‘Matter of deep concern’: MEA reacts to US strikes on Venezuela; urges restraint, calls for dialogue
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday reiterated India’s support for the safety and well-being of people in Venezuela as the situation in the country remains tense amid US strikes.”Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” the MEA said in a statement. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” it added. This comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas and flown out of the country in a joint operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement, triggering heightened tensions and uncertainty. The ministry of external affairs had earlier advised Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela amid the unfolding developments. Donald Trump said that Maduro and Flores, captured during what he described as a US military operation, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of alleged “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” and will face trial. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume charge as interim president. Rodriguez, 56, is a senior figure in Venezuela’s socialist leadership and a close ally of Maduro. She has previously served as vice president, finance minister and oil minister, and has played a central role in economic decision-making as the country grappled with US sanctions and surging inflation. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Indian national Raj Jasuja thrashed by transwomen in Thailand after allegedly refusing to pay for escort service
An Indian tourist was hospitalised after he was allegedly attacked by a group of transgender women in Thailand’s Pattaya city following a dispute over payment for sex services, according to the Thaiger.The incident happened on December 27 when rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation received a call at around 5.30am about an injured foreign tourist near the beachside entrance of Walking Street. The victim was identified as 52-year-old Indian national Raj Jasuja, with visible injuries to his face and the back of his head, according to the responders who found him at the scene. He was given first aid before being taken to hospital for further treatment. An Indian man who refuses to pay for a “service” is beaten by a group of trans men in Thailand. pic.twitter.com/oSYav9bjg4 — RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) January 3, 2026 A 19-year-old Thai witness, Pongpol Boonchid, told police and rescue workers that the altercation began after Raj was seen arguing with a transgender sex worker near the entrance to Walking Street. The dispute escalated when the two began chasing and hitting each other. According to the witness, the transgender woman then called several friends, who joined in and assaulted the Indian tourist as a group. The dispute is believed to have started over money, after the tourist allegedly did not pay the full amount agreed for the service. Raj has not spoken publicly about what happened. Police later told local media that officers would ask the injured tourist to file a formal complaint once he had fully recovered, after which a legal investigation would proceed. Similar incidents involving Indian tourists and transgender sex workers have been reported in Pattaya in recent months, according to the Thaiger. In September, an Indian man was attacked after allegedly touching a transgender woman without consent during a dispute over services. In another case in October, three Thai transwomen allegedly assaulted two Indian nationals at a hotel following an argument over payment and fled with cash worth around 24,000 baht. Thai police said the investigation is ongoing, with officers checking more witness statements and available CCTV footage. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Yogi Adityanath Accuses Opposition of ‘Selective Activism’, Questions Silence on Killing of Dalit Hindu in Bangladesh
Yogi Adityanath has sparked a fierce debate by accusing Opposition leaders and activists of ignoring attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh while vocally protesting violence in Gaza. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accused Opposition parties and sections of civil society of “selective activism”, alleging they hold candle marches for Gaza but remain silent when Hindus, including a Dalit youth, are killed in Bangladesh. Speaking during the winter session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow, Adityanath launched a sharp attack on his political opponents, accusing them of double standards on human rights and minority safety. He said many leaders and activists “shed tears for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip” but fail to raise their voices with equal force when Hindus are targeted in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. The Chief Minister’s remarks came in the backdrop of reports about a young Dalit Hindu man allegedly killed in Bangladesh amid continuing concerns over the safety of minorities there. Without naming specific parties, Adityanath alleged that Opposition leaders see Dalits “only as a vote bank”, claiming their outrage is calibrated according to political convenience and religious identity. “Is humanity so selective that you will take out candle marches for Gaza, but not utter a single word when a Hindu, a Dalit, is murdered in Bangladesh?” he reportedly asked, urging lawmakers to adopt a more consistent moral stance. According to him, genuine commitment to human rights cannot be confined to one geography, faith or ideology. Call For Assembly Resolution, Pushback From Opposition Adityanath urged the House to pass a formal resolution condemning