The situation intensified three days later when the boy was apprehended, his parents arrested, and their scrap shop demolished following complaints from locals.

महाराष्ट्र के मालवण में India Vs Pakistan क्रिकेट मैच के बाद कुछ लोगों पर पाकिस्तान समर्थित नारेबाज़ी के आरोप लगे, जिसके बाद दुकान पर बुलडोज़र कार्रवाई देखने को मिली। pic.twitter.com/zEsCQhYi7L

— Ashraf Hussain (@AshrafFem) February 25, 2025

Reports on the incident first surfaced in The Indian Express on Tuesday. Reportedly, the boy had been apprehended immediately after, first sent to an observation home and then released to relatives. He had been initially produced before the district Child Welfare Committee and sent to a remand home. The parents, who were produced before a local Sindhudurg court, were first sent to magistrate’s custody until adequate legal aid was obtained after which they were granted bail. Bail formalities however took some time so reportedly they were released only on Wednesday. Meanwhile their home and scrap shop had been razed to the ground, reportedly not by any official bulldozers but by vigilantes belonging to controversial organisations.

On November 13, 2024, the Supreme Court bench of Justice BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan had delivered a landmark judgment addressing the issue of illegal demolitions, a phenomenon popularised as “bulldozer justice”. The judgment, which is widely regarded as a significant in protecting fundamental rights, critiques the executive’s use of property demolition as a substitute for criminal prosecution. The judgment asserted that the executive cannot bypass judicial processes to punish an accused by demolishing property, as this oversteps executive powers and undermines the rule of law. The Court described these arbitrary demolitions as “high-handed” and deemed demolitions without the authorities following the basic principles of natural justice and acting without due process to be a “chilling sight”.

Sindhudurg SP Saurabh Kumar Agrawal told The Times of India, “The anti-national slogans led to our lodging an FIR.”

The three were booked under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 197 (imputations/assertions prejudicial to national integration, and 3 (5) (acts with common intention) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. For offences under Sections 196 ((any person who promotes enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and acts likely to prevent their maintenance) and 197 (acts likely to prejudice national integration) and 3(5) (when two or more persons have committed a criminal act in furtherance of a common purpose (under the BNS, 2023. The maximum punishment is 3 years in jail or fine or both.

Hence, based on the complaint by a VHP worker, the police acted and detained the family: a scrap metal trader, his wife, and their teenage son.  The minor was sent to a juvenile home, while his parents were initially remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. However, they were subsequently granted bail.

The Bulldozer’s fury: demolition controversy

Other reports indicated that, on February 24, it was none less than the Malvan Municipal Council, under the leadership of Chief Officer Santosh Jirge, that took a drastic step by demolishing of the family’s scrap shop claiming on the back of Sunday’s complaint that the constructions were “unauthorised” and obstructing traffic “The concerned scrap metal business had done unauthorized construction here. Moreover, this scrap metal business was also obstructing traffic in the city,” stated Jirge to the BBC Marathi.

This action, however, appeared to be influenced by Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane (brother of BJP MLA and right-wing leader Nitesh Rane), who publicly condemned the family’s alleged actions. Rane shared visuals of the demolition on X, stating, “In Malvan, a Muslim migrant scrap dealer raised anti-India slogans after the India-Pakistan match yesterday. As an action, we will definitely expel this outsider from the district, but before that, we immediately destroyed his scrap business.”

“Shiv Sena’s Nilesh Rane shared the visuals of the bulldozer action against the shop on X and stated, ‘In Malvan, a Muslim migrant scrap dealer raised anti-India slogans after the India-Pakistan match yesterday. As an action, we will definitely expel this outsider from the district, but before that, we immediately destroyed his scrap business. We thank the Malvan Municipal Council administration and the police administration for taking prompt action,'” as seen on Rane’s X account.

मालवणात एक मुसलमान परप्रांतीय भंगार व्यवसायिक यानी काल भारत पाकिस्तान मॅच नंतर भारत विरोधी घोषणा दिल्या.
कारवाई म्हणून आम्ही या परप्रांतीय हरामखोराला जिल्ह्यातून हाकलून देणारच पण त्या अगोदर तात्काळ त्याचा भंगार व्यवसाय उध्वस्त करून टाकला.
मालवण नगर परिषद प्रशासन आणि पोलीस… pic.twitter.com/LK1yDPuLa6

— Nilesh N Rane (@meNeeleshNRane) February 24, 2025

Parents of boy get bail but can’t leave state without court’s permission

In the remand application before the court, police stated that the complaint was filed by Malvan resident Sachin Varadkar, a 35-year-old labourer and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worker. Varadkar told The Indian Express that he had overheard 15-year-old boy shouting “anti-national” slogans during the India-Pakistan cricket match on February 23. Following this complaint, the boy’s parents were arrested.

However, on February 25, a local court in Malvan, granted them bail. The court rejected the police’s request for custody, placing conditions on their release, including restrictions on leaving the state without court permission, cooperation with the investigation, and weekly attendance at the local police station until the chargesheet is filed. Despite being granted bail, the couple was not released until late Wednesday as the bail formalities were still being processed, as reported The Indian Express

The absence of evidence: a case built on flimsy claims?

As per BBC Marathi report, a crucial aspect of this incident is the lack of concrete evidence supporting the allegations. Sindhudurg Superintendent of Police Saurabh Agarwal confirmed, “There is no video available regarding the anti-national slogans.” The police action was based solely on a complaint, casting doubt on the reliability of the accusations.

“Sindhudurg Superintendent of Police Saurabh Agarwal, while reacting to the matter, said, ‘An investigation is underway in this case. There is no video available regarding the anti-national slogans. We have taken this action based on a complaint from a person. We are investigating the matter,'” he stated.

Legal expert Aseem Sarode criticized the demolition, deeming it illegal and arbitrary. “Taking such action without giving any notice even if the residence is unauthorized is illegal,” said Sarode to BBC Marathi. He also raised concerns about the rise of “illegal power centres” and the dangers of “self-policing.”

While speaking to BBC Marathi, Sarode said that“Taking such action without giving any notice even if the residence is unauthorized is illegal. The second thing is why the municipality did not notice this earlier? All the procedures of giving notice and then understanding their side are written in the law. Taking such unilateral action just because some leader tells you to is very wrong. This increases the risk of an illegal power centre starting,” according to BBC Marathi.

Political fallout and community tensions

The incident triggered strong political reactions. Vinayak Raut, a leader from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, condemned the alleged anti-national slogans and questioned the role of the Maharashtra Home Department. “It is condemnable that Pakistani people come to a small town like Malvan and do business there,” said Raut.

“While interacting with the media, he said, ‘It is condemnable that Pakistani people come to a small town like Malvan and do business there. The pests who live in Malvan and raise slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ should be crushed. Who supported these Pakistani people there? Who encouraged them to do business? If Pakistani people are coming to a small town like Malvan, what is the Maharashtra Home Department doing?’” as reported BBC Marathi.

Locals organised a motorcycle rally, demanding strict action against the family. Reports circulated on social media, claiming that lawyers in Malvan would boycott the family’s case. However, Satish Kumar Dhamapurkar, president of the Malvan Taluka Bar Association, refuted these claims. “This is incorrect information. We have not taken any decision to boycott or not to take legal papers,” Dhamapurkar clarified.

The family’s residency: questions and investigations

Superintendent Agarwal confirmed that the family originally hails from Uttar Pradesh and has been residing in Sindhudurg for 20-25 years. They possess Aadhaar cards, voting cards, and PAN cards issued in Sindhudurg. “The persons against whom the case has been registered are originally from Uttar Pradesh. However, they have been residing in Sindhudurg for the last 20-25 years,” confirmed Agarwal.

“The persons against whom the case has been registered are originally from Uttar Pradesh. However, they have been residing in Sindhudurg for the last 20-25 years. Their Aadhaar card, voting card and PAN card are also from Sindhudurg. Were there any irregularities in obtaining all these documents? We are investigating this,” Agarwal stated.

Nilesh Rane, however, questioned the legitimacy of their residency and documents. “They are three brothers, where did they come from, how did they come? How did they come to Malvan 10-12 years ago, no answer has been found yet,” Rane stated in a video.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nilesh Rane FC (@nileshranesamarthak)

A town divided: unanswered questions and lingering tensions

The Malvan incident has left a community grappling with unanswered questions and lingering tensions. The absence of concrete evidence, the swift punitive action, and the involvement of non-governmental entities have raised serious concerns about the erosion of due process and the rule of law.

“No evidence surfaced on anti-India slogan and Malvan never had a history of communal tension,” reports indicated. “Doubt of whether any such slogan was raised. This is not confirmed however. Malvan never had a history of communal tension: According to a video shared by the Hindutva Watch, claims that the shop of the family raised in the presence of local right-wing leaders, they also raised the slogans against the Muslim family.

However, the Malvan incident presents a complex situation marked by rapid action and numerous unanswered questions. The swift arrest of the family, the demolition of their shop, and the lack of concrete evidence raise concerns about due process and the influence of political entities.

Was the demolition legally justified, especially without prior notice?

How did a single accusation lead to such drastic measures, and what role did political figures play in these actions?

The absence of video evidence for the alleged slogans leaves the foundation of the case in doubt. Were the family’s residency documents properly vetted, or were they used as a pretext for further action? The community’s response, including rallies and social media claims, underscores existing tensions.

Related:

Special Report: ‘They came like monkeys; they came like Nazis.’ Ambedkari Bastis in Parbhani face the traumas of police brutality

Parbhani police under scrutiny: Fact-finding report exposes allegations of brutality, illegality, and constitutional violations

Minister’s casteist remarks and tribal violence spark fury

The post A 15-year-old boy “accused”, family shop and home demolished in direct contravention of SC orders? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In the latest of such letters, Stalin writes,

“My dear sisters and brothers from other states, Ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed? Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Mundari and many more are now gasping for survival.

“The push for a monolithic Hindi identity is what kills ancient mother tongues. UP and Bihar were never just ‘Hindi heartlands.’ Their real languages are now relics of the past.

Tamil Nadu resists because we know where this ends. தமிழ் விழித்தது; தமிழினத்தின் பண்பாடு பிழைத்தது! சில மொழிகள் இந்திக்கு இடம் கொடுத்தன; இருந்த இடம் தெரியாமல் தொலைந்தன!

#தமிழ்_வாழ்க #LetterToBrethren
#StopHindiImposition #SaveIndianLanguages”

My dear sisters and brothers from other states,

Ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed? Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Mundari and… pic.twitter.com/VhkWtCDHV9

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 27, 2025

Tamil Nadu goes to the polls next year and this issue of autonomy, federalism and the Tamil language is going to dominate. Last week, in a fiery response to the union’s move on the National Education Policy (NEP), Chief Minister MK Stalin  claimed that this will push Tamil Nadu ‘backward by 2000 years.’ These moves reflect the deep-rooted resistance within the state against the Union government’s continued disregard for federalism and linguistic diversity. Stalin has further emphasised that the NEP, with its centralised approach, ignores the unique educational needs of each state and is a blatant effort to homogenise education across India.

