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ISLAMABAD: A mob attacked and vandalized the Jama Masjid in Jorpokhri, Darjeeling, on Wednesday, shortly after the West Bengal Assembly elections in India, as reported by the Observer Post. The elections resulted in a victory for the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. The attack came as West Bengal entered a volatile political transition following the BJP&rsquo;s first major capture of power in the state, where the party won more than two-thirds of the 294-seat assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress&rsquo;s three-term-long dominance. The desecration in Jorpokhri has intensified fears among Muslim residents and rights advocates that the BJP&rsquo;s electoral surge in Bengal could embolden Hindutva-aligned groups targeting minority religious spaces. The Darjeeling mosque attack followed reports of political clashes in several districts after the vote count, adding to concerns that post-election violence has taken on both partisan and communal dimensions. <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=2051861735016104061&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9dbb24720119e48bf7b82a61d1aabc6274e88271&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 849px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The desecration of mosques and Muslim religious spaces has become synonymous with India&rsquo;s Hindutva-centered political landscape under BJP rule. Amnesty International has documented the demolition of Muslim homes, businesses and places of worship through what rights groups call &ldquo;bulldozer justice,&rdquo; describing such actions as unlawful, punitive and discriminatory. Human Rights Watch has also reported that authorities have failed to act adequately against BJP supporters accused of attacks. Rights groups say victims of violence have themselves faced state action, including demolitions of Muslim-owned properties. This pattern reflects the deeper normalization of Hindutva politics in India, where Hindu majoritarian ideology increasingly shapes public life, state action and electoral mobilization. From the controversial Ayodhya temple built on the site of the martyred Babri Mosque to more recent disputes over mosques and Muslim neighborhoods, India&rsquo;s secular framework exists only in name.

India

Desecration heightens fears that Hindutva politics has normalized attacks on Muslim religious spaces across India.

Hindutva mob vandalizes Jama Masjid in India's Darjeeling after BJP’s Bengal victory

ISLAMABAD: Amid allegations of misconduct in the West Bengal elections by the Election Commission of India and the ruling BJP, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee refused to resign and to go to Raj Bhavan (Governor&rsquo;s Residence) during a Tuesday press conference, local media reported.&nbsp;After a ruling party is removed from power, it is customary in India for the chief minister to go to the State Governor&#39;s residence and submit their resignation to the Governor.&nbsp;The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, however, has vowed not to do so, claiming that she has not been defeated and that &quot;the question does not arise for her to go to Raj Bhavan.&quot;&nbsp;Banerjee called the Indian Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, the &ldquo;villain of this election,&rdquo; and alleged that the Election Commission &ldquo;looted&rdquo; the electronic voting machines and the democratic rights of the Bengali people. <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=2051623385093075161&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=6764356bf78f1f599ddd25af124c2d2417e39a66&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Mamata has also accused the Election Commission of working at the behest of the ruling party in the center, the BJP.&nbsp;&quot;Two days before the election, they started arresting our people. They started raiding everywhere. They changed all IPS and IAS officers. They selected people from their party, and the BJP played the game directly with the Election Commission. It is a battle between the BJP and the Election Commission,&quot; Banerjee said.&nbsp;She also lamented the reduction of Bengal&rsquo;s electorate by more than 9 million voters under the infamous Special Intensive Revision, saying that Indian PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were actively complicit.&nbsp;The BJP won a two-thirds majority in West Bengal&#39;s controversial elections, defeating Banerjee&rsquo;s TMC, which had been in power for three consecutive terms.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claims she has not been defeated; accuses Election Commission of working at the behest of the BJP.

India: Banerjee refuses to resign after accusing BJP of rigging elections

ISLAMABAD: A man in eastern India&rsquo;s Odisha state exhumed his deceased sister&rsquo;s remains and carried them to a rural bank to claim inheritance money from her account on Monday, according to police and local media reports. The incident occurred at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar, Odisha.&nbsp; The man was identified as Jeetu Munda, from Dianali village. Reports put the amount in the account at around $200 or INR 19,300&ndash;20,000.&nbsp; His sister, identified as Kala Munda, had died around two months earlier, on January 26, 2026, according to ThePrint.&nbsp; Her husband and only child had reportedly died before her, leaving Jeetu as the apparent surviving claimant.&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-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=2048992854547267597&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=151ada129ed7c0eec98650873a03fc22baf27473&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Bank officials did not release the money, saying Jeetu lacked required documents, including a death certificate and succession papers.&nbsp; NDTV reported that he carried the remains about 3 km to the bank after being unable to complete the withdrawal process.&nbsp; Witnesses and reports said he arrived at the bank with the remains wrapped and placed them outside the premises while demanding access to the funds.&nbsp; Bank staff alerted police after the incident caused alarm at the branch.&nbsp; Police intervened and persuaded him to leave. Officials later said they would help arrange the documents needed to process the claim.&nbsp; The case has drawn attention because it exposed the gap between formal banking rules and conditions faced by poor rural families.&nbsp;

A man in Odisha reportedly exhumes his deceased sister’s remains and brings them to a bank to claim inheritance funds, but officials refuse the withdrawal due to missing required documents.

Man carries sister’s remains to bank for inheritance in India

ISLAMABAD: BJP leaders in Karnataka have asked Bengaluru police to cancel a book discussion on jailed Muslim activist Umar Khalid, intensifying concerns over the shrinking space for dissent and minority voices in India, The Indian Express reported. The event, scheduled at Bangalore International Centre, is based on &#39;Umar Khalid and His World&#39; and is expected to feature readings and discussion by public intellectuals including Ramachandra Guha, Janaki Nair and Prakash Raj. A BJP delegation led by Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan met Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and submitted a memorandum demanding that permission for the programme be withdrawn, the Deccan Chronicle reported. The party objected to the event on the grounds that Khalid, a former JNU student leader, is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in connection with the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case.<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=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2048713409999593665&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2abc6fdf8a597be1bcf0cdf10b7b71f197d8ac77&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Khalid has been in jail since September 2020, despite not having been convicted. His prolonged incarceration has repeatedly been cited by rights groups and civil society voices as an example of India&rsquo;s harsh treatment of Muslim activists and government critics. BJP leaders accused Khalid of being &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; and questioned why an event should be held around a person who remains in jail, according to The New Indian Express. The party also claimed that the event could create a law-and-order problem and alleged that pro-Khalid slogans and graffiti had appeared in Bengaluru. Critics say such objections reflect a familiar pattern in which Muslim activists, students and dissenting voices are branded as threats before their cases are fully adjudicated in court.<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-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=2048816234196774952&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2abc6fdf8a597be1bcf0cdf10b7b71f197d8ac77&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>The attempt to stop the event has also raised questions over whether the BJP is seeking to police public discussion around politically sensitive cases involving Muslims and critics of the government, The Hindu reported. Supporters of the programme argue that a literary discussion about a book does not amount to glorifying crime, particularly when the person at the centre of the discussion has not been convicted. The controversy comes amid broader concerns about the use of anti-terror laws against Muslim activists and student leaders in India, The Deccan Herald reported. While the BJP maintains that its demand is aimed at preserving public order, civil liberties advocates argue that preventing such events weakens democratic debate and deepens the marginalisation of Muslim political voices.

BJP leaders sought cancellation of a Bengaluru book event on jailed Muslim activist Umar Khalid, raising concerns over free speech, minority dissent and political pressure on public discussion.

