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ISLAMABAD: A fresh Hindu-Muslim controversy has emerged in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh after Muslim residents in Dhar District alleged that Friday congregational prayers were effectively denied at the historic Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex, despite a Supreme Court order allowing <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-lawmaker-threatens-to-throw-pork-outside-mosques-in-kanpur" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">namaz </a>at the site.&nbsp;The dispute revolves around whether genuine Friday prayers were permitted or whether the district administration staged a symbolic and limited prayer to claim compliance with the court&rsquo;s directions, Indian media reported on Saturday.&nbsp;Allegations of denial and detentionResident Imran Khan said Muslims were prevented from entering the disputed complex despite prior assurances from authorities.&nbsp; In a video message, Khan claimed that he and others were taken under police escort on Thursday night and informed they would be allowed to offer <a href="http://pakistantv.com/article/indian-lawmaker-threatens-to-throw-pork-outside-mosques-in-kanpur" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Friday prayers</a> between 1pm and 3pm, the time window specified by the Supreme 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;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2014782688859979875&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=0e21ac2c8a86dfeac10cc212f28b5185305f1798&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &ldquo;We were kept under constant watch. When the prayer time was about to end, we were told to go back home. Later, the administration said namaz had taken place &mdash; but that was not us,&rdquo; he alleged.&nbsp;Residents further claimed that Deputy Collector Roshni Patidar and DSP Anand Tiwari detained several people at the Kamal Maula Mosque for nearly 16 hours, effectively preventing them from reaching the Bhojshala complex.&nbsp;&lsquo;Dummy namaz&rsquo; controversyTensions escalated after videos circulated on social media showing a small group of around 15 to 17 men offering prayers in a rear portion of the mosque complex.&nbsp; Local Muslims questioned the authenticity of the gathering, saying the individuals were not known worshippers and did not represent the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/muslim-man-beaten-stripped-and-paraded-in-india-case-registered" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">local community.</a> Another video showed people wearing yellow volunteer jackets entering the mosque premises, raising further questions about whether the administration arranged a symbolic prayer to demonstrate compliance with the Supreme Court order. Posting on X, Team Rising Falcon (@TheRFTeam) alleged that despite clear court directions, namaz was not allowed in practice and that a &ldquo;dummy prayer&rdquo; was conducted by unidentified individuals. Another account, @TheMuslim786, reported protests by Muslim women, who said Friday prayers were denied at the site.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; 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: 560px; height: 316px; 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=2014969609821290799&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=0e21ac2c8a86dfeac10cc212f28b5185305f1798&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Residents also questioned how a Friday congregation, traditionally attended by large numbers, could be reduced to just 15-17 worshippers.&nbsp;Administration&rsquo;s responseAccording to an NDTV report, the district administration rejected the allegations. Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra said prayers were held with community consent and dismissed claims of wrongdoing.&nbsp;&ldquo;With the consent of the community, 15-17 Muslim men offered namaz at the designated location inside the complex between 1pm and 3pm, in line with the Supreme Court&rsquo;s order,&rdquo; Mishra said.&nbsp;A senior police officer, quoted by Indian media, also claimed that worshippers were escorted in a protected vehicle and allowed to pray without interruption.&nbsp;Claims of unequal implementationMuslim residents argue that while namaz was reduced to a symbolic act, Hindu rituals were allowed in full scale.&nbsp; They pointed out that Basant Panchami celebrations and Hindu rituals at the Bhojshala complex reportedly continued with hundreds of participants, raising concerns of selective implementation of the court&rsquo;s ruling.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; 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: 560px; height: 560px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2014757693307994591&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=0e21ac2c8a86dfeac10cc212f28b5185305f1798&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that both Hindu rituals and Muslim prayers could continue side by side at the site until a final decision is reached.&nbsp;Hindu group&rsquo;s stanceA right-wing Hindu group has defended the administration&rsquo;s actions.&nbsp; The Hindu Network Foundation (@hindufund_) said Basant Panchami puja and yajna were conducted under Supreme Court&#39;s directions.<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: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2014947004284338252&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=0e21ac2c8a86dfeac10cc212f28b5185305f1798&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The group claimed that Bhojshala was originally built by Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty as a temple dedicated to Saraswati, a Hindu goddess, and was later converted into a mosque, arguing that its architectural features reflect Hindu origins.&nbsp;&ldquo;Why should a centuries-old mandir be reduced to permission-based worship?&rdquo; the group said, calling on Hindus to &ldquo;lawfully reclaim&rdquo; the site.

Bhojshala and Kamal Maula mosque site, Dhar Madhya Pradesh. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

India

Locals say Muslims were prevented from entering the disputed complex despite prior assurances from the authorities.

Friday prayers denied at historic mosque in Indian state despite SC order

ISLAMABAD: Voices from civil society, academics, and social media users in India are urging the Delhi police to take immediate action after a video statement from a Hindutva goon went viral.&nbsp;The video allegedly called for the demolition of Delhi&rsquo;s historic Jama Masjid, drawing comparisons with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bjps-social-media-post-on-babri-masjid-highlights-antimuslim-bias" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Babri Masjid</a>&nbsp;episode. Those raising concerns say the remarks are inflammatory and risk fueling communal tensions in the capital. Several commentators and activists shared the clip while condemning the language used and calling for stricter action. Journalist Ashraf Hussain wrote that Jama Masjid is &ldquo;not only a place of worship for Muslims but also a living document of history, faith, and culture,&rdquo; adding that the rhetoric echoed <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-bulldozes-muslim-shrine-on-bjp-leaders-complaint" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">dangerous slogans</a> of the past.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/d50b5957-1306-46da-8389-7efc1b0656b8.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Others, including social media user Haroon Khan and others identifying as social workers and academics, appealed directly to the Delhi police to investigate and act &ldquo;under the law,&rdquo; stressing the need to maintain peace.<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: 777px; 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=2013655740041568637&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=79769bcb4e8a4910710969f13d22374019cf9772&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Professor Noor-ul-Ilahabadi described the viral statement as &ldquo;extremely concerning,&rdquo; asking who benefits from &ldquo;deliberately spreading poison in society.&rdquo; He urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent escalation and to reassure communities.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cb69ca03-e621-4110-8c24-44a9061d720f.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> The controversy comes amid heightened sensitivity around religious sites and public order in India.<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-condemns-reported-profiling-of-mosques-in-iiojk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;Jama Masjid</a>, built in the 17th century during the Mughal era, is among the country&rsquo;s most prominent Islamic landmarks and a symbol of Delhi&rsquo;s plural heritage.&nbsp;As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Delhi police regarding the specific video or remarks. However, those demanding action say timely intervention is essential to uphold the rule of law and prevent hate speech from translating into real-world harm.

Outrage after Hindutva goons threaten to demolish Delhi’s Jama Masjid

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;India&rsquo;s third-largest state, Maharashtra, has appointed a non-Muslim bureaucrat as chief executive officer of the state Hajj committee, sparking strong criticism, with Muslim leaders and activists calling the move insensitive, legally questionable, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-lawmaker-threatens-to-throw-pork-outside-mosques-in-kanpur" target="_blank">dismissive of minority religious concerns</a>. According to Indian media reports, Indian Administrative Service officer Manoj Jadhav has taken charge as CEO of the Maharashtra State Hajj Committee, becoming the first non-Muslim to head the body responsible for managing Hajj arrangements for thousands of pilgrims from the state. The appointment has triggered unease within the Muslim community, which views the decision as undermining the religious character of an institution tasked with overseeing one of Islam&rsquo;s most sacred obligations. Critics argue that while administrative competence is important, the Hajj is not a routine government program but a deeply religious act, governed by strict rituals, sensitivities, and theological requirements. The appointment has also drawn legal objections. Several voices on social media have argued that the move violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the Hajj Committee Act, 2002, which envisages Muslim representation in bodies managing Hajj affairs. Critics say turning a sacred religious duty into what they describe as a &ldquo;political experiment&rdquo; erodes trust in state institutions meant to serve minority communities. On social media, the backlash has been fierce. Advocate Rukhsana Sayed questioned how a non-Muslim could understand Muslim religious requirements, drawing parallels with the impossibility of Muslims being appointed to Hindu religious trusts.<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=2011476817455300840&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=bb01fe2a5e3773c6e841501d25aedd002d3b28ba&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Dr J. Aslam Basha, a member of the All-India Congress Committee, termed the appointment &ldquo;illegal and unconstitutional,&rdquo; calling it a direct violation of the Hajj Committee Act. Other users pointed out that this was the first such appointment in Maharashtra&rsquo;s history and asked why political leaders who claim to represent Muslim interests remained silent. <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=2011973944748974199&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=bb01fe2a5e3773c6e841501d25aedd002d3b28ba&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The Maharashtra State Hajj Committee plays a key role in implementing the quota allocated by Saudi Arabia and facilitating travel, accommodation, and welfare for pilgrims. According to official data, over 122,000 Indians performed Hajj last year, with the majority travelling under arrangements managed by government committees.

The appointment has triggered unease within the Muslim community, which views the decision as undermining the religious character of an institution tasked with overseeing one of Islam’s most sacred obligations.

Indian state appoints Hindu officer as Hajj committee CEO, sparking online debate

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.

Indian lawmaker threatens to throw pork outside mosques in Kanpur

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in India&rsquo;s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh demolished a Muslim shrine on Sunday, January 11, following an order by a local court that declared the structure an illegal encroachment on government land.&nbsp;Officials said the district administration in Deoria used bulldozers to raze the Hazrat Shaheed Syed Abdul Gani Shah Baba shrine, which was located on barren government land on the Deoria&ndash;Gorakhpur Road. The operation was carried out under heavy police deployment to prevent any untoward incident.<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: 849px; 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=2010356165860032775&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=6cb67ad56b600ae8755daae5203e3b90bf7b353a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the administration, the action followed directions from the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) court, which ruled that the land belonged to the government.&nbsp;Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shruti Sharma said the demolition was conducted strictly in accordance with legal procedures. &ldquo;The situation in the area is completely normal,&rdquo; she added.&nbsp;The case dates back to 2019, when local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a complaint alleging illegal construction on government land.&nbsp;The demolition has sparked political and public reactions. Senior politician Swami Prasad Maurya, a former local minister, condemned the action, calling it &ldquo;extremely unfortunate&rdquo; and saying it had hurt the religious sentiments of both Muslims and Hindus in the region. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/10182285-f65b-428d-bd36-ecbd31dfe60d-Screenshot 2026-01-12 103931.png" alt="Screenshot 2026-01-12 103931.png" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 720px;"></figure>Journalist Wasim Akram Tyagi also criticized the demolition, questioning what he described as selective action against minority places of worship, while alleging that numerous religious structures belonging to the majority community exist on government land across the state without facing similar measures.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/9e426e6f-1375-468f-9f9c-fcdbf9915de8-Screenshot 2026-01-12 103900.png" alt="Screenshot 2026-01-12 103900.png" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></figure>The Uttar Pradesh administration, however, maintains that the demolition was a legal enforcement action carried out in compliance with a standing court order, and not targeted at any particular community.

The case dates back to 2019, when local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a complaint alleging illegal construction on government land.

India bulldozes Muslim shrine on BJP leaders’ complaint

ISLAMABAD: Violence and discrimination against religious minorities in India have sharply increased since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, with Muslims and Christians increasingly targeted by groups aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.&nbsp;According to the WSJ, India&rsquo;s Muslims, around 14%&nbsp;of the population, have faced the most severe physical attacks along with systemic discrimination in employment, education, housing and voting rights. Many Muslim communities have been effectively ghettoized, the report said.&nbsp;The newspaper noted that Christians, who make up just 2.3%&nbsp;of India&rsquo;s population and largely belong to poorer segments of society, are also facing growing hostility.&nbsp; Despite being a small minority, Christians have become frequent targets of violence justified under laws in at least 12 Indian states that prohibit religious conversion by &ldquo;force, fraud, or allurement,&rdquo; terms that critics say are broadly and arbitrarily defined.&nbsp;Citing recent incidents, the WSJ reported that mobs disrupted Christmas celebrations across several BJP-ruled states. In Uttar Pradesh, Hindu groups gathered outside churches on Christmas Eve, chanting threats while services were under way.&nbsp;In Madhya Pradesh, a BJP leader was filmed storming a church, disrupting a Christmas feast and assaulting a young blind woman, accusing her of facilitating religious conversions. In Chhattisgarh, Hindu extremists vandalized Christmas displays in a shopping mall, smashing religious imagery.&nbsp;Citizens for Justice and Peace, an Indian human rights organization, described Christmas 2025 as &ldquo;a national flashpoint for majoritarian assertion,&rdquo; saying such attacks were symbolic efforts to signal that &ldquo;Christian visibility itself is unacceptable,&rdquo; the WSJ reported.&nbsp;&#39;Sharp increase in attacks on Christians&#39;Data cited by the newspaper from the United Christian Forum showed that recorded attacks on Christians rose from 139 incidents in 2014 to 834 in 2024, with 706 incidents already documented by November 2025.&nbsp;The WSJ also referenced the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom&rsquo;s 2025 report, which recommended that India be designated a &ldquo;country of particular concern&rdquo; for allowing serious violations of religious freedom to continue with impunity.&nbsp;The commission highlighted cases in which police failed to intervene during mob attacks and noted instances where village councils pressured Christians to renounce their faith or leave their homes.&nbsp;While Prime Minister Modi attended a Christmas Mass in New Delhi and spoke of &ldquo;love, peace and compassion,&rdquo; the WSJ said critics viewed the gesture as hollow, pointing out that he has not publicly condemned the attacks carried out by Hindu extremist groups.&nbsp;The newspaper added&nbsp;that India&rsquo;s constitutionally enshrined secularism has steadily weakened under the Modi government, with critics arguing that official silence has emboldened radical elements and deepened insecurity among the country&rsquo;s religious minorities.