Last week Stalin’s strong and principled opposition to the union government on the imposition of the National Education Policy (NEP) and its three language policy as also the withholding of state funds by the union also echoed on social media garnering widespread support.

This is what you call an Opposition! Bravo! @mkstalin https://t.co/am1ZuKwZvt

— Teesta Setalvad (@TeestaSetalvad) February 22, 2025

Related:

Rejecting NEP embodies Tamil Nadu’s fight for federal autonomy

The post ‘TN resists Hindi domination because we know where it ends, the extinguishing of ancient languages’: ML Stalin to DMK cadres appeared first on SabrangIndia.

However, says the statement issued by the DUJ, a pattern is clearly visible in this episode. The DUJ, along with other journalists’ bodies, has been demanding that the authorities reinstate the system of journalists’ passes. The Delhi government seems to be copying the increasingly restrictive methods being employed in Parliament to restrict coverage. The DUJ has repeatedly protested the fact that the Parliament Secretariat now issues only temporary/ sessional passes even for veteran journalists as well as those who fall into the long and distinguished journalists category.

The DUJ has also condemned the basis of the central and state accreditation policies that are discriminatory in composition, favour certain journalists, are biased against independent journalists and even target select unions and associations. These policies and practices should be reviewed.

The Delhi Union of Journalists has urged the Delhi Assembly authorities to immediately issue regular passes for all eligible journalists to cover the Assembly proceedings, in the interests of transparency.

After all, the statement adds, “the nation wants to know. “ The statement has been issued by Sujata Madhok, President, SK Pande, Vice President and Am Jigeesh, General Secretary.

Related:

Stop covering up tragedies, say NAJ-DUJ to govt

NAJ, DUJ, APWJF Welcome Bail to Journalists

Hindustan ko bolne do, says DUJ 

The post DUJ condemns denial of media entry into Delhi Assembly by BJP government appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Escalation of protests

On February 25, the protests reached a boiling point when authorities, under heavy police security and the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), initiated a land survey for the construction of a road connecting to the proposed port. Anticipating resistance, the district administration enforced prohibitory orders from 6 AM to 9 PM, preventing public gatherings. However, this move only fuelled the outrage, with schoolchildren and entire families joining the protests.

Determined to halt the survey work, hundreds of fishermen, including women and elderly members of the community, gathered at the shore in Kasarkod and staged a sit-in protest. The situation took a dramatic turn when over 50 protestors, including several women, waded into the sea, threatening mass suicide. Three women lost consciousness due to heat exhaustion and were rushed to hospitals, with one requiring critical care at Manipal Hospital.

Amidst the chaos, police detained more than a hundred protestors, including key leaders of the fishing community, accusing them of violating prohibitory orders. The arrests further enraged the demonstrators, who warned of escalating their protests unless their fellow protestors were released. In a show of solidarity, a young girl left a note threatening to jump into the sea, holding the state’s Fisheries Minister, Mankal Vaidya, accountable for the distress inflicted upon the fishing community.

1 of 5

State repression and suppression of dissent

Rather than addressing the genuine grievances of the community, the Karnataka government and district administration have reportedly resorted to heavy-handed measures to quell the protests. The imposition of prohibitory orders was a clear attempt to suppress dissent and create a hostile environment where the voices of the fishermen could be stifled. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, the state deployed a large police force to intimidate the protestors, using arbitrary arrests and excessive force to disperse the gatherings.

The police crackdown was marked by signs of brutality and disregard for basic human rights. Protestors were forcibly dragged away, shoved into police buses, and detained without proper justification. Reports indicate that some were denied access to legal aid and held in custody for extended hours without clear charges. The authorities’ decision to conduct overnight raids in search of protestors who had spoken to the media further demonstrates their intent to silence any opposition to the port project.

The betrayal by Fisheries Minister Mankal Vaidya has only deepened the outrage. Once a vocal opponent of the port under the previous BJP administration, he has now aligned himself with corporate interests, disregarding the very people he once promised to protect. His refusal to intervene meaningfully, despite multiple pleas from the fishing community, has fueled accusations of political opportunism and abandonment of his responsibilities.

Devastating impact on livelihoods

For the 6,000 families that depend on fishing as their primary source of income, the construction of the port represents an existential threat. Fishermen argue that the project will destroy crucial fishing zones, disrupt marine biodiversity, and render many of them jobless. Additionally, the planned four-lane road leading to the port has already displaced local vendors and affected small-scale businesses tied to the dried-fish industry. The community fears that further infrastructure development, including a railway line, could lead to mass displacement of around 600 families, stripping them of their ancestral lands and livelihoods.

The destruction of olive ridley turtle nesting sites is another critical concern. The coast of Kasarkod is an ecologically sensitive area, home to annual nesting of these critically endangered sea turtles. Despite documented evidence of nesting activity, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a fishermen-led petition in 2021, citing a flawed report from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), which failed to account for the nesting season. Activists argue that the government and the courts have colluded to ignore environmental regulations in favour of corporate interests.

Legal and political setbacks

Efforts to halt the port project through legal channels have met repeated setbacks. In addition to the Karnataka High Court ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) rejected a petition challenging the construction of the four-kilometer-long road on the grounds that it violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Despite mounting evidence of environmental violations, authorities continue to push ahead with the project, disregarding the legitimate concerns of the local community.

