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ISLAMABAD: The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in India&#39;s Gujarat state is demolishing houses on a large scale in Jangleshwar, a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, triggering allegations of &ldquo;bulldozer justice&rdquo; and &quot;communal targeting.&quot; Several Indian media outlets reported on Monday the &quot;sweeping anti-encroachment operation&quot; along Gujarat&#39;s Aji river, where families have lived for nearly&nbsp;six decades. Gujarat is particularly sensitive to ethnic targeting and communal hatred because the brutal images of the 2002 massacre, in which more than 2,000 Muslims were killed, are still fresh in the minds of the populace.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2025842935527522436&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=c514526a2c3983abb755db59d9713c47e1c30328&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The civic body says it is clearing &ldquo;illegal encroachments&rdquo; for a riverfront redevelopment and flood prevention, as part of an Aji Riverfront project, but critics and rights observers argue the crackdown reflects a wider pattern in Gujarat where demolition drives disproportionately impact Muslim-majority pockets.&nbsp; They point to the fact that the most intense phase of the operation is centred on Jangleshwar, a Muslim enclave for over 40 years, and claim similar encroachments in non-minority areas are often regularised or ignored, while Muslim settlements face total clearance. Local media outlet Maktoob reported that the large-scale demolition drive has resulted in destruction of hundreds of residential structures and has left numerous families homeless.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2025895818797150332&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=c514526a2c3983abb755db59d9713c47e1c30328&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 713px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Indian media reported that the operation has been carried out under heavy security, with authorities deploying 2,500 to 3,000 police personnel, alongside a heavy presence of paramilitary forces, drone surveillance, and riot-control preparations, including water cannons and tear gas.&nbsp;Rajkot police have also imposed restrictions, declaring the city a no-drone fly zone (Feb. 23-25) and prohibiting gatherings of four or more people until Feb. 26, measures locals describe as intimidating in a residential locality. Gujarat&nbsp;Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi intensified controversy by calling the area a &ldquo;hub for criminal elements,&rdquo; citing past arrests. Human rights organizations say such rhetoric &ldquo;criminalizes&rdquo; Muslim neighbourhoods and is used to justify extra-judicial punishment through demolitions. Affected residents describe sudden displacement and uncertainty. Videos from the site show distraught women and children amid rubble. &ldquo;We lived here 60 years, became homeless in a day,&rdquo; one woman said, asking where she would take her children.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2025906325235150942&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=c514526a2c3983abb755db59d9713c47e1c30328&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The demolition drive is continuing despite three separate&nbsp;petitions pending against it before the Gujarat High Court, according to ANI News.&nbsp; While authorities claim hundreds of families have been offered alternative housing under government schemes, residents and observers say the on-ground reality is mass displacement without assured rehabilitation, deepening allegations that &ldquo;urban planning&rdquo; is being weaponized against a minority community.

India

Indian Gujarat's 'anti-encroachment' demolitions centers on the Muslim-majority Jangleshwar, have displaced hundreds of families amid heavy policing. Critics call it 'bulldozer justice,' citing selective enforcement and weak rehabilitation.

Indian Gujarat’s 'bulldozer justice' hits Muslims, sparks outrage

ISLAMABAD: Discrimination against Muslim and Christian minorities in India is being fuelled by two converging trends, the viral spread of generative AI hate content and the rapid expansion of AI-enabled policing and surveillance, warns a report published on Feb. 11 by the Centre for the Study of Organized Hate&nbsp;(CSOH). The report has come ahead of India AI impact summit, 2026, which will be from Feb. 16 to 20. The CSOH report says hate narratives that have circulated for years; often packaged as conspiracies such as &ldquo;love jihad&rdquo; and &ldquo;population jihad,&rdquo; or fuelled through cow-protection and temple-mosque disputes, are now being amplified with synthetic media that looks real.&nbsp;Text-to-image and text-to-video tools can produce photorealistic depictions, caricatures, and &ldquo;evidence-like&rdquo; scenes that reinforce stereotypes, Muslim men framed as violent or criminal, and Muslim women dehumanized through sexualized, non-consensual imagery. Communal targetingMoments of public tragedy are turned into accelerants for communal targeting, with AI-generated visuals circulated alongside inflammatory commentary to cast minorities as villains in the immediate aftermath of attacks or accidents. The report highlights that political messaging has also begun using generative AI directly.&nbsp;Official social media accounts linked to the&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;BJP, have posts that depict Muslims as &ldquo;ghuspaithye/infiltrators&rdquo; and portray opposition leaders as &quot;secretly&quot; aligned with them.&nbsp;A pattern of dehumanizing metaphors is developing, where minorities are rendered as pests or threats, paired with meme-like humor or dramatic background music that helps normalize extreme hostility, especially in battleground states in the run-up to 2026 assembly election such as Assam and Delhi. A second cluster of concerns centers on the state&rsquo;s deployment of AI. Predictive policingIt notes remarks by Devendra Fadnavis, CM Maharashtra,&nbsp;about an AI tool being developed with IIT Bombay to detect alleged undocumented migrants using language cues, an approach that risks profiling Bengali-speaking Muslims and low-income migrant workers.&nbsp;The spread of predictive policing has also been flagged, large criminal databases and facial recognition are systems that can embed historical bias into &ldquo;data-driven&rdquo; enforcement. Examples of this &ldquo;data-driven&rdquo; enforcement referenced in the report include long-running predictive systems used by Delhi Police and expanding surveillance networks in cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Lucknow.&nbsp;Without transparent safeguards, independent oversight, and clear legal limits, AI risks hardening discrimination into automated, scalable practice, the report states.

