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‘Absolutely frivolous Publicity Interest Litigation’: Bombay HC dismisses plea challenging Maharashtra govt’s decision declaring public holiday on 22 January

OpIndia Staff
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‘Absolutely frivolous Publicity Interest Litigation’: Bombay HC dismisses plea challenging Maharashtra govt’s decision declaring public holiday on 22 January

On Sunday (21st January), the Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) plea filed by four law students challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to declare a holiday on 22nd January, the day of the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The petitioners contended that the Maharashtra government announced an arbitrary holiday and that it was not within the state government’s authority to do so.

Four law students, Shivangi Agarwal, Satyajeet Salve, Vedant Agrawal, and Khushi Bangia, who are pursuing LL.B at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai, and NIRMA Law University, Gujarat, submitted the petition. They sought the revocation of the notification issued by the Maharashtra government on 19th January.

A special bench comprising Justices GS Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale of the High Court rejected the plea filed by the petitioners who had approached the court against the Maharashtra government order, stating that the PIL was a publicity-oriented petition and that the State’s exercise of power is not arbitrary but in accordance with secular principles. “The consistent view of courts is that such decision falls in the realm of executive decision,” the Court ruled.

“It is difficult for us to believe that law students who are yet to enter this profession have made such allegations as mentioned in the petition. We have no doubt that this PIL has been filed for extraneous reasons. It is as rightly contended to us it appears to be absolutely frivolous and does not deserve the attention of the court,” the Bombay High Court bench observed.

The Court further noted that, notwithstanding the petitioners’ challenge to a 1968 Central government notification delegating powers to States to declare such holidays, the notification was not attached to the petition.

“By the notification, the government has declared January 22 as a public holiday in Maharashtra on the occasion of Ram Mandir Pran Partisthan Din. At the outset, we can observe that the notification of May 1968 issued by Home Affairs is challenged and the same is not on record. This notification confers power on State government (to declare holiday),” the bench stated.

The court cautioned the petitioners against pursuing such issues through a PIL but did not impose costs.

Dismissing the plea, the court said, “We intend to caution the petitioners to be more careful when they take it upon themselves to espouse such cause. For these reasons, there is no doubt that this PIL is an abuse of the process of law and we intend to dismiss it with exemplary costs. We refrain ourselves from imposing costs and hope the petitioners will be more careful when appearing in person.”

The court also slammed the students for questioning the wisdom of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhay title suit judgment of 2019. “The petitioners have not even left a single stone unturned where statements are made questioning the wisdom of the Supreme Court in deciding the case. Our judicial conscience is shocked when we see such statements on Supreme Court and more particularly the overtone of a motive which appears to be far far bonafide and in fact appears to be a statement which no prudent litigant would made against the basic secular fabric of this country,” the Court stated in its order.

The High Court also questioned how the petition was reported in media before it was heard.

Appearing for the state govt, Advocate General Birendra Saraf said that it is a policy decision that cannot be subject to judicial scrutiny. He added that declaring a holiday for a religious practice or ceremony is not arbitrary and does not affect the secular fabric of the country. He noted that holidays are regularly declared for religious events, and it does not violate the secular principles of the state. The secular fibre of this country is not fragile and they are known to have celebrated many occasion and this is an occasion where people want to celebrate. But this declaring of holiday is not arbitrary or unconstitutional,” the AG said.

Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas wondered in the court why students were objecting to a holiday. He said in a lighter vein, given that students like holidays.

In a similar order in a special hearing on Sunday, the Madras High Court dismissed a petition against the decision to announce a half-day holiday by Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry on January 22 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The court said that there was no merit in the plea because emergency services will continue even during holiday.

Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha

The consecration ceremony on 22nd January is set to be a grand affair, with a series of rituals and traditions taking place to mark the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla and the official opening of the temple in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 7,000 guests comprising 3,000 VIPs have received invites from the Ram Mandir Trust. There will also be an invitation sent to the families of the karsevaks who lost their lives in the temple movement.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Jairam Ramesh alleges attack on convoy by BJP workers in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma orders police probe

OpIndia Staff
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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Jairam Ramesh alleges attack on convoy by BJP workers in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma orders police probe

On 21st January (Sunday), the Congress party alleged that the convoy of its senior leader Jairam Ramesh was attacked at Jumugurihat in Assam’s Sonitpur district during the party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The party also claimed that the senior Congress leader and people accompanied in his car were “manhandled” by BJP workers during the alleged attack. 

Taking to X, Jairam Ramesh also claimed the same alleging that that the attack was being done at the behest of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

He tweeted, “My vehicle was attacked a few minutes ago at Jumugurihat, Sunitpur by an unruly BJP crowd who also tore off the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra stickers from the windshield. They threw water and shouted anti-BJNY slogans. But we kept our composure, waved to the hooligans, and sped away. This is undoubtedly the Assam CM @himantabiswa’s doing. We are not intimidated and will soldier on.”

Responding to the Congress leader’s allegation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered police to register a case in this matter and probe the allegations. He also tagged Assam DGP in the post.  

Quoting Jairam Ramesh’s post, Assam CM wrote, “Pl register a case and enquire into the allegations @gpsinghips @DGPAssamPolice” 

Following CM Sarma’s direction, the DGP assured to take action in the matter. “Yes Sir. Would take lawful action as directed by your good self,” DGP GP Singh responded.

As per reports, the alleged attack took place ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled rally in Kaliabor in Nagaon district where he is slated to address the crowd. 

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress party had alleged that their vehicles taking part in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra were attacked in Assam’s North Lakhimpur. As per the allegations, the attacks also tore banners and the party blamed BJP workers/supporters for the alleged attack. 

Following the party’s claim, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the party would not be cowed down by such intimidating tactics.

Additionally, Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah said that all hoardings and posters put up to welcome the yatra in the town through which it was to pass on Saturday were torn. According to Borah, party members who had gone to put up posters were thrashed.

However, the allegations were rejected by Assam DGP who said that no vehicles were targeted and the yatra peacefully entered Arunachal Pradesh after its first leg in Assam. 

While responding to Kharge’s post, DGP Singh wrote, “Dear sir, there has been no targeting of any vehicle of any political party, less so of the yatra. @assampolice has made elaborate arrangements for security and L&O for the yatra throughout the state. The yatra has peacefully entered Arunachal Pradesh after the first leg in Assam.”

Notably, Rahul Gandhi-led BJNY began the Assam leg on 18th January and it will continue till 25th January during which it will travel 833 km in 17 districts of the state.

An open letter to the leftists ahead of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

Ganesh R
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An open letter to the leftists ahead of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

Dear liberals,

My heartfelt condolences. The heartfelt wishes of millions of Hindus, and your worst nightmare, – are coming true. The Ram Mandir at Ayodhya will have the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, in the presence of your best friend – Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am not sure which part of that is driving you nuts more – the temple or his presence, but I am sure you have gone crazy.

The sacred chants of Jai Shri Ram are almost overpowered by your wailing, breast-beating and “oppari”. Speaking of Jai Shri Ram, I know you tried to designate anyone who chants it as a terrorist, but that plan seems to have backfired too.

Having failed to prevent the construction of the temple itself, you have been twisting yourself into pretzels trying to find fault with the event. I will come to the more serious parts of your complaints later, but let us first get over the most nonsensical, hypocritical and hilarious of them, shall we?

You, who have always held Hindu rituals in contempt and Hindu Gods in disrespect, have suddenly morphed into experts on Vedic sampradaya. Bravo! Lord Ram sure works in mysterious ways. That is not surprising, after all, you guys gain instant gyan in electrical and transmission engineering (when Modi asked for switching off lights) as well as practically every other topic under the sun including virology, pharmacology, epidemiology, space science etc.

You are complaining that President Murmu has not been invited. Had she been, you would complain that the institute of Commander in Chief and Head of State has been “compromised” by attending a pooja, conveniently forgetting President Rajendra Prasad. You are questioning the date, the time, tithi, the position of planets and stars and everything else. You are saying only a completed temple can go through this ceremony, mixing up Pran Pratishtha and inauguration.

Of course, inconvenient facts like the inauguration of less than half-finished Somnath temple back in the 50s were forgotten. Do you think anyone takes you seriously? The devil has better luck quoting scriptures. Why should it even matter to you? Begaani shaadi mein Abdulla kyun deewana? The corrupt fascist dynasties and Stalinist mass murderers and womanisers you worship as Gods are in Palazzos and Politburos, not in temples. Please continue to worship them.

As if that was not enough, you have become sudden devotes of select acharyas that are trying to question the ceremony. After all, Hindus have never been united and that has been your strength. We know that. We also know that is how your “all-weather allies” aka Islamists could rule India for so long. Your famous disregard for Hindu “Godmen” has been set aside for now. The horrendously casteist and medieval remarks of these acharyas, which will be prominently highlighted if they say something that doesn’t suit you, have been given a silent burial. How else can you explain the spectacle of purebred comrades of Wire rushing to interview Shankaracharyas, desperate for anti-Modi soundbites?

Even if 1% of your respect for “Godmen” had been genuine, you would have handled Palghar differently, or not dragged the Kanchi Acharya through a charge widely known as fake. Do you think any Hindu that has brains takes your “ghar wapsi” seriously?!

Now let us turn to your one semi-genuine gripe – that the ceremony should be religious, not political. In different circumstances and in different times, I would be the first to agree with you. A ceremony conducted by priests from various sects and castes and classes without any politicians. Sounds nice.

However, dear comrades, that ship has sailed. You stood in the docks waving it goodbye, you should know. Let me remind you in case your convenient memories have failed you again.

Overwhelming sections of secular Hindus, as well as increasingly bigger sections of patriotic and secular Muslims, have always stood for compromise. The mosque could have been saved, along with it your “idea of India”, although we know what that means. But who sabotaged it? Who spent legal and financial bandwidth to prolong, delay and jinx the idea? Who courted the most fanatic and conservative among Muslim leaders, amplified their voice and shut out anyone talking compromise as “sarkari Musalmaan”? Who wanted to fight Hinduism to the last Muslim simply to further their own PolPotist pogrom on Sanatana Dharma? It is you comrades. Read this nice article by Ibn Khaldun Bharti, who articulates this much better than I ever could.

