On 22nd January, Lord Ram will be enthroned in the recently constructed grand Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The devotees are making their best effort to serve their beloved God. Now, Raghuveer Singh, a Sikh young man from Agra is preparing to send a postcard bearing the deity’s name 21,000 times, reported Jagran. Notably, he submitted a single postcard with Lord Ram’s name written on it 31,480 times to the Guinness Book of World Records sixteen years ago.
Raghuveer Singh revealed that he witnessed the worshippers of Lord Hanuman scribbling Lord Ram’s name on paper in the Kaila Devi temple in Firozabad in 2007 after which he felt a strong desire to do something different. He then proceeded to inscribe “Waheguru” twenty-one thousand times on a postcard. Afterwards, he wrote Lord Ram’s name more than thirty thousand times.
Raghuveer Singh who was born in Firozabad, presently resides in Agra’s Maharishi Puram. He works as an area manager for a pharmaceutical company. He decided to send the postcards featuring the name of the Lord five months ago as a gift for the consecration ceremony of the temple. He then instituted a daily routine to sit in one place for an hour every day and note the name on a postcard. He puts the name around seventy times in one line and it is written in such a precise and close manner that the name is only visible at very close range. However, it can easily be read with the help of a lens.
He has to sharpen the pencil’s tip after writing the name every five times. He penned Lord Ram’s name on a postcard for the first time sixteen years ago and now owing to his devotion he is doing it for the second time on the inauguration event of the temple. He remarked that he would complete it by 20th January and then send the postcard to the Ram Mandir.
Interestingly, Raghuveer Singh has donated blood 86 times. He has been doing the noble work for the last 19 years. Furthermore, he formed a life-saving group to help people donate blood which is joined by individuals from all over the country. They are also referred to as “Jeevan Rakshak” (life saviours) by the people due to this reason.
The dream of establishing the temple of Bhagwan Shri Rama, which devotees had envisioned, is now on the verge of becoming a reality after a long struggle of 500 years and devotees of Bhagwan Shri Ram from around the world are gearing up to celebrate the occasion in their own unique ways on this occasion.
The Ram Mandir inauguration and Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha on 22nd January is set to be the global event of the century. From Ayodhya to New York to Paris, grand celebrations have been planned across cities in the US, France and Canada. The event has already captured the attention of the entire world.
The event in Ayodhya will be witnessed by many from Times Square in America to the Eiffel Tower in Europe. In the capital city of France, Paris, a grand Ram Rath Yatra is scheduled for 21st January attracting participants from across Europe. Simultaneously, festivities near the Eiffel Tower are also planned.
In America, a live broadcast of the consecration ceremony is scheduled for 22nd January following the tradition of the Ram Temple ground-breaking ceremony at Times Square. Temples across North America, including in Canada, will conduct prayers and organize festive events.
Massive car rallies are being organized in cities like California, Washington, Chicago, and other places in the United States. The consecration ceremony, according to Indian standard time, will take place at around 12.30 PM. It will be morning in Paris and late at night in America.
Avinash Mishra, who resides in Paris, shared details about the Ram Rath Yatra on social media. He wrote, “Residing in France, we Indians in Paris will participate in the grand celebration of the Ram Rath Yatra and festivities on a large scale at the Eiffel Tower, marking the historic and significant occasion of the consecration of the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya.”
Avinash has also shared the map tracing the route of the Ram Rath Yatra in his post and has extended an invitation to Ram devotees residing in Paris to join this event. The post has been retweeted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, stating that becoming witnesses to the consecration of Bhagwan Shri Ram at the birthplace in Ayodhya is a blessing for all devotees.
The Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council has decided to organize worship and festivals in temples from North America to Canada. In the past few weeks, car rallies in celebration of the Ram Temple have been held in Washington, Chicago, and other American cities.
Organizers now plan to hold a car rally in California. They expressed their inability to visit Ayodhya physically, but emphasize that Bhagwan Shri Rama resides in their hearts, and their unwavering faith is their way of welcoming Him back home.
Furthermore, on 22nd January, the consecration ceremony will be telecast live at Times Square in New York City. Before this, on 5th August, 2020, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram Temple, a digital billboard featuring the Ram Mandir was displayed at Times Square.
