Divisive Rhetoric in Maharashtra: 50 Rallies in 4 Months Focused on ‘Love Jihad’, ‘Land Jihad’, and ‘Economic Boycott’

Divisive Rhetoric in Maharashtra: 50 Rallies in 4 Months Focused on 'Love Jihad', 'Land Jihad', and 'Economic Boycott'

At one such rally, at Mumbai’s Mira Road on March 12, speeches were made against “Islamic aggression”, “love jihad” and “land jihad”, with some of the speakers calling for an economic boycott of Muslims. Starting November last year, at least 50 ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’ rallies have been held across Maharashtra, in almost all of the state’s 36 districts. Each of these events has followed a set pattern: a brief march through the heart of the city, amid a sea of saffron flags and caps, followed by a short rally,…

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Cultivating Piety during Ramadan through Worship, Quranic Studies, Charity, and Self-Discipline

Cultivating Piety during Ramadan through Worship, Quranic Studies, Charity, and Self-Discipline

By: Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon “The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for mankind and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong.” – Quran 2:185 Ramadan is a blessed month that holds tremendous value and status for believers. It is a time to break free from materialism and focus on the Hereafter. Two months prior to Ramadan’s arrival, prayers are offered for its attainment, and the month itself is named “scorching” due to the…

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Call for Religious Conversion: Hindu extremist leader Suresh Chavanke advocates converting 4 Million Muslim women to Hinduism

Call for Religious Conversion: Hindu extremist leader advocates converting 4 Million Muslim women to Hinduism

Hindu militant and owner of an extremist television network, Suresh Chavhanke, has called on Hindus to convert 4 million Muslim women to Hinduism in a bigoted and sexist threat. Known for repeatedly issuing threats of violence against Muslims, Chavhanke’s latest statement, given on video, has gone viral. “We need forty lakh women from the Muslim community to increase the ratio, as women are less than men among Hindus,” said Chavanke. Last year, Chavhanke had administered a genocidal oath to a Hindu group in India’s capital, New Delhi, that said, “We take…

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J&K’s Forests under threat: Immediate action needed to prevent irreversible damage

J&K's Forests under threat: Immediate action needed to prevent irreversible damage

By: Dr. Showkat Rashid Wani The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The Directorate of Distance Education had deputed some of its students to MET Higher Secondary School for Practice of teaching. During inspection the author of this article saw a creative sketch on forest degradation by one of the students. The student had got an idea from the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive book of her cousin containing…

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J&K Police intensify anti-terror operations, seize two houses in Bandipora for sheltering militants

J&K Police intensify anti-terror operations, seize two houses in Bandipora for sheltering militants

The Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday attached two houses in Bandipora under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly providing shelter to terrorists, officials said. A police spokesman said that the houses belong to two “terrorist associates” who already stand arrested. The double storied residential houses of Abdul Majeed Reshi, father of accused Aijaz Ahmad Reshi alias Doctor, at Gundpora Rampura, and Mohammad Jamal Malik, father of accused Maqsood Ahmad Malik, at Chitteybandey Aragam village were attached in presence of executive magistrate under Section 25 of the UAPA. The…

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J&K’s LG Manoj Sinha vows to resign if fraudulent recruitment proven

J&K's LG Manoj Sinha vows to resign if fraudulent recruitment proven

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the recruitment process in the Union Territory was fair and vowed to quit if anyone proved otherwise. For the first time in history, results of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services examination were declared within three hours of the last candidate’s interview. His remarks come amid criticism of the government’s decision to appoint Aptech, a previously blacklisted agency, to conduct the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board recruitment examination. “Questions have been raised on selections. For the first time after…

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Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway interrupted due to Shooting Stones and Mudslides

Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway interrupted due to Shooting Stones and Mudslides

Ramban: Traffic on the Srinagar highway was suspended due to fresh mudslide and shooting stones at several locations in Ramban district, officials said on Monday. An official told Kashmir News Observer that traffic movement has been suspended due to mudslide at Shalgari, Sherbibi and shooting stones at some other places in Ramban district along the highway. He said no fresh traffic was allowed from both the side in this morning. “The road clearance work has been started at Shalgadi and other critical spots,” official said. Meanwhile, a truck has rolled…

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LG Manoj Sinha announces the continuation of eviction drive in J&K

LG Manoj Sinha announces the continuation of eviction drive in J&K

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the drive to evict illegal occupants of state land in Jammu and Kashmir will be resumed and the recovered land used to fuel industrial revolution in the Union Territory. “We took the lands. Let me make it clear that we will take back all state land. The state land must remain with the government,” Sinha said at the foundation-laying ceremony of first FDI project in Jammu and Kashmir at Sempora here. The Union Territory administration launched the eviction drive in January this year…

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Bulldozer Politics: The demolition drive led by Modi’s administration is intensifying concerns among Muslims across J&K

Bulldozer Politics: The demolition drive led by Modi's administration is intensifying concerns among Muslims across J&K

Suhail Ahmad Shah stood despairingly before the wreckage that for two decades had been his livelihood. Just hours before, he had been busy at the workshop when he heard an ominous crunch above him and the tin roof began to cave in. He barely made his escape before a bulldozer flattened the entire place. “No notice was served to us,” said Shah, 38. “The officials came suddenly and demolished our workshop. No one is listening to us. We’ve been paying rent. Isn’t this an atrocity? They have snatched our livelihood.”…

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Kashmir, A paradise for anglers, invites trout enthusiasts to its shimmering lakes and streams

Kashmir, A paradise for anglers, invites trout enthusiasts to its shimmering lakes and streams

Known as the angler’s paradise, Kashmir is famous the world over for its glistening mountain streams which are home to trout fish. Other fish species living in lakes, rivers and streams of the Valley are the various species of local fish including Schizothorax plagiostmus, Schizothorax labitus, Schizothorax curvifrons (Sattar), Schizothorax niger (Algaad), Schizothorax planifrons (Chush), Schizothorax longipinnis (Dap Gaad), Triplophysa marmorata, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Schistura punjabensis, Bangana diplostoma, Glyptothorax kashmirensis, Glyptosterun reticulum, Triplophysa kashmirensis and Botia birdi (Ram gurun). Later introductions into Valley’s lakes and rivers are the common carp, grass…

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