IMAGH Lights Up Evening with a Heartfelt, Festive Eid Gala
By Dr. Hina azam & SaeeD PatHan
HouSton: The Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston hosted its much-anticipated Annual Eid Gala this past Saturday, April 12, bringing together a vibrant blend of culture, tradition, and community spirit in celebration of Eid ul Fitr at the Marriott Westchase hotel.
The event welcomed dignitaries, elected officials, patrons, sponsors, community leaders, community organizations and families from across Greater Houston, including representatives from the Consulate Generals of India and Indonesia. Guests were treated to an evening of heartfelt speeches, cultural performances, warmth of togetherness and delicious food that defines the Eid spirit.
After the social hour, guests entered the main ballroom and the program started with the recitation of verses from Quran followed by the American and Indian National Anthems.
In her welcome address, IMAGH President Hina Azam highlighted the organization’s mission to foster amity across cultures, communities, and religions. “This evening is more than a celebration - it is a reflection of our values: compassion lived, service given, and togetherness shared,” she said.
The Gala showcased IMAGH’s key initiatives, including Club65, the organization’s senior outreach program; SAYA (South Asian Youth Alliance), which empowers youth through cultural connection and service; and new educational support programs (scholarship) aimed at the needy Indian Muslim students pursuing higher education. Plans for a mom-led kids and youth development group and partnerships with health institutions were also announced, signaling IMAGH’s continued commitment to the evolving needs of the community.
The Consul General of India in Houston D. C. Manjunath commended IMAGH for its various
events and activities to showcase the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India and their community initiatives.
The Guest of Honor Arshad Matin, President and CEO of Avetta, a world leader in providing cloud-based supply chain risk management solutions, made a very impactful speech.
Keynote Speaker for the evening was Mariyam Cementwala, Executive Advisor and Strategist at the US Department of State and also the Founder of The Blind Hijabi, a system to communicate to advance empathy, inclusion, and intercultural understanding. She offered creative solutions to complex foreign policy challenges and drive organizational change.
Chief Guest Harris County Commissioner Pct 4 Lesley Briones spoke of being a proud Latina and native Texan who grew up on the U.S. - Mexico border. She thanked IMAGH for its work to build community, strengthen relationships, and enrich the culture of Harris County.
She noted the need for all to be more inclusive through expanding language access at community centers, making all communities have representation on boards
and commissions and increasing the participation of minority and women owned businesses in county contracts to create a more equitable Harris County.
Every year, IMAGH recognizes people and organizations for their exemplary work and services to the communities and this year the Sikh Community was recognized for their contributions.
This year, India House was chosen for the 2025 IMAGH Col. Raj Bhalla Community Service Award. Each year India House serves around 10,000 individuals from diverse cultural background including some of the most vulnerable populations – at-risk children, the ill, and the elderly. Their core program includes a free Citizenship Service Center, a free Charitable Medical Clinic, and monthly free Food Distribution, benefiting approximately 500 families in need. The award was accepted by Vijay Pallod as a Board Director of India House.
The 2025 Latafath Hussain Award for Exemplary Community Service was awarded to long time Houstonian Musa Dakri, the founder and current Chairman of Wallis Bank, a role he has held for the past 34 years. Under his leader-
ship, the Bank focused on supporting South Asian immigrants and underserved communities who faced challenges with larger financial institutions. This commitment remains at the heart of Wallis Bank’s mission, with countless individuals crediting Dakri’s help as pivotal to their success.
Mesmerizing performances by Nrityakalpna Dance School and
As the organization looks to the future, IMAGH remains committed to promoting Indian Muslim heritage, fostering interfaith dialogue, supporting education, and serving the Greater Houston community through meaningful programs and partnerships.
Egyptian folklore Tanoura Dance by Sal Al Sayed were the main attraction of the evening.
Former FB Candidate Taral Patel Accepts Plea Deal in Social Media Hoax
By mario Diaz, ninfa SaaveDra
Taral Patel, a former candidate for Fort Bend County commissioner, has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges for creating fake online accounts, impersonating officials, and posting racist comments about himself to gain voter sympathy during last year’s election.
