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ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has publicly rebuked several opposition leaders through an Islamophobic &ldquo;movie poster&rdquo; shared on X, accusing them of being sympathetic to Muslims and &ldquo;intruders.&rdquo; The mock poster, posted by the official BJP Delhi account, features India&rsquo;s Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party founder and national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav wearing Muslim skullcaps.&nbsp; The image is titled &ldquo;Ghuspaithiyon Ke Bhaijaan&rdquo; and includes the captions &ldquo;Directed by: Rahul Gandhi,&rdquo; &ldquo;Produced by: Mamata Banerjee,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Supporting Role: Arvind Kejriwal.&rdquo; It was shared alongside the message: &ldquo;The most trouble from SIR is faced by these sympathizers of the intruders.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1995374749728522248&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=6bc66bbe3b23caf8095de451d9a26e689bb3eb87&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 754px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The post comes amid growing criticism from opposition parties over the Election Commission of India (ECI)&#39;s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters&rsquo; list. Rahul Gandhi, in a statement on X, had earlier questioned why the BJP had raised no objections to the revision process. &ldquo;Why doesn&#39;t BJP have any complaints against SIR? Haven&#39;t the names of their voters been deleted?&rdquo; he wrote.&nbsp; &ldquo;So far in this journey, I&#39;ve met thousands of such people whose names have been removed from the voter list in SIR &mdash; mostly poor, Dalits, backward classes, minorities, farmers, and laborers.&rdquo; Gandhi further alleged that &ldquo;It&#39;s absolutely clear &mdash; EC and BJP are working together to erase the opposition&#39;s votes.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1959530288192905270&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=6bc66bbe3b23caf8095de451d9a26e689bb3eb87&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to Indian media, the second phase of SIR is being implemented across 12 states and territories, including Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Earlier this year, a similar revision took place in Bihar ahead of its November 6 state elections. The process resulted in the removal of approximately 6.5 million names, which the ECI stated was necessary to prevent the inclusion of &ldquo;foreign illegal immigrants,&rdquo; according to AFP.

India

India’s BJP shared an Islamophobic mock ‘movie poster’ depicting opposition leaders in skullcaps, accusing them of aiding 'intruders,' amid disputes over a voter-list revision that Rahul Gandhi says disproportionately remove poor and minority opposition voters.

India’s ruling BJP posts Islamophobic ‘movie poster’ targeting opposition

ISLAMABAD: A new report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has warned that India&rsquo;s political environment is fostering intolerance and discrimination against religious minorities, citing what it describes as &ldquo;systematic, ongoing, egregious&rdquo; violations of religious freedom.&nbsp;The report, Issue Update: Systematic Religious Persecution in India, outlines the rise in attacks, hate speech and legal actions targeting minority communities. &nbsp;USCIRF, a bipartisan US government body that monitors religious freedom worldwide, said the year saw renewed concerns over the safety and rights of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and other groups.&nbsp;According to the findings, the period ahead of India&rsquo;s June 2024 national elections witnessed senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making remarks that USCIRF says contributed to heightened hostility against Muslims and other minorities. The rhetoric was followed by a series of violent incidents, including attacks in at least six states after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in January.&nbsp;The report notes that several authorities, including the Delhi Development Authority, oversaw the demolition of Muslim-owned homes and places of worship, sometimes replacing razed mosques with newly constructed Hindu temples. USCIRF highlighted repeated instances where local administrations bulldozed Muslim-owned structures, including religious sites, despite legal protections under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code.&nbsp;It also documents multiple cases in which state-level laws were used to target minority communities. In Uttar Pradesh, police detained 20 Christians, including four pastors, under accusations of unlawful religious conversions. The same state&rsquo;s High Court sentenced Muslim cleric Kalim Siddiqui and 11 others to life imprisonment under its expanded anti-conversion legislation.&nbsp;USCIRF further pointed to concerns surrounding citizenship laws. It said the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in March, combined with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), contributed to fear among Muslim communities.&nbsp;The report cited incidents in Assam, where 28 Muslims were declared &ldquo;non-citizens&rdquo; by Foreigners&rsquo; Tribunals and sent to detention or deportation centers. It also noted that several activists from the earlier anti-CAA protests, including Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider and Sharjeel Imam, remain in detention under antiterror provisions.&nbsp;The report additionally refers to cases involving Sikh activists abroad, including allegations that Indian officials sought to pressure or intimidate members of the diaspora. It cites international intelligence reports linking Indian intelligence personnel to a 2023 assassination attempt on an American Sikh activist in New York.&nbsp;In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF again recommended that the US State Department designate India as a &ldquo;Country of Particular Concern&rdquo; for what it described as ongoing violations of religious freedom.

