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NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
UP Police Arrests 14 People, Busts Unlawful Religious Conversion Syndicate
Agra: The Uttar Pradesh Police have made significant strides in cracking down on unlawful religious conversions, arresting 14 individuals involved in a syndicate operating across multiple states. This operation is part of Mission Asmita, a flagship initiative launched by the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to identify and eliminate threats linked to illegal religious conversions and radicalisation. Three more individuals were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the total number of arrests to 14. The accused include Junaid Qureshi, who allegedly married a woman after forcefully converting her. Speaking to the media, Agra Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar said, "One of the victims, found under Mission Asmita, gave a statement in front of the magistrate that she was forcefully converted. Junaid Qureshi, who married her inappropriately, has been arrested along with two others by the police. A total of 14 people have been arrested in the case. We have sent our teams to the Qazi who facilitated the weddings. The three accused have told that this is their work and their wives are also converted. We have recovered some suspicious materials along with mobile phone and SIM cards. The accused confessed that he went across the country for this work and he undertook many trips to Kashmir, Nepal, Bhutan, and West Bengal." The arrested individuals are well-educated and proficient in several languages. Police are investigating their money transactions and potential ties to other extremist outfits. "Police are also trying to find out the details on their money transactions," he said. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested 10 individuals across six states in a crackdown on an unlawful religious conversion syndicate. The UP Police on July 19 held a press conference to provide information about the syndicate. The operation was led by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF), with support from central intelligence agencies. Investigations have uncovered foreign funding from Canada, the US, London, and Dubai, with links to radicalisation and terror groups like PFI, SDPI, and Pakistani terror organisations. Key accused Mohammad Umar Gautam, Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi, and Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin were apprehended for orchestrating conversions through enticement and "love jihad," targeting young girls. The accused used enticement and "love jihad" to target young girls, mirroring ISIS tactics. They have confessed to travelling across the country for this work, including trips to Kashmir, Nepal, Bhutan, and West Bengal. During the press conference, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna stated, "UP Police had launched Mission Asmita, where a few accused of the unlawful religious conversion syndicate were arrested. The ATS arrested Mohammad Umar Gautam and Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi. In this connection, the unlawful religious conversion syndicate of Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin alias Jamaluddin was busted. The ATS and STF investigations are underway. Few shocking things have come to light - international 'jihadi' funding for 'jihad' was received, radicalisation and unlawful religious conversion to hamper national security..." Investigators have found digital evidence of religious indoctrination, including extremist videos and hate sermons, on the victims' devices. The network may have overlaps with previous radicalisation cases detected in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. He further added, "In this connection, 10 people across 6 states have been arrested. They especially influenced young girls through enticement, love jihad and other methods for religious conversion. This modus operandi of unlawful religious conversion is the signature of ISIS. So far, in preliminary investigation, there are indications of this group having ties with PFI, SDPI and Pakistani terror far, evidence has been gathered about funding from Canada, America, London and Dubai and involvement of people residing there. Further action is being taken." In a related case, Agra Police arrested 10 individuals following a missing persons report of two sisters, Ameena (33) and Zoya (18), in March 2025. The case, registered under BNS sections and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, revealed a network promoting radicalisation and conversions through foreign funds.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Indian Express
2 sons of key accused among 3 more held: Agra police in illegal religious conversion racket case
