On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR against 40-45 unknown Islamists for brutally attacking and threatening a minor Hindu boy named Mohit Chauhan in Shamsabad area of Farrukhabad district. The victim was attacked over a Facebook post in which he had identified himself as a ‘proud Hindu’. The Islamists, while attacking Chauhan, threatened that they won’t allow any ‘proud Hindu’ to survive in the area.
According to the reports, the victim has identified seven accused Islamists and has registered a case against them. The case has also been registered against 40-45 unknown Islamists who attacked the victim. According to police, most of the attackers are minors. The incident is said to have happened on October 25, when Bilal Ali, Sartaj, Rehan, Amir, Noor Mohammad, and 40-45 other unknown Islamists attacked Mohit Chauhan.
Chauhan in his complaint mentioned that he was hanging out with some of his friends at around 5:15 pm in Shamsabad when the mob of Islamists arrived at the spot and started abusing him and his friends. They also threatened the victim and asked him to take down the ‘pro-Hindu’ Facebook post in which he had identified himself as a ‘Proud Hindu’. They also stated that they won’t allow any ‘proud Hindu’ person to survive in the city.
The Islamists then began thrashing Mohit and his friends identified as Arsh, Aryan, and Akshay. They continued beating four while dragging them from a restaurant, where they (the victim and his friends) were hanging out, to Dalveer Khan lane in the city. The Islamists also issued death threats to the victim and his friends.
According to the complaint, the Islamist attackers are linked to the group ‘Devil Group 302’ which is active on Instagram. Social media users linked to this group are known for posting photos with illegal weapons on the social media platform Facebook. The group members also often post offensive social media posts. Police have registered a case under sections 147, 323, 504, 506 of IPC. OpIndia has obtained a copy of the complaint given to the police in this regard.
A video of this incident has gone viral over the internet. A mob of Islamists is seen taking to the streets in the video. The Farrukhabad Police happened to take cognizance of the incident and have begun the investigation into the case. According to the police, most of the accused booked in the case are minors.
Notably, several Hindu organizations also took cognizance of the incident and staged a protest outside the police station demanding justice for Mohit Chauhan. Police said that the situation is under control now and that further investigation into the case is underway.
Rishi Sunak, a British lawmaker of Indian descent, is now Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Sunak became the country’s first person of color to become the British PM. After meeting King Charles III, who invited him to form the government, he took charge.
However, scathing attacks on Sunak’s Hindu credentials and pointless comparisons are being drawn in India. Particularly, a section of people and politicians who are generally upset over the imaginary ‘victimization’ of minorities. Reacting to Rishi Sunak becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his wish for a hijab-wearing girl to become Prime Minister of India one day.
Answering questions at a press conference in Vijayapura (Bijapur), Karnataka, during his campaign for the five party candidates running in the municipal corporation elections there, Owaisi stated that because one UK Prime Minister Liz Truss had failed to lift up the economy from crisis, her party made her step down from the position.
“They have their own democracy, and they can change the Prime Minister.” It is their issue. However, wearing a hijab is banned. “Inshallah, during my life or after my life, there will be a time when one hijab-wearing girl will become Prime Minister,” Owaisi remarked, referring to Sunak becoming the UK’s first Hindu Prime Minister.
Owaisi went on to level serious allegations against the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the BJP’s true purpose is to eradicate India’s diversity and “Muslim identity.” “They believe that halal meat, Muslim skull caps, and beards pose a threat to them. They have issues with their eating habits. The party is truly opposed to Muslim identity,” the AIMIM chief said.
He further claimed that the BJP’s prime objective is to eradicate India’s diversity. “PM`s words ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’ are empty rhetoric. The true objective of the BJP is to eradicate India’s diversity and Muslim identity,” Owaisi continued.
They think they’ve danger from halal meat, Muslims’ caps, beard, their food habits. BJP is actually against Muslim identity. PM’s words ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’ are empty rhetoric. BJP’s real agenda is to end India’s diversity&Muslim identity:AIMIM chief A Owaisi pic.twitter.com/PKsFj0CutD
BJP’s National Spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla took to Twitter and asked the AIMIM chief if a Hijab-wearing girl can become the President of his party. “Owaisi ji hopes that a Hijab wearing girl becomes PM of India! Well, Constitution bars nobody but do tell us when will a Hijab wearing girl get to become President of AIMIM? Let us start with that?” he tweeted.
Owaisi ji hopes that a Hijab wearing girl becomes PM of India! Well Constitution bars nobody but do tell us when will a Hijab wearing girl get to become President of AIMIM?
