On 22nd January (Monday), tensions were high near Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia after videos of students raising Pro-Babri Masjid slogans on the university campus surfaced online. It came on the day when the nation marked festivities for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. After the videos surfaced online, the Delhi Police deployed police personnel outside the campus and increased vigilance to avoid any untoward incidents. However, no arrests have been made so far in this case as no official complaint has been made so far to the Delhi Police. The administration on its part has claimed that they are looking into the matter.
The Delhi Police said that the force has been deployed outside the university as a precautionary measure after videos showcasing students allegedly raising slogans such as “Strike for Babri” went viral on social media.
A police official said, “The deployment of police personnel outside (the university) is a precautionary measure.” As per the news agency PTI, the police official added that the deployment was done given the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and the upcoming Republic Day.
An X (Twitter) handle named Fraternity Movement JMI shared a video in which some students can be heard raising slogans like ‘Strike for Babri’ and ‘RSS down down’.
The caption of the post read, “Boycott for Babri. Resistance is Remembrance Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia organized a university-wide strike, urging students to boycott classes and reading rooms in solidarity with Babri Masjid.”
Boycott for Babri Resistance is Remembrance
Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia organized a university-wide strike, urging students to boycott classes and reading rooms in solidarity with Babri Masjid.
Several other X users also shared the controversial slogans in favour of Babri Masjid when the long-drawn dispute was well-settled in the top court of the land.
Replace the memory Erase the 'Hindutva Myth'
Babri is justice
Fraternity movement with strong protest in Jamia Millia Islamia campus. National General Secretary Lubaib Basheer, who led the protest, was attacked by the Delhi Police. pic.twitter.com/k3TrkY0aKy
No arrests have been made so far. According to Delhi Police, after getting the information, the administration removed all of them. No action was initiated because the protest happened inside the campus and no official complaint was given to the police.
In a viral video, some people at Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia tried to protest on the University campus on the evening of 22 January. After getting the information, the administration removed all of them. No action initiated because the protest happened inside the campus and no…
On its part, the Jamia Millia Islamia administration claimed that academic activity was not disrupted because of the “protest” adding that the situation is under control.
An official of the University said, “There were 2-3 students who raised slogans and showed placards yesterday. When we got the knowledge, the students were removed from the place. The University is further looking into the matter.”
There were 2-3 students who raised slogans and showed placards yesterday. When we got the knowledge, the students were removed from the place. The University is further looking into the matter: Jamia Millia Islamia University Official
Notably, yesterday on 22nd January, the nation marked Diwali-like celebrations when Shri Ram Lalla returned to His Birthplace after a long wait of 5 centuries. The Ram Mandir is being constructed on Ram Janmabhoomi after it was demolished by henchmen of Mughal invader Babar in 1528. A disputed structure that was built on the illegally usurped land was demolished on 6th December 1992. After nearly 500 years of struggle on all fronts and over 30 years of legal proceedings in top courts of India, the Supreme Court ruled the Ram Janmabhoomi in favour of Ram Lalla – a deity who is a juristic personality as per law. Additionally, the court used its special powers to allocate 5 acres of land on an alternate site in a prominent place in Ayodhya for Muslims to construct a mosque.
Renowned fashion brand H&M had to take down an image which was part of its advertisement campaign which included children, after being accused of sexualising underage girls.
The Swedish fashion brand faced flak across social media platforms for its advertisement launched in Australia which showed two school girls in school uniforms with the caption: “Make those heads turn in H&M’s Back to School fashion.”
The brand then removed the ad and issued an apology. “We have removed this ad. We are deeply sorry for the offence this has caused and we are looking into how we present campaigns going forward,” the H&M spokesperson said.
An Australian writer Melinda Tankard Reist wrote on X, “Why would you want to fuel the idea that little girls should draw attention to their looks, bodies and ‘style’? Perhaps have a word to your marketing team and come up with something that doesn’t draw attention to pre-pubescent girls already struggling to thrive in a culture that values ‘lookism’ as an aspirational goal?”
Another X user, a psychologist, Dr Pam Spurr, wrote, “Let’s BOYCOTT H&M until they remove the offensive AD & donate to a child protection charity! We can stop their PEDOPHILE AD spreading to other countries @hm & @hmaustralia We DON’T want children used in this very dangerous way #BoycottHM #LeaveTheKidsAlone.”
Let's BOYCOTT H&M until they remove the offensive AD & donate to a child protection charity!
We can stop their PEDOPHILE AD spreading to other countries @hm & @hmaustralia ?