Regarding the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City mentioned that this event is of great significance when observing the Hindu community in New York City. He said that he sees it as an important opportunity for them to celebrate and elevate their spirituality.
Various events taking place in 160 countries
Vishwa Hindu Parishad has outlined plans for events in several countries. Grand programmes will be organized in over 50 countries worldwide. The consecration ceremony will be live-streamed from these locations.
Apart from 300 locations in America, there are plans to live-stream from 25 locaions in the United Kingdom, 30 in Australia, 30 in Canada, and 100 in Mauritius, among others. Besides, in more than 50 countries, including Ireland, Fiji, Indonesia, and Germany, there will be a large-scale live broadcast of the consecration ceremony of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
Representatives from 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Fiji, have been invited to Ayodhya for the occasion of Bhagwan Shri Ram’s consecration. Meanwhile, live streaming is also planned in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
According to the VHP, there are 160 countries worldwide where people follow the Hindu faith, and various programmes are being conducted in these countries. Preparations are being made for live streaming of the procession, havan puja, Hanuman Chalisa recitation and Pran Pratishtha programme in the temple.
On Wednesday (10th January), the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) summoned Mira Chatt, YouTube’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy in India regarding certain videos portraying minors indecently. NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has asked Chatt to appear before the Commission in person on 15th January.
The NCPCR chief has stated that the organisation has observed an alarming trend of various challenges on YouTube portraying potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons. “This raises serious concerns about the potential harm it could inflict on the child’s well-being and safety. These videos further are seen by minors which also raises significant concerns,” the letter by NCPCR read.
Kanoongo has asked Chatt to get a list of all indecent challenges being run on YouTube “portraying potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons” and a list of channels on YouTube that further such challenges involving minors.
NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo writes to Mira Chatt, YouTube's Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, in lndia, asking her to appear before them in person on 15th January along with the list of all such challenges running on YouTube "portraying potentially indecent acts… pic.twitter.com/OyPUmt1389
According to the reports, NCPCR has been monitoring the content on YouTube after a derogatory video of a mother and minor son was uploaded on the platform. The video soon gained attention and it went viral on other social media platforms.
NCPCR believes that such content on YouTube is hazardous for the overall growth of minors and that this type of content should be monitored and dealt with seriously by the concerned authorities.
NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has asked Chatt to appear before the Commission in person on 15th January.
Ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration and Pran Pratishtha, the redeveloped gates of Dashrath Mahal will greet the devotees of Ram Lalla. Dashrath Mahal (Dashrath Palace) is where Bhagwan Shri Ram spent his childhood in the Treta Yuga. While Ram Lalla will be enshrined in the Ram Mandir on 22nd January, the Dashrath Mahal will take devotees back in time showcasing Shri Ram’s Baal Roop (childhood form), the echoes and traces of his footsteps in the royal palace.
The same Dashrath Mahal which witnessed the incarnation of Bhagwan Shri Ram in the Treta Yuga is now about to witness the auspicious moment of his return in the Kali Yuga. This is the very Dashrath Mahal that, even during the 500 years of decline, continued to provide evidence of the existence of Bhagwan Shri Ram’s temple on the present Ram Janmabhoomi area.
Work on entrance gate and Satsang Bhavan will be finished before 22nd January. The work on the night shelter and pilgrim assistance center was completed in 2023 iself. The entrance gate is also nearing completion. Initially, only the structural work was completed in the Satsang Bhavan, but now the entire Satsang Bhavan will be ready before 22nd January.
The construction work, including mudwork, leveling, tiling, flooring, windows, and doors, is progressing rapidly in the 650 square meter Satsang Bhavan. Under the supervision of the Uttar Pradesh Construction Corporation, the stage in the Satsang Bhavan has already been prepared. According to Assistant Engineer BV Niranjan Kumar, approximately 300 to 350 devotees can assemble in the Satsang Bhavan. The construction work, which began on 1st December, will be completed by 22nd January.
