IAMC Weekly News Digest, 21st May 2021
US State Department’s scathing report on persecution of religious minorities in India a step in the right direction, say Indian Americans
Photo: Wikipedia
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, has welcomed the US State Department’s report that represents a scathing and comprehensive account of religious persecution and violence faced by India’s 280 million religious minorities. Released on Wednesday, May 12, the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, provided in-depth coverage of massive rights violations faced by religious minorities, especially Muslims, Christians and Dalits or the “lower-caste” formerly known as untouchables. The Department of State report highlighted the state-sponsored massacre of Muslims in India’s capital city, New Delhi, last year in which 53 people died and hundreds were injured, mostly Muslims…. The report also urged the US government to impose sanctions on the officials and agencies responsible for violations of religious freedoms.
Human Rights Groups Condemn Defamation Suit Filed by Hindu American Foundation Against Six Individuals
Photo: American Kahani
Several human rights organizations from the U.S., U.K. and Europe have issued a letter condemning the defamation suit filed by Hindu American Foundation (HAF) against professor Audrey Truschke, journalist Raqib Naik and four executives from U.S.-based civil and human rights groups. The defendants claim the HAF lawsuit is Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit…. “This aggressive lawsuit, filed against these individuals, is an attempt to curtail free speech and free expression exercised by a reputed media house and its readers,” read the letter. “….We, the undersigned organizations, will continue our unstinting support of the individuals and organizations being subjected to this harassment.”… Rasheed Ahmed, executive director of the Indian American Muslim Council told American Kahani that he was “surprised” his comments and “those by his coalition partners about hate groups were taken so personally by HAF.” He added that his attorneys say “this is a frivolous lawsuit, appears to be Bajrang Dal type bullying tactics.”…
25-year-old Haryana man out to buy medicines killed by mob, family claims he was lynched
Photo: PTI
A mob in Mewat area of Gurgaon killed 25-year-old Asif Khan and thrashed two of his cousins while they were out to buy medicines and were travelling from Nuh to Sohna. The incident took place in Nuh of Mewat when Asif Khan, who was a gym trainer, was returning home with his cousin brothers. The three were attacked by a mob and Asif was beaten to death while the two others were left with grievous injuries…. Asif Khan’s family has alleged that the 25-year-old was lynched by the mob that attacked him with sticks, rods and stones and lynched him. After killing Asif, the mob dumped his body in a village in Sohna….
Communal Harmony
Malerkotla, Punjab’s Newest District, Has No Room for Religious Bigotry
On Day of Eid, Muslim Youths in Bhopal Help Poor Hindu Man Cremate His Mother
News
25-year-old Haryana man out to buy medicines killed by mob, family claims he was lynched
Stench of death pervades rural India as Ganges swells with Covid victims
Cops Are Arresting Indians For Critical Posters of Modi That They Didn’t Make
Central Vista: India’s Modi blasted for $2.8bn project amid COVID
Before Demolition of Barabanki Mosque, Wave of Arrests Spread Fear, Scuttled Protests
Hyderabad driver alleges police torture, says he was asked to ‘go to Pakistan’
Yet Another NRC Re-verification Plea Moved Before SC
Hindu Trust, Accused of Labour Violations in US, Once Filed Case Against Temple Entry for Dalits
Opinion
The country is paying for the government’s unscientific attitudes – By Shobhit Mahajan
For India’s Medical Workers, Danger and ‘Heartbreaking Decisions’ – By Mujib Mashal and Sameer Yasir
Invisible in the pandemic fires, a slow burn of hunger and distress across India – By Supriya Sharma
Blind men at work: Central Vista is an illegitimate monument to deceit – By Alpana Kishore
