Instead of protecting victims of such incidents, the perpetrators not only enjoy immunity from the law, but also the administration in BJP-ruled states punishes victims. The use of false cases and arrests under draconian laws like UAPA are the preferred weapons.
2021 is about to melt into 2022 in less than 48 hours. Majoritarian politics continued to hold its way over the country this year. But this year, it was not just Muslims but also Christians who felt the heat of Hindutva attacks across India as right-wing Hindu groups waged a culture war against them. Several churches have been attacked and statues of Jesus broken, the latest being in Ambala’s Army Cantonment, the scene of many a Rudyard Kipling work.
December saw targeted hate speeches against minorities. The one at Haridwar saw many participants vow to even take up weapons to redeem their faith by killing non-Hindus. The Hindu right-wing has waged war against Christians accusing them of religious conversion through their missionary work and Muslims for Love Jihad, an Islamophobic trope singling out Muslim men for falling in love with Hindu women and then converting them into Islam. However, such allegations targeting minorities have become a cornerstone of Hindu right-wing nationalism.
The Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, United Against Hate, and United Christian Forum jointly released a fact-finding report highlighting the series of attacks on churches and hate speech against Christians across India. According to the report, India has recorded more than 300 attacks on Christians and worship places within the first nine months of 2021.
Of the 305 incidents, 66 took place in Uttar Pradesh, 47 in Chhattisgarh and at least 32 in Karnataka.
While another report of the United Christian Forum had claimed that India reported more than 400 incidents of violence against Christians across the country. Among those, the incident involved storming churches, burning Christian literature, attacking schools and assaulting worshipers.
However, it is shocking that only 30 FIRs have been registered so far in these cases. On many occasions, restrictions were imposed on people to carry out religious ceremonies.
First on the list of attacks is the one on October 3, where a mob of 250-300 persons barged into a Roorkee church in Uttarakhand and attacked people, destroyed CCTV cameras, and vandalized church premises. Many reports said there were only 12 inside the church for prayers when the attack took place.
Apart from this, the attacks on churches were also reported from BJP-ruled states Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. And these attacks have taken place over allegations of religious conversion. Christians prayers meetings have also been stopped by the same Hindu mob who had stopped Jumma namaz in the so-called Millennium City, Gurugram. The city also saw an attack on a school’s Christmas celebration.
In the last week of 2021, the bank accounts of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were frozen over FCRA claims, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted about the heartlessness behind the move affecting the charity of the outfit.
Some 22,000 patients and employees have been left without food and medicines, the West Bengal Chief Minister had tweeted.
The Missionaries of Charity was founded in 1950 by the late Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun from Macedonia, who moved to India and took care of the destitute and the poor and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work.
Hate speeches have been curtailed by some norms, keeping them among friends and family. The last week of 2021 saw more public hate speeches in the country. The controversial Dharam Sansad organized in Haridwar, other such events in Delhi and Chattisgarh saw where priests and leaders taking an oath to kill Muslims, and even urged Hindus to arm themselves against the Muslims to make India a Hindu Rashtra.
With next year’s assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur due shortly, the increase in such hate is an attempt at reviving polarisation.
The violence in Tripura, where VHP hoodlums attacked Muslims and vandalized some of their mosques and Friday prayers disruptions at designated places at Gurugram were also the prime example of rising hate against Muslims.
Anti-Hindu violence in parts of Bangladesh triggered violence in Tripura. The communal riots erupted on October 26 after a rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to protest against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh turned violent.
The VHP and the Hindu Jagran Manch organized rallies in different parts of the state to protest against the violence in Bangladesh. Later, the VHP and other right-wing groups denied any role in the violence.
The anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, which erupted during the Durga Puja festival, was triggered by rumours that the Quran had been insulted in one of the pavilions set up for the celebrations. Seven people were killed, several temples desecrated, and hundreds of houses and business establishments of the Hindu minority were torched.
However, many Muslim groups alleged political conspiracy claiming that the minorities were being targeted in the north eastern state. There were many arrests and some journalists covering the riots in Tripura were also detained. Those who tweeted in favour of Tripura’s Muslims also found themselves being served notices by the state police.
The Uttar Pradesh government had faced severe criticism from the opposition over the killings of Kasganj youth Altaaf in mysterious circumstance. He had been arrested on suspicion of eloping with a Hindu woman. Again, the smoldering love jihad theory. The law and order in Uttar Pradesh, which had earlier won so much praise from PM Modi and other BJP leaders, has been roundly criticized by opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh.
The family of the deceased had alleged that he was tortured by police in the lockup, which led to his death. Police claimed the accused killed himself using the drawstring of his jacket’s hood when he went to the lockup washroom.
Apart from mob lynching, Muslim street vendors in Ahmedabad and some parts of Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country have been threatened and disallowed from pursuing their livelihood. In Ahmedabad, the Hujarat High Court stepped in to tell off the civic authority to desist from such measures. In Assam, poor peasant families cultivating land for decades were brutally evicted only because they belonged to the Muslim minority. The point-blank shooting of Moinal Haque by police personnel caught on video and the subsequent death dance by a photographer with the remains indeed were a mirror for the crumbling facade of secular India, now overtaken by an aggressive mindless herd mentality spewing hate and violence.
An empty desolate car park outside Sector 37 police station in Gurugram where Muslims had performed Friday prayers for more than a decade turned into a battleground of faith. Hindu right-wing groups staged protests, sloganeered during Friday prayers and held a Govardhan puja at the namaz site just to deny namaz here.
Instead of protecting victims of such incidents, the perpetrators not only enjoy immunity from the law, but also the administration in BJP-ruled states punishes victims. The use of false cases and arrests under draconian laws like UAPA are the preferred weapons.
India inks Rs 63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-M jets to strengthen naval fleet
India has signed a ₹63,000 crore deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale M fighter jets, strengthening the Navy’s capabilities aboard INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
India has finalized a major ₹63,000 crore agreement with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale M fighter jets, enhancing its maritime strength significantly. This government-to-government deal, signed on Monday, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater trainer variants, with delivery expected by 2031.
The deal not only covers the procurement of the jets but also includes comprehensive fleet maintenance, logistical support, and training for Navy personnel. In a notable boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, indigenous manufacturing of several components will be undertaken under offset obligations.
The Rafale M, currently operated only by the French Navy, is renowned for its superior capabilities among naval fighter jets globally. It features Safran Group’s reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and a robust undercarriage designed to endure the tough conditions of carrier-based operations.
The Indian Navy plans to deploy these new Rafale-M fighters aboard its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, replacing the ageing fleet of MiG-29K aircraft. This move is expected to significantly bolster India’s maritime defense capabilities, especially amid rising security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
In December, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi emphasized a strategic shift to “negate” any infringement in India’s operational areas, highlighting the preparedness to counter threats from neighboring regions.
India’s Air Force, which already operates 36 Rafale ‘C’ variant jets from northern bases, will also benefit indirectly through upgrades to systems like the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling capability, allowing fighter jets to stay airborne for extended missions.
Looking ahead, the Navy is also progressing toward the induction of indigenous fifth-generation, twin-engine deck-based fighters, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These fighters will complement the Air Force’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), further strengthening India’s air and maritime security architecture.
Omar Abdullah’s emotional address after Pahalgam attack highlights Kashmir’s unity against terror
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a heartfelt address in the J&K Assembly after the Pahalgam terror attack, praising local bravery and calling for national unity against terror.
In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered an emotional speech in the state Assembly, underscoring the collective grief and resilience of the nation. Reading out the names and states of all 26 victims, he said the entire country — from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, and Kashmir to Kerala — has been touched by this tragedy.
The National Conference leader asserted that the Valley stood united against terrorism, calling the event a potential “beginning of the end” of such violence in the region. Abdullah acknowledged the bravery of the local people, many of whom rushed to assist the injured tourists during the attack.
Opposition and ruling parties join hands in rare solidarity
In a remarkable moment of unity, Opposition leaders, including BJP’s Sunil Sharma, praised Omar Abdullah’s swift and composed response. An all-party meeting was convened, and a special Assembly session was organized, reflecting a bipartisan resolve against terror.
The Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the inability to protect the tourists, stating that though security is not under the elected government’s control, as the host and tourism minister, the responsibility ultimately lay with him. “I had no words to apologise to the victims’ families,” Abdullah said, recounting heartbreaking stories of survivors, including a newly-widowed Navy officer’s wife.
Strong condemnation of terrorists and call for public trust
Omar Abdullah sharply criticised the terrorists, questioning their claim of acting on behalf of the people of Kashmir. “None of us is with this attack,” he declared, emphasizing the collective rejection of violence by Kashmiris.
Highlighting an unprecedented reaction, he noted that from Kathua to Kupwara, people spontaneously protested against the attack, sending a strong “Not in my name” message. This, he said, is a beacon of hope and a vital sign that lasting peace can be achieved if public trust remains strong.
Tribute to local heroes and calls for cautious optimism
Paying tribute to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator who sacrificed his life protecting tourists, Abdullah hailed the courage shown by many locals. From offering free food to providing transport and shelter, countless Kashmiris extended their support to the victims without expecting anything in return.
While acknowledging that some Kashmiri students faced problems in other parts of the country following the attack, Abdullah also expressed gratitude towards state governments that managed to control tensions effectively.
With his heartfelt address, Omar Abdullah called for cautious optimism, urging the administration to act wisely and foster the people’s spontaneous solidarity into a sustained movement against militancy.
In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, which together had a subscriber base of around 63 million. The Union Home Ministry recommended the action, citing concerns over the spread of inflammatory and misleading narratives that could disturb communal harmony.
The list of banned platforms features prominent Pakistani media organizations such as Dawn, ARY News, Bol News, Geo News, Raftar, Samaa TV, and Suno News. Additionally, personal YouTube channels run by journalists including Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq were also taken down. Channels like The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama have also been restricted.
Authorities have accused these channels of circulating misinformation, spreading false narratives about India’s armed forces and security agencies, and provoking tensions following the tragedy in which 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri citizen lost their lives to terrorist gunfire.
Users trying to visit these YouTube pages in India are now greeted with a message indicating the content is blocked in the country due to government orders concerning national security or public order. Further details are available on Google’s Transparency Report portal.
India strengthens diplomatic response
Following the Pahalgam incident, India has taken a tougher diplomatic stand against Pakistan. New Delhi has put a hold on the Indus Waters Treaty and suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, Islamabad has responded by suggesting it might review other bilateral agreements, including the historic Simla Agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, vowed that those behind the attack would face unprecedented consequences. Emphasizing the resilience of India’s spirit, he declared that the willpower of 140 crore citizens would defeat terrorism and dismantle any remaining terror safe havens.
He remarked, “This brutal attack was not merely an assault on tourists but an attack on India’s very soul. The time has come to wipe out what remains of the terrorist infrastructure.”
BBC cautioned over controversial Kashmir coverage
Meanwhile, the Indian government has also conveyed a strong objection to BBC over its reporting related to the Pahalgam attack. Officials objected to a headline that read, “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists,” arguing it could mislead readers about the nature of the attack.
India’s External Publicity Division has formally expressed displeasure to BBC India’s chief, Jackie Martin. Additionally, a letter was sent criticizing BBC’s usage of terms such as “militants” instead of “terrorists” when referring to the perpetrators. Sources said India’s monitoring of BBC’s future reportage would be intensified.
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