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Supreme Court rejects Communist party’s petition against Shaheen Bagh demolition drive, asks them to approach High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court rejects Communist party’s petition against Shaheen Bagh demolition drive, asks them to approach High Court

The Supreme Court has refused to hear the plea filed by the Communist Party against the MCD’s demolition drive against illegal encroachments in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area. As per reports, the apex court rejected the CPM’s plea, stating that none of the affected parties has been a part of the petition and it is purely political in nature.

As per reports, the SC rejected the CPM plea and stated that the apex court cannot respond to any or every petition, especially one that is filed by a political party. Advocate Surendra Nath, appearing for CPM had pleaded with the SC to hear the petition and grant a 2-day stay against the demolition. However, Justice L Nageswara Rao, after observing that none of the affected parties is a part of the petition, rapped up the petitioner.

“We cannot give a pass to people to approach Supreme Court every time there is something, that too at the behest of a political party. The High Court can definitely take this up, you have been in the verandas of the Supreme Court, you should have gone to the High Court. What do you choose, either you withdraw or we’ll dismiss it”, Justice J Rao stated.

Image via LawBeat

As reported by LawBeat, SG Tushar Mehta stated before the SC that certain parties and groups are trying to portray the demolition drive as a targeted action against a particular community. However, that is not the case. He added that he has a list of people whose illegal structures have been removed.

In the end, adding that the CPM’s attempt to directly involve the Supreme Court was ‘too much’, the apex court asked the petitioner to approach the High Court on the matter.

It is notable here that there is a massive political drama underway at Shaheen Bagh nearby areas where the MCD is trying to carry out a demolition drive against illegal structures. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and Majid Khan are in the area, telling people to oppose the drive. A large group of people were seen standing in the way of the bulldozers. Delhi Police is providing protection to MCD officials and the vehicles.

Salman Khan ‘doppelganger’ arrested for disturbing peace after his videos roaming shirtless on Lucknow streets go viral

OpIndia Staff
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Salman Khan ‘doppelganger’ arrested for disturbing peace after his videos roaming shirtless on Lucknow streets go viral

A man identified as Azam Ansari, who is an alleged doppelganger of Bollywood actor Salman Khan, was arrested by Lucknow Police on 8th May for disturbing peace on the streets of the city. The action was taken against Ansari after an Instagram reel from April 30 went viral where he was shooting in the middle of the road disturbing traffic. His stunts led to massive traffic jam around the Clock Tower in Lucknow. Ansari has been booked under Section 151 of CrPC.

In the video, he was performing the song ‘Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega’ from Salman Khan’s movie of the same name. He randomly walked and stopped in the middle of the road, causing inconvenience to the people passing by. Since his arrest, several other reels have gone viral on the social media platform. His Instagram account is filled with such reels made in the middle of the road, in front of monuments, religious places and even at the Railway Station.

After being detained by the Lucknow Police, Ansari’s photographs from the Police Station went viral as well in which he was visibly happy with the publicity. Journalist Saurabh Sharma shared his photograph and wrote, “Salman Khan fans never get sad. Azam Ansari, a die-hard fan of Salman khan, arrested under preventive measures for dancing anywhere on the streets of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.”

TOI Journalist Arvind Chauhan shared his video from the Police Station and wrote, “Nawab Azam Sahab expressing his happiness after being booked under Section 151 [CrPC].”

Under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a Police officer can arrest and detain a person for up to 24 hours without Magistrate’s orders and without a warrant.

Another youth arrested in Ghaziabad for performing stunts outside a Girls’ school

On May 8, another youth identified as Dushyant Kumar was arrested by Ghaziabad Police after his video went viral on social media in which he was seen performing stunts outside Sushila Girls Inter College.

In a statement, Superintendent of Police Ghaziabad Nagar Pratham said that Dushyant performed stunts when the girls were coming out of the college. Action against Kumar as per the law was taken.

Sharing the video, BJP leader Dr Shalabh Mani Tripathi said, “This youth, instead of going to school, became a fan of Shahrukh Khan. He was performing stunts outside Girls’ colleges like Shahrukh Khan.”

