Gujarat: Muslims in Vatva allege repeated harassment, stone pelting while returning from Taraweeh
Vatva: In a concerning incident, members of the Muslim community in Vatva, Ahmedabad, have raised serious concerns about ongoing harassment while going to offer Taraweeh prayers. Residents allege that they were targeted with stones, particularly those wearing skull caps, and claim that masked assailants also pelted stones at nearby homes.
Local residents have also accused some individuals of forcing Muslims to chant slogans at knifepoint, as reported by Maktoob. They claimed that such attacks are a recurring problem each Ramadan, yet hardly any action is ever taken against the perpetrators.
The local Muslim community has lodged a complaint about the incident at the police station, identifying two of the culprits as Amit and Sunil, added the report.
However, residents contend that the authorities were initially reluctant to take action. Victims claim they were made to wait for over an hour at the police station before any response was given. Additionally, when attempts to file complaints were made, the police allegedly refrained from naming any suspects and instead listed them as "unknown persons." The authorities reportedly acted only after the victims provided video evidence of the incident.
One of the victims expressed frustration with the handling of the situation, pointing out the disparity in treatment. "If the roles were reversed, we would be branded anti-nationals. Here, the accused were released almost immediately, with their faces covered, and no real action was taken" he told The Observer Post.
Meanwhile, a local resident urged for enhanced police surveillance in the area until the Eid to ensure the safety of worshippers.
"If anything happens to us, who will take responsibility?" asked Syed Mehdi, emphasising that the perpetrators often go unpunished and are typically released after just 24 hours. “We are not satisfied with this, as they continue to create chaos,” he added.
Mehdi appealed for peace and tranquility during the holy month of Ramadan, underscoring the need for a safe environment. He called for an atmosphere where everyone, including women, could live without fear and disturbances.
अहमदाबाद के वतवा में तरावीह की नमाज़ के लिए जा रहे लोगों पर पथराव का मामला सामने आया है. स्थानीय लोगों ने आरोप लगाया है कि उनके ऊपर पथराव किया गया और चाकू की नोंक पर नारे भी लगवाए गए. पीड़ितों ने घटना की शिकायत स्थानीय थाने में दर्ज कराई है। pic.twitter.com/Z7V4zFxDde
— Maktoob Hindi (@maktoobhindi) March 5, 2025
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
