Latest news with #AssociationforProtectionofCivilRights
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Civil rights body urges CM to clarify on giving award to ‘Razakar'
Hyderabad: The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Telangana Chapter, along with activists, historians, and members of the Telugu film industry, demanded that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy issue an immediate public statement clarifying the Telangana government's stance on conferring the Gaddar Telangana Film Award to the film 'Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad'. During a press conference held at Basheerbagh Press Club, the activists found that the decision to honor this film with three awards—Feature Film on Environment, Heritage, History; Best Makeup Artist, and Best Music Director—is a profound insult to the legacy of legendary communist leader and balladeer Gaddar, who dedicated his life to secular values and the upliftment of marginalised communities. They demanded that the award be revoked, and to reassess the award selection process to ensure alignment with principles of historical accuracy and social unity. They held that the film presents a selective and distorted portrayal of history, reducing the complex Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-51) to a communal Hindu-Muslim narrative. Rather than addressing the feudal, caste, and social power issues central to the struggle, it falsely depicts Razakars as exclusively Muslim, ignoring their diverse composition and the broader context of the Communist-led peasant rebellion against feudal oppression. This communal agenda, evident throughout the film, vilifies the Muslim community and distorts the legacy of the Nizam's rule, undermining the principles of communal harmony and historical integrity that Gaddar championed. Awarding such a film in his name is a betrayal of his lifelong fight for justice and equality, they claimed.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rights activists demand withdrawal of award to Razakar
A gathering of civil rights groups under the banner of Association for Protection of Civil Rights on Thursday said giving an award to the film Razakar is a violation of the revolutionary spirit of Gaddar and an insult to Telangana's culture and history. 'Gaddar refused Nandi Awards twice. Instituting an award on his name is wrong. But handing over an award named after him to a divisive, mischievous and historically toxic movie like Razakar is plain wrong,' said N. Venugopal, speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad. 'The movie sows seeds of discord among the people of Telangana who have lived together with Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb,' said Mr. Venugopal, author and journalist, as he narrated how the movie sank at the box office. 'The Congress party, which opposed Razakar before its release due to its divisive content, has now endorsed its recognition through the State-backed Gaddar Awards. This contradictory stance has deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims and secular-minded people across Telangana, who view the awards as an endorsement of communal propaganda,' said another speaker on the occasion. 'Revoke the Gaddar Award conferred on Razakar movie, and reassess the award selection process,' said a spokesperson for the Association for Protection of Civil Rights.
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rising Islamophobia in India alarming: FO
Pakistan on Saturday expressed deep concern over the growing number of Islamophobic incidents across India and warned that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates India's international human rights obligations. Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, in a statement, said Pakistan strongly condemned the targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory policies, and acts of violence, reportedly carried out with the complicity or silence of Indian authorities. "Pakistan calls upon the Indian government to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith," the spokesperson said, warning that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes was in violation of India's international human rights obligations. Khan added that such actions, at a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, further undermine prospects for communal harmony and regional stability. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following New Delhi's accusations — leveled without evidence — linking Islamabad to the Pahalgam attack in IIOJK. The Pakistani government has strongly rejected the allegations. Human rights organisations, including the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), have recorded at least 21 incidents of anti-Muslim violence across India in the days following the attack. These include physical assaults on Kashmiri Muslims, hate speeches at public rallies, and reported calls for the expulsion of Muslim students from hostels. The situation has been further inflamed by the rise of incendiary music aligned with Hindutva ideology. Songs disseminated widely through platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp have been accused of inciting hatred against Muslims. One such song, Pehle Dharam Pocha ("They Asked About Religion First"), surfaced shortly after the Pahalgam incident, accusing Indian Muslims of conspiring against Hindus. It has garnered over 140,000 views in less than a week. Other tracks such as Ab Ek Nahi Huye Toh Kat Jaaoge ("If You Don't Unite Now You Will Be Slaughtered") and Jaago Hindu Jaago ("Wake Up, Hindus") have called on Hindus to identify "traitors within the country"a phrase widely seen as a veiled reference to Muslims. In parallel with the online hate campaign, authorities in Gujarat reportedly demolished around 2,000 huts, which officials claimed were illegally occupied by undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. Activists, however, argue that the demolitions are part of a broader pattern of systemic discrimination aimed at portraying Indian Muslims as "outsiders".
