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Stone pelting, idol vandalism and more: Here are 9 instances of attacks and disruptions during the 2026 Saraswati Puja

Shraddha Pandey
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Stone pelting, idol vandalism and more: Here are 9 instances of attacks and disruptions during the 2026 Saraswati Puja

Vasant Panchami is an auspicious occasion of worshipping Maa Saraswati, the giver of knowledge and wisdom. Across the country, Saraswati Puja and subsequent immersion are performed by Hindus with immense devotion. However, as disrupting the celebration of Hindu festivals has become an opprobrious trend seen during Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti and other festivals, anti-Hindu elements attacked or disrupted Saraswati Puja at several places this year.

Jharkhand: Stone pelting by a Muslim mob at the idol of Maa Saraswati during an immersion procession in Hazaribagh after objecting to the DJ

On 24th January, a Muslim mob pelted stones at a Saraswati Puja immersion procession in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh. A procession was being taken out to immerse the idol of Saraswati in Beltu village, under the Keredari block. Suddenly, a Muslim mob began pelting stones at the Hindu procession. In retaliation, some participants in the procession retaliated.

The dispute began over the songs being played on the music system during the procession. The Muslim side was offended by the ‘provocative’ songs, and in no time, the matter escalated into violence as Muslim men began pelting stones at Hindus, leaving several people injured.

Hazaribagh has been a hotbed of Islamic violence against Hindus. Be it Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, or Holi, Muslims often come up with trivial excuses like Hindus playing music, or carrying saffron flags, etc, to attack Hindus over the years.

Back in 2020, Muslims had attacked a Saraswati Puja immersion procession in  Lakhe Sundi Basti near Hazaribagh. A Muslim mob pelted stones and damaged several vehicles back then. Four to five people were injured as well. The same modus operandi continues to be followed by Muslims against Hindus celebrating their festivals even now.

Assam: Saraswati idol vandalised in Dibrugarh

On 24th January, an idol of Maa Saraswati was vandalised by unidentified individuals on the day of the Puja. So far, there is no information regarding the people behind this act. Local Hindus have demanded that the culprits be identified and punished.

Tripura: Muslims cause unrest during Saraswati Puja in Kailashahar

In Tripura’s Kailashahar, tensions prevailed after it was alleged that around 16 Muslim youths armed with machetes and sticks attempted to disrupt a Saraswati Puja. Clashes erupted in the Katal Dighirpar area.

BJP Mandal president Pritam Ghosh stated that around 16 Muslim youths carrying machetes and sticks tried to disrupt Saraswati Puja by attacking Hindus. “As soon as we rushed to the spot after receiving information, they attacked us indiscriminately. The situation turned more violent. These miscreants are trying to replicate the dangerous environment of Bangladesh. We must fight unitedly against such forces,” Ghosh said.

Pritam Ghosh was injured in the attack, while the house of the district president of the BJP youth wing, Arup Dhar, was also vandalised. Reports say that an unofficial office of the BJP in Katal Dighirpur was torched.

Police forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

West Bengal: TMC infighting disrupts Saraswati Puja in North 24 Parganas district

On Friday (23rd January), infighting within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party led to the disruption of Saraswati Puja in Kamarhati city in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Reportedly, the Belghadia Sarbajanin Sr Sri Durga Chowk Society Mandir has been locked up by one faction of the TMC. As a result, local Hindu women are unable to worship Maa Saraswati. The local police refused to intervene and remove the lock unless the warring TMC factions find a common ground.

TMC leader threatens students against organising Saraswati Puja at the alma mater of Mamata Banerjee

A female student studying at the government-sponsored Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri College in South Kolkata has informed that a TMC leader has threatened them against organising Saraswati Puja.

As per the victim, the TMC leader was identified as Daud Alam Molla. The student narrated in a viral video, “Daud Alam Molla is standing outside. He has threatened me that he will f*** my LLM.”

Coincidentally, Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College is the alma mater of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.

Infighting between TMC factions stops Saraswati Puja celebrations in Cooch Behar

On Friday (23rd January), the Saraswati Puja Mandap at Dinhata College in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal was abandoned after infighting broke out between two factions of the ruling TMC.

The police were later called in to maintain law and order. On learning about the matter, the in-charge of Dinhata police station and SDPO reached the college campus. Hindu devotees, who went to attend the Puja festivities, were forced to flee for their safety and security. Visuals captured from the site showcase how the college campus was turned into a battlefield by the ruling TMC goons.

Hindu students are not allowed to perform Saraswati Puja inside school premises because over 50% students are Muslims

In another incident from Barasat city in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Hindu students were denied permission to organise Saraswati Puja within the school premises.

Reports say that the permission was denied because the school had more than 50% Muslim population. In a video that has surfaced on social media, police officials were seen stopping students from worshipping the deity.

Later, Hindu students were forced to organise the Puja outside the premises of the school and on the footpath.

A man named Pradip Chatterjee was heard saying, “They said that Puja cannot be conducted here since Hindus are a minority in this school…There is no difference in the plight of Hindus residing in West Bengal and Bangladesh.”

If the ‘50% Muslim students’ logic is applied nationally, Hindus can also claim tomorrow that their population is more than 50% in the country, and thus Namaz should not be allowed.

Jharkhand: Muslims attack Hindus over Saraswati Puja procession in Lohardaga

On 25th January, a Muslim mob attacked Hindus in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga area during a Saraswati Puja procession. The incident unfolded in during the Saraswati Puja immersion ceremony in Baridih village, under the Kudu police station area of Lohardaga. Hindus were taking out the jhanki of Maa Saraswati through the village; however, the vehicle carrying the idol slightly touched the roof of the house of a Muslim family.

Subsequently, the Muslim family and their local co-religionists gathered and assaulted the driver. By early morning, the matter escalated into full-fledged violence, with the Muslim mob attacking Hindus and their houses. Upon receiving the information, police from the Kudu police station and a bike squad from the Border Security Force arrived at the scene.

Image via AajTak

Three people were injured in the attack and are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The police have brought the situation under control.

Bangladesh: Saraswati idol vandalised in Gopalganj

Ever since the forced ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Bangladesh has witnessed a continued persecution of Hindus. The local Hindus have been attacked, raped, looted, and killed by Muslims. Muslim mobs have on numerous occasions vandalised Hindu temples under the patronage of the Islamist Yunus regime.

In a fresh incident of anti-Hindu attack, Muslims vandalised a Saraswati idol at a public puja mandap in Mukshudpur Upazila of the Gopalganj district on Friday.

Saraswati idol vandalised in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. (Image via Daily Republic Bangladesh)

Mukshudpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun said that the anti-Hindu crime was committed after Saraswati Puja concluded at the communal puja site in West Ujani Kandanipara village, Ujani Union. The devotees left the mandap after concluding the Puja. Later, Muslim attackers twisted the neck of the Saraswati idol, leaving its head dangling in a deliberate act of sacrilege.

