Tag: muslim community

  • Indresh Kumar, the maverick RSS leader who speaks his mind

    The speculation about differences between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its mother organisation the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the BJP’s low performance in the Lok Sabha elections is now gaining ground with a top RSS leader offering his unique interpretation of the election results.

    Indresh Kumar, a member of the national executive of the RSS, has said that the BJP was restricted to 240 seats, well below the majority mark, due to its arrogance. Referring to the INDIA bloc of opposition parties, he said, “And those who had no faith in Ram, they together were stopped at 234.” Indresh’s comment comes right after the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said three days ago that a true sevak (the one who serves the people) never shows arrogance and always maintains decorum in public life.

    Also Read: RSS leader Indresh Kumar slams BJP, says ‘those who became arrogant were stopped at 241 by Lord Ram’While these two statements that refer to arrogance will fuel the speculation about a rift between the RSS and the BJP, there is nothing new about the statements because the RSS has always been known for expressing its differences with the BJP.

    On Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister for the third time, Indresh Kumar had said on June 9, “Today, the rarest of the rare is happening. It has become possible which seemed impossible. That’s why I extend my best wishes.”

    Indresh, the maverickWhile a number of RSS leaders often express their independent views, Indresh is particularly known to speak his mind. In 2015, the RSS leadership was annoyed with him for “unauthorisedly” wading into a political row over then foreign minister Sushma Swaraj helping Lalit Modi when the former IPL boss was wanted by law. Swaraj, who was under pressure from opposition to resign after admitting that she helped Lalit Modi, found support from Indresh who defended her and said she had never compromised on nationalism and patriotism.Sources in the RSS had told TOI that Indresh’s statement reflected his personal view, and he should have refrained from articulating it without sanction from the leadership. The RSS sources said the leadership’s annoyance with Indresh was not over the content of what he said, but the fact that he chose to dwell on the matter at all. The remark ran contrary to RSS’s steadfast insistence on being an apolitical organisation which did not interfere with the “routine matters” of the BJP.In 2014, Indresh spoke on the controversy about Gopal Subramanium, a former solicitor-general, withdrawing his consent for a Supreme Court judgeship alleging that the NDA government was engaged in a smear campaign against him. “Do not indulge in character assassination of individuals by using agencies and media” Indresh said.

    In 2017, Indresh stoked a row by saying that Bhagat Singh was a “bigger” follower of non-violence than Mahatma Gandhi, who he claimed could have averted partition of the country. Speaking at a function, he said, “The definition of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) is very different from what has been told to us. Non-violence does not only mean shunning of violence, but it also means attacking to defend oneself from a demon. Bhagat Singh made the demons (British) realise that they were wrong, and his act of throwing a bomb in assembly was not to kill anyone. But what he suffered afterwards was actually an act of violence at the hands of the British.”

    Indresh’s controversial pastIndresh was linked to the 2007 Ajmer bomb blast case during the UPA government and was probed by investigation agencies. A bomb blast on October 11, 2007 at the dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at the time of Roza-Iftaar had left three pilgrims dead and 15 injured. The case was handed over to Rajasthan Police ATS and later transferred to the NIA, which re-registered the case on April 6, 2011. He was also questioned by the CBI in connection with the 2007 blast at Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad.

    In 2017, the NIA submitted a closure report in the case, giving a clean chit to Indresh and other accused including Sadhvi Pragya, saying no prosecutable evidence was found against them.

    After his acquittal, he said the people who coined the word “Hindutva terror“ have committed a “sin“, an “unpardonable act and they have to pay a price for this“. In a conversation with ET, he had said that there had been no case against him and that his name was not in the FIRs lodged.

    The man behind Sangh Parivar’s Muslim outreachIndresh Kumar is the margadarshak (guide) of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, a Muslim organisation supported by the RSS and has been leading the Sangh Parivar’s outreach to the Muslim community. He has said that 99 per cent Muslims in India are “Hindustani” by their ancestry, culture, traditions and motherland. He has also supported the view expressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the past that Indians have common ancestors, hence their DNA is common.

    Indresh had said in 2020 that no maulana has ever helped Muslims like Modi has. Speaking at an event on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, some people claimed that Muslim colonies will be destroyed and they will be deprived of jobs and other facilities. Today, six years have passed and nothing bad has happened to Muslims. In fact, Muslims were given gas connections and other facilities. No maulana has ever helped Muslims like Modi has. The fear being spread in the name of CAA is ridiculous and wrong.”

    Indresh belongs to Kaithal in Haryana and has studied mechanical engineering at the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. In 2019, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Urdu, Arabi~Farsi University in Lucknow awarded Indresh an honorary doctorate in literature at its convocation.