He added, “However, he forgot CM Yogi is in power in UP. At the moment, he is in Police custody. He is being provided with the correct books on moral education.”

Watch: Man talks drivel during Shaheen Bagh demolition drive with the help of TheWire, says ‘Muslim minds being demolished’

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Man talks drivel during Shaheen Bagh demolition drive with the help of TheWire, says ‘Muslim minds being demolished’

Amidst the ongoing Municipal Corporation’s anti-encroachment drive in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, the Leftist-Islamist outlet TheWire has attempted to oppose the move by posting a clip of a Muslim man saying that these bulldozing measures against illegal structures are intended to ‘bulldoze Muslim brains’.

The video was shared on Twitter by TheWire. In the video, the Muslim man says, “We are against how they run the bulldozers against Muslim minds.”

South Delhi Municipal Corporation is conducting an anti-encroachment sweep in Shaheen Bagh today. Following protests from locals, the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party, the campaign was temporarily halted. To safeguard their unlawful buildings, a throng of residents blocked the route of bulldozers. A big group can be seen sitting on roadways or standing in front of the bulldozer, according to images posted by ANI. One of them appears to be the man whose byte was grabbed by The Wire.

It is pertinent to note here that the demolition drive is against illegal establishments. There is no religious colour to the drive. It is not the fault of the municipality if it is the local Muslim community that owns most of the illegal establishments, as alleged by them. TheWire, however, furthers this drivel by posting it through their news handle instead of bringing facts to the fore.

TheWire has a long history of whitewashing a certain section’s illicit and criminal actions. This endeavour by TheWire is similar to previous attempts to camouflage unlawful constructions and establishment in the Shaheen Bagh and surrounding areas and show illegal occupants as victims just because they are Muslims.

Majid Khan, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, arrived at the scene and joined the enraged gathering protesting the demolition. Amanatullah Khan, an AAP legislator from the Okhla seat, soon joined the AAP leader.

It is worth noting that the Communist Party of India (CPI-M) Marxist had previously petitioned the Supreme Court over the municipal body’s decision to demolish unlawful dwellings in Okhla and Shaheen Bagh in South Delhi.

However, in a statement, the Chairman of the standing committee of SDMC central zone said, “Municipality will do its work; our workers & officials are ready, teams & bulldozers have been organized. Encroachments will be removed wherever they are, be it in Tughlakabad, Sangam Vihar, New Friends Colony or Shaheen Bagh.”

Navgrah Ashtamangalam Pooja back at Martand Sun Temple, the holy temple which was destroyed by Sikandar Butshikan over 600 years ago

OpIndia Staff
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Navgrah Ashtamangalam Pooja back at Martand Sun Temple, the holy temple which was destroyed by Sikandar Butshikan over 600 years ago

On May 6, a special Navgrah Ashtamangalam Pooja was held at the ancient Martand Sun Temple at Mattan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The Pooja was held in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Hindu saints, members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, and local residents. Hundreds of devotees thronged the premises in the morning and offered prayers to mark the occasion.

The pooja was performed on the occasion of the Shankaracharya Jayanti, which was celebrated for the first time at the Sun Temple Martand in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.

Tweeting about the same today, Lt Governor termed it as, “Truly a divine experience in a godly ambience”. In his Tweet, the Lt Governor also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting and developing culturally and spiritually significant ancient places.

“Government is committed to protect and develop ancient sites of cultural & religious significance, transforming them into vibrant centers that will guide us on the path of righteousness and blesses this beautiful land with peace, happiness, and prosperity,” tweeted Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Social media has been flooded with stunning pictures and videos of the pooja that was performed at the 8th century Martand Temple on May 6.

Pooja is performed in the 8th century Martand Surya Mandir at Mattan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district (source: Twitter)
Lt Governor Manoj Singh performing puja at the Martand Surya Mandir (source: Twitter)

Many users expressed pleasure that the ancient Hindu temple which faced destruction at the hands of Muslim invader Sikander Butshikan is, at last, being reclaimed under the Modi regime.