— Dr Pam Spurr Psychologist and Artist (@DrPamSpurr) January 18, 2024
GB News panellist Adam Brooks took to X and wrote, “H&M is forced to pull ‘sexualised’ school uniform advert featuring two young girls in pinafores with the slogan. “Make those heads turn” ? This was no mistake, this campaign would have had to go through many people to be signed off,why would people turn heads for kids??..sick.”
H&M is forced to pull ‘sexualised’ school uniform advert featuring two young girls in pinafores with the slogan
“Make those heads turn” ?
This was no mistake, this campaign would have had to go through many people to be signed off,why would people turn heads for kids??..sick. pic.twitter.com/vRCAoJkmHI
Meanwhile, an exclusive report by The Daily Mail has claimed that H&M is still promoting adverts that feature children with the tagline “make those heads turn” even after it was forced to pull out a picture of two underage girls in uniform with the same tagline.
The report reads, “One advert, which appears to be from the same ‘Back to School’ campaign and has the same tagline, is still up on the brand’s Instagram, despite it apology and assurance that it had removed the ad that sparked controversy.”
In another such advert, a video shows two young girls turning to look as a young boy walks past and it is caption, “How to make those heads turn on the first day of school”.
According to The Daily Mail report, another post on the H&M Kids page shows a little girl wearing a black tulle dress as the company plugged its Halloween range back in October.
The caption reads: ‘From glamorous divas to stylish trendsetters, get ready to turn heads and make this Halloween the best yet.’
On 22nd January, Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal tendered an unconditional apology to Major General MS Ahluwalia (Retd) for a 2001 story published in Tehelka accusing the General of corruption in the defense procurement process. After 22 years, the Delhi High Court court ordered Tejpal and Bahal to apologise to Major General Ahluwalia (Retd) by publishing a notice in an English Newspaper. Furthermore, the court ordered the duo to pay compensation amounting to Rs 10 Lakh each. The order was passed in a defamation case filed by Major General Ahluwalia against the duo.
Source: Hindustan Times Delhi Edition Dated 22nd January 2024. Page 11. Classified section.
In the public notice tugged on Page 11 of Hindustan Times’ Delhi edition under the Classified section, the apology read, “We, Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal, tender an unconditional apology to Major General M. S. Ahluwalia (Retd.) for a media story dated 13th March 2001, by M/s Tehelka.com. In this undercover journalistic investigation on corruption in the defence procurement process, Operation Westend, in which dozens of people, including officials and politicians, were prosecuted and subsequently indicted by the courts, it was stated that Major-General M. S. Ahluwalia (Retd) had accepted a bribe of Rs 50,000 from reporter Mr Mathew Samuel in the presence of the Late Lt-Colonel Syal. Further, the videotape and transcript indicated that Major-General Ahluwalia had demanded Blue Label whisky and ten lakhs of rupees. We clarify that in the meeting in November 2000 at Major-General Ahluwalia’s house, neither did Major-General Ahluwalia ask nor accept a bribe or blue label whisky, and we unconditionally apologise for the error in the transcript /tape.”
Tejpal and Bahal admitted to falsely framing Retired Major General
On 12th January, Tejpal and Bahal admitted before the Delhi High Court that retired Indian Army official Major General MS Ahluwalia neither asked for nor accepted any bribe. They admitted to falsely framing Ahluwalia and said they were ready to publish an unconditional apology in leading newspapers like the Hindustan Times for defaming a decorated Army officer in the year 2001. The duo also agreed to deposit Rs 10 lakh each with the Delhi High Court.
Notably, Ahluwalia filed a defamation case against Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel in 2002 after the magazine falsely accused him of taking bribes in defense deals in its sting operation ‘Operation West End’.
Major General (retd) M S Ahluwalia had named Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel, saying they published false allegations against him. Zee TV, its chairman Subhash Chandra and CEO Sandeep Goyal were also named in the defamation case, as the sting operation was broadcast on Zee TV.
In March 2001, Tarun Tejpal’s newly found media organisation Tehelka decided to “uncover” corruption in political and defense establishments. They floated a fake company called ‘West End International’ and set out to sell hand-held thermal cameras/ imagers to the Government of India. The undercover investigation spanned several months.
In the sting, Ahluwalia was offered a bribe of ₹50,000, but he refused to accept it. However, it was alleged that he had said he would need money to introduce West End officials to top army brass.
Tehelka had also claimed that the army officer had demanded a bottle of Blue Label whiskey. MS Ahluwalia had denied the allegations made by Tehelka. He said that when Tehelka did the sting, he was not involved in any post related to the selection or purchase of imported weapons.
As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from the service. Later, the punishment was downgraded, and the army chief awarded him Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’.
JJK (Mya), a popular X (formerly Twitter) account known for posting ‘anime’ and Jujutsu Kaisen’manga’, is being abused on the micro-blogging platform for hailing Lord Ram.
