Shihab Pookkottur, a key figure in Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala, claimed that significant landmarks in India, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, are built on Waqf land.
The Waqf Amendment Bill has sent the Islamists into a tizzy, with more and more people from their community coming forward to voice out against the amendment. While the amendment only improves the administration of Waqf properties, Islamists seem to think otherwise.
In this regard, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Kerala conducted a discussion at the MSS Auditorium. Several speakers put forth their views on the Waqf Board and the Amendment Bill. But Shihab Pookkottur’s speech seemed to speak volumes about how much property the Waqf is holding, especially in India, and the thought process of Islamists in wanting to capture the country.
Shihab Pookkottur is the State Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala and a key organizer. Shihab has contributed to numerous Islamist initiatives, including the Kerala Muslim Heritage Foundation and Evershine Charitable Trust.
Addressing the audience, he said, “A considerable portion of the capital city, including Jamia Millia and even Rashtrapati Bhavan, stands on Waqf land. The case concerning Rashtrapati Bhavan is still ongoing,”highlighting the ‘encroachment’ on Waqf properties across the country. He added, “Waqf encroachment is common in India, with many individuals and even political party members having stakes in such properties.“
He further said, “Islamophobia operates differently in Kerala compared to North India. While ‘anti-Islamic propaganda’ in the north often stirs fear by reminding people of Muslim rule and lost properties, in Kerala, the dynamics are different. In the state, the Muslim community’s recent achievements in terms of growth and development are sometimes viewed with social jealousy.”Pookkottur claimed fear was created around this progress, pushing many to adopt an anti-Muslim stance.
A major point of the discussion revolved around the concept of Waqf itself, which was described as a key feature of Islamic civilization. The speaker claimed that if one were to map India and check for Waqf properties, most of the land would be marked as Waqf. He said, “Waqf has built India. Every corner of the country is Waqf property. If you travel across India and visit any significant place, we can proudly say it all belongs to Waqf.”
They emphasized that Waqf is not just about property, but it is also tied to Islamic values and plays a critical role in preserving religion, education, life, and the protection of the human race. Historically, he said that this system existed during the Ottoman Caliphate, where the Ottoman Empire maintained control over all Waqf properties, which were said to be integral to the functioning of Islamic society.
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The growing discontent among DMK leaders and ministers towards the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party is becoming increasingly apparent. This dissatisfaction is manifesting through indirect criticisms of TVK party leader Vijay, an actor-turned-politician Vijay. Recently, Geetha Jeevan, the DMK Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, joined in mocking Vijay’s party during a general membership meeting. Her remarks, subtly ridiculed TVK’s aspirations for direct leadership, highlighted the escalating tensions within the DMK, after Vijay unveiling his party’s official flag recent.
Speaking at a general membership meeting organized by the 29th circle DMK on 8 September 2024, in Meenakshipuram, Thoothukudi, DMK Minister Geetha Jeevan ridiculed actor Vijay’s ambition to become chief minister. She pointed out that Vijay had not yet established a grassroots cadre structure and suggested that he should first focus on building a solid organizational foundation before pursuing such high aspirations.
Geetha Jeevan advised the DMK cadres that, “The public is in support of our leader, and everyone’s support is with our Chief Minister. It is your duty to convert this support into votes. If you are at home assuming that a sister who receives her monthly entitlement will vote, she will not vote. You should go and visit that sister, remind her of the benefits she received for many months, and ask her to vote for us this time. This way, the family’s vote will come to us. Therefore, canvassing to meet each and every person is crucial. In that way we must take it upon ourselves to increase our vote bank in this state assembly election.”
She then took a jab at the opposition parties, stating, “You know about the AIADMK. Their brotherly fight has not come to an end and will not come to an end. Their vote bank in the last assembly election in every part was 100 to 150 votes less. In the same way, the NTK and Tamil Manila Congress are facing the same situation, the vote bank is reducing.”
Turning her criticism towards Kollywood actor Vijay, she remarked, “Some have started a new party to become chief minister. Their aim is to achieve this without creating an organizational foundation, not doing the fundamental groundwork, and so on. They are not going to split our votes.”
