police station.
The police said that Dr. Yashveer Singh shared the audio clipping in which Jabbar Khan was heard telling a Class 4 employee, Tinku, to mix the sample in the food. This sample was collected from a patient suspected of having the harmful multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of tuberculosis. Notably, MDR test is performed on those in the critical stage of the TB.
“Tinku has given me the recording of his telephonic conversation with Jabbar and Musheer claiming that his conscience didn’t allow him to mix the sample of a critical TB patient in the food for me and my family. I have informed CMO Dr. Tirath Lal and later filed the FIR,” Dr. Singh said in the FIR.
Dr Yashveer Singh further claimed, “I live in the official bungalow near the hospital with my wife and two sons. I have lost 5 kg in the last one month. I will go for a check-up to rule out the possibility that the accused might not have mixed the poisonous sample in food served to me earlier. Tinku is sometimes asked to bring food for me and the family when their domestic help remains absent.”
Meanwhile, Arpit Vijayvargiya, Superintendent of Police in Baghpat, stated that stringent action will be taken against them due to the gravity of the crime.
Notably, the police have filed a case under BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide that is not regarded murder), 62 (attempt to commit severe offences punishable by imprisonment), and 61(2) (participant in a criminal conspiracy).
The results of the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections are almost out. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading on 38 seats and had won 13 seats at the time when this report was written, and is set to get majority. On the other hand, Congress was leading on 20 seats and had won 14. The BJP is on a clear path to victory in Haryana despite a decade of anti-incumbency, a change of chief minister mid-term, farmer protests, and more. Another national party, the Aam Aadmi Party has failed miserably, as it did not secure enough votes to save its deposit in many seats.
The Haryana Assembly Elections have delivered a clear message. Congress has definitely secured victories in Muslim-majority and Jat-majority regions in the state. However, in lieu of wooing Muslim and Jat voters during campaigning, it appears that Congress forgot these two sections do not form the majority in the state. The BJP was facing many challenges but triumphed elsewhere by consolidating the votes of other communities.
Congress dominated Muslim-majority areas but failed to stop victory of BJP in Haryana
In constituencies like Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka, and Punahana, Congress displayed remarkable strength. It capitalised on the local demographics and tensions from the violence that took place on 31st July, 2023. Though Hindus were the target during the violence, Muslims have been painted as victims by several agencies and political parties. Congress appeared to have taken advantage of this fact and worked its “magic”.
Congress’s Aftab Ahmed secured a victory in Nuh with a margin of over 46,963 votes. On the other hand, Mamman Khan won Ferozepur Jhirka with a margin of 98,221 votes. Not to forget, Mamman is one of the accused in the Nuh violence, and the case is sub judice in court. However, his involvement in the riots seemed to have become a factor that resonated with voters in the region.
Similarly, Mohammad Ilyas from Punahana won the seat by 31,916 votes, marking Congress’s stronghold in Muslim-majority regions. Interestingly, BJP had also fielded Muslim candidates in Punahana (Mohd Aizaz Khan) and Ferozepur Jhirka (Naseem Ahmed), but they did not secure enough votes to win these seats. Aizaz Khan, in fact, lost his deposit. However, despite Congress’s success in these regions, how the BJP performed in the rest of the state literally broke the backbone of Congress’s campaigning strategies.
BJP’s non-Jat vote consolidation: A strategic win
In these elections, BJP showcased its ability to triumph in areas beyond the Jat and Muslim-dominated constituencies. The ruling party faced anti-incumbency, farmer protests, and discontent over the Agniveer scheme. However, it adopted a different strategy this time and did not focus on large-scale rallies which looked to have worked for securing victory for BJP in Haryana. BJP’s campaigning in Haryana was more localised, targeting the non-Jat voter base.
BJP’s superstar campaigner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held fewer rallies this year compared to 2019. In the last assembly elections, PM Modi held 10 rallies in Haryana, but this time it was brought down to just four. What now appears to have been the party’s changed electoral strategy was earlier seen as a sign that BJP was not sure about winning Haryana for the third time. There were some whispers in the background that PM Modi was avoiding Haryana as Congress was predicted to win the assembly elections. However, the opposition was tricked, and BJP emerged as the winner for the third time in a row.
