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.
Harley-Davidson sprint 440 unveiled, developed with Hero MotoCorp
Harley-Davidson has unveiled the Sprint 440, a new entry-level cruiser developed in partnership with Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle gets a 440cc engine, a 3.5-inch TFT display and a low seat height.
Harley-Davidson has officially unveiled the Sprint 440, a new entry-level cruiser developed in partnership with India’s Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle brings traditional cruiser styling to the company’s existing 440cc platform, offering a different design approach from the Harley-Davidson X440.
The Sprint 440 will make its public debut at the EICMA 2026 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. While the motorcycle is being prepared for international markets, deliveries in the United States are scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 design and styling
The Sprint 440 adopts a conventional cruiser appearance, featuring an elongated and low-slung profile. Its design highlights include a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a scooped rider seat, swept-back handlebars and a shortened rear mudguard.
A stepped pillion section and a low-mounted exhaust further complement its cruiser styling. The motorcycle also features a relatively narrow profile, with its proportions designed to provide a relaxed riding position.
One of its key highlights is the 671mm laden seat height. Harley-Davidson will also offer optional Reach and Tallboy seats to accommodate riders with different seating preferences.
Engine and performance
The new Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 is powered by a 440cc, single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine.
The powertrain produces 26.7 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 38 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox and an assist-and-slipper clutch.
The company claims a combined fuel efficiency of approximately 34 kmpl. The motorcycle also gets a 9-litre fuel tank, which is smaller than the 13.5-litre unit offered on the India-spec Harley-Davidson X440.
Features and equipment
Despite its traditional cruiser styling, the Sprint 440 receives a modern equipment package.
It comes with a circular 3.5-inch colour TFT instrument console, full LED lighting and a USB Type-C charging port positioned above the headlamp.
Harley-Davidson will also offer several optional accessories, including a detachable windscreen, saddlebags, passenger backrest, engine guard and alternative handlebars.
These accessories will allow customers to customise the motorcycle according to their riding and touring requirements.
Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 price and launch timeline
Harley-Davidson has announced a starting price of £4,995 for the Sprint 440 in the UK.
For the US market, deliveries are scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Final assembly for the US-market motorcycle will take place at Harley-Davidson’s facility in York, Pennsylvania.
The motorcycle’s international rollout will follow different schedules depending on the market.
What about the India launch?
The Sprint 440 has a significant connection with India because it has been developed in partnership with Hero MotoCorp, which is also associated with the existing X440 platform.
However, despite its Indian development connection, an India-specific launch date and local pricing have not yet been announced.
The motorcycle brings a more traditional cruiser design to the 440cc platform, distinguishing it from the roadster-oriented X440. More details about its availability in India are awaited.
Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi of foreign backing, BJP hits back with UK clip
Rahul Gandhi alleged that foreign forces helped Narendra Modi become Prime Minister and continue in power. The Congress leader also challenged Modi to an open debate, while the BJP responded by sharing an old video of his remarks during a UK visit.
A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of becoming and remaining in power with foreign assistance.
Gandhi also challenged the Prime Minister to an open debate on the issue, saying he was ready to face him on any platform and at any time.
The BJP responded by bringing up an old video of Gandhi from his visit to the United Kingdom, reviving the controversy surrounding his remarks about India’s democratic institutions and the role of foreign countries.
What Rahul Gandhi said about PM Modi
Gandhi’s remarks came in response to Modi’s recent comments targeting the Opposition during his address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations in Gujarat on October 31.
In a post on X on Monday, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of relying on foreign support to attain and retain power.
“Mr Modi, stop lying to this nation. You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help,” Gandhi wrote.
He further alleged that India’s financial system was fully controlled and supported by foreign entities and claimed that foreign social media platforms backed the Prime Minister.
The Congress leader also challenged Modi to discuss the allegations publicly.
“I challenge you to an open debate about this. Any stage, any time. Come if you have the guts,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister would not accept the challenge because of what Gandhi claimed to know about him.
Why PM Modi criticised the Opposition
Gandhi’s response followed Modi’s address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
During his speech, the Prime Minister accused the Opposition of moving away from its democratic responsibility of questioning the government and instead becoming an obstructionist force.
Modi described the Opposition as an “Avrodh Paksh” rather than a “Virodh Paksh”, alleging that it was creating obstacles to the country’s development.
Without directly naming Gandhi, the Prime Minister also raised questions about the foreign visits of certain political leaders and their alleged connections with forces opposed to India.
“Who is secretly meeting whom abroad? Whom are the anti-India forces supporting? Who is speaking the language of India’s enemies?” Modi asked.
He also expressed concern over the use of social media to spread rumours and attempts to damage India’s image.
BJP brings back Rahul Gandhi’s old UK remarks
The BJP responded to Gandhi’s allegations by sharing an old video from his UK visit, bringing attention back to his earlier comments about India’s democratic institutions and the involvement of foreign countries.
During an interaction at Chatham House in London in March 2023, Gandhi had alleged that several Indian institutions, including the Press, judiciary, Parliament and Election Commission, were under threat.
He had also questioned why Europe and the United States were not doing enough to raise concerns about what he described as threats to democracy in India.
The remarks had triggered a political controversy at the time, with the BJP accusing Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention in India’s internal affairs.
BJP leaders had demanded an apology from the Congress leader over his comments during the UK visit.
The resurfacing of the old video has brought those earlier remarks back into the political debate as the Congress and BJP trade accusations over alleged foreign backing.
Political confrontation intensifies
The latest exchange comes amid an ongoing confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over several issues, including allegations of electoral irregularities and the role of constitutional institutions.
Gandhi’s challenge to Modi for an open debate has added another dimension to the political dispute, with both parties questioning each other’s alleged connections with foreign forces.
While Gandhi has accused the Prime Minister of benefiting from foreign support, the BJP has repeatedly questioned the Congress leader’s overseas remarks and alleged attempts to involve foreign countries in India’s internal political matters.
Neither side’s allegations about foreign backing should be treated as established facts without supporting evidence.
Delhi Pollution: GRAP-II curbs imposed across NCR as AQI hits 324
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the very poor category on November 2, prompting the CAQM to implement GRAP Stage II across Delhi-NCR. The measures aim to control dust and vehicular pollution.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category on Monday, November 2, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.
The national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 324 at 4 pm, placing it in the very poor category. The deterioration followed a sharp increase in pollution levels over three days, with the AQI rising from 117 on October 31 to 261 on November 1 before crossing the 300 mark on Monday.
The CAQM attributed the worsening air quality to unfavourable meteorological conditions. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also indicated that Delhi’s air quality could remain in the very poor category over the coming days.
What is GRAP Stage II and why has it been imposed?
The Graded Response Action Plan is a set of emergency measures designed to tackle worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It has different stages based on the severity of air quality.
Under the AQI classification, readings between 301 and 400 fall in the very poor category. GRAP Stage II is applicable when air quality reaches this range.
With Delhi’s AQI climbing to 324, the CAQM directed authorities to implement Stage II measures across the NCR. The directions also require agencies to continue implementing measures under the earlier stages of GRAP.
What restrictions come under GRAP Stage II?
The second stage of GRAP focuses on strengthening pollution-control measures, particularly those related to road dust, vehicular emissions and other sources of pollution.
Some of the important measures include:
Road cleaning: Authorities are required to intensify mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling to control dust.
Traffic management: Traffic police are directed to manage congestion at busy roads and intersections.
Vehicle checks: Enforcement teams are required to intensify checks for valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and take action against visibly polluting vehicles.
Parking charges: Higher parking fees are among the measures intended to discourage the use of private vehicles.
Diesel generators: The use of diesel generator sets is subject to stricter regulation.
Public transport: Authorities are required to encourage the use of public transport to reduce vehicular emissions.
These measures are intended to reduce pollution levels across Delhi-NCR.
Delhi’s AQI worsens over three days
Delhi witnessed a significant deterioration in air quality over a short period.
The AQI stood at 117 on October 31, placing it in the moderate category. It subsequently increased to 261 on November 1, entering the poor category.
On November 2, the reading climbed further to 324 by 4 pm, pushing the national capital into the very poor category.
The situation was also reflected in readings from individual monitoring stations. Several locations recorded AQI levels above 300.
Among the areas reporting high pollution levels were RK Puram, ITO, Akshardham, India Gate, Alipur, Dwarka Sector 8 and Delhi University’s North Campus.
With pollution levels worsening and unfavourable weather conditions expected to persist, authorities have been directed to strengthen enforcement of the prescribed pollution-control measures across the region.
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