How the restoration work gained impetus under the Yogi government
It was in 2017, after the Yogi Adityanath-led government came into power, that the files and paper work on the restoration work of Dashrath Mahal saw the light of day. On 16th February 2021, the work began to restore the ancient splendour of Dashrath Mahal under the Yogi government. Rs 3 crores was pumped into the restoration work by the BJP government for renovation and beautification of Dashrath Mahal.
Restoration included strengthening the facilities at Dashrath Mahal. The work began with the construction and revitalization of the Satsang Bhavan, entrance gate, night shelter, and pilgrim assistance center, giving it a tangible form.
The government, while implementing the process of restoration and strengthening the facilities at Dashrath Mahal, began the construction and revitalization of the Satsang Bhavan, entrance gate, night shelter, and pilgrim assistance center, giving it a tangible form through an investment of around Rs 3 crores.
Files on restoration work ate dust under Samajwadi Party rule
From being a government that ordered the cold-bloodied murder of kar sevaks and questioned Bhagwan Shri Ram’s existence in the SC, the SP government led by Akhilesh Yadav made efforts to restore Dashrath Mahal but the same remained confined to the files.
The provision of about Rs 2.4 crore was made for the renovation of Dashrath Mahal for the first time on 31st March 2013, but the restoration was continuously postponed for lack of political will, indecision and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Files kept moving from one table to the other, and the cost kept increasing with no work visible on the ground.
Dashrath Mahal Post-2017
The Dashrath Mahal is a key tourist destination in Ayodhya and has been decorated with attractive features that bring this historic structure to life. The facade lighting physically attracts the devotees towards Dasharatha Mahal. Its beauty provides aura with a very special decoration.
The building’s restoration includes strengthening the structure, lime-plastering, fortifying the outer walls, and decorating the existing structure according to the faith of the devotees. Paintings depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram and verses from the Holy Ramcharitmanas are on display too.
Over 80 per cent of the work on Satsang Bhavan is complete and it will be fully operational by 22nd January. After its completion, devotees can participate in devotional singing and satsang, offering their devotion at the feet of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
The entrance gate reflects the preservation of the old grandeur while incorporating modernity. It is being coated with a long-lasting paint coating for a longer endurance. The night shelter will accommodate devotees whereas the pilgrim assistance center will inform devotees about the rich heritage, historical significance, cultural contributions, and spiritual importance of the place.
On Tuesday (9th January), Savita Kanswal, who made history as the first woman in India to conquer both Mount Everest and Mount Makalu within a remarkable 16-day span, was posthumously awarded the Tenzin Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 for her outstanding achievements. During the ceremony, Radheshyam Kanswal, the father of Savita Kanswal, was in attendance to accept the award, which was presented to him by President Droupadi Murmu. Savita Kanswal tragically lost her life while attempting to summit a peak in the Uttarkashi district. She died in an avalanche at Draupadi Ka Danda on 4th October 2023.
While receiving the award, her family members, including both her father and mother, were present. Tears welled up in their eyes, and a wave of emotion swept through everyone at the ceremony. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also shared a video on his social media handle, capturing the poignant moment.
He wrote, “Heartwarming Moment of the Day A deeply emotional and pride-filled moment as Shri Radhe Shyam Kanswal ji accepts the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 in Land Adventure on behalf of his late daughter, Savita Kanswal. Savita became the 1st Indian woman to scale Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu in 16 days. With a decade-long career in mountaineering, she exhibited immense courage, determination, and endurance and displayed valour in the line of duty. I salute her invaluable contribution.”
Heartwarming Moment of the Day
A deeply emotional and pride-filled moment as Shri Radhe Shyam Kanswal ji accepts the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 in Land Adventure on behalf of his late daughter, Savita Kanswal.
Savita Kanswal, a mountaineer hailing from the village of Lawnthru in the Bhatwadi block of Uttarkashi district, experienced a childhood marked by financial limitations. Raised by her parents, Radheshyam and Kamleshwari, who sustained the family through agriculture, Savita pursued her education in a government school.
Having harboured a passion for adventure sports since her early years, Savita Kanswal initiated NCC training at the tender age of 11 during her school days. In 2013, she undertook a foundational mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
In 2016, she successfully concluded the Advanced Mountaineering course, followed by additional accomplishments, including a mountaineering instructor course and Advanced Search and Rescue courses. Commencing her role as a trainer at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in 2018, she exhibited diligence and passion.
