INDIA

Six Muslim women, recently released on bail after being imprisoned for seven months in connection with the February 2024 Haldwani violence, have accused prison authorities of subjecting them to forced labour and degrading conditions. The women allege they were made to clean toilets, mop floors, and perform other unpaid manual tasks that violated their constitutional rights under Article 23, which prohibits forced labour The violence in Haldwani erupted on February 8, 2024, following the demolition of a mosque and madrasa in Banbhulpura. The government claimed the structures were illegally built, but the demolition triggered widespread protests, leading to seven deaths and over 150 injuries. These women were arrested during the unrest, facing charges under the Unlawful Activitie...

In Gujarat's Dwarka district, the administration has launched a large-scale demolition drive targeting alleged illegal encroachments. Among the structures demolished was the Hazrat Panj Peer Dargah, reportedly constructed on land owned by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in Okha. Over the past three days, approximately 200 structures, including homes, have been removed in Bet Dwarka, freeing thousands of square meters of government land from encroachments. The authorities also dismantled alleged illegal constructions spanning about 4,000 square feet on Pirotan Island. This action aims to address concerns related to national security and protect the island's fragile marine ecosystem. Pirotan Island, part of the Marine National Park, is located near critical infrastructure, includin...

Authorities in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, demolished the Takiya Mosque and 257 homes on Saturday as part of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor Project. The demolition in Nizamuddin Colony was carried out under heavy police presence and supervision by senior officials. Residents reported receiving as little as 12 hours' notice, with some claiming they were notified late on Friday evening before the bulldozers arrived early Saturday morning. The demolition, which began at sunrise, left many residents scrambling to save their belongings. Women and children were seen in distress, and a teenage girl fainted upon witnessing her home being destroyed. Authorities stated that Rs 33 crore of the Rs 66 crore compensation had been disbursed to displaced families, yet residents expressed fru...

On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that structures embroiled in disputes should not be referred to as mosques, as doing so might discourage people from visiting them. Speaking at an event organized by Aaj Tak in Prayagraj, he remarked, "The day we stop calling it a mosque, people will stop going there." He emphasized that constructing mosque-like structures in a way that hurts religious sentiments is inconsistent with Islamic principles, adding, "Worship at such sites is not acceptable to God too." Adityanath further commented on religious practices, claiming that Islam does not require specific structures for worship, unlike Sanatan Dharma, which places importance on temples. His remarks come amid ongoing legal disputes by Hindu groups challenging...

The Supreme Court rejected a petition alleging that ₹30 crore worth of defaced currency notes linked to a Kashmir separatist group were exchanged at the Jammu branch of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2013. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh dismissed the plea filed by Satish Bhardwaj, a former RBI employee, citing suppression of his employment history. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the RBI, stated there was no evidence supporting the claim. The petitioner, relying on a news report, had sought a CBI investigation but failed to present substantial proof. The court stated, "We are not inclined to entertain this writ petition purportedly filed in the public interest. The same is dismissed, and all pending applications are disposed of." ...

In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sonamarg on January 13, the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has mobilized a fleet of 250 buses to transport political workers and government employees to the venue. Participants from various sectors, including political leaders, government officials, and members of local governance bodies such as Panchs, Sarpanchs, DDCs, and BDCs, are set to converge at designated assembly points. From these locations, RTC buses will facilitate their journey to the event early in the morning. According to JKRTC officials, meticulous logistical planning has been executed to manage operations efficiently despite the cold winter conditions. Approximately 200 buses will operate from Ganderbal, while the remaining fleet ...

A petition has been filed in Aligarh's Civil Court, claiming that the city's Jama Masjid, located in the Muslim-majority Upper Kot area, was constructed on the remains of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples. The petitioner, Pandit Keshav Dev Gautam, an RTI activist, alleges that historical records indicate the mosque was built in the early 18th century. Gautam stated that his claims are based on information obtained through multiple Right to Information (RTI) queries filed with various government departments, including the Aligarh Municipal Corporation. According to the activist, the municipal body responded that the mosque was “built on public land without government approval.” Using this information, Gautam has requested the court to declare the mosque "illegal." The case is sc...

In an unusual tale of love and defiance, a married woman from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, left her husband and traveled 1,300 kilometers to Uttar Pradesh to marry a man she met on Facebook, India Today reported. The story has captured widespread attention, as reported by various media outlets. The woman, Abiral, an MBBS graduate from Srinagar, had been married to Vinod Kumar since 2017. As per the report, the couple had tied the knot at an Arya Samaj Mandir in Mohali, Punjab. However, over the years, their relationship became strained. During this period, Abiral formed an online bond with Dr. Faizan Ahmed, a resident of Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Their digital friendship soon blossomed into romance. In December 2024, Abiral made the bold decision to leave Srinagar and drive...

In a deeply disturbing incident in Nebua Naurangia village of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, three Muslim women were allegedly assaulted and paraded naked on January 2. The attack reportedly stemmed from allegations that the son of one of the women had eloped with a Dalit woman. According to reports, members of the Dalit woman's family barged into the house of the Muslim youth’s family, assaulted his mother and two aunts, forcibly stripped them, and paraded them naked through the village. Their clothes were burned, and the assault was filmed by the perpetrators. Villagers reportedly stood by as spectators and did not intervene. One of the victims recounted the horrific ordeal, saying, "They entered our home, beat us, stripped us of our clothes, and dragged us out into the village."...

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has vehemently opposed the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), describing it as “more dangerous” than the three controversial farm laws repealed following the historic farmers’ protest. In a statement, the SKM accused the BJP-led Union government of undermining federalism and state rights through the proposed framework, warning that it would harm farmers, agricultural workers, small producers, and traders. The absence of guarantees for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and minimum wages for workers has heightened apprehensions among stakeholders. To intensify their opposition, the SKM announced Kisan Mahapanchayats in Tohana, Haryana, on January 4, and Moga, Punjab, on January 9, where resolutions demanding the repeal of th...