Similarly, last week, at the DMK general membership conference in Mangadu, Kanchipuram, DMK Minister for MSME T. M. Anbarasan criticized the party cadres for their sluggishness in organizing their base, suggesting that their lack of initiative had allowed cinema personalities to capture a significant portion of the potential voter base. He advised members to appreciate actors as fans but to leave their fan following in the cinema. Anbarasan subtly indicated that actor Vijay’s popularity among the DMK cadre should not influence the party’s focus.
Anbarasan commented, “You all say that now everyone is entering politics. He is now joining the youths, as you can see from our party, no one leaves.” He continued, “I’m not saying don’t watch cinema, but leave them behind in the theater. Enjoy them, but keep that enjoyment separate. What dignity does he have? How much does he get paid for a movie 200 to 250 crores right. His fans support him with love, yet he sells it for 2000 rupees a ticket when a movie is released. Can he protect the nation?”
“படம் ரிலீசாகும்போது ரசிகர்களுக்கு இலவச டிக்கெட் கொடுக்காமல் 2 ஆயிரத்துக்கு விற்பவர்களால் நாட்டை பாதுகாக்க முடியுமா…?''
He also pointed out that the recent event where actors from Vijay’s party honored top students from across Tamil Nadu was something the DMK had been doing for years.
Three weeks earlier, on 10 August 2024, during a DMK youth wing membership camp in Iyyappanthangal, Chennai, Anbarasan stated, “There is not a single street in Tamil Nadu where the DMK is not present. Our volunteers are everywhere. Despite this, the DMK was in opposition for the past decade. Now, some actors, thinking they can attract crowds, aspire to become Chief Minister. We’ve already seen two actors, MGR and Jayalalithaa, serve as Chief Ministers. To achieve the ambitions of those seeking this position without understanding the context, we must strengthen our movement,” indirectly targeting TVK chief Vijay.
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It appears that ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu is using Mahavishnu to deflect attention from a disturbing rise in sexual violence in the state. Despite serious cases such as a government doctor molesting minors repeated at a church-run hostel while his headmistress mother protected him and a woman being raped by a minister’s driver, the DMK and its media remained silent on them
Instead, the media outlets concentrated on the Paramporul Foundation speaker, who discussed Thirukkural, rebirth, and karma at schools. This dramatic focus on Mahavishnu seems like a carefully crafted decoy to obscure these pressing sexual assault issues and protect the party’s image as the 2026 elections approach.
Sudden Limelight On Mahavishnu
It was pretty bizarre for two to three days that an individual named Mahavishnu abruptly garnered media attention. Every DMK media outlet portrayed him as some international criminal wanted for offences in Tamil Nadu, even though he had only delivered a motivational speech at two government schools discussing Thirukkural, rebirth, and karma. However, the ruling DMK government pursued him like an international fugitive, potentially creating a larger threat to the public.
This spotlight on Mahavishnu seems like a diversion from other news of rising sexual crimes in Tamil Nadu that the DMK wished to keep out of the spotlight, particularly from the opposition.
Tamil Nadu is currently grappling with a troubling increase in sexual assault against women and children. For instance, three particularly severe cases in Trichy alone underscore this crisis. These incidents reveal significant shortcomings in the state’s criminal justice system, which has repeatedly failed to support victims effectively.
What is especially alarming is the perpetrators’ brazen lack of fear, with assaults occurring in broad daylight within the victims’ neighbourhoods.
Trichy Rape Survivor Accuses Minister’s Driver
In a disturbing incident in the Trichy, a woman was gang raped and blackmailed by a group of six men, the perpetrator pretended to be in love with her, even when the rape survivor who bravely came forward to report her attackers, one of whom was identified as a minister’s driver. The media disgracefully chose to suppress the news of the assault, instead focusing on a decades-old harassment claim made by a film star.
After filing a formal complaint with the Trichy SP, the rape survivor spoke to news reporters. She said, “I’m studying at an ITI college. I visit my hometown on weekends. When I arrived, the boy Silambarasan forced me to take in his vehicle. He, along with four or five individuals, took me and ruined my life, sir. They kept calling me repeatedly. When I refused to go to them, they threatened that they would release a video they had taken of me. He continued to take me to his home and farm. He severely ruined my life, sir. Last month, he bought a tablet for me himself. Twenty days ago, he bought it and gave it to me. He said we would finish things from here. I will pay you, he said, sir.”