In response to Owaisi’s statement, BJP spokesperson N.V. Subhash stated that if Owaisi truly believed in progress and development, he should ensure that the Metro Rail is extended to the Old City. “When there are protests against the hijab in a place like Iran, he is silent,” Subhash remarked.
Subhash stated that India is a democracy and that anyone who worked for the people would get to the top and become Prime Minister. “Those with a mandate will reign.” Who would have predicted that a woman from the Scheduled Castes would become India’s President?” he stated.
Notably, Owaisi earlier on Tuesday accused the Modi government of bringing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) from backdoor after. “Modi govt’s policy is to treat Muslims with suspicion. Why ‘profile’ Muslims alone? Hindu communities also live near border areas, are they being profiled? This is backdoor NRC,” he tweeted.
Modi govt’s policy is to treat Muslims with suspicion. Why ‘profile’ Muslims alone? Hindu communities also live near border areas, are they being profiled? This is backdoor NRC 1/2 https://t.co/jgRKbr7HDf
This comes after central security agencies were reportedly directed to compile “demographic and economic profiles” of people of regions in Rajasthan with large Muslim populations along the Pakistan border.
Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday appealed to PM and the Central government to include images of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi on currency notes. Kejriwal said that he wants everyone in India should be rich and sometimes, no matter how much one tries, something falls short. “Efforts are fruitful only when we have blessings of gods and goddesses,” he said.
“Day before yesterday was Diwali. We all prayed to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. We prayed for health, wealth and prosperity. We know how businessmen have images of Lord Ganesh and Lakshmiji in their rooms and before starting their work pray to them. Today I want to appeal to Central government and Prime Minister to include Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi on the Indian currency. The image of Gandhi ji can be as it is. To improve our economy we need to make a lot more efforts but we also need blessings of our gods and goddesses,” he said while addressing media.
Kejriwal further said that MK Gandhi’s image should remain as it is, but if the other side has images of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi, the entire country will be blessed. He added that the current currency notes can be kept as is but the new notes which are printed can have the images of Hindu god and goddess.
He claimed that Indonesia, a country with 85% Muslim population and only 2% Hindu population but even they have Lord Ganesh image on their currency notes. “Hence I feel that this is an important step that the central government should take up,” he said. He added that the idea struck him when he was doing Lakshmi Pujan on Diwali night.
This move, however, did not quite go down well with Muslim Twitter users for whom praying to any other god except Allah is a sin.
Why not Hanuman, why not Ram, why not Saraswati, why not OM, why not billions of your Gods, shut up & sit down Kejri. https://t.co/2SFjuX3Pu0
One Twitter user even wondered what would have happened if AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi would have suggested ‘La Ilaha Ilallah’ (there is no God but Allah) on currency notes.
I can imagine if @asadowaisi say pic of “La Ilaha Illallah” on Indian currency or of Ajmer Sherif etc pic how Hell will broke out on liberals and secular parties https://t.co/rpdJtRwfxB
Some even claimed India is a secular country and hence images of Hindu gods and goddesses should not be put up on the currency notes.
What nonsense? Why Hindu religious figures on currency notes? India is a secular country belonging not only to Hindus but many other religious communities equally. https://t.co/snJvACB3BY
— 👁️بیدار مسلم Awakened Muslim 👁️ (@AwakenedMuslim) October 26, 2022
Other Aam Aadmi Party leaders, like Amanatullah Khan and Gopal Italia have not yet responded to this.
On October 25, Ulhasnagar police booked a minor boy for firing Diwali rockets at a residential building in the city. A video of the incident was shared by the minor boy, who goes by the handle ‘nawab69_’ on the social media platform Instagram. The police traced the 17-year-old boy after the video went viral on October 24. The video had the caption “Happy Diwali”
As per reports, the incident took place at around 2 AM on the intervening night of October 23 and October 24 near GoI Maidan in the Shahad area of east Ulhasnagar. In the video, the minor was seen deliberately pointing rockets from a box toward the Heera Panna building. The rockets hit the outdoor units of the air conditioning units in some apartments while other rockets entered some flats in the building.
The accused, who lives in a nearby locality, had gone near the building to buy crackers. As the boy is a minor, the police have not detained him. The investigation into the matter is underway, and the person who shot the video is also being booked.
The resident of the building filed a complaint with Ulhasnagar police. An FIR in the matter has been registered under Sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 336 (any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Police said more sections under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act would be added to the matter, and the accused would be soon presented before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).
