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  • ‘Thook chaato, bolo Jai Shri Ram’: Muslim man assaulted by BJP workers

    ‘Thook chaato, bolo Jai Shri Ram’: Muslim man assaulted by BJP workers

    A 32-year-old Muslim, Zeeshan Khan, suffering from bipolar disorder was assaulted, made to lick his own spit, and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by suspected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Dhanbad on Friday, reports Indian Express.

    The incident took place at a protest by the BJP against the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab. The party’s Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha and Dhanbad MP P N Singh were among the leaders present at the protest.

    Zeeshan was passing by the spot when he allegedly used abusive words for one of the BJP leaders. He was immediately surrounded by a group of suspected BJP workers and supporters who started assaulting him. He was then made to squat, spit on the road and lick it and chant Jai Shri Ram.

    After a video of the incident went viral on social media, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh said, “We are inquiring into the matter and Dhanbad police are investigating it and have registered an FIR. One person has been arrested.” He said it was not immediately clear whom Zeeshan abused.

    The FIR was filed on the complaint of Zeeshan’s younger brother Rehan Khan.

    Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone, Rehan said his brother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 10 years ago. “What kind of society is this. Even if my brother said something, did he deserve to be treated like this – made to lick his spit and forced to say Jai Shri Ram. My brother has been suffering from mental illness since 2012,” Rehan, 28, said.

    In his complaint to the police, Rehan said, “…My elder brother Zeeshan Khan was passing by the city center between 1-2 pm where BJP members were protesting at the Gandhi statue area. My brother was chased and beaten by the mob… and was forced to lick spit and asked to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’… My brother is injured… I plead that legal action be taken and justice be done with my brother.”

  • Creator of Sulli Deals app arrested for auctioning Indian Muslim women

    Creator of Sulli Deals app arrested for auctioning Indian Muslim women

    On Sunday, Aumkareshwar Thakur, the alleged mastermind who was behind the Indian Muslim women auction application, Sulli Deals has been arrested by the police from Indore city situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

    He created this application in July 2021 to insult Muslim women and hosted it on the web platform GitHub. He put up more than 80 Muslim women “for sale” last year. However, it was removed by the repository hosting service after receiving backlash from social media.

    “Sulli” is a derogatory term used to refer to Muslim women in India.

    Recently, a similar application was created by the name, Bulli Bai where developers uploaded more than 100 photos of Muslim women for sale without their consent. The Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai was also included in the auction list.

    In both applications, there was no actual sale but the sole purpose was to defame Muslim women.

    The arrest of Thakur came into action when the four students were arrested including Niraj Bishnoi who was allegedly the main conspirator of the Bulli Bai application.

    During the interrogation, Bishnoi revealed information about Thakur.

    The creator of Sulli Deals was a member of the group “TradMahaSabha” since January 2020 where all radical Hindus trolled and defamed Muslim women.

    The local police told the local media, “Bishnoi was a part of a group called ‘Trad Community Group’ and there was mention of the Sulli Deals app and its creator. This is how the two got to know each other, and during Bishnoi’s interrogation, he disclosed information about Thakur.”

    Meanwhile, Thakur’s father said that his son was being trapped and arrested on the basis of claims by arrested people in the Bulli Bai case.

    Recently, hate crimes are increasing in India with the support of the ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several Indian celebrities raised their voices against the auction application and hate crimes against Muslims.

  • ‘Real and present threat to peace’: PM calls on international community to take action against Modi

    ‘Real and present threat to peace’: PM calls on international community to take action against Modi

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday slammed the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for its continued silence on the “hate speech” conclave, which called for the genocide of Muslims in India.

    Last month, leaders from several far-right groups in India had issued calls for the ethnic cleansing of minorities in the country, especially targeting its 200 million-strong Muslim population.

    Prime minister in a series of tweets on Twitter said, “The continuing silence of Modi govt on the call at an extremist Hindutva summit in December for the genocide of minorities in India, especially the 200 million Muslim community.”

    He said the “extremist ideology” of the ruling BJP government was behind the provocations against India’s minorities.

    “The extremist agenda of the Modi govt is a real and present threat to peace in our region,” tweeted PM Khan.

    He urged the international community to take notice of the calls and act against them.

    As the premier tweeted, the Supreme Court of India decided to take up a case related to the hate speeches, including open calls for genocide made at the conclave, NDTV reported.

    “We will take up the matter,” Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said, as quoted by the media outlet.

    According to Time of India, as many as 200,000 Muslims gathered in the Bareilly city last week and offered themselves what they called “mass sacrifice” in protest against the hate speeches.

  • Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Photographs of more than 100 Muslim women were displayed on an application known as “Bulli Bai” where women were posted as the auction of the day, reports Al Jazeera.

    The pictures were uploaded on an app for “sale” without their permission. The list included Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and award-winning Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi.

    Following the news, several Bollywood celebrities have come forward to express their anger.

    Actor and activist Swara Bhaskar, in a tweet, said, “At that point where we’ve to remind ourselves that it’s not okay to sell Muslim women online! Remind ourselves that it’s not kosher to rally & call for genocide! That it’s not okay to disrupt people’s prayers. This is happening in our name, in the name of our Gods. It’s on us!”

    Actor and Director Farhan Akhtar termed the auction a “grostesque act” and called for strict action against the perpetrators.

    Dozens of Muslim women began posting their shock and outrage on social media after seeing their photographs and details on the app. The app was taken down on Saturday.

  • Modi can attend SAARC summit virtually if he doesn’t want to come to Islamabad: Pak Foreign Minister

    Modi can attend SAARC summit virtually if he doesn’t want to come to Islamabad: Pak Foreign Minister

     

    Pakistan has extended India a virtual invitation to attend the summit for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) virtually if Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi does not want to attend the summit in Islamabad. It was revealed by Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a news conference on Monday.

    He said, “Pakistan considers SAARC as an important forum. We are willing to host the 19th SAARC summit and if India has any issue in attending the summit in person then it can attend virtually.”

    The Secretary-General of SAARC recently visited Islamabad and Pakistan has shown eagerness to host the summit.

    FM Qureshi further added, “If India cannot attend the summit in Islamabad at least it should not stop other members,” while giving an invitation to other SAARC members for the next summit.

    While talking about bilateral relations with India, Qureshi said that durable peace, sustainability and economic development in the region have been halted by the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whose political ideology is based on anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim sentiments.

    He added, “India’s unilateral and illegal actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since August 5, 2019, aimed at undermining the status of the disputed territory, perpetuating its illegal occupation and altering its demographic structure, and the unabated widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and state-terrorism perpetrated against the innocent Kashmiris have further vitiated the environment and threatened international peace and security.”

    He further expressed that Pakistan wants friendly relations with every neighbouring country, however, it depends on India to take necessary steps towards dialogue and resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

    The Foreign Minister also highlighted the worsening situation of Kashmiri leaders and the persecution of the locals.

    In November 2016, India refused to attend the SAARC summit which was scheduled in Islamabad due to the high tensions between both countries.

  • Indian Muslim women ‘up for sale’ on app again

    Indian Muslim women ‘up for sale’ on app again

    BBC News Correspondent Yogita Limaye claims that Indian Muslim women find themselves ‘up for sale’ for a second time on an application called Sulli [a derogatory term used to refer to Muslim women in India] application.

    In a tweet, she said, “In the span of six months, Indian Muslim women find themselves ‘up for sale’ for a second time. The info tech minister says the content has been blocked. Perpetrators yet to be found.”

    This is not the first time that Muslim women were put up “for auction” online in India. In July, images of hundreds of women were uploaded via an auctioning app called “Sulli Deals”.

    Hana Khan, a commercial pilot whose name was on the list revealed that she was alerted to it when a friend sent her a tweet.

    Police opened an investigation but refused to say who could be behind the app.

    The experience had left women scarred. Those who featured on the app were all vocal Muslims, including journalists, activists, artists and researchers. A few have since deleted their social media accounts and many others said they were afraid of further harassment.

  • ‘I curse you,’ Jaya Bachchan lashes out at the BJP

    ‘I curse you,’ Jaya Bachchan lashes out at the BJP

    The actor turned politician MP (Member of Parliament) Jaya Bachchan lost her cool in the Rajya Sabha (Senate) over alleged personal remarks against her in the house.

    In the video, Bachchan is seen involved in a verbal spat with the treasury benches. She even accused the chair of not listening to the Opposition and favouring the government.

    She alleged that personal remarks were made against her. She argued, “How can they make personal remarks in the House? Aap logon kay burey din aayenge (Your bad days will come soon), I curse you.”

    Later, Jugal Lokhandwala, one of the treasury bench MP who apparently made the personal remark told NDTV that he had meant the whole Opposition when he said, “You will not do drama”.

    While pointing out the chair presided by Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Bhubaneswar Kalita, Bachchan said, “I don’t want to thank you because I don’t know whether I should remember when you used to walk shouting or today when you are sitting in the chair.”

    Samajwadi Party (SP) leader’s remarks came after she was asked to participate in the discussion on the ‘Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances’ Amendment Bill 2021.

    When the ruling party lawmaker Rakesh Sinha objected to Bachchan’s remarks against the Chair, things escalated.

  • ‘Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated’: CM of Indian state Haryana

    ‘Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated’: CM of Indian state Haryana

    The Chief Minister (CM) of the Indian state Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar said that namaz should not be offered in the open, adding that an earlier decision where some sites had been reserved for the purpose had been withdrawn, reports The Indian Express.

    Khattar said the government had informed the police and the deputy commissioner that the issue needed to be resolved. “To resolve it, everyone offers prayers at their own place. Such practices should not take place in the open. This practice of offering namaz prayers here in the open will not be tolerated,” he stated.

    “They (Muslims) have said that they have several places where they should be given permission to pray. Some of their properties or those under Waqf board are encroached up, how they can be made available to them is being discussed. Or they can offer prayers in their homes. Offering namaz in the open and this confrontation, we will not allow this confrontation to continue,” Khattar said.

    The announcement came after tension in Gurgaon city, where Hindu groups in several episodes disrupted Muslim Friday prayers and put pressure on authorities to stop Muslims from offering the prayers in open spaces.

    Talking about the withdrawal of the agreement, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Khattar said, “A decision had been taken earlier after consultation, but that decision too where some spots had been reserved, we have withdrawn it. Now, talks will be conducted with a fresh approach again. Everyone should get the facility. No one’s rights should be infringed, but no one will be forced.”

    Authorities there had reached an agreement in 2018 in which Muslims were allowed to offer prayers at designated areas in the city.

    While the CM meeting was on, some local residents and members of pro-Hindutva groups occupied the area outside the Sector 37 police station, which had been reserved for namaz prayers.

    It is reported that the group conducted a “condolence meet” to mourn the demise of Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) Bipin Rawat and other defence personnel who were killed in a helicopter crash.

    The group also chanted slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” (Hail Lord Ram) and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Hail Mother India) at the site.


  • Government renovates Jain temple, set to open in Lahore

    Pakistan will reopen an old Jain temple, after its rebuilding and restoration, which was attacked and vandalised by a mob in a reaction to the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992.

    The temple is located at a junction in Lahore, called the Jain Mandir intersection.

    On December 6, 1992, in Ayodhya, India, more than 150,000 people gathered to listen to the leaders of Bharat Janta Party (BJP), a right-wing political party of India.

    The crowd became aggressive and violent after listening to speeches of their leaders and then attacked the Babri Masjid. Afterwards, riots broke out in which 23 mosques and 2,000 innocents were killed. In Pakistan, aggression arose during a protest and they demolished almost 30 temples in reaction.

    Almost 30 years after the incident, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave an order to restore the temples of Jain and Neela Gumbad (Blue Tomb) located in Lahore. This order was given by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed which also stated that the reconstruction of all temples must be completed without any delay, followed by a preliminary report within one month.

    A member of the National Assembly (MNA), Ramesh Kumar Vankwanil, also a member of a commission by the Supreme Court regarding minority rights, said “I have visited the site on December 2 and also appeared in the court regarding this.”

    He added, “Pakistan is following its own Constitution in which all religions have the right to practice their faith. I am feeling proud that we are setting examples for others.”

    On November 9, 2019, the Indian Supreme Court announced a verdict that the disputed land will be distributed to Hindus and Muslims will obtain five acres of land separately in Ayodhya.

    All accusers were acquitted on September 2020 in the Babri Mosque demolition case including L.K. Advani of BJP.

    Chairman for the Hindu Welfare Council Pakistan, Dr Munawar Chand said, “We can never forget what happened in India in 1992, the response in Pakistan was also very angry but we cannot form an opinion on just one incident.”

    He added, “Our Muslim brothers have always stood by us. We wish we can have the Jain community again here in large numbers but this step of reconstruction of the Jain temple has given us immense happiness.”

    Meanwhile, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has almost completed their paperwork to reconstruct the temples. They will begin reconstruction by next week which will finish in phases.

  • ‘Nafrat Jeet Gai’, Indian Muslim comedian quits after 12 shows cancelled in 2 months

    ‘Nafrat Jeet Gai’, Indian Muslim comedian quits after 12 shows cancelled in 2 months

    Indian Muslim stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has hinted that he won’t be doing any shows from now on saying, “Nafrat jeet gai, Artist haar gaya. Im done! Goodbye! INJUSUSTICE.” Faruqui’s statement came after the comedian’s Bengaluru show was cancelled on Sunday due to threats from right-wing groups.

    “Aaj Bangalore show cancel ho gaya (under the threats of venue vandalism). We sold 600+ tickets. Month back my team called late Puneeth Rajkumar sir organisation for charity which we will be going to generate from this show in Bangalore. We agreed to not sell the show on the name of charity as suggested by the noble organisation,” Munawar Faruqui tweeted.

    “Putting me in jail for the joke I never did to cancelling my shows, which has nothing problematic in it. This is unfair. This show has gained so much love from people in India irrespective of their religion. This is unfair. We do have censor certificate of the show and it’s clearly nothing problematic in the show.”

    At least 12 of Faruqui’s shows were cancelled in the last two months due to threats from right-wing groups.

    “I think this is the end. My name is Munawar Faruqui and that’s been my time. You guys were wonderful audience. Goodbye, I’m done,” he concluded.

    Earlier this year in January, Faruqui was forced to to stop his performance at a café in Indore by Hindu right-wing nationalists, who accused him of insulting Hindu gods during the rehearsals of his show. He was then handed over to the police with four others. He spent 37 days under police custody.