    (With inputs from TOI)

  • Muslim community: ‘Muslims use condoms the most’: Asaduddin Owaisi fires back at PM Modi, alleges BJP’s anti-Muslim propaganda

    Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks about the Muslim community, stating that Muslim men use condoms the most in India. His comments came in response to PM Modi’s statement referring to Muslims as “those who have more children.”“The Prime Minister is saying Muslims are producing more children. The Modi government’s data itself says the fertility rate of Muslims has dropped, but he is saying we are producing more children. The BJP and RSS are spreading this lie to claim that Muslims will become the majority in India,” said Owaisi, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Hyderabad, said at a public rally.Owaisi, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Hyderabad, accused PM Modi of spreading lies to incite hate among the Hindu community. He pointed out that government data shows a drop in the fertility rate of Muslims, contradicting PM Modi’s claims about Muslims producing more children.”If anyone uses condoms the most among men in India, they are Muslims. I am not saying this. This is government data,” Owaisi said at a public rally.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesPM Modi’s remarks were made during a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara, where he criticized the Congress party over its wealth redistribution survey promise. He alleged that if the Congress is voted to power, it would distribute the country’s wealth to “infiltrators” and “those who have more children.”Owaisi also accused PM Modi of instilling fear and spreading hate towards Muslims and Dalits since 2002. He criticized PM Modi’s slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” calling it deceitful.The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief further criticized PM Modi for referring to Muslims as “infiltrators,” stating that this is the real face of Modi.”Every newspaper writes Modi Ki Guarantee. There is only one Modi Ki Guarantee, that is the hatred towards Dalits and Muslims. How long will you continue spreading this hate? Our faith and religion are different, but we are also citizens of this country,” Owaisi said.

    “I was watching him on TV. People were showing his speech to me. I asked them, why are you surprised, this is the real face of Modi,” Owaisi charged.

    “He was just cheating all by saying Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” he added.

    PM Modi’s remarks have sparked controversy, with the Congress party lodging a complaint against him with the Election Commission. The BJP has not yet responded to Owaisi’s comments.

  • Gyanvapi Case: Hindu side files petition in District Court; urges to protect ‘Vyas Ka Tehkhana’ – The Economic Times Video

    New Delhi: The Hindu’s side in the Gyanvapi case has filed a petition in the Varanasi District Court, urging it to protect the ‘Vyas Ka Tehkhana’ (cellar), where the Hindus have been worshipping after the court’s order in January. Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer of the Hindu side, has said that there are continuous attempts made by the members of the Muslim community, who are going to offer ‘namaz’, to ‘demolish’ the cellar.

  • ‘Jab Tak Main Zinda Hoon…’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma vows to eradicate child marriage from state – The Economic Times Video

    Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing Assam Assembly on February 26, vowed to eradicate child marriage from state. He said, “Congress people should listen, as long as I, Himanta Biswa Sarma, am alive, I will not allow marriage of small girls in Assam. We will not rest until we completely close the shop that you people have opened to ruin the daughters of the Muslim community.”

  • Hate speech: Supreme Court notice to Centre in plea seeking action against leaders 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes & UAPA against speakers involved in delivering provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as organisations providing platforms to such speakers.

    A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar tagged Abdullah’s petition which also sought an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community with the batch of pleas seeking to curb hate speech. 

    Urging the bench to take action against the leaders involved in such speeches, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “Something needs to be done. If courts also do not do anything then God will save this country.” Taking exception to Sibal’s remarks, Justice Rastogi said, “do not take our institutions or this country for granted”. It (hate speeches) will go on. Adding that the court can take cognisance against individuals upon registration of FIR, the bench termed the reliefs sought in the plea as vague. 

    The petition had argued that despite the fact that the court was cognisant of the genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims made at several events and passing several orders directing the concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the circumstances of the country only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims.

    “Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organise such events where genocidal and hateful speeches are delivered. In most cases, minimal action of merely registering FIRs and that too under lesser offences is the only thing that is done by the authorities which seems to be more of a formality than any genuine initiation of the criminal machinery.

    The Government also refrains from publicly condemning the growing incidents of verbal and physical assault against Muslims across the country, despite being the guardian of all the citizens of this country,” the petition stated. The bench on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks its stand as to whether it intends to bring any law to curb the menace. 

    Also in top court

    Centre’s reply sought on feeding roomsThe Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response in a petition seeking the construction of a feeding room, child care room and crèches for infants and mothers in public places. A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and JK Maheshwari while issuing notice remarked that the matter required serious consideration. It was argued in the petition that such facilities were important for protecting the fundamental rights of nursing mothers and infants. 

    20% quota in Maha medical seats upheldThe SC upheld the 20% in-service reservation granted by the Maharashtra government to officers in Post Graduate medical education in the state to be implemented from the year 2022-23. “In our considered view, the HC verdict does not call for interference,” the SC said.