The Instagram account ‘nawab69_’ from which the video was shared has been deactivated.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka Police arrested three persons identified as Tanveer alias Market Fouzan, Azhar alias Azzu and Faraz for attacking a Hindu person named Prakash in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. This is a day after around nine miscreants arrived on three bikes, raised anti-Hindu and anti-RSS slogans, and attacked the victim. Prakash was injured severely in the clash and was shifted to McGann hospital for treatment.
Shivamogga SP GK Mithun Kumar confirmed the development and stated that two people were attacked by the arrested three accused in two separate events. “The motive was retaliation”, he said. The accused were arrested and have been secured at the Doddapete Police Station in Shivamogga dristrict.
They, along with 2 more accused (not secured yet) on 2 bikes, passed comments against one Praveen at around 11pm in Seegehatti. Later, they dropped 4th & 5th accused somewhere, went to Bharmappa Nagar Road & pelted stones & passed comments against one Prakash: Shivamogga SP (2/3)
“The accused, along with 2 more accused (not secured yet) on 2 bikes, passed comments against one Praveen at around 11 pm in Seegehatti. Later, they dropped 4th and 5th accused somewhere, went to Bharmappa Nagar Road and pelted stones and passed comments against another person identified as Prakash”, the Shivamogga SP added.
According to the police, the two Hindu victims, Praveen and Prakash had passed comments against Market Fouzan a few days ago and were brutally attacked by the three accused in retaliation. As reported earlier, nine miscreants arrived on three bikes, raised anti-Hindu and anti-RSS slogans, and attacked the victim named Prakash at around 11 pm at Bhramappa layout in Shivamogga. They also tore the posters of Harsha, the Bajrang Dal activist who was murdered by Islamists in February this year. His posters were put up in the city for a rally which was organized in the city on October 24.
Reports mentioned that Prakash tried to stop the miscreants from tearing the posters and banners of Harsha before he was attacked on his head by three assailants causing severe injury. The three attackers also shouted slogans against the Hindu community and also pelted stones at the victim. The incident was also confirmed by the Shivamogga SP who investigate the CCTV footages to identify and nab the accused.
Meanwhile, the victim named Prakash stated that he could not identify the assailants as they had worn masks while attacking. He also said that after the attack, the miscreants raised anti-RSS slogans. However, he stated on October 26 that he was not associated to any organisation and that he was suddenly attacked by the accused.
Prakash, one of the victims, stated – “I somehow managed to escape when 3 Muslim boys came & attacked me with stones & other things & called me “RSS goon” among other things. I don’t belong to any organisation or have any past issues with them. The 3 suddenly came & attacked me.” pic.twitter.com/69jkoFkchN
“I somehow managed to escape when 3 Muslim boys came and attacked me with stones and other things and called me ‘RSS goon’ among other things. I don’t belong to any organization or have any past issues with them. The 3 suddenly came and attacked me”, Prakash said on October 26 while in the hospital.
Senior Police officers are investigating the case further. The district government has also increased security in Seegehatti, Bhramarappa layout, and surrounding areas as a precaution.
On October 25, former prime minister of Pakistan and PTI Chief Imran Khan claimed that journalist Arshad Sharif, who was killed in Kenya on October 23, was a victim of a targeted killing. During his speech at a lawyer’s convention in Peshawar, Pakistan, Khan called Sharif a ‘martyr’.
Sharif was shot dead in Kenya allegedly by the local police after the journalist failed to stop at a checkpoint. The police were looking for a vehicle stolen in a carjacking incident where a child was abducted. In a statement, the local police said it was a case of ‘mistaken identity’. The official police statement expressed ‘regrets on the unfortunate incident’ and added that an investigation was underway.
Khan claimed that Sharif was aware his life was in danger. Khan further claimed he had warned Sharif and asked him to leave the country. He said, “He knew his life was in danger. He knew he was repeatedly getting warnings. He didn’t step back. I told him [to back down but] he wasn’t scared and then lastly, this targeted killing. No matter what people say, I know this was targeted killing.” Khan called him a ‘brave patriot who never compromised his conscience’.
He added, “Then I received information that they were about to kill him. They invaded his home and scared him in front of his family just so that he doesn’t speak the truth.” Khan said when Sharif refused to leave, he said to have received in the same manner he got information about a plot to kill him.