As if that were not enough, who was taunting the BJP and Narendra Modi day in and day out? “Mandir wahin banayenge magar tariq nahin batayenge”? Whenever the BJP pushed the matter to the back burner or failed to include it on the front pages of the manifesto in big fonts, it was liberals that got hot under the collar! Snide remarks followed. You were so worried that Modi would drop the matter quietly!

Your delusion was that you had Modi in a clever trap, promising something he could never deliver and carrying it around his neck like an albatross until BJP was finished. Was that a responsible way to deal with a most sensitive issue? An issue that pre-dates Marxism, the Nehru dynasty & its apparent hate for Hinduism, and the BJP itself? Did it lower temperatures? Find answers? Did your approach further the secular cause that is supposedly so dear to you? Of course not!

Working closely with your woke Gestapo GHQ, you planted articles and Op-Eds in global liberal media attacking BJP and Modi for wanting to build the temple. You wanted hospitals to be built in that same location, even as you taunted Hindus about whether they have “scientific evidence” that Ram was born there. We Hindus, as well as Muslims and others, know how many nice hospitals were built when you were looting, ahem, ruling. You tried inciting them but they, by and large, did not bite that bait.

Now that it is being built, you are worried Modi is “taking credit”?! Who else will take credit? Sitaram Yechuri? Owaisi saheb?

Doesn’t it occur to your genius brains that the best and easiest way to turn that event into a national one and dilute the BJP-ness of it is to turn up for the ceremony, accepting the invite gracefully? Share the limelight and TV coverage which will inevitably happen. After all, it will send a clear signal to all Hindus that your visceral hate is not for their faith but for BJP, for whatever reasons. Now we conclude otherwise and don’t blame us.

I am pretty sure when the eventual invite for the Ayodhya Grand mosque, built as per Supreme Court ruling comes, you will stampede over each other and be there in your best skull caps. But securing your minority vote bank was more important for you. You still have fond hopes that Hindus can be split on caste, language, region and numerous other ways.

Even now it is not too late for you to reconsider your approach, but you won’t. That is Bhagwan Ram’s gift to Narendra Modi. He is lucky with enemies like you. The dimwit dynast, under your tutelage, is doing extremely well, regurgitating your curated narratives. Just carry on.

But you are not operating in a vacuum. I can see a process of disintermediation going on. Modi and the BJP are directly reaching out to the Muslim community in their way, and seeing results. They don’t need liberal frauds or corrupt dynasts to endorse it, acknowledge it, let alone support it. Because the Muslims’ genuine demands are education, sanitation, jobs etc, not the eradication of Sanatana Dharma or its replacement with the ideology of mass murderers and womanising savages like Stalin, Kim and Mao. Not for them is subservience to the despot in Beijing –

who they know treats Islam and Muslims the worst. Some of them may be using you as useful idiots but they know where they stand. After all, your track record is clear. As I have mentioned before, your business model is collapsing in front of your very eyes.

As we approach Jan 22nd, I expect this episode of lunacy and mental imbalance to get worse. Some of you want to feast on beef on that day, others want to insult Hindus and their beliefs in other innovative ways. Go ahead. You are doing great. With enemies like you, Modi, or perhaps even Sanatan Dharma doesn’t need any friends at all!

Double standard: While the Congress govt in Karnataka refuses to grant even a half-day holiday for Pran Pratishtha, its govt in Himachal grants a full day off

OpIndia Staff
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Double standard: While the Congress govt in Karnataka refuses to grant even a half-day holiday for Pran Pratishtha, its govt in Himachal grants a full day off

The boycott of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and ‘religion is not a public affair’ claim has widened the divide in the grand old party with two out of its three state governments taking diabolical stands. Notably, the Karnataka Congress government vehemently refused to grant even a half-day off on 22nd January to celebrate the historic consecration ceremony at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. On the same day, the Chief Minister of Congress-led Himachal Pradesh announced a full-day public holiday in view of the consecration ceremony.

Siddaramaiah has Ram and I have Shiva in my name: Karnataka Deputy CM refuses to grant a holiday on 22nd January

On 21st January, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar defended his government’s decision not to declare 22nd January a public holiday. He argued that religion is a personal affair and hence they ‘won’t publicise their bhakti or religion.’ 

He said, “Our bhakti, our respect, our religion…we won’t publicise that. Nobody has asked us this, but our ministers are doing pooja in temples. Our prayers will bear fruit. We are asking everyone to pray.”

Shivakumar added, “Siddaramaiah has Rama in his name, I have Shiva in my name. Nobody has to teach us anything or pressurise us. We’ll do our duty.” 

Earlier, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had stated that there would be no holiday on 22nd January as demanded by the BJP and JDS. Dismissing the demand, he reportedly said, “We walk the great Basavanna’s PATH as his Thinkers and Followers. Work is worship”.

The Bhartiya Janata Party and its allies have been demanding that the state governments including in Congress-ruled ones declare a public holiday on Monday (22nd January).  

