Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has vowed to intensify his campaign against corruption and dynastic politics following his six-year expulsion from the BJP, which he claims was retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the party leadership.

The firebrand MLA from Vijayapura took to the social media platform X to declare that his removal from the party would not silence him. “The decision to expel me won’t stop my fight against corruption, family rule, or my mission to develop North Karnataka. I’ll keep serving people with the same commitment,” Yatnal asserted in his post.

Yatnal, known for his combative style, accused the BJP of punishing him for challenging what he called “authoritarian tendencies” within the party and advocating for systemic reforms. He specifically targeted former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra, the current state BJP chief, alleging they orchestrated his ouster to suppress his exposes.

In December 2023, the MLA had dropped a bombshell by claiming ₹40,000 crore irregularities occurred during Yediyurappa’s COVID-19 relief administration, threatening to reveal more details if expelled. “They thought silencing me would bury the truth, but the people know everything,” he told reporters.

The BJP’s disciplinary committee cited Yatnal’s “continuous indiscipline” as grounds for expulsion, noting he had received multiple show-cause notices since 2022. His latest confrontation occurred when he planned independent public meetings about Waqf Act amendments despite party objections.

The decision by the BJP was announced on Wednesday by the party’s Central Disciplinary Committee, which issued a statement instructing Yatnal to refrain from participating in any party-related activities.

In its Wednesday order, the central disciplinary panel stated Yatnal had “violated organizational discipline repeatedly” even after giving written assurances to reform. His expulsion bars him from all party activities until 2030.

The maverick leader thanked his constituents, grassroots workers, religious leaders, and family for standing by him. Reports suggest Yatnal may now either float his own movement or explore alternatives, though he hasn’t revealed his next steps.

India has strongly dismissed a U.S. government report alleging deteriorating religious freedoms in the country, calling it a “misrepresentation” aimed at tarnishing its global reputation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded sharply to the annual report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which recommended designating India as a “country of particular concern” and imposing sanctions on its intelligence agency, R&AW.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected the USCIRF findings, stating that the report selectively highlights isolated incidents while ignoring India’s pluralistic ethos. “The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent India’s multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than genuine concern for religious freedom,” he said. “India, with its 1.4 billion people representing all major religions, thrives on harmonious coexistence. We have no expectation that USCIRF will acknowledge this reality.”

The USCIRF report, released on March 25, alleged rising discrimination and violence against religious minorities in 2024, citing hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). It also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of propagating “hateful rhetoric” against Muslims during the 2024 election campaign, referencing Modi’s past remarks labeling Muslims as “infiltrators.”

The report further recommended sanctions against R&AW over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists abroad—a claim India has repeatedly denied. The issue has strained U.S.- India relations since 2023, particularly after the U.S. charged an ex-Indian intelligence officer in a foiled assassination plot. India maintains that Sikh separatists pose security threats but denies extrajudicial actions.

Analysts note that while USCIRF’s recommendations are non-binding, the report adds to the growing scrutiny of India’s human rights record. However, Washington’s strategic focus on countering China’s influence in Asia makes punitive action unlikely.

Rights groups have flagged concerns over India’s revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy, mosque demolitions, and laws critics say marginalize Muslims. The Modi government denies discrimination, pointing to welfare schemes benefiting all communities.

The USCIRF also criticized Vietnam for tightening control over religious groups, recommending similar “country of particular concern” status. Vietnam’s new decree allows authorities to demand financial records from religious organizations and suspend activities for vaguely defined violations.

New Delhi has long dismissed USCIRF reports as “deeply biased,” asserting that India’s constitutional safeguards ensure equality for all faiths. The MEA’s rebuttal underscores its stance that external assessments overlook ground realities of interfaith harmony.

Karni Sena activists descended on the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra on Wednesday, unleashing chaos to protest his controversial remarks about Rajput warrior Rana Sanga. The demonstration erupted into violence as the mob pelted stones, shattered windows, and wrecked vehicles outside the MP’s home. Police moved in swiftly, deploying minimal force to quell the unrest, but not before skirmishes broke out between officers and the furious protesters.

The uproar stems from a March 21 Rajya Sabha speech where Suman branded Rana Sanga, the revered Mewar ruler, a “traitor” for allegedly inviting Mughal emperor Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. “If Muslims are Babur’s descendants, then Hindus descend from the traitor Rana Sanga,” he declared, rejecting the ‘Babur ki aulad’ jibe aimed at Indian Muslims, whom he said revere Prophet Mohammed and Sufi traditions instead. The statement has enraged the Karni Sena, a right-wing group fiercely protective of Rajput heritage.

“This was a small taste,” said Karni Sena leader Mahipal Makrana. “We smashed a few chairs outside Suman’s house—nothing major yet. But this is just the beginning. We’ve been patient, but insulting our icons like Rana Sanga crosses the line. If our members face any backlash, we’ll paralyze the country with protests.” The group’s anger wasn’t limited to Agra.

On Sunday, they rallied outside the SP’s Bhopal office in Tulsi Nagar, torching an effigy of Suman. The outfit’s Madhya Pradesh wing even dangled a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who’d smear Suman’s face with ink and slap him with footwear.

SP leaders cried foul, alleging the Bhopal protesters trashed their banners and posters. “It happened at 7:15 pm, orchestrated by the BJP to expose the state’s collapse,” claimed SP spokesperson Yash Bharatiya, pointing to a video of a banner being yanked down.

However, TT Nagar police chief Sudhir Arjaria dismissed the damage claims, noting the brief demonstration warranted no arrests. With police on-site before the Bhopal crowd arrived, Bharatiya accused authorities of complicity, demanding Assembly debate. The Karni Sena’s wrath shows no sign of fading.