Savita Kanswal’s unwavering dedication culminated in the triumphant ascent of Mount Everest on 12th May 2022. Within 16 days, on 28th May 2022, she conquered Mount Makalu. Notably, she became the second female mountaineer in the nation to proudly unfurl the tricolour on the summit of Mount Lhotse.
On 4th October, tragedy struck the Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand. This unfortunate incident occurred at the very peak that a team of 40 had set out to conquer. Some individuals lost their lives, while others were fortunate enough to be rescued. Among those who succumbed to the calamity was the courageous mountaineer and trainer, Savita Kanswal, a native of Uttarkashi who served as the team’s instructor. She was awarded the Tenzin Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 posthumously.
On 9th January, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended the first accused in the Kerala professor hand-chopping case. The significant breakthrough came as M Savad, a member of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI), was arrested by the central agency in Mattannur, Kerala, for his role in the brutal attack on Professor TJ Joseph in 2010.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested the key and last absconding accused in Kerala’s Professor palm chopping case.
The agency said, the accused Savad, who had been on the run for the last 13 years and was carrying a reward of 10 lakh rupees was nabbed from Kannur in…
On 4th July 2010, Savad and his associates from PFI reportedly chopped the hands of Professor Joseph over the content of a question paper set by the professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha. The group of attackers, armed with lethal weapons, ambushed Joseph and chopped his right palm, an act that sent shockwaves across the country. The incident raised serious questions about religious extremism and academic freedom.
Savad was on the run for over 13 years and was the last remaining absconder in the case. Over 50 accused have already been arrested and charged in two separate phases. Notably, the arrest comes over a year after the Government of India banned PFI, an Islamic organisation linked to several violent activities, including an attack on Professor Joseph, several attacks and murders of Hindu activists and plans to impose Sharia law in India.
NIA took over the investigation of Professor Joseph’s case from Kerala Police and classified it as an act of terrorism. Stringent provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act were invoked against the accused. In 2015, the NIA court in Kochi convicted 13 accused and acquitted 18 in the matter. Subsequent phases of the trial saw further convictions and acquittals.
The case
In March 2010, Malayalam Professor TJ Joseph prepared a set of questions for the Malayalam language paper for 2nd-year BCom students. Reportedly, one of the questions asked students to punctuate a conversation between God and a character.
The conversation was extracted from the book ‘Thirakathayude Reethisasthram‘ by Malayalam Director Kunju Muhammed.
The character in the passage was a man suffering from schizophrenia and having a constant dialogue with God. Without thinking much about the consequences, he named the man ‘Muhammed’ after the name of the Malayalam director.
However, Islamists were quick to label this as ‘blasphemy’ and interpreted the question as a conversation between Prophet Muhammad and God.
Later, the matter escalated further when the Jamaat-e-Islami-run newspaper, Madhyamam, reported about it. Subsequently, radical Islamic outfits such as the Popular Front of India (PFI), Campus Front of India (CFI), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and even the Congress party led large-scale protests against Professor TJ Joseph.
The Kerala Police lodged an FIR against Professor Joseph for stirring communal hatred under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Police arrested him when he allegedly tried to evade law enforcement authorities. However, he soon was released on bail.
To make matters worse, Newman College, which is a Christian minority institute affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, fired Professor Joseph.
On the fateful day of 4th of July, 2010, Joseph, 53 years old back then, was returning home from church in his car at about 8 AM. His sister and mother accompanied him. Within no time, a gang of 6 Islamists laid siege to his car. Armed with an axe, they chopped off his hand below the wrist and ditched the severed part in a nearby land. The assailants also stabbed the Professor in the leg and arm.
The Islamists burst crackers and bombs to create an atmosphere of panic. They soon fled the crime scene, leaving an injured Joseph to fend for himself.
Professor Joseph claimed religious fundamentalism was at the heart of the problem
Professor Joseph was dismissed from the service over alleged blasphemy. After this, his financial condition deteriorated, and everyone abandoned his family. The church excommunicated his family. Friends and family members stopped visiting his house out of the church’s fear.