    Hearing on Kerala student arrest todayThe SC agreed to hear on Friday the plea of a mother whose law student son has been detained under a Kerala law on the prevention of anti-social activities. ‘List it for tomorrow,’ a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said on Thursday. 

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes & UAPA against speakers involved in delivering provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as organisations providing platforms to such speakers.

    A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar tagged Abdullah’s petition which also sought an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community with the batch of pleas seeking to curb hate speech. 

    Urging the bench to take action against the leaders involved in such speeches, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “Something needs to be done. If courts also do not do anything then God will save this country.” Taking exception to Sibal’s remarks, Justice Rastogi said, “do not take our institutions or this country for granted”. It (hate speeches) will go on. Adding that the court can take cognisance against individuals upon registration of FIR, the bench termed the reliefs sought in the plea as vague. 

    The petition had argued that despite the fact that the court was cognisant of the genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims made at several events and passing several orders directing the concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the circumstances of the country only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims.

    “Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organise such events where genocidal and hateful speeches are delivered. In most cases, minimal action of merely registering FIRs and that too under lesser offences is the only thing that is done by the authorities which seems to be more of a formality than any genuine initiation of the criminal machinery.

    The Government also refrains from publicly condemning the growing incidents of verbal and physical assault against Muslims across the country, despite being the guardian of all the citizens of this country,” the petition stated. The bench on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks its stand as to whether it intends to bring any law to curb the menace. 

    Also in top court

    Centre’s reply sought on feeding rooms
    The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response in a petition seeking the construction of a feeding room, child care room and crèches for infants and mothers in public places. A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and JK Maheshwari while issuing notice remarked that the matter required serious consideration. It was argued in the petition that such facilities were important for protecting the fundamental rights of nursing mothers and infants. 

    20% quota in Maha medical seats upheld
    The SC upheld the 20% in-service reservation granted by the Maharashtra government to officers in Post Graduate medical education in the state to be implemented from the year 2022-23. “In our considered view, the HC verdict does not call for interference,” the SC said.

    Hearing on Kerala student arrest today
    The SC agreed to hear on Friday the plea of a mother whose law student son has been detained under a Kerala law on the prevention of anti-social activities. ‘List it for tomorrow,’ a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said on Thursday.
     

  • Gujarat: 7 hurt in attack on Garba event; cops thrash suspects by holding them against electric pole

    By PTI

    KHEDA: Seven persons, including a policeman, were injured in an attack on a Garba event by a mob consisting of members from the Muslim community who objected to holding of the programme near a mosque in Gujarat’s Kheda district, police said on Tuesday.

    Police baton-charged the suspected attackers arrested in the case by holding them against an electric pole in the village square in full public view.

    Video clips purportedly showed three persons arrested for allegedly pelting stones on participants at the Garba celebration on Monday night in Undhela village of the district being brought out of a police van near the event’s venue.

    They were then taken towards an electric pole and held against it by a policeman who pulled their hands. Another policeman is seen hitting them below the waist with a baton.

    The images showed the alleged attackers apologised to the public gathered at the spot with folded hands after policemen asked them to do so. People present in a large number at the site cheered the police action.

    Police have arrested 13 persons so far after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Matar police station, said Deputy Superintendent of Police V R Bajpai. Police were deployed in large number at the village following the incident, he added.

    “The village Sarpanch (head) had organised Garba (a popular Gujarati folk dance) at a temple. A mob from the Muslim community tried to stop it from taking place,” Bajpai told reporters.

    The mob pelted stones and at least seven persons, including a Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD) jawan and a policeman, were injured, he said.

    “The FIR says a mob of 150 people, including women, attacked the group performing Garba by pelting stones. As per the FIR, 43 of the accused have been identified by their name,” the official said.

    The arrested accused were booked under sections of the Indian penal Code (IPC) related to attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly and voluntarily causing hurt, among others.

    “The Sarpanch had organised the Garba event at the village temple on ashtami (eighth day of Navratri), but a mob tried to stop the function,” DySP Bajpai said.

    “A group of people led by two men identified as Arif and Zahir entered the Navratri Garba venue and started causing trouble. They even threw stones,” said Kheda Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.

    “We have deployed police force in the village to main peace,” he said.

    As per the FIR, members from the Muslim community in the village objected to the Garba being organised near the mosque which is located across the temple.

    A group of people gathered at the venue at around 11:30 pm and started hurling abuses at the revellers and asked them to pack up.

    More people joined them and the mob started pelting stones when the revellers continued to play Garba, said the FIR.

    Some of them were armed with sharp weapons, sticks and they pelted stones at the temple, said the FIR.

    At least six persons were injured after revellers at a Garba venue were attacked by some intruders in Gujarat’s Kheda district, police said on Tuesday.

    Police were deployed at Undhela village in Matar tehsil following the incident on Monday night, said an official.