Patel was defeated in the November 2024 election by his opponent, Andy Meyers, who won with a 59% margin.
He faced a third-degree felony charge for online impersonation and a Class A misdemeanor for misrepresentation of identity.
On Tuesday, Patel pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors, resulting in 24 months of probation. If he stays out of trouble during this period, all charges will be dismissed.
As part of his probation, Patel must donate $2,000 to a youth program in Fort Bend County, complete 400 hours of community service, avoid contact with the victims and candidates involved in the case, issue a public apology, and write an apology letter to all victims.
It’s a great feeling. This was not about prison time, this was about justice,” said Wesley Wittig, Second Assistant District Attorney at Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
According to investigators, Patel portrayed himself as someone he is not over the internet, a violation of Texas Penal Code when
done without proper consent and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person according to the code.
In legal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates, authorities say the acts of impersonation were done on an account allegedly created by Patel under a different persona, where he attacked candidates—including racial attacks on himself or claimed to work with them. The usage of this account occurred online beginning in October 2022 and lasting through May of this year. He allegedly posted under the screen name “Antonio Scalywag.”
Investigators say the acts took place primarily on Facebook.
Grand jury subpoenas were issued to Meta Platforms, Google, Comcast, T-Mobile, and JP Morgan
Chase Bank to track the information and link it back to Patel.
Additionally, current Fort Bend County Judge KP George, who was Taral’s former boss, has also been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly faking his identity online. Patel admitted in court documents released Tuesday that he committed an offense with George in Sept. 2022.
A few weeks ago, Judge George was also charged with two counts of money laundering, a thirddegree felony. Court records also allege he tampered with a government record, namely a campaign finance report, with the intent to defraud or harm.
George’s attorney, Jared Woodfill, issued the following lengthy statement to 2 Investigates after today’s developments involving
Patel.
“The Fort Bend County DA, Brian Middleton, knows there is no evidence that Judge George engaged in any illegal activity in violation of the Texas Election Code or any other statute. That is why he broke the law and bypassed the Texas Ethics Commission prior to indicting Judge George for an alleged campaign violation.Interestingly, DA Middleton has been found to have violated the Texas
Election Code and sanctioned for his conduct. However, he did not prosecute himself. Mr. Patel’s plea agreement, which is a mere slap on the wrist, appears to be the DA’s effort to further manufacture a case against Judge George, cutting backroom deals in exchange for testimony. Attorney Brian Middleton is using Mr. Patel as a pawn in an effort to take out his political opponent, Judge George. Judge George has never even been found liable by Texas Ethics Commission, the body responsible for investigating alleged violations of the Texas Election Code. This case is about DA Middleton capturing the news headline in an effort to influence an election in his favor. This weaponization of the district attorneys office should concern every resident of Fort Bend County and the State of Texas. If a DA can abuse his office in an effort to take out a high profile political opponent, what chance is there for the every day citizen when he or she crosses a politically ambitious DA. Judge George will continue to stand against injustice and for all residents of Fort Bend County.” -- Click 2 Houston
Attorney Rina Gandhi Leads Legal Battle to Bring Back Abrego Garcia
Rina Gandhi is the attorney behind one of the most high-profile international legal battles currently gripping Washington — the fight to bring back Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland father unlawfully deported to El Salvador. The case has become a flashpoint in the broader legal reckoning with Trump-era immigration policies and its defiance of several court rulings against it, and Gandhi is leading the charge for accountability.
On April 15, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis slammed the Trump administration for doing “nothing” to comply with the court’s mandate. Gandhi didn’t hold back either and told the media, “This is about the government admitting to unlawfully removing a man from his home, his children, and then doing absolutely nothing to fix it,” she said after the hearing. “We haven’t brought Kilmar home yet — but we will.”Gandhi, a senior partner at Murray Osorio PLLC, is no stranger to standing up to power. For over a decade, she has been at the forefront of immigration advocacy, blending legal expertise with a deep commitment to human rights.