Distraught by the aftermath of the incident that turned the life of TJ Joseph upside down, his wife Salomi committed suicide on March 19, 2014.
In an interview with The Times of India in September 2021, Joseph refused to accept that punishing the accused would bring justice. He emphasised that religious fundamentalism was at the heart of the problem.
He said, “My attackers were blinded by fundamentalism, and they gave me only physical pain, but what my own people did to me was even worse as it affected my family and me in all ways.”
In 2020, Joseph’s memoir of the pain and suffering he endured over the false allegations of blasphemy was released in Malayalam. Its English translation by Nandkumar was later released under the title, “A Thousand Cuts: An Innocent Question and Deadly Answers”.
On Wednesday (10th January), Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who is notorious for his anti-Hindu statements, sparked a fresh controversy as he justified the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh government’s ‘shoot at sight’ order resulting in the deaths of numerous unarmed karsevaks in the year 1990, after the rath yatra. The UP Police had opened fire on karsevaks on 2 November 1990, during the height of the Ram Mandir movement.
Swami Prasad Maurya gave a ‘clean chit’ to the then-Samajwadi Party government’s order to open fire on karsevaks, saying, “At the time the incident occurred at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Unruly elements committed large-scale vandalism without judicial or administrative intervention.”
Maurya asserted that the Mulayam government ordered firing on karsevaks “to safeguard the constitution and the law and to protect the peace, the then government gave shoot at sight orders. The government merely did its duty…”
This comes after Union Minister and Agra MP SP Singh Baghel recently stated, “Karsevaks were fired upon during the SP government, but if anyone from Samajwadi Party wants to come to the consecration ceremony of the Shri Ram Temple, he is welcome.”
#WATCH | Kasganj (UP): On Ram temple, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya says, "…To safeguard the constitution and the law and to protect peace, the then government gave shoot at sight orders. The government merely did its duty…" pic.twitter.com/tpYf8wdMnJ
When asked to comment on the statement, Maurya stated, “SP Singh Baghel has been a very good friend of ours. At that time he was in Samajwadi Party. He was also a member of the Samajwadi Party when this happened in Ayodhya. That is why they should remain silent”
This, however, is not the first time that Swami Prasad Maurya has made such an outrageous statement He made a controversial statement about Ramcharitmanas last year. He also claimed that Hindu temples were constructed by demolishing Buddhist monasteries.
Notably, Maurya’s statement comes a day after Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav reportedly rejected the invitation to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. As reported earlier, media outlets quoted the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sources as confirming that a VHP functionary had approached the SP chief with the invitation to attend the ceremony but Akhilesh did not “accept” the invitation saying that he did not know the person (VHP functionary) who went to invite him.
The brutal massacre of Rambhakt karsevaks in 1990
On November 2nd, 1990, the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh ordered police to open fire on Karsevaks (religious volunteers) who were protesting peacefully in Ayodhya for the reclamation of land to build a Ram Mandir. At least 40 Karsevaks were killed in the indiscriminate firing. Many others were injured in police lathi-charge and brutality. Videos from the incident show police clashing with sadhus and seers, firing bullets, forcibly taking away devotees and protesters throwing stones amidst chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. Back in 2013, Mulayam Singh Yadav expressed ‘regret’ for these deaths and stated that he had no other choice. He claimed that the BJP had gathered 11 lakh people in Ayodhya in the name of Karseva. Gunshots had to be fired for the ‘unity’ of the country. A detailed report on the 1990 horror can be read here.
On 8th January (Monday), German farmers started a week of nationwide protests with thousands of tractors and trucks blocking streets and major highways in nearly all 16 Federal states in Germany. The blockades have been reported in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Bavaria. Notably, the recent protests continue despite the government reversing its earlier plan to scrap diesel subsidy cuts.
With thousands of tractors and trucks, the convoys also halted production at a Volkswagen auto plant facility in the northernwestern German city of Emden. As per German news agency DPA, the blockade prevented employees from getting to work.
The haulage companies protesting against the increase in lorry tolls extended their support to the farmers’ blockade in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
As per reports, thousands of protesters stormed in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and displayed banners with slogans like ‘No farmer, no future’.
(Tractors display signages, ‘No Farmer, No Food’ in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. Image Source – J’rg Carstensen/dpa via AP/ Euronews)
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Massive protests are being carried out by farmers in Germany against the government on January 8th.
The farmers in Germany are protesting due to unfair taxes and practices being carried out by the government.
Several social media users shared photos and videos in which a large sea of trucks could be seen amassing in the streets of Germany days before the planned protest that began on Monday. The users accused the mainstream media of not highlighting the real extent of the protest by German farmers. In many places, German farmers have garnered support from truck drivers, and supporters of conservative/right-wing parties. Reportedly farmers from Dutch and Poland have also started to join their protest.
A social media user claimed that Polish truckers have started to join the cause alongside German and Dutch Farmers as they all protest against Anti-Democratic laws designed to bankrupt small independent farmers and distributors.
??? Polish Truckers ??
WOW – now the Polish truckers are joining the cause alongside German & Dutch Farmers as they all protest ludicrous Anti-Democratic laws designed to bankrupt small independent farmers & distributors.
The ongoing road blockage is the latest in a series of protests against the decision taken by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. The farmers’ associations are staging a nationwide protest against the government’s plan to scrap tax breaks on diesel used in agriculture.
In December, similar protests unfolded as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition sparked outrage among farmers by proposing the abolition of a car tax exemption for agricultural vehicles and diesel tax breaks. These measures were included in a larger package aimed at addressing a €17 billion deficit in the 2024 budget.
(People hold placards reading ‘Stop kidding us!’ and ‘You have to go through that now, Olaf’ in Potsdam. Image Source – Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters/ The Guardian)
The controversial subsidy cuts were part of the government’s budget revamp to cover the budgetary shortfalls. Notably, in November last year, Germany’s constitutional court declared the government’s budget illegal after which Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government could not redirect €60 billion euros, initially designated to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, for initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and modernising the nation. This move went against Germany’s strict self-imposed limits on running up debt.
Farmers continue to protest despite the government backtracking on its proposal, the association demands the government scrap all plans to cut farmers’ subsidies
The farmers have continued to stage blockades across the country despite the government pacifying farmers who had also protested vehemently in December. The coalition government led by Scholz had backtracked on its initial subsidy cut proposal it had brought after the German Constitutional Court declared its budget illegal.
At first, Berlin suggested eliminating a tax break for buying farming and forestry equipment, along with subsidies for agricultural diesel fuel. However, the tax breaks will stay, and fuel subsidies won’t be removed until 2026. Presently, farmers benefit from government subsidies, paying about half the price for diesel compared to regular drivers. The German coalition government argues that transitioning away from diesel will benefit the environment. Nevertheless, farmers argue that they lack alternative fuel choices, and the subsidy reduction puts their livelihoods at risk.
(A banner that reads ‘Better be dead than be a slave’ hangs on a tractor during the nationwide farmers’ strike in Berlin. Image Source – Filip Singer/EPA/ The Guardian)
The Farmers’ Association, DBV, demanded that the government abandon all plans to cut subsidies for farmers. According to them, till the plans are reversed fully, they would continue with a “week of action”. The announced week-long protests will culminate in a major event in Berlin next Monday (15th January).
(Protest signs reading ‘Rather dead than slave’ (left) and ‘Ampel, your rules are like weeds – us farmers tear them out’ (right) – Image Source – Euronews)
On Monday (8th January) when the protest began, Farmers’ Association President Rukwied said, “We are hoping that the Berlin government will see reason and that this disproportionate burden on agriculture will be reduced. That is our core objective at the demonstrations.”
(Video Courtesy – France24 English)
In a radio interview, Rukwied warned, “Otherwise the supply of high-quality foodstuff is jeopardised.”
Meanwhile, Defending his coalition government, Vice-Chancellor Habeck argued that the problem is not the government instead it is the discounters who are causing the problem of poor returns to farmers.
Habeck said it was understandable that farmers were upset and unwilling to give up subsidies. According to him, farmers’ outrage was not with the government but rather the changing face of the sector and it is the massive discount supermarket chains, slaughterhouses, and dairy manufacturers who caused the problem. As farmers find themselves unable to determine their own prices and face pressure from both discounters and consumers seeking lower prices for meat, milk, and other products, they are caught in a cycle. In this cycle, they are compelled to increase production while receiving lower returns, resulting in the closure of smaller farms, he argued.
He said, “It’s called structural change. I think that’s euphemistic. It’s the industrialisation of agriculture.”
He proposed that Fairer prices, sustainability rewards, and direct sales to consumers offered a way out of the impasse. Habeck added, “In my opinion, we should use the current debate to seriously and honestly discuss exactly that.”
The government alleges that extremists have infiltrated the protest and could hijack it; opposition and farmers’ association hit back
Criticising the blockades, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned that stopping people from going to work, school or to see a doctor “will cause anger and disagreement.” The government has also alleged that the protest is getting support from right-wing parties and “extremists” who could exploit and hijack the protest and it is fanning anti-government sentiments.
It is alleged that the increasingly aggressive protest is at risk of being infiltrated by extreme anti-government organisations. As per reports, protesting farmers in some places have been accompanied by people brandishing right-wing symbols and allegedly clashed with police which was reportedly witnessed during anti-vaccine and anti-migrant protests in the past.
As per reports, many vehicles part of the protest displayed banners that had the logo of the right nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Notably, it has extended its support to protesting farmers rallying against the government. Furthermore, Politicians from other parties, including the conservative CDU/CSU, as well as the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), have also extended their support to the German farmers’ protest.
((A sign of the Alternative für Deutschland that reads ‘Our farmers first’ hangs on a farm vehicle near Munich. Image Source – Leonhard Simon/Reuters/ The Guardian)
Regional elections are slated for later this year in Germany with three eastern states – Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia – going to the polls. Currently, AfD polling at around 23% nationally, is ahead of all the three governing parties – Social Democrats, the Greens, and Free Democrats.
As per reports, some protestors targeted German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck and tried to board and confront him on a ferry while he was accompanied by his wife and other passengers on Thursday. The incident drew condemnation from all sides of the spectrum including the government, opposition leaders, and the farmers’ association.
Following the incident, he warned in a social media video that some involved in the actions were spreading “coup fantasies.” He added that “nationalist symbols are being openly displayed.”
In the video, Habeck said, “Calls are circulating with fantasies of a coup. Extremist groups are forming, nationalist symbols are being openly displayed. It is becoming clear that something has started to slip in recent years, which is limiting legitimate democratic protest and freedom of expression.”
However, the German Farmers’ Association (DBV) President Joachim Rukwied hit back at the government’s claims. Rukwied said, “I see no danger at all of our association being infiltrated [by the right].”
Instead, Rukwied accused the government of “robbing agriculture of its future viability” and “jeopardising the secure supply of high-quality domestic food.”
Train drivers in Germany could go on strike from today
Furthermore, the German government which is reeling under pressure from farmers’ protests which also include truck drivers at places, could also face major strikes from train drivers. Reportedly, they have planned to go on strike against the coalition government later this week.
Evidently, on Sunday (7th January), Germany’s GDL union said that it would call on members to walk out from Wednesday as part of a wage dispute with rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
Congress party has stated that their supremo Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will not attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha event on 22nd January. In a statement, Jairam Ramesh, the General SecAdhir Ranjan Chowdhuryretary (Communications) of Congress has stated that the three top leaders of the party have declined to attend the event because it is a ‘BJP-RSS event’.
Congress president & LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury decline the invitation "to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event": Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary… pic.twitter.com/REc503PBVv
“Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain. While abiding by the 2019 SC judgment and honoring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallikarjuna Kharge, Smt Sonia Gandhi and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event”, the statement shared by Jairam Ramesh read.
It is notable here that Congress has always been opposed to the Ram Mandir, even going to the extent of denying the existence of Lord Ram. Congress leader Kapil Sibal was a part of the legal battle against the construction of Ram Mandir, representing the Sunni Waqf Board, and over decades, the Congress has used all political, vocal, and ideological tool to deride those who were working to get a Temple constructed at Ram Janmabhoomi.
