IAMC Weekly News Digest, 23rd October 2020
Hate is poisoning Indian society – and many refuse to see it – By Rana Ayyub
Hate is suffocating every aspect of life in India. No space seems safe. Early morning on Oct. 18, a neighbor alerted me to a WhatsApp message distributed by our building’s security guard celebrating the killer of Mahatma Gandhi and urging people to take up the gun to protect the idea of Hindu sovereignty. These types of messages are popular with Hindu nationalists and right-wing supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.… And when the iconic jewelry brand Tanishq recently ran an ad showcasing an interfaith marriage, the resulting Hindu right-wing backlash on social media forced the company to pull the commercial.… This is where division and hate have driven us.…Read more
The Caravan staffer assaulted by Delhi Police ACP inside Model Town station
On the afternoon of 16 October, the Delhi Police detained and assaulted Ahan Penkar, a 24-year-old staffer of The Caravan, while he was reporting in north Delhi. Ajay Kumar, the assistant commissioner of police of Model Town, kicked and slapped Penkar inside the Model Town police station premises. Penkar had repeatedly told the police that he was a journalist and prominently displayed his press card. The police forcibly took Penkar’s phone from him and deleted all the photos and videos he had recorded while reporting. Penkar was detained for nearly four hours. In the assault, he sustained injuries on his nose, shoulder, back and ankle.… Kumar ordered the personnel to take Penkar inside as well. “Isko bhi dekh lenge,” Kumar said – we will show him also.…Read more
BJP MLA, His Son Barge into UP Police Station, Walk Away With Man Arrested for Eve-teasing
In an incident that has left the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh red faced, especially at a time when it is emphasising on women’s safety and security in the state in the wake of Hathras rape case, a party MLA and his son allegedly took away a man accused of eve-teasing from police custody on Saturday. A video of the ruckus created by the BJP MLA and his son and supporters is now being widely circulated on social media platforms. BJP MLA Lokendra Pratap Singh and his son reportedly reached Mohammadi Police Station in Lakhimpur post midnight along with scores of supporters and created a ruckus over the arrest of a worker in an eve-teasing case.…Read more
Announcement
Indian American Groups Protest Government Coverup of Dalit Rape and Murder in India’s Hathras
Communal Harmony
Sir Syed: A symbol of communal harmony
News
India criticized by UN human rights chief for stifling freedoms
Muslim Cop Suspended for Sporting Beard in Baghpat District of Uttar Pradesh
The Caravan staffer assaulted by Delhi Police ACP inside Model Town station
Don’t Cross Line, You’re Not a Prosecuting Agency: HC to Zee News
‘Persecution Has Become Norm’: Kashmir Times Editor Anuradha Bhasin On Office Sealing
BJP Candidate from Jaunpur’s Malhani ‘Caught’ Distributing Money in Viral Photo Ahead of UP Bypolls
BJP activist arrested for duping people by promising Assam govt jobs
Court orders FIR against Kangana Ranaut, her sister for allegedly trying to create communal tensions
Dalit lawyer killed over ‘anti-Brahmin’ posts in Gujarat: SIT
BJP MLA, His Son Barge into UP Police Station, Walk Away With Man Arrested for Eve-teasing
Opinion
Hate is poisoning Indian society – and many refuse to see it – By Rana Ayyub
Bollywood has finally spoken, because Modi selfies aren’t really helping – By Rachel John
The Judiciary Faces A Crisis Of Character – By Ranjit Singh
RSS’ next target, Mathura – By A.G. Noorani
Book Review
