On Friday (5th January) morning, a local Trinamool Congress politician reportedly raped the mother of a BJP worker in Baruipur town in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
As per a report by ETV Bharat, the accused was identified as Malay Naskar aka Gora. He attacked the victim in the wee hours of the morning when she left her home to collect firewood.
Gora reportedly shoved the victim into a nearby bush and raped her at knifepoint. He then thrashed the woman, tied her hands with a cloth and dumped her into a nearby pond. The accused also threatened the victim against telling anyone about the crime.
The TMC leader tied a piece of cloth round her neck and threw her in the pond after sexually assaulting her.
Horror in Bengal. A BJP worker's mother recounts the incident in her police complaint. Apparently 2 days have passed but no one has been arrested. https://t.co/lKj4WO5wiYpic.twitter.com/n9gnJu4Wpf
Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint with the Baruipur police. However, no arrests have been made so far in connection to the rape case. The accused TMC politician has been reportedly absconding since the incident.
Miffed over the inaction of the police, the BJP Mahila Morcha staged a demonstration and blocked a road in Baruipur on Sunday (7th January). They have demanded immediate action against Malay Naskar aka Gora.
While speaking about the matter, BJP leader Anirban Ganguly told ETV Bharat, “The cops are not arresting the accused because he is a member of the Trinamool Congress. Everyone in this area knows who committed the crime.”
“Let the police arrest the accused without looking at his political affiliation. Otherwise, we will start a larger demonstration. Tomorrow I will go to Delhi and file a complaint with the Women’s Commissioner,” he concluded.
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has written to Ease My Trip CEO Nishant Pitti seeking his assistance in fostering positive relations between the two countries in the wake of a diplomatic row over derogatory comments made by Maldivian politicians, public figures against India, Indians, and PM Modi.
“It is with a heavy heart that MATATO acknowledges the regrettable and derogatory comments made by some Deputy Ministers on social media platforms. These individuals, now suspended from their roles, do not reflect the sentiments of Maldivians in general. MATATO extends its sincere apologies for the hurt caused by these remarks,” the letter read.
Emphasising that they treat Indian counterparts not just as business associates but as brothers and sisters, the letter read, “Tourism stands as the lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing over two-thirds of our GDP and providing livelihoods to approximately 44,000 Maldivians who work directly in the tourism sector. The potential adverse impact on tourism holds the power to unleash severe repercussions on our economy, affecting the lives and well-being of many.”
“In response to recent social media exchanges, MATATO feels compelled to underscore the paramount importance of fostering positive ties with all countries, especially our South Asian neighbours,” it further added, referring to the uncharitable comments against India passed by some Maldivian politicians, who were later suspended.
“The Indian market remains an indispensable force in the success of the Maldivian tourism sector, providing vital support to guest houses and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that depend on the influx of Indian visitors. Together, we can ensure the continued growth and prosperity of both our nations,” it further said.
Asking Nishant Pitti to resume flight bookings to Maldives, the association said, “In conclusion, MATATO humbly seeks your assistance and support in fostering positive relations and dispelling any misunderstandings that may have arisen and reopening EaseMy Trip flights to Maldives.”
Ease My Trip CEO Nishant Pitti announces suspension of all flight bookings to Maldives
In the wake of derogatory comments made by some Maldivian politicians against India and PM Modi, Ease My Trip, an Indian online travel company, suspended all flight bookings to Maldives.
The development was confirmed by the company’s CEO Nishant Pitti on X (formerly Twitter). In a tweet, he stated, “In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings.”
“Embark on a journey with EaseMyTrip to discover the enchanting beauty of Ayodhya and the pristine allure of Lakshadweep! Immerse yourself in rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. Say no to Maldives bookings and explore the wonders of Ayodhya and Lakshadweep,” he further added.
The Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is preparing for its Pran Pratishtha ceremony set to take place on January 22, 2024. Amid the elaborate arrangements, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (January 9), declared a holiday on January 22 for all schools and colleges in the state. The CM also said that there would be no sale of liquor across the state on the day of the event.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has given instructions to declare a holiday in all educational institutions across the state on January 22, in view of Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony
The CM has also said that liquor shops will remain closed in the state on the day.
The CM has further directed that all government buildings be decked on January 22nd, along with fireworks to commemorate the occasion.
Further, Yogi Adityanath ordered the application of the ‘Kumbh Model’ of cleanliness in Ayodhya.
