Should India become a Hindu Rashtra?

[CricketCartoons]

I didn't say they have the right to block the roads. I said police should have handled it in a civil way. Pretty sure the police isn't even authorized to kick proven criminals.

More policemen die in the line of duty than the army. You have no idea what the policemen have to face.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Seriously police force are said to be public servants. But the behavior of Indian police suggests that they are the ruler.

Did you outrage over palghar lynching?

 

[anikrc1]

More policemen die in the line of duty than the army. You have no idea what the policemen have to face.

Simple question really, show me any directive from the courts or may be from their work manual which authorize them to kick someone, how many of them die or not is immaterial to the discussion.

 

[anikrc1]

Did you outrage over palghar lynching?

Hearing about them first time.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Simple question really, show me any directive from the courts or may be from their work manual which authorize them to kick someone, how many of them die or not is immaterial to the discussion.

If you don't show any outrage for cops dying in the line of duty, then you should stay silent when they kick someone who is breaking the rules.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Hearing about them first time.

Not surprised. Selective amnesia is real.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Under Modi's dictatorship, this is how India has become. I think all minorities should leave India now. It is only a home for Hindus.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766040048091447403

This is probably long term Modi thinking. They gave visas to non-Muslim Pakistanis, in this way they are creating room in Pakistan to send the laggard Indian Muslims who refused to join Pakistan first time round.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So police can kick someone ? If he wanted to remove them he could have talked it out with them. What gives him the right to kick someone?

They should be grateful they were not booked under sections for creating nuisance at a public place.

He was removing people blocking a major road. He has every right to use force to remove such blockade.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Simple question really, show me any directive from the courts or may be from their work manual which authorize them to kick someone, how many of them die or not is immaterial to the discussion.

Use for mild force to evict encroachment is justified and isn't abuse of power.

 

[CricketCartoons]

This is probably long term Modi thinking. They gave visas to non-Muslim Pakistanis, in this way they are creating room in Pakistan to send the laggard Indian Muslims who refused to join Pakistan first time round.

Which visas were given to the minorities from pakistan? tourist, student, business or something else?

 

[CricketCartoons]

Use for mild force to evict encroachment is justified and isn't abuse of power.

A hindu boys brain was blown out by the police in bihar for taking part in a procession, but the outrage is for a muslim being kicked for breaking the rules.

Doesn't matter who is in the government, the ecosystem clearly belongs to them.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Which visas were given to the minorities from pakistan? tourist, student, business or something else?

My apologies, I assumed they were given visas, if not then perhaps refugee status? Regardless, it doesn't change the logic. It would be what you might call Partition 2.0, a community swap for the laggards who missed out first time round.

 

[anikrc1]

Use for mild force to evict encroachment is justified and isn't abuse of power.

Given that the officer got suspended it seems like at least on first look even Delhi police thought what he did was abuse of power.

 

[CricketCartoons]

My apologies, I assumed they were given visas, if not then perhaps refugee status? Regardless, it doesn't change the logic. It would be what you might call Partition 2.0, a community swap for the laggards who missed out first time round.

Pakistani minorities who came to india were given refugee status and that means partition 2.0? Wouldn't any country give refugess status to such people? But instead of seeing them as minorities, you see them as just non muslim pakistanis, which doesn't convey the correct picture.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Given that the officer got suspended it seems like at least on first look even Delhi police thought what he did was abuse of power.

Or it can mean that the police did this to appease the mob. The police have to deal with a tough life. When they die in the line of duty, there are ingrates living off govt subsidy, who don't bat an eye for them.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistani minorities who came to india were given refugee status and that means partition 2.0? Wouldn't any country give refugess status to such people? But instead of seeing them as minorities, you see them as just non muslim pakistanis, which doesn't convey the correct picture.

Pakistani minorities were invited to India as refugees. This in a country where the space is already so tight that minorities over there are forced to pray on roads where they get kicked by overweight cops. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, I am just looking where it could be heading.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Pakistani minorities were invited to India as refugees. This in a country where the space is already so tight that minorities over there are forced to pray on roads where they get kicked by overweight cops. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, I am just looking where it could be heading.

Any evidence that Pakistani minorities were invited as refugees? First you said that they were given Visa, now you say they were given invitation. Can you be more specific about the invitation part?

Hindu majority boy got its brain blown away for taking part in a procession by the police, but the outrage is for the police kicking a muslim who was blocking the road. Means all rights belong to muslims. Hindus are sub humans are deserve what they get.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Any evidence that Pakistani minorities were invited as refugees? First you said that they were given Visa, now you say they were given invitation. Can you be more specific about the invitation part?

Hindu majority boy got its brain blown away for taking part in a procession by the police, but the outrage is for the police kicking a muslim who was blocking the road. Means all rights belong to muslims. Hindus are sub humans are deserve what they get.

India's parliament has passed a bill which offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries.
The bill provides citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), says this will give sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution.
Critics say the bill is part of a BJP agenda to marginalise Muslims.

CAA: India's new citizenship law explained

Critics say the new citizenship law is part of a government plan to marginalise Muslims - a charge it denies.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[CricketCartoons]

India's parliament has passed a bill which offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries.
The bill provides citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), says this will give sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution.
Critics say the bill is part of a BJP agenda to marginalise Muslims.

CAA: India's new citizenship law explained

Critics say the new citizenship law is part of a government plan to marginalise Muslims - a charge it denies.

www.bbc.co.uk

This bill was for those refugees ALREADY living in India. So please show the invitation which was sent to Pakistani minorities?

 

[CricketCartoons]

India's parliament has passed a bill which offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries.
The bill provides citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), says this will give sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution.
Critics say the bill is part of a BJP agenda to marginalise Muslims.

CAA: India's new citizenship law explained

Critics say the new citizenship law is part of a government plan to marginalise Muslims - a charge it denies.

www.bbc.co.uk

If say Canada gives citizenship to a Pakistani christian refugee, does it mean it marginalizes the muslims in canada?

How can a pro minority bill be termed anti muslim?

And read the details of the bill: The CAA amends the Indian citizenship act to provide accelerated pathway for citizenship for illegal migrants who are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and who entered India before 2014, following the religious persecutions.

Means those minorities who had ALREADY entered India before 2014. So where is the invitation sent to pakistani minorities?

How is helping minorities become anti muslim?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This bill was for those refugees ALREADY living in India. So please show the invitation which was sent to Pakistani minorities?

How were they already living in India? Did they just saunter across the border unannounced?

 

[CricketCartoons]

How were they already living in India? Did they just saunter across the border unannounced?

How do illegal immigrants enter any country?

But show the invitation that was sent to those minorities to come as illegal immigrants.

You should accept that you are victim of disinformation and dont have the details, but thought your assumptions are the truth.

Any country makes laws for illegals residing there since long. Some send them back. Some take more humanitarian approach.

If Canada decides to give citizenship to some pakistani christian refugees living there already, does it mean it is marginalizing the muslims in Canada? I mean how does this logic even work. I really want to understand where you are coming from.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Will you support if 500 hindus go and block roads to gyanwapi temple as everyone has the right to block roads?

They should be kicked too.

A nice kick to the backside of any miscreants hiding behind religion is the way forward.

These Indian Muslim sometimes cause nuisance and then cry afterwards. Either they should man up and be ready to kick the police officers back or they should stay quiet and obey the laws.

Hindus are lucky that the police is mainly from their ranks so they get away with mischief but the Muslims should know better by now.

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Maharashtra government will rename eight Mumbai railway stations that have British-era names. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday.

The eight railway stations set to be renamed in Mumbai are:

1. Mumbai Central to be named after philanthropist Jagannath Shankar Seth.
2. Curry Road to be renamed Lalbagh.
3. Sandhurst Road will become Dongri.
4. Marine Lines to be named Mumba Devi.
5. Charni Road to become Girgaon.
6. Cotton Green to be known as Black Chowki.
7. Kings Circle might soon be called Tirthankara Parshvanath.
8. Dockyard Road will be renamed Mazgaon.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale has announced that the Maharashtra government has approved his proposal to rename eight railway stations in Mumbai. The MP representing Mumbai South-Central constituency said that the proposal will now be sent to the Centre for approval.

Historian Bharat Gothoskar has pointed out that not all of the proposed railway stations have colonial origins. One station, in particular, derives its name from a Marathi term meaning “grazing land”. He revealed that some stations, like Charni Road and Marine Lines, have local significance and despite public demand, he argued against changing the names.

In another recent development, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved the purchase of 2.5 acres of land in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, signalling the construction of a Maharashtra Bhavan. Secondly, the Ahmednagar district is set to be renamed Ahilya Nagar. The cabinet has also given the green light for the construction of a sea link between Uttan (Bhayander) and Virar (Palghar).

8 Mumbai Railway Stations To Be Renamed: See Full List

The Maharashtra government willrenameeight Mumbai local railway stations that have British-era names.The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday.

www.ndtv.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

I don't think it is the right move to change the historical names of the stations.

 

[Hitman]

The Maharashtra government will rename eight Mumbai railway stations that have British-era names. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday.

The eight railway stations set to be renamed in Mumbai are:

1. Mumbai Central to be named after philanthropist Jagannath Shankar Seth.
2. Curry Road to be renamed Lalbagh.
3. Sandhurst Road will become Dongri.
4. Marine Lines to be named Mumba Devi.
5. Charni Road to become Girgaon.
6. Cotton Green to be known as Black Chowki.
7. Kings Circle might soon be called Tirthankara Parshvanath.
8. Dockyard Road will be renamed Mazgaon.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale has announced that the Maharashtra government has approved his proposal to rename eight railway stations in Mumbai. The MP representing Mumbai South-Central constituency said that the proposal will now be sent to the Centre for approval.

Historian Bharat Gothoskar has pointed out that not all of the proposed railway stations have colonial origins. One station, in particular, derives its name from a Marathi term meaning “grazing land”. He revealed that some stations, like Charni Road and Marine Lines, have local significance and despite public demand, he argued against changing the names.

In another recent development, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved the purchase of 2.5 acres of land in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, signalling the construction of a Maharashtra Bhavan. Secondly, the Ahmednagar district is set to be renamed Ahilya Nagar. The cabinet has also given the green light for the construction of a sea link between Uttan (Bhayander) and Virar (Palghar).

8 Mumbai Railway Stations To Be Renamed: See Full List

The Maharashtra government willrenameeight Mumbai local railway stations that have British-era names.The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday.

www.ndtv.com

Good! No glorification of any of the looting invaders should be allowed in our country, including the chor British Empire.

 

[Red-Indian]

I don't think it is the right move to change the historical names of the stations.

