India: Muslim leader issues rape threats against Hindu students; Hindu minor murdered for resisting conversion

Image: Jihad Watch

On Sunday, February 2, Hindu students celebrated Saraswati Puja, a festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, seeking blessings for success in academics, the arts, and various fields of knowledge. However, at Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College in Kolkata, students have accused Muslim political leader Mohammad Shabbir Ali of attempting to intimidate them and prevent them from holding the celebration. 

Ali, a prominent student leader from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the General Secretary of the West Bengal State Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, is allegedly responsible for issuing threats to disrupt the Saraswati Puja on campus.

According to the students, Ali threatened them with violence, including rape and murder, if they proceeded with the puja rituals and ceremonies. In response, they have lodged a complaint with the Charumarket police station and the college principal, Pankaj Roy. 

The students also pointed out that their institution holds historical significance as the alma mater of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who leads the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). They argue that under TMC rule since 2016, the state government has been accused of favoring the Muslim community, leading to concerns over demographic shifts due to illegal Bangladeshi migration. Reports suggest that Bangladeshi nationals with forged Indian IDs have significantly impacted the state's demographic landscape, with many securing government positions, including roles in law enforcement.

Given this political climate, students believe that Shabbir Ali’s influential position allows him to target Hindus and impose restrictions on their religious celebrations. One student expressed frustration, stating, “These outsiders are extortionists. They don’t want us to organize Saraswati Puja. They have hurled abuses at us and threatened us with physical assault and rape.”

Another student questioned the suppression of their religious rights, saying, “We have the right to hold the puja. Why are they stopping us? They are threatening to kill us if we celebrate Saraswati Puja and pass through Anwar Shah Road. They are also extorting money from us.”

Students further allege that Ali has warned of sending men to the girls’ hostel if the puja takes place and that his associates are fostering an environment of fear on campus. The situation has reportedly escalated to the point where even the college principal avoids stepping onto the premises out of fear, drawing parallels to the persecution of Hindu teachers in Bangladesh, who were pressured into resigning by Muslim groups.

Demanding immediate action against Ali and his associates, students are calling for an end to the intimidation and a fair resolution that upholds their right to religious expression. As investigations continue, the case has sparked broader concerns about the growing influence of religious politics in secular educational institutions.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)