the alleged killing of Hindus in Bangladesh and to “warn” the Sheikh Hasina government over recurring attacks on religious minorities. Though foreign policy is primarily the Union government’s domain, the Chief Minister argued that state legislatures also have a duty to speak up on issues of basic human rights. Reports from the Assembly said his comments triggered sharp responses from Opposition benches, with leaders accusing the government of selectively spotlighting cross‑border crimes while ignoring hate speech, communal tensions and caste violence within India. Some legislators argued that the ruling party often internationalises atrocities on Hindus, but downplays attacks on Muslims, Christians, Adivasis and other vulnerable groups at home. Opposition voices also questioned whether such statements could strain India’s diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh, a key partner in trade, security cooperation and border management. They maintained that while any attack on minorities is condemnable, these concerns must be addressed through established diplomatic channels and without inflaming communal passions domestically. Civil society reactions have been more varied. Some commentators backed the Chief Minister’s demand for consistent outrage, pointing to repeated reports of temple vandalism, land grabs and targeted assaults on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Others cautioned that genuine solidarity must not be reduced to competitive victimhood, where one suffering is invoked primarily to dismiss or relativise another. Background: Minority Safety, Global Conflicts And Protest Culture The debate comes at a time when conflicts in West Asia, especially the ongoing war in Gaza, have drawn large‑scale protests, online campaigns and solidarity events across Indian cities and campuses. Candle marches, teach‑ins and social media campaigns demanding a ceasefire and protection of civilians have been widely reported. Critics of Adityanath’s remarks say such protests are part of a broader global peace movement and not evidence of indifference towards other victims. At the same time, minority rights groups have repeatedly flagged attacks on Hindus, Buddhists and other communities in Bangladesh, especially during times of political instability or communal tension. International watchdogs have documented instances of mob violence, forced displacement and destruction of places of worship. Activists argue that these patterns warrant more sustained international pressure, including from India, to safeguard basic rights. Within India, the conversation around “selective outrage” has become a recurring political talking point. Different sides routinely accuse each other of speaking up only when victims belong to their perceived support base. Whether it is lynchings, custodial deaths, caste‑based atrocities or cross‑border violence, public responses are often filtered through partisan and identity lenses, deepening polarisation rather than fostering a shared human‑rights framework. Adityanath’s intervention in the Assembly taps into this larger narrative. By juxtaposing Gaza protests with attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, he sought to highlight what he views as an imbalance in empathy and advocacy. However, critics warn that framing suffering in competitive terms risks trivialising all victims, instead of building a broader coalition that opposes violence in every context. Syed Muskan Shafiq Courtesy : TLI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thelogicalindian.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati expresses concern over ‘anti-Hindu incidents’ in Bangladesh
Lucknow: BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Thursday expressed concern over “anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents” in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to take more effective steps. In a series of posts on her official X handle, Mayawati said, “In recent days, the manner in which antiIndia and anti-Hindu incidents are taking place in Bangladesh makes it necessary for the central government to act with greater alertness and take more effective steps in line with people’s expectations.” She said it is well known that Hindu minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh are being subjected to communal violence and persecution. “The way Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are being harassed by targeting their life, property and religion has created a wave of concern not only in our country but also elsewhere,” she said Referring to the recent killing of a Dalit youth in Bangladesh, the BSP chief said, “The public anger that has erupted on the streets across India over the brutal killing of a Dalit youth there is natural. The Government of India is expected to immediately take proper cognisance of this and play a more active role at every level, which appears to be the need of the hour.” Mayawati alleged that while atrocities, oppression and discrimination against Dalits and tribals had continued in India for centuries, the situation in Bangladesh is no less serious. “Although caste-based hatred, oppression and exploitation against Dalits and tribals continue in our country, the atrocities being committed in neighbouring Bangladesh are extremely painful and a matter of grave concern,” she said. She added that concerns in India over the condition of minorities in neighbouring countries remained constant. She expressed confidence that public support would be with the government on the issue and urged it to pay due attention. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP Assembly: CM Yogi Adityanath Slams Opposition Over Silence On Killing Of Dalit Hindu Youth In Bangladesh
