India’s External Affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, October 10, 2022, that the Indian inventory of Russian-origin weaponry has grown since the West refused to give India arms for decades. The External Affairs Minister, who is on a visit to Australia, stated that New Delhi and Moscow have a long-standing partnership that has served Indian interests well.
“We have a long-standing relationship with Russia, and this relationship has served our interests well. We have a substantial inventory of Soviet and Russian-origin weapons,” news agency ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying at a press conference in Canberra, Australia.
Referring to Pakistan, the EAM added that Western countries preferred a military dictatorship next to India as a preferred partner.
#WATCH | The inventory of Soviet & Russian-origin weapons grew for various reasons incl the West not supplying weapons to India for decades & in fact seeing the military dictatorship next to us as preferred partner: EAM Dr S Jaishankar at Canberra, Australia pic.twitter.com/DptFRqcaKM
“In International politics, we make judgments which are reflective of our future interests and current situation,” said Jaishankar hitting out at the West that has condemned India for maintaining close relations with Russia, which is fighting a war against its neighbour Ukraine under Vladimir Putin’s leadership.
However, reiterating India’s stance against the aggression in Ukraine, Jaishankar said, “We have been very clearly against the conflict in Ukraine. We believe that this conflict does not serve the interest of anybody- neither the participants nor the international community.”
Ever since Russia started its “special military operation” inside Ukraine, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has been facing questions on the Indian stand on the conflict on every occasion. Despite making the Indian stand in favor of peace in the region clear on every such occasion, the questions on the conflict continue to follow the Indian EAM.
Dr. Jaishankar has frequently said in response to audience questions about Ukraine that India has a very clear stance on the issue there that prioritises an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomacy and engagement. Jaishankar has, in fcat, also exposed the hypocrisy of the West when it comes to defending the rules-based order in the rest of the world.
Notably, as far as India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict goes, India is walking a tightrope in its relations with the Kremlin, as well as with the latter’s military and energy industries, while yet maintaining its position as America’s top ally in Southeast Asia.
While the west has been criticising India for being soft on Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that there was an urgent need to establish global peace and end the conflict in Ukraine.
“Today’s era is not of war and I have spoken to you about it on the call. Today we will get the opportunity to talk about how we can progress on the path of peace. India and Russia have stayed together with each other for several decades,” the Indian Prime Minister told the Russian President.
Modi made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan on September 16.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin had acknowledged the concerns raised by the Indian Prime Minister. “I know about your position on the Ukraine conflict. I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible. But the other party, the leadership of Ukraine has claimed… that they refuse to engage in the negotiation process,” Putin had responded.
On Sunday (October 9), the Hindu community in the Mominpore locality of Kolkata in West Bengal came under attack as they geared up to celebrate the annual Lakshmi Puja.
Sukanta Majumdar, BJP Chief of West Bengal, informed that bikes and shops belonging to Hindus were vandalised by Islamists at Maila Depot in Mominpore. In a video shared by him, bikes and nearby shops could be spotted in a damaged condition.
Bikes and shops of Hindus vandalised by peaceful community today as they celebrate their festival at Maila Depot, Mominpore. As usual, CM isn’t talking any action against them and giving them free hand. pic.twitter.com/GJ7N2EHhpl
Sukanta Majumdar further added that the Hindu community has been forced to flee after their houses came under attack in Mayurbhanj in Kolkata airport. “Police is silently watching. There is no law and order. The situation is serious but CM Mamata Banerjee is watching Hindus suffer,” he emphasised.
In Mayurbhanj, Kolkata Port, Hindus are fleeing, their houses are being attacked. Police is silently watching. There is no law and order. The situation is serious but CM @MamataOfficial is watching Hindus suffer. pic.twitter.com/Inz3SAz6OD
BJP leader Pritam Sur, also shared scary visuals where miscreants were seen unleashing mayhem on the streets. He tweeted, “Bombs and bricks are being hurled at us. Even the police is forced to flee. The situation is so grim that the face of democracy is blackened on the occasion of Lakshmi Puja.”
বোমা ইট মারা হচ্ছে তাই জন্য পুলিশকেও পালাতে হচ্ছে পরিস্থিতি এতটাই খারাপ যে গণতন্ত্রের মুখে কালি মাখিয়ে দিয়েছে লক্ষ্মী পূজার দিন। pic.twitter.com/M7Xnu14pak
BJP (Nandigram) MLA Suvendu Adhikari shared a disturbing video from Ekbalpur police station where goons had laid siege, forcing the cops to flee. The mob was seen waving Islamic flags.
