Who is Afreen Fatima, why was her house demolished in Prayagraj?
Prayagraj: The demolition of the house belonging to student activist Afreen Fatima and her father Javed Mohammed by Prayagraj authorities on Sunday, 12 June, has elicited widespread public outrage and accusations of political vendetta. The demolition occurred in the wake of the violent protests that broke out in Uttar Pradesh over the remarks made by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma concerning Prophet Muhammad.
Javed Mohammed, a prominent leader of the Welfare Party of India, was accused of being the key conspirator in the violent protests, which involved arson, stone-pelting, and sloganeering against Nupur Sharma. Afreen Fatima, his daughter, was accused by the police of being her father's advisor and being involved in "notorious activities."
The demolition was executed after the civic body of Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj issued a notice to Afreen Fatima's family, instructing them to vacate the house for demolition. Despite allegations of her involvement in the protests, the police has not presented any evidence against Afreen Fatima in connection with the Prayagraj violence.
Afreen Fatima: A Vocal Activist
Afreen Fatima, 22, is the National Secretary of the Fraternity Movement, the student wing of the Welfare Party. She completed her master’s degree at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2021, where she served as a councillor of the students union. Fatima has been an active participant in various political issues, advocating against the hijab ban in Karnataka, protesting against the 'Sulli deals' controversy, the Bulli Bai app, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Additionally, she initiated the formation of a community for young Muslim women from Allahabad, named ‘Muslimah Allahabad,’ with the aim of fostering sisterhood and mutual support among its members. Afreen Fatima has been a vocal critic of injustice and has actively participated in demonstrations against the CAA.
Police Allegations and Public Outcry
The police alleged that Afreen Fatima frequently provided suggestions to her father, Javed Mohammed. While the police has not presented strong evidence against her, she remains under scrutiny. The action against Fatima and her family has been widely condemned as another instance of 'bulldozer politics' occurring in BJP-ruled states.
Fatima's father, Javed Mohammed, was arrested, and her mother and sister were detained by the Prayagraj Police. In a police complaint, Fatima expressed concern for her family's safety, stating that they were taken into custody without notice or warrant, and their whereabouts were unknown for several hours. The authorities refused to allow friends and family members to meet the detained individuals.
Social Media Uproar and Support for Fatima
The demolition of Afreen Fatima's house sparked outrage on social media, leading to the trending hashtag #StandWithAfreenFatima on Twitter. Public figures such as student activist Gurmehar Kaur, public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan, and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed their solidarity with Fatima and her family.
The incident has ignited a larger debate about civil liberties, political vendettas, and the treatment of activists in India, drawing attention to the challenges faced by individuals who voice dissent against the government or participate in social and political movements.
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Conspiracy afoot to 'tarnish' image of Dharmasthala: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there was a “conspiracy” to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala.
His comments come amid an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into serious allegations of mass burials in the revered temple town in Dakshina Kannada district.
“A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant,” he said.
Noting that some Congress MLAs have called for action against those involved in the slander campaign at the legislature party meeting, he said, “ I have told them that action must be taken against those who are indulging in a slander campaign. The CM has also said that action must be taken against such people.”
“I have information on this case. Religious feelings should not be hurt in any manner. Culprits must be punished,” he told reporters, according to a release from his office.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar said the Congress party will not allow the image of any religious place to be tarnished.
“We see everyone equally when it comes to religion,” he added.
The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault. He has given a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.