CM Yogi Adityanath slammed the opposition in the UP Assembly over its silence on the killing of a Dalit Hindu youth in Bangladesh, accusing it of appeasement politics and selective outrage, and warning of strict action against infiltrators and illegal activities. Lucknow, 24 December: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while speaking in the Legislative Assembly on an international issue, strongly cornered the opposition. Condemning the incident in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said that a Dalit Hindu youth has been killed there, yet the opposition has maintained silence. Opposition accused of selective outrage Parties that stage protests and candle marches on issues like Gaza fall quiet when Hindus and Sikhs face atrocities in Bangladesh or Pakistan. The Chief Minister described this as a result of appeasement politics and asserted that atrocities against any innocent Hindu or Dalit are unacceptable. Dalit community treated only as vote bank, CM alleges The Chief Minister said that a Dalit youth has been murdered in Bangladesh, but not a single word has come from the opposition, even as they shed tears over the Gaza Strip. When that youth was killed, their voices were silenced because they viewed the Dalit community merely as a vote bank. Appeasement politics blamed for situation in Bangladesh This is the reality that reflects their policy of appeasement, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Had Bangladesh and Pakistan not been formed, Hindus would not have been burnt in this manner. If anyone attempted such acts, they would have known the consequences. This is our guarantee of security. Demand for Assembly resolution condemning incident Hindus are being killed in Bangladesh, yet the opposition will not speak. They take out candle marches on the Gaza issue, but when Hindus are killed in Pakistan and Bangladesh, their mouths remain shut. This is their truth. A resolution condemning the Bangladesh incident should be passed, and it should come from the Leader of the Opposition. We condemn this incident. Warning against infiltrators and illegal activities We will show the way out to Bangladeshis and Rohingyas from the state who do not come forward to support them, because you have facilitated votes for many of them. You have also committed the sin of getting Aadhaar cards made for many of them. Keep these facts in mind. Every single matter will be screened. Very effective action will be taken. Strong message on national security and atrocities Living in our country and committing crimes against our people, and committing atrocities against innocent Hindus and innocent Sikhs there this cannot be acceptable. Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Yogi flags ‘vote bank politics’ over murder of Dalit in B’desh
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday attacked the opposition for “shedding tears” over victims of the war in Gaza but not uttering a word for a Dalit youth who was murdered in Bangladesh recently. “This is because of your vote bank politics and communal appeasement,” he said. “A Hindu would not have been murdered and set on fire if Bangladesh did not become Pakistan,” he said, asking the opposition to put forward a censure motion against the Bangladesh incident. Yogi said he hoped the opposition would not protest when illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya are expelled from the country. He accused the opposition of getting illegal migrants registered as voters. “You have even committed the sin of providing them with Aadhar cards as well,” he said. “Everything is going to be screened soon, and action will be taken accordingly,” Yogi said. Responding to the CM, leader of opposition, Mata Prasad Pandey, said that his party was ready to pass a censure motion on the Bangladesh incident. He also countered the CM, questioning him on how he knew if the youth killed was a Dalit. Pandey categorically pointed out that it was the Indian govt which has given protection to exiled former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati expresses concern over ‘anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents’ in Bangladesh
Referring to the recent killing of a Dalit youth in Bangladesh, the BSP chief said, “The public anger that has erupted on the streets across India over the brutal killing of a Dalit youth there is natural.” BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Thursday expressed concern over “anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents” in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to take more effective steps. In a series of posts on her official X handle, Mayawati said, “In recent days, the manner in which anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents are taking place in Bangladesh makes it necessary for the central government to act with greater alertness and take more effective steps in line with people’s expectations.” She said it is well known that Hindu minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh are being subjected to communal violence and persecution. “The way Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are being harassed by targeting their life, property and religion has created a wave of concern not only in our country but also elsewhere,” she said. Referring to the recent killing of a Dalit youth in Bangladesh, the BSP chief said, “The public anger that has erupted on the streets across India over the brutal killing of a Dalit youth there is natural. The Government of India is expected to immediately take proper cognisance of this and play a more active role at every level, which appears to be the need of the hour.” Mayawati alleged that while atrocities, oppression and discrimination against Dalits and tribals had continued in India for centuries, the situation in Bangladesh is no less serious. “Although caste-based hatred, oppression and exploitation against Dalits and tribals continue in our country, the atrocities being committed in neighbouring Bangladesh are extremely painful and a matter of grave concern,” she said. She added that concerns in India over the condition of minorities in neighbouring countries remained constant. She expressed confidence that public support would be with the government on the issue and urged it to pay due attention. Courtesy : Money Control Note: This news is originally published on https:/moneycontrol.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Transgenderism killed Charlie Kirk’: MAGA commentator makes shocking claim at Turning Point USA event