Ekbalpur Police Station seems to be captured by hooligans. Mamata Police have abandoned the Station for the time being, out of fear. @chief_west if @CPKolkata is not up to the task, please seek CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) deployment.@HMOIndia kindly intervene ? pic.twitter.com/3RbaCVDoLz
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) October 9, 2022
According to Twitter user Syed Ishtiyaque Alam, Mominpore anti-Hindu violence was the handiwork of Ghulam Asraf (Phoenix group owner), Rehan Khan (son-in-law of a TMC councilor) and Shahbaz Alam (a close aide of TMC leader Firhad Hakim).
“When we were peacefully celebrating our festival (Milad-ul-Nabi), these 3 people had a secret meeting in a bungalow opposite of Ekbalpur police station. Shahbaz gathered his followers to create a scene inside the police station,” he added.
Screengrab of the tweets by Syed Ishtiyaque Alam
Syed Ishtiyaque Alam questioned Shahbaz Alam, the man seen speaking through a microphone from inside the Ekbalpur police station.
Screengrab of the tweet by Syed Ishtiyaque Alam
He called the violent Islamists ‘enemy of our qaum’ and sought action against the Islamist elements by the TMC government.
Screengrab of the tweet by Syed Ishtiyaque Alam
In visuals shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya, the Islamists were seen vandalising a Puja pandal.
“On Sharad Purnima, when Bengali Hindus celebrate Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Mominpura, a suburb of Kolkata, is witnessing communal violence. Kolkata police abandoned the Ekbalpore police station, perhaps on the orders of Home Minister Mamata Banerjee, while Islamists were on rampage,” he tweeted.
On Sharad Purnima, when Bengali Hindus celebrate Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Mominpura, a suburb of Kolkata, is witnessing communal violence. Kolkata police abandoned the Ekbalpore police station, perhaps on the orders of Home Minister Mamata Banerjee, while Islamists were on rampage. pic.twitter.com/hdNCd5wpLg
While speaking about the development, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari remarked, “They say, bad habits are like iron chains; too light to be felt until they are too heavy to carry. Incorrigible people also change with the change in Administration, as witnessed in UP. Their time would also come…”
Screengrab of the tweet by Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari seeks deployment of Central Forces
To protect the Hindu community, which has been attacked by Islamists, Suvendu Adhikari has written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and sought urgent deployment of central forces.
“I am compelled to write this letter to you at this hour because the gravity of the situation has prompted this urgency. The Hindu community has come under attack in the Khidirpore Mominpur area of Kolkata on the eve of Lakshmi Puja,” the BJP leader informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He emphasised,”Hooligans and anti-socials have vandalised many shops and bikes belonging to Hindus.” Suvendu Adhikari pointed out that the current state of violence against Hindus in Mominpore was reminiscent of past attacks in Howrah, Nadia and Murshidabad districts.
I have written to Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji & Hon’ble Governor Shri La Ganesan Ji requesting them to urgently deploy Central Forces in the wake of Mominpur violence & ransacking of Ekbalpur Police Station before the Law & Order situation of WB gets out of hand pic.twitter.com/yr3lB1MaJB
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) October 9, 2022
“The State Government has already meekly surrendered in front of the wrath of the goons, who have taken over the Ekbalpur Police Station. If morning shows the day, then the day definitely is gloomy,” the BJP firebrand leader pointed out.
While highlighting the failure of the State government in maintaining law and order situation, Adhikari said, “I urge you to kindly intervene at this hour and deploy Central forces such as the CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces), so that the spark can be extinguished before it turns into a wildfire.
“Kindly act on the situation as soon as possible so that the peace-loving Hindu community is protected, especially those who live in locations where they are in minority as per the demography of the area,” he concluded.
Islamists go berserk in West Bengal over Nupur Sharama saga
Violent protests by Muslims, demanding death for ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her comments on Prophet Mohammad, continued for three consecutive days in Howrah in June this year.
This was in open defiance of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to them to protest in Delhi and in other states. Protests and arson attacks took place in Howrah, despite the presence of police forces.
There were incidents of violence by mobs of Islamists in several parts of the country in the name of protest against Nupur Sharma’s so-called blasphemous statement. A clash broke out between the police and the Islamists at Panchla Bazar in Howrah on June 11 this year.
The miscreants pelted stones at the police while the cops responded by lobbying gas shells. The violent mob also vandalized some properties and set others ablaze.