The district administration’s use of excessive force to suppress the protest has further deepened the mistrust between the government and the fishing community. Reports suggest that police conducted overnight raids in search of protestors who had spoken to the media, raising concerns about the state’s attempts to silence dissent. The deployment of heavy security forces, including riot police, to facilitate the survey indicates that the state sees its own citizens as obstacles rather than stakeholders in development.

A community’s unwavering resistance

Despite facing repeated crackdowns, legal hurdles, and betrayals by their own representatives, the fishermen of Honnavar refuse to back down. Their struggle has become emblematic of the broader fight against unchecked industrial expansion at the cost of local communities and ecological sustainability. Fishermen leaders have vowed to continue their resistance until the port project is scrapped entirely.

The protests at Kasarkod are not just about a single infrastructure project; they represent a larger battle against corporate encroachment, environmental destruction, and the marginalisation of traditional coastal communities. The state’s heavy-handed approach, marked by repression and disregard for public sentiment, has only strengthened the resolve of the protestors. As the confrontation between the fisherfolk and the government intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will acknowledge the voices of the people or continue to prioritise industrial interests at their expense.

Related:

Displaced and denied the right to fish, Muslim fishermen in Gujarat now prevented from voting

Duty of GOI to ensure that innocent fishermen are not punished: SC

TN: Samsung Workers Continue Protest, Accuse Management of Vindictive Action

The post K’taka: fisher-folk take to the sea in defiance of Honnavar port project appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In context, the Court’s decision is a part of its ongoing investigation into genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar from 2012 to 2018. Welcomed as an impartial and independent decision by international human rights organisations, this decision marks a critical moment in the long and challenging pursuit of justice for the Rohingya: This is the first time that arrest warrants have been ordered in relation to the Myanmar military’s genocide against the Rohingya in 2017.

A perusal of this order issuing arrest warrants show that they are not determinative of guilt or responsibility for these international crimes, but instead aim to summon the 25 named individuals to testify before the Court as part of its investigation. We believe these individuals will be treated in accordance with standards of international justice, including the affordance of due process and the opportunity to present evidence in their defence.

If these warrants are taken to their logical end, an impartial inquiry into justice and accountability, not only for the Rohingya but for all people of Myanmar, the Argentinian government has now been called upon to request Interpol to issue Red Notices for the 25 named individuals to initiate their extradition to Argentina.

Details of the suit under universal jurisdiction

Tomas Ojea Quintana is the human rights lawyer who served as U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar between 2008 and 2014. In this case, he has represented the Burmese Rohingya Organization U.K., which filed a case in an Argentine court in 2019 that allege genocide and crimes against humanity were committed by senior Myanmar military officials against Rohingya Muslims. An interview with him may be read here.

The arrest warrants were issued for those named in the suit including the de facto leader of the democratically-elected government, Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi was

Removed from power when the military took over the country in a 2021 coup and is reportedly under house arrest but the junta has not disclosed her exact location. Interestingly, the Argentine suit was filed under the principle of “universal jurisdiction” enshrined in Argentina’s constitution, which holds that some crimes are so heinous that alleged perpetrators thousands of miles away can be tried. The reasons why members of the now deposed civilian government are named in the suit because they were in charge of the government in 2017, and Aung San Suu Kyi defended the military’s actions in 2019 to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands. However, members of Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, made up of other leaders deposed by the coup and their allies, have requested that Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders be removed from the arrest warrant because the Rohingya could be unfairly blamed for adding a blemish to the reputation of Myanmar’s most popular political figure. But Quintana said the court decided that she and the others must be included to show that the court is impartial. 

Independent International Fact-Finding Report, 2018, UN response

A report by the United Nations in September 2018 severely indicted the Myamar military on the mass persecution of the Rohingyas. The present development therefore follows the release of a report into the circumstances surrounding the mass exodus of more than 700,000 Rohingya people from Myanmar, beginning in mid-August 2017 – events previously described by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.

The crimes committed include murder, rape, torture, sexual slavery, persecution and enslavement, according to the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, the investigators – Marzuki Darusman, Radhika Coomaraswamy and Christopher Sidoti – underlined the horrific and organised nature of the brutality meted out on civilians in Myanmar’s Rakhine state since 2011, as well as Kachin and Shan states. “The fact-finding Mission has concluded, on reasonable grounds, that the patterns of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law that it is found, amount to the gravest crime under international law,” Mr. Sidoti said.

“These have principally been committed by the military, the Tatmadaw,” he added, referring to Myanmar’s armed forces. “The Mission has concluded that criminal investigation and prosecution is warranted, focusing on the top Tatmadaw generals, in relation to the three categories of crimes under international law; genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.”

This case

According to the news available with the United Nations on this crucial matter affecting human rights, in November 2019, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK filed a petition on behalf of Rohingya victims requesting the Argentinian courts to open an investigation into the role of Myanmar’s military and civilian leaders in committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. The details are available here. Two years later, on November 2021, an investigative judge of the Federal Criminal Court of Argentina commenced investigations, and in 2022, delegated investigative powers to the Federal Prosecutor’s office. Since then, the Mechanism has been assisting and sharing evidence with the Prosecutor’s office following a request for its support. In pursuance of the matter, last year, in June 2024, the Federal Prosecutor petitioned the Federal Criminal Court to issue 25 arrest warrants for 25 suspects from the Myanmar military, security forces and civilian government.  Thereafter, on February 13, 2025, the Federal Criminal Court ordered the arrest of these suspects. The arrests aim to bring the suspects before the court for a preliminary hearing, which is part of the investigative stage. The court may then decide whether to refer any suspects to trial on specific charges.

What is universal jurisdiction?

