Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: A rights group has called out the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for openly advocating an &quot;ideological war&quot; against Muslims and Christians. The group, Hindutva Watch, highlighted that RSS leader Sadhvi Prachi made threatening remarks against both communities at a &quot;Virat Hindu Sammelan&quot; (great Hindu convention). The event was part of the centenary celebrations of the RSS, the extremist ideological arm of the ruling BJP. Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi claimed that both Muslims and Christians were engaged in campaigns to convert Hindus. The centenary has received high-level political visibility, including official government communications around commemorative programs.In a video from the convention, Prachi is heard making derogatory references to Muslims, saying she could not see any &quot;jaali dar topi wale&quot; in the crowd&mdash;a jibe at Muslim skullcaps&mdash;while criticizing those she claimed refuse to say &quot;Vande Mataram.&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-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=2015665528589738482&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a6b02ae931f08fdc1d04f72b3d367b60b2d73420&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 697px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>She framed the situation as an &quot;ideological war&quot; against people who, she alleged, &quot;divided India&quot; and &quot;created 56 countries.&quot; She also claimed they are now carrying out &quot;love jihad&quot; and converting Dalits through inducements. Prachi also targeted Christian institutions, accusing convent schools of &quot;mind-washing&quot; and alleging they offer financial incentives to poor families in exchange for changing religion declarations on admission forms. The claims were made without evidence and mirror a broader pattern of polarizing rhetoric regularly used by Hindutva-aligned speakers.Rights advocates argue that such speeches are not merely rhetorical: they help normalize suspicion toward minorities and can increase real-world vulnerability. Muslims, they say, are portrayed as disloyal, infiltrative, or culturally incompatible. In recent years, civil-society monitors have repeatedly warned that the public mainstreaming of anti-minority narratives contributes to a climate in which harassment, discriminatory profiling, and mob intimidation become easier to justify. Prachi&#39;s remarks come at a politically charged moment, as the RSS centenary program expands its public footprint through high-visibility gatherings across India.

India

Anti-Muslim and anti-Christian speeches made at the hundred-year celebration of RSS, at which hate speech remained the theme of the day.

RSS leader Sadhvi Prachi makes incendiary remarks against Muslims, Christians at centenary event

ISLAMABAD: A UN watchdog on racial discrimination has renewed scrutiny of India&rsquo;s treatment of Bengali-speaking Muslims in the Indian state of Assam, a long-running controversy rooted in citizenship verification and identity politics in India&rsquo;s northeast.&nbsp;The dispute centres on Assam&rsquo;s National Register of Citizens process, which&nbsp;has disproportionately targeted Bengali-speaking Muslims, leaving many at risk of exclusion, statelessness, or prolonged legal uncertainty.&nbsp;The Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Michal Balcerzak, in a Jan. 19 letter addressed to India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, said CERD was following up on its earlier communication of May 12, 2025, on the same issue.&nbsp;According to the letter, CERD acknowledged India&rsquo;s response and noted India&rsquo;s position on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024, including the claim that the framework does not deprive eligible foreigners of the right to apply for citizenship through registration or naturalization.&nbsp;However, CERD said it regrets a lack of information on key allegations previously raised. These include claims of racial discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims during the NRC update and exclusion from the final list due to procedural irregularities, difficulty obtaining required documents, and stricter verification standards applied to people classified as &ldquo;non-original inhabitants,&rdquo; a term the committee said lacks a clear definition.&nbsp;The committee also cited allegations of systematic forced evictions without adequate housing or compensation, along with reports of rising hate speech and incitement to violence, and allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement, causing recurrent killings and injuries, plus violent attacks by civilians or organized groups in mid-2024.&nbsp;CERD called on India to take &ldquo;all necessary measures&rdquo; to protect the community&rsquo;s rights and asked India to provide detailed information during its upcoming periodic reporting, including steps to prevent discriminatory nationality deprivation, halt forced evictions, combat hate speech online and offline, and investigate alleged lethal use of force.

A UN anti-racism committee told India its reply was incomplete, seeking details on alleged discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, including NRC exclusion, evictions, hate speech, and excessive force.

UN watchdog questions India on discrimination of Bengali Muslims in Assam

ISLAMABAD: The United States has moved to bypass the Indian government to serve legal summons on billionaire Gautam Adani, a long-time ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring growing strains around cross-border legal cooperation and the perception of political shielding in New Delhi.&nbsp;Adani, one of Asia&rsquo;s richest men, has built his conglomerate, spanning ports, power, airports, and energy, in parallel with Modi&rsquo;s rise from Gujarat chief minister to India&rsquo;s prime minister.&nbsp;According to a filing cited by Reuters, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked a federal court to allow service of summons by email on Gautam Adani and senior Adani Group executive Sagar Adani.&nbsp;The request came after Indian authorities declined, on two occasions, to deliver the documents through formal diplomatic channels.&nbsp;In its court filing, the SEC said it attempted to use the Hague Service Convention, the standard international mechanism for serving legal papers, but the process stalled after India refused to execute the requests.&nbsp;The regulator told the court that alternative methods were now necessary to prevent further delays in the case.&nbsp;Indian investigative outlet The Wire reported that the Modi government effectively blocked the summons for roughly 14 months, a period during which US authorities received no cooperation from New Delhi.&nbsp;The delay has intensified criticism that India&rsquo;s government is using state machinery to protect politically connected business figures from international scrutiny.&nbsp;The legal maneuver quickly rippled through financial markets. Shares of Adani Group companies fell between 2% and 11% on Friday after news broke that the SEC was seeking court approval to directly email summons to the two executives, according to figures reported by Deccan Herald.&nbsp;At the center of the SEC&rsquo;s action are allegations tied to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme involving Adani Green Energy and solar power contracts in India. US authorities allege that senior figures orchestrated illicit payments to secure lucrative government-backed energy projects, while failing to disclose the risks and payments to American investors.&nbsp;The Financial Times has reported that US investigators allege more than $250 million in bribes were paid to Indian officials to win solar-energy business, and that these payments were concealed from US lenders and shareholders, potentially violating American securities laws.&nbsp;Critics have long argued that Adani&rsquo;s rapid expansion has been enabled by favorable policy decisions, state financing, and political proximity to Modi&rsquo;s government. Indian authorities have consistently denied any wrongdoing or preferential treatment, while opposition parties and civil society groups accuse the government of undermining regulatory independence to protect corporate allies.&nbsp;The SEC&rsquo;s decision to bypass the Indian state marks an unusually blunt rebuke to New Delhi&rsquo;s refusal to cooperate and raises broader questions about India&rsquo;s commitments to international legal norms.&nbsp;For Washington, the move signals impatience with what it sees as obstruction. For India, it reinforces concerns that political power is being used to shield influential figures. At the cost of credibility in global markets and democratic accountability.

US regulators sought court approval to directly serve Adani executives after India delayed cooperation, intensifying allegations of concealed bribery, market fallout, and concerns over political protection.

US bypasses India to serve summons on Modi-linked tycoon Adani

ISLAMABAD: A violent attack on a Christian pastor in Odisha&rsquo;s Dhenkanal district has drawn nationwide outrage, with the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) calling it a &ldquo;new low&rdquo; that has shamed the nation&rsquo;s conscience. The INC in a post on Facebook on Wednesday condemned India&rsquo;s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government for what it called &lsquo;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-witnessed-over-1300-events-of-hate-speech-in-2025-report" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">jungle raj</a>&rsquo; or rule of the jungle in the country.&nbsp; On Jan. 4, Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik, along with his family and a few others, was attending a prayer meeting at a house in Parjang village, a predominantly Hindu area with only seven Christian families.&nbsp; According to Indian media reports, a mob of around 40 people from the Bajrang Dal forcibly entered the house, alleging that Naik was conducting forced religious conversions.Naik and those present were brutally beaten.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-sees-surge-in-attacks-on-christians-muslims-under-modi-wsj" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">pastor</a>was tied to a Hanuman temple, red Sindoor was smeared across his face, and a garland of slippers was placed around his neck.&nbsp;&nbsp;Forced to eat cow dung&nbsp;He was then coerced into eating cow dung while being slapped repeatedly and forced to chant &ldquo;Jai Shri Ram.&rdquo;&nbsp; Vandana Naik, the pastor&rsquo;s wife, recounted that despite repeated pleas, the police did not intervene promptly.&nbsp; He was later taken to the local police station but left without immediate medical assistance.&nbsp;&lsquo;Blot on humanity&rsquo;The INC condemned the attack, stating that it represents a &ldquo;blot on humanity and civilized society&rdquo; and reflects the rising trend of crimes against minorities since 2014. &ldquo;Mobs have been emboldened, violence normalized, and minorities persecuted under the current government&rsquo;s divisive politics,&rdquo; the party said in the Facebook post. A social activist stated that Pastor Naik was made to sit at the police station for nearly an hour without medical care, highlighting the failure of authorities to protect victims promptly, Indian media reported.&nbsp; While a police complaint has been registered, a counter FIR accusing Naik of forced conversion was also filed, intensifying tensions in the village. The incident has ignited calls for strict action against those responsible, with political leaders stressing that the pastor and his family deserve justice under the Constitution of India. Congress emphasized that it will continue to fight for minority rights, asserting that such acts of mob violence mark &ldquo;the true face of the BJP&rdquo; and a new low in the country&rsquo;s governance.&nbsp;

The pastor was reportedly coerced into eating cow dung while being slapped repeatedly and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’; Congress has asserted such acts of mob violence mark ‘the true face of the BJP’.

Opposition slams India’s ruling BJP after attack on Christian pastor 

ISLAMABAD: Neighborhoods of India&rsquo;s capital were submerged in sewage-contaminated water this week following heavy rainfall, triggering widespread criticism over urban infrastructure and governance failures in New Delhi.&nbsp;Residents shared images and videos on social media showing overflowing drains, waterlogged streets and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-major-cities-grapple-with-pollution-and-failing-infrastructure-reports" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">sewage entering residential areas</a>, raising concerns about public health and basic sanitation in the national capital.&nbsp;Reacting to the situation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the daily life of an average Indian had turned into &ldquo;hell,&rdquo; accusing the system of collapsing under political greed and neglect.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/3b3cd94b-b750-48b6-a593-02a1ed8a556b.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&nbsp;In a post on X, he warned that public acceptance of decay had turned urban breakdown into a &ldquo;new normal,&rdquo; and urged citizens to demand accountability.&nbsp;Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the crisis, highlighting its long control over key governing bodies in Delhi, including the municipal corporation, the federal government and the lieutenant governor&rsquo;s office.<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: 993px; 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=2014151215718752557&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;This is India&rsquo;s national capital,&rdquo; Sharma said, adding that years of BJP rule had failed to deliver basic civic services. Others echoed the criticism. Academic Gagan Pratap questioned Delhi&rsquo;s status as the capital of a projected multi-trillion-dollar economy, claiming that much of the city was in poor condition.&nbsp;<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 826px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2013910025279037533&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Journalist Natasha Awhad criticized voters for repeatedly supporting the ruling party despite worsening living conditions.<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: 947px; 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=2014201232005677181&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Not all reactions focused on the BJP. Social media commentator Saket accused the Congress of downplaying the role of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), arguing that regional political rivalries had also contributed to governance failures in Delhi.&nbsp;The sewage flooding has once again exposed chronic infrastructure weaknesses in India&rsquo;s capital, as authorities face mounting pressure to address drainage systems, sanitation and urban planning challenges.

NEW DELHI: A man searches for usable items in the Yamuna River amid dense smog in New Delhi on December 20, 2025. (AFP/File)

Indian capital’s neighborhoods flooded with sewage water, sparks backlash

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir&rsquo;s press corps is warning that routine reporting is being suppressed through a new cycle of police summons and &ldquo;good behavior&rdquo; bonds in Srinagar, in what journalists describe as an attempt to control the narrative rather than answer questions. At least four reporters working for major national publications have been summoned by police in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu &amp; Kashmir&nbsp;in recent days. According to online news outlet Scroll, the most detailed account involves senior Indian Express journalist Bashaarat Masood, who was made to report to the Cyber Police Station on four separate days and was asked to sign a bond promising he would not &ldquo;disturb peace,&rdquo; according to Scroll.&nbsp; <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" allowtransparency="true" 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=2013609422506074370&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3673%2F&sessionId=3b47bd4b4e929eda4be7a391aacab61c410b9ee5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2013609422506074370"></iframe></div></div> The action was initiated without a formal police report and invoked Section 126 of India&rsquo;s Criminal Procedure Code, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a preventive provision used to seek bonds from those deemed &ldquo;likely&rdquo; to breach peace.&nbsp; Masood said that when he refused, an officer warned that he could be sent to Srinagar central jail. The Indian Express reported that he was arbitrarily detained for over 15 hours over four days. The immediate trigger appears linked to reporting on a controversial administration exercise to profile mosques and imams.&nbsp; The Hindustan Times reported that the Jammu &amp; Kashmir police issued verbal summons to journalists, including its Srinagar correspondent, over a report on profiling mosques and imams after the Nov. 10 Red Fort blast, and said it sought a written summons stating reasons.&nbsp; The pressure is drawing political condemnation.&nbsp; Summoning reporters and asking them to sign bonds is a &ldquo;new low,&rdquo; multiple Kashmiri leaders said, according to The Times of India.&nbsp; Senior Indian journalist Ruhi Tiwari called it &quot;a serious insult to free speech.&quot; The pattern seems to be broader than this week&rsquo;s cases. <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" allowtransparency="true" 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=2014079780761559523&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3673%2F&sessionId=3b47bd4b4e929eda4be7a391aacab61c410b9ee5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2014079780761559523"></iframe></div></div> Indian digital media platform Newslaundry reported that six journalists were summoned this month, and said the Kashmir Press Club linked the summons to mosque-profiling coverage, describing it as &ldquo;intimidation&rdquo; and alleging journalists were told to stop covering the issue on instructions from higher authorities.