    “A group of people led by two men identified as Arif and Zahir entered the Navratri Garba venue and started causing trouble. They even pelted stones,” said Kheda Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.

    “Six persons were injured. We have deployed police force in the village and efforts are underway to arrest the accused,” he said, adding that a home guard deployed at the spot was among those injured.

    Stone pelting was reported in the village square where the Garba dance had been organized on the occasion of the Navratri festival, and also on the approach road from a locality behind the venue, the SP said.

    Those who indulged in stone-pelting have been identified and the locals were being questioned thoroughly, he added.

    KHEDA: Seven persons, including a policeman, were injured in an attack on a Garba event by a mob consisting of members from the Muslim community who objected to holding of the programme near a mosque in Gujarat’s Kheda district, police said on Tuesday.

    Police baton-charged the suspected attackers arrested in the case by holding them against an electric pole in the village square in full public view.

    Video clips purportedly showed three persons arrested for allegedly pelting stones on participants at the Garba celebration on Monday night in Undhela village of the district being brought out of a police van near the event’s venue.

    They were then taken towards an electric pole and held against it by a policeman who pulled their hands. Another policeman is seen hitting them below the waist with a baton.

    The images showed the alleged attackers apologised to the public gathered at the spot with folded hands after policemen asked them to do so. People present in a large number at the site cheered the police action.

    Police have arrested 13 persons so far after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Matar police station, said Deputy Superintendent of Police V R Bajpai. Police were deployed in large number at the village following the incident, he added.

    “The village Sarpanch (head) had organised Garba (a popular Gujarati folk dance) at a temple. A mob from the Muslim community tried to stop it from taking place,” Bajpai told reporters.

    The mob pelted stones and at least seven persons, including a Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD) jawan and a policeman, were injured, he said.

    “The FIR says a mob of 150 people, including women, attacked the group performing Garba by pelting stones. As per the FIR, 43 of the accused have been identified by their name,” the official said.

    The arrested accused were booked under sections of the Indian penal Code (IPC) related to attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly and voluntarily causing hurt, among others.

    “The Sarpanch had organised the Garba event at the village temple on ashtami (eighth day of Navratri), but a mob tried to stop the function,” DySP Bajpai said.

    “A group of people led by two men identified as Arif and Zahir entered the Navratri Garba venue and started causing trouble. They even threw stones,” said Kheda Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.

    “We have deployed police force in the village to main peace,” he said.

    As per the FIR, members from the Muslim community in the village objected to the Garba being organised near the mosque which is located across the temple.

    A group of people gathered at the venue at around 11:30 pm and started hurling abuses at the revellers and asked them to pack up.

    More people joined them and the mob started pelting stones when the revellers continued to play Garba, said the FIR.

    Some of them were armed with sharp weapons, sticks and they pelted stones at the temple, said the FIR.

    At least six persons were injured after revellers at a Garba venue were attacked by some intruders in Gujarat’s Kheda district, police said on Tuesday.

    Police were deployed at Undhela village in Matar tehsil following the incident on Monday night, said an official.

    “A group of people led by two men identified as Arif and Zahir entered the Navratri Garba venue and started causing trouble. They even pelted stones,” said Kheda Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.

    “Six persons were injured. We have deployed police force in the village and efforts are underway to arrest the accused,” he said, adding that a home guard deployed at the spot was among those injured.

    Stone pelting was reported in the village square where the Garba dance had been organized on the occasion of the Navratri festival, and also on the approach road from a locality behind the venue, the SP said.

    Those who indulged in stone-pelting have been identified and the locals were being questioned thoroughly, he added.

  • Muslim community marred by vaccine hesitancy: Uttarakhand ex CM Trivendra Singh Rawat

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday said that the Muslim community is marred by vaccine hesitancy.

    He was in Rishikesh for an event speaking to the media. 

    “I am saying this without hesitation and in open. The Muslim community is marred by (Covid 19) vaccine hesitancy. They sill have hesitancy, illusions and fears. In such a situation, social organizations and media should cover this that there is no harm in vaccination,” said Rawat. 

    He further added, “If you do not get vaccinated, then this disease (coronavirus) will stay and anyone can get affected by it and become a ‘superspreader’. Urge through the media that people should come forward and get vaccinated.”

    The ousted CM further added that he has seen many doctors with vaccine hesitancy too.

    “I said this in open because this issue plagued other communities too including the medical fraternity. I know many doctors who were very hesitant and took the jab later only. I know of many such doctors and medical staff. They must also get rid of this illusion that is why I said so,” added Rawat. 

    Rawat was removed from the CM post in March this year, days before the BJP government in Uttarakhand was due completing four years of tenure. 

    Earlier last month the ex-CM ade headlines after he referred to Covid 19 virus as a ‘Being’ which is just trying to live and has a right to live.