Khan pointed fingers at the Sharif and Zardari families and said, “He [Sharif] never spared any mafia. He exposed these two families (Sharif and Zardari families) in every programme with proof but no one could scare or buy him. Then he started getting threats from unknown numbers to ‘not say this or speak the truth’ when he started exposing this regime.”
Khan claimed Sharif left the country on his advice but was called back when his UAE Visa was about to expire. He further added they [the current regime] wanted to arrest Sharif like politicians Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill or reporter Jameel Farooqui was arrested. They were allegedly stripped naked and tortured during custody.
UN sought a thorough inquiry into Sharif’s death
As per Dawn’s report, United Nations sought a thorough inquiry into Sharif’s death in Kenya. During a daily press briefing, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric was asked about the killing of Sharif, he said, “I saw this tragic report of his death. I think the circumstances need to be investigated thoroughly, and the Kenyan authorities said they would, and I think the results of the investigation being shared quickly.”
Arshad Sharif linked Hindutva with terrorism, hated Modi
Sharif was also instrumental in a recent documentary based on corruption in the country that was about to be released soon. The film, titled ‘Behind Closed Doors,’ was based on corruption during the Nawaz Sharif government. Adil Raja, the permanent representative of Pakistan at the International Human Rights Foundation, stated that the documentary was the reason behind Sharif’s assassination. As per reports, Arshad Sharif had close ties with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
During the anti-Hindu riots in Delhi, Arshad was involved in propagating hatred against Hindus. In his tweets, he used terms like RSS-BJP goons and Hindutva. In a video last year, Arshad Sharif said that Narendra Modi had divided Indian society into two parts by bringing fanatical policies of fascist Hindutva and violating the rights of minorities.
The day Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge takes oath as Congress party president, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that till the very last minute, all efforts were on to make Rahul Gandhi the party president.
Delhi | Till the last minute, efforts were made to make Rahul Gandhi the party president as only he can challenge Modi and govt. Today is a new beginning. We congratulate Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and will work to strengthen the party: Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot pic.twitter.com/Yz4V0ONfQC
Gehlot was also one of the contenders for the post of party chief but he did not want to give up on bring Rajasthan Chief Minister. Gehlot, while speaking to mediapersons ahead of oath taking ceremony by Kharge, said that only Rahul Gandhi could challenge PM Modi and current government and hence till last minute efforts were made to make him the party president. Rahul Gandhi was made the party President in December 2017, soon after Gujarat state assembly elections ahead of the 2019 general elections.
However, after the party’s disastrous performance in 2019 general elections, Rahul Gandhi stepped down and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who was the party president before him since 1998, again became the party ‘interim’ President. Since then, many senior Congress leaders had expressed that the party needs a change in top leadership. However, Gandhi family loyalists continued to oppose any such proposal stating only Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi are fit and capable to lead the party.
Finally, the party decided to hold elections earlier this month and after many names that were floated, Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor were zeroed in on. Many had said that the Gandhi family was backing Kharge and that was quite evident from the almost one-sided elections.
Today, Gehlot’s statement that the party leaders still have more faith in Rahul Gandhi than they have in their newly elected party president says quite a lot. Netizens wondered if this statement of Gehlot meant they don’t consider Kharge, a tall Dalit leader from Karnataka, worthy of being the party president.
Some also pulled up senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s quote where he had said whoever becomes party president, he would still be working under the Gandhis. Singh was also one of the runners for the post of party president.
When senior party members themselves don't have or exude confidence, how will the Party revive itself by propping up someone whose report card is in the negative? Or do these senior members want a level playing field to continue their own agenda?
On Tuesday (October 25), the Competitions Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on Google for exploiting its dominant position in the market with regard to its Play Store policies. The Commission also ordered Google to alter its conduct within a specific time window.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposes a penalty of Rs 936.44 cr on Google for abusing its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies, apart from issuing a cease-and-desist order. CCI also directed Google to modify its conduct within a defined timeline: CCI pic.twitter.com/5WwKTciXnG
App stores have become a vital means for app developers to distribute their applications to end users, and the availability of app store(s) is directly reliant on the Operating System (OS) installed on a smart device. An analysis of the market dynamics in India for licensable mobile operating systems reveals that Google’s Android OS has successfully reaped the indirect network benefits, as per reports. Google’s Play Store is the primary avenue for app developers in the Android mobile ecosystem. This allows Google to capitalize on the applications brought to the market.
According to the findings of the CCI, Google is dominant in the market for licensable OS for smart mobile devices and app stores for Android smart mobile OS in India.