TWO DAYS after the arrest of the 60-year-old 'prime accused' in connection with an alleged illegal religious conversion racket, the Agra police on Wednesday said three more persons linked to the network have been arrested, including two sons of the key accused from Delhi. The total number of people taken into custody in connection with the case has now risen to 14. The racket was uncovered during an investigation into the abduction of two women from Agra. The prime accused, Abdul Rehman — believed to be a close associate of Kaleem Siddiqui, who is currently serving a life sentence in a case related to illegal religious conversions — was arrested two days ago from his residence in Delhi, where police also claimed to have rescued a girl reported missing from Haryana. On Wednesday, the Agra police arrested Abdul Rehman's two sons — 20-year-old Abdullah and 27-year-old Abdul Raheem — along with their associate, 30-year-old Junaid Qureshi. Commissioner, Agra, Deepak Kumar said the names of three persons came to light during investigation into the case. Police claimed to have recovered objectionable Islamic literature and mobile phones from the possession of the accused. The recovered phones reportedly contain suspicious data, which is being examined, said police, adding that the three accused are well-versed in computers and technology. The Agra police said the woman, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste and was traced two days ago from Abdul Rehman's residence, alleged in both her police and court statement that she was detained by Abdul Rehman, who tried to persuade her to convert. She also claimed that a person married her without revealing his true identity, and a Qazi was brought from Rajasthan to solemnise the marriage, said Commissioner. A police team is being dispatched to Rajasthan to trace and question the Qazi involved. According to officers, the three arrested accused lured young women into the network and brought them to Delhi, where Abdul Rehman allegedly facilitated their religious conversion. Police added that the group also arranged for fake documents linked to the victims to be prepared. The police said Abdullah said in his statement that it was he and the rest of the group who were running the racket after the arrest and conviction of Kaleem Siddiqui. Earlier, on Saturday, Agra Police arrested 10 people from six states, claiming to have uncovered a nationwide network involved in illegal religious conversions. The case emerged during a probe into the alleged abduction of two women from Agra in March. Police said the accused targeted young girls, especially minors, using deceptive methods, including love jihad, to convert them. The two women were traced from Kolkata in West Bengal. Police said the group used foreign funding for conversions and spreading radical beliefs, 'in a manner similar to how ISIS operates'. A police officer added that the initial investigation suggests the group may have links to organisations such as PFI, SDPI and some extremist groups in Pakistan.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Balochistan will never be Pakistan: Baloch leader Qazi Rehan on 'Operation Baam'
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan, Information Secretary of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), spoke extensively about the launch of "Operation Baam", a new wave of armed resistance targeting the Pakistan Army in Balochistan. Supporters of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) carry posters of arrested Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch during a protest in Quetta.(AFP) The operation, which began on Tuesday night, involved coordinated attacks across key districts including Panjgur, Surab, Kech, and Kharan, signalling a strategic escalation aimed at dismantling Pakistan's military infrastructure in the region. "Operation Baam, meaning 'Dawn,' marks a significant shift in our struggle. It shows that the Baloch people are prepared to take control of their destiny and resist Pakistani oppression through organised, effective action," said Qazi. According to the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), the operation represents a new phase in the armed conflict, designed to weaken the military's grip and send a clear message of defiance. Qazi emphasised that BNM is unique in Balochistan for its outright rejection of participation in Pakistan's parliamentary system. "We are the first party to boycott the Pakistani parliament," he said. 'We have made it clear, we do not want to live under Pakistani rule. Our fight is for complete independence, not for limited autonomy or token rights within Pakistan.' He explained that previous generations of Baloch leaders participated in parliamentary politics but saw no tangible benefits; instead, they witnessed cultural erosion and systemic marginalisation. Describing Operation Baam as a "symbolic operation," Qazi stressed its political significance beyond military tactics. "It proves that Balochistan has the strength and unity to govern itself if given independence. This challenges the narrative pushed by Pakistan and its allies that Balochistan would descend into chaos if freed," he said. The operation also serves as a message to both supporters and adversaries that Balochistan is not and will never be a part of Pakistan's future. Tracing the roots of the Baloch struggle, Qazi recounted how Pakistan forcefully annexed Balochistan in 1948, crushing its sovereignty soon after the country's creation. "Our people resisted from day one," he said. "The tribal leadership was the initial force behind the rebellion. But the BLF represents a new era, a movement driven by the people, not just chiefs. The common Baloch has found a voice and a weapon to fight back." Qazi highlighted the growing role of younger generations in the conflict, armed