Congress seemed overly reliant on its Jat voter base. In doing so, it overlooked the significance of the Scheduled Castes (SC) reserved seats and the growing influence of non-Jat voters in the state, especially in the Ahirwal belt, which consists of Rewari, Bawal, Kosli, Badshahpur, Pataudi, Ateli, Gurgaon, Nangal Chaudhary, Narnaul, and Mahendragarh constituencies. Out of these, only Nangal Chaudhary showed positive signs for Congress, while the rest were dominated by BJP.
Jats constitute only 25-28% of the population in the state. Congress tried to strategise its dominance in Jat-majority areas but seemed to have neglected other groups, which has proven costly. BJP’s strong dominance in non-Jat regions has shown it has the ability to reach beyond the Jat electorate and tap into a broader vote base, giving the opposition a run for its money.
RSS’s pivotal role in BJP victory in Haryana
Though BJP’s political tactics worked perfectly in the Haryana Assembly Elections, the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the victory cannot be overlooked. RSS played a crucial role by conducting extensive grassroots campaigns months before the election date. As per reports, RSS organised 16,000 small meetings across Haryana, which significantly changed the voting numbers. These gatherings were focused on winning over non-Jat voters and ensured that the BJP retained its stronghold in rural areas.
The RSS’s approach was simple but effective. It deployed 150 volunteers per district in a comprehensive rural outreach programme from September to ensure BJP’s message was delivered directly to voters’ homes. Their efforts extended to public spaces where volunteers explained the policies implemented by the central and state governments. The campaign was carefully aligned to deliver the message to rural constituencies aiming to secure victory for BJP in Haryana.
Notably, the RSS also worked closely with BJP leaders to ensure coordination on key decisions, including the selection of candidates and booth management. These meetings helped streamline election efforts, with a clear focus on mobilising non-Jat communities to address local concerns.
The backing of RSS was crucial in several areas where BJP initially appeared weak. The grassroots work of the RSS not only bolstered the party’s rural voter base but also helped mitigate some of the negative sentiment arising from contentious issues like the farm protests and the Agniveer scheme.
Congress’s neglect of non-Jats: A costly mistake
What cost Congress the most in these elections was its failure to pay attention to non-Jat communities. The Dalit vote, once considered a reliable Congress stronghold, was fractured, with several Dalit-focused political parties aligning with smaller regional players, allowing BJP to benefit from this division.
Conclusion
The Assembly Election results in Haryana underscored two key dynamics: Congress’s dominance in Jat and Muslim-majority areas and BJP’s success in consolidating non-Jat voters, particularly in rural constituencies. The role of the RSS in this election cannot be understated. The grassroots campaigning and strategic meetings with BJP leadership were instrumental in ensuring the party’s success. The victory of BJP in Haryana for the third time will go a long way in boosting the morale of the party supporters.
Religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus, and especially Hindu women, have been reported from across the country with remarkable frequency. In the latest occurrence, rickshaw driver Zubair Shabbir Khalifa reportedly trapped a girl by posing as a Hindu. The victim said that he also raped her while hiding his real identity. The matter pertains to Navsari in Gujarat where the authorities arrested the accused on her complaint and then took out a parade with him in the neighbourhood.
Zubair Shabbir Khalifa is reportedly originally from Adada village and works as a rickshaw driver in Navsari where he noticed the victim who was regularly seen in the area. He tracked her route and gave her a lift. Zubair introduced himself as Raj to the girl during their daily encounter and began escorting her to and from her house each day.