The ancient Martand Surya Temple in Kashmir

The temple is said to have been built in the 8th century, but attempts were made to destroy it several times between 1389 and 1413. It is believed that Hindu ruler Lalitaditya had built the Martand Surya Temple in honor of the Sun God or Bhaskar in the 8th century AD. Lalitaditya was a Surya (Sun) Dynasty Kshatriya. The temple’s style of construction and the expertise displayed in it was unprecedented in world history. The Vastu science of architecture has been employed, and the building is designed so that the Sun’s rays fall on the Surya idol throughout the day.

Though the cities, towns, and ruins of Lalitaditya’s era are not easily located, the remnants of the large Martand temple, which the emperor had built at the pilgrimage site of the same name, are an example of the expertise of the Kashmiri Hindu builders of ancient times.

Today, various elaborate sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses with shattered faces are found at the entrance. The damaged pillars that surround the Martand Sun Temple attest to the temple’s magnificence. It is believed that the temple was so well-built that Sultan Sikander spent two years destroying the temple.

For years, the magnificent temple, like many other temples in Jammu and Kashmir, had been lying neglected and on the verge of decay. Experts say the structure built in rock and mortar has been decaying faster than expected.”Extreme weather in Kashmir coupled with erosion and microbial growth are working like termites and if immediate measures are not taken, the structure may crumble and this historic marvel will be lost to invisible hands of neglect,” an expert had opined.

No conservative measures were being adopted until 2019, when following the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre set up a committee to survey around 50,000 temples that were closed in Jammu and Kashmir, 90% of which were destroyed. The Martand Sun temple was one of them.

Bollywood film ‘Haider’ referred to Martand Surya Mandir Martand as ‘Shaitan Ki Gufa’

For years, the religious sentiments of the Hindus were disrespected by portraying their religious symbol, the Martand Surya temple, in a bad light by terming it the “Shaitan ki Gufa” (Devil’s cave). In fact, in 2014, filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj drew widespread criticism for slandering Hindu traditions and hurting Hindu sentiments by joining the ranks of these extremists and misrepresenting the historic Sun Temple in Kashmir in his film ‘Haider.’

Shahid Kapoor starrer Haider had gone on to refer to one of the country’s grandest temples, the Surya Mandir as Shaitan Ki Gufa in one of its songs ‘Bismil’ with Shahid dancing inside the holy temple.

Taking offense, the All Parties Migrants Co-ordination committee (APMCC) had then sought a ban on the movie.

Shaheen Bagh: Bulldozers stopped by a frenzied mob, AAP and Congress join hands to thwart the anti-encroachment drive

OpIndia Staff
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Shaheen Bagh: Bulldozers stopped by a frenzied mob, AAP and Congress join hands to thwart the anti-encroachment drive

On Monday (May 9), the anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh neighbourhood in South Delhi was temporarily halted, following protests by locals, and leaders of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Journalist Gaurav Sawant had earlier tweeted that bulldozers had reached Shaheen Bagh to demolish illegal constructions and encroachments on government land. He added that when the JCBs moved forward to remove encroachment, some women tried to block the path of police and officials. Subsequently, additional police force was deployed.

Soon after, an unruly mob of locals obstructed the path of bulldozers to protect their illegal construction. From visuals shared by ANI, a large crowd can be sitting on roads or standing in front of the bulldozer.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi party leader Majid Khan reached the spot and joined the frenzied mob to protest against the demolition drive. While speaking to Times Now, he claimed that there is no encroachment in the neighbourhood.

“There is no encroachment here. We are here to make sure injustice is not done to anyone,” he was heard as saying.

The AAP leader was soon joined by the party’s legislator from Okhla constituency, Amanatullah Khan.

Besides the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress also demonstrated against the anti-encroachment drive by the Delhi civic body. Congress leader Parvez Alam told Republic TV, that the anti-encroachment drive was being done on behest of BJP leader Adesh Gupta. He claimed this was a local issue and he was the block president.

On Monday (May 9) morning, reports emerged that the anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh was cancelled due to a lack of police protection. Later, news agency ANI reported that the Delhi police had assured to provide sufficient force to carry out the operation.

In a statement, the Chairman of the standing committee of SDMC central zone said, “Municipality will do its work; our workers & officials are ready, teams & bulldozers have been organized. Encroachments will be removed wherever they are, be it in Tughlakabad, Sangam Vihar, New Friends Colony or Shaheen Bagh.”

Opindia had also reached out to Shaheen Bagh police station but they claimed to not have any knowledge of the development.

The Communist Party of India (CPI-M) Marxist had earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the decision by the civic body to remove illegal settlements in Okhla, Shaheen Bagh in South Delhi.

Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia promises action after alleged discrimination against a special needs child by Indigo airline, details

OpIndia Staff
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Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia promises action after alleged discrimination against a special needs child by Indigo airline, details

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation in the Government of India, has assured detailed investigation and appropriate action over the alleged mistreatment of a special needs child by IndiGo Airlines. Following widespread criticism of the airlines over the weekend for refusing to let a boy with special needs board a flight with his family at Ranchi airport, the minister took note of the matter and issued this statement.

In a tweet made on Monday, Scindia said, “There is zero tolerance towards such behaviour. No human being should have to go through this! Investigating the matter by myself, post which appropriate action will be taken.”

This statement came after the family’s bad experience was widely shared on social media. A Facebook user documented the incident and requested that the officials responsible be held accountable. According to the user Manisha Gupta, the youngster was initially in immense discomfort following a “very uncomfortable car ride to the airport.”

As his parents attended to him, with other passengers passing by to check if they needed any assistance, IndiGo officials noticed it and announced they would not be permitted to board until the boy became ‘normal’.

Along with the Facebook post, Manisha Gupta also shared a video of the incident on Facebook, showing several individuals at the airport arguing with IndiGo ground personnel and seeking a meeting with the senior management. The youngster can be seen in a wheelchair in the video.

According to Gupta’s post, a group of doctors on the same plane asked the IndiGo ground crew to contact an airport doctor to assess the boy’s condition and promised to provide “full support” to the child and his parents while on the flight.

According to the airline, the boy was in a state of panic, and ground workers waited for him to calm down, but he didn’t until the very last second. IndiGo issued a statement which reads, “The airline made the family comfortable by providing them hotel stay and the family flew next morning to their destination. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers.”

Gujarat: Objectionable portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses in exhibition at Vadodara’s Maharaja Sayajirao University sparks a row

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Gujarat: Objectionable portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses in exhibition at Vadodara’s Maharaja Sayajirao University sparks a row

Vadodara based Maharaja Sayajirao University is caught in middle of a storm over an exhibition in its Fine Arts faculty. Some students had displayed objectionable portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses which has sparked outrage. Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students’ wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has objected to the same and called for resignation of the dean.

As per information obtained, for the annual painting exhibition of Fine Arts faculty, the students had prepared art work on various topics. However, some of those art work created outrage. While some students used cutouts to make portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses, some made nude paintings. Newspapers were used to make art work with cut outs. However, the news used to make such portraits were of rapes. Which has triggered the row.

Following this, the ABVP workers had reached the exhibition and demanded resignation of the dean amid sloganeering. They also demanded that proper inquiry is carried out on the students and action taken. The ABVP leaders also submitted an application in this regard to the dean and the vice chancellor.

In its letter to the vice chancellor, the ABVP said that it is a matter of shame to use news clippings of rapes to create iconography of Hindu gods and goddesses. Further it is condemnable that behind the photographs of Hindu gods and goddesses, news clippings of rapes are added.

ABVP letter to VC, MSU

Earlier also the Fine Arts faculty had put up offensive art work which hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Speaking to OpIndia, ABVP leader Vajra Bhatt said that some of the art work for the exhibition in Fine Arts faculty were hurtful to Hindus as the portraits of gods and goddesses were made of newspaper clippings which talked about rapes. If you want to talk and highlight issues of rape, it is fine, but why drag Hindu gods and goddesses? Which is why we are demanding the dean be rusticated. University has assured us that a thorough investigation will be carried out in this case.

In a statement, the ABVP said that in the name of art, the pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses are wilfully distorted and insulted. Further, the pride of India, the Ashok Pillar has also been distorted. Hence, ABVP has asked for strict action against those involved.

However, faculty dean Jayram Podwal has claimed that the images that are viral are not of MSU and such images are not displayed at the varsity.