She revealed that the perpetrator worked for Tamil Nadu education minister Anbil Mahesh. She said, “He is said to be a driver for Anbil Mahesh, sir. Only the SP office can give me justice. He took me on April 13.”
மாண்புமிகு அன்பில் மகேஷ் இந்த விவகாரத்தை திசை திருப்பத்தான் மகாவிஷ்ணு விவகாரத்தில் துள்ளிக் குதித்தாரா? தமிழ் ஊடகங்கள் உண்மையைப் பேசுமா? @karthickselvaa காவல் துறை நேர்மையாக விஜாரிக்குமா? @mkstalinpic.twitter.com/n7hLMLjx52
When the journalists inquired if there was a threat, the victim mentioned that four to five individuals had threatened her, particularly Silambarasan, who threatened to release a video he recorded and blackmailed her whenever she returned home; they would take her to his residence or farm. The victim’s mother also stated that Silambarasan had emotionally tormented her daughter, claiming that he came with friends four to five times, threatening her, abducting her, and raping her. She further noted that he initially admitted to the acts, but now he denies them and dares anyone to speak up, asserting that they will face repercussions.
Govet Doctor & School Headmistress Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Minors In Trichy Church-run Hostel
Dr. S. Samson Daniel (31), a government doctor, was arrested under the POCSO Act on allegations of sexually assaulting minor girls at a hostel affiliated with a minority run government-aided school in Trichy. His mother, S. Grace Sagayarani (54), who is the headmistress of the school, was also taken into custody for allegedly helping to cover up the offenses.
Daniel, from Palakkarai in Trichy, was employed as a doctor at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Anbil near Lalgudi. He frequently visited the school hostel under the pretense of conducting health checkups. During these visits, he is accused of inappropriately touching girls aged between five and ten. A concerned parent reported this abuse to the childline helpline, 1098.
Following the report, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Rahul Gandhi, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Vijayalakshmi, and two social workers visited the hostel on 2 August 2024. They interviewed 42 children, who revealed that Daniel had been assaulting them during his health checkups over the past few months. Based on their findings, the Fort All Women Police arrested the doctor under the POCSO Act, and the investigation is ongoing.
On 4 September 2024, while being taken to the hospital for a medical examination before his court appearance, the doctor verbally abused the media and attempted to attack them. The police intervened and successfully restrained Daniel before proceeding to the hospital.
The charges against Dr. Samson Daniel and his mother, S. Grace Sagayarani, are reminiscent of the RG Kar incident. In both instances, individuals entrusted with the care and safety of vulnerable girls/women were accused of blatant crimes. The RG Kar case, involving the rape and murder of a female resident doctor, highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual violence within healthcare institutions.
Similarly, the allegations against Dr. Daniel expose the potential for abuse to occur even within seemingly safe spaces like schools. Sadly, there is no outrage from the civil society to seek justice for the Trichy hostel’s students who that doctor abused.
NIT-T Students Protest Over Victim Shaming
In a separate incident in Trichy, students at the National Institute of Technology, Trichy (NIT-T) organized a campus protest, accusing both the hostel management and local police of victim-shaming a student who had reportedly been sexually harassed.
The demonstration followed an incident where a technician allegedly tried to masturbate in front of the student while fixing a Wi-Fi device in her room. The protesting students asserted that hostel authorities blamed the victim rather than addressing the issue. Additionally, when the students reported the incident to the police, the victim reportedly faced inappropriate comments about her clothing.
DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh Targets Mahavishnu
Critics link all these incidents to DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh as Trichy is a stronghold for him. They argue that these issues have the potential to significantly impact the government, especially if the opposition seizes on them. This situation parallels the public outrage over the recent rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, which led to widespread protests.
If the Tanjore issue gains traction, it could tarnish the DMK’s reputation, especially with the 2026 elections approaching. In response, the DMK and its mouthpiece media have suppressed news of these sexual abuse incidents and instead focused on Mahavishnu, who has been arrested and is under investigation for 20 days, only for his public statements being limited to spiritual philosophy.
Conclusion
Despite his harmless activities, the DMK relentlessly pursues Mahavishnu as a blatant distraction from the urgent issues of sexual assaults plaguing Tamil Nadu.