નવસારી પોલીસે લવ જેહાદ પ્રકરણમાં આરોપીનું સરઘસ કાઢ્યું શહેરના એરૂ રોડ વિસ્તારમાંથી પોલીસે કાઢ્યું સરઘસ આરોપી યુવાને હિન્દુ યુવતીને નામ બદલી ફસાવી હતી પ્રેમ જાળમાં પીડિતાને આત્મહત્યા કરવાની ધમકી આપી આચર્યું દુષ્કર્મ પોલીસે આરોપીને ઝડપી પાડી ઘટનાનું રિકન્સ્ટ્રક્શન કર્યું#Gujarat… pic.twitter.com/D2aKT6XOPA
Once the girl began accompanying him every day, Zubair proceeded to manipulate the victim. According to her complaint, he stopped taking fare from her after some time. He responded that he drove the vehicle as a hobby when asked about the reason and added that he had 20 luxurious rickshaws that he gave on rent. He further mentioned that he spent the majority of his time in Dubai. The offender stated that he stayed there for six months and spent the remaining six in Navsari.
Gradually, the two became close friends. After some time, he proposed to her and the girl accepted it while referring to him as Raj. He then coerced her into marriage and frequently had sexual relations with her.
The Hindu girl broke up with Zubair as soon as his identity was exposed. However, her reaction enraged him and he pressured her to have physical relations with him. He even threatened to murder her when she refused. His behaviour scared her and she eventually decided to seek the help of the police.
The cops also assured her and took swift action in the matter. The perpetrator was immediately apprehended and further legal action was initiated against him. The police including senior officials even paraded him in public to set an example in Navsari.
Zoobair befriended a Hindu girl by posing as a Hindu boy & rap€d her. Gujarat Police arrested him when he was trying to flee.
The way he's walking, it seems the Gujarat police have treated him well.
After parading the perpetrator from Eru Char Road in Navsari, the police also made him recreate the entire incident. They also confirmed that Zubair had lied about his identity to the victim and action was taken after her complaint. Officer Sanjay Rai added that the entire instance has been reconstructed. Further investigation is underway and more measures will be taken after the complete truth is disclosed.
On 7th October, two school-going teenagers, one Hindu and one Muslim, got into an online spat via Direct Messages on Instagram. At around 5 PM, their conversation turned to religion, and both made comments about each other’s faith. However, the comment made by the Hindu teenager was made viral on social media by the Muslim teenager with allegations that he used “derogatory” language for Mohammad.
As the post went viral, a Muslim mob of thousands took to the streets, raising “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans against the Hindu teenager, demanding his immediate arrest. In the screenshot shared by the Muslim teenager that went viral, it was visible that he had shared a video of Mufti Salman Azhari, after which the Hindu boy retaliated.
Source: X
In the video, he essentially said that when Muslims don’t speak about the character of Bhagwan Ram, Bhagwan Krishna, Bhagwan Gautam Buddha, or Shri Guru Nanak Dev, then who gave ‘them’ the right to criticise Prophet Muhammad? However, the language he used was extremely derogatory towards Hindus. He said, “To tum kaunse kutte ho jo mere Mohammad-e-Aarbi par bhonkte ho? Tumhein kya haq banta hai mere deen par ungli uthane ka.” (So, what kind of dogs are you to bark about my Prophet Muhammad? What right do you have to raise a finger at my religion?).
It is pertinent to note that this was classic dog-whistling by Mufti Azhari. It is untrue that derogatory words are not used by Muslims against Hindu Gods and Goddesses. However, it was a speech to signal to the Muslim crowd that any remark against Islam must not be tolerated.
Mufti Azhari has a long history of making derogatory remarks towards Hindus. In February 2024, Mufti Salman Azhari made headlines for his provocative speech in Junagadh. An FIR was registered against him, along with two organisers, for his comments. The speech was given on 31st January during a programme attended by a large number of Muslims on the grounds of Narayan Vidya Mandir near the Junagadh court.
In the video, Azhari says, “Abhi to Karbala ka akhiri maidan baqi hai… Kuch der ki khamoshi hai, fir shore ayega… Aaj kutton ka waqt hai, kal hamara daur ayega.” (The final battle of Karbala is yet to come… a moment of silence, then there will be noise again. Today is the time of the dogs, tomorrow will be our time).” After saying this, he chants, “Labbek Ya Rasulullah” and the crowd in front repeats it. This 22-second video is going viral on social media, with people demanding action.