The Hindu-dominated Gopalganj district has witnessed several anti-Hindu crimes perpetrated by Muslims in the last two years.

Uttar Pradesh: Who is Samajwadi Party leader Rizwan Mansuri alias Chotu Tiger, accused of kidnapping a Hindu woman in Jalaun

Anurag
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Uttar Pradesh: Who is Samajwadi Party leader Rizwan Mansuri alias Chotu Tiger, accused of kidnapping a Hindu woman in Jalaun

Communal tension erupted in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh after a Hindu woman was allegedly kidnapped from the Konch police station area on 19th January. The incident triggered protests following allegations of police inaction and political influence in the matter, as the accused is now the suspended Jalaun district chief of the Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade, the youth wing of the Samajwadi Party, Rizwan Mansuri alias Chotu Tiger.

While Rizwan has been arrested and the woman has since been safely recovered, the incident has raised concerns over the conduct of SP party leaders. OpIndia has accessed the FIR registered in the matter, which sheds light on the allegations levelled by the family.

The incident, which took place under the jurisdiction of Konch Kotwali Police Station, led to heightened tension in the area. Hindu organisations staged protests and accused the police of initially dragging their feet due to the accused’s political links.

Case triggers protests and allegations of police delay

According to media reports, the 21-year-old Hindu woman went missing on 19th January after leaving home for the market. When she did not return, her family began a search for her and later approached the police.

The matter led to communal tension after local residents and Hindu organisations said that despite the seriousness of the case, prompt action was not taken against the accused. On 23rd January, Hindu organisations and community members protested outside the Konch Kotwali and accused the police of acting under pressure. They demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.

The situation further deteriorated after objectionable photos, chats, and videos linked to the woman and the accused surfaced on social media. In one of the videos, the woman was heard saying that she left her home on her own and that no one pressured her to do so. She further accused her parents of forcing her to get married while she wanted to continue her studies. She further stated to have submitted an application in Allahabad High Court seeking protection. The family said that these were circulated under pressure to influence public perception and to psychologically harass the woman.

Accused arrested, woman recovered safely

Following sustained pressure from Hindu organisations and community members, the police arrested Rizwan. The abducted woman was subsequently recovered safely and sent for a medical examination. She was later produced before a court for the recording of her statement.

In a statement, Parmeshwar Prasad, Circle Officer (CO), said, “On 20th January 2026, the complainant submitted a written complaint at Konch Kotwali stating that his 21-year-old daughter had been enticed and taken away by Rizwan Mansoori alias Chotu Tiger. Acting on the said complaint, the Konch Kotwali police immediately registered a case under the relevant sections of law and took the accused Rizwan Mansoori alias Chotu Tiger into custody, where he is currently being interrogated. The abducted woman has been recovered. She is being subjected to a medical examination and is being produced before the Hon’ble Court for recording of her statement. Further investigative proceedings are underway.”

What the FIR says

OpIndia accessed the FIR registered in the matter. It was registered on 20th January on the complaint of the father of the victim at Konch Kotwali Police Station in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Rizwan Mansuri alias Chotu Tiger and Usman Qureshi.

source: UP Police

According to the complaint, the Hindu woman left her home around noon on 19th January stating that she was going to the market. When she did not return for several hours, her family searched for her. They later learned that she had allegedly been lured away by Rizwan with the assistance of Usman.

Source: UP Police

The complainant further stated that the woman had taken approximately Rs 3 lakh in cash from her house before leaving. Despite extensive efforts, the family was unable to trace her whereabouts, following which they approached the police for legal action against both accused.

Political links of the accused

Rizwan Mansuri is affiliated with the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party. He was serving as the district head of the Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade (MSYB). Interestingly, the FIR was registered on 20 January at 11:38 AM, and by 4 PM, Rizwan was removed from the post of district chief of the Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade (MSYB). The suspension letter was issued by the State Chief of the MSYB, Anees Raja.

Source: MSYB/Facebook

This is not the first time he was removed from the party or from the position he was serving. In September 2024, he was removed from the party for being “involved in anti party activities”. However, on 7th April 2025, his suspension was revoked.

Source: Facebook/Instagram

In September 2025, he was reinstated as district head of MSYB.

When OpIndia reviewed Rizwan’s profile, it found several instances in which he was seen visiting Hindu households and getting rakhi tied on Raksha Bandhan. His social media activity also shows him sharing posts wishing Hindus on festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Ram Navami, and Navratri, and participating in Hindu cultural occasions, including having tilak applied on his forehead during Bhaiya Dooj.

Source: Facebook

While political outreach across communities is not uncommon, these repeated displays raise questions about whether Rizwan leveraged his organisational position to build acceptability and visibility among members of the Hindu community in the region. In light of the allegations he now faces, his carefully curated public persona and social media presence warrant closer scrutiny, particularly over whether such outreach was driven by genuine engagement or political convenience.

The authorities have assured proper investigation in the matter. CO Prasad said that action would be taken strictly on the basis of evidence and legal provisions, and no guilty person would be spared.

What is the ‘Mother of all Deals’ and why the trade pact between India and Europe is seen as historic

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What is the ‘Mother of all Deals’ and why the trade pact between India and Europe is seen as historic

The dates of 26th and 27th January are being seen as historic not just for India, but for global politics and economics. A major agreement is about to be signed between India and European countries, which is being called the “Mother of All Deals.” It has been awaited for the past 20 years. 

To finalise this long-awaited deal, top European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, have arrived in New Delhi. The Indian government has rolled out a grand welcome, underlining the importance of the moment.

This occasion is also special because, for the first time in India’s history, European leaders will be the chief guests on our Republic Day (26th January), and a contingent of the European military will also parade down Delhi’s Line of Duty. The primary objective of this entire agreement is to facilitate “free trade.”

This will open up a huge market for 2 billion people. Furthermore, it will make both India and Europe stronger partners for trade, rather than relying on China and the United States.

The ‘Mother of All Deals’: A market of 2 billion people and 25% of global GDP

European leader Ursula von der Leyen has called this agreement the “Mother of All Deals,” meaning it’s the largest and most important trade agreement ever. The key reason is that when India and 27 European countries come together, they will create the largest and most powerful trading market in the world. This market will be so vast that nearly a quarter of the world’s total revenue will be tied to this deal alone.

The biggest beneficiaries of this agreement will be small and large Indian businesses. Currently, when Indian goods, shoes, jewellery, or IT services are exported to Europe, they face heavy taxes. However, with this deal, our goods will be sold in European markets without any additional taxes, resulting in significant profits for Indian companies.

The deal will also benefit European companies and Indian consumers. Luxury European cars such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen currently attract very high import duties in India, making them expensive.

Under the new agreement, these tariffs will be reduced significantly. This means European cars could become more affordable for Indian buyers in the coming years. The same applies to European wines and other premium products, which are currently heavily taxed in India.

This tariff reduction is expected to increase competition in the Indian market, giving consumers more choices and better prices.

