Foej Media

Category: Politics

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.

  • Varanasi: 14 Muslim Men Detained after Iftar on Ganga Boat with Non-vegetarian Food Triggers row

    Varanasi: 14 Muslim Men Detained after Iftar on Ganga Boat with Non-vegetarian Food Triggers row

    A case has been registered against fourteen Muslim men in Varanasi after they were seen holding an iftar gathering on the river, eating non-veg, and dumping it in the river. The video of the gathering went viral on the social media platform, triggering controversy.

    The video demonstrates a group of Muslim men seated on a moving boat in the river, breaking their fast with chicken biryani being served on the plates. A complaint has been filed by Rajat Jaiswal, city president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. 

    Based on a complaint filed by Rajat Jaiswal, city president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, a case has been registered against the youths.

    “The Ganga is a central symbol of faith in Sanatan Dharma, and lakhs of devotees visit it daily. Consuming chicken biryani on a boat in the sacred waters during iftar and allegedly throwing leftovers into the river is highly unfortunate and condemnable. It has deeply hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma. Such actions by these youths appear to deliberately promote a jihadi mindset,” Jaiswal said in his complaint. 

    He further alleged that this was done “intentionally hurting Hindu sentiments,” and actions should be taken against the men. 

    “Yesterday, the police received information that a video was circulating on social media, including Instagram, showing some people having an Iftar party on the Ganga. In the video, a container with chicken biryani was being used, and leftovers were allegedly thrown into the river. Arrests have been made in connection with the incident, and further action is being taken,” ACP Vijay Pratap Singh said. 

    The gathering was organized by local residents of Varanasi, and a pre-booked boat was arranged. The group reportedly broke the fast and offered namaz on the boat and later ate chicken briyani. Online views split sharply; some defend protecting ‘Mother Ganga’ from pollution, while others call out inconsistent enforcement amid sewage, idol immersions, and other river contaminants.

    “Eating non-vegetarian food in the Ganga is like eating pork in a mosque,” a user posted on X. 

    “Soon they will start taking legal action against Muslims for inhaling too much oxygen,” another user said. 

    “When Muslims were worshiping their Allah, they were being beaten; now even eating food lands them in jail. From what to what have they turned my dear Hindustan in the eyes of the whole world?” a comment on X reads. 

    “They are snatching away everyone’s freedom by making religion the basis—RSS, BJP, the Brahmin religion folks. Just a few days ago, when a sadhu died, they took the body on a boat and threw it in with the body itself. “Human bones can dissolve in it,” another commented. 

    “Let’s just eat at home and then go for a stroll. These people just look for excuses to act like thugs in the name of Ramadan and fasting. They can’t come and impose their religion on something that Hindus hold sacred,” a user reacted. 

  • Two Killed in Curfew Firing Amid Tensions Over Garo Hills Polls in Meghalaya

    Two Killed in Curfew Firing Amid Tensions Over Garo Hills Polls in Meghalaya

    Two persons were killed in police firing on Tuesday after security personnel attempted to disperse the unlawful assembly during curfew hours in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district, the officials said. 

    With this the tension has been intensified in the region days before the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, which is scheduled for April 10. The initial firing happened in Chibinang village, a place where unrest has been witnessed ahead of the clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups, which is linked to the GHADC election process. Furthermore, security forces intervened as a group of people gathered despite the curfew imposed. 

    Officials said the situation escalated during police intervention, prompting personnel to open fire to disperse the crowd. Two people were fatally injured in the incident, though authorities have yet to disclose their identities.

    As the firing took place, the district administration imposed stricter restrictions across the district, enforcing curfew into a full-day clampdown across West Garo Hills, preventing further escalation of violence. Furthermore, additional security forces are also deployed in the area, maintaining law and order. 

    The curfew was first imposed on Monday night in 37 villages identified as sensitive after several local NGOs protested against the participation of non-tribal candidates in the nomination process for the GHADC elections. Authorities enforced restrictions from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am during the nomination period from March 9 to March 16.