Violent attacks against the Hindu community has been reported from Bengal multiple times over the years.
One of the most successful and controversial politicians from Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, died on the 10th of October 2022 at the age of 82. He leaves behind him a family including an unsuccessful aspirant son and his brothers and nephews fighting and uniting before and after every other election in an attempt to somehow secure their political existence if not relevance in the Modi era of Indian politics.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was born on 22nd November 1939 in Saifai of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. He drifted to politics as he was influenced by politicians like Ram Manohar Lohia and Raj Narain. He won his first assembly election in 1967 and won a total of eight times there onwards.
Such had been the record of his instability in the name of socialism, just like his few other contemporaries, that for the first six times he became the MLA from six different parties viz. Samyukta Socialist Party, Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Bharatiya Lok Dal, Lok Dal, Janata Dal, and Janata Party. In all these terms, he never got an opportunity to complete his term thanks to the political ups and downs in the state during those decades.
Mulayam Singh Yadav started his political career as a worker under Ram Manohar Lohiya. Image Source: Newstrack
In 1992, he launched his party Samajwadi Party. Mulayam Singh Yadav deployed this party as a tool in the hands of goons to assert power over innocents in the years to come.
Mulayam Singh Yadav always used to claim that his party works for the backward classes, especially for the OBCs. He often quoted Ram Manohar Lohiya’s statement “Pichhada paave sau me saath” which means the backward should get 60 out of 100 percent. Mulayam Singh Yadav did not practice the quote when he was in power.
Instead, he went on to empower Yadav and Muslim goons in the state who later built their criminal empires worth crores of rupees that Yogi Adityanath had to demolish after taking over as the chief minister of the Uttar Pradesh that had become a Prashna Pradesh during the SP-BSP rule. Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party are responsible for giving free hand to criminals like Mukhtar Ansari.
Besides, there have been countless incidents where Mulayam Singh Yadav took an anti-Hindu stand and deployed it by abusing the state machinery he controlled on several occasions over the years. One of the most heinous incidents among these was the firing over the Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya.
Firing on Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya
On 2nd November 1990, Hindu saints and thousands of Karsevaks, comprising also of women and elderly people, took their march towards the Ram Janmabhoomi site where the illegal structure called Babri then stood. The security forces, who were instructed to stop the Hindus from reaching the site, lined up on the road to block the way.
Whenever the security personnel tried to impede the Hindu devotees, they would sit there and start chanting the name of Lord Ram and reciting Bhajans (religious songs). They touched the feet of the security personnel, deployed to prevent them from marching ahead. Each time they did this the security personnel would move back and the Karsevaks would move forward. Though unarmed, the Karsevaks remained undeterred.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was the chief minister when police opened fire on the Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya. Image Source: File Photo
This kept happening until the IG passed orders and the police personnel sprung into action. Tear gas shells were fired, and lathis were rained at the Karsevaks, but the resolute Ram Bhakts neither counter-attacked nor did they agitate or falter. Suddenly the security personnel started responding by opening fire. Many Hindu devotees were targeted and gunned down. It’s believed that the security personnel hunted and targeted Hindus in every lane and bylane leading to the Ram Janmabhoomi and within no time the streets converted into a war zone.
The incident which occurred in Ayodhya, almost 32 years back, left an ineradicable mark in the history of India. After the brutal massacre, different media houses had come up with different numbers of those killed on November 2, 1990. Though the official report on the incident concluded that 16 people had been killed in the firing, however, the fact remained that the number was potentially far higher.
The number of deaths reported by the Mulayam Singh Yadav government was 16 while media reports claimed it to be forty. Image Source: File Photo
This action is often seen in connection with Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement from October 1990 in which he said, “Let them try and enter Ayodhya. We will teach them the meaning of the law. No masjid will be broken.” Mulayam Singh Yadav was the chief minister of the state at that time. “Mile Mulayam Kanshi Ram, Hawa Ho Gaye Jai Shri Ram” was the SP-BSP alliance’s campaign slogan for the UP Assembly Elections in 1993, which took place one year after the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi building was demolished. Due to his actions, Mulayam Singh Yadav acquired the title “Mullah Mulayam.”
Assault on Mayawati in the guest house by Mulayam Singh Yadav led SP
Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party formed a coalition government in the state in 1993. The alliance clinched the victory and agreed to share the CM post for two and a half years each. SP being the bigger party claimed its right the first and Mulayam Singh Yadav became the chief minister of the largest state which was also known as the mini parliament. Due to estrangement, on June 2, 1995, BSP announced the withdrawal of support and the Mulayam Singh Yadav government fell flat on its face.
