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ISLAMABAD: Anti-Christian hate speech in India intensified sharply in 2025, according to data compiled by India Hate Lab, reflecting a broader escalation in religious polarization linked to Hindu nationalist mobilization. The organization documented more than 162 distinct incidents targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/replace-nursery-rhymes-with-firearms-training-hindu-nationalist-tells-indian-parents" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christians</a> during the year, a 41% increase from the 115 incidents recorded in 2024. The report notes a growing normalization of explicit threats, calls for organized action, and vigilante rhetoric. A widening range of actors, including religious preachers, far-right organizations, and elected officials, contributed to an increasingly militant anti-Christian narrative. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal organized 50 events featuring <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/opposition-slams-indias-ruling-bjp-after-attack-on-christian-pastor" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">anti-Christian</a> speeches, while the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad&ndash;Rashtriya Bajrang Dal organized 16. States governed by the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-antiminority-speeches-at-rss-centenary-convention" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bharatiya Janata Party</a>, either directly or through coalitions, accounted for 134 of the recorded incidents. Speeches frequently framed Christians alongside Muslims as part of a &ldquo;dual threat,&rdquo; often labeled &ldquo;vidharmis,&rdquo; a pejorative term used to describe followers of religions portrayed as foreign or hostile to Hindu society. Across multiple events, speakers called for economic boycotts, destruction of churches, and physical violence. &lsquo;Forced conversion&rsquo;&nbsp;Central to this rhetoric was the &ldquo;forced conversion&rdquo; narrative, which alleged that Christian charity, education, and healthcare services were deceptive tools to induce religious conversion, particularly among poor and Adivasi communities. Several incidents illustrated this trend. In January, at events in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Bajrang Dal leader Azad Prem Singh openly called for the demolition of churches and invoked the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition as a precedent. Similar rhetoric was reported across states, including Punjab, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, with some speakers urging followers to arm themselves or take oaths to use weapons to defend Hinduism. Xenophobic narrativesThe report also highlights increasing attacks on Christian institutions, particularly missionary schools, which were labeled as harmful or subversive. A parallel rise in xenophobic narratives framed Christians as foreign loyalists tied to colonial powers or the Vatican. Civil society data underscores the impact of this rhetoric. Christian organizations reported hundreds of violent incidents annually, with significant increases over the past decade. India Hate Lab concluded that anti-Christian hate speech in 2025 has become structurally embedded within the same ecosystem that targets Muslims, contributing to sustained risks of violence, exclusion, and legal persecution for Christian communities.

India

Speeches frequently framed Christians alongside Muslims as part of a 'dual threat,' often labeled 'vidharmis,' a pejorative term used to describe followers of religions portrayed as foreign or hostile to Hindu society.

Anti-Christian hate speech in India surges 41% in 2025: Report 

ISLAMABAD: Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has raised serious concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, calling the exercise hurried, unjust to voters, and potentially damaging to democratic participation as the state heads toward assembly elections in the coming months. Sen said that while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-opposition-criticizes-ruling-bjp-of-voter-purge-driving-bihar-election-victory" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">revising electoral rolls</a>&nbsp;can strengthen democracy if conducted carefully, the current process in West Bengal lacks sufficient time and fairness, the Indian media reported on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&lsquo;Unfair to democracy&rsquo;&nbsp;He argued that voters are not being given adequate opportunity to submit documents to establish their eligibility, making the exercise both unjust to the electorate and unfair to Indian democracy.&nbsp;Sen said the time pressure was visible even among Election Commission (EC) officials.&nbsp;&nbsp;Recalling his own experience, he said he was questioned about his right to vote from Santiniketan, his home constituency, despite having voted there earlier and having his details already recorded in official records.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said officials questioned him about his deceased mother&rsquo;s age at the time of his birth, even though both their details were already available in EC records.&nbsp;&lsquo;Rigid gates&rsquo; of EC&nbsp;Highlighting broader documentation challenges, Sen noted that, like many Indians born in rural areas, he does not have a birth certificate, which required him to submit additional paperwork to establish his eligibility.&nbsp; While his case was eventually resolved with the help of friends, he expressed concern for voters who lack similar support networks.&nbsp; He said he worried about those who may not be able to navigate what he described as the &ldquo;rigid gates&rdquo; of the Election Commission.&nbsp;BJP might benefitSen was summoned for a hearing after a &ldquo;logical discrepancy&rdquo; was flagged regarding the age difference between him and his mother.&nbsp; Asked whether the SIR could benefit any political party, he said he was not an election expert and could not answer with certainty, though he had been told by others that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/election-commission-of-india-asked-to-clarify-alleged-multistate-voting-in-bihar-elections" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bhartiya Janata Party</a>&nbsp;(BJP) might benefit from under-accounting.&nbsp; He stressed, however, that no party&rsquo;s potential gain should justify a faulty process.&nbsp;Underprivileged at risk of exclusion&nbsp;He warned that the poor and underprivileged were most at risk of exclusion, as required documents are often difficult for them to obtain, and said such requirements could introduce class bias.&nbsp; He also flagged concerns about minority communities, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/probe-ordered-in-indian-city-after-hindu-voters-added-to-muslim-households" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Muslims</a> and some Hindu groups, facing possible discrimination. He said, &ldquo;Indian Muslims are sometimes relegated to disadvantaged positions through the activism of the recently bolstered Hindutva extremists. Some categories of Hindus also may face discrimination and targeting.&rdquo; Sen said the Election Commission and the Supreme Court must ensure that no adult Indian citizen faces difficulty in qualifying to vote.&nbsp;