By shifting the narrative away from severe cases of sexual violence, including the horrendous abuse by a government doctor and a minister’s driver, the ruling party is attempting to shield itself from accountability. This orchestrated limelight on Paramporul Foundation’s Mahavishnu by DMK media reveals a troubling disregard for the state’s escalating crisis in protecting women and children. As Tamil Nadu nears the 2026 elections, the spotlight on Mahavishnu highlights a more resounding, unsettling truth: the DMK’s priority is less about addressing the real problems and more about safeguarding its political stature.
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Alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair launched his dog-whistling tactics to stoke linguistic tensions in Karnataka after sharing images of a “Hindi Month Celebration” banner at the U.R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. His post, which seems like an attempt to incite discord, has reignited the debate over whether residents from other states in Karnataka should learn Kannada. This controversy echoes a similar discussion from 2017 when pro-Kannada activists successfully campaigned to remove Hindi signage from Namma Metro stations.
Language Dispute In Karnataka
Linguistic wars in Karnataka seem to have reached a pinnacle, as netizens from the state and outsiders debate whether people from other states living in the state/cities of Karnataka must learn the language.
Amidst this debate, several netizens shared their experiences of living in states other than their home state and shared how welcoming or unwelcoming it was (as the case may be).
This was against the backdrop of a viral 2017 post showing pro-Kannada activists removing Hindi signage at Namma Metro stations.
— Suhruta Yajaman | ಸುಹೃತ ಯಜಮಾನ್ (@syajaman) August 18, 2017
In 2017, a month after protests against the use of Hindi in Namma Metro, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) removed Hindi signboards from all metro stations, retaining only Kannada and English. The decision followed a letter from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Centre, urging the removal of Hindi signs to respect the state’s cultural sentiments. Pro-Kannada activists, including members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), had defaced several Hindi signs at metro stations across Bengaluru. The protests were intensified with support from the DMK faction of Karnataka, leading to the final removal of the Hindi signage.
The viral post on the removal of Hindi signage brought all the pro-Kannada netizens together who were arguing with people who felt this was a drastic move.
To add fuel to the fire, alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair began his dog whistling tactics. He shared a couple of photos of the ‘U.R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. He pointed out at the banner which read “Hindi Month Celebration“
Netizens Call Out Zubair For Inciting Language Wars
It is noteworthy that Hindi Diwas is celebrated across the country in schools and various central government institutions every year. Netizens called out Zubair for his dog-whistling and potential incitement of linguistic tension in the state against the institution as well as Hindi speakers in the state.
Netizens also fact-checked Zubair on the Hindi celebrations conducted by central government institutions.
#Indian Central Govt offices routinely have events to promote #Hindi language. There's even boards where they write a new Hindi word everyday. There's Hindi language committees that go on audits etc.
What's your problem. In India, blood thirsty desert cult festivals too are celebrated. India is a civilization nation. Shut up and get lost, terror sympathizers. https://t.co/vtQxzAFNWW
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a broadside against Indian men, labeling their attitudes towards women as “just ridiculous” and accusing the BJP and RSS as proponents of outdated gender roles. However, his sweeping criticisms ring hollow given his silence on pressing issues closer to home.
While Gandhi maligns Indian men from afar, he remains conspicuously silent on critical issues at home, such as the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata—a case involving his ally, Mamata Banerjee’s government. When a reporter had questioned him on his stand on the brutal case, he deflected the question, calling it a “distraction“.
Rahul Gandhi In Texas
In a speech delivered during his visit to Texas in USA, Congress scion and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi, attacked Indian men saying that their attitude towards woman is “just ridiculous”.
He also peddled canards about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), as well as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Rahul Gandhi said “I mean.. it starts with sorry… It starts with a bad attitude that Indian males have towards women. And I don’t mean every single Indian male. But a large number of Indian males attitude towards women is just.. it’s ridiculous. Right? So, it starts there. And it’s a particular way of thinking about women and you see it. We see it in the political system. We see it in the business system. We see it everywhere.”
He also said “BJP and RSS believe that women should be restricted in a particular role. They should stay at home. They should cook the food. They should not talk too much. Right? And we believe that women should be allowed to aspire to whatever they want to do.”
