BJP Proposes Beef Ban In Muslim-Majority Lakshadweep
Date: 2 March 2021
In a draconian move the Lakshadweep administration, led by former BJP leader Praful K. Patel, proposed the introduction of a law that calls for a complete ban on the slaughter of cow, calf, bull and bullock, in addition to the prohibition of sale, storage and transportation of beef or beef products in any form. Beef is consumed widely by the Muslim-majority island’s population. “The draft is against our fundamental right. This has been clearly communicated to the administration. I will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah today to raise the issue. I’m almost certain that the draft has been published at the interest of the governor (Administrator) without consultation or consent from the local representatives or the home ministry,” said P.P.Mohammed Faizal, lone Lok Sabha member from Lakshadweep. The administration had also removed meat items from the menu of the island’s schools.
Sources:
https://thecognate.com/bjp-proposes-beef-ban-in-muslim-majority-lakshadweep/
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/02/27/move-to-ban-beef-in-lakshadweep-kicks-up-row.html
Despite low crime rates, Lakshadweep administration moves to implement Goonda Act
Date: 22 February 2021
The administrator of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, one of the few places in India where the rate of crime is so low that the jail is more or less empty, proposed the implementation of a goonda act. The island has a majority-Muslim population. Under the Lakshadweep Prevention of Anti Social Activities Act 2021, accused persons can be jailed without trial for upto a year. Residents registered strong protest against the proposed law.
Sources:
https://www.mediaonetv.in/goonda-law-to-be-enforced-in-lakshadweep
https://www.doolnews.com/video-story-about-sanghparivar-in-lakshadweep.html
TV channel posts poster about medical show with bearded doctor, Islamophobic comments follow
Date: 22 May 2021
Malayalam TV channel Mediaone TV posted a Facebook poster promoting a special program on the problems caused by Black Fungus, which seriously affects the eye. However, the doctor who was scheduled to appear, Mr Muhammed Sadique, spots a long beard and a white headwrap in the typical Muslim style. As a result, a series of Islamophobic comments were posted in the comments section. While one user commented that the “fungus will run for its life when it sees this doctor”, another asked how this could be “the attire of a doctor”. One other user was “more afraid of this doctor than the virus”. Another wondered “where his moustache had gone”. Many called him an “ustad” (cleric), while some used the derogatory term “spitting ustad”, in reference to the fake allegations that had earlier circulated about Muslims spitting in public to spread coronavirus. However, a large number of users also came to the defence of the doctor. With MBBS, DO, DNB and FRCS, Dr Sadique was highly qualified to appear on the show. He is also a convert to Islam, having been born in an uppercaste Hindu family.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/114179211991766/posts/4129840280425619/
https://www.eastcoastdaily.com/2021/05/22/cyber-attack-against-eye-specialist-dr-muhammad-sadik.html
Video of lineman beaten in UP shared as West Bengal post-poll violence
Date: 21 May 2021
A video of a mob beating and dragging a man was circulated with the claim that the incident took place in West Bengal. The clip shows the people, the majority of whom are wearing skull caps, dragging the man inside a gate. Several users have linked the video to the post-poll violence in West Bengal. One Aman Ashutosh gained 13,000 views for the video. He wrote, “Wake up Hindus” in the caption. Several Twitter users also linked the video to West Bengal violence. A few other users have said that the incident is from Uttar Pradesh where locals beat up a lineworker. “The height of Bengal violence has reached Muzaffarnagar,” said the caption. A lineman from Sikri, Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh was indeed beaten up by some locals. According to a report published in Amar Ujala on May 5, 2021, Anuj went to Sikri to fix a fault in an electricity line. “One Salman from the village came with his brother Ayyaz and the duo asked Anuj to change their cable. Anuj denied doing the favour and asked them to present the order from the JE first. The accused allegedly called their friends Rafi, Khalid, Naaz, Aas Mohammed, Abid and one unnamed person and started abusing Anuj,” per the report.
Sources:
https://thelogicalindian.com/fact-check/west-bengal-post-poll-violence-28189
Vegetable Seller Faisal Killed in Unnao After Policemen Thrash Him
Date: 22 May 2021
An 18-year-old vegetable seller, Faisal Hussain, died after being thrashed by policemen in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district on 20 May. The policemen beat him up in the afternoon that day, took him to the police station and thrashed him there too, after which he died at a local community healthcare center. The family is distraught, there was an immense commotion in the area and the police has filed an FIR for murder. Narrating what happened, Faisal’s paternal uncle Miraj said, “My nephew was selling vegetables in the market when this policeman, called Chaudhary, came and thrashed him a few times repeatedly. They thrashed him so hard he fell to the ground. They then decided they will take him to the police station and thrash him there as well.” The police had, after thrashing him at the police station, taken him to the community health center, but the doctor there said Faisal was too serious. "Some policemen got him here and when we saw him he looked too serious. He was not doing well at all. We referred him immediately to another hospital. The car was called to the ward to take him elsewhere, but before the car could even reach he had breathed his last,’ an official at the centre said. An FIR was registered at around 8:30 pm on 21 May under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code at the Bangarmau police station. The police took a decision to suspend the services of constable Vijay Chaudhary with immediate effect while Home Guard Satya Prakash was relieved from his duties. They also said that the investigation against other police personnel will be deliberated upon further.
Sources:
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/faizal-khan-vegetable-seller-killed-in-unnao-up-police#read-more