(With inputs from Lincoln Sokhadia)

Note: Originally published in Gujarati, you can read it here.

Maye Musk and her son Elon Musk are giving everyone mother-son goals

OpIndia Staff
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Maye Musk and her son Elon Musk are giving everyone mother-son goals

Elon Musk’s mother Maye Musk has always been one of his biggest supporters over the years. Whenever Elon Musk goes to a high-profile public event, you can be certain that Maye will be right there, alongside her him to extend her support. Whether it is at the Vanity Fair Oscars party or the Met Gala or even on Saturday Night Live, Maye has always been there with her support.

Ever since Elon Musk announced his plans to buy Twitter out and the subsequent approval of his bid by Twitter’s board, Elon has been subjected to attacks from several quarters. People threatened by his support for free speech are busy attacking him using every platform they have, and Maye is not amused in the slightest by all these attacks on her son.

Recently, New York Times published a report which alleged the white privilege that Musk had while growing up in South Africa. The report read. “Elon Musk grew up in elite white communities in South Africa, detached from apartheid’s atrocities and surrounded by anti-Black propaganda.”

Hitting out at NYT, Maye said, “In South Africa, if you publicly opposed apartheid, you went to jail. In Russia, if you publicly oppose the war, you go to jail. New York Times, are you going to blame children for decisions made by governments?”

On May 9, after Elon received a threat from Russia over his supply of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, Maye expressed her displeasure over her son’s tweet where he had said in case he died under mysterious circumstances; it was nice to know everyone. Maye quoted him and said, “That’s not funny”, with an angry emoji. Elon replied to her that he would try his best to stay alive.

74-year-old Maye Musk is a Canadian-South African dietician and model. Maye has been modeling for over 50 years and was Miss South Africa runners-up at the age of 21. The bond between Maye and her billionaire son Elon is visible not only in their public life but also on social media platforms. Maye proudly quotes and shares media reports about her son’s businesses and often hits back at those who try to target her son, especially with misleading reports.

‘She wanted to attend Met Gala’

Recently, Elon Musk attended Met Gala with his mother. When asked, Musk revealed that his mother wanted to attend the Gala, so he brought her along. When rumors started floating around that Elon Musk’s ‘team’ asked singer Sky Ferreira for a date at the event, Maye shut them down by saying that there was no team with Elon at the event and she was the only one there with him.

‘Hugs are the most precious gifts’

No matter how much money you have, the personal bond between the mother and the son is the most precious of all the gifts. During the Gala, Maye was asked if Elon had gifted her or planned to gift something special for Mother’s Day that was due to arrive within a week. Maye said, “Do you know what I say? The best gifts are hugs. I give them to my grandchildren, my children and I give them all the time. There are never enough hugs.”

There have been many instances where Maye expressed her love for her son Elon on social media. She often shares stories about how Elon started giving her stock advice when he was 14. She also shared how she used money that she had invested in some stock long ago to help Elon move from South Africa to Canada.

Rajasthan: Woman says Congress minister Mahesh Joshi’s son raped and tortured her, files case in Delhi, claims threat to life by father-son duo

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Woman says Congress minister Mahesh Joshi’s son raped and tortured her, files case in Delhi, claims threat to life by father-son duo

A 23-year-old woman has filed a rape complaint against Rohit Joshi, the son of Dr Mahesh Joshi, the Rajasthan government’s water supply minister. The young woman working for a Rajasthan-based news channel has filed a rape case with Delhi’s Sadar Bazar police station. A zero FIR has been filed in Sadar Bazar police station and forwarded to Sawai Madhopur.

The girl has stated in her complaint that Rohit attacked her and forced her to get an abortion when she became pregnant. The victim stated in her police complaint that the accused raped her multiple times in Jaipur and Delhi. In addition, the victim has reported rape and unnatural sex with her in Delhi.

Rohit and the girl had been Facebook friends for almost two years, according to the girl. As per the complaint, on January 8, 2021, Rohit drove her to his friend’s residence in Sawai Madhopur. Where Rohit raped her after forcing her to consume psychoactive substances. When she became unconscious, Rohit filmed and photographed her naked. 

When she became pregnant, Rohit coerced her into having an abortion, as per the complaint. The girl claimed that on August 12, 2021, Rohit summoned her to his friend Ajay Yadav’s workplace and assaulted her during a conversation. Rohit forced her to undergo an abortion. After that, on September 3-4, Rohit brought her to a Delhi hotel and raped her. After that, on April 17, 2022, raped her again under the guise of conversation.

According to the FIR, Rohit repeatedly threatened the victim in the name of his father. Rohit further stated that he has had contacts with miscreants and the mafia and that he is not frightened of the cops. He warned her about being treated like Bhanwari Devi. The woman claims that the father-son duo poses a threat to her and her family’s lives.

The case was filed on May 8 at a police station in the North District under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc. with intent to commit an offence), 312 (causing miscarriage), 366 (kidnapping, abducting, or inducing woman to compel her for marriage, etc), 377 (unnatural offences), and 506 (criminal intimidation). According to a top Delhi Police officer, the Rajasthan Police has been notified of the FIR and will probe further.

It is notable that Deepak Meena, the son of Congress MLA Johari Lal Meena from Rajgarh, Rajasthan, was recently arrested by police in a case of rape of a juvenile. The case involves the gang-rape of a juvenile girl in class 10 at Dausa’s Mandavar police station.

‘This temple has been snatched away from us’: Eyewitnesses confirm Hindu symbols in the disputed structure of Gyanvapi

OpIndia Staff
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‘This temple has been snatched away from us’: Eyewitnesses confirm Hindu symbols in the disputed structure of Gyanvapi

Eyewitnesses have come forward to tell how Hindu symbols are easily visible in the disputed structure of Gyanvapi in Varanasi. Speaking to Times Now, Kulpati Tiwari, the former Mahant of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple stated that there is a Shivling of Baba Vishwanath Ji, and all the pillars in it are ancient.

“There are Bhagwan Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi and even the wheel of Buddhists etc., engraved on the Pillars. When I saw it back then, there used to be a coal shop at that time. The woman who ran the shop used to make food and then sell it to the customers.”

He further added, “The government tried to keep this temple safe in any way possible, so they got barricading done all around this temple. They [Muslims] say that the masjid is theirs. But those who offer namaz in the masjid, have forcibly occupied the premises. They come in large numbers to offer prayers and try to show the power of their community. I am sure that there is a temple. They are not allowing us to go to the basement because of their anarchy and polluted thinking.”

Another eyewitness, Ram Das Khatri, said, “It was a temple before. There is no doubt about it. The temple has been forcefully snatched from us (Hindus). This temple is of Hindus. You can clearly see that it is Mata Gauri, whom we call Shringar Gauri as well.”

He added, “There was Bhagwan Vishveshar inside. Nandi’s face is towards him. There is no doubt that it was a temple. It is clearly visible there is a Swastika mark. We used to sit on the roof and listen to the Satsang (religious sermons).” He was referring to the time when entry to the disputed structure was allowed before the demolition of disputed structure in Ayodhya.

It is notable here that the present disputed Gyanvapi structure used to be the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The idol of Lord Shiva’s ride Nandi inside the present Kashi Vishwanath premises faces toward the Gyanvapi structure.

The report stated that the temple was taken over by the government in 1983. After the disputed structure was demolished in Ayodhya, security was increased around these premises. Those people of Varanasi who are above the age of 80-90 tell stories of how they used to go inside the mosque.

While the Mahant of Kashi Vishwanath Temple claims ownership of the land, the Muslim side has failed to provide any documentation so far that can prove their ownership of the land on which the disputed structure stands.

Earlier, Times Now also talked to the videographer who had accompanied the survey team inside the disputed structure. He had said, “Today, we saw Swastik symbols at two places on the walls of the temple. There are a number of lotus symbols all over.” When asked whether he saw images of Goddesses Ganesh on the western wall of the temple (as claimed), he said, “Yes. We saw Nandi while doing a Parikrama and other Hindu religious symbols.”

A Civil Court in Varanasi will hear the matter on May 9. Notably, the team that had gone for the survey was stopped by the mosque administration. However, later the team managed to enter the premises and completed part of the survey.

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