Police summons and 'good behaviour' bonds are being used to suppress journalism in Srinagar. Multiple reporters have been questioned over mosque-profiling stories, allegedly without police reports, sparking political condemnation and press freedom concerns.

The Indian ‘peace bond’ gag order: How Kashmiri reporters are being silenced

Indian Home Minister interacts with poll worker after implementation of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

Bengal’s Form-7 deletion electoral fight has escalated from the streets to the Supreme Court, amid multiple reports of electoral officials committing suicides.

West Bengal voter-roll revision exercise turns into street battles, suicide crisis

ISLAMABAD: Indian opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, will lead a protest rally against the repeal of MGNREGA by BJP, in Rai Bareily, tommorow on Jan. 20, congressional leadership said. The Congress party has called for a 45-day campaign protesting the government&#39;s decision to repeal MGNREGA, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The campaign began Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 25. MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of paid work per year to rural households and is considered India&#39;s largest social security program.&nbsp; The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now propose replacing it with new legislation called the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill 2025.<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=2012855979650527449&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8734299eaffa5aa6807a7925124cc0046a4c738c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe><div class="fr-embed" style="line-height: 2;"> </div> The campaign, named MGNREGA Bachao Sangram (Hindi for &quot;war to save MGNREGA&quot;) is gathering momentum in Indian Punjab, where thousands of people including MGNREGA workers are participating in rallies.<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-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=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2010693550871318796&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8734299eaffa5aa6807a7925124cc0046a4c738c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>The president of congress&rsquo; Punjab chapter, Amrinder Singh Warrin, in a statement to Indian media, said, &ldquo;the BJP government has changed the system of allocating funds, which were earlier decided in the villages and panchayats but will now be decided in Delhi&rdquo;.&nbsp;He lamented that, &ldquo;A rights based law has been turned into charity&rdquo;. Protesters plan to surround state residences of BJP-affiliated officials and state legislative buildings in the second phase, Congress member K.C. Venugopal said in a statement.<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-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=2012927952762421676&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8734299eaffa5aa6807a7925124cc0046a4c738c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>National Students Union of India (NSUI) posted on X that, &ldquo;Under the Modi government, access is shrinking, certainty is vanishing, and livelihoods are being pushed to the margins.&rdquo;&nbsp;<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-5" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" 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=2012780572087853067&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8734299eaffa5aa6807a7925124cc0046a4c738c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 945px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>The statement further said that &ldquo;Modi has changed the &lsquo;Right to work&rsquo; into permission.&rdquo; Indian media outlets reported the massive turnout of tens of thousands at the protests as historic, marking a significant challenge to the ruling party&#39;s attempt to overhaul rural employment guarantees in the world&#39;s most populous nation.&nbsp;

Congress has announced a 45-day mobilisation titled “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram”, running from January 10 to February 25

