‘What’s happening in Canada?’: clashes between Hindus and Sikhs spark fears of growing divisions


Misinformation drives tensions in Ontario’s south Asian community amid rise of Hindu nationalism


Olivia Bowden in Brampton

THE GUARDIAN

Sun 17 Nov 2024 

The Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in the Canadian city of Brampton lies beside a busy road in a suburb where many homes are still strung with lights left over from Diwali. Standing over the parking lot, a 17-meter-tall statue of the monkey god Lord Hanuman gazes out over the traffic as worshippers come and go.

A couple of minutes down the road, the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar Sikh temple sits near a strip mall with sari shops, Indian restaurants and other businesses indicative of the city’s large south Asian population.


Save for a few security guards at the Hindu temple, it would be hard to tell that this quiet residential neighbourhood was recently the site of violent clashes between Sikh activists and nationalist counterprotesters.

The confrontation drew condemnation from the city’s mayor, the premier of Ontario and Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau – and also from India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, who described the incident as an attack on the Hindu temple.

View image in fullscreenThe Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton, Ontario. Photograph: Nick Lachance/Toronto Star/Getty Images

So far, local police have made five arrests and say more may come.

But as the dust settles, members of the local community say they fear further violence between Sikh separatist activists and Modi supporters, some of whom espouse Hindu nationalist ideologies.

Videos of the overnight clashes on 3 November show men throwing bricks, kicking cars and striking each other with sticks or flagpoles – including some flying the Indian tricolour and others the bright yellow emblem adopted by advocates of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan.

The protests were prompted by a visit to the temple by Indian government officials who have been holding consular sessions at places of worship across Ontario, including Sikh temples.

The 4 November visit came at a moment of high tension, soon after Canadian police and Trudeau’s government alleged that Modi’s government had orchestrated a campaign of violence and intimidation against Sikh activists in exile.

Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who helped organize the demonstration, said the protest was specifically against the Indian government, not the Hindu religion, and that he had liaised with police to ensure it would not disrupt worship.


Gosal was a close associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another SFJ leader and Khalistan advocate whose 2023 assassination Canadian officials have linked to Indian diplomats and consular staff.

The Khalistan movement is banned in India, where officials describe Sikh separatists as “terrorists” and a threat to national security.

View image in fullscreenSikh demonstrators outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on 25 September 2023, after the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

 Photograph: Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images

Gosal claimed that it was pro-Modi counterprotesters who instigated the violence, alleging that one of them had looked him in the face and told him in Hindi: “We’re going to kill you.”

“I went forward to him and said, ‘Look, I’m sorry you feel that way.’ But before I could say anything they moved up and punched [me],” he said.

Peel regional police have since charged Gosal with assault with a weapon; he accepts he has been charged and has not yet entered a plea.

The clashes escalated and later that night crowds waving Indian flags blocked traffic outside the temple. Video posted online shows a man with a megaphone drawing cheers from the group as he called for the Indian army to “storm” Sikh temples in Canada, which he says are “promoting terrorism”.

Peel police confirmed the man had been charged with public incitement of hatred.

Jaskaran Sandhu, a board member of the World Sikh Organization advocacy group, said such scenes were unprecedented in Canada, home to the largest Sikh population outside India.
This type of Hindu nationalist rhetoric is very normal in India, but not in Canada. That’s very disturbingJaskaran Sandhu of the World Sikh Organization


“This type of Hindu nationalist rhetoric is very normal in India, where minorities are targeted in this manner, but not in Canada. That’s very disturbing,” he said.

Sandhu said that the unrest did not reflect tensions between Sikhs and Hindus, who have historically lived alongside each other in Brampton.

“What’s different here is you have violent, pro-India, Hindu nationalist actors in this country,” he said.

Paritosh Kumar, an adjunct assistant professor of political science at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, said Hindu nationalists around the world have been emboldened by Modi’s government – and that this has become an increasing concern in Canada.

But he also said the ideology was attractive to some members of the diaspora who encountered racism in western countries.

Kumar said academics in Canada have previously been harassed after denouncing Hindu nationalism, but the recent violence marked a serious escalation.

“That seems like a very dangerous transition that is taking place,” he said.

Modi’s framing of the protest as an attack on a Hindu temple by Sikhs may also further inflame the situation, he said.

“It’s a trend that will probably manifest in more street violence,” Kumar said.
View image in fullscreenA Sikh protester holds up an effigy of the Indian prime minister outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 18 October. Photograph: Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters

That worries Chinnaiah Jangam, an associate professor of history at Ottawa’s Carleton University who focuses on Dalit peoples, considered the lowest rung of India’s caste system.


Jangam is a practicing Hindu and identifies as Dalit. After the protests in Brampton, relatives in India called him to see if he was safe – an indication of how successful Modi’s supporters had been in casting the protests as an attack on Hindus.

“They are playing into this idea of victimhood. It’s a false narrative … and this is a part of a larger narrative to discredit [the Canadian government],” Jangam said.

Brampton city councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor said misinformation published in the Indian media or shared on WhatsApp had framed the unrest as a violent attack on the Hindu temple, fanning fear and hatred in both Canada and India.

“It’s sad to see it happening here in our city. And then to pitch it as the Sikh community versus the Hindu community – it’s just a gross injustice,” he said.

Roopnauth Sharma, the pandit at the Ram Mandir Hindu temple in the nearby city of Mississauga, said the unrest in Brampton did not reflect any broader sectarian tensions.

“This is not a Hindu-Sikh issue … It is a group of people who have a certain opinion, and they’re allowed to [express it],” he said.

Sharma, who is also the president of the Hindu Federation, said he had been working with local officials to create restrictions on demonstrations near places of worship.

“We want to make sure people still have the right to protest … but we want to make sure there’s a safe distance,” he said.

View image in fullscreenPandit Vasudev Joshi at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton, Ontario. 

Photograph: Nick Lachance/Toronto Star/Getty Images

Leaders of the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple did not respond to a request for comment, but Vasudev Joshi, a pandit at the temple, told the Toronto Star that the protest should have been held outside the Indian consulate.