She leads the Maryland office of her firm, where she supervises teams handling family-based petitions, asylum, humanitarian cases, and complex waivers for clients facing allegations of fraud, unlawful presence, or criminal convictions.
Her roots in immigration law run deep. Before becoming an attorney, Gandhi worked with refugee resettlement agencies, legal aid nonprofits, and as a paralegal at an immigration law firm.
Since graduating from William & Mary Law School in 2014, she’s focused exclusively on immigration — building a reputation for navigating some of the most difficult and emotionally charged cases in the field.
She’s also a law professor, teaching gender-based asylum at Georgetown University Law Center. Her work there reflects her broader philosophy: that immigration law is not just about paperwork and policy, but about dignity, voice, and survival.
Beyond the courtroom, Gandhi has helped shape national immigration discourse. She has cochaired key committees within the American Immigration Lawyers Association, lobbied Congress for immigration reform, and trained hundreds of attorneys across the country.
Her leadership extends globally — including spearheading public health and sanitation initiatives in Burkina Faso as part of her human rights advocacy.
Now, with the Ábrego García case, Gandhi finds herself at the center of a legal showdown with international implications. And while the government stalls, Gandhi is pressing forward — demanding testimony, forcing transparency, and refusing to let the law be ignored.
“Justice means more than a ruling — it means action,” she told the media. -- India West
Attorney Rina Gandhi and deported captive Kilmar Abrego Garcie
Jews and Hindus Gather to Break Matzah during a Houston Passover
By eric Killelea
HouSton: The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston sponsored a Passover Seder on Wednesday at Congregation Emanu El, welcoming hundreds of clergy, politicians, university professors and business leaders from across the metro to celebrate the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt thousands of years ago.
To Jews, the holiday symbolizes freedom and the birth of a Jewish nation. But this year, for many Jews and allies, it’s also a time to reflect on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in Texas and across the U.S.
“While we are so excited to be in partnership with all of you, we also have to reflect on the fact that this is a particularly difficult and challenging time for our Jewish community,” Federation President and CEO Renée Wizig-Barrios told the audience as they sat at round tables featuring the symbolic meal of gefilte fish bites with carrots, matzo ball soup and savory matzo brei with spinach. “We need you, our allies, more than ever.”
With security at the synagogue’s doors, Wizig-Barrios noted that the Federation and Jewish residents citywide have recently been threatened with vandalism and violence. “These recent acts of hate are deeply unsettling, however, we as a Jewish community will not live in fear,” she said. “We are one that celebrates diversity and is committed to stand hand-in-hand with all of you, our friends and neighbors.”
The crowd included some of Houston’s elite: Rabbi Oren Hayon of Congregation Emanu El, Council Member Abbie Kamin, who is Jewish, Shariq Abdul Ghani, the Muslim executive director of the Minaret Foundation and Christian Menefee, the Harris County attorney who is now running for the empty U.S. House seat of the late Representative Sylvester Turner.
The guest list also named Vijay Pallod, a board member of the Hindus of Greater Houston, who has made efforts to build a relationship between the estimated 65,000 Jews and 150,000 Hindus now living in the Houston area.
Pallod appeared at the Seder after the nonprofit’s board members voted to make an undisclosed financial donation last month to the Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund dedicated to providing food, housing, and medical care to families overseas after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The Federation, in partnership with the Houston Jewish Community Foundation, has already raised more than $15.4 million for such efforts.
During an interview Tuesday, Pallod recalled attending prayer meetings after the attacks at local synagogues (including Congregation Beth Yeshurun) and pledging
financial assistance to the Federation when needed. “This happened spontaneously,” Pallod said of the charitable support. “But we thought that it was the right time to come forward, not only with words, but to contribute money to help them.”