The party had said that it is “unfortunate” that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is “discouraging and disconnecting” the people of the state.

The Congress govt in Telangana also has not announced any holiday for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Congress’ Himachal Pradesh government declares 22nd January a public holiday

Contrary to the Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana, its govt in Himachal Pradesh has announced a full-day holiday. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asserted that Lord Ram is ideal for all while declaring a full-day holiday to mark the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha. 

He said, “While the central government has declared a half-day for all office, we (Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government) have announced a full day off (on January 22).”

Following the government order, all schools, colleges, universities, and public offices will remain closed in the hill state on 22nd January to allow employees to participate in the consecration ceremony’s festivities.

The notice issued by the state government read, “It is hereby notified that full day of 22nd January 2024, (Monday) shall be observed as a public holiday in all departments/boards/corporations/schools/colleges/universities/etc. of Himachal Pradesh government to enable employees on the occasion of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya. The above holiday will be applicable to the daily wage employees.” 

It is important to note that Himachal Pradesh has become the first Congress-led state among the three to declare a holiday on the occasion of Ram Mandir’s inauguration. 

Several BJP-ruled states and BJD-ruled Odisha, as well as the central government, have declared a half-day or full-day holiday for all schools and offices to mark the event. So far, reportedly 16 states have made announcements to this effect. The list of these states/UT includes Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Odisha, Tripura, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Assam, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Delhi and now Himachal Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh has declared the whole day a public holiday, while others have announced a half-day holiday for offices and educational institutions. Several states have also announced dry day on 22 January.

NIA arrests juvenile for harbouring terrorists involved in January 2023 Dhangri terror attack

ANI
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NIA arrests juvenile for harbouring terrorists involved in January 2023 Dhangri terror attack

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested a juvenile for harbouring terrorists involved in the killing of five civilians in Dhangri village of district Rajouri of Jammu and Kashmir in January last year.

The juvenile/CCL was incidentally lodged at Observation Home, RS Pura, Jammu, in another case and registered at Gursai Police Station, Mendhar, District Poonch, the NIA stated.

He was taken into custody yesterday by the NIA and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, Rajouri, for remand.

“The said terrorist attack had taken place on January 1, 2023, and five persons belonging to the minority Hindu community were killed and several seriously injured. The case was initially registered as FIR no. 01/2023 at PS Rajouri u/s 302/ 307 /120-B/452/323 of IPC, sections 13/16/18 of the UA (P) Act 1967 and sections 7/27 of the Arms Act. The NIA had taken over and re-registered the case on January 13,” they added.

Investigations by the NIA had revealed that the apprehended juvenile, along with two other earlier arrested persons, namely Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain alias Chacha, was involved in harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack.

“Nisar Ahmed and Mushtaq Hussain were arrested by the NIA on August 31, 2023, and are presently lodged at Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu,” they added.

The duo had provided logistic support to the terrorists for more than two months and had sheltered them in a hideout that they had constructed on the directions of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) handlers, namely Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt, Abu Qatal alias Qatal Sindhi and Mohd Qasim, the NIA stated.

A team of NIA officials had regularly camped in the hilly terrain of Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir in search of the actual perpetrators of the offence during the course of investigations.

The team examined a large number of suspicious entities and later zeroed in on the above-mentioned accused persons who had provided logistic support to the terrorists.

Further investigation is underway.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

“Allah should have given you better than him”: Pakistani netizens support Sania Mirza after Shoaib Malik announces marriage with Sana Javed

OpIndia Staff
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“Allah should have given you better than him”: Pakistani netizens support Sania Mirza after Shoaib Malik announces marriage with Sana Javed

A section of Pakistani social media users have expressed their overwhelming support for Sania Mirza following her former spouse Shoaib Malik’s wedding to Sana Javed on January 20. The Pakistani cricketer got married to actress Sana Javed in a private nikah ceremony. Following this, Sania Mirza’s father announced that she has divorced Malik using the Khula procedure of Shariah.

Shoaib and Sana’s marriage has sparked a flurry of emotions on social media. The Indian tennis star is receiving immense support from Pakistani netizens amidst the news that she took “Khula” from her husband Shoaib Malik. Taking X, one Hasan Saeed wrote, “Team Sania forever.”

Another one wrote, “Can I just say Sania Mirza was always too good for him?”

“I no longer believe in love marriage. Think what Sania Mirza must be going through. Allah should have given you better than him. What happened was good,” another X user wrote.

One X user wrote, “A six Grand Slams winner including the Wimbledon. She’s inspired an entire generation to play sport and take up tennis in India. A marriage or a breaking of it is definitely not her claim to fame.”

“Sania Mirza congratulating Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed on their marriage and takes “khula”. It breaks my heart,” another one wrote.

Shoaib and Sana’s marriage announcement post on Instagram has gone viral with Pakistani netizens calling out Shoaib Malik for allegedly cheating on his wife Sania Mirza.