Such sentiments were echoed by political leaders: Brampton’s mayor, Patrick Brown, pushed for a bylaw that would ban protests at places of worship, while Trudeau said last week that acts of violence at the temple were “unacceptable”.

But Sandhu said such statements miss the point. “Our leaders are so quick to speak about mob violence … but have chosen to be absolutely silent on this India violence directed at the Canadian Sikh community,” he said.

“Are the visuals not enough for you to realize what’s happening in Canada?”

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism

For these Hindu Americans, a pivot from the Democratic Party was long overdue

(RNS) — In the Trump coalition, they see a burgeoning multiracial religious right that has ample space for Hindu Americans.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens as Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a campaign rally at Thomas & Mack Center, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Richa Karmarkar
November 12, 2024

(RNS) — Days after Donald Trump’s sweeping presidential win, reactions around the country ranged from surprise and sadness to, in Texan Burt Thakur’s case, relief.

“What a moment,” he told RNS. “The biggest comeback in political history, I would say, for any world leader in modern times.”

A Republican congressional hopeful who ran in Frisco, Texas, under the slogan “one nation under God, not one nation under government,” Thakur — a former Navy sailor, nuclear power plant worker and immigrant from India — has much in common with the average faith-based Trump voter. Though Thakur lost his March primary in northeast Texas, “arguably the most evangelical part” of the state, Thakur said he had “never felt more welcomed” than when he campaigned as a conservative in his district

For so long, says Thakur, Hindu Americans had to wait their turn to enter the political space as anything other than a Democrat. But now, with openly Hindu Republican figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard and even Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Vice President-elect JD Vance, Thakur sees a burgeoning multiracial religious right that has ample space for Hindu Americans.

“If we want to build a bridge, if we want the Vivek Ramaswamys of the world to get into office, if we want our voice heard, these groups are waiting for us,” said Thakur, who added he has often been “one of the only brown faces in the room” at Republican-led events. “We just have to show up.”

Political observers have noted the uptick in Trump-supporting Americans from various ethnic and immigrant backgrounds, especially Latinos and Asians, as the marker of a changing America. The Democratic Party has too often relied on the support of Indian Americans, says author Avatans Kumar, who, like many in his immigrant cohort, initially leaned to the left.

“Indians, Hindus specifically, are very deeply religious people,” said Kumar, who moved to Chicago for a Ph.D. in linguistics in 1994. “And progressivism is not alien to us. It comes to us because we are Hindus — very progressive, liberal minded. But there’s a limit to it. So I think we may have, you know, broke that limit for many of us.”

Notions of DEI, Critical Race Theory and affirmative action led Kumar to question the state of the meritocracy he once valued in his chosen country. For him, the breaking point came, as it did for many Hindus, in 2023 with a senate bill in California. Bill 403, supported by many Democrats, would have codified caste as a protected category under existing anti-discrimination laws. Governor Gavin Newsom ultimately vetoed the bill after fierce opposition from prominent Hindu advocates who argued it misrepresented the Hindu faith as intrinsically caste-based.

RELATED: As caste bill meets defeat, Hindu Americans on both sides make their voices heard

Trump’s “America First” views, where ideology is more important than identity, greatly appealed to Kumar.

“I don’t think identity should be a big factor,” he said. “You are who you are, and our dharma tells us to be loyal to our nation, the country where we live. You know, we made this country home, and we will be very loyal. But also, India is our spiritual homeland, that’s the connection we have.”

In a pre-election 2020 survey, 72% of registered Indian American voters said they planned to support Biden, a share that fell to 61% percent for Kamala Harris in the month before the 2024 election — while Trump support went from 22% to 32%, according to the Indian American Attitudes Survey conducted before both elections.

President Joe Biden’s administration of “mostly activist ideologues,” said Kumar, did little to support a diplomatic relationship with India. In contrast with liberals’ criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule, and the occasionally violent Hindu nationalism of his Bharatiya Janata Party, Trump has instead publicly shown his great appreciation and admiration for the leader of the world’s largest democracy.

“We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left,” posted Trump on Diwali. “Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi.”

The majority of Indian Americans either approve of or have no opinion on Modi’s performance as prime minister, and most value a strong partnership between India and the U.S., according to a 2023 survey by Pew Research Center.

But Trump’s foreign policy is only a small piece of the puzzle, according to D.C. native Akshar Patel. Increased inflation and pathways to legal immigration, the latter of which is especially relevant to the majority-immigrant population with a decadeslong backlog for citizenship, were the issues strong enough to sway otherwise progressive-minded Hindus like himself into a Trump vote.

“Diversity, tolerance, pluralism, things like that: those are Hindu ideals,” said Patel, who in 2018 founded the independent news outlet The Emissary, which discusses Indian and American history and politics. “On the flip side, though, ideas around God, family and natural patriotism, you could say those are also Hindu values.”

But Patel warns against characterizing the multi-religious coalition as a “pan-Republican phenomenon,” instead calling it a distinctly “Trumpian” one. He noted the backlash over Harmeet Dhillon, a practicing Sikh, reciting a prayer to Waheguru (the Sikh name for God) at the Republican National Convention, with some calling it “blasphemous” and “anti-Christian.”

“I think that is a real part of the Republican Party, which I guess Hindus need to be cognizant of, and keep one eyebrow up,” Patel said.

Srilekha Reddy Palle, a board member of the nonpartisan American Hindu Coalition, has been a vocal supporter of Trump throughout the 2024 campaign season. Some of her colleagues were “instrumental,” she said, in getting Trump to mention the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh in his October X post. “Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America,” added the post.

But her support for Trump goes beyond “superficial” identity-based lines, says Palle, who ran for county supervisor in her home state of Virginia in 2019. “I just want us to be at a point where anyone can stand on the stage,” she said, noting how in local elections in her state candidates still feel a need to emphasize their Christian faith.

“That kind of thing should go away from America,” she added. “That’s what I call religious freedom. Religious tolerance alone is not religious freedom. It just means that you practice whatever you want, but you should be agnostic when it comes to running, when you come into the public eye.”

On either side of the American political spectrum, many Hindus like Reddy feel pride in the influx of Indians in lawmaking positions, like the six Congress members elected just this cycle, or Hindus like Ramaswamy, Gabbard and Kash Patel — who are all expected to have a role in Trump’s government.