On January 14, he announced the commencement of a cleanliness campaign in Ayodhya, emphasizing the need to keep the city hygienic and clean while preparing for the consecration ceremony.
The Chief Minister also instructed authorities to plan ahead of time where VVIPs would rest, ensuring the ceremony runs smoothly and efficiently.
The Chief Minister has urged the people of the state to mark the historic event with peace, harmony, and Covid-appropriate behaviour. He has also directed officials to provide adequate security, traffic management, and sanitary facilities in Ayodhya and other parts of the state.
Meanwhile, one lakh laddoos are being prepared in Andhra Pradesh for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya. The ceremony is scheduled for 22nd January 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, saints and devotees have been invited to the mega event. As per reports, ‘Srivari laddu’, a Prasadam that is offered to Bhagwan Venkateswara in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is being prepared for the devotees of Bhagwan Ram for the auspicious day. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams are preparing the laddoos.
On Monday, January 8, Mahesh Panchal, brother of the Hindu activist Bittu Bajrangi passed away in AIIMS Delhi. He had been battling for his life for over a month after assailants poured thinner on him in Dabua Colony of Faridabad, Haryana and set him on fire. The incident happened on December 13th last year.
Within hours, Mahesh Panchal was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. He had sustained severe burn injuries which were estimated to be around 60%.
According to media sources, the attackers initially confirmed Bittu Bajrangi’s brother Mahesh Panchal’s identification. ‘Are you Bittu Bajrangi’s brother?’ they asked Mahesh Panchal. When Mahesh answered yes to this inquiry, they poured thinner on him and lit him on fire. Mahesh dived into a drain right away to douse the fire and walked to his house since no one came to help him. When Mahesh eventually arrived home, Bittu Bajrangi took him to the hospital.
While Mahesh Panchal was battling for his life with 60 per cent burns on his body, the leftist media houses and the usual set of Islamists and liberals had gone to peddle blatant lies regarding the attack on the Hindu activist’s brother.
A week after the assault, the Hindustan Times published an article where it claimed that Mahesh Panchal had faked the assault on himself. The article authored by Leena Dhankhar was titled: “Cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi’s brother faked assault: Police” quoted the Faridabad police as saying that he had suffered burns after allegedly falling into a bonfire and that there was no proof to suggest that his injuries were sustained in a murder attempt.
The report quoted senior police officers to claim that Mahesh and Bittu Bajrangi lodged a “false complaint” to frame a suspected cow smuggler.
SS of the HT report published on December 22, 2023
The Hindustan Times report got the ball rolling for several like-minded leftist media outlets and the usual coteries of liberals and Islamists. “‘Bittu Bajrangi’s brother lied to police got burned falling in a bonfire'”, read the report published by The Wire.
SS of report published by The Week
Ultra-leftist news portal ThePrint also published a report on similar lines where it accused Mahesh Panchal and his brother Bittu Bajrangi of faking the assault. The report was headlined: ‘Bittu Bajrangi’s brother lied to police, got burned falling in a bonfire’.
SS of the report published by ThePrint
‘Fact-checking’ website Alt News’ out on bail co-founder Mohammed Zubair had jumped at the opportunity. As soon as the HT report was out claiming that Bittu Bajrangi’s brother faked the assault, Zubair shared the information widely on social media and propagated it as truth.
In fact, Zubair published multiple posts on social media against Bittu Bajrangi and his brother since the fake news was published by the Hindustan Times. In a post on X, he wrote, “Cow vigilante #BittuBajrangi’s brother faked assault: Police.” He shared the link to the HT report in the post. However, the “fact checker” did not care to confirm if Faridabad Police gave any such statement or not.
Zubair had gone as far as raising fingers at OpIndia’s coverage of the assault on Mahesh Panchal where we reported how a mob led by one Armaan had attacked Mahesh Panchal after confirming that he was the brother of the Hindu activist Bittu Bajrangi, who was hounded by Islamists during Nuh violence.
However, the police officials investigating the matter had rubbished HT’s report. While talking to OpIndia, the Faridabad Police denied the claims in the HT report. When informed about the HT report, ACP Faridabad asked who in the force had declared this case fake.
He said that it is true that no evidence has been found against the accused in this case so far, but it does not mean that the case is said to be fake. He has confirmed that Bittu Bajrangi’s brother has been burnt.
