Syed Shafiulla calls out hypocrisy over street Namaz vs. Hindu festivals; Video goes viral
New Delhi: A recent episode of The Sujit Kumar Show, featuring Congress leader Syed Shafiulla as a guest, has sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. The video, which was uploaded on February 9, 2025, on the official YouTube channel of The Sujit Kumar Show, has garnered only around 5,200 views on the platform as of March 29, 2025 but has gone viral on other social media channels and pages.
The segment that has drawn the most attention revolves around a debate on the practice of offering Namaz on the streets. When the host questioned the justification of street prayers, Syed Shafiulla gave a sharp and assertive response, which resonated with many viewers and quickly spread across various platforms.
In the viral clip, Syed Shafiulla challenged the fairness of the host's questioning, arguing that religious activities on streets are not exclusive to Muslims. He pointed out that Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Janmashtami, and Kanwar Yatra also involve public celebrations that occupy streets.
"Don't you think there should be equality for everyone?" Syed Shafiulla asked. "Do Hindus not celebrate festivals on streets? Are all religious activities in India confined to temples? Do Kanwariyas walk inside their homes? Why are you asking only about Muslims?"
The host appeared visibly caught off guard and struggled to provide a response. Syed Shafiulla further elaborated on how Hindu religious practices also spill over onto public roads, questioning why similar scrutiny is not applied to them. His counterargument, particularly referencing Ganesh Chaturthi processions and Janmashtami celebrations, struck a chord with many viewers, leading to widespread discussion online.
Syed Shafiulla is a politician from Karnataka who has previously served as the State Senior Vice President of the Janata Dal (Secular). However, in September 2023, he resigned from both his position and the party’s primary membership after JD(S) aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He cited ideological differences, emphasizing that JD(S) had traditionally upheld secular principles that he felt conflicted with BJP’s political stance. Following his resignation, he joined the Indian National Congress.
His remarks come amidst ongoing debates on religious equality, secularism, and media biases, especially in the wake of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The controversy was triggered by police orders banning namaz on streets in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut and Sambhal. Adding to the tension, the Meerut Police has threatened to cancel passports and driving licences for violations. Right-wing handles and their supporters have since engaged in baseless debates on social media, further fueling the discourse.
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Probe into Zubeen Garg's death ongoing, no foul play suspected yet: Singapore police
Singapore (PTI): Investigations into the death of singer Zubeen Garg are ongoing but so far no foul play is suspected, Singapore police have said.
Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19.
The case is currently still being investigated by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), in accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the police said on Thursday.
“Based on our investigations so far, the SPF does not suspect foul play in the death of Garg,” said the statement.
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Upon completion of the investigations, the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner in Singapore, who will hold a Coroner’s Inquiry (CI), currently scheduled for January and February 2026.
A CI is a fact-finding process led by the Coroner to establish the cause and circumstances of death. Its findings will be made public upon conclusion, said the SPF.
Singapore police are committed to conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the case, it said.
“We seek the patience and understanding of the parties involved. Meanwhile, we urge the public not to speculate and spread unverified information,” said SPF.
A Special Investigation Team probing Garg's death charged four accused, including the singer’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, with murder in a chargesheet filed in a court in India last week.
Garg was due to perform at the 4th Northeast India Festival at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 20.
