INDIA

Danishwar Hameed In a remarkable display of solidarity, local Sikhs in the Madewaal area of Ferozepur, Punjab, came forward to support a Kashmiri shawl seller who was assaulted and looted on February 5. The victim, identified as Abdul Khaliq Ganai from Kralpora Kupwara, was reportedly threatened at gunpoint by non-local thieves who robbed him of his shawls, phone, and ₹32,000 in cash. "The shawl seller, named Abdul Khaliq Ganai from Kralpora Kupwara, was intimidated by a pistol by some non-local thieves, and his belongings, including shawls, phone, and ₹32,000 in cash, were looted," a local told The Kashmiriyat. Upon learning of the incident, locals intervened, apprehended the thieves, and handed them over to the police. However, when the stolen cash could not be recovered, the co...

The Vande Bharat train inauguration, scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, has been postponed. Official Sources informed news agency JKNS, the Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar, initially scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, 2025, has been postponed. Sources further added that earlier, too, there was no official communiqué regarding the inauguration, and the reports circulating were unconfirmed. Earlier, there were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the much-awaited Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on February 17. It is important to note that the train service features engineering marvels, including the Anji Khad Bridge, with its 331-me...

At least 18 people died, including 14 women and three children and over a dozen sustained injuries in a stampede that occurred on Saturday night at the New Delhi Railway station. The incident occurred after a massive surge in passengers heading to Maha Kumbh and those waiting for the trains that had got delayed. A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter and determine the cause of the stampede, executive director of information & publicity at the Railway Board, Dilip Kumar said. This comes after the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh due to sudden surge in devotees on Mauni Amavasya that led to the death of 30. The authorities have said that the “unprecedented” rush of passengers at two platforms- 13 and 14- led to chaos and panic ultimately caus...

The Tirupati Book Festival witnessed chaos as Hindutva extremists protested against the book Quran Analysis, authored by Hindu writer Mr. Sharma. The book explores similarities between Islamic and Hindu values, citing the Quran as a reference point. Eyewitnesses reported that the extremists stormed the Vishalandhra bookstall displaying the book, tearing copies and setting them on fire while chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” They also attempted to vandalize the stall, hurled accusations, and used abusive language, causing significant disruption. Sakam Nagaraju, a visitor at the event, recalled, “I heard loud noises and saw a group tearing and burning the book while shouting slogans.” The mob further targeted the stall for selling other controversial titles, including Ramayana Visha Vriksham...

In a tragic incident, Naik Mukesh Singh from Kamila village in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, lost his life in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast during a fence patrol in the Akhnoor sector on Tuesday. Just two months away from his wedding, Mukesh’s dreams were cruelly shattered, leaving his family and fiancée devastated. The explosion occurred around 3:50 pm near the Line of Control (LoC), targeting an army patrol. Another soldier, Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi from Jharkhand, also lost his life. Mukesh, the son of a retired police officer, had planned to visit home on February 25 to oversee marriage preparations. However, the news of his death plunged his family and community into mourning. The village sarpanch expressed deep sorrow, stating, “The entire villag...

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, stated on Thursday that Muslims will not be accepted in the Backward Class (BC) list, warning of potential backlash from Hindu society if such a move is implemented. He argued that including Muslims in the BC category would deprive other BC communities of their rightful reservations. Kumar's remarks were in response to the Congress government in Telangana passing a bill proposing 42% reservations for BCs, which is now awaiting approval from the Centre. He criticized Congress for attempting to introduce religious-based reservations and accused the party of lacking sincerity in implementing BC quotas. Currently, backward sections among Muslims in Telangana receive 4% reservations under the BC E category. Kumar insisted that ...

A report by India Hate Lab revealed a 75% increase in hate speech against religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, in India during 2024. The incidents rose from 668 in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024, with around 80% occurring in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).   The report linked this surge to the ideological agenda of the ruling party and the Hindu nationalist movement, which frequently portrayed Muslims and Christians as outsiders and threats to Hindus. The rise in hate speech coincided with the 2024 national elections, where inflammatory rhetoric against minorities became more common. In New Delhi, heightened tensions forced many Muslims to relocate to Muslim-majority neighborhoods with limited infrastructure and economic opportunities. ...

The Uttar Pradesh government demolished the Madni Mosque in Kushinagar’s Kata area on February 9, citing encroachment on government land. The move followed a complaint by Hindutva workers and the expiration of a high court stay order on February 8. Authorities had asked the mosque committee for ownership documents, but they failed to provide them. A heavy police force, including BSF personnel, oversaw the demolition using five bulldozers. The mosque committee claimed the land was purchased 15 years ago, but a district survey found part of it on government property. Three committee members were booked for allegedly forging documents. The mosque, a key religious center for over two decades, served as a hub for Islamic education and the Tablighi Jamaat. Its demolition has sparked ten...

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Tihar Jail authorities in response to a petition filed by Kashmiri separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan.  The petition seeks the restoration of his Inmate Phone Call System and E-Mulaqat facilities, which were revoked in 2023. Khan’s counsel informed the court that he has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2017, and the ban on communication has severely impacted his ability to stay in touch with his family. The court subsequently sought a response from the concerned authorities regarding the matter. [KNT]