મુસ્લિમોની એક ભવ્ય સભા થઈ ગઈ.. વક્તા હતા.મુફતી મુહમ્મદ સલમાન અઝહરી.. જાહેરમાં બોલ્યા આજ કુતો કા વક્ત હૈ કલ હમારા આયેગા.. *આટલું ભડકાઉ ભાષણ છે pic.twitter.com/t9U1bWJdv9
— Naresh Kumbhani ??(Modi ka Parivaar) (@inareshkumbhani) February 1, 2024
At the beginning of his speech, Azhari mentions the history of Junagadh and says that the people of Junagadh did not fall into the hands of anyone. “It took several attempts to get them inside. Just as you did not come into anyone’s hands easily, I want you today not to wear someone else’s belt around your neck; we only have the servitude of Tajdar-e-Madinah,” he said.
Then, Azhari and the crowd start chanting the slogan ‘Ghulam Hai Ghulam Hai, Rasool Ke Ghulam Hai’ (We are slaves, we are slaves, we are the slaves of the Prophet). Further, he said, “Muslims are beaten, slaughtered, children killed, women robbed, houses destroyed, mosques burnt, but it is not their leader who brings them back together. Time and again they have been scattered and reunited, and come alive in the name of Mohammed, gathered in the name of Tajdar-e-Madinah.”
OpIndia’s detailed exclusive report can be seen here.
As his video went viral, police registered a suo motu FIR in the matter at the Junagadh B Division Police Station. Subsequently, he was arrested by Gujarat police from Mumbai. After securing transit remand from a Mumbai court, he was brought to Gujarat where a local court sent him to 2-days police remand.
Notably, when he was brought to Ghatkopar Police Station in Mumbai, a large crowd gathered outside the police station, demanding his release. The Mumbai Police, however, stated that the crowd had been dispersed and brought under control. “In Mumbai, there is peace, the Ghatkopar area is also peaceful. Don’t believe any rumours. I want to tell the people of Mumbai that, for them, Police are on the road,” DCP Hemrajsingh Rajput said. Following the arrest of Azhari, the National spokesperson of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Waris Pathan, claimed that the preacher had not delivered any provocative speech and that he must be given justice.
His arrest caused ripple effects as several Islamic leaders, Maulanas and Maulvis got irked and started giving controversial statements. A speaker at the Gareeb Nawaz Conference organised in Mumbra on 6th February was heard giving an inciteful speech while speaking in support of Azhari. A clipping from Sayyed Shahbat Hussain’s hate speech has gone viral on social media. In this clipping, he can be heard saying that the Muslims have and will always abide by the Indian laws but on the condition that Salman Azhari be released.
? Mumbra
Sayyed Shahbat Hussain called for Jihad at Gareeb Nawaz Conference.
This Islamîst is instigating Muslims for suicide bombing too.
“Salman Azhari should be released and it should be conveyed that Salman Azhari is not alone, all Barelvi Muslims are with him,” Hussain said in an inciteful address and the crowd broke into loud cheers chanting Islamic slogans. According to his Instagram bio, Sayed Shabahat Hussain Qaudri is a Muslim cleric who looks after the Jinhata Shareef mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandausi. OpIndia’s detailed report on his provocative speech can be checked here.
Later on 8th February, Junagadh court granted Mufti Azhari bail but as another FIR was registered by Kutch police, he was re-arrested and sent to police remand for another two days. Meanwhile, it was reported that Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) will investigate a terror angle in the event. Speaking to IndiaTV, Gujrat ATS SP Om Prakash Jat said that the event in a school compound in Junagadh on 31st January was organised as an ‘anti-drug awareness’ program. “This event was presented as an ‘anti-drugs awareness’ program, however, Maulana Salman Azhari in a planned manner delivered an inflammatory speech with the purpose of inciting communal hatred between two religious communities. Not only in Junagadh, but he (Azhari) also gave a similar provocative speech in the Samiyakhali police station area in Kutch,” Jat said.