This principle means that some crimes are so serious in nature that a national court may, depending on their laws, prosecute alleged perpetrators even if there is no connection between the crime and that country. Based on universal jurisdiction, perpetrators of serious international crimes may be prosecuted by a national court irrespective of where the crimes were committed or the nationality of the perpetrator or victim. For more information, see the OHCHR website.

How does the Mechanism support universal jurisdiction cases?

The Mechanism has a mandate to support universal jurisdiction cases that concern serious international crimes committed in Myanmar through sharing evidence and analysis with relevant investigative, prosecutorial or judicial authorities, as long as the jurisdiction in question provides basic guarantees for a fair trial that meets international standards and cannot impose the death penalty. Since 2021, the Mechanism has been an Associate Member of the European Network for investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, also known as the European Genocide Network. This enables cooperation with national investigative and prosecutorial authorities across Europe and other jurisdictions.

Related developments

Turkey: In March 2022, the Myanmar Accountability Project submitted a complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul concerning crimes committed by the military following the coup. The Turkish authorities have yet to announce any response to the complaint.

Germany: In January 2023, 16 applicants from Myanmar, supported by the non-governmental organization Fortify Rights, submitted a criminal complaint to the Federal Public Prosecutor General of Germany against senior military officials and others. The Federal Prosecutor has rejected this complaint in September 2023.

Philippines: In October 2023, five victims and their families filed a joint criminal complaint before the National Prosecution Services in the Philippines alleging the commission of certain war crimes in Chin State, Myanmar, in 2021. The Philippines authorities have yet to announce its response to the complaint.

United Kingdom: The Counter Terrorism Command of the UK Metropolitan Police has opened structural investigations for each of the situations under investigation by the International Criminal Court, which includes Bangladesh/Myanmar. This means that the case is ongoing, under investigation and they are identifying potential witnesses and examining the alleged crimes.

Related:

Killing by Hunger: Rohingya Muslims starved after Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine state, UN denied access: Myanmar

Cut in WFP funding threatens Rohingyas with hunger, deprivation: Bangladesh

Rohingyas sue Facebook for $150 billion over failing to police communal hate speech

The post Rohingya Genocide 2012-2018: Argentinian Court issues arrest warrants to Myanmar military leaders appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The recent backlash against Ranveer Allahbadia over his appearance on Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent is a textbook example of aggressive and selective outrage. During the show, he was asked a controversial hypothetical question: Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?  While the question was undoubtedly crude, it is not unprecedented in the realm of comedy. In fact, years earlier, comedian Kanan Gill had posed the exact same question in a lighter setting, yet it had largely gone unnoticed

Despite the overblown reaction, it is essential to ask: is this really the issue that warrants such national attention? In a country where public figures routinely make far more offensive remarks without consequence, why has a digital content creator become a scapegoat?

Cultural sensitivities vs. evolving crudity, humour

Humour is subjective. What is offensive in India may be considered routine in other cultures. In the U.S., controversial animated shows such as South Park have consistently pushed the boundaries of satire and dark humour, yet they continue to thrive without state intervention. Similarly, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has built its brand around being politically incorrect but has never faced legal consequences.

In contrast, India’s deep-rooted conservatism often prevents it from embracing even the mildest forms of irreverent humour. The backlash against Allahbadia is proof that Indian digital creators still walk a tightrope when it comes to free expression.

Selective outrage and hypocrisy

The outrage surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia raises the larger question of hypocrisy in India’s censorship culture. Several BJP politicians have a well-documented history of making inflammatory and crude remarks, yet they rarely face legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, comedians and digital creators are regularly policed for their content.

Furthermore, Bollywood films have long normalised sexual double entendres and explicit jokes, yet these instances do not attract the same vitriol. The disproportionate outrage against Allahbadia is reflective of a systemic bias—where those in power enjoy unchecked privileges, while independent voices are muzzled.

Supreme Court’s relief and its implications

The Supreme Court granted interim relief to Ranveer Allahbadia, staying his arrest in multiple FIRs filed against him. The order specifically protects him from immediate detention in cases registered under Sections 79, 196, 296, 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 in Maharashtra and Sections 79/95/294/296 of the BNS, along with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in Assam

The Court, however, imposed strict conditions: he must join the investigation whenever summoned, deposit his passport with authorities, and refrain from airing any content on YouTube or other media platforms until further orders. While the interim protection ensures his immediate liberty, the restrictions imposed indicate judicial discomfort with his remarks and set a concerning precedent on digital expression.

Supreme Court order dated 18-02-2025 on Ranveer Gautam Allahbadia v. Union of India; IA no. 41866/2025 issued by Surya Kant, Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh JJ may be read here:

Legality of incest and the misrepresentation of Allahbadia’s remarks

One of the fundamental flaws in the backlash against Allahbadia is the assumption that his remarks amounted to advocating an illegal or universally condemned act. However, incest laws vary widely across countries. Nations such as Belgium, France, Japan, Portugal, and Spain do not criminalize incest between consenting adults, while other countries impose stringent legal prohibitions. This variation highlights the subjectivity of moral outrage, where cultural and legal perspectives differ significantly. While his comment may have been in poor taste, framing it as an endorsement of criminal activity is a misleading exaggeration.

The dangerous precedent of digital censorship

What makes this controversy even more concerning is how it is being weaponized to justify greater control over digital platforms? The government is now citing this incident as a reason to push forward the Digital India Bill, which aims to regulate online content more stringently

If enacted, such laws could stifle not only comedic expression but also political criticism, independent journalism, and artistic creativity. The internet, which has long been a space for free expression, is now at risk of becoming another extension of the state’s moral policing.

A moment of reflection

The backlash against Ranveer Allahbadia is not just about one crude joke—it is emblematic of a larger struggle between free expression and selective censorship in India. If a young content creator can be vilified for an offhand remark while politicians and public figures enjoy impunity for far worse, it is clear that India’s approach to free speech is deeply flawed.

Instead of vilifying Allahbadia, it is time for a broader conversation about the inconsistency in how India polices speech. Selective outrage only weakens the foundation of free expression, making digital spaces less diverse, less honest, and ultimately, less free.

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Proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023: threat to free speech and media independence

The post Censorship vs. free speech: The Allahbadia controversy appeared first on SabrangIndia.

According to Jamui police, the violence unfolded at around 4.30 pm when a group of approximately 30 people, led by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Hindu Swabhimaan Sangathan, were returning from a Hanuman temple in a procession. Despite a contingent of six police personnel escorting the gathering, tensions escalated when the participants allegedly began shouting slogans near a local mosque. Soon after, alleged stone-pelting ensued, triggering a full-blown clash between groups from the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Several vehicles, including motorcycles and cars, were damaged in the melee. Among those injured were individuals identified as Nitish Kumar Sao, Khusbu Pandey, Pintu Kumar, Madhavlal Kashyap, and Suraj Barnwal. In response, the district administration imposed strict measures to contain further violence.

State response and internet suspension

Given the seemingly volatile nature of the situation, the Bihar government imposed a 48-hour internet suspension in Jamui district as a preventive measure. District Magistrate Abhilasha Sharma justified the decision, citing concerns that social media platforms could be used to spread inflammatory content, incite violence, and further disrupt communal harmony. The restriction, enforced under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, limits access to popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Telegram.

Munger range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rakesh Kumar defended the internet ban, stating, “Various social media platforms and so-called news portals have been spreading rumours, exacerbating the tension. We took this decision to prevent further disturbances.” The state’s approach highlights an ongoing trend of digital blackouts being used as a tool for crisis management, though it raises concerns about suppression of information and freedom of speech.

Police action and political undertones

In the aftermath of the violence, law enforcement agencies registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to rioting, inciting violence, and destruction of public property. One FIR, based on a complaint from local residents, named 41 individuals, eight of whom have been arrested. The second FIR was lodged against unidentified persons.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Madan Kumar Anand assured that additional security forces had been deployed in the affected areas, with senior officers closely monitoring the situation. However, the broader political climate in Bihar adds another layer to the incident. With the state assembly elections scheduled for October, communal clashes such as this have the potential to be politicised.

It is notable that the groups leading the religious procession – ABVP and Hindu Swabhimaan Sangathan – are affiliated with right-wing organisations. The decision to chant slogans near a mosque, as reported by the district magistrate, suggests deliberate provocation, which aligns with broader patterns of polarisation observed in election years. Such incidents often serve as flashpoints for communal rhetoric, aiding political forces seeking to consolidate voter bases along religious lines.

The larger implications of rising communal tensions

Bihar has witnessed an increase in communal incidents in recent years, with religious processions frequently turning into sites of confrontation. The Jamui incident fits within a larger trend of heightened sectarian tensions across India, where public religious expressions, often involving processions and chanting, are strategically used to provoke responses from opposing communities.

Moreover, the state’s decision to suspend internet services, which the authorities might deem the same to be effective in curbing immediate escalation, raises concerns about the government’s approach to crisis management. Such measures, instead of addressing the root causes of communal discord, serve as a temporary fix while leaving underlying grievances unaddressed. This trend of using blanket digital blackouts also raises important questions about democratic rights, access to information, and state overreach.

As Bihar moves closer to its crucial state elections, incidents like these will likely be used by different political factions to push communal narratives. The role of law enforcement in ensuring neutrality and preventing further violence will be a key test for the administration in the coming months. If not handled carefully, the Jamui clash could become yet another episode in the deepening communal fault lines in India’s political and social fabric.

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Tragedy at KIIT: The death of Prakriti Lamsal and the University’s controversial response

Targeting Press Freedom: The unexplained censorship of Vikatan and the erosion of free speech

Stop covering up tragedies, say NAJ-DUJ to govt

The post Communal Tensions Erupt in Bihar’s Jamui: Alleged stone-pelting during religious procession leads to violence appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner, Suresh Dev Datta Singh, confirmed that a fellow student had been arrested in connection with Lamsal’s death. The accused, Advik Srivastava, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at KIIT, was taken into custody and subsequently remanded to judicial custody under charges of abetment of suicide.

Allegations of harassment and institutional apathy

According to the police investigation and complaints from Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, she had been facing continuous harassment from Srivastava. The FIR states that she had formally reported his behaviour to the university’s International Relations Office (IRO), but authorities allegedly failed to take meaningful action beyond issuing a mere warning. Some reports suggest that Srivastava was blackmailing her, and an audio clip surfaced online in which a male voice—allegedly belonging to Srivastava—was heard abusing and harassing a female voice.

On the day of Lamsal’s death, Srivastava was reportedly detained outside Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to leave Bhubaneswar. A flight ticket in his name, scheduled for February 16, was found, leading to speculation that he was attempting to flee the city after the incident. The police have since seized Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination.

A https://t.co/HB58fQ4pSt third-year student from Nepal at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, died by suicide in her hostel after enduring multiple instances of harassment and molestation from her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava.

pic.twitter.com/HSL3NoOIas

— Lokesh Bag (@lokeshbag67) February 17, 2025

Student protests and institutional negligence

Following Lamsal’s death, the university campus saw an outpouring of grief and anger, with both Nepali and Indian students joining protests against the university authorities, accusing them of ignoring Lamsal’s earlier complaints. Hundreds of students gathered outside the college gates, demanding justice and accountability.

Instead of addressing the grievances of its students, KIIT chose to issue a sudden notice instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. While the university claimed this was done to ensure their safety, multiple students have alleged that they were forcibly removed from their hostels and transported to the Cuttack railway station without any travel arrangements. Reports from The Hindu indicate that over 500 Nepali students were made to leave in university buses, many without confirmed train tickets. Some students claimed that hostel staff physically forced them to vacate their rooms and resorted to intimidation when they protested.

A callous administration’s response

KIIT’s administration has been widely criticised for its handling of the situation. Registrar Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty attempted to downplay the incident, stating that Lamsal’s death was due to a “strained relationship” rather than prolonged harassment. This response was met with anger from students and critics, who viewed it as an attempt to dismiss the allegations against the accused and the university’s own role in ignoring Lamsal’s previous complaints.

The administration’s decision to evacuate Nepali students further exacerbated tensions. Instead of ensuring their protection or engaging in dialogue, the university effectively displaced its international students overnight. The abrupt eviction not only disrupted their education but also signalled that the university was more interested in damage control than addressing student concerns.

International attention and diplomatic intervention

The incident has garnered international attention, prompting Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, to intervene. He acknowledged the death of Lamsal and the alleged forced eviction of Nepali students, stating that the Nepalese government was addressing the matter through diplomatic channels. Two officers from the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi were dispatched to Bhubaneswar to counsel affected students and facilitate their safe return home if necessary.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu also expressed condolences over Lamsal’s death and assured cooperation in ensuring justice. Following diplomatic discussions, KIIT publicly urged Nepali students to return to campus, promising that their academic activities would not be disrupted. However, this statement did little to quell the outrage, as students remained distrustful of the university’s commitment to their safety.

KIIT later issued a public appeal urging Nepali students who had already left or were considering leaving to return to campus and resume their classes. This followed a formal communique from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that its embassy in India had successfully requested KIIT to accommodate Nepali students and ensure an “independent and impartial” investigation into Prakriti Lamsal’s death.

In a statement quoted by The Hindu, KIIT assured that normal academic activities would soon resume and that Nepali students’ education would not be disrupted. “The students are encouraged to return to campus and will continue their academic activities without any disturbances,” the university stated.

APPEAL!

There was an unfortunate incident which took place late in the evening yesterday on the KIIT campus. Immediately after the incident, police investigated the matter and apprehended the culprit.

The KIIT administration has taken all-out efforts to restore normalcy in the… pic.twitter.com/0o3vFs2TWi

— KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 17, 2025

Were Nepali students forcibly evicted?

KIIT claimed that Nepali students were sent home to prevent further unrest on campus. However, several students alleged they were forcibly removed from their hostels and transported to Cuttack Railway Station against their will.

A university official, speaking to PTI, confirmed that the police had sealed Lamsal’s hostel room and placed her body in the mortuary, awaiting the arrival of her family. Meanwhile, some students shared their distressing experiences, with one telling PTI, “We were asked to vacate our hostel rooms and were dropped at the railway station. We had exams scheduled for February 28…”

#WATCH | Odisha: A https://t.co/jHgpcuG1h1 third-year girl student from Nepal was found dead in KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) hostel in Bhubaneswar on 16th February. As per a notice issued by the University, the institute is hence closed sine die… pic.twitter.com/vVfgY140up

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025

As per The Hindustan Times, the Nepali students alleged that they were forced to head for their homes without any travel arrangement. “No train tickets or any directions have been provided to us. We were just loaded up on the hostel buses, sent to Cuttack railway station and ordered to leave for our homes at the earliest. The staff members entered the hostel, made us vacate and even hit those who were not vacating quickly,” claimed a student from Nepal.

Lamsal’s tragic death and the subsequent handling of the case highlight systemic failures within KIIT’s administration. The university’s reluctance to act on complaints of harassment, its inadequate response to a student’s suicide, and the hasty eviction of international students suggest a lack of accountability and empathy. Rather than taking decisive steps to ensure student safety and justice, the institution prioritised its reputation, attempting to neutralise the situation through forced removals and public relations tactics.

This case raises broader concerns about how universities handle cases of harassment and abuse. It underscores the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to address complaints of harassment, provide mental health support, and hold institutions accountable for their inaction.

While the police investigation is ongoing, the role of KIIT in enabling a culture of impunity cannot be overlooked. Universities must be places where students feel safe and heard—not silenced or expelled when they demand justice. The handling of this case should serve as a wake-up call, not just for KIIT but for educational institutions across India, to prioritise student welfare over institutional reputation.

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The post Tragedy at KIIT: The death of Prakriti Lamsal and the University’s controversial response appeared first on SabrangIndia.

BJP’s political vendetta against Vikatan

Reports indicate that BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu were incensed by the cartoon, which they viewed as an affront to Modi’s image. The illustration mocked Modi’s election strategy and his alignment with Trump’s brand of right-wing populism, implying that Modi was constrained in his dealings with the United States. Rather than countering criticism through debate, BJP members allegedly pressured authorities to act against the publication. This follows a well-documented pattern where media outlets, journalists, and activists critical of the ruling party are subjected to intimidation, legal harassment, and outright suppression. Many have argued that the BJP is using state machinery to muzzle dissent, reinforcing India’s drift towards authoritarianism under Modi’s leadership.