USCIRF says India’s governing and social structures have increasingly created space for hostility toward non-Hindu groups, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Dalits.

US report says India’s political system fostering intolerance toward religious minorities

ISLAMABAD: Questions are being raised about the integrity of voter records after multiple allegations of duplicate voting surfaced during the recent elections in the Indian state of Bihar.&nbsp; The claims, backed by images, EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) details, and voting-day photographs, were shared publicly on X by AltNews Co-Founder Muhammad Zubair, who called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) and local authorities to respond. According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, journalist Zubair was detained for religious expression and reporting, arrested in June 2022 over a 2018 tweet amid controversy over the BJP&#39;s remarks on Islam.&nbsp; The Supreme Court granted interim bail, leading to his release. The Indian journalist and fact checker, Zubair, wrote on X that &ldquo;proof&rdquo; had been shared of &ldquo;people voting in two different places,&rdquo; adding that the individuals flagged were ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders or workers. &ldquo;We have shared the names of the people (BJP leaders/workers) with proof (two EPIC IDs, and their photos of them voting in two states),&rdquo; he posted. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 753px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988993837029814372&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> BJP leader Thakur&rsquo;s caseAccording to the Indian journalist, Ranjan Kumar Thakur, a BJP leader from Delhi, allegedly voted twice, first in Delhi during the 2024 General Elections and then again in his native village in Bihar. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve shared all the details&hellip; You just have to cross-verify. How many more cases will you ignore @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI?&rdquo; he wrote. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1278px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988940384970633653&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &lsquo;Voting in three states&rsquo;Another highlighted case involves Ajit Kumar Jha, identified as an employee of the website OpIndia. The Indian journalist alleged that Jha cast votes in Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1737px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988993848291500309&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> A subsequent post questioned how both Jha and his son were able to vote across multiple states, allegedly holding three active EPIC numbers. Prominent YouTuber Dhruv Rathee amplified the concerns, sharing Zubair&rsquo;s claims and asking, &ldquo;Is @ECISVEEP sleeping?&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 801px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988537464907010300&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Another user raised broader questions to the Election Commission regarding Jha&rsquo;s alleged multi-state registration, the ECI&rsquo;s investigative steps, gaps in voter-database synchronization, and whether deleted posts could be used as legal evidence. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-5" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1007px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-5&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988566401850974517&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Allegations against Uday KumarZubair also posted that Uday Kumar, described as a BJP supporter, voted in both Bengaluru and Bihar.<div class="fr-embed"> </div>He added that Kumar and his family held EPIC IDs from both Karnataka and Bihar, though no proof was provided that the entire family had voted in two states. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-7" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-7&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988573923836068225&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Claims against BJP leader Ojha&nbsp;Another allegation concerns&nbsp;Santosh Kumar Ojha, a BJP leader residing in Delhi. The Indian journalist stated that Ojha held two EPIC numbers &mdash; one in Delhi and one in Bihar &mdash; and voted in both locations.<div class="fr-embed"> </div>He further claimed that Ojha&rsquo;s name was added to the Buxar voter list only recently, in an additional list after August 2025. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-9" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1216px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-9&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1987193555090321749&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Exclusion of over 6 million namesIndia launched a revision of its voter rolls on Nov. 4, expanding a contentious exercise that activists warn could fuel disenfranchisement in the world&#39;s largest democracy, according to an AFP report. The three-month voter registration overhaul &mdash; known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) &mdash; kicked off in 12 states and territories, many of which are slated to hold local elections next year. Earlier this year, the ECI conducted a similar revision in the eastern state of Bihar, home to more than 130 million people, ahead of its state elections beginning Nov. 6. The process led to the exclusion of around 6.5 million names, which the ECI said was necessary to prevent the inclusion of &quot;foreign illegal immigrants.&quot; Zero repolls: ECIMeanwhile, the ECI has said that the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 concluded with a historic milestone, a record voter turnout of 67.13%, the highest ever recorded in the state since Independence, and &ldquo;zero repolls&rdquo; across all constituencies. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-10" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 898px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-10&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988927646630310264&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2954a4a21b0fadab7e4ba8560b95b6f785ea5458&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>

AltNews’ Muhammad Zubair and others share allegations of BJP leaders and supporters voting in multiple states using multiple EPIC IDs during the Bihar elections, prompting public demands for clarification and investigation from the Election Commission of India.