    It has also been reported that, hours before the firing, the state government also ordered a 48-hour suspension of mobile data services from midnight, ahead of reports of mobilization, assaults, and circulation of misinformation on social media. Officials said it was necessary to ensure safety during the nomination process. However, voice calls and SMS services were functional. 


    The peace committee called 

    A peace committee meeting has been called by Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, scheduled for Tuesday at the Circuit House in Tura. Authorities have invited church leaders, NGO representatives, and local development committees to help ease tensions.

    The unrest began after former Phulbari legislator Estamur Mominin was allegedly assaulted by protesters while arriving at the deputy commissioner’s office in Tura to file his nomination for the GHADC elections. Protesters have been demanding that non-tribals be barred from contesting or participating in the polls.

  • Mamata Banerjee Stages Second Day of Protest Over Electoral Roll Deletions in West Bengal

    Mamata Banerjee Stages Second Day of Protest Over Electoral Roll Deletions in West Bengal

    Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, continued her sit-in protest on Saturday against what she described as arbitrary deletions from electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, spending the night at the demonstration site for the second consecutive day.

    Banerjee had launched the protest on Friday at Metro Channel, accusing the Election Commission of India of acting in concert with the Bharatiya Janata Party to “disenfranchise Bengal voters” ahead of the state assembly elections.

    The chief minister remained at the venue overnight, joined by senior leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress, legislators and party workers, as the usually busy Esplanade area turned into a temporary political camp.

    Speaking to supporters on Friday afternoon, Banerjee alleged that large numbers of genuine voters were being removed from the electoral rolls as part of the SIR exercise. She also repeated her claim that several individuals had been incorrectly listed as deceased and said she would bring such voters before the media and the Election Commission to highlight what she termed an attempt to manipulate the voter list in favour of the BJP in the upcoming polls.

    Senior TMC leaders and state ministers remained present at the site, while supporters continued to gather there on Saturday morning.

    The protest comes days before a full bench of the Election Commission is scheduled to visit West Bengal, at a time when political tensions in the state have intensified over the ongoing voter list revision ahead of the assembly elections.

    According to official data released on February 28, around 63.66 lakh names, nearly 8.3 per cent of the electorate, have been removed from the rolls since the SIR process began in November last year, bringing down the total number of voters from about 7.66 crore to just over 7.04 crore.

    In addition, over 60.06 lakh electors have been placed in the “under adjudication” category, meaning their eligibility will be determined through legal scrutiny in the coming weeks. This process could significantly affect constituency-level electoral calculations.

  • Nitish Kumar Files Rajya Sabha Nomination, Creates Succession Buzz in Bihar

    Nitish Kumar Files Rajya Sabha Nomination, Creates Succession Buzz in Bihar

    Only four months after being sworn in for a record tenth time as Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the move escalating heightened political activity in Patna. 

    A key figure in Bihar politics for nearly two decades, Kumar’s possible move to Delhi could reshape the ruling NDA’s leadership structure in the state.

    “For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity. For this, I have expressed my gratitude to you many times in the past as well,” Kumar posted on X.

    “From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” he added.

    “I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance,” he said.

    The last day for filling nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections is Thursday. Kumar’s son, Nishat, is all set to join the JD(U), likely as a deputy chief minister. 

    Kumar’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha comes in the wake of the NDA’s sweeping victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, after which he was sworn in as chief minister on November 20, 2025, at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states.

    The filling of nomination was done at the State Assembly, where Nitish was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates. 

    In a message released ahead of his nomination, the Janata Dal (United) supremo thanked the people of Bihar for their sustained support, noting that their trust had enabled him to serve the state for more than two decades.

    “From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, I have harbored a desire to become a member of both houses of the Bihar Legislature and both houses of Parliament. In keeping with that aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections taking place this time,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.

    Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Union minister Giriraj Singh, refuting the speculations, said that jokes are common on Holi. 

  • PM Modi Talks to Netanyahu, Seeks Early Halt to Middle East Conflict

    PM Modi Talks to Netanyahu, Seeks Early Halt to Middle East Conflict

    Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia amid intensifying hostilities. In a post on X, Modi said he conveyed India’s concerns over the latest developments and stressed that the protection of civilian lives must remain a priority. “India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities,” he said.

    Late Sunday night, Modi also spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the conversation, he strongly condemned the attacks on the United Arab Emirates and affirmed that India stands firmly with the Gulf nation in this challenging period. He expressed appreciation for the UAE leadership’s efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community residing there, and reiterated that New Delhi supports de-escalation and broader efforts toward regional peace, security and stability.

    The exchange came in the backdrop of the killing of Ali Khamenei, who, according to Iranian state television and the Islamic Republic News Agency, died following large-scale strikes launched by Israel and the United States early Saturday. The 86-year-old leader’s death was confirmed early Sunday. Israel carried out another round of airstrikes on Tehran on Sunday, Reuters reported, triggering additional Iranian missile barrages in retaliation.

    The continuing exchange of attacks between the United States, Israel and Iran has sent ripples across global markets. Shipping routes, commercial aviation corridors and oil supplies in the Gulf, a key maritime and energy hub, have all been affected, raising fears of prolonged disruptions and higher energy prices.

    US President Donald Trump, commenting on the developments, said the strikes presented Iranians with their “greatest chance” to “reclaim their country.” He added that the bombing campaign would continue through the week or as long as necessary. Trump said the objective of the operation was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, limit its missile capabilities and neutralise threats to the United States and its allies.

    In response, Iran launched drones and missiles targeting Israel, US military installations in the Gulf region and the commercial hub of Dubai. Meanwhile, on Sunday, members of the Shia community staged protests in several parts of India, expressing anger and mourning over Khamenei’s killing.

  • BJP Worker Detained After Alleged ‘Shoot at Home’ Threat Against Rahul Gandhi

    BJP Worker Detained After Alleged ‘Shoot at Home’ Threat Against Rahul Gandhi

    A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker from Kota, Rajasthan, has issued a death threat to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In his threat he said he will shoot the senior congress leader in his residence for “abusing” the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. 

    The statement was made in a video initially posted on the Instagram account “Raj Amera Gausevak,” which later went viral across multiple social media platforms. The account is no longer accessible at the time of reporting.

    Raj Amera Singh, a self-proclaimed cow vigilante (gau rakshak) and member of the right-wing group Karni Sena, was allegedly reacting to remarks made by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju concerning the alleged abuse of Birla by Congress MPs, during which he had also described Gandhi as a “serious national threat.”

    “The way 25 MPs behaved toward Om Birla—if such an incident occurs again, we will break into their houses and create a ruckus,” Raj said. “If those MPs are arrested within 24 hours, it is fine. Otherwise, we will shoot them all one by one,” he said.

    “Rahul Gandhi, kaan kholkar sunle, agar dubara aisi ghatna hui toh tere ghar mai ghuskar, goli maardenge. (Rahul Gandhi, listen carefully. If such an incident happens again, then I will shoot you,” he said.

    “With a BJP scarf around his neck, this lunatic is threatening to shoot and kill the Leader of the Opposition in the country, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, along with 25 MPs. Yet till now, neither has he been arrested nor has any FIR (First Information Report) been registered, because he claims to be a worker of Om Birla and Narendra Modi. Is this the way BJP will now fight political battles…?” he added. 

    Meanwhile, Kota’s Superintendent of Police (SP), Tejaswani Gautam, told PTI that the accused has been detained at Borkheda police station. He is currently under question.

    Meantime, the BJP and the Karni Sena have denied having any connections with Singh. “I want to clarify that the person seen in the viral video has no connection with the BJP. The BJP is a disciplined party committed to nation-building. This type of language and conduct is completely contrary to our ideology and moral values,” BJP Kota city president Rakesh Jain said.