Defence and Technology: India’s entry into the ‘SAFE’ programme

This agreement is not limited to the exchange of goods; India and Europe are now beginning a new chapter of friendship, called the “Security and Defence Partnership.” This step will significantly help India become self-reliant in its military and weapons. Following this agreement, Indian defence companies will be able to participate for the first time in Europe’s special fund (SAFE program), which holds approximately 150 billion euros.

To date, no non-European country has had the opportunity to benefit from such a large fund, which is a matter of pride for India. Additionally, India and Europe will now share intelligence. Whether it’s maritime security, cyberattacks on the internet, or combating terrorism, both sides will work together.

Europe has openly supported India after the recent terrorist attacks, stating that India has every right to retaliate in its own defence. This is a major diplomatic victory for India internationally. Another important development is that major European companies are now looking to make India their new destination, leaving China.

They want to set up their factories in India, which will not only increase work in modern sectors like chips (semiconductors) and clean energy here, but India will also emerge as a major manufacturing centre for the entire world.

Job boom: Golden Opportunity for Youth and Skilled professionals

This major agreement will have a significant impact on employment in our country. Experts say that it will employ millions of people. Best of all, it will become much easier for Indian engineers, doctors, and scientists to travel to Europe and work. To this end, both sides are developing a special mobility framework that will eliminate visa difficulties and provide better opportunities for our talent abroad.

Additionally, major European car companies will now locate their factories and parts manufacturing units in India. This will open up recruitment opportunities for thousands of engineers and technicians. Furthermore, Europe is now relying on India for its pharmaceutical supplies. This will significantly increase research and drug manufacturing in our pharmaceutical companies (pharma sector) and create thousands of new jobs.

India and Europe will also collaborate on the energy of the future, generating electricity from Solar, wind, and hydrogen. This will create a plethora of jobs in India for experts working in the field of clean energy. Overall, this deal will prove to be a major boost to the careers of Indian Youth. 

New World Order and India’s dominance

This “Mother of All Deals” isn’t just a piece of paper, but a profound sign of a changing world. At a time when the United States is making drastic changes to its trade policies and trust in China is waning, Europe has chosen India as its most reliable democratic partner. This agreement will transform India into a global economic powerhouse, establishing a new identity for itself, independent of the pressures of the United States and China.

Experts say that today, Europe’s population is ageing, so it desperately needs India’s youth and its large market to work. On the other hand, India needs Europe’s advanced technology and significant investment to progress. This means that this friendship offers significant benefits to both. However, India must be careful not to exploit this agreement to allow a third country like China to sell its cheap goods into our market. When it is ratified on 27th January, it will be considered India’s biggest and most historic victory to date.

(This article is a translation of the original article published on OpIndia Hindi.)

‘No signature, no seal’: Indian Law Ministry twice refused to serve US SEC summons to Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani

Shraddha Pandey
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‘No signature, no seal’: Indian Law Ministry twice refused to serve US SEC summons to Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani

The Indian Law Ministry twice refused to formally serve the summons issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on businessman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani. The Law Ministry cited the absence of an ink signature, official seal and a technical objection as reasons behind the refusal on two occasions, Indian Express reported on 24th January 2026.

The first refusal came in May 2025, and the second in December 2025. This led the US SEC to approach a New York federal court to bypass standard international service procedures and serve an “effective” summons to Gautam and Sagar Adani via email.

After the news of the US market regulator seeking to send summons to the Adanis emerged, the Adani Group’s listed stocks dropped between 3.3% and 14.6% or cumulatively Rs 1 lakh in market capitalisation on Friday (24th January 2026).

In its request filed before a New York federal court, the US SEC said, “Given the Ministry’s position, and the time elapsed since service was first attempted pursuant to the Hague Convention, the SEC does not expect service to be completed through the Hague Convention.”

The bribery case against Gautam Adani, nephew Sagar Adani and other Adani Group executives

It must be recalled that back in November 2024, the US SEC accused the Adanis of violating the “antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws by knowingly or recklessly making false and misleading representations concerning Adani Green Energy Ltd in connection with a September 2021 debt offering by Adani Green.”

U.S. prosecutors charged Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and several executives from the Adani Group with orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme to secure solar power project contracts in India. The indictment includes securities and wire fraud accusations, alleging that Gautam Adani, Sagar R Adani, and Vneet S Jaain misled U.S. investors about their anti-bribery policies while engaging in corruption. The Adani Group had denied all the allegations back then.

The indictment also accused them of obstructing FBI, DOJ, and SEC investigations. Then US Attorney Breon Peace alleged they undermined global financial markets.

The charges were presented against them by Breon Stacey Peace, who was the 48th United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. OpIndia reported earlier that Breon Peace had a connection to George Soros, hinting at a larger conspiracy to yet again damage the Indian industrialist’s reputation and business. 

Alongside the criminal case, the US SEC is also pursuing a civil lawsuit against the Adanis for allegedly violating the securities laws.

After the US Justice Department indicted Gautam Adani in November 2024, the Adani Group withdrew the $ 600 million bond offering.

Why did the Indian Law Ministry refuse the US SEC summons issued in February and December 2025 against Gautam Adani?

The US Securities and Exchange Commission made its first formal request to the Indian Law Ministry in February 2025, seeking assistance under the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters. 

At that time, the Indian Law Ministry denied the request, citing the absence of an ink signature on the cover letter of the SEC, in addition to a missing seal on the required forms.

“It is observed that the forwarding letter bears no seal & signature, and the Model Form bears no seal of the requesting authority as well. Hence, this Department is unable to verify and confirm the authenticity of the documents/Request, and therefore, the Documents are being returned to you for necessary action,” the ministry told the US SEC.

In December 2025, the Indian Law Ministry denied the service of summons, citing US laws and also raised doubt over the applicability of the Hague Convention in this issue. The letter cited by the Indian Express report reads, “The documents have been checked and in view of the Rule 5(b) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Informal and Other Procedures, 17 C.F.R. § 202.5(b), it is found that the above mentioned summon does not cover in the above said categories. Therefore, the same is returned herewith.”

The Law Ministry further listed what actions the SEC can take during or otherwise. “After investigation or otherwise the Commission may in its discretion take one or more of the following actions: Institution of administrative proceedings looking to the imposition of remedial sanctions, initiation of injunctive proceedings in the courts, and, in the case of a willful violation, reference of the matter to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. The Commission may also, on some occasions, refer the matter to, or grant requests for access to its files made by, domestic and foreign governmental authorities or foreign securities authorities, self-regulatory organizations such as stock exchanges or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and other persons or entities.”

In its court filing, the US SEC interpreted it as the Indian Law Ministry telling them that the SEC “lacks authority to invoke the Hague Convention or seek service of the Summonses.”

Consequently, now the US SEC is seeking a federal court approval to use an alternative, email service of summons to the Adanis, bypassing the Indian government.

Adani Green Energy says SEC proceedings “civil in nature”, company not party to the legal proceedings

On Friday (23rd January 2026), Adani Green Energy stated in its stock exchange filing that the company is not a party to the ongoing legal proceedings, nor has it been charged.  It reiterated that the SEC proceedings are “civil in nature”.

“The Company is not a party to these proceedings, and no charges have been brought against it. Further, as clarified in our intimation to the stock exchanges dated November 27, 2024 (1:16:32hrs), the Defendants have not been charged with violation/(s) of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act i.e. there are no charges of bribery or corruption against the Defendants. The SEC proceedings are civil in nature,” Adani Green Energy stated.

This statement came in response to the queries raised by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) regarding the news about the US SEC seeking to issue summons to Gautam and Sagar Adani.

Mirzapur conversion racket: 5 gyms, 50+ women targeted, constable Irshad Khan and Farid Ahmed arrested after encounter, 7 arrested so far for blackmailing and extortion

Shraddha Pandey
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Mirzapur conversion racket: 5 gyms, 50+ women targeted, constable Irshad Khan and Farid Ahmed arrested after encounter, 7 arrested so far for blackmailing and extortion

In Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district, an Islamic conversion racket operating at five gyms was busted by the police after two Hindu women lodged separate complaints accusing Muslim gym trainers of sexually exploiting them, extorting money, and pressuring them to convert to Islam. During the investigation, it turned out that a Bhadohi police constable, Irshad Khan, was also involved in this Islamic conversion racket.

GRP constable Irshad Khan built an empire for himself using money made from extortion

GRP constable Irshad Khan and his accomplice Farid Ahmed lured over 50 girls under the guise of running “Iron Fire” and “KGN 2.0” gyms. Earlier, the Mirzapur Kotwali Dehat Police arrested two accused men identified as Mohammad Sheikh Ali Alam and Faisal Khan.

The police arrested GRP constable Irshad Khan and his accomplice Farid Ahmed after an encounter near Kharanja Falls. Farid was shot in the leg by the police. The Mirzapur Police recovered an illegal pistol and a mobile phone from Farid.

Accused Farid Ahmed (L), Farid injured during police encounter (Centre), accused GRP Constable Irshad Khan (R) (Images via Bhaskar, AajTak)

Meanwhile, a lookout circular has been issued against the racket’s mastermind, Ashfaq alias Lucky Ali Khan and his brother Imran Khan to ensure they do not manage to flee the country. The police have announced a bounty of Rs 25,000 for both brothers.

According to the police investigation, Constable Irshad Khan drove expensive cars and had established a chain of gyms with money he earned through illegal extortion.

Muslim woman ‘Sanno’ was tasked with winning the trust of Hindu women who attended the gyms run by the accused Muslims

In a typical ‘Kerala Story’ scenario, a Muslim woman named Sanno was actively involved in the racket and was tasked with winning the trust of Hindu girls and entrapping them.

The accused Muslim men would “share” the Hindu girls among themselves; if a victim failed to be trapped at one gym, the responsibility for trapping them would be assigned to another gym.

Five gyms where Hindu girls were targeted for conversion to Islam sealed after DM order

So far, the police have seized five such gyms, KGN-1.0, KGN-2.0, KGN-3.0, B-Fit, and Iron Fire, to prevent evidence tampering.

KGN 3.0 gym (Image via Bhaskar)

The sealing of the five gyms came after DM Pawan Kumar Gangwar imposed a complete ban on the operation of these gyms under Section 163 until 27th February 2026.

Upon examining the mobile phones of the arrested accused, the police found incriminating digital evidence, including hundreds of photos, videos, and chats.

The police are investigating the financial trail of this gym-based Islamic conversion network. Amit Dubey, the landlord, said that he was unaware that the now-sealed KGN 2.0 gym was being used for such illegal activities. Reports say that the expensive equipment at this gym was purchased with money from religious conversions. Local residents say that women often frequented the gym late into the night,and parties took place.

Speaking about what happened and the police action in the case, Mirzapur SP Somen Verma said, “This case is from Kotwali Dehat. Two women (victims) filed a complaint alleging harassment by the owner and trainer of the gym they attended. The gym owner and others face serious allegations of exploiting the women, extorting money from them, and pressuring them to convert to Islam illegally. We are currently investigating the allegations in this case.” 

Meanwhile, ASP City Nitesh Singh said that four of the five gyms are run by three brothers and a brother-in-law.

The modus operandi

The matter came to light after two of the many victims filed complaints. The Mirzapur Police swung into action and sealed three such gyms and arrested two accused men identified as Mohammad Sheikh Ali Alam and Faisal Khan.

The two Hindu women who came forward and filed separate complaints at the Kotwali Dehat Police Station alleged that the accused Muslim men working as gym trainers in Mirzapur first befriended them and lured them into a trap, took private photos and videos, they also made AI-generated obscene videos and photos, and eventually blackmailed and pressured the Hindu women to convert to Islam.

On 20th January, a case was registered against Mohammad Sheikh Ali Alam, resident of Natwan Millat Nagar and Faisal Khan, resident of Gosai Talab, Kotwali City police station. Based on interrogation and digital evidence, the police also detained Zaheer and Shadab for questioning. Police say that all the arrested and detained accused have been associated with different gyms and were running an organised love jihad network.

Accused Zaheer is the owner of the KGN-1 gym and has also been associated with the KGN-2, KGN-3, and Iron Fire gyms. The victims have previously attended the KGN gym, where they came in contact with the accused Muslim men.

One of the complainants who attended the B-Fit gym revealed that the accused Sheikh Ali befriended her, gradually lured her into his love trap, established physical relations, and took private photos and videos. Subsequently, Sheikh Ali allegedly blackmailed her and extorted money. He even took a loan in her name and kept asking for the OTP.

According to the victim, accused Sheikh Ali Alam clicked pictures of her in a Burqa several times and pressured her to offer Namaz five times a day. He took the victim to a dargah, made her recite the Islamic Kalma, and forced her into converting to Islam.

However, when the Hindu victim protested, the accused Sheikh Ali Alam allegedly abused her, threatened to make her obscene videos viral online. He also threatened to kill her. The victim alleged that gym trainers Faisal and his associates are also involved in this love jihad and conversion racket.

Across all five gyms now sealed, the accused Muslim persons lured as many as 50 Hindu girls, exploited them, blackmailed them and were working on the agenda of converting them to Islam.

Now, the police are not only investigating the call data records of all the accused persons but also probing the funding of the gyms in question. Although the gym trainers were paid between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000, they wore branded shoes and clothing, and used expensive mobile phones. It has been reported that Mirzapur’s prominent businessmen and public representatives are among those who invested in these gyms.