Election Commission of India asked to clarify alleged multi-state voting in Bihar elections

ISLAMABAD: A pattern seems to be emerging in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to use security incidents in the country to create a false image of strong leadership at home. The recent explosion on Tuesday in India&rsquo;s capital, New Delhi, killed at least eight people and injured more than a dozen others. While early reports and eyewitness accounts suggested a cylinder blast, the Modi-led &nbsp;Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)&nbsp;government quickly shifted its stance, calling it a &ldquo;terrorist attack.&rdquo;&nbsp;Within hours, police had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, India&rsquo;s principal anti-terrorism law.&nbsp; According to Indian media, investigators are exploring a possible link to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a group which India accuses Pakistan of supporting. Pakistan has consistently denied this; it proscribed the group in 2022. The mode of investigation to explore links to the banned group raises concerns that India is seeking ways to draw Pakistan into the blame narrative once again.&nbsp;&nbsp;Incidentally, the shift in tone has coincided with the second and final phase of the crucial Bihar elections, which began today (Wednesday), and which Modi&#39;s party, the BJP, must win. The PM wasted no time: the morning after the Delhi explosion, he was already back on the campaign trail, asking for votes.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/2111f322-6506-43e0-bca5-d9808718d8e6.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">This approach only reinforces the trend seen over the past decade under Modi&rsquo;s government, where major attacks have not only shaped India&rsquo;s security posture but also carried significant political undertones. Let&rsquo;s take a look. Pathankot (Jan. 2016)Modi undertook a private and unscheduled visit to Pakistan in Dec. 2015. The move drew widespread criticism in India. To deflect domestic pressure, Modi needed to shift the narrative. In Jan. 2016, the Pathankot Air Force Base in Indian Punjab was attacked by militants.&nbsp;Indian officials accused JeM and Pakistan of responsibility. Modi condemned the incident, saluted the armed forces, and called upon Pakistan to take immediate action against those responsible.&nbsp;The incident helped his government justify a tougher stance toward Islamabad and laid the groundwork for a more aggressive national-security doctrine. Uri and the &#39;surgical strikes&#39; (Sep. 2016)On Sept. 18, 2016, 19 soldiers were killed in an attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri, Occupied Kashmir. India responded by announcing &ldquo;surgical strikes&rdquo; across the border, - a claim vehemently denied by Pakistan. The move was celebrated domestically as a show of strength and became a defining moment for Modi&rsquo;s image as a decisive leader. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of &ldquo;hiding behind the blood of soldiers,&rdquo; while others, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, demanded &ldquo;proof&rdquo; of the strikes.&nbsp;Pulwama and Balakot (February-April 2019)In Feb. 2019, a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 paramilitary personnel. India immediately blamed Pakistan and launched airstrikes on Balakot, claiming to have targeted JeM training camps. Curiously, the strikes came just weeks before the general elections and dominated the campaign narrative. Commentators noted that the intense media coverage and surge in nationalist sentiment overwhelmingly favored the ruling BJP, helping reinforce Modi&rsquo;s image as a strong, security-focused leader.&nbsp;Fast forward to 2025Earlier this year, an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam area, a clear intelligence and security failure, was blamed on Pakistan within an hour. The police report, registered within 30 minutes, directly accused Islamabad. Within hours, India announced it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a move it had reportedly been considering for years.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered an independent, transparent international inquiry into the attack. But Modi, facing domestic pressure to deliver a forceful response in line with his &ldquo;strongman&rdquo; image, chose to exploit the situation politically and ordered strikes against Pakistan.&nbsp;The result proved disastrous: India reportedly lost at least six fighter jets, including Rafales, in a single night, a humiliating outcome that undercut Modi&rsquo;s message of military superiority on the international stage.&nbsp;Weeks later, in a public address, Modi said he was &ldquo;burning with the fire of revenge.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;From the land of Kutch, I send this message to the people of Pakistan. I carry on my chest a debt to your general that I will repay at any cost. On May 6, Indian forces struck militant positions, but in response your general attacked our soldiers. That action has ignited a fire of revenge inside me. I will not rest until this is avenged, and the next response will be a full-scale war if necessary,&rdquo; he said. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1975167491987927209&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1acf7290bdccafc7d8e1b2c1a580dfe32b7cf3ad&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 600px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Recurrent narrative patternsAcross these episodes, a clear pattern emerges:<ul><li style="line-height: 2;">Immediate attribution of blame to cross-border groups before investigations conclude.</li><li style="line-height: 2;">Media amplification of official narratives accusing Pakistan.</li><li style="line-height: 2;">Political framing that highlights strong, decisive leadership and unwavering national resolve.</li></ul>These dynamics have allowed the ruling party to consolidate a powerful and enduring national security narrative, one it continues to exploit with its voter base.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has leveraged past security incidents in India to portray himself as a strong leader domestically.

How major attacks in India have shaped the national-security narrative under PM Modi

PATNA: India&#39;s poorest state, Bihar, goes to the polls on Thursday, and for many of its 130 million people, one issue overshadows all others: money. That&#39;s what Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopes to capitalize on, wooing voters with economic incentives in a bid to win full control. A win here, strategists say, could &quot;energize&quot; the BJP&#39;s prospects in other key states heading into next year&#39;s elections. Bellwether battlegroundHindu-majority Bihar, the country&#39;s third-most-populous state -- roughly the size of Mexico -- is a bellwether battleground. It remains the only state in the Hindi-speaking north where Modi&#39;s Hindu nationalist party has never ruled alone. For housewife Rajkumari Devi, feeding her three children depends on the daily wage her husband earns as a laborer in the Muzaffarpur district.He takes home about 400 to 500 rupees (about $5) on the days he finds work. &lsquo;Unemployment everywhere&rsquo;&quot;There is no stability,&quot; said the 28-year-old, outside her modest one-room home overlooking agricultural land. &quot;There have been times when he has not had work for days -- so we stretch the little money we have,&quot; she added. &quot;There is unemployment everywhere.&quot; Bihar ranks worst in India on poverty indicators, according to the government&#39;s NITI Aayog policy think tank, with a GDP per capita of 52,379 rupees, just ahead of the Central African Republic. Cash promises In September, Modi announced investment projects worth $8 billion, including rail and road upgrades, new agricultural schemes, and an airport terminal. He also unveiled an $844 million initiative to support women entrepreneurs, offering 7.5 million women cash transfers of 10,000 rupees each. The BJP, allied with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar&#39;s Janata Dal (United) in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), faces a stiff challenge from the opposition. At a rally in the state capital Patna on Sunday, Modi urged voters to &quot;bless the NDA.&quot; Election in two phases&nbsp;<h2 style="line-height: 2;">A BJP victory in Bihar could, analysts say, boost its momentum in opposition-held states, such as neighboring West Bengal, as well as Tamil Nadu in the south.</h2> &quot;This is the election which will decide whether the BJP can form a government on its own,&quot; said Pushpendra, a political analyst who uses only one name. A BJP win could &quot;energize&quot; the party elsewhere, he said. The election will be held in two phases, on Nov. 6 and 11. Results are due on Nov. 14.

A victory for Modi's party, the BJP, in Bihar could boost its momentum in neighboring West Bengal and Tamil Nadu; election will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11; results are due on November 14.

India's Modi hopes economic incentives will help BJP win in poorest Bihar state

NEW DELHI: India&#39;s efforts to combat air pollution through cloud seeding in its sprawling capital, New Delhi, appear to have fallen flat, with scientists and activists questioning the effectiveness of the measure. Cloud seeding involves spraying particles such as silver iodide and salt into clouds from aircraft to trigger rain, which can wash pollutants from the air. Delhi authorities, working with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, began trials last week using a Cessna aircraft over parts of the city. But officials said the first trials produced very little rainfall because of thin cloud cover. &quot;This will never ever do the job, it&#39;s an illusion,&quot; said Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmental campaigner in Delhi. &quot;Only when we clean up sources of air pollution can we control it.&quot; The government has spent around $364,000 on the trials, according to local media reports. Each winter, thick smog chokes Delhi and its 30 million residents. Cold air traps emissions from farm fires, factories, and vehicles. Despite various interventions &mdash; such as vehicle restrictions, smog sucking towers, and mist-spraying trucks &mdash; the air quality ranks among the worst for a capital in the world. A day after the latest trial, levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 particles hit 323, more than 20 times the daily limits set by the World Health Organization. It will likely worsen further through the season. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. There are also questions about the long-term impact of the chemicals sprayed themselves. While the US Environmental Protection Agency notes &quot;limited&quot; studies suggest silver iodide does not pose an environmental or health risk, it acknowledges the impact of more widespread use is &quot;not known.&quot;<h2 style="line-height: 2;"> </h2>Research processEnvironmental activists say even if cloud seeding produces rain, the benefits are short-lived. Climate scientist Daniele Visioni at Cornell University said it was unclear how efficient it was in heavily polluted conditions. &quot;It can&#39;t create rain where there is no moisture in the air, but it just &#39;forces&#39; some of the water to condense in one location rather than another,&quot; he told AFP. &quot;There is only one thing that can sensibly reduce pollution: avoiding the burning of fossil fuels.&quot; Virendra Sachdeva, from Delhi&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said it was too early to dismiss the cloud seeding experiment as a &quot;scientific failure.&quot; &quot;It is a part of the research process, and success is not always achieved in the first attempt,&quot; he told reporters. However, two atmospheric scientists at IIT Delhi called the cloud seeding plan &quot;another gimmick.&quot; &quot;It is a textbook case of science misapplied and ethics ignored,&quot; Shahzad Gani and Krishna Achutarao wrote in The Hindu newspaper. Mohan George, from the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, said artificial rain was not the answer. &quot;The levels of pollution will come back almost immediately as rain stops,&quot; the scientist told AFP. When it does work, it will increase precipitation in one area &mdash; while potentially decreasing it for another. Costly spectacleCloud seeding, first developed in the 1940s, has been used in various countries to induce rain, clear fog, and reduce drought, but with mixed results. China used it during the 2008 Beijing Olympics in an attempt to control the weather. Gani and Achutarao said Delhi&#39;s pollution causes &mdash; unchecked emissions and seasonal crop burning &mdash; are well known. So too are the solutions &mdash; cleaner fuel, better waste management, and stricter enforcement of rules. &quot;Instead of reinforcing these priorities, parts of the scientific ecosystem &mdash; researchers, advisors, and institutions &mdash; are lending credibility to a costly spectacle that will do little to address the sources of the crisis,&quot; they said.

Climate

Cloud seeding involves spraying particles such as silver iodide and salt into clouds from aircraft to trigger rain, that can wash pollutants from the air.

India's cloud seeding trials 'costly spectacle'

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in India, Yogi Adityanath, has drawn flak from social media users for his announcement to rename a village, apparently to woo hardline supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rather than focusing on the pressing needs of the people. The Modi-led BJP has a history of taking measures to appease its Hindu ultranationalist support base and has an uneasy and tense relationship with minority Muslims and Christians.&nbsp; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a controversial Hindu temple last year, built on the ruins of a Mughal-era mosque in Ayodhya. Moreover, last year, India under Modi also enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act that granted Indian nationality to refugees who are Hindu, Christian, Parsi, Jain, or Buddhist, but not Muslim.&nbsp; Civil society organizations such as the United Christian Forum have reported numerous incidents of violence against Christians and persecution of the minority community in India. &nbsp; On Monday, while addressing a gathering at the Smriti Mahotsav Mela 2025 in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Adityanath claimed that a village with &ldquo;no Muslim population&rdquo; was still known as Mustafabad. The address was shared on the chief minister&#39;s X account on Monday. &quot;When I asked about this village, I was told its name is Mustafabad. I asked how many Muslims live here, and I was told there are none. Then I said the name should be changed. It should be called Kabirdham.&rdquo; The chief minister further said, &quot;Those who ruled earlier renamed Ayodhya as Faizabad, Prayagraj as Allahabad, and Kabirdham as Mustafabad. Our government is reversing that -- restoring Ayodhya, restoring Prayagraj, and now reviving Kabirdham to its rightful name.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 576px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982728584512119238&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&quot;We will bring the proposal and take it forward. This is about restoring the honour of a place associated with Sant Kabir&#39;s legacy,&rdquo; Adityanath noted. Social media flak&nbsp;The proposal has attracted strong criticism from social media users against the chief minister for his administration&#39;s misplaced priorities. &nbsp; One social media user, Supriya, posted on X: &ldquo;This is Priority in 2025 of the Chief Minister of the most populated state of India which is already facing several challenges.&rdquo; &ldquo;While the state struggles with unemployment, education, and healthcare, renaming cities remains the &ldquo;priority.&rdquo; Heartbreaking,&rdquo; she added.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-6" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 721px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-6&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982759411409105028&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1982759411409105028"></iframe></div></div>&lsquo;Perfectly upside down&rsquo;&nbsp;Another X user, Shahid Wani, commented: &ldquo;Priorities perfectly upside down. When unemployment, crime, and poverty exist - name changes somehow top the to-do list...&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 721px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982749687624175978&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Another X user posed the question: &ldquo;Does not @myogiadityanath does ANYTHING other than renaming cities n towns?&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 697px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982947895113560248&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Ultranationalist sentiment&nbsp;Posts in support of the Indian chief minister&rsquo;s announcement reflected Hindu ultranationalist sentiment, common among the BJP&#39;s support base. An X user, M Jaitly, commented in support of the Indian chief minister&rsquo;s announcement, &ldquo;Every symbol of Islamic rule must be wiped out from India.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982997486894756039&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Dr Aakriti, another X user, posted: &quot;Great move by CM Yogi Adityanath! Restoring the historical and cultural identity of places like Mustafabad to Kabir Dham is a step towards reclaiming our heritage. It reflects the reality of our roots. This kind of leadership is what we need.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-5" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1011px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-5&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982835181825540404&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4313efcc3ee24e260b224bdb0380682e22758f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>

The Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party has a history of taking measures to appease its Hindu ultranationalist support base and has an uneasy and tense relationship with minority Muslims and Christians. 

Social media users slam Indian CM Yogi Adityanath for misplaced priorities

ISLAMABAD: Indian Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has triggered widespread outrage after suggesting that two Australian women cricketers &ldquo;should learn a lesson&rdquo; following their molestation in Indore, instead of condemning the attack and addressing the security lapse. The incident occurred when two members of Australia&rsquo;s women&#39;s cricket team were reportedly touched inappropriately by a man on a motorcycle while walking from their hotel to a cafe in Indore during the ICC Women&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup. Police said the suspect was later tracked down and arrested after the team&rsquo;s security filed a complaint. Rather than focusing on the crime, BJP-led Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Vijayvargiya implied that the players were at fault for not informing local authorities before stepping out, saying they &ldquo;should be aware of their popularity.&rdquo; His victim-blaming remarks have been condemned as insensitive and regressive. The comments have drawn sharp criticism from civil society, opposition leaders, and social media users, who accused the minister of normalizing harassment and undermining women&rsquo;s safety in India. Indian singer and voice actress Chinmayi Sripaada said: &ldquo;BJP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya basically says here that women visiting another city/country must be worried/concerned/think about their own safety when stepping out without telling anyone. So basically, it was the women&#39;s fault.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982539897899770225&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=9dfec250f7666fa98c69846d3746befae251fa32&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1286px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> An X user, Veena Jai,n wrote on X: &ldquo;Do you know why India is failing to attract foreign tourists despite being a beautiful country? Because of people like MP Govt minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is blaming Australian women cricketers only for molestation instead of apologizing. Shame 🤮.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982631588988063987&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=9dfec250f7666fa98c69846d3746befae251fa32&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 650px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> Another user, Avishek Goyal, wrote: &ldquo;What can be more pathetic? No accountability, no responsibility, no decency, no morals. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya brushing off the molestation of Australian players as just &lsquo;fan moments&rsquo; shows how this power-drunk regime sees women.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982497163973403047&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=9dfec250f7666fa98c69846d3746befae251fa32&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 726px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> User Vishnukant posted: &ldquo;Ruling party minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the players should &lsquo;learn a lesson.&rsquo; He added that they should have informed a local person before going out. Why are BJP and media houses silent now?&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1982540947113296204&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=9dfec250f7666fa98c69846d3746befae251fa32&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>This is not the first time Vijayvargiya has made controversial remarks about women and morality. His repeated statements on &ldquo;cultural values&rdquo; and public behavior have often drawn condemnation, reinforcing concerns over misogynistic attitudes within sections of India&rsquo;s political leadership.