In June 1995, Mayawati was attacked by Samajwadi Party goons in the guest house. Image Source: News18
Room No. 1 of the State Guest House at Meerabai Marg, Lucknow was Mayawati’s residence at that time. SP MLAs were angry as their government became a minority in the house. Enraged SP MLAs along with their supporters and goons reached Mayawati’s place of stay. Mayawati, who was sitting in the room with her MLAs, was first surrounded and then assaulted by the SP goons.
Unmetered expenditure of the state exchequer in the Saifai festival
During the Samajwadi Party regime, the Saifai festival, organized annually at the Saifai village, the seat of the Mulayam Singh Yadav clan in Etawah district, had often made headlines for the wrong reasons. For a state struggling to provide the basic necessities like roads, power supply, jobs, road transport, and food, the annual extravagance and festivities with the taxpayers’ money were seen as a vulgar display of power and family politics.
तारीख़ – 10 जनवरी 2014,UP की कहानी मीडिया की ज़ुबानी,इसीलिए नई नहीं,वही सपा है !! pic.twitter.com/afhHeT9GbT
In March 2012, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son Akhilesh Yadav became the chief minister of the state. Soon after that, the whole state machinery was deployed in the preparations for this festival scheduled in December 2012. This festival included the performance of popular artists like singer Kailash Kher and poet Munawwar Rana. Stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma was accompanied by Pakistani comedian Irfan Ali Hasan. Singer Sapna Mukharji and dancer Shyamak Dawar were also the ones among the key attractions of the festival that year.
The Saifai festival would be organized as an initiative to save the rural and folk culture and promote local art. But in reality, there was nothing folk or rural, instead, it catered to typical Bollywood entertainment to the ministers and officers spending the government funds. In 2013, violent and brutal riots happened in Muzaffarnagar. Relief camps were set for the victims of the riots. As the festival was scheduled in December, it was right in the middle of a cold wave. Children and kids were dying in those relief camps and the government along with its ministers and officials was busy organizing and enjoying the festival that included popular songs and dance numbers.
When Mulayam Singh Yadav’s attention was drawn to the fact, he dodged the question by terming it as a rumour. Mulayam Singh Yadav had then claimed that this was a move by the BJP to malign the image of the Samajwadi Party and its government in the state. Adding to this, the chief secretary of the state went on to make a controversial statement wherein he had said that nobody dies of cold.
Unabated Muslim appeasement by Mulayam Singh Yadav led Samajwadi Party
The Samajwadi Party has always been known for its Muslim appeasement politics. The appeasement policies started during Mulayam Singh Yadav’s tenure and continued when Akhilesh Yadav became the chief minister of the state. Even AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi had during an election rally launched a fierce attack on Samajwadi Party reminding its supremo Akhilesh Yadav how SP had come to power in UP with the help of Muslim votes. Akhilesh Yadav, too, had praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah while speaking at a party rally during the Samajwadi Vijay Rath Yatra.
Irresponsible reactions over the serious crime of rape
In 2014, the SP founder member Mulayam Singh Yadav had been rebuked by practically every section of society for his “Ladkon se aisi galtiyan ho jaati hain” remark when he was questioned on how justified it was to award the death penalty to the three accused in the Shakti Mills rape cases in Mumbai.
The veteran Samajwadi Party leader had said: “Ladkon se aisi galtiyan ho jaati hain to iska ye matlab nahin ki phaansi de di jaye (Boys do make such mistakes but that does not mean that they should be sent to the gallows).” Mulayam Singh Yadav had then opined that the death penalty for rape accused was “unfair”.
While the political career of Mulayam Singh Yadav has been controversial, to say the least, he was one of the most influential and powerful leaders in Uttar Pradesh who shaped the policies of the largest state of India for decades.
Babiya, the divine crocodile who lived in Kerala’s Ananthpuram Ananthapamanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala’s Kasargod, has died. Over 75 years old, the crocodile passed away last night. Legend says that in 1945, a British officer shot at a crocodile in the temple and within days Babiya appeared in the temple pond. She was completely vegetarian. She was offered food after morning and afternoon prayers. It is believed that Ananthapadmanabhaswamy is the origin of Sripadmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
The offering to Babiya, the divine crocodile, was the main offering at this temple. After devotees would give their offering to the priest, the priest would go towards the lake and give the offering. Babiya would obediently come out of the pond and eat it. Babiya never harmed anyone in the pond. Devotees believed Babiya was guarding the Lord Ananthapadmanabha.
Soon after the news of its demise spread, tributes started pouring for Babiya, the beloved crocodile.
Babiya the crocodile lived in Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Lake Temple of kasargod is no more pic.twitter.com/mFF5bjN4SU
Babiya the crocodile which lived in the pond of Kasarkode Anantha Padmanabha temple, which is moola sthanam of Sri Padmanabha swamy temple attained moksham yesterday on 9.10.22. All these years it lived by Nivedhyam offered from temple Om Shanti ? pic.twitter.com/C8pGjv2N0h
Babiya, the god’s own crocodile of Sri Anantapura Lake temple has reached Vishnu Padam.
The divine crocodile lived in the temple’s lake for over 70years by eating the rice & jaggery prasadam of Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy & guarded the temple.
On October 9, a procession was taken out in Pipad town of district Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in which the participating Islamists raised ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. The video of the incident went viral on social media, following which the main accused that instigated the mob to raise the slogans was arrested. Identified as Roshan Ali, the accused was reportedly involved in communal violence in the past as well.
Controversial slogans were raised during procession for Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Pipar city of Jodhpur.
Police has arrested Roshan Ali, the main person who raised the controversial slogans and others are being identified: Anil Kayal, SP Rular Jodhpur pic.twitter.com/aCbGspVDyv
Notably, All India Muslim Jamaat had issued a decree on October 8 in which they had asked not to raise ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans during the procession on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. The decree was issued for Muslims across the country. However, the Islamists in Jodhpur did not pay heed to the decree and raised ‘Gustakh-e-Nabi ki ek hi saza, sar tan se juda, sar tan se juda’ slogans while passing through Nayapura Subhash Colony, a Hindu-dominating area.
Residents of the Colony filed a complaint at Pipad police station regarding the slogans. The complaint mentioned that the slogans were raised to disturb social harmony and create fear among the Hindu community.
SHO Premdan Ratnu, Pipar Police Station, said in a statement, “A procession rally was being taken out during which we received info that a man, identified as Roshan Ali, has raised objectionable slogans. The accused was arrested and is being questioned.”
Pipar, Rajasthan | A procession rally was being taken out during which we received info that a man, identified as Roshan Ali has raised objectionable slogans. The accused was arrested & is being questioned: CI Premdan Ratnu pic.twitter.com/PX1G0l1X8E
The police added that Roshan Ali had been involved in communal incidents in the past. Pipad town is considered communally sensitive, and several communal clashes have happened there in the past.
The ‘sar tan se juda’ slogan and the murder of Kanhaiya Lal
It is noteworthy that ‘sar tan se juda’ is not just a slogan but a violent and hateful call to behead non-Muslims who, as per the Islamists, have ‘disrespected’ Islam. The call for death has been used to kill people over social media posts and settle old scores. Islamists have acted upon the slogan and killed several innocent people in the past for merely posting about Prophet Muhammad or showing support for those who have said anything about the Prophet.
On June 28, a Hindu tailor identified as Kanhaiya Lal was brutally murdered by Islamists identified as Mohammad Riaz and Ghaus Mohammad for allegedly posting in support of former Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma who was dismissed from the party for allegedly giving objectionable remarks against the Prophet during a debate on Times Now.
The Islamists had entered Kanhaiya Lal’s shop on the pretext of getting clothes stitched and attacked him with sharp weapons. Later, the accused shared videos of the murder, saying Kanhaiya Lal was killed to avenge the insult of Islam. He also threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The accused were arrested by the police, and the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Union Home Ministry. It was revealed during the investigation that the accused had got training in Pakistan.
Another Hindu businessman identified as Umesh Kohle from Amravati, Maharashtra, was also brutally murdered by a group of Islamists for supporting Nupur Sharma.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, the founder of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, died of illness on Monday, 10th October 2022 at the age of 82. Yadav was admitted at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana, due to ill health where he breathed his last. The news of the death of Mulayam Singh Yadav was confirmed by his son Akhilesh Yadav.
Yesterday, Medanta had released a statement saying that Mulayam Singh Yadav was critical. A Medanta Hospital health bulletin said “Mulayam Singh Yadav ji’s condition is quite critical today and he is on life saving drugs. He is being treated in the ICU of Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, by a comprehensive team of specialists”. He had been under treatment at the hospital since August 22 and was shifted to the ICU on October 2.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was born on November 22, 1939, in Saifai village, Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India, to Murti Devi and Sughar Singh Yadav. He entered politics after meeting Sarvashri Madhu Limaye, Karpoori Thakur, Ram Sewak Yadav, Raj Narayan, and Janeshwar Mishra. He was inspired and motivated by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia’s socialist ideas and beliefs.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1967. In 1989, Yadav was elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time. Yadav created the Samajwadi Party in 1992. He joined up with the Bahujan Samaj Party to win the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in November 1993.
Throughout his political career, Mulayam Singh was associated with several controversies. The most controversial one was when he ordered open fire on Karsevaks in Ayodhya in 1990. Yadav, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time, ordered firing on the Karsevaks who had congregated in Ayodhya to demand the construction of a Bhavya Ram Mandir at Janmabhoomi in November 1990, two years before the final demolition of the disputed structure. The Samajwadi Party patriarch’s savage edict, which resulted in the deaths of numerous Karsevaks, earned him the moniker ‘Mullah Mulayam.’
A video of Aam Aadmi Party’s Gujarat state unit president Gopal Italia making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media. In the video, Gopal Italia can be seen abusing PM Modi and calling him names. The date of the video is not confirmed, but it is apparently from 2019 during the run-up to the general elections.
In this video, Gopal Italia said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a ‘neech’ person. I can’t confirm but I want to ask you, is there any former Prime Minister of the country who has done so many gimmicks while going to cast vote? This ‘neech’ type of person is doing road shows here. And he is showing how I am making this country C. You better understand the meaning of C. He talks about digital India and rushes to Gujarat from Delhi to cast vote. This is how he is making country C. So, this ‘neech’ type of person is giving a message to the country about how he is making this country C.”
Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya criticised AAP leader Gopal Italia for this video. He tweeted, “Gopal Italia, Kejriwal’s right-hand man, and AAP Gujarat’s President, stoops to Kejriwal’s level, calls Prime Minister Modi ‘neech’. Using such profanities and abusing Gujarat’s pride and son of the soil is an insult to every Gujarati, who has voted for him and the BJP for 27 years.”
Gopal Italia, Kejriwal’s right hand man and AAP Gujarat’s President, stoops to Kejriwal’s level, calls Prime Minister Modi “नीच”। Using such profanities and abusing Gujarat’s pride and son of the soil is an insult to every Gujarati, who has voted for him and the BJP for 27 years. pic.twitter.com/5J2k8Ibmwv
Notably, it is not the first time that an opposition leader has used ‘Neech’ for PM Narendra Modi. Back in 2017, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called PM Modi a neech aadmi, a comment he repeated ahead of 2019 elections. At that time, people of India gave a resounding reply to Aiyar by giving a historic verdict for PM Modi. It remains to be seen how people of Gujarat react to this ‘neech’ comment by Gopal Italia against Narendra Modi.
This is just the latest instance of an AAP leader bringing embarrassment to the party. Earlier in the day, Rajendra Pal Gautam, minister in Delhi’s AAP government had to submit his resignation after attending an event where Hindu Gods were abused.
On October 6, a video of Hindus offering prayers at the Mahmood Gewan Madarsa, Bidar, Karnataka, went viral on social media. The police booked nine Hindus merely for entering the mosque and offering prayers. The mosque in question is located inside Mahmood Gewan Madarsa. A Twitter user Bharadwajagain laid down an informative thread to show that the Madarsa was previously a Hindu temple. Interestingly, Hindus never stopped offering prayers at the Madarsa to keep the spirit of the temple alive.
Bharadwaj quoted another Twitter user, a Hindustan Times journalist Arun Dev, who had tweeted, “A group of men shouting “Jai Sri Ram” entered a 550 + year of Madarasa in Bidar, threw kumkum and performed puja. Surprisingly (or not), most news channels are not reporting on this.” As a counter, Bharadwaj wrote, “This Madrasa was once a Hindu temple. A Persian Tyrant, Mahmud Gawan, became Bahmani Prime minister. He urged the king to kill Brahmins as an act of piety. He built this Madrasa after destroying the temple. The local Hindus never stopped their tradition of performing puja every year.”
This Madrasa was once a Hindu temple.
A Persian Tyrant, Mahmud Gawan became Bahmani Prime minister. He urged the king to kiII Brahmins as an act of piety.He built this Madrasa after destroying temple.
