Communal Violence

Fresh violence grips Cuttack; internet suspended, leaders urge peace

Cuttack remained tense on Sunday following fresh incidents of violence linked to a group clash two days ago during a Durga idol immersion procession, even as Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik urged citizens to maintain communal harmony. Majhi and Patnaik's appeal come after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised a motorcycle rally in the evening defying the district administration's order. In view of the prevailing law and order situation, the state government suspended internet services in areas under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the adjoining 42 Mauza region from 7pm on Sunday to 7 pm on Monday to prevent the spread of misinformation. According to officials, CCTV cameras installed along the route were damaged, and shops in Gourishankar Park area were allegedly set on fire after police stopped the procession. The rally, which began at Bidyadharpur on the eastern outskirts of the city, moved through k

Five FIRs filed over communal violence in Pune's Yavat; around 500 booked

Police have registered a total of five FIRs against more than 500 persons in connection with the communal violence in Yavat village of Pune district that broke out over an alleged objectionable post on a social messaging platform, officials said on Saturday. While the youth who uploaded the objectionable post has been arrested, 17 others have been detained for indulging in arson and damaging property during the clashes at Yavat in Daund tehsil, they said. The communal tension erupted and incidents of violence took place across Yavat village on Friday afternoon in which groups of persons, angered by the social media post, vandalised and set ablaze properties. "So far, we have registered a total of five cases in connection with the violence. Four of the cases are against more than 500 people who were allegedly involved in arson and damage to property. Of these, more than 100 people have been identified and 17 of them have been taken into custody," an official of Yavat police station .

Delhi HC seeks clarification on SC's observations on 'Udaipur Files' movie

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a clarification from the parties on the observations made by the Supreme Court in related proceedings pertaining to release of movie "Udaipur Files" which is based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case. A top court bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi on Wednesday refused to urgently list a plea challenging screening of the movie and orally observed: "Let the film be released". The top court observation was made after a counsel, appearing for one of the accused in the murder case, said the release of the film will prejudice the trial. The high court on Wednesday directed the producer of "Udaipur Files" to arrange its screening for those seeking a ban on it. The film is scheduled for release on July 11. On Thursday, a division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal of the high court referred to the apex court's observations made earlier and asked the lawyers whether the apex court allowed the release of the

Those who attacked police in Nagpur will be dug out from graves: Fadnavis

In a stern warning to perpetrators of Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said attackers of police will be "dug out from their graves" and made to face the law. His reaction comes amid outrage over rioters allegedly touching a woman constable inappropriately and trying to disrobe her during violence on Monday night. The mob had hurled stones and petrol bombs, injuring 33 police personnel, including three DCP-rank officers. "Those who attacked police during the arson in Nagpur will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable. They will get the strictest punishment. We won't spare them," Fadnavis said in the Assembly while replying to a debate on the Budgetary demands of the Home department. He reiterated that the violence and arson were premeditated with an intention to disturb social harmony. Fadnavis clarified that his statement didn't contradict the Nagpur police commissioner. "The Nagpur police commissioner said the ..

Who was Aurangzeb, 17th-century Mughal ruler who remains controversial?

While popular narratives describe Aurangzeb's policies as intolerant towards non-Islamic faiths, some historians argue they were more politically motivated

Six SC judges to visit relief camps in violence-hit Manipur on March 22

NALSA said that the proposed visit of judges highlights the ongoing need for legal and humanitarian assistance to the affected communities of the violence-hit state

Aurangzeb row leads to violent clashes, curfew in Nagpur: What we know so far

Tensions flared in Nagpur over the Aurangzeb row, leading to violent clashes, injuries, and arson. Authorities imposed curfew as security forces worked to restore order

Fadnavis urges peace amid Nagpur violence over rumours of burning holy book

Tension gripped central Nagpur on Monday when stones were hurled at police amid rumours that the holy book of the Muslim community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leaving four persons injured, officials said. Police fired tear gas shells and resorted to cane-charge to disperse the mob in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas. Violence also reportedly spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth in the late afternoon, officials said. Officials said the Chitnish Park to Shukrawari Talao road belt was most affected by violence as per the preliminary information, where some four-wheelers were set afire by rioters. Stones were also thrown at the homes of residents. Police are trying to disperse mobs believed to be in thousands. The trouble began late afternoon shortly after Bajrang Dal members demonstrated near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal area. According to police, rumours spread that the Quran was burnt during the agitation. Video

Whitewashing of Sambhal's Jama Masjid outer wall likely to begin on Sunday

The whitewashing of the outer wall of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal is likely begin on Sunday, a mosque official said. Secretary of Shahi Jama Masjid Masood Farooqui on Saturday said an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team came to the mosque around noon and held a discussion about how much labour and material is required. We are trying to start it today, otherwise it will begin tomorrow," he said. The Allahabad High Court on March 12 directed the ASI to undertake and complete the whitewashing at the mosque within one week. Following the High Court order, an ASI team carried out measurements and assessments on March 13. After this the Shahi Jama Masjid's president Zafar Ali had said that the painting work will begin at the mosque after Holi. Farooqui said, "These people (ASI) are saying that they will start from tomorrow. We have told them that the High Court has given seven days, out of which three days have passed." Three people have come here as a part o

Sambhal court rejects bail petitions of 17 accused in Nov 24 violence

A court in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday rejected the bail petition of 17 accused in the violence that took place here on November 24 last year, a government advocate said on Saturday. Additional District and Sessions Judge Nirbhay Narain Rai had on Thursday rejected 18 such bail applications. Till now, 65 bail petitions have been rejected in this case and the remaining petitions are to be heard on other dates, Additional District Government Advocate Hari Om Prakash Saini told PTI on Saturday. Saini also said, "We presented arguments before the honourable court that four innocent people have lost their lives in the incident of November 24. These accused used such means with the intention to kill the police, which included throwing stones, firing was also done. Police have identified the accused on the basis of video footage. "Bullets and other items have also been recovered from them. All these arguments were presented by me in the court, on the basis of which all

Sambhal demolition: SC to hear plea against authorities after a week

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear after a week a plea seeking contempt proceedings against Sambhal authorities for allegedly violating its verdict on demolition of properties. Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih posted the matter after a week after the lawyer appearing for petitioner Mohammed Ghayoor sought an adjournment on the ground that the arguing counsel was in a personal difficulty. He requested the bench to post the matter after a week. In his plea filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, the petitioner alleged the authorities violated the top court's November 13 2024 verdict which laid down pan-India guidelines and barred demolition of properties without a prior showcause notice and giving 15 days to the aggrieved party to respond. The plea claimed authorities in UP's Sambhal bulldozed a part of the petitioner's property on January 10-11 without a prior notice or an opportunity to him or his family members. "The petitioner and his family members had al

Bombay HC grants bail to 14 accused in Mira Road communal violence case

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to 14 Muslim men arrested for their alleged involvement in the communal violence in Mira Road on the eve of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, noting that their further detention appeared "tenuous". A single bench of Justice N J Jamadar on Monday noted that prima facie, it cannot be inferred that there was a premeditated conspiracy to assault people part of the convoy taken out to celebrate the temple consecration ceremony in January this year. The bench also highlighted that no CCTV footage showed the accused persons assaulting the complainant or anyone else. The court said the probe in the case was complete, and since the accused have roots in the society, the possibility of fleeing from justice was remote. The bench also took note of the fact that the accused have been in custody since January, and it appears extremely unlikely that the trial will be concluded soon. Hence, further detention would be unwarranted. The accused, bo

Delhi Police opposes Nadeem Khan's plea, cites threat to communal harmony

Such nefarious acts on social media platforms can disrupt communal harmony, possibly inciting unrest or conflict between different communities

Sambhal violence: Samajwadi Party calls for 'truth-based investigation'

Further talking about the party's delegation he said that they do not wish to deteriorate the tense situation in the area, and if the district administration have a problem with the delegation

Bangladesh freezes bank accounts of 17 ISKCON members for 'sedition'

Bangladesh's authorities have ordered freezing for 30 days the bank accounts of 17 people associated with ISKCON, including its former member Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested this week on sedition charges, media reports said Friday. The move comes after the Bangladesh High Court rejected a petition seeking a ban on International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), following the killing of a lawyer in a clash between the Hindu leader's supporters and security personnel. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) sent these directives to different banks and financial institutions on Thursday, suspending all types of transactions related to these accounts for a month, newspaper Prothom Alo said. The financial intelligence agency under the central Bangladesh Bank asked the banks and financial institutions to send information, including updated transaction statements of accounts related all businesses owned by these 17 individuals, within the next three working days, it said.

What led to clashes that claimed 4 lives in Sambhal? What we know so far

Sambhal violence: Tensions flare in UP's Sambhal as clashes over a mosque survey lead to four deaths; district administration has barred the entry of outsiders until Nov 30

Bahraich violence: SC to hear plea against demolition notices by UP govt

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by three accused in the Bahraich communal violence incident against demolition notices issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. Senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan seeking urgent hearing. "This is an application by three persons who are recipients of demolition notices. The state government has given only three days to respond to the notices," Singh told the bench. Singh submitted that petitioner No.1's father and brothers have surrendered and notices were purportedly issued on October 17 and pasted on 18th evening. "We sought hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen," he added. Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the court that the Allahabad High Court is seized of the matter and has given 15 days' time to respond to the notice. The bench then said, "If they (UP govt)

Bahraich violence: 5 suspects held after encounter with UP police

Five suspects in the Bahraich violence case were arrested here Thursday after an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police in which two of them suffered gunshot injuries, a senior official said. The accused were allegedly trying to flee to Nepal, which shares a border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, the officer said. "Five accused have been arrested," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told a news channel. On the encounter, he said, "I have information of exchange of fire and gunshot injuries." Yash, also the chief of the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police, said the Bahraich police, investigating the murder and subsequent violence, has already established the link of one of the accused in Nepal. Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said those arrested have been identified as Mohammad Faheen, Mohammad Sarfaraz and Abdul Hameed, who are named accused in the FIR -- and two others Mohammad Taleem alias Sabloo and Mohammad .

Karnataka's Mandya clash: Stones thrown during Ganpati procession, 52 held

Mandya communal clashes: Violent clashes broke out between two groups during a Ganpati procession in Nagamangala town on Wednesday night; police have arrested more than 50 people

300 booked for raising 'objectionable' slogans during protest in Pune

Police have registered a case against nearly 300 people after alleged objectionable slogans were raised during a protest outside the Pune District Collectorate, an official said on Sunday. A Sarvdharm Sambhav Mahamorcha' was organised on Friday to protest against the recent purported remarks by religious leader Ramgiri Maharaj against Islam. During the protest, the alleged slogans were raised, the official said. According to the police, the morcha was organised without permission and the slogans created communal tension and enmity between communities. An offence has been registered at the Bundgarden police station against 200-300 people who had participated in the morcha, said a senior police official. The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for unlawful assembly, promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race and language and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony and under the Maharashtra Police Act. Ramgiri Maharaj had allegedly made ..