In an era of protests against the Hamas attacks and also Israel’s responsive airstrikes in Gaza, the Federation and Houston’s Jewish community at large have garnered support from Mayor John Whitmire and Texas lawmakers. Meanwhile, some of the Houston metro’s 500,000 Muslims have accused politicians of favoring his Jewish constituents over Muslims while various factions of pro-Palestine demonstrators have held protests in front of the mayor’s home.
Several Hindu leaders have told Chron that many Indian Americans in Houston are turning to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guidance on how to approach the religious and political aspects of the Israel-Hamas War.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and the families,” former Hindus of Greater Houston president Thara Narasimhan said after the 2023 attacks, according to the Indo American News based in Houston. “We stand in solidarity with Israel during the difficult hour, after thousands of rockets from Gaza strip slammed into south and central Israel.”
Pallod was diplomatic in his effort to describe why the Hindu nonprofit donated funds to the Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund. He noted that he’s also an adviser to the Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston and works with other interfaith groups.
“We don’t really have any ties with Israel directly; we are based in Houston only,” Pallod said, referring to Hindus of Greater Houston. “Some people take it totally the wrong way. We’re not antiPalestine. We’re focused on helping people in Houston.”
At first glance, the minority groups of Hindus and Jews in Houston might seem to have little in common. But living in one of the most multicultural cities in the country, the groups actually have a long-running bond dating back decades.
“For communities who don’t seem to have commonalities or connection, we have been able to find deep similarities in our values that contribute to bringing us together,” Federation spokesperson Erica Winsor told Chron at the seder Wednesday. She listed “education, family and work ethic” among such parallels in the distinct faiths and cultures.
The Jewish
community, Pallod said, “has been open to helping us.”
Amid a rapid increase in Indian migration to Houston in the 1970s, Hindu leaders organized gatherings to celebrate Diwali, Navratri
and other festivals at synagogues before they established their own Hindu places of worship like the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, Pallod said.
Additionally, the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp, founded in 1985, had been held at the Jewish Community Center’s Ida Gordon Campsite in the Richmond suburb. A 37-acre, $6 million campsite opened in the summer of 2024 in Columbus, along the Colorado River, west of Houston.
Passover, which begins this year on the evening of Saturday, April 12, is one of the most important holidays for Jews in Houston and across the world. Just days before the sacred holiday, Rabbi Hayon and others read from the Jewish text called the Haggadah to provide the script for the meal and welcomed guests to eat an added lunch of pastrami style brisket, potato kugel, green beans with mushrooms, roasted Moroccan beet salad, quinoa salad and mousse cups.
During the Seder, Pallod and others Jewish leaders in reciting “four promises” about their obligations as people of faith to combat bigotry and violence and to create friendships. One promise read, “We will encourage ourselves and others to welcome the stranger, so that our communities reflect the wide diversity of our world.” -- The Houston Chronicle
Vijay Pallod, a board member of the Hindus of Greater Houston, poses beside Israel’s Consul General to the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv, at the afternoon seder.
Over 60 Residents Demand Accountability from Rep. Troy Nehls
fort BenD county: Residents of Texas’ 22nd Congressional District gathered Monday evening at the Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Annex Building for a public town hall organized by local community leaders and residents. Despite repeated invitations, Congressman Troy Nehls did not attend or respond.
The town hall was organized in response to growing frustration over Rep. Nehls’ failure to host a public town hall in four years since taking office. Residents voiced concerns on a range of issues, including veterans’ services, public education, healthcare, and the need for accessible, responsive representation in Washington.
Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, a resident of CD-22, joined constituents in calling for greater transparency and engagement from their congressional representative.
“Hearing a veteran get up and talk about how threatened he feels his sacrifice is today hit me deeply. Hearing a teacher talk about how she feels that her students and their families are being threatened hit
me deeply, because I know these threats are real,” said Commissioner McCoy. “The only thing we have asked is for our elected representative to show up and answer our questions.”