He said that it is a matter of investigation as to how he got burnt, who burnt him and for what reason. He said that till now no one has been given a clean chit nor has the investigation ended, but the investigation is still going on.
Moreover, on Sunday (24th December), the president of Gau Raksha Bajrang Force, Bittu Bajrangi, released a video accusing Alt News’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair and Hindustan Times (HT) of peddling a fake story against his brother.
In his video statement, Bittu Bajrangi said, “I am facing a painful phase of conspiracy against me. Me and my family are the target of anti-social elements. Hindustan Times and Mohammed Zubair took advantage of my silence. They made false reports viral against me. The reporter who wrote the report has a communist mindset. However, in the end, she is my sister. It’s okay, sister.”
He emphasised, “The day you become a victim of Love Jihad or conspiracy-like Nikita Tomar, Bittu Bajrangi will stand with you as well. I am now coming to Mohammed Zubair, who is spreading fake news against me, though Faridabad Police have not released any statement. I will file a case against him in Faridabad. He will be questioned as per the law about the fake news he published. I will take legal action against those who published the fake news. Mohammed Zubair, a communist, is spreading fake news against me. The administration should take action against him.”
#वामपंथी मोहम्मद जुबेर ने जो हिंदुस्तान टाइम्स का पत्रकार है वह बिगर जांच परख के मेरे बारे में फालतू बातें छाप कर गलत खबरें वह गलत अफवाह फैला रहा है उसके खिलाफ फरीदाबाद पुलिस में जल्द मुकदमा दर्ज कराऊंगा pic.twitter.com/IqaDHJQ47l
Mahesh Panchal, the brother of Gau Raksha Bajrang Force president Bittu Bajrangi, died after fighting for his life for almost a month. Individuals like Mohammed Zubair and his adherents should be questioned at this point: why would someone plan his own death, that to one as heinous as this? The physical and emotional suffering Mahesh Panchal must have gone through every single minute in this last month is unimaginable. However, none of this matters to Zubair or his adherents. The only thing which matters to them is muddling the readers with fake news and biased fact-checks focusing only on those facets that help them bolster their anti-Hindu propaganda.
Days after X (formerly Twitter) user ‘Mr Sinha’ shook the Maldives with a single tweet, a campaign has been underway to falsely label him as a ‘rapist’ and ‘paedophile.’
On Tuesday (9th December), another X user (@B5001001101) juxtaposed the photo of Mr Sinha (aka businessman Raushan Sinha) on a poster with a nefarious agenda to tarnish his image.
The poster falsely claimed that ‘Mr Sinha’ committed the rape of a 17-year-old Muslim girl in March 2022 in Surat city of Gujarat and that he was arrested for some time. It went on to claim that the case was dropped by the police on the behest of a Delhi-based BJP politician.
Screengrab of the fake news
“Mr. Raushan Singa (sic), an Indian national born and raised in Gujarat, allegedly raped a 17-year old Muslim girl named Meera Shah in March 2022 while she was returning home from school in Surat, Gujarat. He does not live there, but News ake News he was visiting the city at that time. This was reported to the Gujarat Police Department immediately as soon as the family knew about the incident. Police launched an investigation, collected forensic evidence and even arrested Sinha for a brief time period. However, the investigation was disrupted after an influential figure from BJP in New Delhi interfered in the investigation a few days later. The girl experienced significant trauma, which led to her discontinuing school attendance. Since then, her family has faced continuous harassment from his associates, leaving them feeling despondent. However, there is a possibility that the case might be reopened by the police if the party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not succeed in the Lok Sabha general elections scheduled for April/May 2024. Please alert the public about this individual,” the fake news posted by X user (@B5001001101) read.
The controversial user boasts of more than 17000 followers on the micro-blogging platform. At the time of taking screenshots, the fake news was shared over 200 times and liked by 500 people.
Popular X user ‘Vijay Patel’ alerted ‘Mr Sinha’ about the vicious attempt at character assassination. In a tweet, Raushan Sinha informed that he was on his way to the police station to register a complaint against the fake news peddler.
Mr Sinha is a Bihari living in Gujarat. His social media presence has grown strong over the years. Despite several of his old accounts suspended, his India first and pro-Hindu stand has resonated with many leading to a staggering 165.4k followers on X, formerly Twitter, which he joined in 2016.
