BJP govt expels opposition parliamentarian for questioning Modi’s billionaire links
In an authoritarian move, India’s far-right Bharatiya Janata Party government has expelled opposition leader Mahua Moitra from Parliament for questioning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close links to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The BJP has accused Moitra of “cash for query,” or being paid to raise questions that cast Modi in an unfavorable light.
Opposition leaders have responded with outrage, accusing the government of targeting Moitra for her frequent and vocal criticism of Modi and the BJP.
Muslims barred from having stalls at Karnataka festival
Muslim vendors have been barred from setting up stalls during a temple fair in Karnataka state, where the state’s former BJP government previously attempted to ban all Muslim vendors from “Hindu areas.”
A group representing the vendors has pushed back against the ban, saying that religious fairs are a means for impoverished Muslim traders to earn their livelihood.
BJP leader gives ultimatum to Muslims, calls for demolition of historic mosque
As rightwing politicians continue to use anti-Muslim hate speech throughout India to gain popularity among Hindus, BJP leader Jai Bhagwan Goyal issued an ultimatum to Muslims at an event, demanding the destruction of the historic Shahi Idgah Mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura city. Goyal also threatened to destroy Shahi Idgah in a repeat of the violent 1992 demolition of the historic Babri Masjid.
Elderly Dalit man assaulted for declining to play drum at temple due to health issues
In Karnataka, a 65-year-old Dalit man, Paramayya, was assaulted and abused with casteist slurs by extremist upper-caste Hindus after he declined to play the drum at a temple celebration due to his health issues.
As reported by the victim’s son, “I informed the temple committee that I would take on the responsibility [due to my father feeling unwell], but the accused forced my father to play the drum. When my father declined, he was assaulted and abused.”