Says, ‘Indian Muslims are sometimes relegated to disadvantaged positions through the activism of the recently bolstered Hindutva extremists. Some categories of Hindus also may face discrimination and targeting.’

Amartya Sen flags 'hurried' Bengal voter roll revision as 'unjust' to democracy

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=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%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=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%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)

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: A Muslim woman candidate in India&rsquo;s Rajasthan state was barred from appearing in a government recruitment examination after refusing to remove her hijab, according to local media.&nbsp;The incident occurred in Kota district on Sunday during the Level II Higher Primary School Teacher (Social Studies) examination conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB). The candidate, Alisha, was denied entry to the examination center for wearing a hijab and was forced to return without taking the test.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to local authorities, examination guidelines prohibit candidates from covering their ears and face. Alisha said she was wearing a salwar suit with a hijab, and that her admit card photograph also shows her wearing a hijab. She said she was checked by a female police officer and security staff. No objectionable items were found in the investigation, but the center superintendent later refused her entry unless she removed the hijab, according to Zee News India. &ldquo;I have been preparing for this exam for more than a year and even took coaching,&rdquo; Alisha told local media. &ldquo;Despite explaining everything, I was not allowed to appear.&rdquo; She later left the center with her father, visibly distressed. The incident has sparked criticism on social media and among rights activists, who say such actions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-chief-minister-faces-backlash-over-removing-muslim-womans-veil" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">disproportionately affect Muslim women</a>&nbsp;and undermine their access to education and employment.<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=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2013103839000334833&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=9a5372b718d8ea01e0b07b2b0a24054f128782b2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 971px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2013103839000334833">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The Rajasthan administration has so far defended its decision, stating that the rules were applied uniformly. However, rights groups are calling for clearer, more inclusive guidelines to ensure that&nbsp;<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">religious identity</a>&nbsp;does not become a barrier to equal opportunity.

This screengrab from a social media video shows a Muslim student, Alisha, who was denied entry to an exam center in India’s Rajasthan state for wearing a hijab. (Photo: X/@TheMuslim)

The student says she was checked by a female police officer and security staff. No objectionable items were found in the investigation, but the center superintendent later refused her entry unless she removed the hijab.

Muslim woman barred from exam in India’s Rajasthan for wearing hijab

ISLAMABAD: A Muslim man was brutally beaten, stripped, and paraded in freezing winter in India. A video of the man was shared by an Indian journalist, Mohammed Zubair, on X on Sunday. According to the post, Sheikh Saroof, from Bahalda in Odisha&rsquo;s Mayurbhanj district, was reportedly subjected to <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">brutal assault.</a> Beaten and stripped&nbsp;He was <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/mob-targets-mosque-in-indian-capital-police-silence-draws-criticism" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">beaten</a>, stripped naked, and paraded in freezing winter conditions, had his hands tied, and was forced to chant religious slogans. The victim&rsquo;s elder brother filed a First Information Report (FIR), the post said. Case registered&nbsp;Mayurbhanj Police, later, confirmed that a case has been registered at Bahalda Police Station and that two accused persons have been arrested. Further investigation is ongoing, the police said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 273px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2012897959256477876&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=95f7a8dc962a5f32daa689ec5e69032de0984874&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>

A video of the man was shared by an Indian journalist, Mohammed Zubair, on X on Monday; Mayurbhanj Police confirm a case has been registered at Bahalda Police Station and that two accused persons have been arrested.

Muslim man beaten, stripped, and paraded in India; case registered  

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: The district administration in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered a probe after alleged <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-opposition-criticizes-ruling-bjp-of-voter-purge-driving-bihar-election-victory" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">discrepancies</a> were found in the newly released draft electoral roll prepared under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Indian media reported on Friday. The issue surfaced in Pathan Tola locality of Pahasu town in Shikarpur tehsil, where several residents claimed that names of voters unknown to them had been added to their residential addresses. Following complaints, the administration began examining the matter. Sagir Khan, a resident, submitted a written complaint alleging that the voter list was accurate before the SIR exercise began last month, but errors appeared after the publication of the draft roll. Additional voters&nbsp;He claimed that 56 additional voters, all Hindus, were shown as registered at the addresses of more than half a dozen Muslim families. According to Khan, at least eight houses in the locality recorded a sudden rise in the number of registered voters. He said that at his residence, listed as house number 125, seven additional names were added, and similar increases were seen at other homes in the area. Shikarpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Arun Kumar said discrepancies identified in part number 307 of the electoral roll were being corrected through Form 8. Probe underway&nbsp;He assured that all genuine complaints would be addressed after verification. &ldquo;A probe is underway. Action may be initiated against officials responsible for the task,&rdquo; Kumar said, adding that the matter was related to errors in the draft voter list. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Form 8 is used for the correction of particulars in electoral rolls, Indian media reported. &#39;Weaponizing&#39; registration process&nbsp;Earlier, in Nov. 2025, the Indian opposition political party, Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, accused the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of &ldquo;<a href="http://pakistantv.com/article/indian-congress-alleges-bjp-weaponising-voterlist-drive-for-vote-theft" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">weaponizing</a>&rdquo; the voter registration revision process for electoral manipulation, warning that the ECI risks complicity if it failed to act.&nbsp;Exclusion of over 6 million namesEarlier last year, the ECI conducted a revision in the eastern state of Bihar, home to more than 130 million people, ahead of its state elections that were held from Nov. 6. The process led to the exclusion of around 6.5 million names, which the ECI said was necessary to prevent the inclusion of &quot;foreign illegal immigrants.&quot; India launched the second phase of the SIR on Nov. 4, expanding a contentious exercise that activists warned could fuel disenfranchisement in the world&#39;s largest democracy, according to an AFP report.

Sagir Khan, a resident, submitted a written complaint claiming 56 additional voters, all Hindus, were shown as registered at the addresses of more than half a dozen Muslim families.

Probe ordered in Indian city after Hindu voters ‘added’ to Muslim households

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly condemned what it described as the reported profiling of mosques and mosque management committees in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling the measures a serious violation of religious freedom, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday.&nbsp; In the statement, MOFA said that the reported actions amounted to &ldquo;a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-lawmaker-threatens-to-throw-pork-outside-mosques-in-kanpur" style="color:#0073e6;">blatant intrusion</a>&nbsp;into religious affairs&rdquo; and constituted &ldquo;a grave violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief.&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=2012416649295761912&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a09fa7a2d5fb995d74dc49f6de4b7cc333b26eec&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 923px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &ldquo;The forcible collection of personal details, photographs, and sectarian affiliations of religious functionaries amounts to systematic harassment, aimed at instilling fear among worshippers and obstructing the free exercise of their faith,&rdquo; the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. &#39;Institutionalised Islamophobia&#39; The ministry said the reported measures reflected &ldquo;yet another coercive attempt to intimidate and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/closure-of-medical-college-has-affected-students-future-iiojk-cm" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">marginalise the Muslim population</a>&nbsp;of the occupied territory.&rdquo; The statement said the actions were part of what it described as a broader pattern of discrimination against Muslims in the region. &ldquo;These actions form part of a broader pattern of institutionalised Islamophobia driven by the Hindutva ideology of the occupying Indian government,&rdquo; the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. &ldquo;The selective targeting of mosques and Muslim clergy lays bare the discriminatory and communal character of these policies.&rdquo; The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had an &ldquo;inalienable right to practise their religion without fear, coercion or discrimination.&rdquo; Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the people of the disputed region and said it would continue to raise the issue at international forums. &ldquo;Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with them and will persist in raising its voice against all forms of religious persecution and intolerance targeting Kashmiris,&rdquo; the ministry said.

File Photo - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Radio Pakistan)

Security

Calls the violation of religious freedom in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir 'a blatant intrusion', condemns mosque profiling, and reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris facing discrimination.

Pakistan condemns reported profiling of mosques in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir  

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.

Articles tagged with "Muslims in India"