On the evening of 4th January, Mr Sinha shared PM Modi’s Lakshadweep video in a post on his X account. Little did he know that this post would cut the ground from under People’s National Congress’s (PNC) feet, the ruling party in Maldives.
Mr Raushan Sinha, a political commentator, took to X to share PM Modi’s appeal to people around the world to visit Lakshadweep. “What a great move! It’s a big setback to the new Chinese puppet govt of Maldives. Also, it will boost tourism in #Lakshadweep,” Mr Sinha wrote.
The post irked Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts. The Maldivian leader responded to Mr Sinha’s post calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel”.
Shiuna, along with two more ruling party leaders in Maldives, is now suspended and has deleted her post. While Indian netizens in clear words objected to the derogatory words used against their country and Prime Minister, Mr Sinha raised in a significant point in his clarification post.
On 5th January, he wrote, “It seems it has reached the Maldives & many Maldivians are hurt with this. Just to clarify that we have nothing against the Maldives, we are against your new govt which is pro China & anti India.”
Speaking to OpIndia, he pointed out that the Opposition in Maldives is pro-India whereas the ruling government led by Mohamed Muizzu is pro-China. Notably, the controversy erupted ahead of Muizzu’s visit to China on 8th January.
On 9th January (local time), South Korea officially ended its age-old tradition of consuming dog meat. The National Assembly passed the bill in a rare display of political unity as it received overwhelming support to ban the trade and consumption of dog meat. The assembly passed the bill unanimously with a 208-0 vote and just two abstentions. The bill will come into force from 2027.
The bill outlaws the raising, butchering, distributing, and selling of dog meat in the country. Furthermore, anyone breaking the law after it comes into force will face severe penalties for violations. Reports suggest a provision of up to three years of prison or hefty fines, signaling the government’s firm stance against consuming dog meat.
The resolution against dog meat consumption in the country came after decades-old legal ambiguity and growing pressure at domestic level, as well as international pressure. The consumption of dog meat has been illegal in the country under the Food Sanitation Act since 1978. However, the practice continued in South Korea due to legal loopholes and cultural inertia. Events like the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and FIFA World Cup in 2002 brought the matter to the forefront and exposed Korea to global scrutiny, leading to a shift in public perception.
Reportedly, over 1,000 dog farms and numerous restaurants are engaged in the trade in South Korea. The actual number could be even higher, according to industry experts. Dog meat consumption was seen as a way to improve stamina in the humid Korean summer. The practice is, however, limited to the older generation and limited restaurants. The activists against the practice argued that the slaughter of the dogs was inhumane, but the breeders and traders argued otherwise. These establishments now have to register, plan for downsizing, and eventually cease operations in the next three years. Furthermore, the South Korean government will help them transition to alternative livelihoods.
First lady of South Korea, Kim Keon Hee, has been among the advocates of banning dog meat consumption in the country and played a crucial role in the legislative shift. Notably, President Yoon Suk Yeol himself owns six dogs. Under his leadership, the sentiment against dog meat consumption grew rapidly. Kim Keon Hee’s conversation with Jane Goodall and her vocal stand against the trade has influenced the bill to get passed in the Assembly. The support for the ban came from the fact that one out of every four households in South Korea owns a dog as a pet, a 16 percent jump from 2010 data as per government sources.
Initially, the initiative to ban dog meat consumption faced resistance from the industry stakeholders who feared loss of livelihood and freedom of choice. The rival political parties also resisted the bill. However, a political consensus emerged and the need to end the trade as a primary agenda was recognised unanimously.
South Korea is not the only country where dog meat is consumed as a delicacy. There are several Asian countries where the practice has continued despite the pressure. It is believed that South Korea’s move to ban the practice may create a ripple effect in the neighbouring countries. The overwhelming majority of Koreans appear to have no interest in consuming dog meat, which is visible, with a significant population supporting the ban.
Lee Sang-Kyung of Humane Society International Korea said, “This ban is a significant milestone in Korea’s journey towards better animal protection.” She added that the change in perception may bring awareness about dogs and other farm animals.
On 8th January (Monday), Mahesh Panchal, brother of the Hindu activist and Gaurakshak Bittu Bajrangi passed away in AIIMS Delhi. He had been battling for his life for over three weeks after an attack on his life took place on 13th December. Some miscreants had poured thinner on Mahesh and set him ablaze. His body was brought from Delhi AIIMS Hospital to Faridabad on Tuesday afternoon (9th January).
