The World Malayalee Council (WMC), a prominent organization representing the global Malayali diaspora, has come under fire for its decision to host the 14th Biennial Global Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 28-29 June 2025. The announcement has triggered widespread outrage, especially in light of Azerbaijan’s recent public support for Pakistan during India’s counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, conducted in May 2025.
The WMC’s promotional material for the conference has been criticized for resembling a tourism advertisement rather than an international cultural and professional gathering. Marketed as the “Exciting WMC Global Conference Package,” the event offers a range of travel and leisure activities, including luxury hotel stays, daily meals, guided city tours, sightseeing at prominent locations like Fountain Square, the Fire Temple, and the Blazing Mountains, as well as gala dinners, DJ parties, and dance performances — both Arabic and Western.
Do you know, where the 2025 World Malayalee Council Global Conference is happening?
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan – the same nation that Backed Pakistan’s fake narrative about “civilian casualties”, Condemned India’s anti-terror strikes, Issued statements of solidarity with Islamabad.
Critics argue that the tone and content of the promotions appear to trivialize the political sensitivities surrounding Azerbaijan’s stance toward India, especially in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian pilgrims. Following the attack, Azerbaijan, alongside Turkey, had issued strong statements of solidarity with Pakistan and reportedly supplied arms that were used by Pakistan in the conflict, including Turkish-made drones. This prompted widespread calls for an Indian boycott of both Turkey and Azerbaijan.
This pidi-sized country, Azerbaijan, is openly standing with Pakistan and supporting their acts of terror.
No Indian—or anyone who stands against terrorism—should ever visit Azerbaijan (capital Baku is a tourist destination).
Despite the diplomatic tensions, the WMC has actively encouraged Malayalis across the globe to “visit and experience Azerbaijan,” further escalating the backlash. Many online users and political commentators have accused the WMC of undermining national sentiment by promoting tourism to a nation viewed by many Indians as hostile.
The controversy has gained additional traction due to the WMC’s political reach. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had inaugurated the 14th Biennial Global Conference of the WMC during a pre-event held in Thiruvananthapuram in August 2024. The group is known for its influence within the Malayali expatriate community and has hosted several high-profile political figures over the years.
Shri Pinarayi Vijayan , the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, Chief guest for the inauguration of the 14th Biennial Global Conference, World Malayalee Council – The inauguration ceremony to take place on 2nd August at 5:30 PM at Hyatt Regency Trivandrum Kerala Tourism Kerala pic.twitter.com/Y1xwIVzF1a
— World Malayalee Council – Global (@wmcglobal1) July 25, 2024
Some commentators now argue that hosting the event in Baku risks legitimizing Azerbaijan diplomatically among Indians and could sway public opinion at a time when national unity against cross-border terrorism is critical.
Parallels to Recent Afridi Controversy
The WMC incident follows closely on the heels of another controversy involving the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA), which drew intense criticism for inviting former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi to a cultural event in Dubai on May 25, 2025. Afridi, a vocal critic of Indian security forces, had referred to them as “inefficient” after the Pahalgam incident and had led a car rally in Pakistan celebrating what he termed a “victory” against India post-Operation Sindoor.
Following public uproar, CUBAA issued an apology, claiming that Afridi’s presence at the event was “unannounced and unsolicited.”
In a historic feat, the world’s largest container ship MSC IRINA arrived at Adani Group’s Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday, which will be berthed till Tuesday. This highlights Vizhinjam’s capabilities in handling Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). The MSC IRINA — the world’s largest container ship by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity — boasts an impressive capacity of 24,346 TEUs, making it a formidable player in global shipping.
With a length of 399.9 metres and a width of 61.3 metres, the vessel is approximately four times longer than a standard FIFA-designated football field. Designed specifically to facilitate the transportation of large volumes of containers between Asia and Europe, the MSC IRINA is pivotal in enhancing trade routes and logistics efficiency.
The monumental arrival marks a significant milestone for the seaport, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. The port, developed and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, has recently welcomed other icon-class vessels, including MSC Turkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini, further establishing its reputation as a key hub in maritime trade. The MSC IRINA was launched in March 2023 and embarked on its maiden voyage in April of the same year.
It sails under the Liberian flag and is engineered to stack containers up to 26 tiers high, offering unparalleled capacity in container stacking. Notably, the MSC IRINA surpasses its predecessor, OOCL Spain, by a margin of 150 TEUs. In alignment with contemporary environmental standards, the vessel is equipped with energy-saving features that contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 4 per cent, significantly lowering its carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.
The docking of the MSC IRINA at Vizhinjam International Seaport not only underscores the port’s strategic importance in global shipping but also represents a leap forward in sustainable maritime practices, setting a benchmark for future developments in the industry.