  • 30 Muslim Residents Face Citizenship Hearings in Darjeeling After Complaint During Voter Roll Revision

    30 Muslim Residents Face Citizenship Hearings in Darjeeling After Complaint During Voter Roll Revision

    Questions have been raised and tension has flared in West Bengal after at least 30 members belonging to the Muslim community were summoned for citizenship verification during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Darjeeling. 

    This was followed by a complaint filed by a man, Sunil Chhetri, who, as per the reports, alleged that these people were not Indian citizens and extended a demand to delete their names from the voter lists. Following this, a hearing was conducted on Sunday, earlier this week, which also marked the final day after the SIR deadline extension. Meantime, the final voter list is scheduled to be published on 28 February. 

    The emotions that followed 

    The incident unfolded an emotional scene as the families who were summoned said they were born and brought up in Darjeeling; they further claimed that they had voted in the previous elections as well. 

    “I was born here. My father and grandfather lived here. My name has been on the voter list since 2002. Suddenly, I am being asked to prove that I am an Indian citizen,” a resident said while speaking to reporters. 

    As per the reports of Clarion Media, the man who has been following the matter closely and has been identified as Tausheeq Ashraf said that “Because of that complaint, around 30 Muslim residents were called for SIR hearings.”

    Ashraf said that all those summoned submitted valid documents and informed the officials that they were Indian citizens who were born and brought up in Darjeeling.

    “The administration disclosed only the complainant’s name but not his address. Without full details, it becomes difficult to take any action or seek accountability,” he said.

    Officials associated with the SIR process maintained that summoning individuals based on complaints is part of normal procedure.

    “If any objection is filed, we are bound to call the concerned person for verification. “This applies to all communities,” an official said. 

    “Where documents are correct, there is no deletion. Only in cases where proper documents are not produced are names removed,” the official added.

    “My parents have lived here for decades. They pay taxes. They vote. Now they are being treated like outsiders. “This hurts,” another man said. 

    “We respect the law, and we cooperated fully,” one resident said. “But why are we repeatedly asked to prove that we belong here?”

    What do officials have to say?

    The officials who are linked with the SIR process said that calling people based on complaints is a part of the normal process in the verification. They said that the process is not limited to one community and that concerns have been raised against people belonging to other backgrounds as well. They further alleged that names of only those who have been deleted who were not able to produce proper documents do not target a particular community. 

  • SIR Process Concludes in Bengal; 4.98 Lakh Fresh Deletions Recommended

    SIR Process Concludes in Bengal; 4.98 Lakh Fresh Deletions Recommended

    The hearing process on claims and objections to the draft electoral roll in West Bengal concluded on Saturday evening, with 4.98 lakh more names marked for deletion from the final voters’ list.

    These are voters who failed to appear at the hearings despite being served repeated notices and have consequently been deemed eligible for removal. Until Friday evening, the number of such absentees stood at 6.25 lakh. “On the final day, more than one lakh voters turned up for the hearings, bringing the figure down to 4.98 lakh by Saturday evening,” a source in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said.

    The latest deletions come in addition to over 58 lakh names — including those of deceased, duplicate and shifted voters — that were excluded during the earlier enumeration exercise. Those names were removed from the draft roll published in December last year. The 4.98 lakh identified during the hearing stage will be added to that tally.

    However, officials indicated that the final number of deletions will only be known after the publication of the revised electoral roll on February 28. Scrutiny of identity documents submitted by voters who attended the hearings will continue until February 21. Names backed by invalid or unverified documents could also face exclusion, the CEO’s office said.

    District-wise data show that North 24 Parganas district recorded the highest number of absentees at around 1.38 lakh. It was followed by South 24 Parganas district with about 46,000 and the Kolkata Dakshin electoral district with nearly 22,000. Kalimpong district reported the lowest figure, at 440.

    A full bench of the Election Commission of India is scheduled to visit the state for two days beginning March 1, a day after the final roll is published, to assess the post-Special Intensive Revision scenario. The poll panel is expected to announce the schedule for the Assembly elections  due later this year  after the review.

    Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has recommended that the Assembly polls be conducted in a single phase, though the final decision rests with the Commission. In recent years, Assembly elections in the state have been held in multiple phases, typically seven or eight. The last single-phase Assembly election in West Bengal took place in 2001.