After getting information about Mahesh’s death, a large number of people from nearby areas gathered at his house to pay their last respects and demand strict action against the culprits.
As per reports, people blocked the Ballabhgarh-Sohna road demanding the arrest of the accused. A large number of people were seen on the road raising slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Hang Mahesh’s murderers’, ‘Mahesh hum Sharminda hai, tere qatil zinda hai’ (Mahesh we are ashamed, your murderers are alive). During this, the crowd demanding strict action called out the administration’s indifference raising slogan, ‘Muslim mare to lynching, Hindu mare to mon hai, ye Prashashan kon hai’ – ‘If Muslims die then then will be lynching, if Hindus die then there is silence, what kind of administration is this?’
Following the developments, Haryana Police became alert and increased patrolling in the area. They also called personnel from many police stations including Saran police station who reached the spot. To avoid any untoward incident, shops around Chacha Chowk have been closed.
At the same time, ACP met Bittu Bajrangi to ensure that there was no Law and order situation. The administration also issued an appeal to the people gathered there to maintain peace and assured them that the accused would be arrested soon. After meeting the administration, Bittu Bajrangi also appealed to the people to maintain peace.
The miscreants carried out attack after assuring he was Bittu Bajrangi’s brother
Notably, on 13th December, Hindu activist Bittu Bajrangi’s family was targeted and attackers attempted to burn his brother Mahesh Panchal alive by pouring thinner on him in the Dabua Colony in Haryana’s Faridabad. Within hours, victim Mahesh Panchal was transferred to hospital while in a critical condition. He had sustained severe burn injuries which were estimated to be around 60%, and he was in critical condition.
As per reports, the assailants who burned Mahesh first attempted to capture and burn him, but they were unsuccessful. Subsequently, they poured thinner on Mahesh and set him ablaze.
According to media reports, the attackers had first confirmed Bittu Bajrangi’s brother Mahesh Panchal’s identity. ‘Are you the brother of Bittu Bajrangi?’ they questioned Mahesh Panchal. When Mahesh said yes to this question, they poured thinner on him and set him ablaze. Mahesh dived into a drain right away to douse the fire and walked to his house as nobody came forward to help him. When finally Mahesh somehow reached his home, Bittu Bajrangi took him the the hospital.
Meanwhile, on 24th December, the president of Gau Raksha Bajrang Force, Bittu Bajrangi had released a video accusing Alt News’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair and Hindustan Times (HT) of peddling a fake story against his brother.
HT claimed in a report that Bittu Bajrangi’s brother faked the assault, where he sustained 60 percent burns on his body. Zubair shared the information widely on social media and propagated it as truth. However, the police officials investigating the matter rubbished HT’s report and said that the investigation was underway. Talking to OpIndia, the Haryana police had also denied the so-called ‘police statement’ mentioned in HT report.
On Tuesday (9th January), South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj informed that he requested the DJ to play the devotional song ‘Ram Siya Ram’ every time he walked out to bat in the field.
While speaking about the matter to news agency PTI, he said, “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. It’s a nice feeling walking out (into the ground) to hear ‘Ram Siya Ram’ playing in the background,” Keshav Maharaj emphasised.
EXCLUSIVE | VIDEO: "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. It's a nice… pic.twitter.com/TtDYg28oRN
During the first day of the second Test between South Africa and India, the song ‘Ram Siya Ram’ was played when Keshav Maharaj walked to the crease amidst a South African collapse.
As the song played in the background, former Indian captain Virat Kohli was seen enjoying the moment. He gestured to pull a bow with an arrow and folded his hands to honour Lord Ram.
Interestingly, a chat between Indian wicketkeeper KS Rahul and Keshav Maharaj ensued over this song ‘Ram Siya Ram’ and the latter’s entry from the pavilion to the pitch.
Keshav Maharaj who belongs to the Hindu faith also has an ‘Om’ sticker on his bat. Earlier, Pakistan-born Australian opener Usman Khawaja took potshots at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allowing Maharaj to allow religious symbol on his bat.
The auspicious time for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha is less than a fortnight away. Countless people struggled to see that Ram Lalla rightfully returned to his birthplace. 96-year-old Kar Sevak Shalini Ramakrishna Dabir is one among them. She has received Akshat Nimantran for the consecration of Ram Lalla from Ayodhya.