Generative AI and predictive policing are fuelling discrimination against India's minorities through deepfake hate speech and automated surveillance. A report from the Centre for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) warns of these issues.

AI enabled hate on the rise in India: Report

ISLAMABAD: Potholes claimed 9,438 lives across India between 2020 and 2024, according to government data presented in Parliament.&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for 5,127 of these fatalities, more than half of all pothole-related deaths recorded during the five-year period,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-announces-record-defense-budget-after-pakistan-war-exposed-gaps" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Indian</a>media reported.&nbsp; In contrast, more than half a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/three-indian-sisters-die-after-roof-jump-following-online-gaming-restrictions" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">dozen states</a>&nbsp;and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa and Chandigarh, reported zero road crashes, injuries or deaths under the pothole category, raising questions about data recording practices.&nbsp;Over 53% increase&nbsp;In a detailed response to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the road transport ministry said fatalities due to pothole-related crashes have steadily increased from 1,555 in 2020, the Covid-19 year, to 2,385 in 2024, marking a rise of over 53%.&nbsp; The accident data for 2025 has not yet been published. According to the figures, Madhya Pradesh recorded the second-highest number of pothole-related deaths at 969 during the period, followed by Tamil Nadu (612), Odisha (425), Punjab (414) and Assam (395).&nbsp;&nbsp;50 deaths in Delhi&nbsp;Among Union Territories, Delhi reported the highest number of such fatalities at 50. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s surprising that while states like Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura have registered accidents and deaths due to potholes, there was not a single accident due to such road conditions in bigger states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar that have longer road networks,&rdquo; an expert involved in crash data investigation said, according to the Indian media report.

In a detailed response to the Lok Sabha, road transport ministry said fatalities due to pothole-related crashes have steadily increased from 1,555 in 2020, to 2,385 in 2024, marking a rise of over 53%. 

Potholes killed over 9,400 people from 2020 to 2024 in India

ISLAMABAD: A rights group has called out the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for openly advocating an &quot;ideological war&quot; against Muslims and Christians. The group, Hindutva Watch, highlighted that RSS leader Sadhvi Prachi made threatening remarks against both communities at a &quot;Virat Hindu Sammelan&quot; (great Hindu convention). The event was part of the centenary celebrations of the RSS, the extremist ideological arm of the ruling BJP. Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi claimed that both Muslims and Christians were engaged in campaigns to convert Hindus. The centenary has received high-level political visibility, including official government communications around commemorative programs.In a video from the convention, Prachi is heard making derogatory references to Muslims, saying she could not see any &quot;jaali dar topi wale&quot; in the crowd&mdash;a jibe at Muslim skullcaps&mdash;while criticizing those she claimed refuse to say &quot;Vande Mataram.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2015665528589738482&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a6b02ae931f08fdc1d04f72b3d367b60b2d73420&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 697px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>She framed the situation as an &quot;ideological war&quot; against people who, she alleged, &quot;divided India&quot; and &quot;created 56 countries.&quot; She also claimed they are now carrying out &quot;love jihad&quot; and converting Dalits through inducements. Prachi also targeted Christian institutions, accusing convent schools of &quot;mind-washing&quot; and alleging they offer financial incentives to poor families in exchange for changing religion declarations on admission forms. The claims were made without evidence and mirror a broader pattern of polarizing rhetoric regularly used by Hindutva-aligned speakers.Rights advocates argue that such speeches are not merely rhetorical: they help normalize suspicion toward minorities and can increase real-world vulnerability. Muslims, they say, are portrayed as disloyal, infiltrative, or culturally incompatible. In recent years, civil-society monitors have repeatedly warned that the public mainstreaming of anti-minority narratives contributes to a climate in which harassment, discriminatory profiling, and mob intimidation become easier to justify. Prachi&#39;s remarks come at a politically charged moment, as the RSS centenary program expands its public footprint through high-visibility gatherings across India.