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan says India violating human rights obligations through Islamophobic actions
Listen to article Pakistan on Saturday expressed deep concern over the growing number of Islamophobic incidents across India and warned that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates India's international human rights obligations. In a statement responding to media queries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan strongly condemned the targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory policies, and acts of violence, reportedly carried out with the complicity or silence of Indian authorities. 'Pakistan calls upon the Indian government to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith,' the spokesperson said, warning that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes was in violation of India's international human rights obligations. Khan added that such actions, at a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, further undermine prospects for communal harmony and regional stability. Read more: Indian Muslim's home demolished over 'Pakistan Zindabad' chant during cricket match The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following New Delhi's accusations—leveled without evidence—linking Islamabad to the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Pakistani government has strongly rejected the allegations. Human rights organisations, including the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), have recorded at least 21 incidents of anti-Muslim violence across India in the days following the attack. These include physical assaults on Kashmiri Muslims, hate speeches at public rallies, and reported calls for the expulsion of Muslim students from hostels. The situation has been further inflamed by the rise of incendiary music aligned with Hindutva ideology. Songs disseminated widely through platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp have been accused of inciting hatred against Muslims. One such song, Pehle Dharam Pocha ('They Asked About Religion First'), surfaced shortly after the Pahalgam incident, accusing Indian Muslims of conspiring against Hindus. It has garnered over 140,000 views in less than a week. Other tracks such as Ab Ek Nahi Huye Toh Kat Jaaoge ('If You Don't Unite Now You Will Be Slaughtered') and Jaago Hindu Jaago ('Wake Up, Hindus') have called on Hindus to identify 'traitors within the country'—a phrase widely seen as a veiled reference to Muslims. In parallel with the online hate campaign, authorities in Gujarat reportedly demolished around 2,000 huts, which officials claimed were illegally occupied by undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. Activists, however, argue that the demolitions are part of a broader pattern of systemic discrimination aimed at portraying Indian Muslims as 'outsiders' and pushing them further to the margins of society. Also read: Pakistan condemns Modi's Gujarat speech as 'reckless provocation' The demolitions have displaced thousands, worsening the precarious living conditions of affected families and contributing to a growing sense of insecurity within the community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government—widely seen as closely aligned with right-wing Hindu nationalist groups—has come under increasing criticism for its failure to curb hate speech and protect minority communities. Critics argue that the state's silence, and in some cases active participation, in anti-Muslim actions has emboldened extremist elements.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir, Kashmiris, and the politics of retribution
Most of us know a lot about the terror attack at Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor and the four-day 'war'. We've made it our business to find out. But there are other facts that happened during this period we're woefully ignorant of. The Association for Protection of Civil Rights reports that between April 27 and May 8 there were 184 anti-Muslim attacks of various sorts all over India. They comprise 19 acts of vandalism, 39 assaults, 42 incidents of harassment and 84 incidents of hate speech. It's believed that 106 were 'triggered' by Pahalgam. The majority happened in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra. Are these facts unknown to us because it's now commonplace to target Kashmiris and other Muslims? Have they become punching bags for our impatience, frustration and anger? Why aren't we infuriated to learn of them? Consider what happened in Kashmir. Houses of alleged terrorists were demolished simply on the basis of suspicion without any due process and in blatant defiance of Supreme Court judgements on bulldozer justice. Didn't this make a mockery of India's claim to be a democracy that follows the rule of law? That's not all. The Guardian, among other Western newspapers, reported that some 2,000 people were arrested, again on suspicion, and many were allegedly tortured. Two, reportedly, were killed. Doesn't it feel as if this was a case of treating Kashmiri Muslims as suspicious simply because they are Kashmiri and Muslim? Now, compare how the Kashmiris themselves responded to Pahalgam. Clerics opened mosques to provide beds for those who did not have hotel bookings, taxi drivers refused to charge fares to passengers heading for the airport, there was a complete hartal as shops, hotels, colleges, schools closed to express sympathy with the victims and all political parties, whether in power or Opposition, took out rallies in condemnation of the terrorists. In sharp contrast to the behaviour of Kashmiris in the Valley, is the way Kashmiris were treated in the rest of India. In Punjab and Uttarakhand, Kashmiri students were beaten up and had to flee for their lives. In Mussoorie, shawl wallahs who had worked there for decades, were forced to leave. Yet the governments in these states seemed unconcerned and unbothered. Again, why? These are citizens of India with the same rights as you and I. Perhaps, worst of all, those in positions of authority opted to attack rather than defend Kashmiris and Muslims. Vishnu Gupta, the president of the Hindu Sena, said: 'The attack in Kashmir was an attack on Hindus and we will respond in kind — not only against Kashmiris but against every Muslim in India'. Vijay Shah, Madhya Pradesh's minister of tribal affairs, called Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who gave daily briefings on India's military operation along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, the 'sister of terrorists'. And they got away with it. They weren't admonished. They certainly weren't punished. It's worth remembering a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru's letter of October 15, 1947, to state chief ministers, written when the post-Partition killings were at their height. 'We have a Muslim minority who are so large in numbers that they cannot, even if they want to, go anywhere else. They have got to live in India'. Then he pointedly added 'whatever the provocation from Pakistan … we have got to deal with this minority in a civilized manner.' Isn't that advice as relevant today as it was 80 years ago? Karan Thapar is the author of Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal
