Prathibha Kulai expresses concern over the use of Bhajana programs for political purposes
Surathkal: Congress spokesperson Prathibha Kulai has raised concerns over the increasing commercialisation of religious Bhajana programs, highlighting their recent use for political purposes. This statement follows a controversial remark made by Panja Subdivision Forest Officer Sanjeev Poojari regarding women from the Billava community, which has caused widespread outrage.
Speaking at a press conference in Surathkal on Saturday, she stated that Sanjeev Poojary, instead of protecting the forest, has targeted girls of a particular community and insulted women as a whole. She mentioned that he claimed to have evidence while justifying his statements. Therefore, she urged the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner to arrest him, conduct a thorough investigation, and present the evidence to the public.
Prathibha Kulai further alleged that in recent times, Bhajana programs, traditionally held in temples and Bhajana mandirs as part of religious devotion, have been misused for political gain. She accused political factions of exploiting underprivileged women for these purposes.
Pratibha Kulai has alleged that recent bhajan programs, which were once held in temples and bhajan mandirs with devotion, are now being politicized, using backward class girls for the purpose. She pointed out that while upper-caste girls are given respectful platforms at events, backward and Dalit girls are made to dance on the streets. Although bhajans are part of Hindu religious culture, dancing to bhajans on the streets is wrong and unrepresentative of Indian culture, she stated.
She questioned the so-called protectors of Hinduism, who claim that "we are all Hindus and united," but fail to seat all castes together and allow them to dine at temples. She also asked why caste is still used to deny temple entry to certain communities, and why the idea of unity is forgotten in such situations. Kulai challenged Hindutva leaders, asking if they would send their own daughters to dance to bhajans on the streets. She urged parents of girls to reflect on this issue.
She further accused political forces of dragging culture and religion onto the streets, stating that earlier they did politics by killing people and that now women and girls are being used as political tools. She demanded that religious leaders, spiritual gurus, and self-proclaimed Hindu leaders clarify whether using girls for street bhajans is justified.
Cabaret dance at Mangaluru Dasara procession
Kulai also condemned the inclusion of a cabaret dance during the Mangaluru Dasara procession, where women performed in inappropriate attire in a program meant to be religious. She expressed anger, stating that such acts humiliate women and dishonour the spirit of the festival. She strongly condemned the act as disrespectful in the presence of the deity.
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Passenger slapped during panic attack on IndiGo flight, sparks outrage on social media
Mumbai/Kolkata/Silchar: A shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing a man being slapped mid-flight while reportedly suffering a panic attack. The victim, identified as Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar from Assam, has since gone missing, and his family is seeking urgent answers.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows Hossain in visible distress, attempting to leave his seat and reportedly requesting to deboard. As flight attendants tried to calm him down, another passenger suddenly approached and slapped him. The incident triggered immediate protest from fellow travellers.
A young man suffers a panic attack, his co passenger slaps him. Indigo airlines says “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) August 1, 2025
This is a criminal case and the man needs to be on a No Fly List @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/dY1gQC6ze0
Hossain, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was en route to his hometown Katigorah in Cachar district via a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar. However, he never boarded the Silchar flight, and his mobile phone remains unreachable. His family, who had gathered at the Silchar airport, are now in distress. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, said, “We have no idea where he is. We’ve contacted the police and airport authorities but haven’t received any concrete information.” His father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said tearfully, “He was our only hope. Now we don’t even know if he’s safe.” In a statement issued on August 1, IndiGo Airlines said: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established procedures. The individual identified as unruly was handed over to the security authorities upon arrival. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per protocol.”
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Our crew acted in accordance with…
However, the airline's statement has been criticised for failing to clarify what happened to Hossain after the incident, whether he received medical help, was detained, or was allowed to continue his journey.
Weak kneed response from @IndiGo6E . Has the man who got physical with a fellow passenger been put on a no-fly list? Has Indigo followed up on its complaint at point of disembarkation? If the passenger was handed over to the @CISFAirport were charges pressed? pic.twitter.com/qXMnfiBbFE
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) August 1, 2025
The video triggered widespread anger on social media, with many users interpreting the slap as a possible hate-driven act. However, aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra of The Hindu offered a clarification on X, stating: “The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight was handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident occurred after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to deboard. Both belong to the same religious community.”
The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to de board.
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 1, 2025
Both belong to the same religious community.
Incident on… https://t.co/f0QPXG5hxG
Despite this clarification, concerns remain about the airline's handling of a visibly distressed passenger, particularly in the context of mental health. Unverified posts circulating on social media claim that Hossain was later found, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities or the airline.
Alhamdulillah! Hussain Ahmed Mazumder, who was assaulted on an IndiGo flight while returning from Mumbai to Silchar and went missing, has now been found safe in Kolkata.
— Munir (@tapadar_1314) August 1, 2025
He is stable and in contact with his family. pic.twitter.com/MEGSGzHTk7