In-app digital goods sales are a significant method for app developers to commercialize their creations or innovations. However, in order for in-app digital goods to be provided to purchasing users, developers must configure their apps so that Google’s payment system processes all digital goods purchases.
Notably, Google’s Play Store policies require App developers to use Google Play’s Billing System (GPBS) not only for receiving payments for Apps (and other digital products such as audio, video, and games) distributed/sold through the Google Play Store but also for certain in-app purchases, which are purchases made by App users after they have downloaded/purchased the App from the Play Store. Google has also been found to be favoring Google Pay over other competing apps through its control over the Play Store and the Android Operating System which leads to disadvantages for both the apps facilitating payment through UPI and the users.
Furthermore, app developers may not provide users with a direct link to a webpage featuring an alternative payment option within an app, nor may they use language that urges a user to purchase the digital item from outside of the app as per the anti-steering provisions.
The CCI has also investigated complaints that competitor UPI apps were excluded from being viable payment options on the Play Store. Google Pay was found to be linked with intent flow methodology, whilst other UPI apps can be utilized with collect flow methodology. It was observed that intent flow technology is superior and more user-friendly than collect flow technology, with intent flow providing major benefits to both customers and merchants, and the success rate with the intent flow methodology is higher due to lower latency. Google has recently revised its rules and now allows competing UPI apps to be integrated with the intent flow, according to the CCI.
“In the light of the analysis of the various evidence, the DG concluded that Google has made the use of GPBS mandatory and exclusive for processing of payments for apps and in-app purchases for the apps downloaded from the Google Play Store. Moreover, the DG found that Google is following discriminatory practices by not using GPBS for its own application, YouTube. Therefore, Google imposes unfair and discriminatory conditions in violation of the provisions of Section 4(2)(a)(i) of the Act. 27,” the CCI order stated.
In terms of penalty computation, the CCI found significant errors and extensive disclaimers in Google’s presentation of key revenue data elements. However, in the interest of justice and to ensure that required market corrections take place promptly, the CCI quantified the interim monetary penalty based on the data given by Google. As a result, the CCI issued a preliminary penalty of 7% of Google’s average relevant turnover, amounting to Rs. 936.44 crores, for violating Section 4 of the Act. Google has been given 30 days to furnish the necessary financial information and supporting documents.
It is worth noting that The CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on the tech behemoth for abusing its market dominance in certain segments of the Indian ecosystem for Android-based mobile devices. Google was told to quit using unethical business tactics by the fair trade regulator on October 20.
The HuffPost, which has been at the helm of disinformation campaigns during the 2020 Delhi anti-Hindu riots, is back to demonising the Hindu community by lending credence to dubious historians and radical Islamist outfits. On Saturday (October 22), the American ‘liberal’ news blog published an article titled, ‘Far-right Hindu nationalism is gaining ground in the US.’ The propaganda piece, authored by its national reporter Rowaida Abdelaziz, tried to create hysteria about the supposed rise of Hindu fanaticism in the country.
At the very onset, she alleged that the Hinduphobic historian Audrey Truschke has been at the receiving end of ‘death threats’, ‘vicious vitriol’ and ‘hate emails’ for challenging the ‘predominant perception’ about Islamic tyrants by Hindu nationalists.
“The publication of her first book, in 2016, challenging the predominant perception of 16th- and 17th-century Mughal kings — Muslim rulers who are widely vilified by Hindu nationalists — put a target on her back,” the article read.
Screengrab of the propaganda piece in HuffPost by Rowaida Abdelaziz
Opindia had reported how Audrey Truschke went to great lengths to whitewash the tyranny of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and later tried to downplay the barbaric Portuguese inquisition in Goa.
The Hindu students of Rutgers University (Newark), where Truschke is employed as a Professor, were forced to write a letter to the varsity over her attempts to sell Hinduphobic fiction in the name of ‘history.
They were “aghast at the bigotry being peddled against Hindus” via continued derision of their religion, deities, and sacred texts. The students also pointed out how her anti-Hindu propaganda had the potential of resulting in targeted attacks, bullying, and backlash.
Rutgers University, instead of addressing the concerns of Hindu students, had backed Audrey Truschke and whitewashed her vile and bigoted anti-Hindu remarks as ‘academic freedom’. She also received overwhelming support from other anti-Hindu faculty members of the university.
Rowaida Abdelaziz uses the trope of ‘Hindutva vs Hinduism’
The HuffPost reporter then went on a diatribe against Hindutva, going as far as to label it as ‘far-right Hindu nationalism’. She claimed, “(It) is a political and extremist ideology that advocates for Hindu supremacy and seeks to transform a secular and diverse India into an ethnoreligious Hindu state.”