The shadowy mechanisms of censorship

What makes the Vikatan episode particularly concerning is the sheer opacity surrounding the takedown. There has been no official court order, no government notification, and no clear legal basis for the restriction. Instead, it appears that the government has resorted to vague, extra-legal means—perhaps through arbitrary applications of the Information Technology Act, 2000—to justify its actions of blocking the website. The lack of transparency raises troubling questions about whether the state is deliberately avoiding legal scrutiny by bypassing due process. This incident sets a precedent where any dissenting media outlet could be silenced overnight, with no accountability from the authorities.

In response to the arbitrary censorship, Vikatan has strongly condemned the government’s actions, calling them “an unprecedented attack on press freedom.” The publication released a statement asserting that it had merely exercised its journalistic duty to critique those in power and that such intimidation tactics would not deter it from reporting the truth. “Democracy thrives on dialogue and dissent. Silencing independent voices is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundations of free speech,” the statement read. Vikatan further demanded a formal explanation for the takedown and vowed to pursue legal remedies if necessary. The publication also received widespread solidarity from journalists, media watchdogs, and press organisations, all of whom view this as a blatant attempt to curb independent reporting.

T Murugan, the editor of the magazine, defended the cartoon as a legitimate form of criticism and a symbol of democratic dissent, stating that the magazine will not surrender its freedom in the face of such threats and intimidation. He clarified that there was no official directive to block the website, describing the action as unofficial. According to Murugan, the magazine’s management believes that service providers like Airtel and Jio were likely pressured into restricting access to the site, which was blocked around 7 pm on Saturday. He also noted that the magazine, which has championed free speech for nearly a century, is currently seeking clarification from the Union government regarding the reasons for the restriction. 

Political leaders condemn the move

Opposition leaders, press freedom advocates, and civil society groups have strongly condemned the censorship of Vikatan. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the action as “yet another desperate attempt by the Modi government to suppress dissenting voices,” emphasising that “the BJP is dismantling democracy piece by piece.” DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the move “a brazen assault on press freedom,” highlighting that “Vikatan’s fearless journalism has always been a voice of the people—silencing it is an attack on democratic values.”

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a prominent political party in Tamil Nadu, described the government’s action as a “fascist tendency” that reveals an intolerance toward legitimate criticism. Journalists’ collectives including the Chennai Press Club and civil rights organisations have also decried the move, warning that it represents a dangerous precedent where political pressure can dictate government censorship of the media. Ram further emphasised the unprecedented nature of the digital blockade: “This is not a simple blocking move. By degrading and preventing access to digital news content through non-transparent ‘dirty tricks’ technical manoeuvres, it subverts media freedom and reader’s right to information. This arbitrary action, utterly devoid of legality, has wide implications for the media sector.”

Ram added that on February 16, after technical censorship had been set in motion and the damage had been done, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sent a notice to the Vikatan group.

As per the information provided by Ram, the said notice states that the ministry had “received a request for blocking of certain content” published at a website affiliated with Vikatan; that a “meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee constituted under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021” was scheduled for February 17; and that Vikatan could “appear and submit its comments/clarifications, if any, before the Committee.”

Ram commented that it was a case of “Sentence first, verdict afterwards” – a reference to the impatient declaration by the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Even former BJP ally and AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam distanced himself from the censorship, stating that “freedom of the press is non-negotiable, and actions like these only strengthen the perception that the BJP is intolerant of criticism.” Despite this outcry, the central government has refused to issue a statement, reinforcing suspicions that it orchestrated the takedown but wants to avoid public accountability.

A history of suppression: Vikatan and beyond

This is not the first time Vikatan has faced political retribution for its reporting. In 1987, the magazine’s editor was arrested for publishing material critical of the government, reflecting a long history of state-driven intimidation against independent media. However, under the Modi government, such suppression has escalated to an unprecedented level. Independent journalists have been arrested, digital media platforms have been raided, and news organisations critical of the BJP have faced financial and legal crackdowns. The broader trend is clear: press freedom in India is under siege.

The implications for Indian media

Vikatan’s ordeal is a warning to all media houses in India: no outlet is safe from government retaliation. The chilling effect is already evident, with many journalists and editors choosing self-censorship over the risk of shutdowns, arrests, or financial ruin. If this trajectory continues unchecked, India’s press will be reduced to little more than a government mouthpiece. The international community has already noted this decline—India has plummeted in global press freedom rankings, with watchdog organisations repeatedly raising concerns over the state’s hostility toward independent journalism.

The Vikatan controversy serves as a litmus test for India’s democratic resilience. Press organisations, journalists, and civil society must push back forcefully, demanding explanations and legal clarity from the government. The Editors Guild of India, Reporters without Borders, and other advocacy groups have decried the censorship, but strong words alone will not suffice. If this case fades into silence, it will embolden the government to act with even greater impunity in the future.

The question remains: Will India’s media fraternity and civil society take a stand, or will silence become the new normal?

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The post Targeting Press Freedom: The unexplained censorship of Vikatan and the erosion of free speech appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The DUJ has, in a statement issued today, condemned the tendency among government authorities to hide their acts of omission and commission from the gaze of the media and the public, instead of acknowledging their role in such tragic events. After the fatal stampedes at the Kumbh, the Railway authorities should have been prepared for crowd management at all stations. Transparency and better governance is the need of the hour, not desperate attempts at covering up tragic mistakes by intimidating journalists who try to report the truth. The statement has been issued by SK Pande, President, NAJ, Sujata Madhok, President, DUJ and AM Jigeesh, general secretary, DUJ.

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The post Stop covering up tragedies, say NAJ-DUJ to govt appeared first on SabrangIndia.