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Not In My Name protest meet makes Modi speak against killings

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Not In My Name protest meet makes Modi speak against killings

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Lilly Paul

What started as a Facebook post ended with hundreds of people taking to the streets at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to join the protest, “Not In My Name”, initiated by filmmaker Saba Dewan. The protests started at 6pm on Wednesday (June 29) and was attended by students, artists, activists and common people of Delhi along with the family members of 16-year-old Junaid, who was killed on June 22 in a Mathura-bound train.

The protest made headlines around the country and even in the foreign press. The immediate effect of the protest was the breaking of months-long silence by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said on Friday (June 29) that killing in the name of an animal sacred to majority Hindus was wrong, a comment that came seven days after the horrific killing that moved the conscience of the entire country.

“Killing people in the name of ‘gau bhakti’ is not acceptable,” Modi told a crowd at the centenary celebrations of the Sabarmati Ashram, according to agencies. “No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands.”

Till Thursday, there had been not even an acknowledgement of the killing of the 16-year-old Junaid by the Prime Minister, neither of any other cow related killing so far. There have been 28 cow related killings from 2010 and 86 percent victims were Muslims and 97 percent of such attacks happened after the NDA came to power in 2014, according to a report by Indiaspend.

Reacting to Modi’s comment senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said: “I am glad that the Prime Minister finally came out and said something, but it is not enough. We have to put our money where our mouth is. We want action. The ground reality is something else. What is the government going to do? What action plan do they have? Are we to live in terror?”

At Jantar Mantar on Wednesday the protest was observed to register the people’s anger over the incessant lynchings of Muslims by cow and beef vigilantes. Apart from Delhi, protests were held in 11 other Indian cities of Allahabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna and Thiruvananthapuram.

More importantly, it received primetime coverage by all major television news channels, including foreign channels. Back from another of his hurricane international tours, Modi, at least, reacts when his image is in danger of being tarnished.

The event witnessed an emotional moment when Junaid’s brother Mohammed Asaruddin read out a letter, called “letter to his mother from heaven”,  written on behalf of Junaid. It read: Dear Ma, I am home. Mother you lied when you said Hindus and Muslims are brothers because how can a brother watch his brother being killed and do nothing to save him. I am alive now. Here there is no fear of marauding mobs. Yours, Junaid.”

People could be seen crying uncontrollably in the protest after Asaruddin read out the letter. He quivered as he read out the letter against the backdrop of ‘lynch map of India’, a map made on the dais spotting the states in red where mob lynchings have took place since 2015.

Works of revolutionary poets Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Sahir Ludhianvi were recited in the event. Veteran journalist Vinod Dua too read out a couplet by Faiz in the event. Actor-dancer Maya Rao performed on an act she composed for the event.

“Junaid was my brother, my fellow countrymen, I have seen Bharat Mata weeping in the eyes of his mother”, read a placard in the protest. The other one read, “hum sab musalmaan hai, hum sab insaan hai (We all are Muslims, we all are humans)”.

Although the protest was attended by hundreds, it is not sure if the common people participated in substantial numbers. The place was filled with students, lawyers, educationists, activists and artists. Muslims wearing traditional attire with a black band could also be spotted in the protest.

Although many families joined the protest with their children, still the presence of the common public was missing. Even the auto-drivers dropping the people to the venue could be seen asking their customers about the issue behind the protest. Some performances were still due as people left due to rain.

Although the intention and the motive behind the protests were genuine but lesser participation suggest that people are yet not aware of the cynical lynchings taking place across the country. This is the same Delhi which had turned out in huge numbers during the Nirbhaya rape tragedy. But such a turnout of people was missing in this protest.

The protest was also criticised by both left and the right groups for its idea and execution. Still the protests could be marked as a beginning of resistance against mob lynchings.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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