The goal for AHC, she says, is to move the community away from opening wallets and photo ops, and towards getting more like-minded people into leadership positions.

For Indu Viswanathan, director of education for the Hindu University of America, “there’s nothing more Hindu than viewpoint diversity,” or the ability to empathize and understand other perspectives, including those of her more right-leaning colleagues. The former public school teacher says too many in the Indian American community, among the wealthiest and most educated ethnic group in the nation, live in their enclaves and are not exposed to the reality of mainstream America.

“This is where the culture wars, and a lot of social justice has done us a disservice, because in the name of being inclusive, it’s actually created a lot of more isolating categorization of people,” she said. “It’s really easy to get fired up, and it’s really easy to feel like you’re drowning.”

But Viswanathan sees Trump, with his felony convictions, as “not at all aligned with dharmic values,” and is especially cautious of the alignments some Hindus are making with an increasingly nationalist form of Christianity in a nation that has historically misrepresented or even denigrated ritualistic forms of the religion.

“Your everyday American is actually really open minded,” she said. “So we don’t need to make ourselves fit in that way. We can actually be really authentic in our representations and expressions and understandings of the world. Don’t try to dilute or make your sort of experience of Hinduism digestible to others,” she said.

“The more diversity of expression that we see, not just in politicians, but in media and entertainment, in all of these different spaces, the richer our country is, the richer the representation of Hinduism is. And I think we’re all better off for it.”

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism

 INDIA

How Hindu Festivals Are Being Abused to Spark Violence and Hate

Ram Puniyani | 05 Nov 2024

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

Two recent books chart the intensity and increase in communal violence and hatred since 2014, particularly during religious yatras.

File photo of violence in Bihar Sharif during Ram Navami in 2023.

Communal violence has been the bane of Indian society with increasing intensity. While in the pre-colonial era, it was an occasional ethnic strife, from the period of British rule, it started to become a regularly occurring phenomenon. The communal historiography, looking at history through the prism of religion of the ruler, introduced by the British, was the solid base of the emergence of narratives that formed the ground for various communal streams, Muslim and Hindu.

These streams devised their own mechanisms to create a ‘social common sense’ and instigate violence in the communities, based on religion. While this phenomenon has seen an exponential rise during the past three decades, scholars, journalists, activist-researchers have made serious efforts to understand the newer mechanism to communalise the majority community and also the newer ways of initiating violence.

A dogged journalist, Kunal Purohit, in a path-breaking book, H-Pop- Inside the Secretive World of Hindutva Popstars, brings to our notice how popular culture is being shaped by songs that are spreading hatred against the heroes of the national movement, such as Gandhi, Nehru, in particular, and against Muslims. He warns us that Hindutva pop stars are adding intense hatred, particularly in the North Indian scenario.

Another important book is Weaponization of Hindu Festivals, by Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade (Pharos Media). Both these activists-researchers are part of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, by legendary Asghar Ali Engineer. This centre has constantly been monitoring and studying the nature and intensity of communal violence.

In the wake of the violence being orchestrated around Hindu festivals, particularly Ram Navami, the author duo has focused on the mechanism as to how festival celebrations have been made intimidatory and aggressive to the Muslim community, mostly leading to violence and polarisation.

As far Hindu festivals and their celebrations are concerned, from centuries they have assumed a sort of culturally integrating character. The major example of this is that most Hindu festivals were celebrated not only in the Mughal courts but were also jointly celebrated with Muslims. I do recall the Ram Navami procession in my childhood was a time to be joyous and go around the city in a procession in a festive mood.

This book is based on an in-depth inquiry into the violence instigated by religious processions as a part of celebrations of festivals, Ram Navami in particular in 2022-2023. It seriously analyses the incidents following the inquiry by the teams in which they participated. The violence covered in the book relates to Howrah and Hooghly (2023), Sambahji Nagar (2023), Vadodara (2023), Biharsharif and Sasaram 2023, Khargone (2022), Himmat Nagar and Khambat (2022) and Lohardagga (2022).

This book is relevant, as its observations can be of great help in preventing this violence by ensuring that the pattern which is coming into being should be prevented for maintaining peace among communities.

Irfan Engineer, in the introduction, points out, “Even a small Group of Hindu nationalists masquerading as ‘religious procession’ could insist on passing through minority inhabited area and provoke some youth using political and abusive slogans and playing violent songs and music, hoping that a reaction, a stone would be thrown at them. The state would do the rest by arresting a large number of members of a minority and demolishing their homes and properties within days without any judicial procedure.” (Page 24)

What needs to be understood for prevention (of violence) is that most of the time these processions, which are well armed; deliberately decide to pass through Muslim majority areas, with loud music and provocative and abusive slogans. It has become a pattern that someone will climb over the mosque and replace the green flag with saffron flag and the crowds down below dance and applaud.

Such a phenomenon has seen a boost particularly after 2014 with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government coming to power at Centre. The Khargone incident is very revealing in this regard. A minster of the Madhya Pradesh government said stones were thrown on the procession, which came from Muslim households, so these households are to be turned into stones. Now these hooligans and organisers of such programmes feel that ‘it is their government’ as the popular phrase says, “Sainya Bhaye Kotwal to dar Kahe ka” (If your husband is chief police officer, why be afraid of anything).

In addition to Ram Navami, other local religious yatras (processions), Ganga Aarti, (prayer for river Ganges), satsangs (religious meetings) and other religious programmes are being started with similar goals. The example of Kanwad Yatras (the holy pilgrimage to collect Ganges water and to be offered to Lord Shiva) is another example where the participants become aggressive.

To add salt to the injury, the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand government (both BJP-ruled) issued orders that all stalls and eateries on the path of the Kanwad Yatra should display the name of the owner on the boards so that the Kanwadiyas (participants in the pilgrimage) can avoid those owned by Muslims. Fortunately, the Supreme Court put a stay on the orders.

Such violence is intensifying the prevailing fear in the Muslim community. It is deepening polarisation and aggravating the atmosphere of fear. Festivals, times to enjoy and celebrate, are being used to instil fear and violence. The book is very relevant as it calls upon the State to take measures by anticipating the moves of communal organisations planning such processions. Carrying arms and use of loud music with songs abusive to the minority communities have to be stopped by administration. This is very much within the law, as we have laws to punish those spreading hatred. The use of DJs can be prohibited. The State has a crucial role to play in preventing this ghastly rise in denigrating religious festivals.

A proper inquiry and suitable punishment to culprits is a must in addition to compensating the victims. Finally, we need to start community programmes for unity and amity, through cultural programmes and popularisation of films and videos promoting harmony. In the foreword to the book, Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasises that we need to reach the messages of Mahatma Gandhi time and over again to bring sanity to our society. This is so pertinent and crucial in present times. 

The writer is a human rights activist, who taught at IIT Bombay. The views are personal.

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism

Canada alleges Indian minister Amit Shah behind plot to target Sikh separatists

Kanishka Singh
Tue, October 29, 2024 

India's newly appointed Home Minister Amit Shah greets the media upon his arrival at the home ministry in New Delhi

By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - The Canadian government alleged on Tuesday that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a close ally of Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was behind the plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.

The Indian government has dismissed Canada's prior accusations as baseless, denying any involvement.

The Washington Post newspaper first reported that Canadian officials alleged Shah was behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists in Canada.



Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison said to a parliamentary panel on Tuesday that he told the U.S.-based newspaper that Shah was behind the plots.

"The journalist called me and asked if it (Shah) was that person. I confirmed it was that person," Morrison told the committee, without providing further details or evidence. The High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Indian foreign ministry had no immediate comment.

India has called Sikh separatists "terrorists" and threats to its security. Sikh separatists demand an independent homeland known as Khalistan to be carved out of India. An insurgency in India during the 1980s and 1990s killed tens of thousands.

That period included the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that left thousands dead following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards after she ordered security forces to storm the holiest Sikh temple to flush out Sikh separatists.

Canada in mid-October expelled Indian diplomats, linking them to the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India also ordered the expulsion of Canadian diplomats.

The Canadian case is not the only instance of India's alleged targeting of Sikh separatists on foreign soil.

Washington has charged a former Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, for allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen and Indian critic in New York City.

The FBI warned against such a retaliation aimed at a U.S. resident. India has said little publicly since announcing in November 2023 it would formally investigate the U.S. allegations.

The accusations have tested Washington and Ottawa's relations with India, often viewed by the West as a counterbalance to China.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)

Top India Minister Authorized Murder Plots in Canada, Official Alleges

Brian Platt
Tue, October 29, 2024

BLOOMBERG



(Bloomberg) -- Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah authorized a wave of violence across Canada that included extortion and homicides, said a senior Canadian government official.

David Morrison, Canada’s deputy foreign minister, told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that he had confirmed the identity of Shah in a newspaper report earlier this month.

The Washington Post reported that Canadian security agencies had collected evidence that “a senior official in India” had “authorized the intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists” in Canada. The story went on to say that a Canadian source identified Shah as being the Indian official in question.

“The journalist called me and asked me if it was that person,” Morrison said. “I confirmed it was that person.”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday didn’t immediately respond to the allegations against Shah. It’s previously dismissed Canada’s accusations that India’s government was involved in the alleged attacks against Sikh activists, calling them “baseless.”

Morrison was appearing at the committee alongside other Canadian police and government officials about the escalation of a diplomatic dispute two weeks ago. Canada ejected India’s high commissioner and five other diplomats from the country, and India then responded with a similar action.

A year earlier, India expelled 41 Canadian diplomats after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible” allegations that Narendra Modi’s government helped orchestrate the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. But instead of the matter ending there, Canadian officials allege India continued a violent campaign against activists in Canada.



The US has also charged an Indian national and an Indian government employee with attempting to kill a Sikh activist on American soil. Modi’s government launched an internal probe of the allegations that concluded rogue agents were behind the plot, Bloomberg News has reported.

Shah is a close ally of Modi for more than three decades and is considered a possible successor to the prime minister. He has a controversial past, though, and previously faced charges in 2001 of running an extortion racket and ordering three murders while an official in Gujarat state. He denied the allegations at the time, and a court eventually threw out the case in 2014 after Modi came to power.

Evidence Presented

Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau’s national security adviser, told the parliamentary committee Tuesday that she had personally attended a meeting where evidence was presented connecting Indian agents and diplomats to the crime wave in Canada.



Drouin flew to Singapore for an Oct. 12 meeting with her Indian counterpart, during which both sides agreed to keep the matter quiet while they worked on addressing it, she said.

“Instead, the government of India chose to not respect our agreement and go public the next day, Sunday, Oct. 13, and use again their false narrative that Canada has not shown any evidence,” Drouin said during testimony to a Canadian parliamentary committee.

In response, Canadian police held an extraordinary news conference the following day to outline their evidence, and the government announced it was ejecting six Indian diplomats — including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma.

Drouin said Canadian officials also decided at that point to brief international media on the evidence Canada held, selecting the Washington Post.

In Singapore, Canadian officials provided evidence that Indian government agents in Canada had been collecting information on certain Canadians, primarily Sikh activists, and then passing that information to an organized crime outfit to carry out extortion, assassination plots and killings, she said.

“Given how alarming the evidence was, we knew we had to act and act quickly,” Drouin testified. “We needed the agents of the government of India to stop their illegal activities in Canada, and sought a collaborative approach with Indian officials.”

Drouin said Canadian officials gave multiple options to India on how to proceed, including Canada’s preferred option of India publicly opening an investigation into the matter, similar to the approach India has taken with the US assassination case.

But she said India quickly made it clear they weren’t interested in that course of action.


“By going public, the government of India clearly signaled that they were not going to be accountable or take the necessary actions we needed to ensure public safety,” Drouin said.

Drouin ended her testimony by stressing that Canada did not act lightly, and does not want to ruin its relationship with India especially in the broader context of having to counteract China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Canada remains open to cooperation with India, but we need to have a meaningful engagement from India on our grounded and serious concerns,” she said.

--With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Swati Gupta.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Member of Modi's inner circle behind Canadian criminal plot, official says
Mounties have alleged India is involved in widespread crimes in Canada, including murder and intimidation

CBC
Tue, October 29, 2024 

Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau

A senior official in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is alleged to have authorized a campaign to intimidate or kill Canadians, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison told MPs Tuesday.

Morrison joined other senior officials testifying before MPs on the public safety and national security committee. MPs on the committee are asking questions about the RCMP's shocking claim two weeks ago that agents of the Indian government were complicit in widespread crimes in Canada, including murder, extortion and intimidation.

Conservative MP Raquel Dancho, the party's public safety critic, led off the hearing with questions about information the Canadian government shared with the Washington Post.

The newspaper reported that Canadian officials identified Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah as one of the senior officials who authorized intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists in Canada.

"The journalists called me and asked me if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person," Morrison said.

Shah has been described as India's "second most powerful man" and is one of Modi's closest confidants.

Before Tuesday, Canadian officials would only state on the record that the plot could be traced back to the "highest levels of the Indian government."

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme also testified Tuesday. He has said police evidence shows Indian diplomats and consular staff collected information for the Indian government, which was used to issue instructions to criminal organizations to carry out acts of violence in Canada.

He said the Mounties also have assembled evidence of credible and imminent threats to members of the South Asian community, specifically members of the pro-Khalistan movement seeking a separate homeland for Sikhs.

On Thanksgiving Monday, the federal government announced it had expelled six Indian diplomats — including the high commissioner, India's chief envoy to Canada. India has denied the accusations and swiftly retaliated by kicking Canadian diplomats out of its territory.

Commissioner Mike Duheme tells Power & Politics that RCMP allegations about acts of violence and extortion in Canada link to the upper echelons of India's government, and provides an update on police progress against threats to public safety.

WATCH | 'Strong evidence' links 'highest levels' of Indian government to violence: RCMP

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Duheme said police have warned 13 Canadians since September 2023 that they could be targets of harassment or threats by Indian agents. Police say some of those individuals have received multiple threats.

Duheme told CBC he believes those people are safer since the Indian diplomats were expelled.

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism

Kashmir Votes to Challenge Modi’s Grip

KASHMIR IS INDIA'S GAZA

By Sajad Hameed, Qazi Shibli

October 25, 2024

Source: Jacobin

Image by Sajad Hameed, Jacobin

Previously arrested several times for “anti-India” activities, twenty-three-year-old Ikhlas Amin Bhat, a resident of Anantnag, campaigned for an independent candidate in Kashmir’s first legislative assembly election in ten years. “My family has always boycotted polls, but this time, we showed up, driven by the hope for real change in the region. We have pinned our faith on Indian democracy,” he said, sharing photos from the campaign trail.

He was among the many voters and campaigns that dealt a blow to Delhi through the election of a national assembly with a near majority for the center-left and regionalist Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC).

Ikhlas’s participation in these elections is symbolic of a broader shift in Kashmiri political engagement. The late 1980s witnessed the rise of an armed insurgency in Kashmir, with thousands of young Kashmiris taking up arms against Indian rule. This insurgency sparked decades of repression, during which human rights violations became the norm.

Things only got worse after the election of Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2019, the Indian government unilaterally abrogated constitutional safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir, revoking the region’s limited autonomy (Article 370 of India’s Constitution), provoking widespread outrage. This drastic action was followed by a severe crackdown: thousands of additional troops were deployed; hundreds of local politicians, lawyers, traders, and journalists were imprisoned; and the region was subjected to the longest internet blackout ever recorded, lasting over eighteen months.

Human Rights Watch, in reference to the post-abrogation situation in Jammu and Kashmir, stated that Indian authorities have been “restricting free expression, peaceful assembly, and other basic rights” following the revocation of the region’s special autonomous status. In a 2022 statement, the organization noted, “The government’s repressive policies and failure to investigate and prosecute alleged security force abuses have increased insecurity among Kashmiris.”
What’s Rightfully Ours

These human rights challenges have framed the backdrop of the 2024 elections, marking the first time in years that Kashmiris have had the opportunity to express their grievances and aspirations through the ballot.

The 2014 elections resulted in a coalition government that collapsed in June 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support. For the past five years, the region has been under direct federal rule, stripped of local representation. Following the directives of India’s Supreme Court, the 2024 assembly elections mark the first opportunity for the people to reclaim their voice and express their grievances since the abrogation of its special status.

“We voted with the hope of ushering in real change and a brighter future,” Ikhlas told Jacobin. “Despite a history of violence and boycotts due to distrust in the electoral process, this year’s elections saw a high voter turnout — exceeding 60 percent. Many residents, including those in Anantnag, a town once known for its boycotts and separatist protests, expressed a renewed belief in electoral politics.”

The substantial voter turnout exceeding 60 percent signifies not only a shift in political engagement but also a collective yearning for stability and local representation. Voter engagement in areas like Anantnag, which have historically boycotted elections, could either lead to reconciliation or further deepen existing divides.

Modi, India’s prime minister, hailed the voter turnout as a sign of progress, stating, “For the first time, voting was held without the fear of terrorism. The huge participation is proof of Naya [New] Kashmir.” The BJP credits this enthusiasm to improved security and its policies, while many Kashmiris simply see it as an opportunity to finally be heard.

For Vanessa Chishti, a professor at O. P. Jindal Global University in India, voter participation in the elections reflects a complex interplay of sociopolitical dynamics. “In the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370, the Modi government has implemented a series of policies aimed at consolidating control over the region, often stifling dissent and marginalizing local voices. The electoral process, therefore, represents a critical avenue through which the people of Kashmir seek to reclaim their agency and make their voices heard,” she remarked.

“This election holds particular significance for us because it symbolizes our fight to reclaim our special status and what we believe is rightfully ours,” said Khurshid, an unemployed postgraduate voter from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, reflecting the sentiments of many Kashmiris who feel disenfranchised.
The Election Results

Shopian, one of the four districts down in the south of the Kashmir valley, formerly a hotbed of militancy, saw turnout increase 7 points, to 57 percent, compared to 2014. A significant number of people, primarily women, came out to express their concerns about the government’s reduced rice allotment, a policy change that has been in effect since January 2023.

“Rice is the staple food of Kashmir, and the government previously provided up to fifteen kilograms per person each month. However, under the Indian government, this allotment has been reduced to just five kilograms. We are suffering due to the scarce rice supply. The insufficient allotment forces locals to purchase rice at exorbitant prices. This has severely impacted us economically, with most of our earnings now going toward buying food,” said Zaina Begum, a local resident.

The austerity has been compounded by a poor underlying economy. A recent employment report tells much of the story: educated youth unemployment stood at 21.8 percent in 2005, while in 2022, the rate has grown to 34.8 percent.

It’s no surprise that for many Kashmiris economic struggles are a driving force behind their participation in the elections. While the issues that resonate with the public range from economic to young undertrials imprisoned for several years and fundamental governance concerns, the BJP centred its electoral campaign on the “peace” it claims to have restored in Kashmir since 2019. The party fielded nineteen candidates for the assembly segments in the valley; however, eighteen of them lost their deposits, receiving less than one-sixth of the total votes cast in their respective segments.

The JKNC, one of the most vocal regional opponents of the August 5, 2019, decision, has made a remarkable comeback by winning forty-two out of ninety seats — its best performance in nearly three decades. In its manifesto, the party not only criticized the abrogation of the region’s special status but also promised to advocate for its restoration and to call for the revocation of several draconian laws. The BJP failed to win any seats in the Kashmir division, while in the predominately Hindu Jammu region it won twenty-nine seats.

Tanvir Sadiq, a senior leader of JKNC who won the elections in Srinagar’s Zadibal assembly seat, stated that their party’s victory, which campaigned on a manifesto denouncing the BJP’s actions, represents a clear rejection of the government’s narrative. “The people of Kashmir have realized that to speak their heart out through the ballot is much better. The last five years have been damaging and this vote is a vent out for Kashmiris who have felt unheard since the abrogation of Article 370,” said Sadiq.
A Pivotal Moment

Sadiq noted the enthusiastic participation of young voters, signaling a shift in Kashmir’s youth political engagement. As Sadiq articulates, the younger generation has come to understand that voicing opinions on social media alone is insufficient; real change demands tangible action.

This sentiment is echoed by Chishti. “People have pursued all other avenues, including militancy and protests,” she explains. “There is fatigue of decades, and there has been a lot of bloodshed and loss. Kashmir is now seeking a constructive avenue for change, and the electoral process represents that hope. From political rights to governance challenges, the public, through their vote, is calling for immediate redressal of a myriad of concerns that have long been neglected.”

One of the most significant developments in this electoral cycle was the active participation of various separatist leaders and factions, historically advocating for either independence from India or a merger with Pakistan. Notably, Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the most hard-line political groups in the valley that had previously called for a boycott of the polls, fielded several candidates.

The BJP has characterized the involvement of separatist leaders in the electoral process as a “remarkable” achievement. Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav commented, “The participation of the Jamaat, which has historically boycotted elections, alongside a significant number of independent candidates — many of whom are well-known leaders — demonstrates that the people of this troubled region are eager to break free from the confines of outdated political narratives.”

Chishti asserts that the BJP is poised to capitalize on the participation of separatist forces in the electoral process, leveraging this development for both domestic and international narratives. “Right-wing Hindu nationalist parties have historically exploited the Kashmir issue to further their agenda, framing it as a cornerstone of national identity since independence. The recent involvement of separatist groups marks a significant shift, and the BJP will undoubtedly portray it as a validation of its policies.”

She suggests that the 2024 assembly elections in Kashmir signal a pivotal moment for the region, marked by significant voter engagement and the unprecedented participation of separatist factions. As the people of Kashmir strive to reclaim their agency through the electoral process, the implications of this shift extend beyond the immediate political landscape.

The path forward is challenging, as a centrally appointed governor will retain significant power, with the police and several other departments remaining outside the control of the local government. “Most people, including I, voted in protest. If the newly elected representatives fail to address pressing concerns like unemployment and civil liberties, disillusionment could once again lead Kashmir toward unrest,” said Omana Muzaffar, twenty-one, while watching a victory procession for the National Conference.


Related Posts

Why the Far Right Rules Modi’s India
Achin Vanaik -- March 25, 2024
Electoral Setbacks for BJP Won’t Unseat Hindu Fascism in India
Azeezah Kanji -- June 07, 2024
India’s Dalits and Muslims Can Work Together Against Modi
Nicolas Jaoul -- July 29, 2024
The Economic Fallout of India under Modi and the BJP
Paramjit Singh -- June 03, 2024
Modi Could Squander an Unprecedented Chance at Normalizing India-Pakistan Ties
Salman Rafi Sheikh -- April 26, 2024


Sajad Hameed is an India-based visual journalist covering human rights, politics, and technology in South Asia.

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism

 

RSS enters its centenary: A saga of uninterrupted fascist assault on modern India

By Dipankar Bhattacharya

Published 18 October, 2024

The RSS has now entered its pre-centenary year. The 99th Vijayadashami or foundation day address of RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat gives us some broad idea as to how the RSS is approaching its centenary. We must however always remember that the RSS remains a conspiratorial organisation at its core and in its essential operational mode and the ideological proclamations and public utterances only give us an outline. But given that the RSS now operates from an unprecedented position of power, it can afford to reveal a lot more, especially if we view the RSS as the coordinating centre or the bridge between the Modi government and the agenda and action of the wider Sangh brigade.

Hindu consolidation remains the central theme of the RSS and to achieve this goal it simultaneously plays the twin cards of victimhood as well as pride and power. Bhagwat talks about international developments selectively and twists them to suit his narrative of aggressive Islam and endangered Hindus. The year-long genocide of Palestinian children and women becomes an Israel-Hamas conflict and the popular upheaval in Bangladesh a violent coup bringing Islamic fundamentalist forces to power. In the same breath he talks about the growing danger of Bangladeshi infiltration and resultant population imbalance in India. This can only raise logical questions that Bhagwat will however never bother to answer.

The only source of authentic demographic data is the decadal census and the Modi government has been careful to avoid the 2021 census to keep the WhatsApp university rumour mills actively churning out fake population figures and projections. If there is infiltration happening across the border in the Modi era, the responsibility lies squarely with the Modi government which has the power and duty to guard the country's borders. And if Islamic fundamentalists are ruling in Bangladesh and the Hindu community there finds itself increasingly endangered, India should expect an influx of Bangladeshi Hindus and not Muslims. Anybody familiar with the Sanghi vocabulary would know that Hindus are described as refugees and the word 'infiltrator' is reserved exclusively for Bangladeshi Muslims. Yet the RSS continues to invoke the bogey of Bangladeshi infiltration to intimidate and mislead the common people of India.

Mohan Bhagwat would like us to believe that India has made great advances on all fronts during the Modi era even as almost all comparative global indices show India in a declining, if not alarming, situation. The Global Hunger Index has once again placed India in the 'serious' category in the global map of hunger, occupying the 105th rank among 127 countries, behind Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In Bhagwat's eyes, protest movements within India are all disturbances and obstacles. He has in fact described whole regions of India, 'Punjab, Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh on the north-western border of the country; Kerala, Tamil Nadu on the sea border; and the entire Purvanchal from Bihar to Manipur' as disturbed. Characterising a region as 'disturbed' has often been the first step towards complete suspension of democracy and brazen violation of human rights. Bhagwat tells us that attempts to disturb and destabilise the country are gaining momentum from all directions.

Just as every dictator has a problem with dissent, the RSS has a problem with every identity and idea that challenges it or that the RSS has failed to appropriate in spite of all attempts. Unlike the period of Golwalkar, Bhagwat cannot possibly openly call for a Unitary State and Presidential system. But he believes that the RSS can dictate terms to regulate identities and the competitive nature of parliamentary democracy. He repeats his 2023 address to blame 'wokeism' and 'cultural Marxism' for creating 'artificial identities' and importing foreign ideas alien to what he calls India's cultural tradition and national interests. In Bhagwat's ideal India there will be no room for a dissenter like Gauri Lankesh, Stan Swamy, GN Saibaba or Umar Khalid - there will be no room for any 'alternative politics' which means every vision of social transformation, comprehensive justice and effective equality will be snuffed out.

Bhagwat says even gods do not protect the weak. In other words, attacks on minorities and marginalised groups are now sanctified as a divine duty. Assault on the weak, bulldozing of diversity, delegitimisation of dissent and conflation of majority with the nation - Bhagwat's 99th RSS anniversary address hardly seeks to camouflage this blueprint of a fascist order. Of course, while unveiling the centenary expedition of the RSS, Bhagwat is keenly aware of the impending Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. We are therefore reminded that the centenary of the RSS coincides with the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilya Bai of the House of Holkar of the Maratha Confederacy known for her campaign of temple construction, the 150th birth anniversary year of Birsa Munda, stripped in the Sangh narrative of his anti-colonial history and the current context of the indigenous people's resistance against corporate plunder, and the centenary of the Satsang set up by Anukulchandra in Deoghar.

The organisation that had openly rejected the Constitution of independent India at the time of its adoption today sets the terms of the Republic's future as we observe the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. This is the biggest calamity that Ambedkar had prophetically warned us about and the Republic and its people must summon all their innate strength and courage to overcome this calamity.

Dipankar Bhattacharya is General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Hinduism Is Fascism 

INDIA

Goa: Protests Erupt as RSS Leader’s Remarks on St. Francis Xavier Spark Outrage

Sabrang India | 08 Oct 2024

• 
  
• 
  

Provocative statements threaten the harmony of Goa’s diverse communities, igniting protests, demands for accountability and arrest; Church condemns the hurtful statement made by former RSS chief, raises calls for peace.

Image: THE GOAN NETWORK

Over the past few days, Goa has witnessed escalating tensions following provocative remarks made by Subhash Velingkar, a former chief of the state’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) branch. The uproar was in response to Velingkar’s call for a “DNA test” on the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the revered patron saint of Goa. Velingkar’s uncalled remarks sparked widespread outrage among the Christian community and beyond over the past three days. His comments not only provoked protests across various regions but also led to police action, including multiple complaints and an FIR filed against him for “outraging religious feelings.” As protesters took to the streets in Goa, calling for his arrest, political leaders from various opposition parties joined the fray, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately stoking communal tensions in the state.

Amid this turmoil, local authorities have stepped up efforts to apprehend Velingkar, who is currently reported to be evading capture. Demonstrators from the Christian community, along with political leaders from opposition parties, gathered outside police stations in places like Margao, Panaji, Old Goa, Canacona, Anjuna, and Ponda, demanding Velingkar’s immediate arrest. Protesters voiced their outrage over his call for a “DNA test” on the saint’s relics, which they deemed as deeply disrespectful and an attempt to incite communal discord. They organised marches, blocked roads, and sang hymns in solidarity, emphasising the need for Velingkar to face legal consequences for his remarks.

As tensions continue to rise, the demands of the protestors centre around issues of  accountability and arrest of Velingkar, the protection of religious sentiments, and a reaffirmation of Goa’s longstanding tradition of coexistence among diverse communities. As communities rally for justice and accountability, calls for peace and restraint by the Church have also emerged, underscoring the delicate balance that must be maintained in a region known for its diversity and harmony.

Protests across Goa

1. Panaji: Members of the Christian community from Taleigao, Caranzalem, Panaji, St. Cruz, and Merces marched to the Panaji Police Station on Sunday morning, demanding Velingkar’s arrest. They sang hymns and prayed outside the station, expressing their outrage over his statements. As per the report of The Goan, protesters also gathered at the Panaji police station to submit a memorandum demanding action against Velingkar.

2. Margao: In Margao’s old market area, a heavy police presence was deployed to prevent road blockages. Tensions surged late Saturday night when police used batons to disperse protesters, resulting in several injuries. A local youth, who was not part of the protest, reported being assaulted during the lathi charge while returning home from work. Police cane-charged a group of protesters and detained five individuals who had blocked a national highway, demanding Velingkar’s arrest. The protests led to clashes, with some demonstrators being injured.