BJP seeks ban on Umar Khalid book event in Bengaluru

ISLAMABAD: Manipur&rsquo;s volatile crisis has deepened amid fresh allegations of violence and persecution against Kuki Christian communities, with rights groups warning that the state is facing a worsening humanitarian emergency. Indian media cited a letter, written by The United Christian Forum to Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, urging urgent action to restore peace and protect vulnerable communities.&nbsp; The forum said continued violence has caused deaths, displacement, destruction of homes and a climate of fear across the state.&nbsp; Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, mainly between the Meitei community in the valley and the largely Christian Kuki-Zo tribes in the hills.&nbsp; International media reported that the conflict has left around 260 people dead and displaced more than 60,000, while the latest flare-up followed an April 7 blast in Bishnupur that killed two children and triggered further unrest.&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-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=2048481641576755711&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9fb6d5d843833f34657cbc11c7959e00751bde38&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 552px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The crisis has also sparked alarming social media claims, including allegations that Indian security forces are using overwhelming force in Kuki Christian areas and that hundreds of Christians have been killed.&nbsp; Fresh protests and shutdowns have further paralyzed life in Manipur. Reports said protesters recently clashed with police while attempting to march toward the chief minister&rsquo;s residence, while fresh violence in Ukhrul district left at least three people dead.&nbsp; Kuki Christian groups say they continue to face targeted violence, displacement and institutional neglect, while critics accuse both the state and central governments of failing to provide decisive leadership.&nbsp; Despite federal rule and a change of chief minister, the BJP-led government has not been able to resolve the conflict or rebuild trust between communities, as per local and international media. The silence of Prime Minister Modi, the chief minister of Manipur belonging to the BJP and suppression by state authorities have intensified anger among victims and rights groups.&nbsp; The United Christian Forum has called for justice, rehabilitation of displaced families and immediate steps to prevent Manipur&rsquo;s crisis from escalating further.

The crisis in the state is worsening as Kuki Christians allege targeted violence, displacement and official neglect, while critics accuse BJP leaders of silence and failure to restore peace.

Rights groups warn of worsening humanitarian crisis in India's Manipur state

ISLAMABAD: More than 12,000 waqf properties covering an area tens of thousands acres have been deregistered by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, raising serious concerns over religious rights and minority protection, Rights Group Indian American Muslim Council flagged on Monday. According to reports, the large-scale cancellations emerged following an audit of nearly 100,000 waqf properties uploaded to a government digitization portal. Authorities claimed that many registrations were rejected due to incomplete documentation and data entry errors.&nbsp;However, critics argue that the sweeping nature of the move has disproportionately impacted Muslim religious endowments, including mosques, graveyards, madrasas and other community assets.<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=2048533799001354480&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=11100eefb450a3c6a8defbf4650f47b51c17189d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 849px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Waqf properties, which are charitable religious endowments under Islamic law, play a critical role in supporting community welfare, education and religious practices.&nbsp; Reports indicate that graveyards and mosques account for a significant portion of the affected properties, with some districts witnessing hundreds of cancellations.&nbsp;The audit is part of a broader digitization initiative linked to the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which mandates registration of such properties on a centralized portal.&nbsp; While officials maintain that the exercise is intended to improve transparency and governance, rights groups and observers say the process has been marked by technical glitches, tight deadlines and administrative hurdles, making compliance difficult for many institutions.&nbsp; The cancellations have sparked fears of dispossession and loss of religious spaces among affected communities.&nbsp; Advocacy groups have described the move as part of a wider pattern of marginalization, warning that the deregistration of such a large number of waqf properties could undermine the constitutional protections afforded to religious minorities in India. Affected institutions have reportedly been asked to reapply with corrected documentation before a government-imposed deadline, but concerns remain over whether smaller or resource-constrained bodies will be able to meet these requirements in time.&nbsp; The developments have intensified debate over the balance between administrative reform and the safeguarding of minority rights, with calls growing for greater transparency, accountability and independent oversight in the handling of waqf properties.

India’s BJP-led UP government deregisters over 12,000 Waqf properties, including mosques and graveyards, raising fears of dispossession, minority marginalization and religious persecution.

India deregisters over 12,000 Waqf properties in UP, fueling persecution concerns

