UN chief calls for action against rising anti-Muslim bigotry
urges govts to protect religious freedom
New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has raised alarm over the growing wave of anti-Muslim sentiment across the globe, urging governments and digital platforms to take decisive steps against discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech.
Speaking in a video address on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed on Saturday, Guterres highlighted the increasing challenges faced by Muslim communities.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry. From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” he said.
While refraining from naming specific countries, Guterres emphasised the responsibility of governments to foster inclusivity and safeguard religious freedoms. He also called on social media platforms to curb the spread of online hate speech and harassment, noting that intolerance against any group threatens the rights and freedoms of all.
“When one group is attacked, the rights and freedoms of all are at risk. As a global community, we must reject and eradicate bigotry,” the UN chief expressed.
Guterres further noted that Muslim women often bear the brunt of Islamophobia due to misleading portrayals that depict them as oppressed. Addressing this issue, he underscored the need for fair representation and policies that promote equality and diversity.
Marking the occasion, Guterres urged world leaders, civil society, and individuals to take collective action in building inclusive societies where people of all faiths can coexist in peace and dignity.
“On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let us work together to uphold equality, human rights and dignity, and build inclusive societies where everyone, regardless of their faith, can live in peace and harmony,” he said.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
