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Bangladeshi Hindu rights activist exposes over 1,000 incidents of Islamist atrocities on Hindus at UNHCR, tells OpIndia ‘Yunus Aligned with Islamists, India our last hope’

Shraddha Pandey
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Bangladeshi Hindu rights activist exposes over 1,000 incidents of Islamist atrocities on Hindus at UNHCR, tells OpIndia ‘Yunus Aligned with Islamists, India our last hope’

The 5th of August 2024 marked the unceremonious ouster of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. The dark day also marked the departure of the safety and dignity of Hindus and other religious minorities as Islamist mobs began singling out Hindus for their religious identity to kill, loot, and rape them, while also vandalising and desecrating their temples and idols.

Speaking at the recently held eighteenth session of the “Forum on Minority Issues” organised by the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Dipan Mitra, the Bangladeshi Hindu rights activist, highlighted incidents of atrocities against Bangladeshi Hindus at the hands of Islamists.

During his speech at the conference held on 28th November, Dipan Mitra, the President of the Bureau of Human Rights & Justice (BHRJ), said that while the minority Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and tribal communities have constantly been subjected to state and social discrimination since Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971, the situation has taken a “terrible shape”. He pointed out that a systematic process of the “ethnic cleansing of minority Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and tribal communities is underway.”

Hundreds of Hindus killed, women raped and forcibly converted to Islam

Highlighting the Islamist crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh, Mitra said that in the last one year, over 183 Hindus have been killed in the last one year. 219 Hindu women have been raped. Thousands of Hindu homes and businesses have been attacked, vandalised, and set on fire in the last year. 78 girls from Hindu and Buddhist minorities were forcibly converted to Islam.

“Attacks on Hindus on charges of blasphemy, occupation of Hindu monasteries and temples have become a daily occurrence in Bangladesh. Attacks on Hindu businessmen’s businesses and extortion are increasing at a massive rate. Not a day goes by when Hindu property is not confiscated, houses are not attacked, vandalized and arson is not committed,” he said.

Back in August 2024, OpIndia had reported numerous verified incidents of target attacks by Muslim mobs on Hindu temples and Hindu houses. At that time, it was Islamo-leftist media outlets like Al Jazeera, New York Times, and DW, among others, that tried to dismiss violence against Hindus as acts of ‘political retribution’ for supporting the Awami League. In reality, however, while there were incidents wherein the mob targeted Hindu leaders of the Awami League, the attacks are not confined to political rivalries or revenge.

Hindu temples were targeted in Natore, Dhamrai in Dhaka, Kalapara in Patuakhali, Shariatpur, and Faridpur, as well as houses in Jessore, Noakhali, Meherpur, Noakhali, Chandpur, and Khulna. Dinajpur saw the vandalisation of 40 Hindu shops.  These incidents unfolded in the initial days after Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee to India on 5th August 2024. Since Muhammad Yunus assumed charge as the advisor to the unelected interim government, Hindus have persistently been subjected to hate, harassment, killings, rape and loot at the hands of Islamists emboldened like never before.

Hindus forcibly removed from jobs in Bangladesh

Speaking at the conference, Dipan Mitra also raised the issue of a systematic campaign being run to expel Hindu officials and teachers from their jobs.

“Election Commission Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath, Additional Director General of the Primary Education Department Uttam Kumar Das, Press Council Secretary Shyamal Chandra Karmakar. Press Secretary of the Bangladesh Deputy Embassy in Kolkata Ranjan Sen, Counsellor at the High Commission in Canada, Aparna Rani Pal have been dismissed,” he said.

The BHRJ president further stated that in the last year, at least 176 Hindu teachers from various schools, colleges and universities have been forced to resign or dismissed from their jobs.

“Not only that, but Hindus are also being expelled from the Bangladesh Police. More than a hundred police officers have already been dismissed, including Krishnapada Roy. 252 Sub-Inspectors (SIs) who were recommended for final appointment and training at Rajshahi Sarada Police Academy in 2024 have been released. It has also been found that out of these 252, 99 are Hindus, two are Buddhists, and one is Christian,” the Hindu rights activist said.

He also pointed out that the Home Ministry under Muhammad Yunus has instructed IGP Baharul Alam not to appoint any Hindus to the Bangladesh Police

The discrimination extends to paramilitary forces recruitment as well. “In 2025, 693 people were recruited into the paramilitary forces, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), but none of them belonged to a minority group,” he said.

In addition, Hindu doctors have been removed from important positions in various hospitals. “Even a prominent doctor of Bangladesh, Samantalal Sen, has been framed in a false murder case.”

OpIndia reported last year, Islamists in Bangladesh harassed Hindu intellectuals and professionals and forced them to resign from their jobs. Many were pressured to leave Bangladesh solely because of their religious identity. In August 2024 alone, as many as 60 teachers/professors/govt officials, who are Hindus, were forced to resign.

Over the months, the situation has not turned any better for Hindu professionals. In October this year, a Hindu journalist, Liton Kumar Chowdhury, was attacked by a mob in Sitakunda. He was attacked by members of the Asad Bahini group. The Muslim mobsters labelled Liton Kumar Chowdhury an “Awami League Agent” who was spreading “fake news”.

In July this year, Muslim students studying at Chittagong University in Bangladesh harassed a Hindu Professor named Dr Kushal Baran Chakraborty and forcibly stopped his promotion. Muslim students gathered outside the office building in a pre-planned manner and began creating a ruckus. Many of them were members of the radical Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Freedom of speech of minorities is being stifled in Bangladesh. Atheists, writers, and bloggers are being killed and exiled from the country

The Bureau of Human Rights and Justice (BHRJ) president further stated that minorities in Bangladesh have no right to freedom of speech. Music and dance are being forced to stop all kinds of cultural events.

Notably, it was reported in November this year that the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus scrapped the posts of assistant teachers for music and physical education in primary schools. The Yunus regime’s decision was a clear attempt at pandering to Islamists, as radical Islamist outfits in Bangladesh had been campaigning for the recruitment of Islamic scholars instead of music teachers.

The Bureau of Human Rights & Justice’s analysis says that since 2013, several secular atheists, writers, bloggers and publishers have been killed or seriously injured by terrorists in Bangladesh. Since 2023, at least 12 freethinkers and bloggers have been killed. Hundreds of secular atheists, writers and bloggers have fled abroad to save their lives.

Chinmoy Krishna Das jailed over bogus charges

At the UNHCR forum, Dipan Mitra highlighted the case of Chinmoy Krishna Das, an ISKCON monk, the spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Sanatan Jagaran Manch and the chief of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong. This was booked under dubious ‘sedition’ charges. However, in reality, he was arrested because of his advocacy for Hindu rights and raising his voice against atrocities being committed against Hindus in the country.

Mitra also drew the Forum’s attention towards attacks on religious places of Hindus and other non-Muslim communities.

“An innocent ISKCON monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, has been detained in prison for a year without any charges. His only crime – he protested the atrocities on minority Hindus and Buddhists. There is no place for non-Muslims in Bangladesh. Hundreds of shrines have been attacked, vandalised and set on fire in the last one year. On January 23, an organisation called the World Sufi Organisation held a press conference at the National Press Club and said that at least 99 shrines have been attacked since August 2024,” he said.

Dipan Mitra demanded the immediate unconditional release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. He further stressed that the international community cannot stay silent and needs to speak out and play an active role in protecting Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and indigenous minorities in Bangladesh, as well as in protecting their social, political and religious rights.

Notably, in November this year, the Muhammad Yunus-led regime in Bangladesh arrested prominent Baul singer Abul Sarkar on allegations of making ‘blasphemous’ remarks against Islam and Allah during the course of a musical performance. Arrested on the complaint of one Mufti Mohammed Abdullah. Abul Sarkar was hounded by violent Muslim mobs operating under the banner of ‘Tawhidi Janata‘ and ‘Alems-Ulama’, outside the court premises. Chants of ‘একটাদুইটাবাউলধর, ধইরাধইরাজবাইকর (Pick one Baul at a time and slaughter them)’ rocked through the streets of Manikganj.

In another incident demonstrating Bangladesh’s rapid pivot towards Islamic fanaticism and intolerance, hardline Islamist groups in Bangladesh issued public threats to demolish the revered Mausoleum of Fakir Lalon Shah, the 19th-century mystic poet and spiritual leader whose syncretic philosophy has long symbolized cultural harmony in the region.

Rising ‘militancy’ in Bangladesh

The Hindu rights activist further spoke about the rising extremism and militancy in Bangladesh. He said that during on 5th August 2024, hundreds of militants and criminals escaped from prisons in Bangladesh. “Among the escaped prisoners, 700 criminals, including 70 militants, have not yet been arrested,” he said.

Islamists working on agenda to eradicate indigenous hill tribes

It also pointed out that Islamic jihadists and Bangladeshi Army are colluding to drive out indigenous populations from their native lands. Dipan Mitra mentioned a specific case wherein Bengali Muslim settlers and the army carried out a brutal attack on hill tribes in Khagrachari and Rangamati. “In this barbaric attack, 8 indigenous people were killed and more than a hundred were injured, all of whom were hill tribes,” he said.

He added that 175 shops in Dighinala and at least 200 small and large businesses in Rangamati were damaged. The Islamists also attacked the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council office in Rangamati and burned 9 cars and a motorcycle. In addition, Islamists vandalized and looted the Buddhist religious institution Maitree Vihar.

Yunus is aligned with Jamat-e-Islami to Bangaldesh Islamic country, India is last hope for Bangladeshi Hindus: BHRJ President tells OpIndia

In a conversation with OpIndia, Dipan Mitra said that the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh is worsening day by day. He said that under Yunus regime, Hindus are in the “most vulnerable” situation. Pointing out the blatant Hinduphobia and discrimination under Muhammad Yunus’s rule, Mitra said that for the last one year, “not a single Hindu has been recruited in key government positions.”

The Hindu rights activist further stated that while Hindus and other religious minority groups are specifically targeted for their religious identity by Islamists, Muhammad Yunus repeatedly blames India and Indian media, dismissing the real plight and persecution of Hindus as ‘propaganda’ and ‘exaggeration’.

“[Muhammad] Yunus is totally aligned with Islamist groups to target Hindus. I don’t think he will even let the elections take place next year. Even if he does, he would make sure the Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies come to power. He wants to make Bangladesh a Islamic country,” he said.

Further unpacking Muhammad Yunus’s Islamist agenda, Mitra told OpIndia that after banning Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from partaking in the coming elections next year, the interim government’s advisor is also try to eliminate the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from the race for power.

Notably, under Yunus’s watch, the banned anti-India and Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami was unbanned, Islamist leaders were released from jail, while the crackdown on Awami League leaders intensified.

Dipan Mitra said that Yunus has not allowed an ailing former Bangladesh prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP’s acting chairperson Tarique Rahman to visit Bangladesh to meet his mother. Rahman currently resides in the UK.

He said that while the Yunus regime makes perfunctory gestures to allow Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, it never really facilitates his return.

Meanwhile, Mitra also urged the Indian government to intervene and build pressure on the Yunus regime to protect Hindus instead of aligning with Islamists and dodging accountability. He also stressed that for Bangladeshi Hindus, now only Indian and the Indian government are the last hope.

“India is our last hope. India cannot stay silent. India should think about the situation of Bangladeshi Hindus before its too late. The Islamists want to either kill or convert all Hindus. Afghanistan was once Hindu, Hindus in Pakistan are also struggling for survival, and now Bangladesh is headed the same direction. India must take an initiative to save Bangladeshi Hindus,” he said.

About Dipan Mitra

Dipan Mitra is a Bangladeshi Hindu residing France. He is currently the President of Bureau of Human Rights and Justice. Mitra has also been associated with World Hindu Federation – Bangladesh Chapter as its Secretary General. He also is the coordinator of the WEF-European Union Chapter. In addition, Mitra serves as the Executive Member of South Asian Peoples Forum.

As NCBC recommends removals of 35 groups from Bengal’s Central OBC list, read how Mamata’s TMC govt pursued its votebank agenda amid blatant Muslim appeasement

Rukma Rathore
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As NCBC recommends removals of 35 groups from Bengal’s Central OBC list, read how Mamata’s TMC govt pursued its votebank agenda amid blatant Muslim appeasement

On 2nd December, the central government informed that the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) proposed the withdrawal of 35 communities, majority Muslim, from the Central list of Other Backward Class (OBC) in West Bengal. The important disclosure was made by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in the Lok Sabha.

NCBC issued its recommendation in January 2025. The panel reviewed 37 groups in 2014, most of which were Muslim communities, that were part of the Central OBC list and suggested that 35 communities be removed. West Bengal initially sought 46 communities for Central OBC classification in 2011, and 37 were approved and notified by the NCBC in 2014. However, the commission later began a re-examination of these entries.

The NCBC’s action transpired after West Bengal’s Chief Secretary repeatedly failed to appear at proceedings on the incorporation of castes and communities on the list. According to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the official skipped five scheduled hearings in 2024 amounting to procedural issues and disputes between the state and the commission.

TMC disregards regulations, bypasses proper procedure to include Muslims in OBC list

The blatant Muslim appeasement strategy pursued by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) is neither concealed nor unrecorded. On the contrary, the party is recognised for its extensive efforts to accommodate Muslims, irrespective of any illegality or breaches of norms or regulations.

These actions have been consistently criticised even by the judiciary. On 22nd May 2024, the Calcutta High Court, in a historic verdict, announced the cancellation of OBC certificates issued to 77 groups. The Left and TMC governments have distributed the documents from 5th March 2010 to 11th May 2012.

The TMC government not only persisted with the Muslim appeasement policies of the former Left governments but also intensified them. It implemented the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012, and classified the 77 categories into OBC A (More Backward) and OBC B (Backward).

Four pleas were submitted to the high court, contesting the religiously motivated decision made by the Left and TMC governments on the basis of constitutional validity and different provisions of the act enacted by TMC.

The petitioners charged that the commission established by the West Bengal government to identify OBCs had “illegally” focused exclusively on the Muslim minority. It did not bother comparing the 77 classes to the unreserved categories to figure out if the newly included classes under the OBC fold were “inadequately represented.”

They emphasised that the commission merely surveyed 5% of the population from the 77 classes, rather than the complete population as required under the Indra Sawhney judgement. Additionally, they stressed that the West Bengal commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 was directly flouted by the sub-classification of the new 77 groups into the OBC-A and OBC-B categories without consulting the body.

Meanwhile, the Department of Anthropology at the University of Calcutta carried out an independent study and produced an executive summary to support the classification of the recently admitted “Muslim” OBCs after the government decided to label a number of classes within the community as “backward.”

The petitioners referred to the “collusion and illegal and unholy nexus between the commission and the state.” They argued that the latter straightaway admitted to acting and recommending classes as OBCs at the direction of the government.

Calcutta High Court exposes glaring shortcomings, fraud and struck down 5 lakh OBC certificates

The case was heard by a bench of Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha, which considered the reasons presented by the West Bengal government and the petitioners. Afterward, the court invalidated 5 lakh OBC certificates issued since 5th March 2010.

The judges highlighted that the controversial Sachar Committee Report was “extensively” relied upon by the West Bengal government. According to the alleged survey, Muslims in India faced harder living conditions than Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The commission, which was established by the West Bengal government, received flak by the court for its leniency in failing to carry out a thorough survey to ascertain the backwardness of the castes included in the OBC category. It emphasised that relying on an outdated Mandal Commission report to update OBC categories between 2011 and 2022 was untenable.

The bench also found that the West Bengal government perpetrated “fraud on the constitutional power of the state” by adopting the aforementioned act and dismissing the commission’s role in designating additional OBCs. It observed that the commission undermined constitutional provisions by include Muslims in the OBC category.

The court further outlined that the University of Calcutta’s Anthropology Department collaborated with the Left government to justify the decision to notify the first set of new OBCs purely on the grounds of religion. It is essential to highlight that the TMC government relied on the same religious foundation to impose the appeasement agenda.

The West Bengal government faced heat by the judges for treating Muslims like “political commodities” and taking advantage of them in order to win elections.

TMC refuses to follow the order, approaches the Supreme Court

Predicatbly, the TMC government refused to adhere to the judgement and approached the Supreme Court after its significant humiliation for following a communal agenda. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared, “We do not accept the ruling that nullified OBC certificates. We will challenge it in a higher court after the summer vacation,” during an election rally in Sagar, South 24 Parganas district.

Nonetheless, the affidavit submitted by her government in the apex court also unveiled a similar story. According to the government, a complicated three-tier procedure that included two surveys and a hearing by the commission for Backward Classes was implemented to broaden the OBC list.

However, it was revealed that for some Muslim groups, the process was completed in less than a day. However, it would have been inconceivable considering the intricate nature of the work and the rate with which government machinery functions. The OBC commission responded at an equally remarkable pace. The subcategorisation survey was conducted before community members applied to the commission to be defined as OBCs, in some cases.

