UP: Muslim Pradhan booked for distributing biryani to flood victims on Janmashtami
Farrukhabad: In a controversial move, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad district arrested a Muslim village pradhan and two others for allegedly distributing non-vegetarian biryani to flood victims on Janmashtami, a Hindu religious festival that traditionally observes a vegetarian diet.
The incident occurred in Raipur Chinghatpur village under Kampil police jurisdiction on Sunday, August 17, where Pradhan Mohammad Shami, his son Saif Ali, and party worker Traique Ali were taken into custody following a complaint by local resident Sunil Kumar. The complaint alleged that the distribution of non-veg food near a temple-cum-relief shelter had hurt religious sentiments and disrupted social harmony.
Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Shami, his sons Kaif Ali and Talib Ali, and aide Mohd Sami alias Mustakeem under sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) – including Section 196(1)(b) (promoting enmity between groups), Section 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and Section 351(3) (criminal intimidation).
Sub-Inspector Prempal of Kampil Police confirmed to Maktoob that both vegetarian and non-vegetarian biryani were served during the food distribution drive. He added that preliminary investigation is ongoing and the arrested individuals are in custody for questioning.
“There was no compulsion. People were free to choose between veg and non-veg meals,” he said. “We are verifying the facts. Action will be taken based on evidence, not allegations.”
Sharique Ali, brother of the pradhan, defended the relief effort, stating that Shami’s only intention was to ensure that flood-affected families did not go hungry.
“Even on Janmashtami, Lord Krishna would not want people to starve,” he said. “This is a politically motivated complaint meant to malign my brother’s image.”
Several villagers voiced support for Shami, describing him as actively involved in flood relief efforts at a time when official aid has been slow to reach remote areas. One local resident, Aslam, said, “He has been doing good work for the community.” Another, Shaz Khan, added, “Relief work shouldn’t be communalised. It’s about helping people in need.”
Floods in Farrukhabad have displaced hundreds of families, with many relying on temporary shelters and local initiatives for food and assistance.
As of now, police continue to investigate the matter while calls grow for ensuring that humanitarian aid is not politicised or communalised in times of crisis.
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Yenepoya University conducts autism awareness campaign in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The Department of Occupational Therapy at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) conducted a community-based Autism Awareness Campaign at Fiza Mall and Ullal Beach in the city.
The campaign was aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and early identification of autism, in line with the global theme, “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.”
The programme was led by Dr. Dhayanithi K and Dr. Ananya Jana as organising chairpersons, with Dr. Anas, Dr. Amanda S. Phillip, and Dr. Ansu V. David served as organising members.
Students of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme participated in conducting the campaign.
The event included activities such as flash mobs, street plays, face painting, mehendi, and direct interaction with the public.
These activities focused on highlighting early signs of autism, the need for early intervention, and the importance of inclusion and acceptance of individuals with autism.
The campaign reached around 300 to 500 members of the public. It also provided students with practical exposure to community-based rehabilitation and public health education.
As part of the initiative, QR-based digital resources were introduced to help the public access reliable information on autism.
“Awareness is the first step towards inclusion, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes,” the organising team said.
The department thanked the university for its support in organising the campaign. It also acknowledged the cooperation of the management of Fiza Mall and the Ullal Beach Police Department in facilitating the event.