–IANS
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A major controversy has erupted over a social media post by Supreme Court advocate and Congress leader Aarfa Khanam, who shared an Eid-ul-Adha greeting that has hurt Hindu religious sentiments. The now-deleted post featured an illustration of a young Muslim boy wearing a skullcap and leading a cow – for ritual sacrifice — a central practice of the Eid-ul-Adha festival in Islam.
— Vikram Pratap Singh (@VIKRAMPRATAPSIN) June 7, 2025
The image triggered a wave of backlash online, with the hashtag #ArrestAarfaKhanam surging to the top of trending topics on X (formerly Twitter) by the afternoon of 7 June 2025. The post was condemned by thousands of users who accused Khanam of insensitivity and deliberate provocation. The cow is sacred in Hinduism, and its depiction in the context of slaughter during a festival led to accusations that Khanam was “stoking communal tensions under the guise of festival greetings.”
Screenshots of the post continued to circulate widely even after Khanam deleted the original. Despite the removal, the controversy only escalated, with multiple complaints reportedly filed with local police in different jurisdictions. However, as of 9 June 2025 morning, no formal police action has been announced.
Apology Issued, But Questions Persist
In response to the growing uproar, Khanam issued a written apology on X and released a video message expressing regret. She added that she removed the post immediately upon realizing her “mistake,” insisting that her only intent was to convey Eid greetings and not to offend. “OntheoccasionofEid-ul-Adha,apostwassharedfrommyxaccount,whichhadnointentionofhurtingthesentimentsofanyreligionorcommunity.However,ifthatposthascausedanyhurt—especiallyifithasoffendedthefeelingsofanymemberoftheHinducommunity—Isincerelyapologizeforit.Ihavecompleterespectforallreligionsandbeliefs.AssoonasIrealizedmymistake,Iimmediatelyremovedit.Myintentionwasonlytosharefestivalgreetings,nottohurtanyone’sreligioussentiments.Letusallcometogethertopromoteharmony,peace,andmutualrespect.”
ईद-उल-अज़हा के अवसर पर मेरे साथ x अकाउंट से एक पोस्ट साझा हुई थी, जिसमें किसी भी धर्म या समुदाय की भावनाओं को ठेस पहुँचाने का कोई उद्देश्य नहीं था। लेकिन अगर उस पोस्ट से किसी को ठेस पहुँची हो — विशेष रूप से हिन्दू समुदाय के किसी भी सदस्य की भावना आहत हुई हो — तो मैं उसके लिए दिल… pic.twitter.com/PZq4BNB4Y9
Despite her ‘apology’, critics noted that Khanam reposted several comments that defended the original image and argued that it was not offensive. This dual stance — apologizing while simultaneously endorsing posts that dismissed the outrage — further fuelled the controversy, with many accusing her of insincerity.
Sharmistha Panoli Arrest
The incident has sparked calls for legal action under laws relating to the hurting of religious sentiments. Activists and social media users have cited the recent case of Sharmistha Panoli, a social media user who was arrested after posting content deemed offensive to Islamic beliefs. Despite her own apology, Panoli was taken into custody, leading many online to question what they call selective enforcement of the law.
“If an apology couldn’t save Sharmistha Panoli, why should it save Aarfa Khanam?” has become a widely echoed sentiment across social media platforms. The comparison has sharpened the debate over the double standards in legal and political treatment based on the individual’s religion or political affiliation.
Numerous voices have emerged alleging bias in legal responses, with users across political lines demanding impartial action regardless of the individual’s background. With the hashtag #ArrestAarfaKhanam surpassing over 500,000 posts in less than 24 hours, public pressure on law enforcement agencies is mounting. While multiple FIRs have reportedly been filed in various states, clarity on any investigation or legal proceedings against Khanam remains pending.
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A harrowing incident of captivity, torture, and sexual assault has come to light in West Bengal, leaving the community in shock. Girl X (name withheld) a resident of Sodepur and a former employee of an event management company, was allegedly lured with a fake job offer and subjected to months of brutal mistreatment.
Girl X disappeared on December 31, 2024, after being taken to a flat in Howrah by a youth named Aryan Khan, who had promised her a better job. According to the allegations, what followed was a nightmare lasting over five months. Aryan Khan, along with his sister Joya Khan, allegedly held Girl X captive, subjecting her to severe torture and repeated sexual assault. The victim’s injuries include a broken hand and leg, sustained due to excessive violence. Disturbing reports suggest that a rod was forcibly inserted into her private parts, and she was deprived of food for extended periods. Her hair was also forcibly cut and her body burnt with cigarettes.
Girl X was rescued on June 6, 2025, and is currently receiving critical care at Sagar Dutta College and Hospital. Images shared on social media depict a stark contrast between her pre-incident appearance—adorned with pink hair clips and a confident smile—and her current condition, marked by visible trauma and a shaved head, hinting at the extent of the physical and psychological abuse she endured.