New Delhi:&nbsp;Gun battles between rival ethnic groups in India&#39;s troubled northeastern Manipur state killed three men, police said, the latest unrest in the far-flung region. Manipur has seen periodic <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/manipur-university-blast-puts-focus-back-on-indias-festering-crisis" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">clashes</a> for nearly three years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community in which more than 250 people have been killed. &quot;In a heavy exchange of fire... three individuals sustained fatal bullet injuries,&quot; Manipur police said in a statement late Friday. The clashes took places at Mullam village in Ukhrul district, and police did not specify which community the men came from. &quot;Security measures have been enhanced in the area to prevent further escalation of violence,&quot; police said.&nbsp;&quot;Operations are still underway.&quot;&nbsp;Exacerbating ethnic divisionsLongstanding enmity between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolves around competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain. Unrest erupted in 2023, when around 60,000 people were forced to flee their homes, according to government figures. Trouble eased, but earlier this month four people, including two children, were killed during an attack by a Kuki group, and a Meitei mob later stormed a paramilitary camp. On Thursday, 249 Indians from the northeastern states of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/around-240-indians-claiming-descent-from-biblical-tribe-land-in-israel" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Manipur</a> and Mizoram -- from the Bnei Menashe community who claim descent from one of the &quot;lost tribes&quot; of Israel -- arrived in Tel Aviv. They were the first group to arrive since the Israeli government decided in November to fund the immigration of around 6,000 members of the community. Their oral history tells of a centuries-long exodus through Persia, Afghanistan, and China, all the while adhering to certain Jewish religious practices, such as circumcision. In India, they were converted to Christianity by 19th-century missionaries.

Manipur has seen periodic clashes for nearly three years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, in which more than 250 people have been killed.

Three killed in clashes in India's troubled northeast

ISLAMABAD: Voting began on Thursday in two of India&rsquo;s most politically important opposition-held states, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. But Bengal&rsquo;s first phase was overshadowed by claims that voter-roll deletions disproportionately hit Muslims and other marginalized groups, according to AP. In West Bengal, polling opened for 152 of the state&rsquo;s 294 assembly seats, while Tamil Nadu voted in a single phase for all 234 seats. Results in both states are due on May 4. BJP targets opposition strongholdsPrime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s BJP is trying to break into both opposition strongholds. In West Bengal, it is seeking to unseat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s Trinamool Congress, which won 213 seats in the 2021 election. In Tamil Nadu, the BJP remains a junior ally of the strongest regional party, AIADMK and has historically struggled to make significant gains. Voter roll purge under scrutinyIn Bengal, however, the most serious issue hanging over the vote is not just campaign rhetoric, but who has been allowed to vote at all. About 9 million names were removed from West Bengal&rsquo;s electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision, roughly 12% of the electorate. The Election Commission has said the exercise was meant to remove duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible voters, according to AP and other reports. Critics, however, say it has instead become a blunt instrument of disenfranchisement. Murshidabad fallout deepens alarmThe Wire reported from Murshidabad that the fallout extends far beyond the ballot box. Migrant laborers whose names were deleted are now trapped in what the report described as a no-man&rsquo;s land. Some workers said employers were demanding proof that they had voted in order to show they were not &ldquo;Bangladeshi.&rdquo; In border districts and Muslim-majority belts, the stigma attached to deletion has turned an administrative exercise into a threat to livelihood, dignity and belonging. The pattern has raised wider alarm because the exclusions appear to fall disproportionately on vulnerable communities. A data analysis by The Wire said Muslim-heavy constituencies, especially in the border belt, were disproportionately pushed into harsher scrutiny channels. AP also reported that opposition leaders accused the BJP of using the purge to suppress minority and dissenting votes. Security was tightened across Bengal, including at &ldquo;supersensitive&rdquo; polling stations and along the Bangladesh border. But the central question surrounding this election is not only whether voting will be peaceful. It is whether an election can be called fully democratic when millions arrived on polling day, already erased from the rolls.

Voting began in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, but Bengal’s first phase was overshadowed by claims that voter-roll deletions disproportionately affected Muslims and other marginalized groups, raising disenfranchisement concerns.