The event follows a grassroots movement that escalated last month, when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former Congressman Beto O’Rourke visited Fort Bend County to host a town hall at the request of local organizers. Commissioner McCoy pledged at that event to help create space for constituents to gather and be heard during the April Congressional District Work Period. Although Rep. Nehls was invited to attend Monday’s event, he did not respond to the invitation.
Organizers say this is only the beginning of continued efforts to foster civic engagement and hold public officials accountable. Residents in attendance were encouraged to stay involved, continue reaching out to their representatives, and participate in upcoming opportunities to shape policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Jaat’: Brutal, Bloody, and Built for Deol Fans
By arcHiKa KHurana
Story: In a remote coastal village, ruthless criminal Ranatunga rules by fear. When a mysterious stranger confronts his men, he uncovers the villagers’ torment. Determined to end the tyranny, he takes a stand—can he bring justice to the oppressed?
Review: Gopichand Malineni’s Jaat, marking his Hindi directorial debut, is an unabashedly loud, hero-driven spectacle that aims to marry the exaggerated swagger of South Indian action with North Indian machismo. The result is a film that offers moments of undeniable impact but ultimately plays too safely within the confines of well-worn formulas.
With a title steeped in cultural pride and defiance, Jaat wears its identity on its sleeve. It’s clearly designed as a star vehicle for Sunny Deol, putting him front and center in a role that brings back his signature style—loud one-liners, heavy action scenes, and a largerthan-life masculinity straight out of the 90s. To its credit, the film doesn’t shy away from this tone and fully commits to the oldschool action formula, even if it feels dated at times.
The plot unfolds in a coastal village ruled by the iron hand of Ranatunga (a chilling Randeep Hooda), whose tyranny sets the stage for a classic messiah narrative. A lone drifter—Deol’s Jaat— arrives, bears witness to the injustices, and predictably becomes the avenging force. While the premise holds promise, it’s the execution that falters. The film leans heavily on tropes—blood-soaked revenge arcs, slow-mo punches, and sermon-heavy dialogues—leaving little room for surprise or nuance.
Where Jaat does briefly shine is in its first half. The tension is palpable, the villainy unsettling, and the non-linear screenplay keeps the audience engaged. Hooda, in particular, is magnetic as Ranatunga, portraying menace with mythological flair. His Ravan-obsessed villain is one of the film’s few inventive choices, lending depth
to an otherwise familiar face-off. Sunny Deol, meanwhile, thunders his way through with nostalgic bravado, delivering lines like “yeh dhai kilo ke haath ki power poora North dekh chuka hai, ab South dekhega” with such conviction, one can’t help but cheer—even if the screenplay around him doesn’t always rise to the occasion. Vineet Kumar Singh also makes an impact as Ranatunga’s ruthless brother, Somulu, providing a worthy foil in the villain camp.
Visually, the film holds its own. Thaman S’s background score heightens the drama effectively, and the cinematography offers a gritty, lived-in aesthetic. Action sequences, while often overindulgent, are slick and impactful. The dialogues, penned by Saurabh Gupta and Sai Madhav Burra, are over-the-top and theatrical—often more memorable than the scenes themselves.
However, narrative pacing becomes a significant issue post-
interval. The second half drags, and the film’s 153-minute runtime begins to weigh heavily. A forced item number featuring Urvashi Rautela feels unnecessary and only adds to the film’s bloated feel.
Perhaps the most glaring flaw in Jaat is its treatment of female characters. Regina Cassandra, as Ranatunga’s wife Bharathi, and Saiyami Kher, as a fierce senior police officer Vijayalaskhmi, are criminally underused. Kher, in particular, starts strong but is soon reduced to a plot device.
Jaat delivers exactly what it promises: a nostalgia-fueled action drama powered by its male leads and dialogue-heavy theatrics. But for all its sound and fury, it lacks the courage to push beyond its comfort zone. It’s a decent onetime watch for fans of old-school Deol-led actioners, but for anyone seeking innovation or depth, Jaat may feel like a missed opportunity wrapped in a thunderous punch.-ToI
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