A MAGA commentator stirred a row after claiming that transgenderism was responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder, during a speech at the same organization’s AmericaFest event. Right-wing commentator Benny Johnson posted on X and called Transgenderism an ‘epidemic’: “I called out – by name – the true evil, demonic force that took Charlie Kirk from us live on stage at AmericaFest. Transgenderism. The epidemic of transgender violence is running rampant in our country. Transgenderism is a lie. God made male and female. God did not make you in the wrong body. God does not make mistakes. Charlie’s final words warned of this threat. The very ideology that claimed his life. His death exposed the danger. His legacy demands we confront it. Openly, unapologetically, without fear. Thank God the Trump administration is doing just that.” Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at a campus event by a sniper. Turning Point USA held a major conference in Phoenix to honour Kirk’s legacy. I called out – by name – the true evil, demonic force that took Charlie Kirk from live on stage at America Fest. Transgenderism. The epidemic of transgender violence is running rampant in our country. Transgenderism is a lie. God made male and female. God did not make you in… pic.twitter.com/YAUXtcsHZb — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 21, 2025 The man accused of killing Kirk was in a romantic relationship with a transgender partner, Utah officials confirmed at the time, but authorities say there is no evidence yet that this was the motive for the attack. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder. Robinson has also been charged with obstruction of justice and other offences. He has not publicly explained why he carried out the attack and is not cooperating with investigators. Utah governor Spencer Cox said that Robinson’s partner was male and transitioning to female, and that the individual has been “very cooperative” with authorities and had no advance knowledge of the shooting. Regarding Kirk, he was an outspoken activist who promoted traditional views on family and gender roles. He was an evangelical Christian who did not support transgender policies and often criticised LGBTQ+ communities at various events. He had a hardline stance that third-gender roles undermine the “natural” male and female roles. Under GOP administration, Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defence, has moved to implement policies removing openly transgender troops from the military and ending gender‑affirming care, following a Supreme Court decision allowing a trans service ban. He has also criticised diversity initiatives and “gender delusion” within the armed forces. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
From Jennifer Lopez to Elon Musk: Celebrities who have transgender or nonbinary children
Public conversations about gender identity have once again moved to centre stage after a recent online clash between Elon Musk and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. The dispute erupted when Newsom’s press team referred to Musk’s transgender child as a daughter, prompting Musk to respond publicly that he has a son named Xavier and accusing political leaders of exploiting deeply personal family matters. The exchange highlighted how intensely politicised such issues have become. But Musk is far from alone. From Hollywood to professional sports, many celebrities have spoken in very different ways about having transgender, nonbinary or gender-diverse children. Some have embraced advocacy, others have prioritised privacy, and some have faced criticism or controversy, underscoring how varied parental responses can be even at the highest levels of fame. Celebrities who have transgender or nonbinary children Elon Musk Elon Musk has one of the most publicly contentious cases. His child, Vivian Jenna Wilson, legally changed her name and gender in 2022 and distanced herself from him. Musk has since described her transition as being influenced by what he calls a “woke mind virus”, a phrase that has drawn widespread criticism. Vivian has publicly rejected his characterisation. Unlike most other celebrities on this list, Musk has framed the situation in political and ideological terms, making it part of a broader cultural debate rather than a private family matter. Vivian Jenna Wilson Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez has spoken publicly about her child Emme, who has described themselves as nonbinary. Lopez has used inclusive language in interviews and public appearances, emphasising love, pride and respect rather than labels. She has also been careful not to overexpose her child, keeping discussions focused on acceptance rather than advocacy or controversy. Jennifer Lopez Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Former NBA star Dwyane Wade, along with his wife Gabrielle Union, has been one of the most vocal supporters of a transgender child in public life. Their daughter Zaya Wade came out as transgender several years ago. Wade has spoken openly about educating himself, listening to his child and prioritising her safety and wellbeing, particularly amid political debates around transgender youth in the US. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Cher Music icon Cher has long been associated with LGBTQ+ visibility through her son Chaz Bono, one of the earliest and most widely known transgender public figures. Chaz transitioned publicly in the late 2000s, and Cher has spoken candidly about her own learning process, describing how parental understanding can evolve over time. Cher Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie’s child Shiloh has often been discussed in media for gender-nonconforming expression. Jolie has consistently avoided attaching labels, instead emphasising her children’s right to self-expression and privacy. She has criticised intrusive media coverage and has framed parenting as supporting individuality rather than defining identity publicly. Angelina Jolie with kids Jamie Lee Curtis Actor Jamie Lee Curtis has publicly supported her daughter Ruby, who is transgender. Curtis has spoken about learning alongside her child and has become an advocate for acceptance, often discussing how language and empathy matter when families navigate gender identity. Jamie Lee Curtis Megan Fox Megan Fox has spoken about raising her children in an environment free from rigid gender expectations. One of her children, Noah, has expressed gender-nonconforming behaviour. Fox has been clear that she does not want speculation or labelling imposed on her child, repeatedly calling for respect and restraint from media and the public. Charlize Theron Charlize Theron has shared that her daughter Jackson is transgender. She has said she realised this after listening to her child and has stressed the importance of believing children when they express who they are. Theron has also spoken about the broader need to protect transgender children from stigma. Cynthia Nixon Actor and activist Cynthia Nixon has a son, Seph, who is transgender. Nixon has spoken publicly in support of her child while also engaging in wider political advocacy around transgender rights, particularly in healthcare and education. Cynthia Nixon Robert De Niro Veteran actor Robert De Niro has spoken about his daughter Airyn, who is transgender. De Niro’s public comments have focused on unconditional parental love, avoiding political framing and emphasising acceptance over commentary. What unites these celebrities is not a single narrative, but contrast. Some parents have embraced public advocacy, others have prioritised privacy, and one has openly clashed with his child in the public sphere. Gender identity, as experts consistently note, is personal and complex, and these high-profile families illustrate how differently parents respond when those conversations unfold under public scrutiny. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Who is Admiral Rachel Levine? First openly transgender US health leader has name changed on official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine is the first openly transgender person to win Senate confirmation in a four-star federal position. And now she has been in the spotlight again after the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reportedly changed her official portrait in Washington, DC. It is part of the GOP government cracking down on “woke” culture and LGBTQ+ communities. Levine served as former President Biden’s assistant secretary for health for four years, overseeing the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service. Her official portrait was displayed in a hallway on the seventh floor of the Humphrey Building alongside former Public Health Corps leaders. It has now been altered to show her previous name below the image, a spokesperson for HHS told NPR. HHS updated Rachel Levine’s official portrait to his real biological name: Richard Levine. HHS just updated Rachel Levine’s official portrait to his real biological name: Richard An HHS spokesperson said: “We remain committed to reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and ensuring that biological reality guides our approach to public health.” pic.twitter.com/WqAINg1nX9 — Nicolas Hulscher, MPH (@NicHulscher) December 6, 2025 “During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine’s photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name,” said Adrian Shanker, former deputy assistant secretary for health policy and Levine’s spokesperson. He called the move an act “of bigotry against her.” Levine told NPR, “It was an honor to serve the American people as the assistant secretary for health and I’m not going to comment on this type of petty action.” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon defended the change, saying, “Our priority is ensuring that the information presented internally and externally by HHS reflects gold standard science. We remain committed to reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and ensuring that biological reality guides our approach to public health.” The current assistant secretary for health, Adm. Brian Christine, was confirmed by the Senate in October. Levine’s tenure included major public health work on Covid-19, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and the opioid crisis. The row comes amid ongoing anti-transgender actions under the Trump administration. Transgender servicemembers were forced out of the military without benefits, and passport policies were reversed. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights