India Archive

In a series of petitions calling for the criminalization of marital rape in India, the Union of India has presented a preliminary affidavit before the Supreme Court, asserting that existing laws already provide sufficient protection for married women against sexual violence. The Centre argues that extending the offense of "rape" to marital relationships could be viewed as "excessively harsh" and disproportionate given the unique dynamics of marriage.

In a significant ruling on 30th September, the Bareilly court convicted Mohammed Alim in a case of what is widely known as "love jihad." The court found Alim guilty of deceiving a woman into a relationship by pretending to be someone else—an act that tragically led to coercion, violence, and threats. Posing as "Anand," Alim managed to convince the woman that he was a Hindu, with the false intention of marriage. Once trust was established, he coerced her into sexual relations under false pretenses, leaving her in a vulnerable and dangerous situation.

In a decisive action aimed at reclaiming government land, the Gujarat administration carried out a large-scale demolition drive on 28th September 2024, targeting illegal religious structures, including a mosque, a 500-year-old graveyard, and several dargahs near the sacred Somnath Temple. This move has drawn both praise and criticism, but it is undeniable that the Gujarat government took a firm stand against unlawful encroachments that had plagued this region for years.

The horrific rape and murder case surrounding RG Kar Medical College has left West Bengal in a state of unrest for over 40 days, with protests raging across Kolkata. The city's streets are flooded with demonstrators who are fed up with the blatant failures of the Mamata Banerjee government. Many are convinced that the administration is deliberately diverting attention from the real issue, resorting to "whataboutery" to downplay the heinous crime. This "whataboutery" only seeks to distract from the gravity of the situation, making it clear that justice is being thwarted, especially when it involves crimes as serious as rape.

A recent incident at a Coca-Cola factory in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has led to significant public outrage. The factory, which belongs to the American beverage giant, was seen cutting off the Kalavas—a sacred thread worn by Hindus—of its Hindu employees. This act has been deemed deeply disrespectful and has raised concerns over the factory's disregard for Hindu religious sentiments.

Bhubaneswar: Four days after the distressing and disgraceful incident, Army Major Gurbant Singh’s fiancée, Ankita Pradhan, came forward today to recount the harrowing experience she endured at the hands of the police. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the mistreatment she faced while seeking justice.

On 17th September, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court of India as it prepares to hear a crucial appeal filed by US-based creditor Glas Trust Company LLC. This appeal challenges the decision made by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which had previously halted insolvency proceedings against the once-mighty ed-tech firm, Byju’s. In addition to this, the NCLAT had also given the green light to a Rs 158.9 crore settlement between Byju’s and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a move that had added complexity to the already precarious situation faced by the company. Once valued at USD 22 billion, Byju’s, which was once the pride of India’s booming tech sector, is now fighting to stay afloat financially.

In a tragic sequence of events, a viral picture of Lord Ganesha’s idol locked inside a police van sent waves of grief and frustration across social media platforms. This distressing image came to light amidst violent attacks on Hindus by radical Muslim mobs in Nagamangala village, located in the Mandya district of Karnataka.

The plight of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Punjab has taken a distressing turn. Three years ago, an unfortunate incident saw Charanjit Singh Channi, the then Chief Minister of Punjab and a Congress leader, referring to these migrants disparagingly as “Bhaiya,” a term that was perceived as derogatory. Although Channi later apologized amidst significant backlash, this incident has not remained isolated. Instead, it seems to have set a precedent, as disdain towards these workers has been on the rise.

An eviction drive targeting illegal encroachments near Guwahati turned into a violent and chaotic event on Thursday, as a large Muslim mob resorted to an unprovoked attack on law enforcement officers. The result of this dangerous confrontation was the injury of multiple police officers and the deaths of two attackers. The mob's aggressive actions forced the police to open fire, killing "Haider Ali and Juwahid Ali," who later "succumbed to bullet injuries."