Anti-Muslim and anti-Christian speeches made at the hundred-year celebration of RSS, at which hate speech remained the theme of the day.

RSS leader Sadhvi Prachi makes incendiary remarks against Muslims, Christians at centenary event

ISLAMABAD: A UN watchdog on racial discrimination has renewed scrutiny of India&rsquo;s treatment of Bengali-speaking Muslims in the Indian state of Assam, a long-running controversy rooted in citizenship verification and identity politics in India&rsquo;s northeast.&nbsp;The dispute centres on Assam&rsquo;s National Register of Citizens process, which&nbsp;has disproportionately targeted Bengali-speaking Muslims, leaving many at risk of exclusion, statelessness, or prolonged legal uncertainty.&nbsp;The Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Michal Balcerzak, in a Jan. 19 letter addressed to India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, said CERD was following up on its earlier communication of May 12, 2025, on the same issue.&nbsp;According to the letter, CERD acknowledged India&rsquo;s response and noted India&rsquo;s position on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024, including the claim that the framework does not deprive eligible foreigners of the right to apply for citizenship through registration or naturalization.&nbsp;However, CERD said it regrets a lack of information on key allegations previously raised. These include claims of racial discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims during the NRC update and exclusion from the final list due to procedural irregularities, difficulty obtaining required documents, and stricter verification standards applied to people classified as &ldquo;non-original inhabitants,&rdquo; a term the committee said lacks a clear definition.&nbsp;The committee also cited allegations of systematic forced evictions without adequate housing or compensation, along with reports of rising hate speech and incitement to violence, and allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement, causing recurrent killings and injuries, plus violent attacks by civilians or organized groups in mid-2024.&nbsp;CERD called on India to take &ldquo;all necessary measures&rdquo; to protect the community&rsquo;s rights and asked India to provide detailed information during its upcoming periodic reporting, including steps to prevent discriminatory nationality deprivation, halt forced evictions, combat hate speech online and offline, and investigate alleged lethal use of force.

A UN anti-racism committee told India its reply was incomplete, seeking details on alleged discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, including NRC exclusion, evictions, hate speech, and excessive force.

UN watchdog questions India on discrimination of Bengali Muslims in Assam

ISLAMABAD: The United States has moved to bypass the Indian government to serve legal summons on billionaire Gautam Adani, a long-time ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring growing strains around cross-border legal cooperation and the perception of political shielding in New Delhi.&nbsp;Adani, one of Asia&rsquo;s richest men, has built his conglomerate, spanning ports, power, airports, and energy, in parallel with Modi&rsquo;s rise from Gujarat chief minister to India&rsquo;s prime minister.&nbsp;According to a filing cited by Reuters, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked a federal court to allow service of summons by email on Gautam Adani and senior Adani Group executive Sagar Adani.&nbsp;The request came after Indian authorities declined, on two occasions, to deliver the documents through formal diplomatic channels.&nbsp;In its court filing, the SEC said it attempted to use the Hague Service Convention, the standard international mechanism for serving legal papers, but the process stalled after India refused to execute the requests.&nbsp;The regulator told the court that alternative methods were now necessary to prevent further delays in the case.&nbsp;Indian investigative outlet The Wire reported that the Modi government effectively blocked the summons for roughly 14 months, a period during which US authorities received no cooperation from New Delhi.&nbsp;The delay has intensified criticism that India&rsquo;s government is using state machinery to protect politically connected business figures from international scrutiny.&nbsp;The legal maneuver quickly rippled through financial markets. Shares of Adani Group companies fell between 2% and 11% on Friday after news broke that the SEC was seeking court approval to directly email summons to the two executives, according to figures reported by Deccan Herald.&nbsp;At the center of the SEC&rsquo;s action are allegations tied to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme involving Adani Green Energy and solar power contracts in India. US authorities allege that senior figures orchestrated illicit payments to secure lucrative government-backed energy projects, while failing to disclose the risks and payments to American investors.&nbsp;The Financial Times has reported that US investigators allege more than $250 million in bribes were paid to Indian officials to win solar-energy business, and that these payments were concealed from US lenders and shareholders, potentially violating American securities laws.&nbsp;Critics have long argued that Adani&rsquo;s rapid expansion has been enabled by favorable policy decisions, state financing, and political proximity to Modi&rsquo;s government. Indian authorities have consistently denied any wrongdoing or preferential treatment, while opposition parties and civil society groups accuse the government of undermining regulatory independence to protect corporate allies.&nbsp;The SEC&rsquo;s decision to bypass the Indian state marks an unusually blunt rebuke to New Delhi&rsquo;s refusal to cooperate and raises broader questions about India&rsquo;s commitments to international legal norms.&nbsp;For Washington, the move signals impatience with what it sees as obstruction. For India, it reinforces concerns that political power is being used to shield influential figures. At the cost of credibility in global markets and democratic accountability.