The local Hindus never stopped their tradition of performing Puja every year. https://t.co/ZHRdkgXYqE
The building was constructed in the Indo-Islamic architectural style of Deccan. In 2014, UNESCO added it to the tentative list of world heritage sites. However, Bharadwaj added that the site had a blood-stained history.
Bahmanis were self-proclaimed Persians. Notably, contrary to their claims, there was a possibility that all of them were Hindu converts and their founder Hasan Gangu had a Hindu background. It is important to note that initially, Bahmanis restrained themselves from killing Brahmins. However, it all changed with the arrival of Mahmood Gawan in the scene.
Despite their self-proclaimed claims of Persian origins,the Bahmanis were local Hindu converts.Their founder Hasan Gangu had possible Hindu background.
Hence,they carried forth many beliefs of their former religion.
The Bahmanis would not kiII (civilian non-combatant) Brahmins.
Gawan was a foreigner, and he had no such belief system. He was not against the idea of killing Brahmins or destroying temples. Rather, he urged the Bahmani king to destroy the temples and kill the Brahmins. According to him, it was a pious act. After the Bahmani king killed Brahmins under Gawan’s influence, he bestowed upon the king the title of Ghazi.
Mahmood Gewan Madarsa in Bidar in Karnataka was originally a Hindu temple which was destroyed by Mahmood Shah
Ferishta says by following the advice of Gawan, Mahmud Shah became the first king of among Bahmanis to slay a Brahmin.
However, many Deccanis feared this act was very inauspicious. They believed that it would bring about the decline of Bahmani empire.
Furthermore, as per the records, he then gave the orders to erect a mosque on the foundation of the temple. Following his actions, Mahmood Gawan states that as Mahmood Shah had killed the infidels (Brahmins) with his own hands, he “might fairly assume the title of Ghazi” that was something to be “proud” of for them.
Excerpt from Tarikh-I-Ferishta Volume II.
It was on record in Tarikh-I-Ferishta that Mahmood Shah was the first of his race to kill Brahmins. Before him, it was believed by the Deccanies that killing Brahmins was inauspicious, something that Hindu kings have always believed, as per the Sacred texts. It further noted that this act of killing Brahmins “led to the troubles which soon after perplexed the affairs of himself and his family, and ended in the dissolution of the dynasty.”
Notably, the monument found its place in Sitaram Goel’s book “Hindu Temples: What Happened To Them”. In Volume I of the book under Bidar district, the Madarsa has been named as a monument built on the remains of a Hindu temple site.
Excerpt from Sitaram Goel’s book: Hindu Temples: What Happened To Them – Volume I
Hindus continued to offer prayers for centuries
Though the temple was destroyed and a Madarsa was built in its place, the Hindus in the region never stopped praying at the temple. It is pertinent to note that the police have gone on the record to say that Hindus offering puja at the Mahmood Gewan Madarsa and Mosque on Vijaydashmi is an event that takes place every year. They have also clarified that contrary to what Muslim leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi are claiming, nobody attempted to break the lock of the mosque to enter it illegally.
Muslim organizations in Kerala are protesting against catholic schools in the state where the hijab was banned inside the school campus. Muslim Youth League (MYL), Muslim Students Federation (MSF), and Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) protested on Monday, 26th September 2022, as Providence Girls Higher Secondary School in Kozhikode barred students from wearing headscarves in the institution.
This is the second catholic school in the state to ban hijab on their campus. It is notable that a Kozhikode school run by a congregation called Apostolic Carmel Southern Province had also banned the hijab on the school premises and Muslim organizations protested against the school on 26th August 2022.
A student of Providence Girls Higher Secondary School studying in the 11th standard was instructed by the school authorities that she cannot wear a headscarf as it was not a part of the uniform. The parents of the girl lodged a complaint with the school organization. As the school stayed firm on its rules, the student took a transfer certificate from the school.
MYL issued a statement after this incident. In this statement, it said, “Now, the student has obtained a transfer certificate from that school. It is a violation of her fundamental right. The inaction on the part of the state government in taking action against such institutions cannot be accepted.”
On 26th September 2022, protesting Muslim organizations took to the streets in large numbers and demonstrated outside the school. The police had to use force to disperse the mob. Some of the protesters were also detained.
In another such incident that took place in Kozhikode in August 2022, the parent of a girl aspiring to take admission to the 11th standard filed a complaint with state Education Minister V Sivankutty. In his complaint, the parent alleged that his daughter is being denied permission to wear a hijab at a government-aided school she enrolled in for the 11th standard on 23rd August 2022.
This school is also run by Catholics. A congregation called Apostolic Carmel Southern Province governs the Christian management board of the school. On Friday, 26th August 2022, a number of Muslim organizations, including the Campus Front of India, organized a demonstration, which resulted in a tense situation outside the school. To control the incident, police were called in.
While interacting with the media, the student’s father said, “This is against the religious freedom of an individual as well as the secular fabric of the state. The school uniform is a half skirt and a top with an overcoat. This may even make the female students uncomfortable as there are male teachers too. But we don’t have any objection with adhering to the school uniform, but wanted the permission to wear hijab also.”
He added, “The principal asked my daughter not to wear a hijab. Shawl (dupatta) is also not allowed in the school. I repeatedly asked the principal whether this means hijabs are also not allowed since there is no permission to wear shawls. Finally, the principal categorically said that hijab was not allowed. This is questioning the religious freedom of an individual in a state like Kerala. Hence I have lodged a complaint with the minister.”
According to school principal Silvi, there is no change in the norms of the school. Silvi said, “The things have been explained to them (the father and the daughter). There is an option for the student to get a transfer from the school. In this school, this would be the norm.”
Out of the organisations named above, Campus Front of India is the student wing of the Popular Front of India. Students Islamic Organization is the students’ wing of Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind. PFI and all its allied organizations were banned by the government of India on 28th September 2022.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated Modhera village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district as India’s first solar-powered village. In his remarks, PM Modi stated that it is a historic day for Modhera as it takes a significant step toward harvesting solar power. Modhera, which is synonymous with the Sun Temple, would be recognised for its advances in solar energy, according to PM Modi.
According to sources, the endeavour to transform Modhera into a net renewable energy provider was a collaboration between the Gujarat government and the Centre. The village’s residents are now projected to save 60-100% on their power expenses.
PM said, “Today, new energy of development has been infused into Modhera, Mehsana, and the whole region of North Gujarat. Many initiatives linked to dairy, skill development, and health have been inaugurated and the foundation stone has been laid today, ranging from power to water to road and rail.”
आज मोढेरा के लिए, मेहसाणा के लिए और पूरे नॉर्थ गुजरात के लिए विकास की नई ऊर्जा का संचार हुआ है।
बिजली, पानी से लेकर रोड, रेल तक
डेयरी से लेकर कौशल विकास और स्वास्थ्य से जुड़े अनेक प्रोजेक्ट्स का आज लोकार्पण और शिलान्यास हुआ है।
“What was not done by invaders to destroy Modhera? This is the land which witnessed atrocities. Modhera is now becoming an example in the world for its Heritage as well as modernity,” PM Modi further added while addressing the gathering at the function.
जिस मोढेरा को सदियों पहले मिट्टी में मिलाने के लिए आक्रांताओं ने क्या कुछ नहीं किया,
जिस मोढेरा पर भांति-भांति के अत्याचार हुए।
वो मोढेरा अब अपनी पौराणिकता के साथ-साथ आधुनिकता के लिए भी दुनिया में मिसाल बन रहा है।
Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the people of Gujarat, adding that “previously even cycles were not manufactured, today we are manufacturing automobiles, metro coaches, and the day is not far when Gujarat would also manufacture aeroplanes.”
The Prime Minister stated that up until now, the government generated power and the people purchased it. Now the central government is attempting to encourage people to install solar panels on their properties. The government is providing financial aid to encourage solar energy throughout the country.
The state government had allocated 12 hectares of land for the solarisation of Modhera Sun Temple and Town. The project was implemented at a cost of Rs. 80.66 crores, which was shared by the Gujarat government and the Centre.
According to reports, 1300 1kW solar panels have been put on the rooftops of houses in Modhera village. Its produced power is used during the day. A 15 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Sujjanpura, Mehsana, stores energy by charging batteries during the day and supplies electricity at night.
Near Modhera Sun Temple, a 50-kW solar-powered electric car charging and parking infrastructure complex, as well as a battery energy storage System (BESS), has been erected.
The solar project in Modhera is reportedly the country’s first “grid-connected mega-watt hour scale battery energy storage system.” According to Modhera Sarpanch Jatanben Thakor, power bills have been reduced to zero for several households that would earlier pay ₹1000 per month. “Solar panels have been installed at all feasible houses, free of cost. In case of excess power, we earn extra income too,” the village Head added.
The Chaulukya dynasty erected the Modhera Sun Temple on the banks of the Pushpavati river. “The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air, earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad manifestations of Vedic gods,” reads the website of Gujarat tourism.
