Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha clarifies after tweet comparing Muslims with Hindutva brigade
New Delhi: A social media controversy erupted after Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha responded to a tweet that praised a gesture of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, comparing its supporters to the Hindutva brigade, and later clarified his stance following criticism from several users.
The debate began when Noorul, editor of Salar-E-Hind Urdu Daily in Delhi, posted a photograph showing Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi speaking with an Indian woman journalist, with the minister looking down during the conversation. Captioning the image, Noorul wrote: “Your culture has removed the hijab from your head, my culture has kept my gaze lowered.”
Reacting to this, Sinha replied on X (formerly Twitter):
“The followers, who believe in and uphold this version of Islam, and are happy to embrace the Talibanis, are as dangerous as the Hindutva brigade.”
His response triggered reactions, with many users accusing him of equating Muslim believers with Hindutva extremists. Some also accused Sinha of harbouring anti-Muslim sentiment.
A user named Shadab Khan posted a collage comparing Sinha’s photo with that of BJP MLA T. Raja Singh, known for his Islamophobic remarks, writing: “They hate Muslims, they hate Islam. Bas 19, 20 ka fark hai.”
Sinha responded to the accusation in a detailed post, writing:
“I don’t hate Muslims. There are very few people I feel hatred toward because it is a very strong emotion. One example would be Netanyahu. I have many Muslim friends for whom I feel a range of emotions, from fondness and affection to simple friendship… I don’t hate Islam either. I’m critical of it, just as I’m critical of other organized religions such as Hinduism and Christianity. There’s a vast difference between hate and criticism.”
He went on to contrast his stance with that of Raja Singh, stating that the latter’s political identity was based on spreading hatred and inciting violence, while his own criticism was rooted in questioning religious power structures that perpetuate inequality.
The exchange drew further attention when senior journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani expressed solidarity with Sinha, saying:
“Dear Pratik, as a journalist and a Muslim, I feel deeply ashamed that you even have to write this clarification. Your and @zoo_bear’s work at Alt News has not only exposed Sanghi lies but has saved countless Muslim lives and in many ways protected India from sinking deeper into hate.”
She urged Sinha to “ignore the hate from fanatics,” adding that “millions of silent Muslims and non-Muslims stand with you, with gratitude and pride.”
They hate Muslims, they hate Islam.
— Mohd Shadab Khan (@VoxShadabKhan) October 14, 2025
Bas 19,20 ka fark hai. pic.twitter.com/iJo69GS1NS
Pratik equated Indian Muslims to Hindutuva Brigade (likes of T Raja Singh) for appreciating an act of lowering of gaze. This act is Islamic act and exclusive to Taliban.
— ☪︎ Meem ✶⁀➷ (@FiltrationTime) October 14, 2025
Hindus who are aware of Muslim practices, know gender segregation is part of our belief.
This doesn’t… pic.twitter.com/XYJluzNjnl
I don't hate Muslims. There are very few people I feel hatred toward because it is a very strong emotion. One example would be Netanyahu.
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) October 14, 2025
I have many Muslim friends for whom I feel a range of emotions, from fondness and affection to simple friendship. As for other Muslims… https://t.co/4MlU5Hm2Xm
I don't hate Muslims. There are very few people I feel hatred toward because it is a very strong emotion. One example would be Netanyahu.
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) October 14, 2025
I have many Muslim friends for whom I feel a range of emotions, from fondness and affection to simple friendship. As for other Muslims… https://t.co/4MlU5Hm2Xm
Dear Pratik,⁰As a journalist and a Muslim, I feel deeply ashamed that you even have to write this clarification.
— Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) October 15, 2025
Your and @zoo_bear’s work at Alt News has not only exposed Sanghi lies but has saved countless Muslim lives and in many ways, protected India from sinking deeper… https://t.co/3cSlA88juM
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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