To make sure that Ram Lalla could reside in Ayodhya and a Bhavya Ram Mandir was built at Shri Ram’s Janmabhoomi site, the saints and sages took many difficult resolutions. On their part, the common people also left no stone unturned and undertook karsewa.
In the year 1990, under the leadership of Lal Krishna Advani, the Ramrath Yatra started from Somnath in Gujarat and reached Ayodhya via Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The process of Yatra and Kar Seva continued till the demolition of the disputed Babri structure on 6th December 1992 – deconstruction of the illegally built Babri structure on the usurped Ram Janmabhoomi site. The nonagenarian Kar Sevak, Shalini Dabir who was part of Karseva during that period pointed out that when she left Mumbai for Ayodhya in 1990, people everywhere treated her very well, but she faced a lot of harassment from the government and the police.
Sharing her Karsewa experience, she says, “They beat us a lot, did everything. But we were not afraid at all, we said that we would go to Ayodhya no matter what you do. They kept us in Allahabad jail, but we jumped over the wall and came out. The Police couldn’t catch us as we were on the wall.”
(Video Courtesy – Aaj Tak)
Even at this age, she gets filled with enthusiasm remembering that incident and says, “At that time, I was accompanied by a friend Shalin who is no longer alive. After escaping from the jail, we walked on foot and reached Ayodhya. During this journey, the police harassed us relentlessly, not allowing us to proceed along the road.”
She says, “We went through fields and meandered through various paths, but we did reach Ayodhya.”
It is important to note that Shalini Dabir had reached Ayodhya on 30th October 1990 and witnessed the moment when the saffron flag was hoisted on the disputed Babri structure.
The Uttar Pradesh Police had then arrested a group of women Karsewaks from Dadar and detained them in a school. Some of them escaped from there with the help of local people and, after traversing over 50 kilometers on foot, participated in Karsewa on 31st October 1990.
At that time, Karsewak Shalini Dabir also faced a lathi charge, tear gas, and bullets, but her courage did not break. She adds that a bullet had passed close to her, grazing her, but Hanuman ji saved her.
According to Shalini, she was 63 years old at that time and she could not tolerate the fact that Ram Lalla’s birthplace had been snatched and that is why she also left for Ayodhya. She says that during her Karsewa, bullets were fired, and devotees were lathi-charged yet the Karsewaks kept singing bhajans together.
According to her, the second time when she went for Karsewa in 1992, she fared very well and did not face any problems. She also recalled the moment when the wall of the disputed structure was not crumbling. She said, “I remember that moment when that wall was not breaking. We recited Maruti Stotra since morning, but nothing was happening.”
Shalini narrates further, “We were in a perplexing situation, wondering what to do because if the sun had set at 5 o’clock then we would not have been able to do anything. Suddenly, a monkey came from a nearby tree and sat on the wall. We all started observing curiously. The monkey looked around, turned its head, and then left. Suddenly, the wall collapsed with a loud noise.”
She continues, “After that, for a long time, we couldn’t see anything due to the dust and debris. The local people there had told us that there was no need for us to do anything. They would provide us with food. That night, at 10 o’clock, we performed the worship and aarti of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Maruti.”
She added that diyas were lit all over Ayodhya that night. She recollects, “When the Babri structure collapsed, an angry person from another religion fed me sweets and said, now you have got what was yours. Now I would like to feed them laddus that we not only got it, my God has also returned.”
She says, “Even before going to Ayodhya, we had made up our mind that whatever happens, we will reach there. I had left my entire family behind. Even then, we did not feel any fear in that environment.”
Expressing happiness, Shalini adds, “Ram temple is being built in Ayodhya, I am so happy that words cannot describe it. We are happy that things got better under Modi’s rule. It’s wonderful that Lord Rama’s glory has been established. We are very pleased.
I will go to the temple but not on foot, now I have difficulty walking, but I will definitely go later. (Pointing towards her son Vikas) He will take me.”
Remembering the events of that time, her son Vikas says, “Even then, there was no atmosphere of fear in our home. There was just a little concern about what might happen. We used to wait for mother. We used to think, ‘we would understand only when she came back. If she doesn’t come, then what will we do? It’s bound to happen one day’.”
Dilip Godambe also participated in the Karsewa with Shalini Dabir. He says that those who talk about building a hospital there do not know the value of that soil. They are unaware of the greatness of Sanatana Dharma.