One Instagram user wrote, “I knew this reached the right audience when no one was genuinely congratulating him. thats what you get for cheating on a good woman. Also. bruhhh. no one even knew you until you were Sania Mirza’s husband. The audacity tho…”

One Farwa Nayyer commented, “Cheating level Ultra Pro Max.”

Screengrab via Instagram

Sania Mirza’s family reacts to Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed’s marriage

On Sunday (21st January), Sania Mirza’s family issued a statement confirming the Indian Tennis legend’s separation from husband Shoaib Malik.

“Sania has always kept her personal life away from the public eye. However, today the need has arisen for her to share that Shoaib and she have been divorced for a few months now. She wishes Shoaib well for his new journey ahead! At this sensitive period of her life, we would like to request all fans and well-wishers to refrain from indulging in any speculation and to respect her need for privacy,” the statement issued by the Mirza family reads.

This comes after the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shoaib Malik on 20th January announced that he had married Pakistani actor Sana Javed in Karachi. After that Sania Mirza’s father announced that she has already divorced Malik. “It was a khula,” Sania Mirza’s father Imran Mirza said after Shoaib Malik’s marriage with Sana Javed was announced by Malik.

Notably, Khul, also called khula, is a procedure based on traditional jurisprudence, that allows a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband by applying to the Shariah Council. 

Rekindling national pride- Rejuvenation of Ayodhya and the resilient spirit of Bharat: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat

OpIndia Staff
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Rekindling national pride- Rejuvenation of Ayodhya and the resilient spirit of Bharat: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat

On 21st January, RSS published a compelling piece by Dr Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where he reflected on the historical narrative of India and emphasised the nation’s long-lasting resilience against various invasions. Dr Bhagwat particularly pointed out the destructive impact of invasions in the name of Islam from the West. He stated that these invasions aimed to decimate Bharat’s social and cultural fabric. The invaders specifically targeted religious structures, including temples, in an attempt to demoralise and weaken the Indian society.

Dr Bhagwat discussed the saga of the Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which symbolised the relentless spirit of Indian society that never succumbed to external pressures or invasions. Despite repeated destructions and efforts to suppress the Hinduness in the heart of Indians, the commitment to restore the Bhavya Ram Mandir signified that the people of India have unwavering faith and resistance towards the atrocities.

In his article, Dr Bhagwat highlighted the significant turning point in Indian history when, in 1857, the people of India envisioned a society free from external domination and emphasised issues like the liberation of Ram Janmbhoomi. Though the 1857 revolt did not succeed in ending British Rule, it fuelled the continuous struggle for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

According to Dr Bhagwat, the post-independence political landscape failed to honour the collective will of the Hindu society regarding the Ram Mandir issue. He categorically praised the perseverance of the Hindu society that resulted in significant milestones in the history of constructing Ram Mandir. The talks of building Ram Mandir started as Somnath Mandir regained its glory post-independence.

It started with Bhagwan Ram Lalla’s idol appearing at Janmbhoomi in 1949. The court ordered the unlocking of the temple in 1986, which became another milestone for the demand for the Ram Mandir. Furthermore, the relentless efforts of Hindus and their sacrifices during Ram Janmbhoomi movement in the early 1990s finally culminated in the Supreme Court’s balanced verdict in 2019, where the apex court gave the disputed land to Hindus and ordered the government to allot a 5-acre piece of land to Muslims to construct a Mosque.

The verdict paved the way for Mandir’s construction, and Bhoomi Pujan finally took place in August 2020, leading to the upcoming grand ceremony of Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Ram Lalla in Bhavya Ram Mandir on 22nd January 2024.

Dr Mohan Bhagwat pointed out that the Ayodhya issue symbolises the national conscience and the collective ethos of the Indian society that honours Bhagwan Ram. This figure embodies justice, compassion and the ideal way of life. He called for an end to all disputes and bitterness surrounding the issue and advocated for societal introspection to ensure harmony.

Dr Bhagwat said that the construction of the Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is not just about religious devotion. It represents the restoration of the national pride. It affirms the Indian way of life rooted in dignity, discipline and unity. His message is clear. The Bhavya Ram Mandir is undoubtedly a beacon of national pride that reflects the values of Bhagwan Ram, which is deeply ingrained in the psyche of every true Indian. He called for active participation in the journey of national resurgence marked by the construction of Bhavya Ram Mandir as a moment of collective awakening and commitment to rebuild not just a monument but the very spirit of Bharat, that is, India.

Men belonging to ex-MP Munnan Khan, man eulogised by leftist media outlet ‘The Wire’, posed as police and opened fire on unarmed karsevaks in 1990

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Men belonging to ex-MP Munnan Khan, man eulogised by leftist media outlet ‘The Wire’, posed as police and opened fire on unarmed karsevaks in 1990

The historic day of the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is near. On January 22, Ram lalla will be seated in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple being built on his birthplace. This historic occasion has created an atmosphere of joy and the spirit of devotion for Bhagwan Ram. Amidst the happiness over the “return of the king”, the Hindu society remembers all the Karsevaks who sacrificed their lives for the Ramjanmabhoomi from the era of Mughals to Mulayam Yadav. Back in 1990, the Mulayam Singh-led government inflicted more brutalities on the devotees of Lord Ram than even the Mughal tyrant Babur.