Elections in India begin amid voter purge controversy

ISLAMABAD: A fresh confrontation has erupted between the Indian Congress and the BJP after Congress MP K.C. Venugopal filed a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his April 18 televised address to the nation, according to The Times of India&#39;s Tuesday report. The notice was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on April 21. The row stems from Modi&rsquo;s speech a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp; The bill had been proposed by the government as a step toward implementing reserved seats for women.&nbsp; According to The Indian Express, Venugopal accused the Prime Minister of making &ldquo;direct reflections&rdquo; on the voting pattern of Opposition MPs and attributing motives to them. He argued that such remarks amounted to a &ldquo;serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House&rdquo;.&nbsp; Venugopal also said Modi&rsquo;s use of a national address to criticize the Opposition was unprecedented and unethical, describing it as a &ldquo;blatant abuse of power.&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" 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=2046585126533161190&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ad5423ad7fe8df2f635750d320f9d812f0b6d588&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1302px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The notice argued that no person, including the Prime Minister, should comment on the conduct or voting behavior of MPs in a way that questions their motives.&nbsp; Venugopal said such imputations undermine the dignity and authority of Parliament and interfere with the free and independent discharge of parliamentary duties. The Congress also argued that the Opposition&rsquo;s stand was not against women&rsquo;s reservation itself.&nbsp; As reported by The Tribune, Venugopal pointed out that the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, providing for women&rsquo;s reserved seats in the Lok Sabha, had already been passed unanimously. He said objections to the new bill were rooted in concerns over its additional provisions, including those tied to delimitation. Congress member of the Upper House, Jairam Ramesh, publicly backed the move, saying a Prime Minister&rsquo;s address to the nation should be reserved for moments of national unity and confidence-building.&nbsp; But Modi&rsquo;s speech, he argued, turned instead into a partisan attack marked by repeated criticism of the Congress, according to The Times of India. Venugopal has urged the Speaker to treat the matter urgently, refer it to the Committee of Privileges and initiate proceedings against the prime minister. The notice has added a new layer of political tension to the fallout from the bill&rsquo;s defeat in the Lok Sabha.

Congress accuses the PM of abusing power by attacking opposition parliamentarians in a televised address after the women’s quota bill failed.

Indian opposition moves privilege motion against Modi

ISLAMABAD: A female journalist in India&#39;s Kerala state has alleged that she faced online abuse and threats after questioning a BJP candidate about a cash-for-votes controversy. The incident marks the latest escalation in a row that has already triggered an official inquiry and raised concerns over the safety of journalists covering the case. Maktoob Media reported that journalist Shamna K, a Muslim, who works with Malayalam news channel Big TV, received abusive messages and misogynistic remarks across social media after pressing Sobha Surendran at a press conference. According to Maktoob, the exchange took place after Shamna asked Surendran whether the woman seen in a video allegedly distributing cash to voters was linked to the BJP candidate. The report said Surendran did not give a clear answer and ended the press conference soon afterward. The controversy comes amid an ongoing probe into allegations that cash was distributed to influence voters in Palakkad ahead of the Kerala Assembly election. The Times of India reported that the district inquiry has concluded and that a final report is expected next week, although it is still pending the statement of an elderly woman allegedly seen receiving the money. The inquiry has included statements from Surendran, rival candidates and other witnesses connected to the case. The issue has also raised wider concern about the treatment of journalists reporting on the episode. Earlier this month, police protection was provided to MediaOne Palakkad reporter Sajid Ajmal after intelligence reportedly flagged threats linked to BJP-RSS circles over his reporting on the same alleged cash-for-votes incident. That development was reported by both Maktoob and Madhyamam, the new outlets. Taken together, the latest developments suggest that journalists pursuing sensitive questions in the Palakkad controversy are facing an increasingly hostile environment. Threats, political pressure and allegations of intimidation are now becoming a parallel story to the cash-for-votes probe itself.

The incident marks the latest escalation in a row that has triggered an official inquiry and raises concerns over the safety of journalists covering the case.

Articles tagged with "India,"

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BJP seeks ban on Umar Khalid book event in Bengaluru

Rights groups warn of worsening humanitarian crisis in India's Manipur state

India deregisters over 12,000 Waqf properties in UP, fueling persecution concerns

Three killed in clashes in India's troubled northeast

Elections in India begin amid voter purge controversy

Indian opposition moves privilege motion against Modi

India: Muslim journalist faces abuse after questioning BJP candidate

Hindutva mob vandalizes Jama Masjid in India's Darjeeling after BJP’s Bengal victory