  • PM Modi Says Congress has Become Muslim League-Maoist

    PM Modi Says Congress has Become Muslim League-Maoist

    Launching an attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Congress follows the ideology of the Maoists and the Muslim League. Attending a gathering in Guwahati on Saturday, the Prime Minister accused the Congress of consistently jeopardizing national security.  Scathing criticism of the party’s record when it was on the throne, in power, the PM said, “Today, the Congress is the Maoist Muslim League Congress. We have to be very careful because the party wants Assam to be in the hands of infiltrators once again.”

    “The northeast has borne the brunt of the Congress’s negativity, and Modi has stolen the sleep of the Congress. So they say anything that comes to mind because of a lack of sleep. The Congress celebrates those who are a threat to the integrity of the nation. That party has only caused trouble, but the BJP has given solutions,” he said.

    “The Next Five Years Are Important to Ensure Peace…”

    Moving further, in his dialogue, Prime Minister Modi urged people to vote for the ruling BJP Party, as the next five years are imperative for continuing on the path of stability, peace, employment, and “fast-track development.”

    “The BJP does fast-track development and also carries legacy, history, and heritage forward, but the Congress has always been busy with appeasement politics and vote bank politics,” the PM said.

    “In some time, semiconductor chips made in Assam will be famous like Assam tea. Through development, I will return the love I get from Assam with interest. The Congress kept Assam infested with insurgency and conflict. Being out of power for ten years has made the Congress poisonous, and it wants to drive Assam to unrest,” he said.

    Referring to his landing at the Emergency Landing Facility set up along a stretch of National Highway in Moran, the Prime Minister said a new chapter in history had been written. He remarked that Assam, once known for its broken roads, now boasts highways built to such high standards that even fighter jets can land on them.

    “The karyakarta (workers) are the oxygen of the BJP. If I have any big qualification, it is that I am also a karyakarta of the BJP… Looking at the enthusiasm of the booth-level karyakarta, I am sure the BJP is going to return to power in Assam with an even bigger majority,” the PM said.

  • Replica Babri Masjid Project in Murshidabad Ignites Political Tussle Ahead of Bengal Elections

    Replica Babri Masjid Project in Murshidabad Ignites Political Tussle Ahead of Bengal Elections

    The construction of a replica of the Babri Masjid has started in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, flagging off a fresh political controversy ahead of the state going towards the Assembly elections. 

    The project under the superhead of suspended Trinamool congress leader Humayun Kabir, is likely to be completed in two years.  The announcement of the project has snowballed heated debate between the Trinamool 

    Work at the site commenced on Wednesday, with Kabir expressing confidence that the project will be completed within two years.

    Addressing those present at the site, Kabir described the project as an expression of faith and devotion, and said the structure would rise with divine blessings guiding the effort.

    “The construction of the mosque is expected to be completed within two years. By the grace of Allah and with His blessings, our Babri Masjid will be built,” Kabir said.

    Amid mounting criticism, Kabir urged political rivals to stay away from what he characterised as a question of religious liberty. He said individuals should be free to observe their beliefs without hindrance and rejected claims that the initiative seeks to trigger confrontation.


    “To those who are opposing this, I would say ‘step aside’. People are free to follow their own religions and build temples, churches, or whatever they wish. I won’t oppose anyone in the name of Islam.”

    “My effort is for Islam to please Allah… it is not about imposing anything,” he said, News the Truth reported. 

    UP Minister JPS Rathore says, “The Mamata government is trying to divide West Bengal. It is pushing the state towards a very dangerous situation, and in the coming time, they will have to pay the price for this.”

    Kabir’s statement has  reignited a ‘temple versus mosque’ debate, placing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party at the centre of a fresh political confrontation.

    Following the Murshidabad Babri Masjid proposal, the Trinamool Congress suspended Kabir from the party. In response, he launched his own political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), describing it as a “game-changer” in Bengal’s political landscape.