‘Right to Work’ Row: Congress steps up opposition with Rahul Gandhi rally 

ISLAMABAD: India witnessed a sharp escalation in organized hate speech in 2025, with incidents increasingly normalized within mainstream political and social life, according to the annual Hate Speech Events in India report released by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate (CSoH). The report, compiled by the India Hate Lab (IHL), documented 1,318 in-person hate speech events targeting religious minorities across 21 states, one Union Territory, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi during 2025. This translates to an average of four hate speech events per day, marking a 13% rise from 2024 and a 97% increase since 2023, when 668 incidents were recorded. Muslims primary targets&nbsp;Muslims were the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/police-dispute-hate-motive-in-india-mob-lynching-rights-groups-note-rising-hate-crimes" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">primary targets</a>, with 1,289 speeches, 98% of the total, directed against them, either exclusively or alongside Christians. Hate speech targeting Christians was recorded in 162 incidents, accounting for 12% of all events and reflecting a 41% increase over the previous year. The highest number of incidents was recorded in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-bulldozes-muslim-shrine-on-bjp-leaders-complaint" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Uttar Pradesh</a> (266), Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76). BJP-ruled states&nbsp;Notably, 88% of all hate speech events occurred in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its coalition partners, a 25% increase from 2024. In contrast, opposition-ruled states saw a 34% decline in such incidents. April emerged as the most volatile month, with 158 events. In the 16 days between April 22 and May 7 alone, 98 hate speech events were documented. &lsquo;Love jihad&rsquo;Nearly half of all speeches referenced conspiracy theories, including &ldquo;love jihad,&rdquo; &ldquo;population jihad,&rdquo; and others. Alarmingly, 308 speeches contained explicit calls for violence, while 136 included direct calls to arms, representing a significant year-on-year increase. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of dangerous speeches, with nearly 40% involving calls for violence. Violent rhetoric&nbsp;State minister Nitesh Rane ranked among the top five individuals issuing violent rhetoric nationwide. The report also highlights calls for boycotts, demands for the destruction of places of worship, and widespread dehumanizing language against minorities. Over 160 organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, were identified as organizers, while social media platforms, particularly Facebook, played a central role in amplifying hate speech through video dissemination. According to the report, the findings underscore the deep entrenchment of hate speech within India&rsquo;s political ecosystem and raise serious concerns about minority safety and democratic norms.

Muslims were the primary targets, with 1,289 speeches, 98% of the total, directed against them, either exclusively or alongside Christians; the highest number of incidents recorded in UP (266), Maharashtra (193), Madhya Pradesh (172), Uttarakhand (155), and Delhi (76). 

India witnessed over 1,300 events of hate speech in 2025: Report 

ISLAMABAD: A senior lawmaker from India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sparked controversy after issuing a warning that pork pieces would be placed outside mosques in Kanpur if those responsible for killing cattle are not arrested within 48 hours. BJP MLA Rahul Sonkar made the threat while visiting a police station following the discovery of the remains of around 100 cattle in a field near a Durga temple in Kanpur, according to local media reports. &ldquo;If the killers of the cattle are not caught within 48 hours, pork pieces will be found in front of mosques in Kanpur,&rdquo; Sonkar was quoted as saying, addressing police officials during his visit.<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" 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=2011066487919001641&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=5da96554180dd3bdce6457febfc7b6fa5f5fe940&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The statement triggered outrage as pork is considered religiously forbidden by Muslims, and critics say such remarks could inflame communal tensions. In a series of posts on social media platform X, the MLA said he was &ldquo;deeply saddened&rdquo; by the discovery of 40 to 50 cattle remains near Kutra Road in the Bilhore Municipality, which falls under his assembly constituency. He claimed he had ordered officials to reach the site immediately and take the &ldquo;strictest possible action&rdquo; against those involved, as well as against administrative officers.&nbsp;&ldquo;Arrests must be made within 48 hours for this heinous crime,&rdquo; Sonkar wrote. &ldquo;If arrests are not made within 48 hours, we are sufficient to deal with the cow killers in Bilhore.&rdquo; <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/00009693-ef16-4716-8a2b-8235a72a4b6c-Screenshot 2026-01-14 122643.png" alt="BJP lawmaker" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></figure>The BJP legislator described cows as central to Hindu faith and culture, calling the killings &ldquo;an attack on the soul of Hindu society,&rdquo; and said people could no longer remain silent. There was no immediate response from local police on the MLA&rsquo;s threat, nor any confirmation on arrests at the time of filing this report. Rights activists and opposition figures have repeatedly accused Hindu nationalist leaders in India of using inflammatory language that targets religious minorities, warning that such rhetoric risks provoking violence and undermining communal harmony.

Articles tagged with "BJP"