The accused, Aryan Khan and his family members, including Joya Khan, are currently absconding. A police manhunt is underway, with authorities conducting raids at their residence in Domjur, though the suspects remain at large. The Times of India reported that both Aryan and his mother, identified as a social media content creator named Shweta Khan, have a criminal past, adding to the urgency of the investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users demanding swift justice and improved law enforcement in the region. The West Bengal Police have yet to issue an official statement, but the case has reignited concerns about safety and the vulnerability of individuals to such predatory schemes.
The BJP’s West Bengal unit has expressed concerns over the incident.
A 23-year-old Hindu girl from Sodepur was lured with the promise of a job at a bar in Khardah. There, she came into contact with one Arian Khan from Domjur, Howrah. Later, Arian and his mother confined the girl in their home, subjected her to brutal torture, shaved her head, and… pic.twitter.com/NC82IDYazG
He positions himself as a satirist, a “neutral” cartoonist who allegedly questions the establishments in power through his works of art. But does he? If one takes a look at his work, right through the years, one can easily confirm that cartoonist Satish Acharya masquerades as a neutral voice while serving as a de facto propagandist for the Indian National Congress.
Far from balanced critique, his body of work only appears to be a calculated effort to shield the Congress party while obsessively lampooning its political rivals. A pattern of selective targeting, ideological omission, and conspicuous silence during Congress failures paints a damning picture of compromised integrity.
Let us take a look at each of his works, available in public domain and analyse it for “neutrality”.
Election Season Satire Or Electioneering?
When the Assembly elections for Karnataka took place, Acharya posted on his X handle that he had voted for “progressive, prosperous, and peaceful Karnataka.”
But when it came to the campaign period, he used his political cartoons to seemingly give the Congress an edge. Acharya’s cartoons conspicuously amplified Congress’s campaign promises while vilifying BJP policies. One viral cartoon juxtaposed Congress’s “Guarantee Card” — referencing free electricity and welfare schemes — against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Victim Card,” portraying the BJP as divisive for raising concerns about “Love Jihad”.
Another illustration depicted then-CM Siddaramaiah leading citizens toward “prosperity” via freebies, contrasting BJP’s rhetoric as “free fire”.
Tried To “Normalize” Wearing Hijab In Schools
He has earlier spoken against the Jihad ban in Karnataka. Acharya attempted to normalize the wearing of religious attire over school uniforms. However, his attempt was slammed by Islamists.
Image Source: OpIndia
Mocked Hindus Over Vaccine Hesitancy While Ignoring Muslim Demand For “Halal” Vaccine
Acharya also mocked Hindus over vaccine hesitancy but avoided addressing similar concerns within the Muslim community regarding the halal status of vaccines. He shared a cartoon depicting a man asking the nurse about the ‘Gothra’ of the vaccine to match it with his horoscope, something unheard of in the Hindu community. However, he refused to make a satire on Muslims demanding for Halal vaccine.
He also mocked the PM for giving “vaccines for free” while charging taxes! Maybe he should have lived in our neighbouring countries where we know how the economy is spirallying southwards!
Some Blatant Anti-BJP Propaganda
Let us take a look at his blatant anti-BJP and anti-Modi propaganda.
Mocking PM Modi for his interview with the BBC many years ago (with Karan Thapar) where he drank water and that allegedly was a sign of him being scared, Acharya came up with a cartoon when there was talk about PM Modi’s podcast with Lex Fridman. PM Modi not only nailed the interview, it garnered massive traffic just hours after its release.
Much to Acharya’s annoyance and dismay, the podcast has 4.8 million views till date!
Ahead of the Delhi elections in 2020, Acharya shared a cartoon suggesting that the BJP is trying to frame the polls as a “Kejriwal vs Pakistan” contest.
But in doing so, he conveniently forgot a key fact: when India conducted surgical strikes against Pakistan in response to the Uri attack, it was Arvind Kejriwal himself—along with a few others—who publicly questioned the military operation and demanded proof.
Image Source: Amol Draws On X
The same year, Acharya published a cartoon portraying India as the reason for dragging down the global economy, pointing to policy decisions like demonetisation as the cause.
Image Source: X
Here are some more anti-BJP cartoons which you will find aplenty but hardly a few on Congress:
In another cartoon which was supposedly pulled down after Mumbai Police interfered, it showed the BJP and various machinery of the government were hands in glove on many things and together they protected “Adani”, allegedly during the Hindenburg scandal.
In 2018, the Modi government revised the UPA-era GDP growth rates downward primarily due to a change in the base year from 2004–05 to 2011–12 and the use of updated data sources and methodologies. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) and NITI Aayog stated that the new back-series incorporated improved methods and internationally comparable standards, as per the UN’s System of National Accounts.
Key reasons for the downward revision include new data sources – for example, mining data now came from public sector annual returns instead of the Indian Bureau of Mines. In telecom, growth was recalculated using “minutes of usage” rather than subscriber numbers. The share of primary and secondary sectors increased while services declined due to revised inputs.
Critics noted the revisions came just before the 2019 elections and contradicted earlier NSC committee findings showing higher UPA growth. However, the government defended the changes as technical and non-political.
And Acharya had to come up with a cartoon!
Like his Congress leaders, Acharya also peddled the same lies claiming that PM Modi’s inclusive banking scheme was to bail out the banking frauds and NPAs.
Similarly, he spewed the same lies in the form of cartoons as Congress claimed PM Modi and the BJP themselves orchestrated the Pulwama terrorist attack in February 2019 which killed 40 of our soldiers. PM Modi vowed to take revenge and we saw Balakote strikes happen. But for Acharya and his ilk, it was an election propaganda.
He made another cartoon on the same terror attack indicating that Modi had claimed there was no major terror attack during the first Modi term. But come February 2019, the brutal attack took place and he peddled propaganda that Modi sought votes in the name of the Pulwama terror attack.
One should remind Satish Acharya that during the Congress era, there was atleast one news item about a bomb blast or a terror attack in some corner of the country. But he rather focuses on Modi and the terror attack that intelligence couldn’t foil.
Following the Balakote strikes, Congress and its supporters, especially the Leftist ecosystem peddled the same propaganda as the Pakistanis who claimed that the air strikes only destroyed trees and not terror camps as claimed by the central government. He came up with these cartoons questioning the absence of “proof” after the strikes.
Just like how leftists peddle propaganda about bad governance under Modi, Satish Acharya also rode on the Hunger Index lie to denounce PM Modi.
In 2024, just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi appeared on several podcasts and offered interviews to many media channels. This did not sit well with Congress supporters and people like Satish Acharya had to make fun of it.
Here’s another one – it looks very much like pure hate for a man who is working for the country round the clock.
One would wonder if he made anything about Rahul Gandhi’s interviews and press conferences where he has had senior Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh prompt him when asked a question by the reporters. But Acharya stays true to his idols, he would not make any derogatory cartoons on them.
In another post mocking PM Modi’s recent (2025) visit to the US and the time when he met the press along with POTUS Donald Trump, there were questions aimed at PM Modi that were needless and felt wanton. Acharya had to amplify this.
Love is blind but it cannot be as blind as the Congress supporters have for their leader and party. Only people like Satish Acharya seemed to assume that the farmer protests were “peaceful” and it was PM Modi who was causing division. Well, we all know the outcome of these protests and how they went on for more than a year.
Praising Rahul Gandhi For Meeting People & Denouncing PM Modi
Following the Hathras incident, Manipur riots, NEET related issues, Rahul Gandhi seemed to be hopping everywhere meeting people and this Acharya claims is the job of a PM while Modi did nothing allegedly. Maybe Acharya doesn’t know which jurisdiction falls under who when one is in power.
By the way, did Acharya question why Rahul Gandhi flew off to Bangkok to party following the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai? Selective amnesia and blindness, you see!
Like a true Congress stooge, Acharya was disillusioned by his leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra which he thought will help bring back his dear party to power in the country. Well, condolences!
Satish Acharya also seemed to be throwing a fit when his dearest leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to go to Sambhal. So, he had to vent his frustration by making a cartoon.
Remember the time when PM Modi’s pinstriped suit hit the headlines in 2016 and a few years later, people questioned why Rahul Gandhi wore expensive branded t-shirts during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Now Acharya is so smart, he connected the two to show that PM Modi’s suit was much more expensive that the paltry ₹41000 Burberry branded white tee.
Because that is how he can show who he is loyal to!
Yet another case of unconditional love for his leader and the t-shirt wearing brave dude was displayed too.
Followers, rather Bhakts, like him were so much in awe that Rahul the great could weather the cold with just that t-shirt on, what a superhero!
All this is to undo those rare weak moments when Satish Acharya and his ilk could have questioned Rahul Gandhi, or did they?
In a cartoon shared 8 years ago, we wonder if Acharya was happy that Rahul Gandhi was elected unopposed as the Congress President as he had his mother’s hand over him.
Instances Where Blind Hate For Narendra Modi Is Exhibited
Here are a few instances where plain hate for the man, our PM Modi resulted in vicious cartoons from the “neutral” satirist.
And how could he let go of the chance to mock the RSS background of our PM. In this cartoon, he has depicted that and also alleged that Modi uses WhatsApp to get his information – the infamous “WhatsApp University” jibe.
Mocking UP CM Yogi Adityanath
In January 2022, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the upcoming state elections would be an “80% versus 20%” contest, claiming that 80% of voters support BJP’s agenda of nationalism, good governance, and development, while 20% are habitual opponents. The Opposition, including Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), alleged that the remark was a communal dog whistle targeting Muslims, who make up around 20% of the state’s population. They accused Adityanath and the BJP of stoking religious divisions for electoral gain just before the model code of conduct was enforced.
Acharya had to make a cartoon on this where he claimed 80% comprised of the rich and 20%, the poor! Creativity ka bhi seema hoti hai!
Claimed UP CM Yogi Adityanath was painting the entire state saffron after news was reported that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was having government buildings across the state painted in saffron—particularly targeting sections that were previously green. Notable examples include state transport buses, the Haj office, and even the Chief Minister’s own office.
Mocking Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Death
When former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away, Acharya came up with a cartoon which seemed to use the moment to glorify Nehru instead. Viewers found it either a veiled jibe at the BJP or a confusing tribute, with Acharya later offering an explanation. The cartoon allegedly referenced Nehru’s old remark predicting Vajpayee’s future as PM, leading to interpretations that Vajpayee owed his rise to Nehru.
Image Source: X
Critics slammed it as either a veiled jab at the BJP or an unclear tribute lacking sensitivity. The cartoonist had to issue an explanation clarifying his intent—which many found to be condescending.
The backlash raised questions not just about bias, but also about the cartoon’s taste, timing, and overall quality.
Congress Censorship And Acharya’s Complicity
In 2016, Congress pressured Acharya to remove the below cartoon critiquing then-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi.
After municipal authorities — allegedly at Congress’s behest — forced him to withdraw the cartoon from public hoardings, Acharya tweeted, “This skeleton says a lot about Congress’s priorities” but stopped short of direct criticism.
Bengaluru Stampede Following RCB Win
For all the cartoons he has made on stampedes before, especially the Kumbh Mela one where he pointed directly to UP CM Yogi Adityanath, one would assume Acharya would probably question the Congress government for their shoddy crowd management. But what did Acharya do? He came up with words instead of art. He wrote on his X handle following the stampede that killed over 11 people injuring more than 50 – “The govt should’ve anticipated this madness looking at last night’s frenzy and should’ve made proper arrangements or suggested a different date for the parade. Totally irresponsible! Sad to see so many innocent lives lost.”
After backlash, he came up with a cartoon that did not blame the Congress government but seemed to blame RCB.
When people started reminding him in the comments about how he blamed Yogi Adityanath for the Kumbh Mela stampede, he came up with a few more.
In a cartoon for TNM wannabe South First, probably because he was asked by the editors, he brought the political establishment into the picture.
Acharya did something similar when the need arose to raise questions against the administration in Karnataka. However, these are the times that people like Acharya seem to swallow adhesive and focus on using words. On 19 March 2024, the same cartoonist who voted for progressive Congress and made a positive cartoon on the free electricity freebie was complaining of frequent power cuts. He wrote on his X handle, “ಸನ್ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @siddaramaiah ಸರ್, lots of children & youngsters are preparing for exams. And in this part of Karnataka(not sure about other parts), there’s been frequent power cuts. Last Sunday, there was a power cut from 11 am till 7.30 PM. Today, no power for the whole day(Tuesdays are known for regular power cuts, but can’t that be avoided during exam time?) Please remember that most families can’t afford inverter or generator. Please be compassionate towards students.”
Acharya could have very well made a satire on the power cuts in Karnataka. But he chose to use words to “speak” about the problem.
Propaganda Disguised As Art
Acharya’s career reflects a calculated duality: posing as an independent satirist while furthering Congress-aligned narratives. His selective outrage, ideological omissions, and tolerance for Congress censorship reveal a pattern indistinguishable from party propaganda. While he occasionally criticizes Congress to maintain plausible deniability, his work overwhelmingly services a partisan agenda, leveraging satire’s credibility to mask ideological bias.
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Beef in India is a political food. It is not a question of individual rights over what they have in the plate. It is about whether what they have in the plate is offensive to the Hindus or not. That is why you have people on social media you like to taunt Hindus with pictures of them eating beef. That is why you have streets of Bengal flooded with cow’s blood.
Across India, beef is often framed as synonymous with the cultural milieu of Dalits and Islam. In the case of Dalits it is understandable about how beef became part of their cuisine. Beef was often a cheap and accessible source of protein for Dalits, who faced exclusion and significant economic hardship. They didn’t have a choice over their dietary habits.
In the case of Muslims, it is different as beef is not rooted in Islamic doctrine alone, and is not universal. In fact, in places like Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of Islam — cows are not even plentiful, and beef has never played a central cultural or religious role.
According to Statista, as of 2022, Saudi Arabia had approximately 17.5 million sheep, 6.8 million goats, 2.2 million camels, and 312,000 cows on farms
Despite recent pushes in Saudi Arabia’s cattle and dairy industry, beef remains less prevalent, with sheep and goat meat being more common, especially during Eid al-Adha.
So why, then, has beef become so tightly linked with Muslim identity in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh?
Islamic Law And The Permissibility Of Beef
The festival of Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” involves slaughtering livestock, typically sheep, goats and camel. Islam, as a religion, does not place any spiritual importance on cows — unlike Hinduism. According to Islamic dietary rules (halal), the consumption of beef is permitted, so long as the animal is slaughtered following prescribed guidelines. The Qur’an mentions cattle among the animals created by God for human use — for food, transport, and trade.
However, Islam does not single out beef consumption as a religious obligation or preference. In most parts of the Islamic world — including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran — the most commonly consumed meats are goat, lamb, and camel, owing to ecological factors. Cattle were historically scarce in the arid Arabian peninsula, which lacked sufficient grazing pastures to sustain large bovine populations.
Hinduism And The Sacred Cow
In stark contrast, the cow holds a sacred place in Hinduism, symbolizing purity, fertility, and non-violence. Hindus associate cows with the goddess Kamadhenu and regard the animal as the giver of sustenance, especially in agrarian societies.
Although evidence suggests that beef consumption may have existed in early Vedic times, by the early Common Era, cow slaughter had become taboo for many orthodox Hindus. Thus, any association with beef consumption became culturally and morally charged — particularly when it involved non-Hindus.
Mission: Humiliate Hindus
The arrival of Islamic rulers in the Indian subcontinent, starting with the Delhi Sultanate (13th century) and later the Mughal Empire, introduced new food practices and preferences. While not all Muslim rulers encouraged cow slaughter — emperors like Akbar even discouraged it out of respect for Hindu sentiments — the act of beef consumption nevertheless became a symbolic line of difference. Some rulers permitted or patronized cattle slaughter during religious festivals like Eid al-Adha, leading to tensions with Hindu communities.
Romila Thapar notes that during medieval Islamic rule, cow slaughter was occasionally employed to undermine Hindu socio-religious structures, particularly during conquests. Specific examples include Aurangzeb’s desecration of the Chintamani Parshvanath Jain temple by killing a cow inside and converting it into a mosque, called the “Might of Islam”. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s followers brought a cow daily to a temple, slaughtered it, and cooked kebabs to humiliate local Hindus.
Over time, beef consumption evolved from a mundane dietary practice into a marker of Muslim identity to establish their supremacy over Hindus and humiliate them. Beef became symbolically tied to Islam, particularly during conversions. For some converts, eating beef marked a break from Hindu practices, where the cow is revered.
In contemporary India, public beef consumption, such as at “beef parties” is also to counter Hindus. In 2017, challenging the central government’s attempt to impose a ban on cow slaughter, Rijil Makkutty and his associates forcefully brought a calf into the street and killed it in a violent public display. In 2015, the then Jammu & Kashmir MLA Engineer Rashid organized a beef party. A beef fest was organized in Sree Kerala Varma college by ‘activists’ of Students Federation of India (SFI), a body aligned with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M). A student group in IIT Madras too organized a beef party. These beef parties and cow slaughter events is done to provoke and humiliate Hindus.
So, when blood of cows inundate the streets of Bengal, it is not an event. It is a statement. An act of desecration. They want you to wade through the cow’s blood with disgust so that they can satiate their sadistic itch.
When calves are dragged onto streets and butchered in full public view, it’s not a stand for dietary freedom — it’s a brutal spectacle designed to spit on the faith of millions. These so-called “beef parties” aren’t expressions of dissent; they are political blood rituals meant to provoke, offend, and degrade. In a land where the cow is venerated by the majority, such acts cross the line from cultural expression to calculated cultural warfare. They do not demand respect — they demand submission. And when cow slaughter becomes a tool of ideological vengeance, it’s not just tradition that is under attack. They attack your existence.
Vallavaraayan is a political writer.
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You’ve probably admired the stunning vistas of the Chenab Rail Bridge — the tallest railway bridge in the world.
But have you heard the story behind its creation? Let’s explore the lesser-known journey of the remarkable woman who played a key role in making it a reality: Professor Gali Madhavi Latha.
Prof. Gali Madhavi Latha is the geotechnical engineer whose expertise helped shape the engineering marvel that is the Chenab Rail Bridge in Kashmir. Spanning 17 years of effort, this structure is not just a bridge — it’s a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.
Towering at 359 meters — higher than the Eiffel Tower — the Chenab Bridge links Kashmir to the rest of India through the rail network. It’s more than an infrastructure feat; it’s a powerful emblem of national integration and engineering excellence.
Back in 2005, Northern Railway enlisted Prof. Latha as the lead geotechnical consultant. Her mission? Conquer the harsh Himalayan terrain, stabilize fractured rock slopes, and make an audacious vision possible.
Holding a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from IIT Madras and backed by research from IISc Bangalore, she was well-versed in the science of rock and soil mechanics. But the Chenab project posed unprecedented challenges that would push even the most seasoned expert to the limit.
She trekked through rugged landscapes, crossed rivers in boats, and examined complex geological formations in a region prone to earthquakes. The extreme conditions weren’t deterrents — they were simply part of the job.
Her approach was unconventional yet necessary: a dynamic, “design-on-the-go” method. Standard engineering formulas wouldn’t hold up against the unpredictable Himalayan geology, so she adapted strategies on-site and devised solutions in real time.
When unstable rock formations and hidden cavities were discovered, she led large-scale operations involving cement grouting and rock anchoring — reinforcing the slopes with over 66 kilometers of anchors, effectively stitching the mountain together.
At times, she stayed on-site around the clock, guiding excavation teams through high-risk situations where a single miscalculation could lead to catastrophe. Her work demanded accuracy, courage, and constant vigilance.
The bridge was engineered to endure extreme forces — winds of up to 260 km/h and earthquakes exceeding magnitude 8. It was Prof. Latha’s geotechnical designs that ensured the bridge could withstand such pressure while remaining safe and stable.
After nearly two decades of dedication, she finally visited the completed bridge in 2022 — not in her professional capacity, but as a mother, showing her children what determination and expertise can accomplish.
In 2021, she was honoured as the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher by the Indian Geotechnical Society. Though the Chenab Bridge may be her most iconic work, her contributions to the field extend far beyond it.
She served as Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Geotechnical Journal from 2016 to 2022 and continues to mentor aspiring engineers at IISc Bangalore. For her, building infrastructure is only part of the mission — the rest is about inspiring the next generation.
On June 4, 2025, the Chenab Bridge hosted its first Vande Bharat Express test run — a milestone for Indian Railways and for national pride. Behind that moment was the quiet brilliance of Prof. Latha’s foundational work.
Today, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as a global symbol of Indian engineering prowess. And beneath its towering steel and concrete lies the unwavering legacy of Prof. Gali Madhavi Latha — the woman who, quite literally, moved mountains.
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Envisioned by Sadhguru, the Cauvery Calling movement enabled the plantation of 1.36 crore saplings across 34,000 acres in the Cauvery basin during 2024–25. To date, a total of 12.2 crore saplings have been planted, supporting 2.38 lakh farmers in adopting tree-based agriculture. Remarkably, in the last year alone, 50,931 farmers and citizens actively participated in this large-scale ecological effort.
Cauvery Calling is the world’s largest farmer-driven ecological initiative and a groundbreaking eco-restoration effort with the potential to transform tropical regions. Named Top Innovator by the Trillion Trees: India Challenge, the movement aims to rejuvenate the Cauvery River—lifeline to 8.4 crore people—while enhancing farmers’ incomes by enabling the plantation of 242 crore trees on private farmland. It promotes tree-based agriculture that helps enrich soil health and improve water retention, in turn helping sustain the river’s year-round flow.
Sadhguru had earlier shared on X, “#CauveryCalling will demonstrate to the world that it is possible to change the terrain of degraded Land by taking planned & strategized Action. Everyone who is nourished by Soil & Water must be a part of this Movement. Let Us Make It Happen.”
Reflecting on the achievement, Anand Ethirajalu, Project Director of Cauvery Calling and representative of the Save Soil movement, emphasized the urgency of soil regeneration– one of the key objectives of the movement. He said, “One of the key topics that we were campaigning during this COP29 summit of UNFCCC and COP16 of UNCCD is that less than 4 percent of the global climate finance is actually reaching agriculture and food systems.”
“We highlighted this because climate change cannot be fixed in the atmosphere. It can be fixed only in the soil. Putting more focus and investment in soil regeneration through tree-based agriculture is the need of the hour, and that’s what we’ve been doing!”
Providing a large quantity of quality saplings is crucial to achieving the goal of planting over a crore saplings each year. The Cauvery Calling production centres play a vital role in this effort. The production centres include a nursery in Cuddalore, one of the world’s largest single-site nurseries, entirely run by women, with a capacity to produce 85 lakh saplings. Together with the nursery at Thiruvannamalai, which produces 15 lakh saplings, these centres form the backbone of the initiative.
These nurseries supply 40 distribution centres across Tamil Nadu and 10 centres in Karnataka. Together, these nurseries offer 29 high-value timber species, including Teak, Red Sandalwood, Rosewood, and Mahogany at a subsidized rate of Rs. 3 per sapling. The Nursery at Sadhguru Sannidhi Bengaluru also reached a significant milestone of enabling plantation of 1,00,000 saplings since its inception in December 2023. At present, it has enabled the plantation of over 1.3 lakh saplings.
Cauvery Calling is enhancing farmer livelihoods by enabling them to run sapling production and distribution franchises. Farmers are trained and supported to manage nurseries and supply high-quality organic saplings to their communities.
Bolstering on-ground support, Cauvery Calling deployed over 160 field executives to visit more than 32,000 farmlands. These executives offer free consultations from pre-plantation to post-plantation, aiming to spread awareness about the benefits of adopting tree-based agriculture. During the visits, the executives check soil type, soil depth and conduct water test and recommend tree species suitable for their respective farmlands. These recommendations are carefully curated after considering the region’s endemic tree varieties, agro-climatic conditions and income-cycle expectations of the farmers.
Cauvery Calling also engages with farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), NGOs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Gram Panchayats, and agricultural expos. Over 52,000 farmers are supported through 225+ active WhatsApp groups that provide real-time advice. A dedicated helpline, operational daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., resolves farmer queries within 24–48 hours using insights from experts and model farmers.
The movement also organized 2 mega training programs and 6 zonal programs in 2024, with 8,721 farmers participating. Experts from prestigious institutions like the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) shared practical knowledge about tree-based agriculture.
In 2024, on landmark days such as World Environment Day (June 5), Van Mahotsav Week (July 1–7), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), and World Soil Day (December 5), etc, 506 plantation events were conducted, resulting in the planting of 10 lakh saplings.
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In a historic leap for linguistic technology and cultural preservation, India is set to launch the world’s first artificial intelligence system developed exclusively for a single language—Tamil.
The official unveiling of the Tamil AI project will take place today at IIT Madras, Chennai, in a landmark event attended by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and international dignitaries from Malaysia, the UK, and other countries. The presence of such global leaders underscores the international significance of this pioneering initiative. IIT Madras Director, Prof. V. Kamakoti, will also be present at the launch.
The brainchild behind the project, Ashvathaman, shared his vision with the media, stating:
“If there’s any language besides English to have its own comprehensive AI knowledge base, it’s going to be Tamil.”
Unlike conventional language models, the Tamil AI is being developed as a literary intelligence system, deeply rooted in classical Tamil grammar and poetic forms. From composing Asiriyappa and Venpa to performing metrical analysis using Yappilakkanam, the AI is tailored to uphold the linguistic richness of Tamil.
It will allow users to ask questions, write essays, and generate traditional poetry in pure Tamil, effectively becoming a living digital archive of Tamil culture, literature, and ethical values (Aram). The system also aims to serve as a bridge for non-Tamil speakers to learn Tamil through their native languages, thus connecting global linguistic communities through AI.
What sets this project apart is its 100% indigenous development—a proud moment for Indian technological capability. This marks a significant milestone, not just for Tamils worldwide, but for the global AI community witnessing the emergence of language-specific, culturally intelligent AI.
As the Tamil AI takes its first official step, it promises to be more than a technological tool—it stands as a monument to Tamil heritage in the digital age.
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Marking World Environment Day, 40 volunteers from Sadhguru Sannidhi Bengaluru, Chikkaballapura, undertook an extensive clean-up of the revered Jalari Narasimhaswamy Devasthana, located at the peak of the Narasimha Devasthana Hills. The volunteers collected and brought down 40 bags, primarily of plastic waste, as part of a larger commitment to the theme of this year’s Environment Day: Ending Plastic Pollution.
This impactful drive also marked the beginning of a month-long environmental campaign in 22 villages of Avalagurki and Thippenahalli panchayats, led by Hasiru Chikkaballapura, an ecological initiative of Sadhguru Sannidhi. The campaign will focus on raising awareness about plastic waste management, especially among women and youth, while reinforcing sustainable practices across rural communities surrounding the Sadhguru Sannidhi.
The launch of this month-long campaign was held at the temple premises and graced by Shri Muniraju BM, PDO of Thippenahalli Panchayath; Shri Sundaresh, priest from Jalari Narasimha Swamy temple; Shri M. Narasimhaiah, Assistant Agriculture Officer (Retd.) from the Watershed Development Department, Chikkaballapura; Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Shri Vikas Yajurvedi and Swami Lavana, Coordinator, Hasiru Chikkaballapura Project. The dignitaries shared insights on local environmental challenges, dangers of microplastics, ecological preservation, soil enrichment and the need for collective grassroots action.
The campaign will include plastic awareness sessions, household-level workshops, games competitions, prizes for winners, and the distribution of drumstick saplings to promote nutrition and green cover. Special focus will be given to women SHG members, as they are the key drivers of behavioural change within families. Through fun, participative formats and targeted messaging, Hasiru Chikkaballapura aims to make sustainable habits accessible and actionable at the village level.
Hasiru Chikkaballapur is an environmental outreach initiative of Sadhguru Sannidhi aimed at enriching soil and conserving water, boosting farmers’ incomes through tree-based agriculture and enhancing community health and wellbeing.
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