UP’s historic leap under CM Yogi: Read how targeted welfare schemes lifted 60 million citizens out of poverty as the state celebrates Uttar Pradesh Day 2026

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UP’s historic leap under CM Yogi: Read how targeted welfare schemes lifted 60 million citizens out of poverty as the state celebrates Uttar Pradesh Day 2026

Uttar Pradesh, once known mainly for its struggles with poverty and unemployment, is today being projected as one of India’s fastest-changing states. On the occasion of Uttar Pradesh Day 2026, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared a heartfelt “paati” with the people, highlighting what his government calls a historic turnaround, with nearly 60 million people moving out of poverty between 2017 and 2025.

Quoting figures from NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister said the state has now become India’s “growth engine.” He urged people to renew their resolve for a “developed Uttar Pradesh,” stressing that poverty reduction is no longer just a goal but a visible reality in many districts.

A state weighed down by poverty before 2017

Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was facing deep-rooted poverty. The multidimensional poverty rate stood at 37.68 % in 2015-16, meaning nearly half the population struggled with a lack of income, education, healthcare, housing and basic services. From Independence till 2017, several welfare schemes were launched, but their impact remained limited and uneven, especially in rural areas and among SC, ST and OBC communities.

The situation began to change after 2017, when poverty alleviation became a central focus of governance. According to NITI Aayog data, the poverty rate dropped to around 22.93 22.95 % by 2019-21, showing that government interventions were finally reaching the ground.

60 million lives changed in eight years

Between 2017 and 2025, around 59.4 to 60 million people crossed the poverty line in Uttar Pradesh. The government now claims that the remaining poor are being identified through a “Zero Poverty” campaign, with efforts underway to bring every family into the mainstream through jobs, skills, credit and social security.

This progress has been more visible in rural belts and among historically disadvantaged communities, where employment opportunities and incomes were once extremely limited.

Districts that saw the biggest shift

Some districts recorded striking improvements. Maharajganj saw the highest reduction in multidimensional poverty at 29.64 %, followed closely by Gonda at 29.55 % and Balrampur at 27.90 %. Kaushambi and Kheri also witnessed sharp declines of 25.75 % and 25.23 %, respectively.

Officials say this change did not come from a single scheme, but from a mix of local industry support, skills training and easier access to self-employment.

Local businesses and ODOP changed the rural economy

One of the biggest drivers has been the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, launched in 2018. Under this programme, each district focuses on one key product from handicrafts to food items and receives support for quality improvement, branding, training and market access.

The scheme has helped create around five lakh jobs. About 916 entrepreneurs were directly supported, leading to over 10,700 new jobs. In districts like Maharajganj, ODOP-linked activity alone contributed to a 25-30 % fall in poverty levels. Small units, traditional artisans and first-time entrepreneurs, especially from SC, ST and OBC groups, benefited the most.

Skills that led to jobs and self-employment

Skill training played a major role in helping youth earn a living. The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), active since 2013, expanded rapidly after 2017. It offers free training in 283 courses across 34 sectors, including basic computer skills and spoken English. Millions of young people, especially from rural areas, have been trained under this mission.

Alongside this, the Kaushal Satrang Yojana focused on unemployed youth by linking training with real jobs and self-employment options. Around 2.37 lakh youth were targeted, while nearly 30,000 startups received encouragement. Apprentices were given a monthly stipend of ₹2,500, and training partners were paid up to ₹20,000 per trainee.

Support for artisans and traditional workers

The Vishwakarma Shramik Samman Yojana helped revive traditional skills. Under the scheme, artisans received 10 days of free training along with toolkits and financial support ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹10 lakh. Around 1.43 lakh artisans benefited, and loans worth ₹372 crore were given to over 66,300 people. For many families, this became a steady source of income and a way out of poverty.

Youth entrepreneurship and startup push

To boost self-employment further, the government launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA) in 2024. Educated youth are provided interest-free loans and grants up to ₹5 lakh to start micro-enterprises. The annual target is one lakh entrepreneurs, backed by a ₹1,000 crore budget, with a strong focus on MSMEs.

At the same time, the Startup Seed Fund Scheme, under the UP Startup Policy 2020, offered funding support up to ₹5 crore, along with help for prototypes and patents. Thousands of startups have benefited, creating over 16,500 direct jobs and pushing innovation-led growth in the state.

Social security strengthened alongside jobs

Poverty reduction was not limited to employment alone. Social security schemes played a strong supporting role. Around 1.06 crore families received annual pensions of ₹12,000. Free food grains reached nearly 15 crore people. Under the Ujjwala Gas Scheme, 1.86 crore families received cooking gas connections, while 4.77 crore daughters were supported through marriage assistance schemes.

These measures reduced household expenses and gave families a sense of stability while they worked towards better incomes.

What lies ahead: challenges and the road forward

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Gaps between rural and urban areas still exist, and many self-employed workers struggle with limited access to markets. Technical support and better digital skills will be important to make small businesses sustainable in the long run.

Looking ahead, the government needs to focus more on digital training and new technologies. Increasing women’s participation across sectors is another key area, especially as lessons from recent political and social trends show the need for wider inclusion

A long journey, but a clear shift

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh Day message reflected both pride and responsibility. Lifting 60 million people out of poverty is a historic milestone and has clearly improved living standards for millions of families. Uttar Pradesh is now seen as a leader in poverty reduction, not just within India but also as an example of large-scale change.

The challenge now is to sustain this momentum. If the focus on skills, small businesses, startups, and social security continues, the goal of a developed and inclusive Uttar Pradesh may no longer be far from reach.

Temple locked, threats by TMC goons, permission denied because most students are Muslims: Read about 4 cases where Saraswati Puja celebrations were disrupted in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Temple locked, threats by TMC goons, permission denied because most students are Muslims: Read about 4 cases where Saraswati Puja celebrations were disrupted in West Bengal

The annual Hindu festival of Saraswati Puja has been disrupted at multiple locations in the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC-ruled state of West Bengal.

On Friday (23rd January), infighting within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party led to the disruption of Saraswati Puja in Kamarhati city in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

According to a report by DD News Bangla, the Belghadia Sarbajanin Sr Sri Durga Chowk Society Mandir has been locked up by one faction of the TMC.

As a result, local Hindu women are unable to worship Goddess Saraswati. The TMC councillor has not been able to provide a resolution so far.

The local police have refused to intervene and remove the lock unless the warring TMC factions find a common ground.

“We want this temple to be a common place for worship. There will be only one lock, with 2 keys. One key will be in their possession while the other one will be with us,” a woman narrated.

Another woman stated, “This is not the property of an individual. It belongs to everyone.”

TMC leader threatens students against organising Saraswati Puja at the alma mater of Mamata Banerjee

A female student studying at the government-sponsored Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri College in South Kolkata has informed that a TMC leader has threatened them against organising Saraswati Puja.

As per the victim, the TMC leader was identified as Daud Alam Molla. The student narrated in a viral video, “Daud Alam Molla is standing outside. He has threatened me that he will f*** my LLM.”

Coincidentally, Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College is the alma mater of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.

