INDIA

The recent controversial statements from former Karnataka minister and senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa have once again ignited a debate. During a Hindu workers' convention in Belagavi, Eshwarappa called on Muslims to vacate mosques believed to be constructed on temple demolition sites, emphasizing the imminent construction of temples in those areas following court verdicts. Eshwarappa's warnings of potential consequences if Muslims don't comply have sparked criticism. He stated, “Two more places, including Mathura, are under consideration. Once the court delivers its verdict, whether today or tomorrow, we will proceed with temple construction. There should be no doubt about that.” He suggested that it would be preferable for the Muslim community to voluntarily vacate those areas, ...

Six student activists from Farook College in Kozhikode were arrested by Kerala Police for posting pro-Palestine boycott posters on a Starbucks store near Kozhikode beach. Affiliated with the Fraternity Movement, they were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The incident occurred on January 4, and the students, who intended to make a video highlighting brands supporting the Gaza conflict, were released on station bail. The posters, stating "Free Palestine" and "Caution Contents May Fund Genocide," were promptly removed by store staff. The arrests mark the third such incident at the Kozhikode Beach Starbucks in the last three months. The students argue that their actions caused no property damage or provocation and were part of a global call to boycott bran...

In a recent ruling, Justice Saurabh Banerjee of the Delhi High Court emphasized that individuals accused in a trial cannot be compelled to divulge passwords or similar details of seized digital devices. This decision was made while granting bail to Sanket Bhadresh Modi, the director of a company accused of orchestrating a $20 million fraudulent phone call scheme to the United States from counterfeit call centers in India. The Central Bureau of Investigation, opposing Modi's bail plea, argued that he, being the primary suspect, had not provided passwords for his devices, email, and cryptocurrency wallet accounts. Justice Banerjee addressed this by stating, "Thus, any accused like the applicant is expected to show high sensitivity, diligence and understanding during such an investig...

The ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA. As per government, the outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in J&K. Under PM @narendramodi Ji’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organization found involved in anti-India activities will be thwarted forthwith. The ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA.The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activit...

Four people from Kashmir, including a woman, were detained for questioning by police in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district as "part of a vigil" in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to adjoining Ayodhya, officials said on Saturday. Station House Officer (SHO) of Kotwali police station Sri Ram Pandey they are from Poonch district and were detained from a hotel Friday night. "The action was taken as part of a vigil being observed in the wake of PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya today (Saturday)," he said. The SHO said all four were questioned and their identity cards and other documents are being checked. "They have told us that they work at a madrassa and have come to Barbanki to collect donations. They have also claimed that they visit different parts of the country during ...

The proposed demolition of the Sunheri Masjid in New Delhi by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has generated significant public response. The NDMC had invited comments and suggestions from the public, with a deadline of January 1. As of now, they have received over 2,000 suggestions, primarily from Muslim organizations and minority welfare bodies. The NDMC initiated the process in response to concerns raised by the Delhi Traffic Police about traffic congestion in the area surrounding the mosque. The council had approached various stakeholders, including the religious committee, for feedback. However, the matter became more complex when the Delhi Waqf Board took the issue to court. NDMC chairman Amit Yadav addressed the issue during a press conference where the council's budget ...

The Centre on Wednesday declared Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir, led by incarcerated separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, as ‘unlawful association’ and banned it for 5 years under UAPA. In a post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that this organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. “The ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA,” he said. He said that PM Modi led government's message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law...

The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, has been passed by the Indian parliament, sparking concerns over its potential impact on user privacy and online services. The legislation, which aims to regulate all telecommunication services, including popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Reddit, and Gmail, brings about substantial changes to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997, and expands the regulatory purview to include broadcasters under the telecommunication umbrella. The recently passed bill, relying on 36 sets of subordinate legislation for operationalization, has raised eyebrows due to its potential implications for user privacy and the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Notably, the legislation permits only "authorized entities" to provide telecommuni...

In a disturbing incident at the Delhi Gate intersection in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a mosque fell victim to vandalism, with religious slogans, notably "Jai Shri Ram," defacing its walls. The incident, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, has raised concerns over the misuse of the slogan, which has, over the years, transformed into a tool of hate, often used to suppress and intimidate minority communities. A delegation from the Samajwadi Party (SP) addressed the issue by meeting with Superintendent of Police (City) Mrigank Shekhar Pathak. They officially lodged a complaint, emphasizing the need for strong actions against those responsible for undermining communal peace. Manoj Yadav, a leader from the Samajwadi Party and a member of the delegation, expressed his conc...

Police in Jammu have filed seven First Information Reports (FIRs) against individuals accused of providing shelter and facilitating government benefits for Rohingyas, according to PTI. The FIRs were registered at various police stations, including Satwari, Trikuta Nagar, Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Nowabad, Domana, and Nagrota, following searches conducted at different locations in Jammu district. Officials report that the FIRs target individuals who allegedly assisted foreign immigrants in obtaining government benefits and shelter. The searches, conducted with magistrates present, took place at locations where Rohingyas reside and at the residences of the alleged facilitators. Seized materials included illegally acquired Indian documents such as PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and bank...