‘BJP and RSS want women to be confined to staying at home, cooking and speaking less’- @RahulGandhi on women empowerment in Texas pic.twitter.com/U7Fps5ict2
Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his unwarranted speech, RSS worker and author Ratan Sharda said that the Congress leader’s party has a history of sexual abuse.
“#RSS#BJP has no history of exploiting or oppressing women. From Tandoor killing to Assam & Kerala, #RahulGandhi party has glorious history of sexual abuse. RSS & allies organisations have more women members than all the left organisations put together.“, Ratan Sharda said.
#RSS#BJP has no history of exploiting or oppressing women.
From Tandoor killing to Assam & Kerala, #RahulGandhi party has glorious history of sexual abuse.
RSS & allies organisations have more women members than all the left organisations put together. https://t.co/afDRHamDo2
This is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi has denigrated Indian men from foreign soil in an attempt to position himself as a “champion of women’s rights”.
In August 2018, during a speech Bucerius Summer School in Germany, Rahul Gandhi said “I would agree with the idea that the treatment of women in India leaves a lot to be desired. I think there is a huge amount of violence against women in India. Lot of it is visible. Lot of it is on the street. Huge amount of it is invisible. You never see it. It happens in houses. Women never talk about it. I think it is a cultural issue. It is an issue of how Indian men view Indian women. The fact that violence is increasing dramatically in India, women are actually getting a huge share of it. I think it is a tragedy. I think that is the single most important thing that India needs to do, is change the way its men view its women.”
A Hypocritical Champion Of Women’s Rights
Gandhi’s disparaging remarks about the BJP and RSS come across as both misguided and hypocritical. While he chooses to criticize Indian men from abroad, he has been notably silent on pressing domestic issues, such as the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata—a case involving his political ally, Mamata Banerjee.
This glaring disconnect highlights Gandhi’s double standards as he tries to project himself as a defender of women’s rights. His international criticisms seem more like an attempt to deflect from his own party’s shortcomings rather than a genuine effort to advance women’s safety.
Gandhi’s Hate Against RSS During Foreign Trips
This isn’t the first time that the Congress scion has used a foreign platform to attack the RSS or BJP outside the country. In 2022, he claimed during a talk at Cambridge University that India is not a nation, but more like a union of states.
Gandhi, citing from a line in the Preamble without context, said, “The exact line is ‘India, that is Bharat, is a union of states’. And the implication of that is there is an ongoing negotiation between this union of states. In the Congress party, we see India as a negotiation between its people. The RSS views India as a geographical entity. That’s the big difference.”
He omitted the fact that there are multiple times India has been described as a nation in the Constitution. India is a nation, one single country while European Union is a union of various countries.
This disconnect and deliberate omission of facts betray a troubling pattern. Gandhi’s comments on foreign soil seem like an attempt to promote a fractional agenda against Bharat rather than fostering national cohesion.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s recent US trip is viewed with skepticism by critics after his claims of signing a ₹2000 crore MoU with energy solutions company Trilliant. Photos shared by Stalin, showing him with a man identified as Jim Madej, allegedly Trilliant’s President, were revealed to be misleading after fact-checks uncovered Madej’s actual role as COO of a different company, Viridi.
The DMK’s IT wing has come under fire for allegedly photoshopping images and misidentifying officials, raising doubts about the MoU’s legitimacy and fueling online backlash.
Stalin’s trip to the US has become riddled with doubt and confusion. A few days ago, he posted on his official X handle about the signing of a ₹2000 crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trilliant, a US-based energy solutions company.
In the land of opportunities, every new dawn ignites fresh hopes.
We’ve secured MoUs worth ₹850 crores with Lincoln Electric, Vishay Precision, and Visteon, bringing us one step closer to realising our vision.
To ‘celebrate’ this, the DMK IT wing handles peddled misinformation by photoshopping the photos shared by MK Stalin.
In the pictures posted by Stalin celebrating the agreement, he is seen standing next to a man identified as Jim Madej, who was claimed to be the President and Chairman of Trilliant. However, fact-checks revealed that Jim Madej was not connected to Trilliant. Neither the website had such information, nor did Madej’s social media profile or LinkedIn reflect this information. It was mentioned that Madej was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Viridi, an entirely different company.
Based on Trilliant’s website information, the actual Chairman of Trilliant was Andy White.
To peddle this further, the DMK’s IT cell used social media and what looked like Pakistani/fake accounts to promote this. Notably, the individual who appeared alongside CM Stalin was also misidentified.
DMK IT Cell hired hate monger accounts to promote CM M K Stalin.
They mention Jim Madej as chairman/president of Trilliant.
Reality is Andy White is chairman of Trilliant not Jim Madej.
Jim Madej introduced Mike Mortimer, who is the Chief Commercial Operating Officer (CCOO) of Trilliant. Still, DMK’s online supporters allegedly edited his title and affiliation, presenting him as the President of Trilliant to lend credibility to the event. The IT Wing had also photoshopped the name “Trilliant” and added it to the pictures shared by MK Stalin to make them appear more authentic.
Once this discrepancy was exposed, miraculously Jim Madej’s name was added to Trilliant’s website as President, raising further doubts about the authenticity of the information being circulated.
After the point was exposed, the Tamil Nadu government’s fact-check team, led by former fake news spreader YouTurn’s Iyan Karthikeyan, claimed that Jim Madej is the new President of Trilliant, but the company’s website has yet to be updated because he joined recently. This response has only intensified the backlash, with critics mocking the explanation.
Adding fuel to the fire, an official press release from the Tamil Nadu government, which details the MoU event, makes no mention of Jim Madej at all. Instead, the release only highlights Mike Mortimer, the Chief Commercial Operating Officer (CCOO) of Trilliant. This inconsistency has raised further doubts about the authenticity of the claims made by DMK’s IT cell and left many questioning the narrative being promoted by government channels.
Things are getting funnier:
After we exposed DMK and its IT Cell, @tn_factcheck came with new story that Jim Madej is new president of Trilliant and website is not updated 🤣🤣🤣🤣
But in official press release by Tamil Nadu govt, there is no mention of Jim Madej 🤣
After spreading the alleged misinformation with the help of fake accounts, the team even got Madej to speak in a video confirming the MoU signed and that Trilliant was excited to work in TN and provide jobs.
However, the fact-checking team failed to fact-check the Photoshop job by the IT Wing. Netizens questioned the “fact checkers and mocked them for their shoddy job.
Photoshop seems to be a favourite pastime of the IT Wing of the ruling party. Even recently, they shared a badly photoshopped picture of MK Stalin at New York Times Square.
This incident is a stark reminder that in the age of instant scrutiny, attempts to manipulate facts are bound to backfire. The Tamil Nadu government must embrace accountability and honesty if it hopes to regain public trust and uphold its reputation on the global stage.
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Two terrorists were killed during an infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC), on Monday, in the Nowshera Sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
“Based on inputs from intelligence agencies and Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding a likely infiltration bid, an anti-infiltration Operation was launched by the Indian Army on the intervening night of 08-09 Sep 24 in general area Lam, Nowshera,” the Army said.
“Two terrorists have been neutralised and a large quantity of war-like stores, including Two AK-47s and one pistol thus far recovered…Security forces are maintaining a heightened vigil and aerial platforms are being utilised to provide over-watch,” the Army further said.
The Army said that the search operations are in progress in the area. In the past, there have been spikes in infiltration, particularly before the onset of winter and ahead of snow blocking the passes.
Eight Assembly segments spread across Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts in the Chenab valley region and 16 seats in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam are going to polls in the first phase on September 18.
Hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur in the Jammu division have witnessed terrorist ambush attacks against the Army, security forces and civilians during the last two months.
After reports that a group of hardcore foreign terrorists, believed to be 40 to 50 in number, are responsible for these attacks, the Army deployed over 4,000 trained soldiers drawn from the elite Para commandos and those trained in mountain warfare inside the densely forested areas of those districts.
Terrorists used the element of surprise to carry out ambush attacks and then disappear into the forests of these hilly areas.
The deployment of the Army and the CRPF together with the strengthening of the village defence committees (VDCs) managed by residents, has deprived the terrorists of using the element of surprise to carry out such attacks.
After the security forces started aggressively going after the terrorists both in the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley, the terrorists are now increasingly being engaged in exchange of firing with the security forces.
“They either get killed during such encounters or remain on the run. This prevents them from surprising the security forces by carrying out sly attacks,” a senior police officer said.