These facts were disclosed after the West Bengal government was ordered by the court to “explain the process” employed in identifying 77 communities as OBC between 2010 and 2012. It also requested information about the type of survey that was undertaken on the two areas of social and educational backwardness and inadequate representation in state services.

Furthermore, the state’s petition to the top court was received with a stern warning that religion cannot be the basis for reservations.

TMC govt introduces new bill, majority reservation to Muslims

The West Bengal government completed another OBC survey in June, that proposed the inclusion of 140 additional sub-groups within the category. It also indicated that the current 17% OBC reservation policy will continue in place. The survey was prepared in accordance with recommendations made by the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission (WBCBC), which was recently approved by the state cabinet.

The OBC reservations are divided into two categories. The first category, known as “OBC A,” offers 10% reservation to 81 communities, 56 of which are Muslim. The second category, “OBC B,” stipulates 7% reservation and contains 99 communities, 41 of which are Muslim. As a result, the state has 97 Muslim communities out of 180 in total. Clearly, a major portion of the total OBC reservation is designated for Muslim populations.

The admission of 76 new communities increased West Bengal’s OBC reservation from 10% to 17%. 64 out of the 66 previously recognised communities had been maintained.

Calcutta High Court blocks new OBC list notification

The Calcutta High Court slapped an interim stay on the preparation and publication of a revised list of OBC in the state, in June. The verdict followed complaints that the additional inclusions have been heavily biased along religious lines, breaking constitutional principles and previous judicial rulings.

The Mamata government’s attempt to restore and expand the OBC list was opposed by the petitioners, especially the inclusion of groups whose previous OBC designation had been overturned by the high court. The uproar grew as the administration increased OBC reservations from 7% to 17% just days before the court’s stay.

The shocking truth of Muslim reservation

There were 66 OBC classes in West Bengal prior to to 2010, the year the TMC came to power. 55 of these were non-Muslim and 11 were Muslim, making up barely 20% of the overall OBC groups at the time. However, the picture shifted substantially by 2025 as the state added 76 new classes to the OBC list.

These were divided into two parts. Part 1 with 51 new classes including 46 Muslim (90%) and Part 2 with 25 classes of which 21 were Muslim (84%). This unambiguously showed that the expansions were heavily biassed towards a particular religious community.

Similarly, the West Bengal Police Recruitment Board produced a recruitment drive merit list that went viral on social media, in 2021. It was aimed to fill state-wide OBC-A vacancies and nearly everyone on the list was a Muslim.

The OBC-A category contained 80 groups, 72 of whom were Muslim and there were around 40 Muslim groups in the OBC-B category. Thus, 112 of the 170 groups mentioned under the category were from the community.

Clearly, it has been repeatedly demonstrated how every rule and principal was disregarded by the Mamata government to unduly favour the Muslim community. However, TMC has not deviated from its malicious agenda despite multiple drubbings.

Mamata Banerjee’s shameless pandering to Muslims

The TMC’s desperate actions to ensure that Muslim communities are classified as OBCs are not unexpected, given the history of the party whose chief openly remarked, “Je goru dudh dei tar lathio khete hoi (if a cow gives milk, one has to be prepared for its kicks also),” in 2019. She essentially indicated that she would continue to appease Muslims as they vote for her and she needs their support to remain in power.

She added, “I like Muslims, no? I will go there (to Iftar parties) a hundred times,” while inviting others. Mamata, elected by the voters of every community, also possesses an uncanny inclination to employ derogatory language, including “kafir” used by Islamists and jihadis, to cater to Muslims.

“Jo darte hai wo marte hai, Jo ladte hai wo Kamyab hote hai, hum darpok nhi hai, hum kafir nhi hai, hum gaddar nhi hai. (Those who get scared end up losing, while those who put up a fight achieve victory, we are not cowards, we are not kafir),” she boasted, last year. The chief minister has repeatedly used the term, even on the day of the Pran Pratishtha of Ramlala to caution people against voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party and while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Eid.

Mamata had even chosen 16th August to mark “Khela Hobe Diwas,” which also happened to be “Direct Action Day,” in order to begin her campaign to oust the BJP from power in several states prior to the polls. Muhammad Ali Jinnah called on Muslims throughout India to mark Direct Action Day, commonly known as the 1946 Calcutta Killings, in which thousands of Hindus were butchered by Islamists from the Muslims Leagues on the streets of Kolkata.

However, Mamata announced that the “Khela Hobe” slogan would now be employed on the national arena and added that “Khela” will henceforth take place in every state till the BJP is expelled from the nation. The policies of her government are simply a reflection of her mindset.

TMC submits to Muslims, sacrifice rights of Hindus

Kolkata Municipal Council abolished the Vishwakarma Puja vacation to extend the Eid holidays, in Februray. The action sparked great controversy and the decision had to be reversed. The government’s tendency to postpone or completely halt significant Hindu festivals in favor of Islamic events is also well-documented.

A Durga Mandir was discovered to be blocked and barricaded in 2023 in Kaliachak town of West Bengal’s Malda district. The development occurred the day before the Islamic month of Muharram.

The Mamata government likewise decided in 2017 that there would be no idol immersion on 1st October as Muharram also fell on that day. This resulted in PILs after which the Calcutta High Court chastised the government and issued a stay order on the decree. The court also reprimanded it for wielding excessive power without justification.

The government later mandated that Durga Puja organisers obtain prior police permissions if they wish to immerse idols on Muharram, possibly in an attempt to get around the ruling. These permissions would also have to be submitted “well in advance.” The TMC politicians were also intended to persuade the Puja organisers not to immerse the idols on that day and make the “right” choice.

TMC government had also restricted idol immersion after 6 pm on Dashami Day in 2016 and 2017 to allow for the observance of Muharram. However, the high court had overturned the 2016 diktat and rebuked the government for “appeasing Muslims.”

The government has similarly turned a blind eye to the unrest perpetrated by the Islamists, whether it occurred in Naihati, where the sound of idol immersion during the Taziya procession and a firecracker provoked them to the extent that they beheaded the Durga idol and wreaked havoc, or the Murshidabad violence targeting Hindus, or the anti-Hindu riots in Malda and any such similar incident in the state.

The protests and demonstrations, marked by unchecked violence, against the Waqf Amendment Act and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) also reflect the same pattern. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee had even endorsed Waqf and described it as a “core belief” and a “integral part” of Islam. He added that anyone including Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others, should be entitled to donate land or property to a Waqf Board.

Importantly, TMC leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have been involved in inciting violence against the policies of the central government and the BJP.

Unbridled hypocrisy and yielding to extremists

The TMC also exhibited alarming double standards in its approach to maintain “communal harmony.” The police from West Bengal traveled to Gurgaon to apprehend 22-year-old Hindu influencer Sharmishta Panoli due to her allegedly objectionable comments. However, it failed to cover a short distance to arrest Wazahat Khan from Kolkata, the individual who lodged the police complaint against Sharmishta Panoli, for his derogatory statements regarding Hindu deities.

Likewise, the clarion call from Mayor Firhad Hakim of Kolkata, a Cabinet Minister and a close confidant of Mamata Banerjee, to convert all non-Muslims to Islam did not disturb the peace and harmony. “Those who were not born into Islam were born with misfortune. If we can give them Dawat (call for proselytism) and bring Iman (Faith) in them, then, we will make Allah happy,” he voiced during “All India Quran Competition,” in 2024.

TMC MLA Humayun Kabir’s announcement regarding the establishment of a purported Babri-style mosque on 6th December was apparently another representation of religious tolerance and brotherhood. He also warned the administration National Highway 34 would be under the control of Muslims, if there were any attempts to prevent the event.

Considering how TMC fosters and defends such elements, which has been consistently evident, including in the Sandeshkhali episode, it is not surprising that party leaders make such statements without fear of repercussions. Vote-bank politics takes precedence over all, including national interest as well as law and order, for the party.

Conclusion

The TMC’s diabolical quest for Muslim votes has driven the party to vehemently oppose the vital Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bengal, fully aware that the state has become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and its leaders have openly supported these elements.

The party’s outrageous fawning has even even extended beyond India’s boundaries and interests. Thus, the inclusion of the Muslim community in OBC is merely a minor point in the TMC’s overtly appeasement-ridden policies, which have corrupted the phrase “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” by substituting “people” with Muslims.

