The Observer Post

On International Yoga Day in Lucknow, students and teachers of Darul Uloom Warisiya Madrasa participated in yoga activities. The event was organised as part of the nationwide observance of Yoga Day. Visuals: Sumit Kumar

Muslim organisations in Himachal Pradesh have staged protests and submitted a memorandum to police authorities over a social media post they claim contained objectionable remarks about the Holy Qur’an. According to local reports, the post appeared on a social media platform and included comments that community members described as insulting and offensive. The content reportedly spread quickly online, leading to anger and concern among sections of the Muslim community in the state. Memorandum Submitted to Police in Sirmaur A delegation of community members met Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nishchint Singh Negi and submitted a formal complaint demanding strict legal action against the person responsible. Anjuman Islamia president Bobby Ahmed said that the controversy began when a religious post was shared online and another user responded with abusive comments. He said, “We posted a message from the Qur’an on social media, and one person wrote abusive remarks in the comments.” He added that if immediate action is not taken, the community may launch a larger protest movement. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has raised concern over what he described as a “wave of demolitions” targeting mosques, dargahs, and other Muslim religious structures in Rajasthan’s border districts, including Bikaner, Phalodi, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. According to Owaisi’s statement, the issue involves multiple religious sites allegedly being demolished or marked for removal by authorities, with notices reportedly issued to a large number of other structures. AIMIM Says 13 Religious Sites Already Demolished Speaking to AIMIM Bikaner District President Shafi Jameel Qasmi, Owaisi cited that several demolitions have already taken place across the region. Qasmi said, “Four mosques in Bikaner and nine mosques and dargahs across Phalodi, Jaisalmer, and Barmer have already been demolished.” He also said that notices have been issued to hundreds of other religious places, creating fear among local communities. Among the structures mentioned is the nearly 250-year-old dargah of Hazrat Mahmood Shah Jilani located on the Ramgarh–Tanot bypass road in Jaisalmer. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A brief commotion broke out outside a NEET-UG re-test centre in Ahmedabad on Sunday after some parents objected to students being asked to remove kanthi (Hindu sacred threads) during security checks, while candidates wearing hijab were allowed entry. The incident took place at an examination centre in the Vastrapur area, where police later intervened to calm the situation. Parents Raise Objection Over Dress Code Rules According to police, the issue started when exam centre staff asked students to remove certain items, including sacred threads and accessories, as part of the frisking process under the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) dress code. Some parents questioned why Hindu students were being asked to remove kanthi while Muslim girls wearing hijab were being allowed inside. Assistant Commissioner of Police Jayesh Brahmbhatt said, “The issue arose due to confusion regarding the NTA dress code rules. Certain items were being checked as part of the prescribed screening process.” Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Police in Shamli district have arrested a groom, his maternal uncle and a banquet hall owner after allegedly recovering beef served at a wedding reception (walima) in Kairana town. The incident has led to a police investigation under cow slaughter laws. Raid at Wedding Reception in Kairana The police conducted a raid at Mughal Banquet Hall in Kairana following a complaint that beef had been served during a walima ceremony held on June 18. According to officials, the function took place two days after the groom’s wedding and was attended by guests at the banquet hall. Additional Superintendent of Police Sumit Shukla said, “Farman, the groom, his uncle Salman, and banquet hall owner Anees have been booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.” Arrests and Seizures Made by Police Police arrested the groom Farman, his maternal uncle Salman, and the banquet hall owner Anees during the operation. Officials also seized a Scorpio SUV allegedly used to transport the meat. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

More than 2.2 million medical aspirants appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday across India and abroad, conducted under strict security arrangements following the cancellation of the earlier exam over an alleged question paper leak. The examination, held by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was organised after nationwide controversy surrounding the May 3 test paper leak case. Entry Window Closed After Strict Verification Process Candidates began arriving at centres from 11 a.m., where authorities carried out intensive frisking, document checks and identity verification. As per NTA instructions, students were required to carry their admit cards, valid photo ID proofs, and passport-sized photographs. Entry to examination centres was allowed only between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., after which gates were closed. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A 19-year-old medical aspirant, Sheik Sana, died by suicide in Hyderabad on June 20, just a day before the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled across the country. Police said a handwritten note was recovered from the scene in which she reportedly wrote, “No one is responsible for my death. I am taking my life.” Incident Reported Under Miyapur Police Limits The incident occurred at her residence under the limits of Miyapur Police Station. Officials said her sisters found her unresponsive in her room after she failed to come out for several hours. She was immediately taken into custody for post-mortem examination, and a case has been registered. NEET Aspirant Living With Sisters, Preparing for Re-Exam According to police and reports, Sana was preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) and was staying with her two younger sisters in an apartment. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A Muslim woman identified as Sania reportedly married her partner Aman at a Mahadev temple in a ceremony attended by family members. According to reports, her parents were present during the wedding and gave their blessings to the couple.