OpIndia undertook an on-the-ground investigation concerning those defenceless kar sevaks who were shot chanting the divine name of Bhagwan Ram and showed cruelty even towards the corpses. In this particular instance, the names of two paramilitary officers, Bhullar and Usman, are much discussed. The name Munnan Khan, however, was the most shocking revelation to emerge from the horrific adversity orchestrated by the then-Mulayam government. Four years earlier, the leftist propaganda portal ‘The Wire’ defended the same Munnan Khan. While playing the victim card, The Wire included a slew of misleading and inaccurate facts in their piece.

Karsevaks were massacred by a private gang

OpIndia was the first to reveal, citing a police officer stationed in Ayodhya in 1990, that Munnan Khan was somehow involved in the massacre of the unarmed devotees of Lord Ram. Following this finding, numerous surviving Karsevaks and family members of martyred karsevaks have stated that they learned in 1990 that a leader named Munnan Khan had been actively involved in the massacre. Kali Sahay, the son of martyr Ram Bahadur Verma of Sultanpur district, says that Munnan Khan was even provided with a helicopter to fire bullets on karsevaks.

According to Kali Sahay, the local people were aware in 1990 that Munnan Khan orchestrated the grisly murder of Ram Bhakts through his ‘private gang’. Kali Sahay also voiced suspicion that the bore of the bullets used to kill karsevaks was not official.

Uncertain if the attack was carried out by real or fake police

OpIndia talked to Rambhakt Raghuveer Singh, who participated in Karseva in 1990. Raghuveer Singh was injured in the lathicharge at that time. He stated that during Karseva, he heard the name Munnan Khan of Gonda. Raghuveer Singh said, “I had heard that Munnan Khan had ordered 2-3 trucks full of criminals in police uniforms to open fire there.”

Raghuveer remains unsure whether he was attacked by real police or Munnan Khan’s ‘police’ since defending his life was his first concern at the time. Raghuveer claims that during the chaos, he could not read anyone’s badge or nameplate.

Come to Ayodhya, you will get rewards there

In a conversation with OpIndia, Ram devotee Rajesh Kumar Sahu, who participated in the 1990 Ayodhya Karseva, also mentioned the name of Munnan Khan. He stated that when he returned from Ayodhya, locals informed him that Munnan Khan had taken his men, disguised in police uniforms, from the opposite road. It is said that Munnan Khan roamed in a government roadways bus with his accomplices in places where the movement of karsevaks was strictly prohibited. Rajesh Sahu’s neighbours informed him that Munnan Khan was telling the kar sevaks, “Chalo Ayodhya, wahin par phal milega (Come to Ayodhya, you will get reward there).” Rajesh said that Munnan Khan was also carrying weapons.

Fake PAC battalion involved in the massacre of defenceless karsevaks

Murari Lal Gupta, who was also involved in Ayodha Karseva in 1990, told OpIndia that he later found out that Munnan Khan had assembled a whole battalion of fake PAC to massacre the devotees of Lord Ram. Murari Lal Gupta also stated that the Munnan Khan he is referring to served as the Member of Parliament for Gonda. According to Murari Lal, these imposter PAC men opened fire on Ram devotees by climbing on to the roofs of temples around Hanuman Garhi. The ensuing shooting culminated in the martyrdom of dozens of karsevaks.

“Munnan Khan killed my father”: karsevak Ram Achal Gupta’s son says

Speaking to OpIndia, Sanjay, the son of Karsevak Ram Achal Gupta, who was gunned down at Ayodhya on November 2, 1990, said that as a child, he heard about Munnan Khan massacring Ram bhakts while wearing a police uniform. Sanjay said that his father was also a victim of the bullet fired by Munnan Khan.

Munnan Khan’s name written on the walls

Seema, the daughter of Ram devotee Vasudev Gupta, who was martyred on October 30, 1990, told OpIndia that she was very young when her father was shot, but she recalls that, in addition to paramilitary staff, the name of Munnan Khan came up for killing kar sevaks. Seema Gupta said that at that time, Munnan Khan’s name was seen written on walls at many places.

Chief Minister should order a probe into Munnan’s crimes

Martyred karsevak Aam Achal Gupta’s son Sanjay Gupta wrote a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 11, 2024. In this letter, Sanjay said he has convincing proof demonstrating that Munnan Khan had a hand in the 1990 karsevak massacre. Sanjay Gupta stated in the letter that if the 1987 Hashimpura incident in Meerut could be probed, why not the 1990 Karsevak massacre.

It is worth noting that in the Hashimpur incident, after 40 years, the police officers accused of shooting people from Meerut’s Muslim community in 1987 were sentenced by the court. Many of the then-police officers had died, and many had grown old.

Letter sent by Sanjay Gupta to DM Ayodhya, Chief Minister and UP Police

Everyone bowed before Munnan Khan’s political might

OpIndia tracked out a police officer assigned to Ayodhya in 1990. According to the policeman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Territorial Police Force unleashed lathi charge on Ram devotees. The policeman stated that discussions about Munnan Khan’s attack on Ram followers and his associates near the Saryu River were ubiquitous at the time. Due to this attack, numerous Ram bhakts jumped into the swollen Saryu river, and their remains were never found.