This story is based on an IANS wire feed. Only the headlines have been changed.
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The manifestoes of Kashmir’s National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and People’s Conference (PC) seem to be blatantly promoting separatist and divisive agendas under the guise of secularism. Far from covert, their promises to restore Article 370, reinstate government employees terminated for terror links, and repeal actions against stone-pelters seem designed to fuel a pro-Pakistan narrative in a valley.
But the NC has taken a troubling step further by attempting to erase Kashmir’s rich Hindu heritage reflected by iconic temples. Among their manifesto promises is a plan to connect the revered Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Parbat through a gondola system, but under Islamized names — Takht-i-Sulaiman and Koh-e-Maran. These hills, home to ancient Hindu temples, are not mere landmarks but hold profound historical and spiritual significance for Kashmiri Hindus.
Is this another attempt to wipe out the last remnants of Kashmir’s Hindu past, completing the Islamization that began with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the 1980s? As Kashmir’s ancient temples face renaming, a deep concern lingers over the fate of the region’s remaining Hindu culture, already ravaged by decades of forced exodus and violence.
Manifestoes of Kashmir’s Parties
Studying the manifestoes of Kashmir’s political parties ahead of the polls starting September 18, one wonders what more could be separatist, divisive, and communal. The only difference is that separatism and communalism are given an ideological and dignified status by these parties who make a show of secularism, but hidden inside is an agenda that reeks of mala fides.
These Kashmir-centric parties have not made any effort to be covert about their intentions but have overtly made their manifestations this time. The manifestoes of these parties seek restoration of Article 370, pre-1953 status when J&K had a Prime Minister, India-Pakistan talks, reinstating those in government jobs terminated for terror links, repealing action against stone pelters, etc.
The manifestoes of these parties promise everything that can come in the category of support to separatism or inclination towards the Pakistan agenda.
NC Renaming Hindu Temples In Kashmir
The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, headed by Farooq Abdullah, one of the patrons of the INDIA bloc, has gone a step further. NC promises to change the names of some iconic places in Kashmir where ancient Hindu temples are located.
On the 21st page of the 42-page NC Manifesto titled ‘Dignity, Identity and Development’ under the heading ‘Comprehensive Expansion of Srinagar and Jammu cities’ NC has made a slew of promises to tackle pressing urban issues like congestion and environmental sustainability and says that a more proactive strategy is essential.
So far so good, nothing wrong about these promises.
But one among the nine-point promises is something that has triggered concerns among the minorities, the Hindus in particular. The sixth point says: “We will assess the feasibility of connecting Takht-i-Sulaiman (Shankaracharya Hill) with Koh-e-Maran (Hari Parbat Fort) through a gondola system, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the area.”
There seems to be nothing wrong with this as connecting two hills could be good for tourism. But the alarming thing is the changing of names of the two hills which are known by the names of the Kashmiri Hindu temples located atop.
The ancient temples have a history and story of thousands of years. And, they have always been known as Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Parbat.
Hari Parbat
The Hari Parbat hill is considered sacred by the Kashmiri Pandits due to the presence of the temple of Goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati. She resides here in the form of Suyambu ‘Sri-Chakra’, self-engraved on the Holy Shila (a vertical rock smeared in Sindoor) and is known as ‘Chakeshwari’.
There is an ancient story associated with this temple: Kashyapa Rishi had drained off the water from Satisar, but a lake remained in a part of Kashmir where a demon by the name of Jalodbhava had taken shelter. He unleashed a reign of terror on the inhabitants. Desperate people prayed to Goddess Durga for help until the day Mother heard their prayers.
According to the ancient history of Kashmir, the Rajatarangni, Mother Durga took the form of a bird (Maina). She carried a pebble in her beak and dropped it over the lake. The pebble grew in size and transformed into a hill, thereby crushing the evil. The hill thus got the name of Hari Parbat or Sharika Parvat, and with this Kashmir came into being.
Shankaracharya Hill
The Shankaracharya Hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the temple atop is among the oldest in Kashmir.
The temple was built in 200 BC by the Mauryan Prince Jaluka. Since then, several rulers like Lalitaditya, Gopaditya, and various Sikh rulers have reconstructed the temple after it was attacked by the invaders several times.