US regulators sought court approval to directly serve Adani executives after India delayed cooperation, intensifying allegations of concealed bribery, market fallout, and concerns over political protection.

US bypasses India to serve summons on Modi-linked tycoon Adani

ISLAMABAD: A violent attack on a Christian pastor in Odisha&rsquo;s Dhenkanal district has drawn nationwide outrage, with the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) calling it a &ldquo;new low&rdquo; that has shamed the nation&rsquo;s conscience. The INC in a post on Facebook on Wednesday condemned India&rsquo;s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government for what it called &lsquo;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-witnessed-over-1300-events-of-hate-speech-in-2025-report" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">jungle raj</a>&rsquo; or rule of the jungle in the country.&nbsp; On Jan. 4, Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik, along with his family and a few others, was attending a prayer meeting at a house in Parjang village, a predominantly Hindu area with only seven Christian families.&nbsp; According to Indian media reports, a mob of around 40 people from the Bajrang Dal forcibly entered the house, alleging that Naik was conducting forced religious conversions.Naik and those present were brutally beaten.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-sees-surge-in-attacks-on-christians-muslims-under-modi-wsj" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">pastor</a>was tied to a Hanuman temple, red Sindoor was smeared across his face, and a garland of slippers was placed around his neck.&nbsp;&nbsp;Forced to eat cow dung&nbsp;He was then coerced into eating cow dung while being slapped repeatedly and forced to chant &ldquo;Jai Shri Ram.&rdquo;&nbsp; Vandana Naik, the pastor&rsquo;s wife, recounted that despite repeated pleas, the police did not intervene promptly.&nbsp; He was later taken to the local police station but left without immediate medical assistance.&nbsp;&lsquo;Blot on humanity&rsquo;The INC condemned the attack, stating that it represents a &ldquo;blot on humanity and civilized society&rdquo; and reflects the rising trend of crimes against minorities since 2014. &ldquo;Mobs have been emboldened, violence normalized, and minorities persecuted under the current government&rsquo;s divisive politics,&rdquo; the party said in the Facebook post. A social activist stated that Pastor Naik was made to sit at the police station for nearly an hour without medical care, highlighting the failure of authorities to protect victims promptly, Indian media reported.&nbsp; While a police complaint has been registered, a counter FIR accusing Naik of forced conversion was also filed, intensifying tensions in the village. The incident has ignited calls for strict action against those responsible, with political leaders stressing that the pastor and his family deserve justice under the Constitution of India. Congress emphasized that it will continue to fight for minority rights, asserting that such acts of mob violence mark &ldquo;the true face of the BJP&rdquo; and a new low in the country&rsquo;s governance.&nbsp;

The pastor was reportedly coerced into eating cow dung while being slapped repeatedly and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’; Congress has asserted such acts of mob violence mark ‘the true face of the BJP’.

Opposition slams India’s ruling BJP after attack on Christian pastor 

ISLAMABAD: Neighborhoods of India&rsquo;s capital were submerged in sewage-contaminated water this week following heavy rainfall, triggering widespread criticism over urban infrastructure and governance failures in New Delhi.&nbsp;Residents shared images and videos on social media showing overflowing drains, waterlogged streets and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-major-cities-grapple-with-pollution-and-failing-infrastructure-reports" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">sewage entering residential areas</a>, raising concerns about public health and basic sanitation in the national capital.&nbsp;Reacting to the situation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the daily life of an average Indian had turned into &ldquo;hell,&rdquo; accusing the system of collapsing under political greed and neglect.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/3b3cd94b-b750-48b6-a593-02a1ed8a556b.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&nbsp;In a post on X, he warned that public acceptance of decay had turned urban breakdown into a &ldquo;new normal,&rdquo; and urged citizens to demand accountability.&nbsp;Congress spokesperson Alok Sharma blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the crisis, highlighting its long control over key governing bodies in Delhi, including the municipal corporation, the federal government and the lieutenant governor&rsquo;s office.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 993px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2014151215718752557&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;This is India&rsquo;s national capital,&rdquo; Sharma said, adding that years of BJP rule had failed to deliver basic civic services. Others echoed the criticism. Academic Gagan Pratap questioned Delhi&rsquo;s status as the capital of a projected multi-trillion-dollar economy, claiming that much of the city was in poor condition.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 826px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2013910025279037533&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Journalist Natasha Awhad criticized voters for repeatedly supporting the ruling party despite worsening living conditions.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 947px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2014201232005677181&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=38be46d337dc7bbad88c587e61089ffa162d3f4a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Not all reactions focused on the BJP. Social media commentator Saket accused the Congress of downplaying the role of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), arguing that regional political rivalries had also contributed to governance failures in Delhi.&nbsp;The sewage flooding has once again exposed chronic infrastructure weaknesses in India&rsquo;s capital, as authorities face mounting pressure to address drainage systems, sanitation and urban planning challenges.

NEW DELHI: A man searches for usable items in the Yamuna River amid dense smog in New Delhi on December 20, 2025. (AFP/File)

Indian capital’s neighborhoods flooded with sewage water, sparks backlash

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir&rsquo;s press corps is warning that routine reporting is being suppressed through a new cycle of police summons and &ldquo;good behavior&rdquo; bonds in Srinagar, in what journalists describe as an attempt to control the narrative rather than answer questions. At least four reporters working for major national publications have been summoned by police in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu &amp; Kashmir&nbsp;in recent days. According to online news outlet Scroll, the most detailed account involves senior Indian Express journalist Bashaarat Masood, who was made to report to the Cyber Police Station on four separate days and was asked to sign a bond promising he would not &ldquo;disturb peace,&rdquo; according to Scroll.&nbsp; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2013609422506074370&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3673%2F&sessionId=3b47bd4b4e929eda4be7a391aacab61c410b9ee5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2013609422506074370"></iframe></div></div> The action was initiated without a formal police report and invoked Section 126 of India&rsquo;s Criminal Procedure Code, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a preventive provision used to seek bonds from those deemed &ldquo;likely&rdquo; to breach peace.&nbsp; Masood said that when he refused, an officer warned that he could be sent to Srinagar central jail. The Indian Express reported that he was arbitrarily detained for over 15 hours over four days. The immediate trigger appears linked to reporting on a controversial administration exercise to profile mosques and imams.&nbsp; The Hindustan Times reported that the Jammu &amp; Kashmir police issued verbal summons to journalists, including its Srinagar correspondent, over a report on profiling mosques and imams after the Nov. 10 Red Fort blast, and said it sought a written summons stating reasons.&nbsp; The pressure is drawing political condemnation.&nbsp; Summoning reporters and asking them to sign bonds is a &ldquo;new low,&rdquo; multiple Kashmiri leaders said, according to The Times of India.&nbsp; Senior Indian journalist Ruhi Tiwari called it &quot;a serious insult to free speech.&quot; The pattern seems to be broader than this week&rsquo;s cases. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2014079780761559523&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3673%2F&sessionId=3b47bd4b4e929eda4be7a391aacab61c410b9ee5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2014079780761559523"></iframe></div></div> Indian digital media platform Newslaundry reported that six journalists were summoned this month, and said the Kashmir Press Club linked the summons to mosque-profiling coverage, describing it as &ldquo;intimidation&rdquo; and alleging journalists were told to stop covering the issue on instructions from higher authorities.

Police summons and 'good behaviour' bonds are being used to suppress journalism in Srinagar. Multiple reporters have been questioned over mosque-profiling stories, allegedly without police reports, sparking political condemnation and press freedom concerns.

The Indian ‘peace bond’ gag order: How Kashmiri reporters are being silenced

Indian Home Minister interacts with poll worker after implementation of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

Bengal’s Form-7 deletion electoral fight has escalated from the streets to the Supreme Court, amid multiple reports of electoral officials committing suicides.

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