INDIA

India experienced a sharp rise in communal riots in 2024, with incidents escalating by 84% compared to 2023, according to a report by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism. The report, titled Hegemony and Demolitions: The Tale of Communal Riots in India in 2024, reveals that 59 communal riots occurred this year, up from 32 in 2023. Authored by human rights activists Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade, and Mithila Raut, the study uses data from Mumbai editions of five newspapers, including The Hindu, The Times of India, The Indian Express, Sahafat, and The Inquilab. The most significant number of riots were reported in Maharashtra, with 12 incidents, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, each witnessing seven. These riots resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals—10 Muslims and th...

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has approved the Waqf Amendment Bill after deliberating on numerous amendments. A total of 66 amendments were proposed, including 23 from the ruling BJP and 44 from opposition members. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, confirmed that the committee’s final meeting resulted in the approval of 14 amendments. Pal emphasized that the process had involved thorough discussions over the past six months, with all proposed amendments being put to vote. BJP MP and JPC member Aparajita Sarangi added that the deliberations were conducted in a democratic and transparent manner, ensuring that every member was given sufficient time to present their views. Despite some accusations of bias and procedural haste from the Opposition, which criticized the...

Former RAW chief AS Dulat cautioned that the “happiness” of Kashmiris following the elections in 2024 is “temporary.” As they await the fulfilment of the promise of J-K’s statehood, the credibility of both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Centre is on the line. Dulat said that Abdullah, who expressed his desire for a good relationship with the central government soon after becoming chief minister, is not “asking for much” by seeking the restoration of Jammu Kashmir’s statehood. “What’s Omar asking for? What does a Kashmiri expect? Article 370 is gone, it’s not that it has gone out of Kashmiris’ minds; they still think about 370. But Omar knows it is not coming back. What he craves is self-respect—the statehood. “I think it is in the interest of both Delhi and Srinagar that the...

Sadhvi Rithambhara, who played a pivotal role in the Babri Masjid demolition and was charged in connection with the incident, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan this year in the social work category. The recognition has sparked widespread controversy, given her long history of incendiary rhetoric and involvement in various communal controversies. Rithambhara first rose to prominence in the late 1980s as a star speaker for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), where her fiery speeches on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement gained considerable attention. Her speeches, often described as the “most aggressive,” were broadcast on public loudspeakers, making her a vocal advocate for Hindu nationalism. According to political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot, these speeches helped shape the narrative o...

A video from Barahat block in Bihar's Banka district showing madrasa students being forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" has sparked outrage on social media, prompting calls for swift action. Authorities, including the Bihar Police and Banka Police, have confirmed an investigation into the incident. Four juvenile offenders have been arrested in connection with the case, and officials have assured strict action against those responsible. To maintain communal harmony, a peace meeting was convened by the Superintendent of Police, Banka, alongside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Officials from various administrative and police divisions also attended, emphasizing the importance of preserving law and order. In a statement, Banka Police said the situation is under control, and both commu...

In a tragic incident in Dabua Colony, Haryana, a 16-year-old Muslim girl, Khushnuma, was brutally killed after months of harassment. On January 18, Pawan, the accused, allegedly broke into her home and fatally stabbed her in the neck and mouth, as a report by Muslim Mirror According to police, Pawan had abducted Khushnuma in April 2024, luring her with false promises of marriage. Following her rescue and his arrest, legal action was initiated. However, after being released, he continued to harass and threaten her family. “Despite repeated refusals and the family’s efforts, Pawan kept pressuring her to marry him,” said Abhishek, a local resident. Police spokesperson Yashpal confirmed the sequence of events and stated that a manhunt for Pawan is underway. The victim’s body ...

A Kashmiri shawl seller was reportedly assaulted and robbed by three men on a motorcycle in the Sultanpur area of Kapurthala, Punjab, on Saturday, January 19. According to the police, Mohammad Shafi, who travels to Punjab annually for three months to sell shawls, was attacked in the Shahpur Andreta village while en route to make a sale. The assailants, who were masked, beat Shafi and stole Rs 12,000 in cash along with shawls valued at Rs 35,000. Following the attack, Shafi was hospitalized at Sultanpur Lodhi for treatment. One of the suspects, Raj Karan, has been arrested, and the motorcycle used in the crime was seized. Authorities are working to apprehend the remaining two assailants.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday emphasized that faulty road construction should be treated as a non-bailable offence, holding road contractors and engineers accountable for accidents. He suggested they face strict penalties, including imprisonment, for negligence leading to loss of lives, Press Trust of India reported. Speaking at an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Gadkari highlighted that India leads globally in road accidents, recording five lakh mishaps in 2023, resulting in 1.72 lakh deaths. Of these, 66.4 percent, or 1.14 lakh fatalities, were individuals aged between 18-45 years, with an additional 10,000 children losing their lives. The absence of helmets caused 55,000 deaths, while non-use of seat...

The Congress party has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court to oppose challenges to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. In the application, Congress argues that the pleas against the law are part of a “motivated and malicious” attempt to undermine India’s secular principles. Filed through Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, the application defends the Act as a critical reflection of India’s secular identity. It underscores that the law, which preserves the status quo of religious structures as they existed on August 15, 1947, was passed with significant support during the 10th Lok Sabha, when the Congress and Janata Dal parties had a majority. The Congress also highlights that the Act was part of their 1991 election manifesto, demonstrating...

In a heartwarming example of communal unity, a Sikh family in Malerkotla district, Punjab, has donated land to the local Muslim community for building a mosque. Sukhjinder Singh Noni, the former Sarpanch of Umarpura village, and his brother Avninder Singh contributed 5.5 biswas of prime land for the mosque, valued at approximately Rs 7–8 lakh, as reported by The Indian Express. Malerkotla holds historical significance as the only district in Punjab with a notable Muslim population that remained in India after the 1947 Partition. The region's unique bond with Sikhs stems from its Nawab's opposition to the execution of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1704, fostering a tradition of mutual respect and protection between the communities Sukhjinder ...