A NEET-UG aspirant in Ajmer alleged that she was initially denied entry into her examination centre on Sunday for wearing a burqa, triggering protests outside the venue before the matter was later resolved. The student, Kulsum Bano, had arrived from Beawar to appear for the NEET re-examination. Student Says She Was Asked to Remove Burqa and Dupatta Speaking to reporters, Kulsum Bano claimed that security staff at the centre first asked her to remove her dupatta and later told her to take off her burqa before entering. “When I gave the exam on May 3, I was wearing the same clothes — burqa and dupatta. If the NTA has allowed it, then they cannot stop us,” she said. The NEET-UG re-exam was held on June 21 after the earlier exam on May 3 was cancelled over alleged paper leak concerns. “Exam Doesn’t Matter, My Identity Does” Kulsum said she was prepared to skip the exam rather than remove her religious attire. “The exam doesn’t matter to me. What matters is my burqa and my identity,” she said. She called the situation “shameful” and said students should not face confusion over rules at the last moment. Her remarks quickly drew attention on social media, with many debating dress code rules and religious freedom in competitive exams. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly rejected comments made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari regarding a reported demolition notice linked to a mosque in Varanasi, stating that Pakistan has no authority to comment on India’s internal affairs. The remarks came amid diplomatic exchanges over reports concerning an encroachment-related notice issued at a religious site near a railway station redevelopment project. India Says Pakistan Has ‘No Locus Standi’ MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India categorically dismisses the Pakistani President’s statement and made it clear that Islamabad has no standing to comment on domestic issues. “India categorically rejects the unwarranted comments made by the President of Pakistan. He has, in any case, no locus standi to comment on matters that are internal to India,” Jaiswal said. He added that such statements reflect a pattern of political messaging from Pakistan that has no relevance to India’s internal governance. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke has appealed to farmers, workers, and citizens across the country to support protesting youth at Jantar Mantar, claiming they are demanding their rights. He alleged that several young protesters have died by suicide during the agitation and called for wider public support for the movement. Dipke urged people to gather at Jantar Mantar and stand in solidarity with the protesters. He also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying that united public pressure could lead to accountability.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, a 30-year-old tribal woman was allegedly gang-raped in front of her minor son during a theft at a windmill installation. The incident took place around midnight on June 18 in the Badnagar area, leaving the survivor and her young child deeply traumatized. Midnight Attack on a Sleeping Family According to the victim’s complaint, the family had migrated from Dhar district a week ago and was working as watchkeepers at the farm. On the night of the incident, the woman, her husband, and their 12-year-old son were sleeping in a makeshift hut on the premises. Around midnight, five men arrived at the location and forcibly woke the sleeping family. The attackers dragged the husband outside the hut and assaulted him at gunpoint. While some members of the group busied themselves stealing wires and cables from a nearby windmill installation, others turned their cruel attention toward the helpless woman. The accused took her and the young boy to a cluster of bushes nearby. One of the men raped her at gunpoint in the presence of her terrified son. Subsequently, two to three of his accomplices also allegedly forced themselves upon her, all while threatening the child with the weapon and ordering him to keep quiet. Police Register Case, Record Statement Before Magistrate After the attackers finally left, the family mustered the courage to approach the Badnagar police and lodge a formal complaint. An FIR has been registered against unidentified accused under sections pertaining to gang-rape. “Based on the complaint, a case was registered. The woman’s statements were recorded in front of a magistrate on Saturday. All angles are being investigated,” said Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma. The SP added that a medical examination of the woman and her husband was conducted, which showed no visible external injuries. Additional Superintendent of Police Karandeep Singh confirmed that the three men had entered the area with the primary intention of stealing windmill wires.

American actor Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his iconic role as Gus Fring in the hit TV series Breaking Bad, has embraced Islam during his stay in Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made by Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who said the actor recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, while filming in the Kingdom.