The Gujarat ATS SP further informed that accused Mufti Azhari has a controversial history adding that multiple cases are lodged against him in various states. “In Karnataka, there are five FIRs against him and in Maharashtra as well…nearly double in Gujarat. So he has a history…We have also taken cognisance a Sufi Khanqah Association leader Mohammad Kausar Hasan Siddiqui’s allegation that Mufti Azhari has links with foreign terrorist organisations,” SP Jat said adding that the Sufi Khanqah president’s allegations that Mufti Azhari is working on the agenda of Ghazwa-e-Hind will also be investigated.
It also came to light that Mufti Salman Azhari withdrew ₹27.75 lakh from a charitable trust account within 1 year. The matter came to light during a probe by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Junagadh district police into the financial dealings and foreign trips of Salman Azhari. This crucial piece of information was conveyed to the judicial magistrate of Junagadh by Inspector JJ Patel through an affidavit. According to the LCB, a whopping ₹52 lakh was deposited in the bank account of Salman Azhari-run charitable trust ‘Al-Amaan Education and Welfare Trust’ in 2023. The police are now investigating the money trail and determining whether funds have been channelled for illegal activities. “We are investigating who deposited this money…As per the bank account statement, (Azhari) himself withdrew Rs 27.75 lakh from it. We are investigating how he used the money. If it emerges that the money was used for illegal activities, we may need his presence for interrogation,” Inspector JJ Patel stated opposing the bail application of Salman Azhari.
The series of FIRs did not stop there. Mufti Salman Azhari was then arrested within 24-hours of the Bhachau Court of Kutch granting him bail by the Modasa police in another hate speech case. The court granted five days remand after Mufti Azhari was produced in the court. Mufti Azhari addressed a gathering at Modasa in December of last year. Police appointed a prosecutor and registered an FIR against him after they obtained a video of his speech upon learning about the Junagadh case and discovering that he had made outrageous statements. Furthermore, the event’s organiser, Ishaq was identified as an accused party. He was later nabbed, taken to court and placed under three days of remand. On Sunday (February 11), a Bhachau court granted him conditional bail and the judge released him on a Rs 30,000 bond. After that, Aravalli Police took him to Modasa Town Police Station.
Meanwhile, another old video of Mufti Salman Azhari surfaced on social media where he was heard using casteist and derogatory slurs against Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. In a 49-second-long video, Mufti Azhari attacked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his bulldozer action against criminals. Azhari asserted that CM Yogi was bulldozing houses and shops of poor Muslims and while doing this he was heard using highly derogatory slurs against Uttar Pradesh CM. This video was shared by a YouTube channel named ‘Barakati Network’ on 5th November 2023.
“People across the land of Hindustan are getting scared, they have started panicking (Hindustan ki sarzameen par log abhi se ghabrane lag gaye, darne lag gaye). What will happen…if these thieves, Ch*mar, such an animal living in the jungle bulldoze a poor person’s house then do not be afraid (Kya hoga…arey chor, ch*mar aaye, jungle mein rehne wale aise janwar hukumton par baith kar ke agar kisi gareeb ke ghar par bulldozer chalate hain toh tum khauf na khana). This baba [Yogi Adityanath] has less strength than even insects (keede).
You [Muslims] should not fear their terror (Arey ye toh keedon se bhi kam taaqat rakhne wale baba [Yogi Adityanath] hain jinki haibat se tumko ghabrane ki zarurat nahi darne ki zarurat nahi). Challenge them and say that you have destroyed a house or bulldozed someone’s shop. These are walls and can be built again (Unko lalkaar karke kaho tumne toh ek ghar nasht kiya hai ya kisi ki dukaan par bulldozer chalaya hai. Ye toh deewarein hain ban jayengi). And if it pleases you then run your bulldozer over our chests, even then we will keep calling the name of our Prophet (Jis din tumhara mann kare seene par chalao uss waqt bhi hum apne nabi ka naam pukaarte rahenge),” Mufti Salman Azhari said.
How the Hindu boy is being targeted
In this case, it is evident yet again that the Hindu boy merely responded to a Muslim boy sharing a video of a Mufti who has not only previously made disparaging and threatening remarks against Hindus but has also been booked multiple times for his hate towards Hindus. An argument which was between two teenagers snowballed after the Muslim boy made the Hindu boy’s comments selectively viral without giving context to what he had said.
Thereafter, a Muslim mob raised the murderous slogan Sar Tan Se Juda and gathered in thousands. The police had to use mild force to disperse the crowd promising that action would be taken against the Hindu teenager. Interestingly, no action has been promised or taken against the Muslim boy in the case.
Further, OpIndia also reported that the the Hindu boy had released a video folding his hands and apologising for the remarks. His apology, however, had no impact on the Muslim boy, the Muslim mob chanting for his beheading or the online trolls doxxing him to endanger his life.
The Hindu boy was further endangered when the Media and Muslim social media users started doxxing the Hindu minor and revealing his identity, painting a target on his back for a mob that was already baying for his blood.
What is happening now to the Hindu boy is a story that is oft repeated. Even in the case of Nupur Sharma, it was the Muslim panellist, Tasleem Rehmani, who had first made a disparaging and derogatory remark against the Shivling found in Gyanvapi. It was only then that Nupur Sharma had retaliated quoting verses of the Hadiths. After that, Muslim mobs from across the world had given her rape, gang rape and beheading threats. Even in India, mobs had taken to the streets chanting “Sar Tan Se Juda”. Meanwhile, in the Nupur Sharma case, Tasleem Rehmani was not booked for his comments. The case of the Hindu boy now is similar where he has been booked despite issuing an apology and the Muslim boy and the Muslim boy chanting for his death have escaped the process of the law.
In connection with the gangrape of a 15-year-old girl in Kozhikode district of Kerala, three persons have been arrested by the police. The accused trio identified as Mohammed Anas, Yusuf, and Moman Ali allegedly gang-raped the minor girl for a long time in Kozhikode, during the course of which she became six months pregnant.
The accused persons have been arrested. It is reported that Anas, Moman, and Yusuf were already acquainted with the victim’s mother and took advantage of the same to sexually abuse the minor girl.
The incident unfolded in the Mukkam police station precinct in Kozhikode wherein the mother of a minor girl filed a complaint at the police station against the Yunus, Anas, and Moman alleging that the trio gang-raped her daughter. The victim’s mother said that her daughter is a high school student and that she was experiencing stomach pain for several days. When the victim’s mother took her medical checkup, she found she was six months pregnant. When questioned, the daughter informed her mother about the crimes of Mohammed Anas, Yusuf, and Moman Ali. The complaint says that the accused trio were the acquaintances of the victim’s mother.
Notably, among the accused rapists, Mohammed Anas and Yusuf are residents of Areekode Uranggiri in Malappuram, Kerala while Moman Ali came to Kerala from Assam to work as a labourer. The accused trio has been arrested and the police said that action has been taken against them under appropriate sections as well as the POCSO Act. The three accused persons were presented before the Thamarassery court and the court has sent the three accused to police remand for detailed interrogation.
Meanwhile, the minor victim is being counselled and has been sent to Thiruvananthapuram Child Care for treatment. It is suspected that more people could be involved in this crime and the police are investigating the matter.
On Sunday, 6th October, a Democratic Youth Federation of India leader (DYFI) leader and school teacher, Sachita Rai was booked for operating a fraudulent scheme that offered jobs to unsuspecting individuals with the central government, by authorities in Kasaragod, Kerala. DYFI is the youth wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM). Notably, she made a name for herself in the Left wing circles by bashing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
A young woman named Nishmitha Shetty (24) was duped out of Rs 15 lakh by the accused by offering her a clerical position at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), a division of the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The latter was charged with cheating under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code by Kumbla Police. She had collected approximately Rs 2 crore from several job applicants and sent Rs 72 lakh to a person in Karnataka to obtain the promised positions. An official stated, “As a guarantee, she has a cheque of Rs 72 lakh from the contact person, who we suspect is either connected to the BJP or claims such ties.”
Shetty, an undergraduate is from Kidhur, which is twenty kilometres from Kasaragod town. She made multiple payments of Rs 15,05,796 to Rai via GPay between 31st May and 23rd August of last year. “I came to know of Sachitha through another job seeker. She also told me she could help me get a job at CPCRI. She is very rich but I raised the money by borrowing from my husband and pawning my jewellery. I never thought a teacher would cheat me,” she expressed.
After Rai did not return the money despite her repeated requests, she went to Kumbla Police. The former had also tricked someone else, according to Shetty, by assuring a post at Kerala’s Central University. The Kumbla Police stated that they anticipate receiving more complaints against Rai.
Sachitha Rai, a native of Sheni in Enmakaje grama panchayat, comes from a CPM family. Furthermore, her father is a popular speaker at party events. She worked at Govt. HSS Angadimogar as an ad hoc teacher. Later, she was able to secure a regular position at an aided lower-primary school at Badoor in Puthige grama panchayat. Rai was ousted ten days ago from the Kasargod district committee. Sivaprasad A V, the district joint secretary for DYFI, claimed that the action had nothing to do with the accusations and happened after she went to Kozhikode after getting married and taking maternity leave.
Following a complaint of GST evasion, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has initiated actions across the state. Based on information provided by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI), raids were conducted at 14 locations, including Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar. Over 33 individuals involved in running 12 bogus firms were arrested. One of the names linked to the case is Mahesh Langa, a left-leaning journalist for The Hindu. The Crime Branch has arrested Langa and is interrogating him in connection with the GST scam.
According to reports, following the FIR filed by the Crime Branch, teams from the Central GST, EOW, and SOG raided 14 locations across the state, including Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar. Himanshu Joshi, the Zonal Director of DGGI, filed a complaint with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, alleging that a bogus company was registered under Dhruvi Enterprise. This company fraudulently obtained input tax credit by creating over 200 fake firms nationwide, generating fraudulent invoices worth billions.
During initial investigations, a scam exceeding ₹200 crore has already been uncovered. Notably, Mahesh Langa, a left-wing journalist for The Hindu, has been arrested and is under questioning. There are also indications that the extent of the scam may grow further as investigations progress. The total value of fraudulent billing in Gujarat has surpassed ₹50,000 crore.
The FIR states that the scam occurred between February 2023 and May 2024. The complaint outlines how a fake lease agreement was submitted online to the Ahmedabad GST department under the name Dhruvi Enterprise. A GST number was then obtained, and a criminal conspiracy was formed with the proprietors of other companies (named in the FIR) to obtain bogus input tax credit through fraudulent invoicing, fake documents, and misrepresentation, causing massive losses to the nation’s revenue.
The FIR also lists the names of companies and owners linked to Dhruvi Enterprise as co-accused. Charges under IPC sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 474, and 120 (BNS) have been filed against all individuals involved. OpIndia has a copy of the FIR and attempted to contact Himanshu Joshi, the DGGI Zonal Director, for comment, but was unable to reach him. The report will be updated with further information.
Before his arrest, Langa reportedly made a statement calling GST registration a “pain.” It’s worth noting that Mahesh Langa, a left-wing journalist working for The Hindu in Ahmedabad, is known for covering events in Gujarat with his own perspectives. He is now under arrest in connection with the GST scam, and many others have also been detained for questioning. It is alleged that these individuals orchestrated a nationwide GST fraud worth billions.
The notable point is that just one day before his arrest, journalist Mahesh Langa had shared his views on GST. He retweeted a post slamming GST. “GST registration is such a pain. Been struggling. Too much documentation and queries raised.” Along with this, the post also sarcastically remarked about the “Ease of doing business in India.” However, the very next day, his name surfaced in connection with the GST scam, and he was subsequently arrested.