The police personnel posted in Ayodhya further stated that at the time, many people, including the government and administration, were aware of Munnan Khan’s misdeeds, but his political standing was so strong that no action could be taken.

Who was Munnan Khan

Munnan Khan’s full name was Fasiur Rehman Munnan Khan. He was born on January 7, 1945, in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Gonda is a district that borders Ayodhya. Balrampur district was formerly part of Gonda. Many elderly people in Gonda believe Munnan Khan began his criminal career in the 1970s. Soon after, his network had expanded to Nepal. Meanwhile, in 1985, he ran for election on a Lok Dal ticket from the Katra assembly constituency in Gonda district. He won the election. After his five-year term ended in 1989, Munnan contested as an independent candidate for the Balrampur parliamentary seat and won the election.

Despite being a public representative, Munnan Khan’s criminal activities continued unabated. Accusations of land grabbing and inciting riots were levelled against him from time to time. In spite of this, owing to his political patronage, not just intersections but also villages in Gonda district have been named after him. Munnan Khan was also a father to five sons and two daughters. His son, Qasim, is also a history-sheeting criminal. OpIndia will soon publish a second exposé detailing Munnan and his family’s criminal and dark exploits.

When ‘The Wire’ became Munnan Khan’s shield

Unsurprisingly, in 2019, the Islamist sympathising leftist propaganda portal ‘The Wire’ eulogised Munnan Khan and gave him a clean chit whitewashing his crimes. Then, journalist Krishna Pratap Singh of ‘The Wire’ described Munnan Khan’s name as a figment of certain journalists’ imagination. In an article published on November 9, 2019, The Wire labelled the then-media persons who exposed Munnan Khan’s crimes in 1990 as ‘Hindu journalists’. In the same piece, The Wire described Munnan Khan as a ‘dominant socialist leader’ close to Mulayam Singh but cleared him of any offences.

The Wire’s propaganda report

In its report loaded with a fabricated narrative, ‘The Wire’ did not care to speak to the surviving Karsevaks or their families. 

Another lie peddled by ‘The Wire’ in the name of Hindu-Muslim

Krishna Pratap, the communist writer of ‘The Wire’, has shrewdly shifted all of the blame for the firing on karsevaks from Munnan, and the then-Mulayam government, to the then-journalists. In the said report, he claimed that no Muslim officers were posted in Ayodhya during the 1990 firing. About a month and a quarter after The Wire’s story was published, TV9 Bharatvarsha journalist Hemant Sharma stated in one of his reports that CRPF Deputy Commandant Usman was among those who opened fire on the unarmed Karsevaks.

The Wire’s proactive reports against repressed truths

The Wire has also claimed that Munnan Khan’s dominant persona irked the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. However, The Wire did not mention that Muslim leaders such as Azimul Haq alias Pehalwan of the then-Faizabad (now Ayodhya) district and Zulfikarullah of the adjoining Sultanpur district had significant influence during Munnan Khan’s era. The obvious question here arises why would Vishwa Hindu Parishad or any nationalist journalist be inclined to use the name of a Muslim leader from a remote district rather than Ayodhya or a nearby district?

However, it said that around 2019, the Ram Mandir issue in the Supreme Court reached its climax and conclusive point. In such a case, with the prospect of hidden facts being exposed, outlets like ‘The Wire’ had made preparations in advance to come to the defence of their favourites at the right time. 

An excerpt from The Wire’s propaganda report

Many hidden cases involving Munnan Khan, are yet to come to the fore. The relatives of the killed Ram devotees also want to expose the involvement of not only leader Munnan Khan, but also officials like Usman, in the 1990 massacre. All the suffering Karsevaks who talked about Munnan Khan’s wrongdoings are still alive. Many of the journalists from that time are still around. All of them have also stated that they will actively cooperate in the probe if initiated. The people of Bharat want to know the truth about the three-decade-old episode that caused the Saryu River to turn red with the blood of karsevaks.

ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre releases satellite images of Ayodhya Ram Mandir ahead of Pran Pratishtha

OpIndia Staff
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ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre releases satellite images of Ayodhya Ram Mandir ahead of Pran Pratishtha

As Bharat is immersed in the devotional fervour ahead of the “return of the emperor of all emperors” Lord Ram, India’s own indigenous satellites provided a space view of the magnificent Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given the world the first darshan of Ram Mandir from space before the consecration ceremony. 

The 2.7-acre Ram Mandir premises can be seen in the image captured by the Indian Remote Sensing series of satellites. According to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian satellites captured the under-construction temple on December 16, 2023, about a month before the pran pratishtha ceremony.

Satellite image of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (Image credit: NRSC)

Satellite pictures show the redeveloped Dashrath Mahal and the Sarayu River near the Ram Mandir.

Satellite image of Shri Ram Mandir and Dashrath Mahal (Image credit: NRSC)

The photographs released by the NRSC also show the newly renovated Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station.