Islamists on social media suffered a meltdown after Saudi Arabia facilitated Union Minister of India Smriti Irani on her visit to Madinah, one of the holiest cities for followers of Islam, where she also visited the periphery of the Quba mosque—the first mosque of Islam. Medina or Madinah, is the second holiest city in Islam, celebrated by Muslims as a place from where Muhammad established the Muslim community (ummah) after his flight from Mecca (622 CE) and is where his body is entombed.
A delegation led by Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan Monday, visited the city of Madinah, marking a ‘historic’ moment on their visit to Saudi Arabia.
Two days prior, a bilateral agreement between India and Saudi Arabia was formally signed, designating New Delhi a quota of 175,025 pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage scheduled for this year. The agreement, known as the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024, was officially inked in Jeddah with Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah.
As outlined in a press release, the delegation embarked on a visit to the perimeter of the Prophet’s Mosque (Al Masjid Al Nabwi) located in the Markazia area of Madinah. Subsequently, the delegation toured the historic sites, including the mountain of Uhud and the Quba Mosque. Notably, the Quba Mosque holds significance as the first Mosque of Islam, while the Uhud Mountain serves as the final resting place for numerous early Islamic martyrs.
Smriti Irani took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share about her visit to Madinah. “Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam,” she tweeted.
Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam's holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The significance of the visit to… pic.twitter.com/WgbUJeJTLv
However, Irani’s visit did not sit well with Muslim fundamentalists on social media, many of whom were shocked to see a Hindu woman with no headgear in the vicinity of the Prophet’s mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi. Shortly after her visit to the mosque, a bevvy of scandalised Islamists descended on her X timeline, outraging over how a Hindu and an uncovered woman was allowed in the periphery of one of the holiest shrines of Islam.
Islamists suffer a meltdown after Smriti Irani visits Prophet’s mosque in Madinah
“Why are you allowing mushrikeen till the periphery of our sanctuary?” tweeted one Islamist, outraged with Smriti Irani’s visit to Madinah.
.@KingSalman why don’t you leave the haramain alone? You can progress as a much as you want in the rest of KSA. Makkah mukarramah & Madina Munawwarah are the most sacred places for the followers of رسول الله ﷺ Why are you allowing mushrikeen till the periphery of our sanctuary?
In Islam, the terms “Mushrik” and “Mushrikeen” refer to persons who practice Shirk, which is the act of worshipping many gods, idolatry, or in essence, polytheism. In Islamic theology, monotheism (Tawhid) is a fundamental concept, which emphasises the absolute oneness of Allah. Muslims believe in the uniqueness and oneness of Allah’s divine attributes, and anyone believing otherwise or having faith in other gods is treated as a ‘kafir’ of idol-worshipper and worthy of the strictest punishment, which according to Islamic scriptures is death.
“Oh followers of shaytan you made a grave mistake by letting filthy najs mushrik in the land of our Beloved master messenger of the Lord of Heavens and earth,” tweeted another user, a Muslim fundamentalist, who also threatened with “Allah will provide justice for this treachery.”
Oh followers of shaytan you made a grave mistake by letting filthy najs mushrik in the land of our Beloved master messenger of the Lord of Heavens and earth ﷺ. Only Allah swt will provide you justice for this treachery. We left this matter to most Just swt
“What is a Hindu politician from India doing in Medina?” said another rabid Muslim extremist, adding, “The Prophet ﷺ explicitly forbade the presence of idol worshippers in the Hejaz region.”
What is a Hindu politician from India doing in Medina? Let alone a BJP politician which is known for promoting Hindutva ideology?
The Prophet ﷺ explicitly forbade the presence of idol worshippers in the Hejaz region.
It is deeply ironic that Islamists, who are outraged over the visit of Smriti Irani’s visit to the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah on account of her being a Hindu, hurl labels of ‘Islamophobia’ when non-Muslims institute similar measures and restrict entries of Muslims in and around places of their worship. It is worth noting that Irani didn’t even enter the Prophet’s mosque and had visited only its periphery. Yet, Islamists suffered a meltdown over it.
Such shameless display of irony is a hallmark of Islamists, most notably illustrated in the Islamist position on Palestine vis-a-vis their stance on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The Islamists dehumanise Israelis as “occupiers” to legitimise baseless Palestinian claims over Israeli lands, but the same logic does not extend to the Ram Mandir, which they vehemently oppose citing the erstwhile Babri edifice, even though it was built upon a preexisting temple by a Mughal invader.