Report says India’s Muslims, around 14% of the population,face the most severe physical attacks along with systemic discrimination in employment, education, housing and voting rights.

India sees surge in attacks on Christians, Muslims under Modi: WSJ

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;The year 2025 saw a wide range of reported incidents affecting religious, caste, and ethnic minorities across India, including violence, harassment, mob attacks, caste-based killings, evictions, and interference with religious celebrations, according to media reports and official data. Christian communities experienced disruptions during the Christmas season. In December, reports indicated coordinated attempts by extremist elements to prevent celebrations in multiple areas.&nbsp; In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob of 40-50 men reportedly entered a shopping mall, removed Christmas decorations, questioned visitors about their religion, and damaged property. Similar disruptions of prayer meetings and carol-singing events were reported in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Data compiled by the United Christian Forum shows that 834 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded nationwide in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;Through November, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents. Burial-related disputes in tribal areas also continued, with 23 incidents reported, including cases of exhumation or denial of burial space. Muslim communities faced multiple reported incidents of violence and discrimination. In Karnataka, over 200 homes were reportedly demolished in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony in Bengaluru, displacing Muslim families under a local government operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Bihar, a Muslim clothes vendor, Athar Hussain, was reportedly lynched by a mob in Nawada district on Dec. 5 after being questioned about his religious identity. Police detained four suspects following a formal complaint by his wife.&nbsp; A separate incident at the Chief Minister&rsquo;s secretariat in Bihar saw a Muslim woman&rsquo;s hijab forcibly removed during an appointment ceremony, according to media reports.&nbsp;Caste- and ethnicity-based violence was reported across several states. In Kerala&rsquo;s Palakkad district, a Dalit daily-wage laborer was lynched by a mob after being suspected of being a foreign national. In Karnataka&rsquo;s Dharwad district, a seven-months-pregnant woman was reportedly killed in an inter-caste attack linked to opposition to her marriage.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, a 24-year-old man from India&rsquo;s northeastern region was fatally attacked by a mob in Dehradun, with media reports indicating racial slurs were used before the assault.&nbsp;Discrimination complaints continued to be filed in significant numbers. Official data presented to India&rsquo;s parliament showed that Uttar Pradesh accounted for 35% of all minority discrimination complaints in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Commission for Minorities received 1,390 complaints nationwide that year, including 482 from Uttar Pradesh, regarding law and order, police conduct, and land disputes. Overall, 2025 reflected a pattern of challenges faced by India&rsquo;s minority communities, spanning religious, caste, and ethnic lines. Incidents included mob attacks, harassment during religious events, forced evictions, lynching, and denial of fundamental rights. Civil society monitoring highlighted continued systemic issues affecting Christians, Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalized groups.

The year 2025 saw a wide range of reported incidents affecting religious, caste, and ethnic minorities across India, including violence, harassment, mob attacks, caste-based killings, evictions, and interference with religious celebrations, according to media reports and official data.

How 2025 unfolded for minorities in India

ISLAMABAD: India has witnessed a surge in intimidation and harassment against the Christian community, with reports indicating that extremist elements are attempting to prevent Christmas celebrations in several areas. Footage circulating on social media shows members associated with Hindu extremist groups, including individuals linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allegedly entering churches and public spaces to threaten worshippers and organizers of Christmas events. The extremists reportedly warned Christians that they would not be allowed to celebrate Christmas in India and threatened them with expulsion from the country if celebrations continued. A video widely shared on social media shows Christmas celebrants being forcibly removed from a public place in New Delhi. Women and children wearing Santa Claus hats were allegedly harassed and threatened by a group of caste Hindu men. Activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh posted on social media: &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t celebrate Christmas here. A group of caste Hindus misbehaved and threatened women and children, over wearing Santa Claus hats in New Delhi. These fanatic goons are insulting 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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 969px; 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=2003480210348605657&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ede63cbbf93057ac7ee3deab83b0fd81dcb40a16&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai also reported: &ldquo;Have been receiving a few videos of Christians being threatened ahead of Xmas. This verified video has shocked and angered me. A BJP district vice president Anju Bhargav assaulted and abused a visually impaired girl in MP&rsquo;s Jabalpur, claiming she was enabling &lsquo;religious conversion&rsquo; with a cop just standing by. Targeting Indian Christians in this manner ahead of Xmas is pathetic. Is this the mindset we wish to show to the world? 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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; 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=2003297865129746807&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ede63cbbf93057ac7ee3deab83b0fd81dcb40a16&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Reports have also emerged from Chhattisgarh, where extremist Hindu groups allegedly set fire to houses belonging to Christians in recent days. Only days earlier, a controversial incident involving the Chief Minister of Bihar, who was criticized for pulling the veil of a Muslim woman during a public event, sparked nationwide outrage. These incidents indicate a continuing pattern of harassment against religious minorities in India during the holiday season.

The extremists warn Christians that they would not be allowed to celebrate Christmas in India and threaten them with expulsion from the country if celebrations continued.

Hindu extremists target Christian community ahead of Christmas in India

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid with a social-media post that laid bare the party&rsquo;s anti-Muslim bias. The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India&#39;s Uttar Pradesh, was a centuries-old mosque that was demolished in 1992 in a well-planned attack by mobs allegedly instigated by leaders of the BJP, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and other Sangh Parivar organizations. The post on X stating, &ldquo;Reviving. ✨Rebuilding. 🔱 Not just Ram Mandir &mdash; but entire India&rdquo;, carries a video that starts with the opening word &ldquo;REVOLT&rdquo; celebrating the demolition of the historic mosque, and shows the Indian prime minister worshiping at the Hindu temple, Ram Mandir, which was built on top of the ruins of the razed mosque.<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: 802px; 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=1997181102419746904&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=7198ddce1ecb50330ec44fb247e1d1d082539647&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&lsquo;Celebration of destruction&rsquo;&nbsp;Indian academic Professor Rakhi Tripathi, in her post on X, lambasted the BJP, writing: &quot;Calling this a &#39;revolt&#39; is a shameless whitewashing of history driven by hate and a collapsing education system after 2014.&rdquo; &ldquo;Glorifying the demolition of the Babri Masjid is not nationalism, it is the celebration of destruction,&rdquo; she asserted.<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: 947px; 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=1997293330464690577&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=7198ddce1ecb50330ec44fb247e1d1d082539647&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Calling it the &ldquo;most difficult period&rdquo; of his career, Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, in a post on X, lamented the horror of the day and its aftermath. He wrote: &ldquo;December 6 &hellip; a day of great shame and blood-letting that will be etched in memory forever, the day the Babri Masjid was demolished, the Constitution dismantled and Mumbai was scarred with horrific violence in which more than a 1000 people died.&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: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1997134581359907071&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=7198ddce1ecb50330ec44fb247e1d1d082539647&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Demolition of mosques&nbsp;The demolition of mosques has continued to take place in various parts of India under the BJP rule. Shahi MasjidIn January 2023, Shahi Masjid, a 16th-century mosque on G.T. Road in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Saidabad, Prayagraj, was demolished by authorities to widen the highway, according to an Indian media report. Barabanki MosqueAccording to the same report, at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the Barabanki district administration in Uttar Pradesh demolished the Masjid Garib Nawaz Al Maroof, claiming it was an &ldquo;illegal structure.&rdquo; Muzaffarnagar MosqueSimilarly, in November 2022, a 300-year-old mosque was razed to the ground in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Muzaffarnagar because it blocked the 709 A.D. Panipat-Khatima highway in Sherpur. The Muzaffarnagar sub-divisional magistrate had claimed that the razing was carried out to expand the highway, and the locals had failed to move the structure by the stipulated period, according to the report. Pakistan&rsquo;s position&nbsp;On Friday, Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in a statement on the anniversary of the destruction of Babri Masjid, remarked, &ldquo;On 6 December 1992, this historic mosque in Ayodhya was destroyed in circumstances that continue to evoke deep sadness and concern. The event remains unsettling for all who stand against intolerance and religious discrimination.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;Pakistan maintains that the preservation of religious heritage and sacred sites is a shared responsibility of the international community. It is essential that all acts undermining Muslim religious symbols or historical legacy be addressed with transparency, accountability, and a firm commitment to justice.&rdquo; The spokesperson said, &ldquo;Pakistan emphasizes that the desecration of any place of worship constitutes a violation of the principles of religious equality and undermines the collective sense of security and mutual respect that all communities deserve.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;The continued sense of marginalization and emotional distress experienced by Indian Muslims in the wake of this event remains a serious concern.&rdquo; &ldquo;Emboldened by state patronage, Hindu fascist organizations are now clamoring for the complete ghettoization of Indian Muslims and other religious minorities.&rdquo;

The BJP’s anniversary post celebrating Babri Masjid’s demolition has drawn criticism for glorifying destruction; demolition of mosques has continued in India, including Shahi Masjid and Barabanki Mosque, and a 300-year-old Muzaffarnagar mosque.

BJP’s social media post on Babri Masjid highlights anti-Muslim bias 

<grammarly-extension data-grammarly-shadow-root="true" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; pointer-events: none; --rem: 16;" class="dnXmp"></grammarly-extension>ISLAMABAD: A report shared by the Indian socio-religious organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) on its X social-media account on Dec. 4 highlights 209 hate-related incidents across the country in just one month. The report, titled &ldquo;India&rsquo;s Hate Crime Landscape,&rdquo; breaks the crimes down into several categories, covering November 2025, and is published by Justice and Empowerment of Minorities (JEM), an initiative of JUH.<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=1996554914429071673&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=5033f4ea136673fc63d85cf5cf247946e90883e8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 801px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" spellcheck="false">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The largest share, 34% (71 cases), fell under &quot;Acts of Hate,&quot; which included verbal abuse, hate speech, intimidation, online harassment, and community-targeted slurs intended to create fear and hostility among minorities. &lsquo;Media manipulation&rsquo;&nbsp;Close behind are 61 cases (29.2%) of &quot;Discrimination, Exclusion &amp; Prejudice&quot;, reflecting systemic social and institutional exclusion in areas such as education, employment, housing, and public spaces, all based on community identity. The report also identifies 28 cases (13.4%) involving &quot;Media Manipulation &amp; Distortion of Facts&quot;, pointing to biased narratives, misinformation, and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-media-apologizes-for-portraying-muslim-doctor-as-suspect-in-delhi-blast" style="color:#0073e6;">communal framing</a> that can deepen stereotypes and sow division. Government-linked bias is highlighted in 18 cases (8.6%) classified as &quot;State-Sponsored Discriminatory Practices&quot;, which included discriminatory policies, evictions, and administrative measures that disproportionately affected minority groups. &lsquo;Attack on religious spaces&rsquo;Law enforcement&rsquo;s role appears in 13 cases (6.2%) of &quot;Police Atrocities&quot;, involving custodial violence, false implications, biased investigations, or failure to act during communal disturbances. Attacks on sacred places are also noted: 10 cases (4.8%) of &quot;Attack on Religious Spaces&quot;, ranging from vandalism and arson to encroachment on mosques, madrasas, shrines, and other places of worship. Finally, the report documents eight cases (3.8%) of &quot;Acts of Violence&quot;, including physical assaults, mob attacks, and lynchings, and other direct bodily harm motivated by religious or communal hostility. Together, these categories paint a sobering picture of the different forms of hate-driven incidents affecting communities across India as of late 2025.&nbsp;Minorities are &#39;safe&rsquo;&nbsp;India&#39;s Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has in the past asserted that minorities of India are safe because the majority is entirely secular.&nbsp; According to Indian media, the minister had said even a minuscule minority community like the Parsis was safe in India. Human Rights Watch&nbsp;According to Human Rights Watch&#39;s World Report 2025, the authorities in India &quot;continued to discriminate against members of minority communities.&quot; &quot;Officials failed to take adequate action against BJP supporters responsible for attacks, and instead targeted victims of the violence, including through unlawful demolitions of Muslim homes and properties,&quot; it says.

The report details acts of hate, discrimination, media distortion, state bias, police abuses, attacks on religious sites, and violence, highlighting widespread hostility toward minority communities.

Articles tagged with "Minorities in India"