Vigilant Hindus and proactive organisations thwart conversion bid: Illegal church in Umarpada forced to halt after fierce village resistance — Ground Report

મેઘલસિંહ પરમાર
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Vigilant Hindus and proactive organisations thwart conversion bid: Illegal church in Umarpada forced to halt after fierce village resistance — Ground Report

Illegal Christian conversion has become a burning issue in the eastern region of Gujarat and the Dang and Tapi regions of South Gujarat. The number of churches in areas has mushroomed significantly in the past few years, and most of them have been accused of being involved in illegal conversion. Recently, it came to the knowledge of Hindus in Vahar village, near Umarpada in Surat, that preparations were underway to build a church without obtaining proper permission. The local Hindus strongly protested against the construction of the church and raised the matter with the authorities. As a result, the construction of the church was halted.

Vahar village has a majority Hindu population. The number of people in the villages who converted from Hinduism to Christianity is negligible. Nevertheless, the village priest began preparations to build a church in a field. When the Hindus in the village came to know about the construction of the church, they investigated and found that no permission had been obtained from the Panchayat for the construction, nor had the villagers been informed.

Fearing that the church would promote conversion among villagers, local Hindus, joined by Dev Birsa Sena, a long-active force in the tribal region, lodged strong protests against the upcoming church. Along with village Hindu leaders, Dev Birsa Sena submitted a petition to the Umarpada block administration, opposing the construction of the church and demanding its immediate halt. They also warned to launch a vigorous agitation if appropriate action was not taken.

After opposition by villagers, Christian pastor pledges not to build the church

After receiving the petition of the villagers, the Umarpada Mamlatdar referred the matter to the District Magistrate. Following the protest by Hindus, the Christian pastor, who was planning to construct the church, relented. He met the village sarpanch and other leaders, and pledged not to build the church, urging the villagers to withdraw their petition.

After receiving assurances that no illegal church would be built in the village, the villagers withdrew the petition. Speaking to OpIndia, a village leader said, “Despite the low Christian population in the village, a church was being constructed on a farm without permission, to which we objected. After the objection, we were assured that no such construction would take place. The petition that was submitted earlier has been withdrawn”.

Leaders of Vahar village reached the Mamlatdar’s office to submit their applications.

Umarpada block official, R.K. Chaudhary, told OpIndia that the matter has now been resolved with the intervention of the Gram Panchayat and therefore, no action was required at the block level. An petition was submitted by villagers to the District Magistrate regarding the construction of the church. However, since the matter has been resolved, a report about the same would be forwarded to the district admininstration.

Chirag Vasava, President of the Umarpada unit of the Dev Birsa Sena, said in a statement, “We continue to work in tribal areas to preserve tribal culture and customs. Recently, the people of Vahar village drew our attention to an illegal church being built in the village and also expressed the fear of future conversion activities there.”

Chirag Vasava, Umarpada, Dev Birsa Army.

He further said, “When the matter came to our attention, we, with the support of the villagers, submitted a petition to the Umarpada block administration. Subsequently, we were assured at the Gram Panchayat meeting that no church would be built. If any such illegal activity continues, Dev Birsa Sena will strongly raise the issue.”

It is worth noting that there have been several similar cases in the past where a church is illegally constructed in a village and then illegal conversion activities are gradually introduced there. Demographic changes have also been observed in many villages in Tapi and Dang. Now, this menance is spreading to other areas as well, but due to the vigilance of local Hindus and the organisation, one village was saved from the threat of conversion.

Who is Rahul Mamkoottathil? Kerala Congress MLA facing multiple rape and sexual harassment cases

Divya Bharti
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Who is Rahul Mamkoottathil? Kerala Congress MLA facing multiple rape and sexual harassment cases

Rahul Mamkoottathil, former Congress MLA from Kerala’s Palakkad constituency, now finds himself at a critical moment. Once seen as a promising young leader with a fast rise in the Indian National Congress, his career has suddenly been overshadowed by sexual harassment and rape cases.

Early life and education

Born on 12th November 1989, in Mundapally, Adoor, in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, Rahul comes from a family familiar with politics. He did his early schooling at Thapovan Public School in Adoor and St. John’s School in Pandalam. Later, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta.

He further pursued two master’s degrees, one in English from IGNOU and another in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD at Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam.

Political Career: Rapid rise through student and youth wings

Rahul’s political journey started in 2006 when he joined the Kerala Students Union (KSU) during his undergraduate studies. He quickly took on leadership roles, becoming KSU president of Adoor constituency in 2007 and president of the Indian Youth Congress’s Peringanadu mandalam committee.

Over the years, he climbed the ranks, serving as district president for Pathanamthitta KSU, KSU state general secretary in 2013, and national secretary of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).

In 2023, he was elected as the state president of the Indian Youth Congress in Kerala, succeeding Shafi Parambil. His big political break came in November 2024, when he won the Palakkad by-election with a significant margin. He quickly transitioned into a key leader of the Indian National Congress in the state. Besides politics, Rahul is involved in business too, owning a men’s beauty parlour, partnering in a medical shop and children’s clothing store, and running a Milma agency.

Since August 2025, Rahul’s political journey has been overshadowed by multiple women coming forward with serious complaints of harassment and misconduct.

Complaint by the Congress cultural group leader

A woman leader from Congress’s cultural group Samskara Sahithi spoke publicly about her uncomfortable experiences with Rahul. After returning from a farmers’ protest in Delhi, she said Rahul sent the messages that made her uneasy. She also informed senior Congress MP Shafi Parambil about Rahul’s behaviour when he became Youth Congress president in 2023, but felt her warning was ignored.

Rahul reportedly suggested taking a trip to Delhi together, but when she said she wanted to join the farmers’ agitation again, Rahul made it clear he meant a personal trip with him. She added that other women leaders in the party are aware of his behaviour.

Threats of forced abortion

Another woman accused Rahul of forcing her to have an abortion. A leaked audio clip that went viral showed Rahul threatening her, saying the pregnancy would destroy his life and that he might kill her if she refused. The woman told him she was ready to raise the baby by herself, but Rahul’s reaction was angry and scared. Additionally, there is a rape case against him from a 23-year-old woman who said Rahul exploited her after promising marriage.

Actress Rini George’s accusation

Malayalam actress Rini George publicly shared her story, adding visibility to the controversy. She said Rahul first contacted her on social media about three years ago. His behaviour soon became inappropriate, including an offer to book a five-star hotel room and an invitation to meet there. When she warned him she would report to senior leaders, Rahul dismissed her, saying, “You can go and tell anyone… who cares?” Rini also accused senior Congress leaders of ignoring her complaints, allowing Rahul to stay in important positions. She has not filed a police complaint yet, fearing for her safety.

Congress’s Response

With the situation spiralling beyond control, the Kerala Congress finally took the drastic step of expelling Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil, who has been battling multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

The move came swiftly after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court dismissed his plea for anticipatory bail, stripping the party leadership of any remaining justification to stand by him. The court further declined to grant him protection from arrest, intensifying the pressure.

Announcing the decision, KPCC president Sunny Joseph confirmed that Rahul has been removed from the party’s primary membership with the approval of the AICC. A growing list of complaints and ongoing investigations left the organisation with little choice, he said.

Addressing reporters, senior leaders of the Congress and the UDF maintained that Rahul must now do the “honourable thing” and vacate his seat in the Assembly. Both Sunny Joseph and UDF convener Adoor Prakash made it clear that stepping down as an MLA would be the only responsible next step for the disgraced legislator.

Thiruparankundram Hill row: DMK govt consistently tramples on religious rights of Hindus as secularism takes its last breath at the alter of Muslim appeasement

Rukma Rathore
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Thiruparankundram Hill row: DMK govt consistently tramples on religious rights of Hindus as secularism takes its last breath at the alter of Muslim appeasement

The controversy surrounding the prominent “Thiruparankundram hill” in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai continues unabated, even after the Madras High Court’s decision supporting the Hindus. On 3rd November, a lamp was ignited at the customary Uchipillaiyar temple mandapam against Justice GR Swaminathan’s order to light it at the “Deepathoon,” an ancient stone pillar. Afterward, the action by the temple officials culminated in a brawl between police and Hindu activists.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), infamous for its animosity towards Hindus decided to challenge the court’s 1st December directive, in the name of concerns over law and order. The matter escalated as petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, attempted to mount the hill while accompanied by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) troops, on court’s verdict.

However, the state police headed by Madurai Commissioner J Loganathan intervened and halted them after prohibitory orders were issued by Madurai district collector, claiming public safety and the current law-and-order situation.

Members of the Hindu Munnani organisation alongside other activists gathered in front of the temple and demanded that the lamp be lit in the court-mandated location. Some people tried to get past police barricades. It resulted in jostling and a scuffle, in which a police personnel was hurt. A senior Hindu Munnani leader asserted that temple administration had made “no arrangements whatsoever” to comply with the high court’s judgement.

Notably, the temple’s management had contested the court’s earlier decision, arguing that the move would jeopardise communal harmony. However, Judge Swaminathan responded with a stern instruction that the lamp must be lit by 6 pm or contempt proceedings would commence at 6:05 pm.

DMK flouts court’s order, belittles genuine Hindu beliefs in favour of unfounded Muslim assertions

It is concerning, though not unexpected, for the government to behave in this manner considering the actions of the Hindu-hating Dravidian party. The ruling has already been appealed by the state government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Furthermore, the DMK and its allies even asked the district administration not to follow the court order.

“Hindu outfits are attempting to disrupt public unity by instigating religious conflict in a place where people have lived harmoniously, transcending religious differences. There are also indications that these organisations plan to heavily mobilise their members in Tirupparankundram on Dec 3, the day Karthigai Deepam is traditionally lit, posing a risk to law and order,” the statement alleged.

DMK is unreservedly willing to contravene court orders to display its contempt for Hinduism. The judiciary has sided with the Hindus based on facts and evidence, but the government is intended on continuing the distorted narrative of communal harmony because, in their perversed perspective, tolerance and secularism are only preserved at the expense of Hindus and by encroaching on their religious rights.

These values were never compromised when the Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), attempted to conduct animal slaughter at the revered location referred to as one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. The same was not under threat when Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Ramanathapuram MP K. Nawas Kani (IMUL) along with another MLA and supporters ate non-vegetarian biryani at the sacred hill. Kani even announced that the place belonged to the Waqf Board.

Efforts were also underway to rename it as Sikkandar Hills, after the representative of the Sultans of Delhi who governed Madurai, which led to protests from Hindus. The DMK did not perceive these collectively provocative actions as a danger to harmony and peace only because a significant part of Hinduism was being disparaged which the party implicitly endorses. However, all hell breaks loose when Hindus assertively fight for their rights through legal means.

Likewise, the illegal occupation of the Muslims has persisted on the hill even after the high court pronounced it to be a Hindu temple and the DMK government has allowed these violations. The flag bearers of Dravidianism have invariably sided with fraudulent Muslim claims associated with Thiruparankundram hill and consistently opposed authentic Hindu concerns and legitimate rights.

DMK’s repeated disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma

While the DMK conceals itself behind communal harmony or law and order in the recent issue, it has never hesitated to openly express its disdain for Hinduism and its adherents. Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son and “proud Christian” Udhayanidhi Stalin, who serves as the deputy chief minister, has explicitly called for the  annihilation of Sanatan Dharma, in 2023.

He had remarked, “Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana.” The apex court had also lashed out at him and asked, “You abuse your rights under freedom of speech and expression and right to freedom of religion and then come to Supreme Court for protection under Article 32? Do you not know the consequences of what you said,” during a hearing.

DMK MP A Raja went even further to add that Udayanidhi’s derogatory commnets were mild and Sanatan Dharma should have been likened to HIV and leprosy. Hinduphobic actor and DMK-supported Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan who professed to spread “the word of Christ” similarly articulated his wish to “break the chains” of Sanatan Dharma in August of this year.

“Don’t take anything else in your hands, only education. We cannot win without it, because the majority can make you lose. Majority Fools (Moodargal) will make u lose, knowledge alone will seem defeated. That’s why we must hold on to education firmly,” he insisted.

The DMK has not only targeted Hinduism but has also engaged in actions that demean the religion. The Tamil Nadu government in July formally renamed Waddells Road in Chennai’s Kilpauk to Archbishop Ezra Sargunam Road, in recognition of the late anti-Hindu Christian evangelist and Bishop Ezra Sargunam. The party has even opposed Vedic rituals in the name of upholding “secular credentials” as witnessed during the memorial for former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Conclusion

People who harbour hatred for Hinduism find a place within the DMK, as the entire party epitomises Hindumisia under the guise of their malicious secularism, venerating the vehement critic of the religion and idolising EV Periyar, while showing deference to Abrahamic faiths, particularly Islam and Christianity.

The repeated confrontations at Thiruparankundram hill are simply a continuation of the same. The DMK government is determined to trample on the rights of Hindus, even if it entails defying court orders ot challenging them. Like all its counterparts in India, the party glosses over its abject disdain for Hindus for the sake of “communal harmony and peace,” which is conveniently overlooked while dealing with even the most fabricated claims by members of minority religions.

The Hindu belief system, its holy places and practices, is sacrificed at this twisted altar without a second thought. This is evident in Tamil Nadu, as it is in every part of the country, time and again, with Hindus repeatedly bearing the burden of minority appeasement and vote bank politics perpetrated by these parties.

Nonetheless, DMK or “secular parties” would never have the audacity to behave in this manner towards Muslims or followers of other faiths, which reveals much about their true intentions and motivations.

AAP leader Isudan Gadhvi claims PM Modi is not Hindu and the govt exports beef: Read how the Gujarat politician is exposing his ignorance

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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AAP leader Isudan Gadhvi claims PM Modi is not Hindu and the govt exports beef: Read how the Gujarat politician is exposing his ignorance

A few days ago, a video of Aam Aadmi Party’s Gujarat state president Isudan Gadhvi making outrageous claims about beef exports went viral on social media. In the video, Isudan is giving a ‘non-Hindu’ certificate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also claiming that the Modi government slaughters cows and calves and exports their meat abroad. This, however, is far from true and is evidently a propaganda peddled by the AAP leader to attack PM Modi’s Hindu credentials.

“I also want to tell Narendra Modi that I do not consider him a Hindu. I am saying publicly that I do not consider him a Hindu. Because a person who sends cows to slaughterhouses, exports their meat, earns from it and makes lotuses with that income cannot be a Hindu,” Gadhvi said in the undated video.

In addition, he also tried to target BJP workers, saying that BJP workers should do penance, because the lotuses they go to inaugurate are made of cow meat.” 

Cow slaughter and beef export banned in India

Contrary to the claim by Isudan Gadhvi that Modi government exports cow beef, cow slaughter is not a common commercial activity in India, in fact, it has been discouraged at the constitutional level. Article 48 of the Directive Principles of the Indian Constitution clearly tells the states to take steps to ban the killing of cows and calf.

Based on this same constitutional directive, today there is a legal ban on the slaughter of cows and their offspring (bulls, calves, etc.) in India. Many states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have completely banned cow slaughter by enacting laws.

In Gujarat, the Bombay Animal Preservation Act and its amendments of 2011 and 2017 not only completely prohibits the slaughter of cows, calves, and bulls, but after the 2017 amendment, there is also a provision of life imprisonment for illegal cow slaughter. Recently, a court in Amreli sentenced three accused to life imprisonment in a case of illegal cow slaughter. 

The ‘cow beef’ export allegation levelled by Isudan Gadhvi is mainly based on two things: India is the leading country in ‘beef export’ in the world. He has directly called ‘beef’ ‘goulash’ and then turned it into the Modi government’s ‘cow slaughter policy’. It is clearly written in the Foreign Trade Policy and DGFT’s (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) export policy documents that the export of beef (cow, bull and veal) is prohibited.

This has been reiterated on the floor of Parliament time and again. In a written reply to a question on ‘EXPORT OF BEEF’ in the Lok Sabha on 14 March 2016, the then Minister of State for Commerce (Nirmala Sitharaman) had said, “As per the current Foreign Trade Policy, export of beef (cow, bull and veal) is prohibited. Only export of buffalo, goat and mutton is permitted and that too is considered beef.”

In 2015, 17, 19 and 20, in response to different questions, the government has reiterated the same thing that beef, veal, and cow meat, i.e. cow-beef, are in the ‘prohibited‘ category in the export policy, while exports are only legally permitted trade of buffalo, goat and mutton meat.

Earlier, notorious propagandist YouTuber Dhruv Rathee had also claimed that ‘India is the top beef exporter in the world.’ This is partly true statistically, but there is a trick of language and definition here. The official website of India’s Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Red Meat Manual clearly state that India exports only deboned and de-gland frozen buffalo meat. Not cow meat, but buffalo meat, which is called carabeef in international trade. 

The ‘beef export’ figures shown in India are not cow beef, but buffalo meat. Legally, cow meat is not on the export list, so the claim that ‘Modi is slaughtering cows and selling beef’ proves to be completely irresponsible and baseless. 

The word ‘Beef’, the prevailing confusion and its misuse to peddle lies against the Modi government

There is misconception that beef means cow meat; that is not the case, as FSSAI defines beef as the edible portion of bovine animals including buffaloes. Therefore, Beef means the edible portion of bovine animals including buffaloes.

In legal language, ‘beef’ includes both cow and buffalo meat. International statistics (UN, FAO) also do not differentiate between cow and buffalo in the ‘Beef’ category. As a result, India exports 100% buffalo meat (carabeef), which is shown in the graph as ‘Beef Export’.

However, the same statistics are being used by anti-BJP parties as propaganda by falsely claiming that Modi government allows export of ‘beef’, that is cow meat, while reality, the buffalo meat is exported. Yesudas Gadhvi is also working to give air to the same propaganda. In short, this trickery of words is playing with people’s emotions. 

There is a statement by a leader (of AAP), who deliberately ignores all these nuances and jumps to the direct conclusion that ‘Modi is not a Hindu because he exports beef.’ Accusations and counter-accusations are common in politics, but when a leader creates a full-blown debate by targeting a sensitive sentiment like that of Gaumata, it is not called ‘politics’, it is clearly called propaganda. 

As for the ‘certificate of being a Hindu or not’, then look at the old deeds and statements of Jesus Gadhvi Gopal Italy, look at Kejriwal’s statements on Ram temple. ‘Not considering Modi a Hindu’ will not change the reality. The reason why crores of Hindus of the country are standing by Modi today is also the faith of Hindus.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh’s statement based on facts, documents reveal Jawaharlal Nehru favoured wanted to spend govt money on Babri Masjid

Shriti Sagar
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Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh’s statement based on facts, documents reveal Jawaharlal Nehru favoured wanted to spend govt money on Babri Masjid

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently sparked a major political debate with a striking claim about India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Speaking at a ‘Unity March’ on Tuesday, 2nd December, in Gujarat to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said Nehru wanted the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya to be built using government funds. According to him, it was Sardar Patel who firmly opposed this proposal and stopped public money from being spent on constructing a mosque.

Rajnath Singh said this in front of a huge gathering in Vadodara, praising Patel’s commitment to national unity. His comments have immediately triggered strong reactions across political circles, especially from the Congress party. 

Rajnath Singh has not made this claim without documentation. Important details supporting his statement are found in the book “The Inside Story of Sardar Patel – Diary of Maniben Patel.” The book contains Patel’s notes and details of his interactions with Nehru, written at the time when these events were actually happening.

According to page 24 of this book, Nehru had raised the issue of spending government money on the Babri Masjid. However, Patel strongly objected and made it clear that the government could not fund the construction of a mosque. This was the exact situation Rajnath Singh referred to in his speech.

Congress dismisses Rajnath Singh’s claim

Soon after Rajnath Singh’s speech, several Congress leaders strongly objected to the remarks. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said such statements are meant to divert attention from real issues affecting people. She accused the BJP of trying to create distractions every day.

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi says, “Where did he even get such information from? He is the Defence Minister of the country. He has been a Chief Minister. He is considered a serious political figure, not like Modi ji. So he should at least maintain that dignity that whenever you make such statements, especially in a historical context, you must have factual evidence for it…”

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera challenged Rajnath Singh to produce documents as proof. He questioned the logic of the claim, pointing out that the Babri structure existed long before Nehru was even born, and Patel died in 1950. He said if Nehru had actually wanted to build the mosque using state money, he had 14 more years in power after Patel’s death, so why didn’t he do it then?

Party’s Saharanpur MP Imran Masood also questioned Singh’s claim.

“I don’t know why he is making such remarks. We only know of one historical document. If it concerns Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, they should have the document…,” Masood told reporters.

“Nobody will accept it just because he says so. Yes, there is one document in which Sardar Patel took action to ban the RSS… All of this was done by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. His roadmap is the very path on which the country is progressing today. He also fostered scientific thinking,” he said.

Other Congress MPs like Manickam Tagore said Nehru’s principles were very clear: public money should not be used to build temples, mosques or churches. Government funds are meant for institutions like IITs, IIMs and development projects. Manish Tewari and Imran Masood also rejected the claim, calling it “twisting history”.

Tariq Anwar accused the BJP of “digging up old controversies” because Nehru is not alive to respond.

Historical evidence backing Rajnath Singh’s claim

A documented source supporting the statement of Rajnath Singh is found in the book “The Inside Story of Sardar Patel – Diary of Maniben Patel”,  a record of day-to-day events written by Sardar Patel’s daughter. On page 24, there is a clear reference to a discussion between Nehru and Patel regarding the Babri Masjid.

According to the diary entry dated 20th September 1950, Nehru raised a question regarding the Babri Masjid, suggesting that government funds could be used. Patel immediately objected and told Nehru that the government could not spend public money on building a mosque. He reminded Nehru that the Somnath Temple reconstruction was different because a dedicated public trust had already raised ₹30 lakh and not a single rupee came from the government. After Patel’s firm reply, Nehru reportedly became silent.

Screenshot of the page no. 24 of the book “The Inside Story of Sardar Patel – Diary of Maniben Patel”

This makes the diary entry a key document that aligns with Rajnath Singh’s statement.

Evidence of deep differences between Nehru and Patel

The same book also shows that this was not the only incident of disagreement between the two leaders. The diary provides multiple examples of big differences in national policy and internal party leadership.

In the page no. 25 of the book, G.D. Birla told Patel that the country could have united more strongly under the slogan of Hindutva, but Nehru was committed to secularism. Patel disagreed and pointed out that Nehru’s earlier socialist slogan had created hatred in society.

On 20th September 1950, Patel remembered how Nehru had used his help whenever needed, especially during the pact with Pakistan, but now Nehru had started ignoring him.

By 22nd October 1950, Patel felt that Nehru had become almost autocratic after Gandhi’s death. He believed Nehru was interfering in his ministries, replacing officials with his own favourites like Rafi Ahmed Kidwai and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Patel felt helpless and ignored on major national issues.

Nehru tried to remove idols from Ram Janmbhoomi 

There is another chapter from history that shows Nehru’s strong opposition to the Ayodhya temple movement. Shortly after Independence, when idols of Lord Ram appeared inside the Babri structure in 1949, Nehru wanted them removed. He instructed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant to take action.

To deal with rising Hindu-Muslim tension, District Magistrate K.K. Nair was asked to prepare a report on the issue. He assigned the task to his colleague Gurudutt Singh, who recommended the construction of a grand Ram Temple at the birthplace.

Despite this recommendation, the government issued an order to remove the idols. But DM K.K. Nair refused, saying Hindus worshipped there and the idols could not be relocated. The Congress government suspended him for not obeying orders. The court later reinstated him, but Nair refused to continue working under Nehru’s government.

This incident is often cited to show that Congress had long opposed the Ram Temple movement. BJP leaders argue that Nehru once publicly said he felt depressed while walking in large temple corridors in South India. He had also stopped President Dr. Rajendra Prasad from attending the inauguration of the rebuilt Somnath Temple, because he was against its reconstruction from the beginning.

Rajnath Singh’s statement has once again reopened historical debates from the early years of the republic. Congress has completely rejected his claim and demanded evidence. But references from Maniben Patel’s diary suggest that the Defence Minister’s comments were not made without basis.

International Cheetah Day: India’s Cheetah reintroduction programme marks major success as population rises to 32

Anurag
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International Cheetah Day: India’s Cheetah reintroduction programme marks major success as population rises to 32

The ambitious Cheetah reintroduction programme initiated by the Government of India has entered a new and promising phase. Once dismissed as an over-optimistic experiment by the opposition, the initiative has now delivered some of the strongest results recorded anywhere in the world for a large carnivore rewilding project.

A thriving population and rising births

Since September 2022, a total of 20 Cheetahs have been brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Out of these, eight arrived from Namibia in the first month and twelve from South Africa in February 2023. During the reintroduction of Cheetah in the Indian wild, many opposition leaders and those who oppose the Modi government as their regular job doubted the feasibility of the programme. Notably, Cheetah went extinct in India in the 1950s and it took 72 years to bring them back to the country.

Despite the initial speculations drawn by the opposition, as of December 2025, India sustains 32 Cheetahs, out of which 21 are India-born cubs. This marks one of the most successful early-stage reintroduction scenarios globally. In a key milestone for the programme, Mukhi, an India-born female, delivered five healthy cubs in November 2025, further strengthening the country’s growing big-cat population.

What PM Modi said on International Cheetah Day

On 4th December, celebrating International Cheetah Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the conservation efforts that have brought the species back from extinction in India. He said, “On International Cheetah Day, my best wishes to all wildlife lovers and conservationists dedicated to protecting the cheetah, one of our planet’s most remarkable creatures. Three years ago, our Government launched Project Cheetah with the aim of safeguarding this magnificent animal and restoring the ecosystem in which it can truly flourish. It was also an effort to revive lost ecological heritage and strengthen our biodiversity.”

PM added, “India is proud to be home to several cheetahs, and a significant number of them are born on Indian soil. Many of them now thrive in the Kuno National Park and the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. It is heartening to see cheetah tourism growing in popularity as well. I encourage more wildlife enthusiasts from across the world to visit India and witness the cheetah in all its splendour.”

“Our progress in cheetah conservation has been possible only through the collective support of our people, especially our dedicated Cheetah Mitras. Protecting wildlife and living in harmony with nature are integral to India’s civilisational ethos and we see that spirit alive today in these efforts,” he said.

How opposition and left-liberal voices speculated against the programme

While the project has now delivered clear results, the reintroduction effort endured intense criticism and political speculation, often amplified by sections of the opposition and left-liberal commentators.

In January 2024, Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi described the government as “mass murderers of the big cat”, alleging lack of planning and accusing the Centre of prioritising photo opportunities over scientific management.

TMC MP Saket Gokhale raised similar concerns in July 2023, blaming two cheetah deaths on preventable causes such as unsuitable radio collars and alleged government complacency.

The official TMC account labelled the initiative “ill-conceived” and a “PR stunt” after reporting seven deaths between March and July 2023, insisting that habitat suitability had been ignored.

In September 2024, Kerala Congress raised objections over Rs 44 crore being spent on the project and the decision to reintroduce Cheetahs instead of rehabilitation of Gir lions.

X user Kapil, who is pro-AAP, said, “Not only wasted taxpayers’ money but is also responsible for the death of Cheetahs.”

Pro-Congress user Ankit Mayank said, “Remember non-stop propaganda by Godi Media when few cheetahs were brought to India in 2022? Out of 20 cheetahs, AT LEAST 8 have died so far. Who will take responsibility for the waste of hundreds of crores of taxpayers’ money? All that for one man’s PR?”

Propagandist and anti-BJP YouTuber “The Deshbhakt” wrote, “In need for ever more publicity, Govt stopped listening to experts. Citizens too now disregarded any studied opinion / critique / warning is as ‘negative’ / ‘anti-national’. Conservationists like Valmik Thapar were dismissed year ago & now half the imported cheetahs are dead.

These criticisms fuelled a larger narrative that the programme was destined to fail, with many commentators predicting the deaths would continue and that India lacked the expertise to manage the species.

Two years on, the data speaks for itself. Despite early setbacks expected in any large wildlife translocation effort, the cheetah population has not only stabilised but grown significantly through natural births. India-born cubs now form the backbone of the population, and both Kuno and Gandhi Sagar are emerging as strong habitats.

The programme has secured international partnerships, revived lost ecological heritage, and placed India among the handful of nations capable of successfully reintroducing the cheetah. Far from collapsing, the initiative is flourishing, proof that the world’s fastest land animal has found its stride once again on Indian soil.

Indian Rupee breaches the 90-mark against the Dollar: Here are the reasons behind this historic depreciation

Shraddha Pandey
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Indian Rupee breaches the 90-mark against the Dollar: Here are the reasons behind this historic depreciation

For the first time ever, the Indian Rupee (INR) breached the psychologically significant Rs90 mark against the Dollar, reaching an intraday low of Rs90.30 before closing at Rs 90.19 on 3rd December 2025. This marks the third consecutive low in recent days, extending an eight-month slide that has witnessed the India Rupee depreciate by over 5% year-to-date. These developments have made the India Rupee the worst-performing major currency in the year 2025.

This depreciation is not sudden; it is the culmination of a rapid fall from below Rs 89.9475 on 2nd December and Rs 89.76 on 1st December. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made modest intervention, selling around $30 billion in USD between June and October, to curb excessive volatility; however, its calibrated approach grants the market more room, and helps prioritise long-term resilience over rigid defence of psychologically disheartening 90-threshold.

Predictably, the opposition parties and the extended anti-Modi cabal have seized the opportunity to attack the Modi government and accuse it of gross economic mismanagement. The Modi detractors are trying to portray the depreciation of rupee against dollar as a governance failure, including unemployment, high inflation, and eroding trust of investors under PM Modi’s leadership.

However, such an interpretation of the situation is dishonest and stems from the political imperative of targeting the government and not genuine concerns about the Indian economy and currency. This is because a proper reading of the situation is incomplete without looking into the external factors.

Contrary to the political narratives being coalesced with an economic phenomenon, the Indian Rupee’s weakness is not entirely driven by domestic factors or policy lapses; rather, it is significantly driven by global headwinds and structural trade imbalances.

Not to forget, India’s economic fundamentals remain strong. In the third quarter of FY26, the country’s GDP grew at an impressive 8.2%, beating 7.3% forecasts. Inflation is also at record lows, and corporate earnings, too, are rebounding.

Indian Rupee’s fall driven by a trifecta of external factors

In times where countries are trading their sovereignty and self-respect to be in the good books of US President Donald Trump, fearing his tariff threats, India is the only country that did not succumb to pressure tactics and agree to any Faustian bargain. This standing up to economic and geopolitical pressure comes at a cost. Trump made preposterous claims that India somehow is ‘funding’ the Russian war machine and whatnot, to impose 50% tariffs.

While the Indian economy, contrary to Trump’s ‘dead economy’ jibe, is strong, steady and growing, everything cannot be as right as rain. Since the tariff hikes were announced, the Indian Rupee has depreciated by 5.5% against the USD.

The sharp depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the Dollar accelerated after the Trump administration in the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports earlier this year. This directly hit approximately $45 billion worth of annual exports in various sectors.

India’s exports to the US, one of the country’s largest export markets, dropped sharply. Merchandise exports plummeted by 11.8% year-on-year in October 2025, slumping to an eleven-month low of $34.4 billion. What drove this was increased US tariffs and unfavourable base. It must be recalled that in October 2024, exports had grown a strong 16.6%.

It is essential to note that to offset a decline in US exports, India is diversifying into new markets, a notable example of which is the India-UK FTA signed in July this year, bolstering domestic demand through tax cuts and implementing government support measures like the Export Promotion Mission and credit guarantees for exporters.

Oil prices slumped by 10.5%, dropping to a nine-month low of $3.9 billion as global crude prices declined. Similar has been the situation in non-oil exports, which contracted 12% to $30.4 billion, marking an eleven-month low. Almost every export category except electronic goods, including engineering goods, gems and jewellery, chemicals, and ready-made garments, witnessed a year-on-year decline.

On one hand, exports dipped, on the other, imports in certain segments like merchandise and gold increased. In a nutshell, the external sector has been under pressure. Tariffs, softened demand from major markets, and the undeterred demand for imported goods have posed challenges to export competitiveness. This is something the stakeholders and the government must look into, as further widening of the trade deficit in the coming times could exacerbate INR depreciation and cause trouble in the balance of payments.

In addition, foreign portfolio outflows have pulled out a staggering Rs 16.78 billion so far this year from Indian equities. This is attributed largely to interest-rate differentials between the US and India, which have narrowed to less than 2.5%. This has exponentially raised the dollar demand. As per an SBI analysis, between July and October, a rare imbalance was recorded when the combined excess demand in spot and forward merchant markets reached up to $102.5 billion.

What exacerbated the situation were the offshore Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) markets, as panic hedging pushed one-month NDF quotes 7–8 paise above the interest-rate differential.

Speaking about the role of NDFs in INR depreciation, Ritesh Bhansali, deputy chief executive officer at Mecklai Financial Services, said, “In the NDF market, we have seen a lot of shorting of the rupee happening, which is creating pressure on the rupee. Even if you don’t account for speculative activities, from a demand-supply basis, the demand for dollars is higher as compared to the supply.”

He added that importers are frontloading their import payments because of the rupee depreciation, while exporters are not hedging hawkishly. “Domestic fundamentals are creating their own headwinds, a widening current account deficit and a softening balance of payments (BoP) position are contributing to an unfavourable demand–supply dynamic for the currency,” Reddy opined.

Infographic via Reuters

Taking to X, veteran banker Uday Kotak highlighted that the ongoing Indian Rupee depreciation against dollar is directly connected with foreign investor behaviour. He said that INR’s fall was fuelled by overseas exits across portfolio flows and private equity under FDI.

“₹@90. The proximate reason: foreign selling of Indian stocks both FPI & PE under FDI. Indian investors buying. Time will tell who is smarter. For now, foreigners seem smarter. 1 year nifty $ return is 0. But this a long game. Time for Indian business to shake out of comfort zone,” Kotak wrote.

Notably, the foreign portfolio inflows (FPI) have witnessed a dramatic slowdown and external borrowings have also weakened, indicating a tougher global fiscal situation. Since January this year, FPIs have withdrawn Rs 1.48 lakh crore from domestic equities. This significant pullback came even as India’s macroeconomic backdrop is largely stable.

Meanwhile, Rama Chandra Reddy, treasury deputy general manager at Karur Vysya Bank, opines that as traditional suppliers of global carry-trade capital, the US and Japan, are “grappling with elevated interest rates, the flow of low-cost capital into emerging markets has weakened noticeably.”

Reddy says that this environment has not only limited fresh carry-trade inflows into India but also raised the risk of unwinding existing positions, adding incremental pressure on the Indian Rupee.

Notably, in October this year, India recorded its widest-ever monthly trade deficit of $41.68 billion. This was driven by a 16.6% increase in imports, particularly crude oil (85% imported), commodities, and a festive-season spike in gold purchases. The current account deficit expanded to $12.3 billion, or 1.3% of GDP, fuelled by a magnifying trade deficit that rose to 9% of GDP, due to multiple factors, including a surge in gold imports amid higher global prices. These factors contributed to the creation of relentless dollar demand from importers.

Although the Dollar Index itself is reported to have fallen 8.5% year-to-date and closed at 99.22 on 3rd December, the Indian Rupee weakened more than most Asian nations is due to the India-specific external shocks in addition to the RBI’s deliberate shift toward managing volatility rather than rigidly defending a specific depreciation level. The RBI has sold only about $30 billion in 2025 while keeping its forex reserves comfortably at about $690 billion. A weak, fragile or collapsing economy cannot do that.

An absence of the much-hyped India-US trade deal or Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) also remains a matter of concern. For months, India and the US have been holding negotiations to go forward with the deal; however, India’s reluctance to open up agriculture and dairy markets for US goods and Trump’s intransigence to arm-twist India into signing a heavily pro-US or one-sided trade deal have caused delays in its signing. This ambiguity is fuelling the erosion of investors’ trust. However, comments by the Indian and American sides lately suggest that both countries are close to sealing a swift India-US trade deal, which would naturally contribute to the stabilisation of the Indian Rupee through reduced tariffs and revitalised trade ties.

Does strong currency alone indicate a strong economy? If that were the case, Afghanistan would have been an economic powerhouse

While India is navigating its way through challenges thrown its way, the usual suspects are attacking the Modi government with ridiculous arguments like “even Afghanistan’s currency is stronger than ours”. However, these are juvenile arguments stemming from a sheer lack of understanding or deliberate ignorance of how economics works.

The Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’s currency, “Afghani”, is one of the strongest and most stable in the world. This is not because the country has become economically stronger but because of Taliban-imposed restrictions on the use of the US dollar and Pakistani rupee. This has eliminated demand for foreign currency. Most transactions in Afghanistan are conducted using the local Afghani currency.

Limited exports, little foreign investment, and negligible international trade, although the Taliban is opening up a bit on that front, are the key factors why Afghanistan’s currency remains artificially stable. This ‘stability’, however, does not essentially translate into economic stability. Unlike Afghanistan’s economy, the Indian economy is neither small nor isolated.

Afghanistan has minimal industrial activity and investment; in contrast, India is a significant economic giant and a hub of industrial activity and investment. Afghanistan’s currency is stronger than that of Japan; however, Afghanistan is nowhere close to Japan in terms of economic growth, stability, investment and global market share.

Although depreciation is a matter of concern, Indian currency is not volatile; rather, at this point, it is acting as a shock absorber against global headwinds. Many experts, including those at HSBC, opine that “the Indian rupee is a shock absorber for the economy, and an automatic stabiliser for external finances.” A depreciating rupee against dollar is not essentially a result of policy failure and does not entirely mean an economic weakening.

IndiGo in turmoil: What is behind India’s busiest airline’s nationwide operational breakdown? Explained

Jinit Jain
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IndiGo in turmoil: What is behind India’s busiest airline’s nationwide operational breakdown? Explained

India’s busiest airline, IndiGo, has been hit by a wave of mass flight delays and cancellations this week, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the country and forcing emergency interventions from aviation authorities.

The disruption, one of the worst in recent years, has exposed how regulatory change and operational decisions collided to create a nationwide aviation crisis.

What triggered the crisis?

The chaos stems largely from the enforcement of updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), stricter DGCA regulations designed to make air travel safer by reducing pilot fatigue. The rules mandate longer rest periods, tighter limits on flight duty hours, and significantly fewer night landings.

Airlines must now rework crew rosters to remain compliant, and IndiGo, which runs the largest flight network in India, found itself scrambling to meet the new norms.

Complicating matters further, the airline was already battling technology glitches and seasonal congestion, which combined with the rule changes to form a perfect operational storm. The result: widespread cancellations, heavily delayed departures, and terminal chaos across metros and regional hubs alike.

Why IndiGo was hit the hardest

IndiGo’s vast network, operating over 2,300 flights every single day, including a high volume of late-night and early-morning sectors, has long depended on squeezing maximum flying hours out of every aircraft. To sustain that pace, the airline built its roster around quick turnarounds and long operational windows, with pilots often handling multiple night landings and functioning on shorter rest intervals.

But the new fatigue-management regulations have fundamentally disrupted this model. With stricter limits on duty hours and mandatory longer rest periods now in force, IndiGo’s tightly packed scheduling strategy has come under severe strain, exposing a shortage of deployable crew and triggering the spate of nationwide delays and cancellations.

A Reuters report quoted sources as saying that IndiGo was already running short on crew, making its network extremely vulnerable the moment the new restrictions kicked in. Worse, scheduling software faults reportedly further disrupted roster management last weekend, compounding the operational chaos.

Scale of the meltdown

Over the past two days, more than 300 flights have been cancelled, while many others suffered delays running into several hours. The impact has been severe at airports in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata, where long queues, packed terminal halls and angry passengers became the norm.

As of December 4, 2025, IndiGo flights are facing disruption across the country as the new rules kick in, forcing the airlines company to comply with them, which has invariably caused delays and chaos.

Social media, meanwhile, has exploded with complaints, from lack of information and last-minute cancellations to passengers being stranded overnight without accommodation or meal support.

Some flights showed “on-time” status on boards, only to be cancelled at the last minute. Others were delayed by 6–10 hours before being scrapped. The uncertainty has eroded trust in a carrier many had long considered reliable.

X is replete with complaints about the delays passengers are facing at the airport. “Flights getting cancelled one after another, chaos at the gates, passengers arguing with crew, zero communication,” grumbled a social media user on X.

DGCA steps In

Alarmed by the worsening situation, the DGCA has summoned IndiGo’s senior leadership to justify the scale of disruptions and lay out a credible recovery plan. The regulator noted a steep drop in the airline’s punctuality performance over recent weeks and is scrutinising whether IndiGo sufficiently planned for the new FDTL mandate.

What IndiGo says

The airline has publicly apologised, acknowledging “significant disruption” to operations and promising to normalise schedules within 48 hours through “calibrated adjustments.” It has said that customer support teams are assisting affected passengers with rebooking or refunds, though the situation on the ground suggests this response remains uneven.

But even as these emergency measures get rolled out, the core structural issues remain: to comply with FDTL, IndiGo (and any large airline) must rebuilt roster-planning, hiring and crew pipelines, not just for short-term patching, but for long-term sustainability.

What the crisis highlights

The crisis highlights a deeper tension in India’s booming aviation market: airlines aggressively expanding operations without proportionately expanding crew capacity may now find themselves unable to comply with safety-driven norms without severe service disruptions.

Aviation experts warn that pilots flying beyond safe fatigue limits is not an option, and the current experience could push airlines to rethink lean staffing as a strategy.

What it means for passengers

IndiGo’s operational culture, focused on ultra-tight turnaround efficiency, has hit a regulatory wall. The airline must now prove that it can rebuild resilience into its network without compromising safety, cost-efficiency, or passenger trust.

For the moment, travellers are advised to check flight status before leaving home, keep essential supplies handy, and prepare for unpredictable delays until the issue settles.

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