UP Deputy CM Refuses to Condemn Dharma Sansad Speakers, Walks Out of BBC Interview https://thewire.in/communalism/up-deputy-cm-refuses-to-condemn-dharma-sansad-speakers-walks-out-of-bbc-interview “Don’t just combine everything like this,” Maurya said. “Speak like a journalist. You’re not speaking like a journalist, you’re speaking like someone’s agent.” The deputy chief minister then decided that the interview was over. “I’m not talking to you,” he said, removing his lapel microphone and getting up from his seat.
According to BBC Hindi, after the cameras went off, Maurya also “pulled off the reporter’s mask” and told his security personnel to immediately have the video deleted. The channel said it managed to recover the footage and has published the interview in full. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvzMpAuWINQ
https://twitter.com/i/status/1480810389864521728
'Arrest Haridwar Dharma Sansad Speakers': Uttarakhand Politicians, Intellectuals Urge Governor https://thewire.in/communalism/arrest-haridwar-dharma-sansad-speakers-uttarakhand-politicians-intellectuals-urge-governor 11 JAN 2022
The signatories of the open letter have lamented that since BJP came to power in Uttarakhand in 2017, there has been a steady rise in violent attacks against minorities in the state.
Varanasi: Opposition Slams Police for Letting Off Those Who Put up Communal Posters https://thewire.in/communalism/varanasi-opposition-slams-police-for-letting-off-those-who-put-up-communal-posters
Two members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal were arrested on Saturday, then released soon after.
UP: Two arrested for displaying ‘Hindus-only’ posters along Ganga river https://www.siasat.com/up-two-arrested-for-displayi ng-hindus-only-posters-along-ganga-river-2256035/ 10th January 2022 The posters contained a message that “those who treat the ghats of the Ganga as picnic spots should stay away from ghats of Maa Ganga, as it is a symbol of Sanatan culture.” The posters said that they welcome those who show respect to Sanatan dharma...The culture of promoting Hindu Sanatan dharma, while boycotting and suppressing minorities has been intensifying with the Uttar Pradesh elections approaching, in an attempt to polarise the majority Hindu votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party...The campaign started out in mid-December with a Dharam-Sansad being organized by Hindutva leaders in Haridwar, where they spew hate against the religious minorities and called for genocide, against Muslims.