3. Vagator: In Vagator, locals blocked the Vagator-Anjuna road, burning tires and other materials in their demand for Velingkar’s arrest. The situation turned violent when a photographer was reportedly assaulted by police during the protests in Margao, where many demonstrators were detained.

4. Valpoi: In Valpoi, dozens marched to the police station, insisting that protests would continue until the government takes action against Velingkar. Local political leaders and citizens expressed outrage, and a large crowd of over 100 protesters gathered outside the Valpoi police station. They submitted a memorandum to Police Inspector Videsh Shirodkar, demanding immediate action against Velingkar. Fr. Robert Fernandes from the Valpoi Church emphasised that Velingkar’s remarks not only hurt the Catholic community but also disturbed the overall peaceful atmosphere in the region.

Brief background of the statement made by Subhash Velingkar

Subhash Velingkar, a figure infamous for his previously inflammatory remarks, has ignited controversy once more with his recent comments about St. Francis Xavier, a highly revered figure in Goan Christian history. His recent assertion that the “DNA” of St. Francis Xavier has negatively impacted Goan society can not only be characterised as provocative but also indicative of a dangerous attempt to undermine the peaceful coexistence of various religious communities in Goa. Such divisive language threatens the very essence of Goa, a state celebrated for its harmonious integration of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians who have coexisted for centuries.

Velingkar’s remarks are part of a broader pattern of incendiary statements aimed at offending religious sentiments, particularly those of the Christian community in Goa. In 2022, former Goa minister Francisco Mickky Pacheco had lodged a police complaint against Subhash Velingkar for giving an offensive speech wherein Velingkar had stated that “St Francis Xavier should not be revered as the patron saint of Goa, as he was involved in atrocities during the inquisition, and Lord Parshuram was the real “Goencho Saib” (patron saint of Goa).” Even then his remarks had led to widespreak protests and condemnation.

His ongoing targeting of this group with intentional and bigoted comments raises significant concerns. This is not only an affront to the Christian community but also an insult to the enduring unity that characterises Goan society. His latest statement regarding St. Francis Xavier, whose impact on Goan culture and heritage is indisputable, exemplifies the perilous nature of his rhetoric.

Response by Goa Chief minister Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has appealed for calm, assuring the public that the law will take its course. He reiterated that similar action would be applied to Velingkar as was done in the case of Father Bolmax Pereira, a priest previously arrested for allegedly making provocative remarks.

Notably, amidst these protests, the Bicholim police issued a notice for Velingkar to appear for questioning. His residence in Panaji was searched late night of October 4, but the accused was reportedly not found. As per media reports, significant police force has been deployed in these areas to ensure law and order is maintained.

Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao criticised Chief Minister Sawant, asserting that he would be held responsible for any unrest arising from Velingkar’s remarks. Alemao demanded that the Chief Minister either arrest Velingkar or take responsibility for any law-and-order issues that may arise.

As per The Goan, Churchill emphasised that the sentiments of all who venerate St. Francis Xavier, including Christians and Hindus, have been hurt by Velingkar’s statements. He further added that Velingkar has made numerous controversial statements that have upset the public, insisting that the agitation would continue until the government takes appropriate action against him.

Calls for peace by Church

In a statement released on the evening of October 5, Fr. Savio Fernandes, executive secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), condemned the “insulting and derogatory” remarks made by Subhash Velingkar. The Goan Catholic Community expressed deep concern over Velingkar’s comments, which they believe have offended not only Catholics but also many individuals from other faiths who honor St. Francis Xavier.

The CSJP, a social work arm of the Goa Church, urged protesters to exercise restraint to maintain peace and communal harmony. The statement emphasised, “Velingkar’s statements have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of not only Catholics but also of many others who have received numerous favours in their lives after praying to the saint.” They called on government authorities to take strict action against Velingkar for attempting to disrupt communal harmony by intentionally pitting one community against another.

Fr. Fernandes also highlighted pressing issues facing Goa, such as environmental concerns and demographic changes, which require immediate attention from authorities. He urged citizens to focus on these significant matters rather than being sidetracked by Velingkar’s remarks.

Following the above statement, protests in South Goa’s Margao were called off on October 6. This decision came amid appeals from Church representatives and activists to exercise restraint and uphold peace.

Opposition leaders mobilise against Velingkar

Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and several other parties lodged police complaints against Subhash Velingkar and participated in the agitation.  As per the report of The Goan, the protests across Goa were significantly fuelled by a complaint filed by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Cruz Silva, who accused Velingkar of attempting to drive a wedge between the two major communities in Goa with his remarks. Silva called for legal action against Velingkar, asserting that the derogatory comments were inflammatory and detrimental to communal harmony. His statements played a crucial role in mobilising public sentiment against Velingkar, prompting protests across various regions in Goa.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately inciting communal tensions in Goa due to Velingkar’s remarks about St. Francis Xavier, the state’s patron saint. In a post on X, Gandhi stated, “Goa’s appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people. Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack.”

Gandhi further noted, “Across India, similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels.” He criticised the BJP’s strategy in Goa, asserting that it seeks to divide the populace while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and ignoring environmental regulations—an assault on Goa’s natural and social heritage. He concluded, “BJP’s attempts will not go unchallenged. The people of Goa and all of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united.”

Action taken against Velingkar so far

On the night of October 4, the Bicholim police in North Goa police booked Velingkar for “outraging religious feelings and insulting religious beliefs” due to his “maligning speech against St. Francis Xavier.” It is crucial to be noted that Velingkar had also filed for pre-arrest bail after evading two notices by Bicholim police to appear for investigation.

In a statement on October 6, the Goa Police announced that multiple raids had been conducted across Goa and Maharashtra to locate Velingkar, who is currently “absconding.”

Additionally, police registered FIRs against protesters for obstructing the national highway within the Fatorda police station jurisdiction in Margao. The FIR reported that over 500 individuals formed an “unlawful assembly,” blocking National Highway 66 and impeding vehicular traffic and the public’s movement. The report also stated that the protesters assaulted a motorcycle rider and other commuters, using “criminal force against police personnel by pelting stones” while they were performing their lawful duties at the Old Market circle.

Courtesy: sabrang India

Hinduism Is Fascism