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May there be peace, harmony and spiritual enlightenment for all: South African cricket player Keshav Maharaj wishes the Indian community before Ram Mandir inauguration

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South Africa star spinner Keshav Maharaj wished the Indian community in the country ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) in Ayodhya set to take place on 22nd January. He has previously revealed that he is an adherent follower of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman.

He stated, “Namaste everyone. I just want to wish my Indian community in South Africa for the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya tomorrow. May there be peace, harmony and spiritual enlightenment for all. Jai Shree Ram,” in a video message posted on his Instagram story.

The cricketer’s great-grandfather was from the Uttar Pradesh village of Sultanpur which is where his Indian ancestry originated. He has been publicly assertive about his Hindu faith and regularly posted pictures from his visit to the temples following the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup which took place in India. He also went to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during his World Cup campaign.

The cricket star has pasted an ‘Om’ sticker on his bat which is proudly displayed every time he comes to play. Interestingly, ‘Ram Siya Ram’ from the movie Adipurush was heard in the stadium each time Keshav Maharaj came out to bat in the recently finished Test series against India. Indian wicket-keeper KL Rahul also noticed it and stated, “Keshav bhai, every time you come to the crease, they play this song,” to which he replied “Yeah,” with a smile.

Later on, he disclosed that he had requested for the song to be played. “Obviously, something that I put forward to the media lady and requested that song to be played. For me, God has been my greatest blessing, giving me guidance and opportunity. So, it’s the least that I can do and it also just gets you in your zone and get that respect from other players. It’s a nice feeling walking out (into the ground) to hear ‘Ram Siya Ram’ playing in the background,” he mentioned in an interview.

Indian cricketers including Anil Kumble, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have all been invited to the inauguration ceremony. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has granted permission to former captain Virat Kohli to attend the significant event. 

Notably, Ayodhya has been decorated like a bride and dignitaries from other fields like business, politics, entertainment, spirituality, etc have also been invited to be present to witness the landmark program which will be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bihar Police arrest one Intekhab Alam for threatening to “blow up” Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, had posed as Dawood Ibrahim’s aide Chhota Shakeel

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On 21st January (Sunday), the Bihar Police arrested a 21-year-old man named Intekhab Alam for threatening to “blow up” Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January. Notably, tomorrow, thousands of VVIPs along with Ram Bhakts will be in the Ram Nagri Ayodhya Dham for the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony. 

As per reports, the accused Intekhab Alam was arrested from the Araria district. According to the police, the accused has no criminal record and seems to be mentally unstable. 

Confirming the arrest of the accused, Superintendent of Police of Araria Ashok Kumar Singh said the caller has been identified as Intekhab Alam. He was arrested from his home at Balua Kaliyaganj in the Palasi police station area late on Saturday.

Speaking with PTI, Singh said, “The man had on January 19 dialed 112, the number on which citizens can seek emergency help. He claimed his name was Chhota Shakeel and that he was a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim.”  

The SP added, “Alam said over the phone that he would blow up the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22… he does not have a criminal record but seems to be mentally unstable.” 

However, the senior police officer added that in view of the “sensitivity of the issue”, a case has been registered at the Palasi police station. The Police have also seized his mobile phone. 

Singh added, “As soon as the call was received, details were shared with the cyber cell. The mobile number from which he had made the call was found to be registered in the name of his father.”

Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

On the eve of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya Dham, the invitees, thousands in numbers including families of martyr karsevaks have begun to gather in the tent city created for the mega event. notable personalities from all walks of life including academicians, spiritual leaders, activists, cricketers, and film stars among others have reached the city. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform the consecration ceremony at around 12:20 PM tomorrow. The mega event will be live-streamed in India as well as at prominent locations throughout the world. With few hours remaining, the city has all decked up as a soon-to-be “Cultural capital” of the world. 

Rahul Gandhi loses his cool after people raise Jai Shri Ram and Modi slogans during his yatra in Assam, claims BJP workers carrying sticks surrounded his bus, here is what videos reveal

On 21st January (Sunday), the Congress party escalated its allegations and claims of victimhood with Gandhi Scion Rahul claiming that his bus was under attack from BJP workers who carried sticks

Currently, Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is on its Assam leg which started on 18th January and will culminate on 25th January. Addressing a rally in Nagaon, Congress Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi claimed, “20-25 BJP workers carrying sticks came in front of our bus, and when I came out from the bus, they ran away…they think that Congress is scared of BJP and RSS, they’re dreaming.”

He further added, “They can tear as many posters and placards as they want, we don’t care. we are not scared of anybody, we are neither scared of PM Narendra Modi nor Assam CM.”

Following his allegations, BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya hit back at Rahul Gandhi and shared a video of the said incident. 

In the attached video, locals and BJP supporters can be seen waving saffron flags and raising slogans ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Modi Modi’, prompting an angry reaction from the Congress leader. 

According to the BJP IT cell head, Rahul Gandhi lost his cool on hearing Jai Shri Ram and Modi slogans. Taking a dig at the Congress party, Malviya asked how would the party face people after it decided to reject the Ram Mandir invite.  

He wrote, “Rahul Gandhi lost his cool after Jai Shri Ram and Modi Modi slogans were raised in his presence. If this is how rattled he is, how will he face the people of this country in the days ahead, after the anti-Hindu Congress rejected the invite to be part of the Pran Pratistha in Ayodhya?”

As per the visuals of the incident, locals/BJP supporters can be seen raising party or saffron flags as opposed to the victimhood claims of the Congress party and its leader claiming that 20-25 people surrounded their bus with sticks. Following this, Rahul Gandhi got down from the bus and charged towards the crowd, surrounded by his security detail. He was asking why his vehicle was stopped.

However, the security personnel and his party workers stopped him from moving ahead and moved him back onto the bus. While Rahul Gandhi claimed that people ran away after he came out of the bus, the visuals show otherwise. It shows that nobody ran away after he charged towards the crowd, instead, he was pushed back onto the bus by his own aides, perhaps to prevent any escalation of the situation.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Ram Bhakts have every right to chant Jai Shri Ram on the eve of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony, and Rahul Gandhi should not lose his cool over it. He tweeted, “Rahul Gandhi shouldn’t lose his cool and be allergic to the chanting of Jai Shri Ram. He cannot instigate violence and threaten the public in this manner.”

Sharing the video of the incident, Assam Minister Piyush Hazarika slammed the Congress leader for his angry outburst on people chanting Jai Shri Ram. 

He asked, “Why is @RahulGandhi attacking people for chanting Jai Shri Ram? What does he think of himself ?”


Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had ordered DGP Assam to launch a probe into allegations raised by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. He had claimed that his vehicle was attacked and banners were torn by BJP supporters.

Pran Pratishtha ceremony: ‘HanuMan’ movie Producers Mythri Movie Makers donate over Rs 2.66 crores to Ram Mandir

Ayodhya has been decked up like a bride for the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony which is scheduled to take place on 22nd January. Flowers, wall art, murals and lamps have been illuminated to mark the grand event which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with various other dignitaries from multiple fields including entertainment, politics, sports, spirituality, and business among others.

Meanwhile, Mythri Movie Makers, the producers behind the superhit cinematic venture HanuMan had promised to donate five rupees from each ticket sold to support the construction of the temple. They have kept their commitment and already raised Rs 2.6 to 2.7 crore for the sacred cause. The film’s team informed that they contributed Rs 2,66,41,055 in donations to the temple ahead of the temple’s inauguration ceremony.

They wrote, “As announced, Team HanuMan is going to donate a grand sum of ₹2,66,41,055 for 53,28,211 tickets sold so far for Ayodhya Ram Mandir.” Director Prasanth Varma previously revealed that the film’s team has already donated Rs 14 lakh from their first day of box office collection.

Mythri Movie Makers also shared a statement which confirmed the same and read, “Thank you to the 53,28,211 people who have joined the great cause of donating to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir amounting to a sum of Rs 2,66,41,055. You can also be a part of this wonderful initiative by watching HanuMan & immersing yourself in the divine experience.”

It added, “Rs 5 from your ticket spent will go to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Mythri Distribution team is honoured to have been a part of this historic moment.”

The makers declared at the film’s pre-release event in Hyderabad on 7th January that they will donate Rs 5 from each ticket purchased to support the building of Ram Mandir. “HanuMan team has a key announcement to make on the occasion of the inauguration of Ram Mandir. They have decided to donate Rs 5 from each ticket of their film for the construction of Ram Mandir. I am announcing the news on behalf of the team. My heartfelt congratulations to the team of HanuMan for taking a noble decision,” announced legendary actor Chiranjeevi who was the chief guest at the program.

The Telugu-language project is a superhero flick and is inspired by the legend of Lord Hanuman. The plot of HanuMan centres on a young man named Hanumanthu who discovers a totem in his tribe and acquires superpowers. The story revolves around his defence of his people against a greedy villain named Vinay with the aid of his sister Varalaxmi and lover Amritha.

It stars Teja Sajja in the title role, alongside Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Raj Deepak Shetty and Vinay Rai. The film is set in the fictional village of Anjanadri and is the first instalment of the director Prasanth Varma’s Cinematic Universe (PVCU). It was released on 12 January on the occasion of Sankranti to positive reviews from critics and has already entered the Rs 100 crore club in India after over a week.

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

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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

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

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

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

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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

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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.