His victim-blaming remarks have been condemned as insensitive and regressive.

Indian minister blames Australian cricketers over Indore molestation incident

NAGPUR: Brandishing bamboo sticks and chanting patriotic hymns, thousands of uniformed men paraded in central India, a striking show of strength by the country&#39;s million-strong Hindu ultranationalist group. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -- the National Volunteer Organisation, or RSS -- marked its 100th anniversary this month with a grand ceremony at its headquarters in Nagpur. AFP was one of a handful of foreign media outlets granted rare access to the group, which forms the ideological and organizational backbone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in power since 2014. Undermining constitution &nbsp;Critics accuse&nbsp;the 75-year-old prime minister and the RSS of eroding the rights of India&#39;s Muslim minority and undermining the secular constitution.At the parade, RSS volunteers in white shirts, brown trousers, and black hats marched, boxed, and stretched in time to shrill whistles and barked orders. &quot;Forever I bow to thee, loving Motherland! Motherland of us Hindus!&quot; they sang, in a scene that evoked paramilitary drills of the past. &quot;May my life ... be laid down in thy cause!&quot; Hindus make up around 80% of India&#39;s 1.4 billion people. Founded in 1925, the RSS calls itself &quot;the world&#39;s largest organization,&quot; though it does not give membership figures. &lsquo;Hindutva&rsquo;At the heart of its vision is &quot;Hindutva&quot; -- the belief that Hindus represent not only a religious group but are India&#39;s true national identity.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/f8aaa21f-d7f1-4eda-8d69-1798ac80febc.png" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption id="isPasted">NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat attends the centenary celebrations of the Hindu nationalist organization at Reshimbagh Ground in Nagpur on October 2, 2025. -- Photo by AFP/File</figcaption> &quot;They are willing to fight against those who will come in their way ... that means minorities, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and other Hindus who do not subscribe to the idea,&quot; historian Mridula Mukherjee said. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat uses softer language, claiming that minorities were accepted but that they &quot;should not cause division.&quot; &lsquo;Fascist by nature&rsquo;The RSS was formed during the imperial rule of the British. But it diverged sharply from that of independence efforts by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party, whose leader Jawaharlal Nehru considered them &quot;fascist by nature.&quot; Mukherjee said archives showed &quot;a link between the RSS and fascist movements in Europe.&quot; Idealizing Nazis&nbsp;&quot;They have said, very clearly, that the way the Nazis were treating the Jews should be the way our own minorities should be treated,&quot; she told AFP. The RSS does not comment directly on such parallels, but Bhagwat claimed that &quot;today we are more acceptable.&quot; The RSS was an armed Hindu militia during the 1947 partition of India and the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan. Gandhi&rsquo;s assassination&nbsp;Hindu extremists blamed Gandhi for &ldquo;breaking India apart.&rdquo; A former RSS member assassinated him in 1948, and the group was banned for nearly two years. But the RSS rebuilt quietly, focusing on local units known as &quot;shakhas&quot; to recruit. Today, it claims 83,000 of them nationwide, as well as over 50,000 schools and 120,000 social welfare projects. Saffron flag not India&rsquo;s tricolor&nbsp;At a shakha in Nagpur, Alhad Sadachar, 49, said the unit was &quot;meant to develop togetherness.&quot;<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/f95229d8-8f64-44db-9209-ffe076b97192-RSS Safron flag.jpg" alt="RSS Safron flag.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">NAGPUR: RSS volunteers salute the organisation&#39;s flag before morning drills during a shakha, or training session, of the Hindu nationalist organisation at a park in Nagpur on October 3, 2025. -- Photo by AFP/File</figcaption></figure>&quot;You can get a lot of good energy, a lot of good values, like helping those in need,&quot; he said. At a shaka that AFP was allowed to attend, dozens of members &ndash;- many middle-aged, elderly, and not in uniform &ndash;- gathered for an hour of calisthenics and song. But in a show of symbolism, they congregated beneath a saffron flag -- the color of Hinduism -- rather than India&#39;s tricolor. Demolition of Mughal-era Babri mosque &nbsp;The RSS remains deeply political. The group re-emerged in the late 1980s, spearheading a movement that ended with a violent mob demolishing the centuries-old Mughal-era Babri Mosque in Ayodhya -&ndash; now replaced by a gleaming temple to the Hindu god Rama. Role in BJP&rsquo;s victory&quot;That was the turning point,&quot; said Mukherjee, the historian, adding that the RSS was &quot;able to create a mass mobilization on religious issues, that became at its heart clearly anti-Muslim.&quot; The group helped deliver Modi&#39;s BJP party an electoral landslide in 2014. Since then, Modi -&ndash; a former RSS &quot;pracharak&quot;, or organizer -- &nbsp;has pursued policies that critics say marginalize India&#39;s estimated 220 million Muslims, 15% of the population. Lynching and hate speech&nbsp;&quot;There has been a clear increase in terms of violence, lynching, and hate speech since Modi has taken over,&quot; said Raqib Hameed Naik, director of the US-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate. RSS leaders deny that it has participated in atrocities. &quot;Those allegations are baseless,&quot; Bhagwat&nbsp;claimed. &quot;Atrocities were never done by the RSS. And if it happens anyway, I condemn that.&quot; RSS under Modi&nbsp;Under Modi, it has expanded its reach. &quot;The RSS has been able to stir Indian society in a direction that is more nationalistic, less liberal in a Western sense,&quot; said Swapan Dasgupta, a former nationalist parliamentarian.