Satellite image of Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station (Image credit: NRSC)

When science meets spirituality: How ISRO helped in the construction of Ram Mandir

The construction of Ram Lalla’s holy abode has been a precise fusion of traditional Indian heritage architecture with advanced science, ensuring its longevity for over a thousand years. The three-floor temple has been constructed without using steel or iron as iron’s life is limited to 80-90 years.

Speaking to NDTV, Alok Sharma, the International Working President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said that once the Babri structure was demolished in 1992, 40 feet of debris covered the site where Ram Lalla is said to have been born. Larsen & Toubro constructors employed Differential Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to determine the precise location for the installation of the new idol of Ram Lalla. In addition, exact location signals were obtained from India’s indigenous navigation system, ‘Navigation with Indian Constellation’ or the NavIC satellite constellation.

Notably, NavIC is a satellite-based navigational system that allows users to find their precise geographic location and track their route anywhere in India and up to 1500 km beyond the territorial boundaries.

Ram Mandir: Epitome of Indian architectural marvel

Interestingly, the main architectural feature of a Hindu temple is the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), a small room where the temple’s principal god or deities reside. Mandapa—the portico or hall at the temple’s entrance that is typically built to accommodate a large number of visitors. The Hindu temples are incomplete with a Shikhara, a mountain-like spire with various intricate patterns, from pyramidal to curvilinear. Traditional Hindu temples also feature Vahana, which is the mount of the consecrated deity, and it is generally visible from Garbhagriha.

The majestic temple in Ayodhya has been constructed in the Nagara temple architecture style, distinguished by towering shikhara. The temple is 2.77 acres in size and constructed out of pink sandstone. The temple is encircled by a huge courtyard with several smaller shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities. The Shaligram stone, a non-anthropomorphic representation of Lord Vishnu has been imported from Nepal’s Gandaki River and is to be used in the making of the idols of Bhagwan Ram and Mata Janaki. 

As per Shri Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra’s website, the temple measures 360 feet long, 235 feet broad, and 161 feet high. Teak wood (Sagwan/Sagaun) from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur is being used to construct the windows and doors. Teak is a unique wood with a lifespan of more than 100 years. The temple is designed by Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, whose grandfather, Prabhakarji Sompura, collaborated with his son, Ashish Sompura, on the Somnath Temple.

The temple has around 3,000 light fixtures that are carefully positioned on walls, columns, and ceilings. The specific placing of these fixtures is due to their peculiar beam angle, which draws focus to the temple’s spell-bounding carvings.

Interior lighting in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir (Image credit: HindustanTimes)

Moreover, the ramps and sculptures have been optimally illuminated with step lights, profile LED strips, and a variety of aesthetic fixtures.

Ram Mandir illuminated with LED lights (Image credit: AmarUjala)

Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

The consecration ceremony on 22nd January is set to be a grand affair, with a series of rituals and traditions taking place to mark the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla and the official opening of the temple in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 7,000 guests comprising 3,000 VIPs have received invites from the Ram Mandir Trust. There will also be an invitation sent to the families of the karsevaks who lost their lives in the temple movement.

On Sunday (21st January), the seven-day-long Vedic rituals ahead of the consecration enter their sixth day, with the “divine bath” in which the child form of Lord Ram will be bathed with 125 urns and “Shayadhivas” of Ram Lalla taking place today.

Bhagwant Mann guilty of religious misconduct, indiscriminate firing by Punjab police: Akal Takht rules in 2023 Kapurthala gurdwara clash

OpIndia Staff
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Bhagwant Mann guilty of religious misconduct, indiscriminate firing by Punjab police: Akal Takht rules in 2023 Kapurthala gurdwara clash

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been found guilty of religious misconduct by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in relation to the gunfire incident that occurred in November 2023 at Gurudwara Akal Bunga in Kapurthala between the Punjab Police and a group of Nihangs, reported The Indian Express.

A statement released on Sunday (21st January) by the Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat declared as much. The early-morning clash on 24th November last year left several wounded and claimed the life of a Punjab Police home guard.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) subcommittee report regarding the police’s claimed infraction of decorum at the Gurdwara Akal Bunga Cantonment Nihang Singhan in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala served as the basis for the Jathedar’s decision.

The Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat stated that after reviewing the report, the facts and assertions contained within demonstrate that the police attacked the gurdwara on a huge scale without any kind of justification.

The Jathedar proclaimed, “Firing, breaking the dignity by entering the Gurdwara Sahib with the police wearing shoes and disrupting the Sri Akhand Path Sahib going on inside the Gurdwara Sahib by releasing tear gas shells was an act that deeply hurt Sikh sentiments by disrupting decency and sanctity,” in a statement.

He added, ‘“According to the report of the sub-committee, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for the act of the police. The CM has been found directly guilty of religious misconduct for breach of decorum and indiscriminate firing.”

Investigators alleged that the incident happened when a police squad went to the gurdwara to settle a quarrel between two Nihang factions.

Subsequently, the chief minister announced that the family of the late home guard, Jaspal Singh, who was from Maniala in Kapurthala would receive Rs 2 crore in compensation.

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