Rowaida Abdelaziz further claimed, “Hinduism, the faith, is not Hindutva the far-right movement. But the label Hindu can be categorized as a religious, political or racial identifier depending on who is using it, explained Manan Ahmed, a professor and historian of South Asia at Columbia University.”
For years now, Islamists have been meticulously trying to draw a difference between Hinduism and Hindutva—a clever ploy to confuse ordinary Hindus into believing that these are two mutually exclusive ideologies and that attacking Hindutva is not akin to trashing Hinduism.
In reality, they don’t differentiate between Hinduism and Hinduphobia. Because of this semantical jugglery, ordinary Hindus come to believe that the Islamist outrage is against Hindutva and not against Hinduism.
But they fail to discern that the two are one and the same and the distinction is an artificial creation that the Islamists have presided over for the express purpose of undermining the consolidation of Hindus.
Reliance on anti-Hindu organisations
Rowaida Abdelaziz then relied on anti-Hindu organisations to further cement her misleading narrative of ‘Hindu extremism’ and ‘Muslim victimhood.’ One such organisation is ironically named Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR).
According to Stop Hindu Hate Advocacy Network (SHHAN), HfHR has never raised a word for the rights of Hindus. “…It makes one wonder if they have decided that Hindus are not Human,” wrote the advocacy group.
Interestingly, ‘Hindus for Human Rights’ do not believe in the concept of Hinduphobia as much as it believes in Islamophobia. For this organisation, Hinduphobia is in fact a ‘Nazi hate speech construct.’
It is our submission that Hinduphobia should recognised for what it is – *a Nazi Hate Speech Construct*
It thus makes sense why the HuffPost reporter chose to interview its Deputy Executive Director, Nikhil Mandalaparthy. Rowaida Abdelaziz provided a platform for Mandalaparthy to set the narrative in her favour and he did not disappoint.
He claimed, “We see Hindu nationalism as an ideology which seeks to transform India from a pluralistic secular democracy to a Hindu state in which non-Hindus are seen at best as second-class citizens and at worst targets for extermination and disenfranchisement of all sorts.”
Ironically, Nikhil Mandalaparthy also made a bizarre assertion that Hindu nationalists (brown race) in the United States are aligning themselves with white supremacists (who, by the way, believe in the existence of only the white race).
“It’s dangerous to contribute to this narrative of rising anti-Hindu sentiments because the people who are using this language the most are then turning back on members of our own communities and those who speak out against Hindu nationalism or caste or Islamophobia,” he claimed.
The anti-Hindu antecedents of HfHR is not surprising, given their open allegiance to a radical Islamist outfit’ Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC).’
“IAMC is our close partner and we trust them and stand with them. They are neither anti-Hindu nor pro-terrorist. These are preposterous claims. IAMC is a human rights organisation fighting for justice for all, ” it said in a tweet (archive) in February last year.
@IAMCouncil is our close partner and we trust them and stand with them. They are neither anti-Hindu nor pro-terrorist. These are preposterous claims. IAMC is a human rights orgs fighting for justice for all. https://t.co/raa277GYhr
In reality, IAMC is a Jamat-e-Islami-backed lobbyist organisation claiming to be a rights advocacy group. In the past, it had reportedly collaborated with and had even paid money to various groups in the USA to get India blacklisted by the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom).
IAMC has been caught spreading fake news and misinformation to further the Islamist cause in India. It was also slapped with UAPA in 2021. The Islamist outfit also awarded cash prizes to journalists from ‘The Wire’, ‘Newslaundry’ and Scroll to further their anti-India agenda.
As such, the HuffPost reporter did not miss out on the opportunity to interview one 48-year-old Minhaj Khan, who along with IAMC President Mohammed Jawad led a vicious campaign against the display of bulldozers during the annual ‘India Day parade’ in Edison township of New Jersey.
Today, the Hindu right-wing in Edison, New Jersey marched with bulldozers, which have become a weapon in the hands of the BJP government to destroy Muslim homes and livelihoods. pic.twitter.com/3M3GKj8kcq
— Indian American Muslim Council (@IAMCouncil) August 15, 2022
The Indian American Muslim council had also been seeking the revocation of BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra’s US visa for being the Grand Marshal at the said parade. In utmost desperation, the Islamist outfit even begged the New Jersey lawmakers to take action against the Indian citizen.
Nonetheless, HuffPost provided ample opportunity for Minhaj Khan to play the usual victim card. He expressed fear about Hindu extremism in the USA while his co-religionists openly endorse ‘Sarr Tann see Juda’ (beheadings) for blasphemy in India.
“It pains us to witness the current regime in India trying to take away the most beautiful aspect of the land (US) — its richness, diversity and inclusivity — and now export it even to America,” Khan was quoted as saying.
HuffPost reporter reiterates debunked lies and half-truths
Rowaida Abdelaziz then repeated the usual lies about India, despite them being debunked from time to time. For instance, she made two references to the use of bulldozers, with the false claim that they are being exclusively used to demolish Muslim-owned buildings.
“In April, bulldozers razed houses in majority-Muslim neighbourhoods under dubious pretences,” she wrote in one instance.
In another paragraph, she pointed out, “In New Jersey in August, organizers of the local India Day parade came under fire for bringing bulldozers — symbolic of the bulldozers that have targeted Muslims in India — adorned with the faces of Modi and the hard-line Hindutva BJP minister Yogi Adityanath.”
The BJP government has been razing illegal structures, irrespective of the faith or political affiliations of the accused. The names include non-Muslims like Vikas Dubey, Yogesh Bhadora, Ramesh Pradhan, Badan Singh, Sundar Bhati, Vijay Mishra and many others.
Recently, the Uttarkhand government demolished the resort owned by the son of ex-BJP minister Pulkit Arya in connection to the murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari. Pulkit Arya is neither a Muslim student nor an activist but that did not stop the government from taking swift action against him.
Rowaida Abdelaziz tried to deceptively claim that action has been unilaterally taken place against Muslims. “Schools have banned Muslim students from wearing a hijab”, she then raked up the Karnataka Hijab row by explaining the full context to her readers.
When it comes to the question of personal liberty, it is very much protected in India. Women can choose to wear or remove headscarves in public, at their own will. In either case, the State apparatus will not tread into the sphere of one’s personal liberty.
The issue that arose in Karnataka was that of the uniform dress code. In secular institutions, the school administration has the right to determine whether religious clothing can be permitted within its premises.
In March this year, the Karnataka High Court observed that the Hijab is not an essential practice in Islam (and more of a choice) and uniform (for all) is a reasonable restriction on the Right to Freedom of Religion.
The same girls, who wish to wear hijabs, can freely do so in public. They are restricted only within the confines of educational institutes, where the concept of uniform exists. This also applies to students belonging to other religions (provided that the practice is not essential in their Faith).
We are of the opinion that Government has power to issue GO, we are of the the opinion no case is made out to initiate disciplinary enquiry against college authorities. All writ petitions are dismissed #HijabRow#KarnatakaHijabRow
The HuffPost reporter relied on the claims made by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2022 report, which has been dubbed as ‘biased and inaccurate’ by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
She accused the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) of fortifying the ‘core belief in a Hindu State’ and Hindu nationalists of propagating ‘a revisionist history’, without providing any evidence. Rowaida Abdelaziz lamented how 50000 people turned out for the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston (Texas) in 2019.
She also reiterated the fake claim, peddled by Qatar-based Al Jazeera and amplified by Audrey Truschke that “five American organizations with ties to Hindu nationalist groups receive (US) federal funding.”
in April 2021, Truschke listed the names of the 5 groups mentioned in the article and alleged that they are connected to the RSS. The controversial historian had alleged that one of the organisations, namely, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), had been involved in a coordinated attack against her.
You @AudreyTruschke have mocked Hindu texts, claimed Lord Rama was a misogynistic pig, that rape & “rape culture” were endemic to Hinduism, portrayed Hindus as bizarre “cow piss” drinkers, taught students that Hinduism is inherently oppressive, racist, and violent. (2/3)
Rajiv Pandit, a Dallas-based surgeon and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hindu American Foundation, slammed Audrey Truschke for her defamatory and baseless allegations against the HAF.
In a tweet, he emphasised, “No, Audrey Truschke, as a board member of HAF, I can confirm that your name was never discussed as part of a coordinated attack, nor ever been brought up at the board level. Any such accusations are defamatory.”
While exposing her Hindu hatred and bigotry, Rajiv Pandit added, “It’s actually you who has been involved in targeted harassment. You, Audrey Truschke, have mocked Hindu texts, claimed Lord Rama was a misogynistic pig, that rape & “rape culture” were endemic to Hinduism, portrayed Hindus as bizarre “cow piss” drinkers, taught students that Hinduism is inherently oppressive, racist, and violent.”
Rowaida Abdelaziz – Jihad sympathiser and a rabid Hinudphobe
According to her author bio, Rowaida Abdelaziz is a New York City-based reporter forthe American liberal news blog, HuffPost. Her area of expertise includes issues pertaining to social justice, immigration, and of course Islamophobia.
A closer analysis of her tweets and articles exposes her blatant Hinduphobia and attempts to downplay Islamic terrorism. In a tweet (archived) in 2017, the HuffPost reporter was seen admonishing Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan for sporting a bindi while making reference to the Islamic prophet.
“Girl, I know you are going through a lot & like exploring Islam. But quoting Prophet Muhammad with a picture of you wearing a Hindu bindi isn’t a good look,” she brazened out her disdain for Hindu symbolism. The tweet has now been deleted.
Screengrab of the tweet by Rowaida Abdelaziz
In another tweet (archive), Rowaida Abdelaziz asserted that Hindus commit mob violence and lamented how their co-religionists are not even asked to apologise for it.
“Muslims constantly condemn terrorism over & over again so if you don’t know that it means you’re not looking. Also, no one asks other groups of people (Christians after mass shootings or Hindus after mob violence) for condemnation so the ask for Muslims to do so is already unfair,” she said.
Screengrab of the tweet by Rowaida Abdelaziz
The HuffPost reporter also resorted to fear-mongering and falsely claimed that the Indian Prime Minister was not just stripping Muslims of their citizenship but building concentration camps for them. The archive of the tweet can be accessed here.
The Gates foundation is honoring Indian Prime Minister Modi with an award — all while inside India, Modi continues to strip Muslims from their citizenship, associate himself with Hindu nationalists and build concentration camps inside the country. https://t.co/Wb8zScPzCS
In 2017, Rowaida Abdelaziz tried to whitewash concepts of ‘Jihad‘ or ‘Taqiyya‘.
“Basic searches for words like “Muslim” and “Islam” return reasonable results with links to reputable sites. But more specific terms, like “sharia,” “jihad” or “taqiyya” ― often co-opted by white supremacists ― return links to Islamophobic sites filled with misinformation,” she came out in defence.
Screengrab of the propaganda piece in HuffPost by Rowaida Abdelaziz
“After Indian authorities linked nearly a thousand cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, to a fringe Muslim missionary group that refused calls to stay home and held its annual conference, politicians were quick to blame the Muslim population at large for the virus’s spread,” she claimed.
Screengrab of the propaganda piece in HuffPost by Rowaida Abdelaziz
Following backlash over her recent propaganda piece against the Hindu community, Rowaida Abdelaziz cried foul and blamed her critics as ‘Islamophobes’ and ‘misogynists.’ she alleged, “My mentions is currently a black hole of Islamophobia and misogyny.”
My mentions is currently a black hole of Islamophobia and misogyny
As per reports, a Dalit youth was thrashed and made to lick spit because he was in a love affair with a Muslim girl. The incident was reported in the Samastipur district of Bihar. The video of the incident has gone viral all over the internet.
The incident reportedly happened on Wednesday, October 19. It has been reported that locals in the region spotted the Dalit youth with the Muslim girl and carried out the act of thrashing and humiliating the youth. In the viral video, it can be seen how a Maulana forced the youth to first spit and then lick it 5 times using his tongue.
According to media reports, the Dalit youth is a resident of Mahesari village in the Ujiyarpur Police Station area. He was having an affair with a Muslim girl from Chakhabib village, which is under the jurisdiction of the Vibhutipur police station. On the day of the incident, he had taken his bike to her village to drop her off. Eventually, the crowd apprehended him. The youngster is said to have been severely thrashed before being made to spit and lick 5 times on the orders of one Maulana.
After this incident, the youth was released and allowed to go. According to Sandeep Pal, the in charge of the police station, he has received the video, based on which the accused have been identified and action will be taken.
Ram Sevak Shah, the head of Gram Panchayat Raj Chakhabib, told OpIndia that the youngster who was spat on was Paswan (Dalit). He said that the girl he went to her village to drop him off is a Muslim. The village head declined to identify the accused. OpIndia attempted to contact Police Station Vibhutipur for information on the actions taken in this case. However, the phone was switched off. Furthermore, the SP of Samastipur denied any knowledge of the occurrence. He stated that the police will only be able to provide information after seeing the footage.