Asia

India's RSS is a legion of Hindu ultranationalists; it has idealized Nazis, and it re-emerged in the 1980s. It helped deliver PM Modi's BJP an electoral landslide in 2014. Under him, it has expanded its reach. 

India under Modi and RSS: eroding minority rights, undermining secularism  

Ibrahim Babakhel

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling party released a music video, &ldquo;Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai,&rdquo; earlier this month, to promote and celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi; instead, it&rsquo;s become one of the most-rejected videos in recent Indian internet history.&nbsp;The track, produced by the heavyweight label T-Series, has garnered an estimated 90 percent dislikes, with approximately 440,222 of these by Wednesday, according to independent tracking tools. On YouTube, where dislike counts are hidden, such a ratio is almost unheard of. Even the notorious YouTube Rewind 2018, the most disliked video and long held as the internet&rsquo;s ultimate cringe event, didn&rsquo;t cross the 90 percent mark.&nbsp;In the video, Bollywood regulars such as Rajkummar Rao, Varun Dhawan, and Arshad Warsi, among others, featured singing along.&nbsp;Percent-wise, the rejection is extremely rare but not unprecedented. In 2020, Mahesh Bhatt&rsquo;s Sadak 2 trailer suffered a similar digital mutiny, with roughly 95% dislikes after calls to boycott &ldquo;nepotism cinema.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya dismissed screenshots as fake, arguing that dislike counts are hidden. Yet, multiple third-party audit tools confirm the ratio, revealing one of the largest online disapprovals for any state-endorsed media project. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1978875505450586259&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=43b92c7a450fb8983d3be099a4d14e04c98508bd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Ironically, a parody uploaded just days later: &ldquo;Godi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai&rdquo; by the YouTuber Khota Sikka amassed more likes than the original, turning satire into social commentary. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed" style="line-height: 2;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d1Jv1Cv3Cv8?si=ImlUCGA_ZOyZhl0u" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;The episode fits neatly into a decade-long pattern of image-driven politics: hologram rallies, Modi photobooths, seaplane photo-ops, peacock-feeding videos, and the cosmetic &ldquo;city makeovers&rdquo; ahead of global summits. Each spectacle markets Modi as a brand; critics argue that each backlash suggests that brand fatigue has set in.&nbsp;What the BJP framed as a rousing anthem of hope now reads, to many, as a political remix no one asked for. The government&rsquo;s billion-dollar PR machine may still hum, but the audience seems to be reaching for the skip button.

India’s ruling BJP’s new promotional music video, “Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai,” has backfired spectacularly, drawing nearly 90% dislikes online. Despite official denials, third-party tools confirm massive public rejection, signaling growing fatigue with Modi’s image politics.

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India's Modi hopes economic incentives will help BJP win in poorest Bihar state

India's cloud seeding trials 'costly spectacle'

Social media users slam Indian CM Yogi Adityanath for misplaced priorities

Indian minister blames Australian cricketers over Indore molestation incident

India under Modi and RSS: eroding minority rights, undermining secularism

From melody to mockery: Modi’s anthem drowns in dislikes

India’s ruling BJP posts Islamophobic ‘movie poster’ targeting opposition