with advanced knowledge of guerrilla warfare and technology. "This is not just a traditional tribal fight anymore. It is a modern resistance movement with strategic goals," he explained. On the economic front, Qazi criticised Pakistan's development projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly investments in Gwadar port. "Billions have been poured into our land, but the Baloch people remain poor, oppressed, and dispossessed of their resources," he said firmly. "Balochistan belongs to the Balochs, not to Punjab or any other part of Pakistan." Rehan appealed to the international community to recognise the legitimacy of the Baloch cause and warned that continued silence would only embolden Pakistan's military repression. "The world must understand that Balochistan's struggle is just and inevitable. Operation Baam is just the beginning of our renewed push for freedom," he concluded.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senators seek arms licences
Lawmakers in the upper house on Tuesday demanded arms licenses for themselves, prompting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to announce that one prohibited-bore license will be issued to every member of parliament. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem, began with prayers for the victims of the Swat tragedy. Lawmakers raised multiple issues, including arms licenses, illegal housing societies in Islamabad, water shortages and security arrangements for Muharram. Senator Palwasha Khan raised the issue of halted arms license issuance to parliamentarians. In response, Naqvi announced that each member of parliament will be issued one license, adding that quota allocations would be increased for areas facing deteriorating law and order situations. He also ordered refunds for individuals who paid fees for licenses during the previous tenure but never received them. During the session, Director General (DG) of Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi came under heavy criticism from committee members. Senator Haji Hidayatullah protested against the DG's alleged unprofessional behaviour, claiming that Qazi ignores his calls and refuses to act on them, while accommodating others for the same requests. "He even said about my leader Aimal Wali Khan, 'Is he greater than the state?', which is an unacceptable insult," Hidayatullah said. Interior Minister Naqvi instructed the Interior Secretary to look into the matter. The committee was also briefed on proposed amendments to the Pakistan Citizenship Bill 2025. DG Qazi explained that overseas Pakistanis who previously had to renounce Pakistani citizenship to acquire foreign nationality would now be eligible to reclaim it, especially those from countries with which Pakistan has bilateral agreements. He argued that this move would help attract investment, philanthropy, and expertise back to Pakistan. However, Senator Palwasha questioned the practical benefits, prompting Qazi to respond: "These individuals are assets. They earn abroad, invest here, and contribute to development and charity in Pakistan."
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kutbah Shaadi: Hyderabad women married without papers, abandoned later
A Hyderabad woman, the eldest of the five siblings, married a small-time trader "off the record". No one in the family objected as the woman was supposedly way past the "ideal" marriage age and was often discreetly ridiculed among relatives for her "ordinary" physical attributes, reported TOI. Imran (name changed) assured a Mehr (gift given by husband to the wife at the time of a wedding) of Rs 50,000, got two witnesses and the marriage was done. There was neither a Qazi nor a nikah nama (a formal marriage contract as per Islamic tradition). Three months later, the woman, Rabia (name changed) was abandoned. She is now back to her daily wage worker parents' home, hiding from the man she thought she would spend her life with. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ponta Grossa: Liquidação de SUV, clique aqui para ver os preços Ofertas de SUVs | Links Patrocinados Busque agora Though beaten and bruised, she has no locus standi to drag Imran to the police or court. "Without a nikah nama, there is no official proof of marriage. How can I take any action against him? My parents are too poor. They married me off, knowing this was illegal, only because they thought they'd have one less mouth to feed. Now, if he doesn't give me any money for sustenance what will I or my family do?" Rabia told TOI. Live Events Marriage without documents have became a menace alive and thriving in the alleys of Hyderabad's Old City for years now . It has pushed a number of poor Muslim women into a state of absolute helplessness. Locally referred to as 'Khutbah ki shaadi' (Khutbah is one of the religious sermons recited during an official nikah), these illegal weddings have become frequent in recent times, TOI reported citing social activists. Most of the instances are similar. The woman is past her "prime", taken in by the husband for a few months and then abruptly dumped, usually for another woman. Unfortunately, none of the victims have legal documents to prove their nikah. TOI investigated this issue and found that there are marriage bureaus operating in Hyderabad, clandestinely arranging such illegal marriages , for a fat commission.