The temple got its name from the visit of the 8th-century philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya. The Shankaracharya Hill and the temple have references by Kalhana, a 12th-century scholar, who called it ‘Gopadri’ or ‘Gopa Hill’.
Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is an epic poem in Sanskrit running into nearly 8,000 verses composed in 1148‑50 in Kashmir. With this recorded history, then, why should the Abdullah family’s NC change the names?
Is it a deliberate attempt by NC to change the Hindu names of temples to Muslim ones as part of the complete Islamisation of Kashmir, which began in 1988 with the advent of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism?
And Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister then. He let terrorism and separatist feelings flourish. The major targets of terrorism were the Hindus and the Army.
Attempts To Cleanse Hindu History Of Kashmir
From over seven lakh Hindus in 1990, the community has only a few thousand left in the valley with a majority of them being government employees living in protected areas.
A whole community, which is the original native of the land and has a rich heritage of over 5,000 years, was uprooted, thrown in the hot plains of the country, and forced to live in tattered tents and camps.
Once the Kashmiri Pandits were forced out, the next on the agenda of the terror backers and their supporting political ecosystem has been to usurp the properties, encroach abandoned lands, houses, and temples. And the last step seems to be changing the Hindu names.
The Abdullah’s NC has officially begun that task with the two great and highly revered temples for Hindus — Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya Hill.
This story is based on an IANS wire feed. Only the headlines have been changed.
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The flight moment in Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has been affected with several outgoing and incoming international flights delayed following an indefinite strike declared by a group of employees from a Ground Handling Agency (GHA).
The strike that began at 10 p.m. on Saturday has delayed several flights. However, the airport authority has informed that no flights were cancelled due to the protest. The protesters are employees of Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited.
Trade unions led by INTUC, BMS and CITU have joined the strike. These unions are jointly leading the strike, demanding a salary revision and bonus allowances. The passengers of the Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vistara service were the first affected.
A Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai Emirates flight, scheduled for takeoff at 4.40 a.m., departed at 7.05 a.m. Radhakrishnan M.C., a passenger who reached Thiruvananthapuram on the Abu Dhabi-Thiruvananthapuram Air Arabia flight, that landed at 4.40 a.m., told IANS that he had to wait for two hours to get his luggage.
The cargo movement has been affected and, according to sources in Thiruvananthapuram airport, perishable goods of around 20 tonnes are held up at the airport due to the strike.
Air India SATS, a company whose employees are on strike, told IANS that it has deployed more people, including their students, at the airport to handle the situation.
It may be noted that Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the second busiest airport in Kerala after Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi. In the financial year 2023-24, the airport handled over 4.4 million passengers with a total of over 30,000 aircraft movements. Thiruvananthapuram Airport also caters to Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology which carries out pilot training activities.
The Airport hosts Air India‘s narrow body maintenance, repair and overhaul MRO unit that services Air India Express aircraft. Established in 1932 it is the first airport of Kerala and is just 1km away from the Arabian Sea and is spread across an area of 800 km.
This story is based on an IANS wire feed. Only the headlines have been changed.
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National legislatures have a key role in charting the course for artificial intelligence (AI) and assuring cyber-security going forward, according to a statement agreed by representatives from the Group of Seven (G7) countries at the close of a summit in Italy.
The three-day G7 Speakers’ Meeting in the northern Italian city of Verona included the leadership from parliaments in G7 member states, which comprise Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The European Parliament speaker has also been invited, reports Xinhua news agency.
The statement confirmed that the parliament of each country must contribute to “drafting the corpus of rules (governance) that will ensure the sound use of AI within the framework of the principles and rights to which we all subscribe,” as well as to promoting public awareness on the issue and supporting more discussions on the related labour market.
During this year’s G7 presidency, Italy has stressed the need to develop international standards for AI. Geopolitical security and development were also discussed during the meeting.
Conclusion
The G7 Speakers’ Meeting in Verona underscores the critical role of national legislatures in shaping the future of AI and cybersecurity. By drafting comprehensive governance frameworks, promoting public understanding, and addressing labor market implications, these parliaments can ensure that AI is developed and deployed responsibly. International cooperation is essential to establish global standards and address the challenges posed by AI, particularly in the context of geopolitical security. The G7’s commitment to these goals is a significant step towards a future where AI benefits society while minimizing risks.
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