Who cares really? I used to rage for a long time against name change from Bombay to Mumbai and keep insisting on calling it by the name I grew up with but eventually came to accept that a name is only a name. Unless it's extremely sentimental and tied up with some important local historical person/event, how does it matter?

One good thing I suppose is that the Maharashtra government has gotten over it's obsession of naming everything after Shivaji or his family. Even these names are well chosen and represent the local area except maybe a couple which are a nod to some community. Like Kings Circle - I went to college nearby and I'd forgotten the Jain Parsvnath mandir in the area. I don't think i've ever been and I doubt it's well know outside the Jain community.

 

[big_gamer007]

The answer to the OP question will depend on when framework of “Hindu Rashtra” is drafted.
Only then one can be informed enough to answer yes or no.

For now no one even knows what being a “Hindu Rashtra” would mean or change.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Got to give the BJP credit here, they have every right to rename the stations if they feel the need to cast off British Empire.

Pakistan is going the other way. They decided that one of Lahore's busiest food locales should be henceforth referred to as "Food Street". I kid you not.

Watch the PSL and you see that one of the premier new housing developments is called "Parkview City".

This is the country which boasted names like Anarkali Bazaar and Shalimar Bagh. I think the Establishment are out of touch with the population, with Parkview City at least the developers will be paying for it, but what sort of sponsorship would be paying for Food Street?

 

[Hitman]

Got to give the BJP credit here, they have every right to rename the stations if they feel the need to cast off British Empire.

Pakistan is going the other way. They decided that one of Lahore's busiest food locales should be henceforth referred to as "Food Street". I kid you not.

Watch the PSL and you see that one of the premier new housing developments is called "Parkview City".

This is the country which boasted names like Anarkali Bazaar and Shalimar Bagh. I think the Establishment are out of touch with the population, with Parkview City at least the developers will be paying for it, but what sort of sponsorship would be paying for Food Street?

Being a 'British', you have a lot of knowledge on Pakistan and what's going on there.

 

[Stewie]

Got to give the BJP credit here, they have every right to rename the stations if they feel the need to cast off British Empire.

Pakistan is going the other way. They decided that one of Lahore's busiest food locales should be henceforth referred to as "Food Street". I kid you not.

Watch the PSL and you see that one of the premier new housing developments is called "Parkview City".

This is the country which boasted names like Anarkali Bazaar and Shalimar Bagh. I think the Establishment are out of touch with the population, with Parkview City at least the developers will be paying for it, but what sort of sponsorship would be paying for Food Street?

Most Pakistanis use english words in common speech. This is not indicative of a problem as long as we think independently. Simply using urdu words and names does not mean anything.
There were a number of cities named after British officers or lords and we changed them a long time ago. Montgomery, Lylepur, etc. India just got around to it now.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Being a 'British', you have a lot of knowledge on Pakistan and what's going on there.

I have family there, while it still feels like a foreign country, I do know my way around. The bonus for me is, that visiting Pakistan cricket sites like this one has enabled me to learn so much more about India. I wonder how that happened?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Most Pakistanis use english words in common speech. This is not indicative of a problem as long as we think independently. Simply using urdu words and names does not mean anything.
There were a number of cities named after British officers or lords and we changed them a long time ago. Montgomery, Lylepur, etc. India just got around to it now.

Yes I can concur that Pakistan got rid of the British names decades ago, Bharat got round to it eventually, perhaps inspired by Pakistan's swaggering confident attitude. But seems to be going the other way these days, Pakistanis don't even watch cricket with the same enthusiasm as they used to, just look at the pathetic turn outs in Karachi for the PSL.

 

[rickroll]

Yes I can concur that Pakistan got rid of the British names decades ago, Bharat got round to it eventually, perhaps inspired by Pakistan's swaggering confident attitude. But seems to be going the other way these days, Pakistanis don't even watch cricket with the same enthusiasm as they used to, just look at the pathetic turn outs in Karachi for the PSL.

Well, Pakistanis as people have always been physically and mentally stronger than the Indians.

 

[Hitman]

I have family there, while it still feels like a foreign country, I do know my way around. The bonus for me is, that visiting Pakistan cricket sites like this one has enabled me to learn so much more about India. I wonder how that happened?

In other words, you have a British passport and Pakistani genes.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What does Pakistan have to do here? India becoming a Hindu rastra is related to Pakistan how? Pakistan has nothing to do with this India turning into hindu rastra or not. Yeah, people might link it as it is a Muslim country so they would think about muslim-factor in India as well, but in reality, India is responsible for its own deeds and Pakistan is responsible for its own. Get out of this comparison stuff and talk about the real topic here.

 

[daytrader]

I think it should turn into a Hindu Rashtra. This way future generations will disown it and call it the dark days of India. Self immolation on the horizon

 

[Red-Indian]

I think it should turn into a Hindu Rashtra. This way future generations will disown it and call it the dark days of India. Self immolation on the horizon

Much as I would dislike for India to turn into a Hindu Rashtra and think it unlikely, I don't understand this statement. It would only happen if the vast majority of Indians wanted it so I'm not sure why they would disown their choice.

Pakistan more or less became an Islamic Republic either with the Objectives Resolution in 1949 or officially with the 1973 Constitution. There have been several generations since then. Hardly any seem to be disowning it or calling it the dark days of India. Despite self difficulties, I'm not sure the country has self-immolated either.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Much as I would dislike for India to turn into a Hindu Rashtra and think it unlikely, I don't understand this statement. It would only happen if the vast majority of Indians wanted it so I'm not sure why they would disown their choice.