American actor Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his iconic role as Gus Fring in the hit TV series Breaking Bad, has embraced Islam during his stay in Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made by Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who said the actor recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, while filming in the Kingdom. Giancarlo Esposito Converts to Islam in Saudi Arabia According to Turki Al-Sheikh, Esposito formally embraced Islam after spending time in Saudi Arabia and interacting closely with Muslim colleagues during the production of his latest project. Al-Sheikh said the veteran actor recited the Shahada and later joined members of the production team in prayer at a mosque. A video shared on social media reportedly showed Esposito praying alongside the crew, which quickly gained attention online. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the country in celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga from Red Road in Kolkata, calling the annual event the “world’s biggest festival” and saying yoga has become a global movement that connects people across borders. Thousands joined the Prime Minister in performing yoga asanas during the early morning Common Yoga Protocol session at the iconic venue. PM Modi Leads Yoga Session at Kolkata’s Red Road The large-scale Yoga Day event took place at Red Road in central Kolkata, with participants gathering in the open grounds near the city’s Maidan and the Indian Army’s Eastern Command headquarters. PM Modi was seen performing yoga alongside the crowd and even personally guiding some participants to correct their postures during the session. Addressing the gathering, Modi said, “June 21, which is the longest day on Earth in many parts of the world, has now become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration because of yoga.” He added, “Yoga unites us. I congratulate the people of the world on this occasion.” Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has stirred debate after making strong remarks about the burqa and purdah during a recent podcast interview. The director said he finds it troubling when women say they feel “comfortable” in a burqa or behind a veil, calling it a reflection of social backwardness and deep-rooted conditioning. His comments, made during a conversation on the podcast Unfiltered by Samdish, have triggered sharp reactions on social media, with many debating whether his remarks challenge patriarchy or undermine women’s personal choices. Imtiaz Ali Questions ‘Comfort’ in Burqa and Purdah Speaking on the podcast, Imtiaz Ali said, “I don’t like when someone says, ‘I am comfortable in my burqa. I am comfortable in my parda.’ It’s a degenerate society if you feel like this. It’s not okay.” He further said that such comfort may not always be a matter of personal choice but could be a result of social and mental conditioning. “This means that you have been so victimised in your mind that it starts feeling normal,” he added. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued detailed instructions for candidates appearing in the NEET (UG) 2026 examination scheduled for Sunday, June 21. The exam will be conducted across centres nationwide under strict security and dress code rules. The guidelines come amid ongoing public debate over dress codes and religious symbols in competitive examinations. NEET UG 2026 Exam Scheduled Across India The NEET UG 2026 examination will be held on June 21 at designated centres across India. The NTA has urged all candidates to strictly follow instructions to ensure smooth conduct of the examination and avoid delays during entry checks. Officials said all candidates must report on time as mandatory frisking and verification procedures will be conducted at entry points. Religious Symbols Allowed With Early Screening In its latest instructions, the NTA has clarified that candidates are allowed to wear items related to their religious beliefs inside the examination centre. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, authorities carried out a demolition drive targeting a 50-year-old shrine of Baba Salauddin Dhak, citing encroachment on government land. According to reports, the structure was removed as part of an ongoing administrative action against illegal constructions in the area. Officials also reportedly cleared graves located at the site during the operation. This follows an earlier demolition action in the region on June 6, when a mosque was also removed as part of similar enforcement efforts.

A 22-year-old youth from Hubballi, Karnataka, has alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by suspected right-wing activists after he went for lunch with his Hindu girlfriend near the outskirts of the city. Youth Claims He Was Mistaken for Muslim The victim, Sharaveen Jogul, a resident of Basel Mission Compound in Hubballi, filed a complaint at the Hubballi Rural Police Station, saying the attack took place on Friday when he and his girlfriend went to a dhaba near Anchattageri. According to Sharaveen, a group of around 8 to 10 people, including a woman, approached them and demanded to see their Aadhaar cards. “When we refused to show our Aadhaar cards, they suspected me of being a Muslim,” Sharaveen told reporters. He said the group allegedly forced him into a vehicle and took him to a shed near Siddharoodha Math, where he was beaten for several hours. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

As the 5 pm deadline for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi ended, police began clearing the demonstration site and dispersing protesters. Amid the developments, CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke released a video claiming that authorities were preparing to arrest him. In his message, Dipke urged supporters to keep the movement alive and called on youth across the country to launch a “Jail Bharo Andolan” if he was taken into custody. He also appealed for the agitation to remain peaceful and continue regardless of any police action against him.