It is notable here that Former prime ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been invited. Heads of all leading political parties, and former President Pratibha Patil have also been invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
4 years after the historic Supreme Court verdict and after centuries of waiting for Hindus, finally the Ram Mandir is ready at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya and Ram Lalla’s idol will undergo Pran Pratishtha in the temple on January 22.
On 10th January, the Congress party claimed that the Manipur government of Bharatiya Janata Party has declined permission to launch Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound in Imphal East. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra Singh stated, “Today a team of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee met the Chief Minister N Biren Singh. He has declined to give permission for the venue. He declined the request.” He further claimed that the chief minister informed him that the state govt would not give them any public lane in the state for the yatra.
The Congress leader referred to the response as “very unfortunate” and added, “It is our right to use the public lane for public purpose. It is a violation of people’s rights and the political rights of the people, more particularly the people of Manipur. The lane doesn’t belong to the chief minister. The palace compound is for the people and the public. It has been used earlier and that is why we proposed it this time.” He claimed that the yatra is apolitical and aims to bring justice to youth as well as women and is about social, political and economic justice.
#WATCH | On Congress party's upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Manipur Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra says, "Today a team of Manipur Congress met the CM. He has declined to give permission for the venue…He declined the request…that he would not give any public lane in… pic.twitter.com/bpnqKzUaPK
After the state govt declined permission to start the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the Palance Compound, the Congress party has decided to shift the venue to the Khongjom War Memorial Complex at Thoubal.
Keisham Meghachandra Singh informed, “Even if the government declines (the permission), we have decided to do this near the Khongjom War Memorial Complex, Thoubal at a private lane. We are discussing with the AICC (All India Congress Committee) team and senior leaders of the state.”
#WATCH | Manipur Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra says, "Even if the government declines (the permission), we have decided to do this near the Khongjom War Memorial complex, Thoubal at a private lane. We are discussing with the AICC team…" pic.twitter.com/hEuklWgKzv
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, “Manipur PCC President Keisham Meghachandra Singh formally submitted a request for permission to the chief secretary of Manipur one week before. They told him that he would receive an answer within 5 days. He waited for the period and personally visited the official to seek the permit who assured him that he would receive it by that day evening. This happened three days ago. Unfortunately, today we received information that the permission has been declined. Then this morning, our former chief minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh and the PCC president met the chief minister of Manipur with the plea but were informed that the administration isn’t in a position to give them permission for the palace compound.”
He further conveyed, “This is not a political yatra and we aren’t going to politicise the matter of Manipur violence through the yatra. Rahul Gandhi visited Manipur earlier during the violence. Our request is to make a peaceful Manipur. When we are starting a yatra from East to West, how can we avoid Manipur? Then what message we are giving to the people of the country? We need to start the yatra from Manipur only. We aren’t going to create any ruckus there. We told them this much but they are reluctant to permit the palace compound. We are now going to do the yatra in another location. Our ex-chief minister and PCC chief informed the recent chief minister about this and he gave us the go-ahead.”
#WATCH | Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal says "…We got information that the Government of Manipur declined (our request) to hold the yatra in Palace Ground, Imphal…When we are starting a yatra from East to West, how can we avoid Manipur? Then what message we are… pic.twitter.com/ycguL4MC6I
Keisham Meghachandra Singh was accompanied by MPCC vice president Hareshwar Goshwami along with other members during the meeting with the state chief minister N Biren Singh at the latter’s office in Imphal. A team led by led All India Congress Committee team arrived in Imphal on 8th January to oversee the preparatory works ahead of the program.
N Biren Singh told journalists in Imphal on 9th January that a decision on the Congress party’s “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” would be taken after reviewing reports from the security agencies. “The granting of permission for Rahul Gandhi’s rally is under active consideration. We are reviewing the reports of various security agencies.”
The Congress-organised “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” from Manipur to Mumbai is slated to begin on 14th January in Imphal and end on 20th March in Mumbai, covering 6,700 miles across 15 states in 66 days. The yatra will go through the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat before concluding in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