Pakistan more or less became an Islamic Republic either with the Objectives Resolution in 1949 or officially with the 1973 Constitution. There have been several generations since then. Hardly any seem to be disowning it or calling it the dark days of India. Despite self difficulties, I'm not sure the country has self-immolated either.

Pakistanis don't want India to have even a little bit of what they have secured for themselves. You will never see pakistanis demanding secularism in their country, but will the first to complain why many indians don't want secularism for their country.

It is not hypocrisy. It is smart thinking.

 

[daytrader]

Much as I would dislike for India to turn into a Hindu Rashtra and think it unlikely, I don't understand this statement. It would only happen if the vast majority of Indians wanted it so I'm not sure why they would disown their choice.

Pakistan more or less became an Islamic Republic either with the Objectives Resolution in 1949 or officially with the 1973 Constitution. There have been several generations since then. Hardly any seem to be disowning it or calling it the dark days of India. Despite self difficulties, I'm not sure the country has self-immolated either.

India claims itself as a progressive society. I'm just hopeful that one day it actually becomes one

 

[Red-Indian]

India claims itself as a progressive society. I'm just hopeful that one day it actually becomes one

Sure I'm hopeful well. Still doesn't explain your weird statement about India heading for self immolation.

I dislike religion as a driving force for nation states but even I don't make assertions about self-immolation. I'm fully aware that a lot of countries have been successful despite being based on religion as a central principle.

Are you an atheist who believes any country based on religion cannot succeed? If so, I would refer you to Malaysia, Italy even Argentina. I admit there are more examples of countries succeeding that separate Church (/mosque/temple) and State but even so it's not impossible to succeed with a national religion

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

In other words, you have a British passport and Pakistani genes.

May I ask why is it our Indian posters are always insistent on distinguishing my Pakistani genes? I could argue they are Indian genes for that matter since my parents were small children in India when partition happened.

Not that I mind, I am just curious. Do you look on Americans as having British genes or Italian genes? Do you question whether white Brits are in fact the genetic spawn of Viking rapists from Scandinavia?

 

[FearlessRoar]

India punishes critics by revoking visas and residency permits

Vanessa Dougnac was at home in her New Delhi apartment on January 18, when she received a hand-delivered envelope that raised her spirits.

The French journalist glanced at the letterhead bearing the insignia of the Indian interior ministry’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and immediately thought this meant good news.

“Then I read the letter. It was totally the opposite. It was really, really bad news,” she counted.

Dougnac, 51, had lived in India for a quarter-century, or most of her adult life. For 23 years, she served as the India-based freelance correspondent for a number of French publications. Along the way, she covered stories across the country, married an Indian national, raised a son, and mastered the ropes in the place she came to call home.

But in India, things that were once fairly straightforward were now getting complicated – and stressful.

The official letter, delivered on January 18, informed by the veteran French journalist that her Indian residency had been revoked.

Dougnac had joined the growing list of overseas critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies being banned from India, according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

They are part of the Modi administration’s broader crackdown on Indian citizenship laws, which have snowballed in various forms. But the intent of the “ever-expanding arsenal of laws and policies” is singular: to “target and punish dissenting voices,” said Amnesty International in a statement noting the international human rights contraventions that have increased during Modi’s 10 years in power.

With the upcoming 2024 elections widely predicted to propel Modi into his next decade in power, experts warn that India’s secular democracy is being reshaped as a Hindu-first majoritarian nation intolerant to dissent and minority religious communities.

Citizenship lies at the heart of the reshaping, with the government pushing through laws and regulations on myriad fronts, upending lives and plunging dissenters into an omnipresent state of dread.

Diaspora with dollars to invest home

Dougnac was one of nearly 4 million people holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which comes as a light blue, passport-lookalike and confers on the holder visa and residency rights.

Since India does not permit dual citizenship, OCI cards are provided for the equivalent of $275 to foreign nationals of Indian origin and the spouses of Indian nationals or OCI card-holders.

The residency status is the latest iteration of a decades-long bid by successive governments to tap into the economic potential of the Indian diaspora, the largest in the world, clocking nearly 18 million in 2020, according to UN figures. It’s also among the wealthiest, with strong ties to the motherland. In 2022, for instance, India’s inward remittances hit a record of almost $108 billion, around 3% of GDP, more than in any other country.

Attracting the diaspora’s dollars without offering citizenship rights historically entails acronyms in India. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) before the 1990s gave way to PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) before the nomenclature settled on the current OCI. The latest overseas “citizen” of India is a misnomer since holders do not have voting rights or citizenship guarantees. But since the OCI privileges were an improvement on the earlier NRI and PIO categories, few made any fuss.

That was until the government began tinkering with citizenship and visa regulations after Modi was re-elected in 2019 to a second term in office.

Many acronyms, few rights

Just months after Modi's May 2019 re-election, the Indian parliament, dominated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed a controversial citizenship amendment law, which gained notoriety as the country erupted in what was commonly called “anti-CAA” ( Citizenship Amendment Act) protests.

The new law, which offers citizenship to non-Muslim migrants and refugees from neighboring countries, was widely criticized for discriminating against Muslims, an allegation of the Modi government denies.

While the anti-CAA protests drew international press coverage, the insertion of a subclause covering OCI cancellations passed largely unnoticed.

As Modi nudged past the half-way mark of his second term, the regulations got tighter. By 2021, the government required its overseas “citizens” to apply for “special permission” to “undertake” research, journalistic, missionary or mountaineering “activities”.

So on January 18, when Dougnac received a letter from the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO), she initially thought she had finally received her journalist permit, which was denied in September 2022, for no stated reason.

For the freelance journalist, the denial of a journalist permit meant a precarious dip in her income and she was eager to get back to work.

But that was not to be. The FRRO letter revoking Dougnac’s OCI instead accused her and her articles of being “malicious” and of harming “the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India”. The notice put the onus on the freelance journalist, requiring her to respond to why her OCI should not be cancelled.

Dougnac has launched a petition in the Delhi High Court, adding to the legal appeals and challenges launched by several others in a similar state. But nearly a month after she received her notification, Dougnac was forced to leave the country she had made her home for 25 years and return to France.

In a statement released February 16, the French journalist noted that it had become “clear that I cannot keep living in India and earning my livelihood. I am fighting these accusations before the competent forums and I have full faith in the legal process. But I can’t afford to wait for its outcome. The proceedings with respect to my OCI status have shattered me,” she noted.

‘Showing animus’ to governments, not country

The list of shattered lives has been increasing over the past few months, perpetuating a climate of fear among overseas Indians. An investigative report published on February 12 by Indian news site Article 14 found that more than 102 OCIs were canceled under section 7D between 2014 and 2023.

Many targeted OCI-holders prefer not to speak to the press out of fear of scuppering their appeals process and being permanently deprived of the ability to travel to a country where many have families, including aging parents and ailing loved ones.

Some high-profile cases do make the news, such as British-American writer and journalist Aatish Taseer, whose OCI was revoked in 2019, shortly after Time magazine published his excoriating cover story, “India's Divider in Chief”, on Modi's brand of Hindutva populism.

Indian authorities said Taseer’s OCI was revoked because he “attempted to conceal” the fact that his biological father was a Pakistani national. The journalist, who was brought up in India by his single mother and wrote a critically acclaimed book in 2009 on his journey to meet his father, Pakistan's former Punjab governor Salman Taseer – who was assassinated two years after his son's book was published – dismissed the claim.

The official cancellation explanations for the recent spate of OCI scraps include ill-defined criticism of “showing animus” towards India, or “attempting to destabilize the social fabric” of the country.

“In some cases, the authorities have openly cited criticism of BJP government policies as evidence to revoke the visa status,” noted Human Rights Watch, citing the case of Octogenarian British activist Amrit Wilson, whose OCI was canceled due to her social media posts on the Kashmir crisis and a 2020-2021 farmers protest movement.

Indian authorities note that governments across the world have the discretion to grant or refuse visas to their countries. It’s a point that Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, acknowledges. “Of course, every government has the right to determine who gets visas or not. But those rights cannot be based on discriminatory ideas,” she noted. “Any democracy relies on a fundamental principle of allowing dissent. That is what distinguishes it from authoritarianism. Now all dissent and all ideas may not be accepted by the state. But the fact that those opinions are put forward should not be seen immediately as something that is against the country, it is against government policies, and governments change.”

‘I miss India’​

In its attempts to ensure the government does not change after the 2024 general election, the Modi administration has been pushing through key campaign promises that are popular with the BJP’s Hindu nationalist base.

On March 11, just weeks ahead of the elections, the Indian government announced the implementation of the new citizenship law. While parliament approved the CAA in 2019, the Modi government held off on the implementation following deadly protests against a law that was widely viewed as discriminatory against Muslims.

Responding to the move, the US expressed “concern” with a State Department spokesperson noting that Washington is “closely monitoring how this act will be implemented”.

The concern was echoed by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "As we said in 2019, we are concerned that India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA) is fundamentally discriminatory in nature and in breach of India's international human rights obligations," said a spokesperson.

The Modi administration’s response to the expressions of concern was forwardright. The citizenship law was an “internal matter”, an Indian foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters in New Delhi, noting that the US State Department’s statement was “misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted”.

But Ganguly believes the changes in citizenship and residency laws warrant the attention of India’s democratic allies, particularly those measures that affect their own nationals of Indian origins. “It needs attention from foreign governments, because there is a lot of interest in the Indian market and in strategic partnerships. Those are legitimate interests. But when they want to do business with India, foreign governments need to be aware that any claims of partnerships between democracies is seriously undermined if the government is going to be so repressive on freedom of speech and in cracking down on its critics,” she noted .

As India heads for critical elections, Dougnac is in France, watching the coverage from thousands of miles away. “I covered elections in India for 20 years. Now for the first time, I will not be there to cover it. “I miss India,” she said.

While her appeal works its way through the Indian courts, the French journalist confesses she’s still in a state of shock. “Really, it’s too emotional for me,” she confessed. “I led a life filled with adventures and interactions across the subcontinent, and had the opportunity to witness over two decades of India’s history. Now I’m in France, I feel like I’m in exile in my own country.”

India punishes critics by revoking visas and residency permits

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi often draws crowds of supporters from the Indian diaspora on his foreign visits. But back home, his administration has been revoking visas and residency permits of…

www.france24.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

I think this is the first time since independence from the British Empire that India is under a dictatorship.

 

[FearlessRoar]

India court effectively bans madrasas in big state before election​

A court in India essentially banned madrasas in the country's most populous state, a move that could further distance many Muslims from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government ahead of national elections.

The Friday ruling scraps a 2004 law governing madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, saying it violates India's constitutional secularism and ordering that students be moved to conventional schools.

Reuters could not contact Rathore or determine if he is connected to any political group.

India holds a general election between April and June that Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely expected to win. Muslims and rights groups have accused some BJP members and affiliates of promoting anti-Islamic hate speech and vigilantism and demolishing Muslim-owned properties.

Modi denies religious discrimination exists in India.

The BJP says the government is undoing historical wrongs, including by recently inaugurating a Hindu temple on the site of a 16th-century mosque razed in 1992. Many Hindus believe the mosque was built where God-king Ram was born and over a temple demolished under the Mughal ruler Babur.

Rakesh Tripathi, a spokesperson for Uttar Pradesh BJP, which runs the state government, said it was not against madrasas and was concerned about the education of Muslim students.

"We are not against any madrasa but we are against discriminatory practices. We are against illegal funding, and the government will decide on further actions after going through the court's order."

Modi's office did not immediately respond to an email on Saturday seeking comment on the court ruling.

Arguing for the federal government, which was a respondent in the case, Sudhanshu Chauhan told the court that "religious education and religious instructions of a single religion cannot be included in school education and the state government has no power to create statutory education boards permitting religious education".

He said the government was not planning to revive a federal policy stopped in March 2022 that had provided funds to madrasas to teach subjects like mathematics and science.

Madrasa official Javed, national secretary of the BJP's minority wing, said that as a Muslim he is often caught between the priorities of his party and members of his community. He said he has been fielding numerous calls from fellow Muslims since Friday's order, which came during the Muslim holy month of Ramazan.

"Sometimes it becomes very difficult," he said. "I have to balance a lot because, being a Muslim, the party sends me to the community to convince them to vote for us and join the party. I am scared and I walk with personal security whenever I go to any public event or programme."

The BJP's Tripathi responded that Muslim BJP leaders had no reason to fear because their community equally benefits from various government welfare programmes.

"I am Hindu and I visit the Muslim community often and get good support from them," he said. "The fact is that the BJP and the government is very serious about education and it's doing its best."

The BJP's de facto parent organisation has been installing Muslims loyal to it in leadership positions at India's Muslim universities as part of a push to garner Muslim votes.

The Uttar Pradesh government halted a funding programme for madrasas in January, making 21,000 teachers jobless. Friday's order applies to all madrasas in the state, whether funded privately or by the government, Javed said.

The court did not give a timeline for its order, but Javed said madrasas are unlikely to be closed right away.

The northeastern state of Assam, also ruled by the BJP, has been converting hundreds of madrasas into conventional schools.

India court effectively bans madrasas before election | The Express Tribune

Friday ruling scraps 2004 law governing madrasas in UP, saying it violates India's constitutional secularism

tribune.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Islamophobia is on the rise in India.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Islamophobia is on the rise in India.

Islamophobia has been on rise in USA and UK too, among other countries. I would also like to see the rise in Hinduphobia, but we only get to see hindumisia. Phobia is when you fear, misia is when you hate. But while hate and disgust for us hindus is universal, fear from us is still something we can only aspire to.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A hindu rashtra on horizon in India​

======

Indian court effectively bans Islamic schools in most populous state ahead of major election​

The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh state scrapped a 2004 law governing madrasas in the state on Friday. The court said the law on Islamic schools violates constitutional secularism.

Judges Subhash Vidyarthi and Vivek Chaudhary said the state government will ensure that children between the ages of six to 14 years are not left without admission to duly recognised institutions.

The schools, part of Indian states with Muslim populations for decades, are centred around Islamic ways of schooling whereas other schools in India follow conventional education.

This move will dislodge 2.7 million students and around 10,000 teachers across 25,000 Islamic schools, said Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, head of the board of madrasa education in the state.

While the court did not give a timeline for its order, the madrasas are unlikely to be closed right away, he said.

Source: MSN

 

[PakLFC]

This Hindutva philosophy is that everyone in India is a Hindu even if they are not. They all believe in forced conversions to Hinduism. They also insist that Hindu's can not convert to other faiths and propagate Akhand Bharat, a final war with Muslim's and love jihad. Civil war is inevitable if Hindutva becomes the official law in India at the expense off it's current constitution.

 

[Mockingbird]

Going back to the original question of the thread, so what happens if India officially becomes a Hindu rashtra? Does that mean practically - another round of displacement? Will that mean that Pakistan will accept all the Muslims in India? What will be accomplished by forcing people to officially acknowledge it’s a Hindu nation?

 

[Romali_rotti]

They all believe in forced conversions to Hinduism.

Really?

I wasn't aware of this, can you elaborate with credible sources?

 

[PakLFC]

Why would Pak accept Indian Muslim's? We don't have the resources or the land mass required to accommodate 220 million more people. Indian Muslim's chose to stay in India after being told that they will be living in a secular country at the time of independence, why change the goal posts now?. If India now changes to a Hindu Rashtra then why should Pak pay for that?. The purpose of making India a Hindu Rashtra is oppressing it's minorities and picking fights with Pak. Lets not pretend otherwise. I am constantly told that Indian Muslim's are "proud Indian's" then stay in India whatever comes. Perhaps some other Muslim country like Saudi, UAE, Turkey, Morocco or Malaysia can give them refuge. Try knocking on their door. Let us breathe, we are already up to our eye balls in our own problems.

 

[PakLFC]

Really?

I wasn't aware of this, can you elaborate with credible sources?

Oh come on! "Jab Mullah katta jaayega toh Ram Ram chalayega!". This is showing love, humanity and compassion to you?. So to avoid the "kaata jaayega" they have to convert to Hinduism. Say the Hindutva fascists that most Muslim's must do "ghar wapsi" if they want to live in India. You know this full well.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Oh come on! "Jab Mullah katta jaayega toh Ram Ram chalayega!". This is showing love, humanity and compassion to you?. So to avoid the "kaata jaayega" they have to convert to Hinduism. Say the Hindutva fascists that most Muslim's must do "ghar wapsi" if they want to live in India. You know this full well.

I will ask you again, where in the Hindutva ideology does it say convert all non Hindus to Hinduism.

 

[PakLFC]

Indian Muslim's like the Owaisi brothers and Shah Rukh are always beating their chests about being "proud Indian's". I have never heard them claim that we are "proud Muslim's". I have no problems with that as long as they don't invite themselves to a country formed in the name of Islam by proud Muslim's. There is no problem if India wants to give Danish Kaneria citizenship either. He is toiling in the USA begging to be taken in by India just like Tarek Fateh once was. Pakistan is only for those who believe why it was formed and love it come what may.

 

[PakLFC]

I will ask you again, where in the Hindutva ideology does it say convert all non Hindus to Hinduism.

What kind of thing are you looking for? Hate speech by Hindutva fundo's is sufficient evidence.

 

[Romali_rotti]

What kind of thing are you looking for? Hate speech by Hindutva fundo's is sufficient evidence.

Ok so basically you have no proof that Hindutva ideology requires all non Hindus to be converted to Hindiusm.

I got my answer now.

 

[PakLFC]

Ok so basically you have no proof that Hindutva ideology requires all non Hindus to be converted to Hindiusm.

I got my answer now.

Do you want me to post a thousand hate speeches by the Hindutva brigade?. A million video's on "ghar wapsi"and all that by the likes of Adityanath? I don't want to do that.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Do you want me to post a thousand hate speeches by the Hindutva brigade?. A million video's on "ghar wapsi"and all that by the likes of Adityanath? I don't want to do that.

Can you post where in the Hindutva ideology it states that all non Hindus should be converted to Hinduism?

 

[PakLFC]

Can you post where in the Hindutva ideology it states that all non Hindus should be converted to Hinduism?

You are being sarcastic, right? Do you not know that Hindutva believe everyone in India is a Hindu? Ghar wapsi and such things? Surly, this is their ideology.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Can you post where in the Hindutva ideology it states that all non Hindus should be converted to Hinduism?

People cant find such references.

For Savarkar, in Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu?, Hindutva is an inclusive term of everything Indic. The three essentials of Hindutva in Savarkar's definition were the common nation (rashtra), common race (jati), and common culture or civilisation (sanskriti).Savarkar used the words "Hindu" and "Sindhu" interchangeably. Those terms were at the foundation of his Hindutva, as geographic, cultural and ethnic concepts, and "religion did not figure in his ensemble".

Even if some fringe elements force conversion to Hinduism, it doesn't represent Hindutva. Its like saying ISIS represents Islam.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Surly, this is their ideology.

Is it what it says on their ideology ?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why would Pak accept Indian Muslim's? We don't have the resources or the land mass required to accommodate 220 million more people. Indian Muslim's chose to stay in India after being told that they will be living in a secular country at the time of independence, why change the goal posts now?. If India now changes to a Hindu Rashtra then why should Pak pay for that?. The purpose of making India a Hindu Rashtra is oppressing it's minorities and picking fights with Pak. Lets not pretend otherwise. I am constantly told that Indian Muslim's are "proud Indian's" then stay in India whatever comes. Perhaps some other Muslim country like Saudi, UAE, Turkey, Morocco or Malaysia can give them refuge. Try knocking on their door. Let us breathe, we are already up to our eye balls in our own problems.

No one told Muslims in 1947 that India would be secular. That decision was left to the constituent assembly.

 

[shaz619]

What is a Hindko TuKajah

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

People cant find such references.

For Savarkar, in Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu?, Hindutva is an inclusive term of everything Indic. The three essentials of Hindutva in Savarkar's definition were the common nation (rashtra), common race (jati), and common culture or civilisation (sanskriti).Savarkar used the words "Hindu" and "Sindhu" interchangeably. Those terms were at the foundation of his Hindutva, as geographic, cultural and ethnic concepts, and "religion did not figure in his ensemble".

Even if some fringe elements force conversion to Hinduism, it doesn't represent Hindutva. Its like saying ISIS represents Islam.

Are people of India supposed to conform to those geographical and cultural concepts? How do you decide who is conforming and who isn't?

 

[IndoorCricket]

Are people of India supposed to conform to those geographical and cultural concepts? How do you decide who is conforming and who isn't?

Bharath has centuries of culture ingrained in daily symbols usage, customs and traditions. It quite obvious once you observe it. Savarkar (who is an self-described atheist) just want unity among all religions but not by abandoning the Hindu (Sindu) identity but by respecting it.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Bharath has centuries of culture ingrained in daily symbols usage, customs and traditions. It quite obvious once you observe it. Savarkar (who is an self-described atheist) just want unity among all religions but not by abandoning the Hindu (Sindu) identity but by respecting it.

I'm sure there are plenty of Bharatis who have traditional culture ingrained from centuries ago, just as there will be plenty who have abandoned older traditions and embraced modern culture from different geographical locations. How do you make people conform to one and not the other?

 

[IndoorCricket]

I'm sure there are plenty of Bharatis who have traditional culture ingrained from centuries ago, just as there will be plenty who have abandoned older traditions and embraced modern culture from different geographical locations. How do you make people conform to one and not the other?

Simple... Live and let live. Conforming is the wrong way to look at it. Its more like assimilation and not disrespecting the native and indigenous culture.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Simple... Live and let live. Conforming is the wrong way to look at it. Its more like assimilation and not disrespecting the native and indigenous culture.

Again, how do you decide who is disrespecting indiginous culture? What is the criteria?

 

[IndoorCricket]

Again, how do you decide who is disrespecting indiginous culture? What is the criteria?

First you asked who is conforming and now you ask criteria for disrespect. Do you think going to an Islamic country and spewing vile comments on Prophet Modemmed is disrespectful?

Bharath culture is also about respecting diametric views. You can criticise, scrutinise and debate these views respectfully.

 

[Mockingbird]

Why would Pak accept Indian Muslim's? We don't have the resources or the land mass required to accommodate 220 million more people. Indian Muslim's chose to stay in India after being told that they will be living in a secular country at the time of independence, why change the goal posts now?. If India now changes to a Hindu Rashtra then why should Pak pay for that?. The purpose of making India a Hindu Rashtra is oppressing it's minorities and picking fights with Pak. Lets not pretend otherwise. I am constantly told that Indian Muslim's are "proud Indian's" then stay in India whatever comes. Perhaps some other Muslim country like Saudi, UAE, Turkey, Morocco or Malaysia can give them refuge. Try knocking on their door. Let us breathe, we are already up to our eye balls in our own problems.

Then what is the point of this thread? What will be accomplished by getting people to declare that India is a Hindu rashtra? Irrespective of Hindu rashtra or not, Muslims will be a part of India just like Hindus live in the Islamic republic of Pakistan.

When India’s constitution was formed in 1947, there was no mention of secularism (it was added only later in the 1970s), yet many Muslims decided to live here. Hindu-Muslim riots have always been a reality in our society predating any BJP govt, yet Muslims continued to live here (infact I would argue that the rioting/terrorism has actually decreased in the last 15 years). That just shows that isolated incidents do not show the full picture- Muslims have as much growth opportunities as the Hindus and that will continue irrespective of the Hindu rashtra moniker.

 

[PakLFC]

Then what is the point of this thread? What will be accomplished by getting people to declare that India is a Hindu rashtra? Irrespective of Hindu rashtra or not, Muslims will be a part of India just like Hindus live in the Islamic republic of Pakistan.

When India’s constitution was formed in 1947, there was no mention of secularism (it was added only later in the 1970s), yet many Muslims decided to live here. Hindu-Muslim riots have always been a reality in our society predating any BJP govt, yet Muslims continued to live here (infact I would argue that the rioting/terrorism has actually decreased in the last 15 years). That just shows that isolated incidents do not show the full picture- Muslims have as much growth opportunities as the Hindus and that will continue irrespective of the Hindu rashtra moniker.

What do you mean asking the point of this thread? It s to encourage debate on the subject, off course. I am failing to understand what point you are trying to make if any at all?. So if India wants to become a Hindu Rashtra now then leave Pak out off it. Forget about us ever taking in your Pak-hating Muslim's. Whatever your constitution was at the time off independence your Muslim's chose India over Pak. That can not be undone.

I am seeing religious tension all over India in Punjab, IoK, Manipur, Assam and many other states. I don't know what lessening of terrorism you are talking about. Now with your elections it will increase even more so you can play the Pakistan card, as always.

 

[PakLFC]

No one told Muslims in 1947 that India would be secular. That decision was left to the constituent assembly.

Then you are still welcome to them Don't force them on us with "go to Pakistan" that I keep hearing about.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Then you are still welcome to them Don't force them on us with "go to Pakistan" that I keep hearing about.

Pakistan took a country claiming its the country for Muslims in the subcontinent.

If anyone wants to migrate to Pakistan from India, its your moral duty to take them.

 

[PakLFC]

Is it what it says on their ideology ?

Are you looking for some documentation?

 

[PakLFC]

Pakistan took a country claiming its the country for Muslims in the subcontinent.

If anyone wants to migrate to Pakistan from India, its your moral duty to take them.

No it is not. It was all decided on 1947 as to who wants to live where. We are morally obliged to take in nothing.

 

[cricketjoshila]

No it is not. It was all decided on 1947 as to who wants to live where. We are morally obliged to take in nothing.

Lol. So you take a country in the name of Muslims and then deny them entry.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Are you looking for some documentation?

Yeah sure, can you get some ?

 

[PakLFC]

Yeah sure, can you get some ?

Ideologies don't work like that. Constitutions are written in link.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Ideologies don't work like that. Constitutions are written in link.

Right..

So hypothetically speaking, if I found 1000s of Hindutva followers that follows the belief that non hindus shouldn't have to convert to Hindiusm, that would mean opposite to what you are saying about conversion to Hinduism being mandatory? As it is an ideology.