OpIndia had reported in January 2025 how Mohammad Shabbir Ali, the then General Secretary of the West Bengal State Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, threatened students with rape and murder if they dared to perform Saraswati Puja.

Infighting between TMC factions stops Saraswati Puja celebrations

On Friday (23rd January), the Saraswati Puja Mandap at Dinhata College in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal was abandoned after infighiting broke out between two factions of the ruling TMC party.

According to a report by ABP Ananda, the police were later called in to maintain law and order. On learning about the matter, the in-charge of Dinhata police station and SDPO reached the college campus.

Hindu devotees, who went to attend the Puja festivities, were forced to flee for their safety and security. Visuals captured from the site showcase how the college campus was turned into a battlefield by the ruling TMC goons.

Hindu students are not allowed to perform Saraswati Puja inside school premises because more than 50% students are Muslims

In another incident from Barasat city in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Hindu students were denied permission to organise Saraswati Puja within the school premises.

As per reports, the permission was denied because the school had more than 50% Muslim population. In a video that has surfaced on social media, police officials were seen stopping students from worshipping the deity.

Later, Hindu students were forced to organise the Puja outside the premises of the school and on the footpath.

A man named Pradip Chatterjee was heard saying, “They said that Puja cannot be conducted here since Hindus are a minority in this school…There is no difference in the plight of Hindus residing in West Bengal and Bangladesh.”

He added that the police showed the door to Goddess Saraswati, forcing students to offer floral tributes to the Hindu deity on the side of the road.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has strongly condemned this incident. In a tweet, he asked, “Has West Bengal now turned into Bangladesh?”

“This incident teaches us one thing – How will Hindus be treated if they become a minority?” he added.

The above-mentioned 4 incidents are the ones that have been reported in the local Bangla media. As is often the case in West Bengal, stories about Hindu rights are often ignored by mainstream media houses. It will not be surprising if the cases of disruption of Saraswati Puja run into dozens.

Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Gujarat to host India’s first private satellite plant in Sanand, Azista Space launches Electro-Optical Payload Factory

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Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Gujarat to host India’s first private satellite plant in Sanand, Azista Space launches Electro-Optical Payload Factory

The history of Indian space exploration has always been linked to Gujarat. The dream envisioned by Dr Vikram Sarabhai from the land of Ahmedabad is now being realised in Khoraj, Sanand. Till now, the work of making satellites was solely the responsibility of the government organisation ISRO, but now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ campaigns, the space sector has been opened for private participation.

At the centre of this revolution is currently Sanand in Ahemedabad district of Gujarat. The foundation stone of the country’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing plant was laid in Sanand on Thursday, 22nd January. Azista Space has laid the foundation stone of India’s ambitious ‘Electro-Optical Payload Factory’.

This state-of-the-art factory will be built in Khoraj Industrial Estate, Sanand. Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia completed the laying of the foundation stone and inauguration of this factory. Many things are associated with this plant, like the Central Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make in India‘ and the Gujarat Government’s vision of a developed Gujarat by 2047. Today, we will discuss this entire plant and the benefits it will bring to Gujarat and India in the future.

Image of Bhumi Puja (Source: Gujarati Jagran)

What is this project?

The name of this project is Electro-Optical Payload Factory, also known as the ‘Palmnaro’ plant in the company’s internal context. This is the first integrated satellite manufacturing unit of the private sector in India, where the complete end-to-end production of the satellite will take place – that is, design, engineering, component manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing and qualification – all work will be done at one place.

The plant will focus on advanced optical payloads such as high-resolution imaging, remote sensing and multispectral cameras, which are useful for both civil, i.e. agriculture, environment, disaster management and defence sectors. The plant will be set up in Khoraj Industrial Estate, Sanand, Ahmedabad, where the factory will be constructed in the area from plot number K-19 to K-24/1.

The foundation stone of this plant was laid by Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia on Thursday, 22nd January. During this, MoUs worth over ₹500 crore have been signed with the Gujarat government for the development, infrastructure and technology transfer of this plant. Under these MoUs, the Gujarat government will provide land, incentives, and support to strengthen India’s private space ecosystem.

Azista details

Azista Space is an Indo-German joint venture, comprising Azista Industries Private Limited (India, Hyderabad-based) and Berlin Space Technologies GmbH (Germany). The company already has Asia’s first private satellite factory at Plot No. 16, Sarkhej-Sanand Road, Sanand GIDC, Ahmedabad, which is equipped with 30,000 sq ft of clean rooms, AIT (Assembly, Integration & Testing) lab and testing facilities. The existing factory has the capacity to manufacture 50 satellites annually, with a capacity expandable to 250, and 80%+ of the sub-systems, such as power system, communication, and control units, are manufactured in-house. This speeds up the build time by 250 times and reduces the cost by 40 times.

Azista’s factory in Sanand (Source: Azista website)

The aim of this new plant

The new plant is not just intended to manufacture spare parts or payloads, but to prepare for mass production. This will enable fast and cheap supply for mega-constellations (networks of thousands of satellites, such as Starlink). The main objective of this plant is to produce fully indigenous satellites and advanced optical payloads in India by the private sector.

It will be an end-to-end integrated facility, where everything from design to final production, testing and qualification will be done under a single roof. The plant will have state-of-the-art facilities, such as advanced clean rooms, calibration labs and R&D centres, thereby reducing dependence on imports and making Indian satellites competitive in the global market.

Azista’s main achievement

The company’s major achievement is the ABA First Runner (AFR) satellite. This satellite is the maiden (first) satellite of Azista BST Aerospace. It is the first such high-performance remote sensing satellite built by India’s private space sector, weighing 80 kg and designed for wide-swath medium-resolution optical imaging.

ABA First Runner (AFR) satellite (Source: Azista website)

It is worth noting that the satellite weighs only 80 kg – that is, it is as light as a large suitcase. Its size is about 60 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm. It has a special camera, which takes pictures of the Earth. This camera takes pictures from about 550 kilometres above, in which even objects like cars are clearly visible. This is called ‘4.6 meter resolution’ – that is, objects smaller than 4.6 meters are seen separately.

The camera can take images of land up to 60 kilometres wide at a time, called a ‘wide-swath’. It can take colour photos (in red, green, and blue) and special types of photos, such as infrared, to determine plant health. The satellite orbits the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit – that is, it passes over the same place at the same time every day, so the photos are always taken in the same kind of light.

This satellite can be used for tasks like monitoring the condition of crops in agriculture, whether water is needed or not, monitoring forests, rivers, pollution in the environment, new constructions, roads, floods, and where help is needed in times of earthquakes, etc.

This satellite was launched from America on 13th June 2023 on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket. It was a shared ride, meaning many small satellites went together. It has now been operating in space for more than 2 years. It has taken thousands of photos, sent a lot of data and photographed more than 10% of the Earth. It is still working well and is planned to last for another 3 years.

Accelerating ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India’

Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia, while laying the foundation stone of this plant, said, “This facility of Azista Space will play a significant role in furthering the vision of a self-reliant India, as the entire design, development and testing of the satellite will be done under a single umbrella using indigenous technology.” He further added, “This project will strengthen India’s national security and strategic preparedness.” This means that the satellites built by the plant will create self-reliance in defence, agriculture, disaster management and other sectors.

The satellite manufacturing unit set up by Azista BST in Sanand is not just a project for the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns, but an entire ecosystem shift. Till now, India often relied on foreign technology or components for its sophisticated satellites for security and border surveillance.

But now the situation will change. Apart from this, when a satellite is made in India, its design and the data sent through it remain completely under Indian control. This ‘self-reliance’ is extremely important from the point of view of security. Apart from this, India will be able to make and launch small satellites on a rapid basis as per its requirement, which was not possible earlier.

Global Manufacturing Hub: Many companies around the world are now looking for alternatives to China. This plant in Sanand presents India as a strong alternative to China in the space sector. Azista’s plant can manufacture 36 satellites annually. This means that India is now becoming a ‘wholesaler’ of space technology from a ‘retailer’. Seeing such successful private ventures, other foreign aerospace companies will also be motivated to invest in India and set up factories here.

Development of the MSME sector: Making a satellite is not the job of a single company; it requires thousands of small spare parts. The coming up of the plant in Sanand will give orders to hundreds of small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) around it to make sensors, bolts, panels and wiring harnesses. Gujarat is already at the forefront of engineering and manufacturing. Now the industries here will acquire the skills to make ‘space-grade’ parts, which will be the biggest achievement of ‘Make in India’.

India’s share in the space economy: According to a report, India’s share in the global space economy is currently only 2%, or $8.4 billion. The Indian government wants to increase this share to more than 8%, or $44 billion, by 2033. This plant will make a significant contribution to this. 

Apart from this, ISRO will now be able to focus on big missions like Gaganyaan and Aditya L1, while private units like Sanand will take care of the work of building commercial satellites. This division will further boost ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Stopping Brain Drain: ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘ also means ‘Atmanirbhar Youth’. Till now, India’s best aerospace engineers used to go to America for NASA or SpaceX in search of opportunities. Now with such world-class factories on Indian soil and that too in a state like Gujarat, talented youth will stay in India and develop technology for the country.

Imports will decrease, and employment will increase: More than 80% of the sub-systems, like power system, communication, and control units in this plant, will be made in India. This will reduce imports, reduce costs and speed up the build time. The plant is ready for mass production, so that India can come forward in projects like mega-constellations of thousands of satellites. This project will make Gujarat a national leader in space technology and high-tech manufacturing and will create large-scale employment for the youth in fields like electronics, mechanical engineering, and remote sensing.

Gujarat: From research to global hub of space manufacturing

The most important thing is that Gujarat’s connection with space began with India’s independence. In 1947, Dr Vikram Sarabhai established PRL in Ahmedabad. It is called the ‘cradle of Indian space science’. It was from here that the initial scientific foundations of India’s space program were laid. Then, as a result of the tireless efforts of Indian scientists, ISRO was established in 1969, in which Dr Sarabhai’s contribution was major.

Apart from this, the Space Application Centre-SAC located in Ahmedabad is considered the heart of ISRO. SAC specialises in making remote sensing, communication and navigation payloads (the main equipment of satellites). 11 important instruments used in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, such as lander camera, altimeter and radar, etc., were prepared by the SAC centre in Ahmedabad. 80% of the landing site selection was also processed here.

Moving beyond research, Gujarat is now making waves globally in ‘satellite manufacturing’. Azista BTS Aerospace is Asia’s first private factory capable of ‘satellite mass production’. This plant has the capacity to manufacture 2 satellites per week, or about 100 microsatellites per year.

The government’s plan is not to limit Sanand to just one factory, but to make it a hub where everything from satellite design to testing can be done in one place. Apart from Azista, the process of setting up other supporting industries in Sanand is also underway. This cluster of Sanand is going to become a ‘satellite manufacturing capital’ not only for Gujarat, but for the entire South Asia. Looking at the government’s policies and the enthusiasm of the private sector, it seems that the next decade will be of ‘Made in Gujarat’ satellites.

(This article is a translation of the original article published on OpIndia Gujarati.)

Ujjain: Muslim mob targets Hindu houses in Tarana after Friday namaz, several vehicles damaged, curfew imposed in area

Shraddha Pandey
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Ujjain: Muslim mob targets Hindu houses in Tarana after Friday namaz, several vehicles damaged, curfew imposed in area

In the Tarana town of Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, violence erupted on 22nd January 2026, following an attack by Muslim youths on the local Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Gau Seva Prakoshtha head, Sohail Thakur Bundela. What began as a minor dispute soon escalated into a Muslim mob attack, leading to arson, stone pelting, and vandalism.

The ruckus intensified on Friday after Jummah Namaz. In the incidents of violence, Muslim rioters torched over 11 buses, damaged shops, and injured several people. The police-imposed Section 144 to control violence, made multiple arrests, and deployed heavy police forces; however, the situation remains tense.

Muslim youth attack VHP activist Sohail Thakur on 22nd January

The tensions first flared up on Thursday night after VHP’s Sohail Thakur Bundela was assaulted by Muslim youths, including one Ishaan Mirza. A verbal argument started over Bundela staring and standing in the same spot in Shukla Gali/Shukla Mohalla, opposite the Bade Ram Mandir. The argument over the VHP leader led to a fight and assault, and Bundela sustained multiple injuries. Sohail’s associate, Rajat Thakur, also suffered injuries. Both are receiving treatment at a hospital, and their condition is reported to be stable.

Some media reports cite unconfirmed sources to say that the Muslim attackers threatened the VHP activists not to work for cow protection.

In no time, a Muslim mob and supporters of the VHP activist took to the streets. A Muslim mob began pelting stones at Hindus and damaged over two dozen vehicles, including 11 buses parked near the local bus stand.

Police registered a case of attempted murder against Sappan Mirza, Ishaan Mirza, Shadab alias Idli, Salman Mirza, Rizwan Mirza, and Naved. Five of them have been arrested, while one remains at large.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Patidar alleged that the absconding Muslim youth is the main accused, who allegedly inflicted the head injury.

Hindus stage protest outside Tarana Police Station on 23rd January, Muslim mob launches another attack

On Friday morning, activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal surrounded the Tarana police station, raising slogans and demanding the arrest of the accused and the demolition of their homes.

The police tried to persuade them; however, the activists refused. Eventually, they sat on a sit-in protest in front of the police station and began reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. 

While tensions simmered overnight after police intervention, unrest returned in Tarana after Friday (Jummah) Namaz at the Takiya Mosque in Khedi Mohalla. After the Namaz, a large number of masked protesters took to the streets. Muslim rioters allegedly set one or two buses on fire, in addition to two-wheelers and cars. They also resumed stone pelting and targeted four to six houses. Reports say that the fire department was rushed in to control the blazes.

Rioters set fire to the land located at Khankhaniya Bheru Maharaj, behind the agricultural market in Tarana. Upon receiving information about the fire, a fire brigade arrived at the scene and brought it under control.

Meanwhile, stone-pelting broke out at Imli Bada at 9 pm on Friday. The police teams were immediately dispatched, and mild force was used by the police to disperse the mob.

In the second wave of Islamist violence, over 15 vehicles were damaged. Several videos showing flames engulfing buses and crowds dispersing amidst police presence have surfaced online.

Reports say that Muslim rioters armed with swords, rods, and lathis barged into Hindu localities to pelt stones and attack their houses in a targeted manner. Window panes were broken due to stone pelting. It is even being alleged that the rioters who wreaked havoc after Jummah Namaz also attacked a Hindu temple, although no major damage was reported. Women alleged that, in addition to trying to enter homes, the Muslim rioters were hurling abuses.

Rioters vandalising a Hindu temple in Tarana on Friday after Jummah Namaz (Image via Dainik Bhaskar)

Speaking to TimesNow Navbharat, a local said that stone pelting was also being done from a local mosque, and that glass bottles were hurled at Hindu houses by Muslim rioters.

So far, over 15 arrests have been made, and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), equivalent to Section 144 of the CrPC, remains imposed in Tarana.

Speaking about the action taken by the police in the matter, IG (law and order) at the Madhya Pradesh Police headquarters, Anshuman Singh, said that five men have been arrested in connection with the violence on Thursday, while 15 to 20 have been detained for their alleged role in the violence on Thursday and Friday.

Additional police forces were called in from 5-10 police stations in the district on Friday. Drone surveillance is underway, and a flag march has been conducted. The police said that CCTV footage and social media videos are being examined to identify other rioters.

Meanwhile, Ujjain district Superintendent of Police Pradip Sharma said, “We have already detained 15-20 men found involved in the violence. CCTV footage and video clips are being scanned to identify more rioters who engaged in violence.”

The police have appealed to the local people to refrain from peddling and falling for rumours, stating that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order. A heavy police force remains deployed in the unrest-hit Tarana.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured that stringent action will be taken against those behind disrupting law and order.

UP Police attach assets worth ₹28.5 crore belonging to Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, the main accused in the codeine cough syrup smuggling case

Shraddha Pandey
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UP Police attach assets worth ₹28.5 crore belonging to Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, the main accused in the codeine cough syrup smuggling case

On Friday (23rd January), the Uttar Pradesh Police initiated the process of attaching assets worth Rs 28 crores, belonging to Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, the main accused in the codeine-based cough syrup smuggling case. The police action follows the court order.

The attachment proceedings were conducted at three locations in Varanasi. Currently, Bhola Prasad is lodged in Sonbhadra district jail.

Giving details of the attachment proceedings, Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Verma said that the Special Investigation Team found during its probe that Bhola Prasad was running an organised syndicate. Prasad had amassed assets worth about Rs 28.50 crore through the illegal business.

The police then identified the properties and submitted their report before the court to seek attachment under Section 107 (attachment, forfeiture, or restoration of property derived from criminal activity) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Taking note of the evidence furnished, the court issued attachment orders on Thursday (22nd January). Consequently, a police team was deployed to Varanasi, and the assets attachment process was initiated.

Among the assets attached, there were two fixed deposit receipts worth Rs 1,13,93,276 in Indian Bank’s Sampurnanand Sanskrit University branch in Varanasi. In addition, two other bank accounts with a balance of Rs 6,89,607 were debit-frozen.

Moreover, the authorities also attached a Mercedes-Benz car worth approximately Rs 1.22 crore and two residential houses in Varanasi bought in February 2023 for Rs 3.03 crore in the name of Bhola Prasad’s wife, Sharda Jaiswal. Besides, a building worth Rs 23 crore bought by Prasad in his wife’s name was also attached. This building is in Varanasi’s Bhelpur area.

Uttar Pradesh codeine cough syrup case

The case revolves around an organised criminal racket involved in the illegal stocking, sale, and trafficking of prescription-only cough syrups containing codeine, an opioid drug.

Notably, Codeine is a derivative of opium. It is commonly used in cough syrups and can cause mind-numbing effects if taken in excessive amounts. Long-term use of codeine has the potential to cause addiction, similar to heroin or opium. In recent years, its use as a soft drug has increased.

These medicines, which cannot be sold without a doctor’s prescription, were being illegally sold using fake documents and forged records to justify massive overstocking. The syrups were then routed through shell companies and smuggled across states.

Investigations revealed that the network extended beyond Uttar Pradesh to Kashmir and West Bengal, and even across the border into Bangladesh. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Uttar Pradesh STF conducted a raid in Lucknow, which exposed the entire operation.

While selling Codeine is not illegal, it is an opioid that is legally sold only in prescribed quantities via regulated sellers. The syndicate, the UP Police, is cracking down on stockpiled codeine and smuggling it illegally to be used as an addiction-inducing drug.

The probe against this network began in 2024, and by 2025, over 128 FIRs were filed, 280 drug licenses were cancelled, over 3.5 lakh vials were seized, and more than 32 arrests were made. This illegal codeine drug smuggling syndicate is worth Rs 428 crore, extending from 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh to Nepal, Bangladesh, Dubai, and Pakistan.

The probe into the syndicate intensified in October 2025, after a truck was seized in Sonbhadra district carrying cartons of chips (snacks), which, upon checking, turned out to be a huge cache of bottles of cough syrup containing codeine. The estimated cost of the drugs seized was Rs 3 crore. The police arrested three smugglers, Hemant Pal, Brijmohan Shivhare, and Ramgopal Dhakad, from Madhya Pradesh.

During the investigation, the name of one Shubham Jaiswal emerged, who is originally from Varanasi but resides in Dubai. In November 2025, the UP Special Task Force (STF) arrested a Lucknow resident, Amit Kumar Sing,h from Gomti Nagar’s Vibhuti Khand. During questioning, Singh revealed that he was operating the codeine drug smuggling syndicate at Shubham Jaiswal’s behest.

Further investigation revealed that Shubham Jaiswal is the son of Bhola Prasad, whose assets worth Rs 28 crore have now been attached by the authorities. Prasad was arrested at Kolkata airport while trying to flee to Thailand, fearing action by the UP STF.

Alcohol is haram, codeine is not: Muslims bought codeine-containing cough syrup at an inflated price as an alternative intoxicant

A question that stunned everyone was why a Rs 120 cough syrup is being sold at Rs 1500. This question has a ‘Halal’ answer. In Muslim-majority countries like Bangladesh and in Indian regions with a high Muslim population, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Sikkim, this cough syrup is being used as an alternative intoxicant.

As alcohol is prohibited (haram) in Islam, codeine-based cough syrup has emerged as a perceived “halal” substitute for intoxication. As a result, a bottle priced between Rs 120 and Rs 160 in legal markets is being sold illegally for Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500.

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