Muslim teacher suspended over allegations of banning tilak at school

A school in far-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor, has suspended a Muslim teacher, Ayesha Parveen, over allegations that she allegedly prevented students from wearing the tilak, a mark worn by Hindus on their forehead, at school. 

The teacher refused the allegations, saying she had never done anything she had been accused of, in her teaching career spanning 30 years.

Muslim lawmaker Imran Pratapgarhi called the incident a “conspiracy against Muslims.”

Hindu militant groups flaunt swords at rally, distribute sharp tridents to hundreds

In Rajsamand, Rajasthan, Hindu militant groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal distributed sharp-edged tridents among hundreds of Hindus, urging them to use it to fight against “love jihad.” In Siwan, Bihar, a rally organized by the Bajrang Dal featured brandishing of swords by its members.

The growing weaponization of violent Hindu supremacists is a cause of concern for the minority Muslim community, who are being threatened with mass slaughter by Hindu extremist groups.

Hindu paramilitary group RSS members sentenced to life over murder of Muslim leader

A court in Kerala’s Kasaragod sentenced four Hindu men associated with the violent Hindu paramilitary group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to life imprisonment for the murder of a 56-year-old Muslim leader in April 2008.

The victim, C.M. Mohammed Kunhi, was the mosque committee president in the region. He was on his way to prayers when the four Hindu supremacist men ambushed him. Two of them restrained his arms while the other two fatally stabbed him. Mohammed died on the spot. His son, Shihab, who was walking a few steps behind, witnessed the murder. 

BJP candidate delivers anti-Muslim hate speech in Jammu and Kashmir

In Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, far-right BJP candidate Gajay Singh Rana, contesting the state legislative elections, delivered a hate speech against Muslims. In Sangli, Maharashtra, BJP lawmaker Nitesh Rane delivered a dangerous speech against Muslims and fear mongered against the Muslim population. He also claimed that the region had many illegal mosques and shrines. “I will take a bulldozer myself and make sure a single Muslim shanty does not remain there,” he threatened. 

In Churu, Rajasthan, religious preacher Mahant Sri Mahvir delivered threatened violence and economic boycott against Muslims. In Tripura, a Hindu militant leader demonized Christians and Muslims. He promoted bogus conspiracy of “love jihad” and the population growth of minorities.