On Monday (22nd January), the handle wrote in Hindi, “Jai Shri Ram.” The development coincided with the Pran Prathistha of the Ram Mandir at the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.
Soon after, the X account was abused with the choicest of expletives. The user became the victim of the ‘cancel culture’ and lost an estimated 10,000 followers after expressing his allegiance to Hinduism.
Some X users were seen justifying the abuses directed at JJK (Mya). “If you want to know more context as to why hella muslims unfollowed, it isn’t because he’s hindu only. read,” one ‘Clint’ wrote.
“I refuse to accept that everyone crying about “hinduphobia” has zero understanding about why people would be upset about this person saying “jai shree ram” today. The temple is nothing more than symbol of the fascist govt and its celebration is a slap to democracy,” another X user posted.
I refuse to accept that everyone crying about "hinduphobia" has zero understanding about why people would be upset abt this person saying "jai shree ram" today. The temple is nothing more than symbol of the fascist govt and it's celebration is a slap to democracy. https://t.co/6BPLUxCN7v
One ‘Corn’ alleged, “You are all very ignornant saying anyone unfollowing him is racist. If you are wondering why he getting unfollowed its because he posted this on the same day as as this.”
You are all very ignornant saying anyone unfollowing him is racist.
One ‘nana’ tweeted, “If you celebrate the ayodhya mandir being inaugurated on a national level as some sort of joyous occasion instead of the degradation of democracy and the uprising of mainstream islamophobia then you’re truly sanghi scum. read on your history on the babri masjid demolition.”
if you celebrate the ayodhya mandir being inaugurated on a national level as some sort of joyous occasion instead of the degradation of democracy and the uprising of mainstream islamophobia then you’re truly sanghi scum. read on your history on the babri masjid demolition. https://t.co/9kZtJzJKyxpic.twitter.com/MwZoxl3Rl2
“The biggest Jujutsu Kaisen account in the world is one of us! He lost 10k+ followers just for expressing his belief. Let’s show him some love,” the popular manga handle received overwhelming support from the Hindu community.
The biggest Jujutsu Kaisen account in the world is one of us! He lost 10k+ followers just for expressing his belief. Let's show him some love. https://t.co/Lw8e6uxziu
— Indian Leftists Posting Their Ls Online (@LeftistLs) January 22, 2024
One X user informed that JJK (Mya) supported children of Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war and that Muslims who supported him then are now insulting his Faith.
“Always supported innocent children of Gaza Yet some community people have problem with him tweeting this…” the user added.
“This guy was a typical woke anime watching person but if these kind of people are becoming Hindu conscious then it’s truly a sign of Hindu reawakening,” wrote one Ahirwal Ahir
This guy was a typical woke anime watching person but if these kind of people are becoming Hindu conscious then it's truly a sign of Hindu reawakening.
And this reawakening will keep getting solid thanks to the 200 million Muslims who're not going anywhere.
In a tweet, the Jujutsu Kaisen ‘manga’ fan account posted, “It’s an auspicious day to me & my fellow countrymen. So I’ll just ignore the hate & racist comments I’ve received for just exhibiting my belief in my lord & religion.”
Screengrab of the tweet
“But thank you for all the support & warm msgs. Please spread love if possible. Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai,” JJK (Mya) concluded.
Odisha police Special Operations Group (SOG) engaged in an exchange of fire with a group of Nazals on the State’s Kandhamal Boudh border in Matakupa reserve forest, police said.
The exchange of fire that lasted more than 30 minutes occurred on Monday afternoon.
The area falls under the Sagada Outpost of Manmunda police station in Boudh district.
Following the exchange of fire, the group of Naxals retreated, leaving behind a few camp articles and a sophisticated weapon.
Odisha police suspect that some Naxals might have sustained injuries during the confrontation.
As per information from the police, the Naxals belong to the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division.
More SOG teams have been sent for the operation while the search and combing operation continues, said police.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam’s Guwahati, during Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. A large number of police were present at the scene to stop the yatra.
Police have barricaded the area and the route. Yatra was not allowed from the centre of Guwahati city so there were heavy police deployments.
#WATCH | A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam's Guwahati, during Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra reached Guwahati, Assam today. Congress workers were trying to trespass the police barricading and enter Guwahati city.
Rahul Gandhi was seen standing on the roof of the bus trying to speak to his cadre. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the workers from the site.
Meanwhile, heavy security was deployed at Khanapara Area, the entry point of Guwahati for the Yatra earlier this morning.
Amid the rift with Assam Chief Minister, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that efforts are being made to enslave students of North East and India, adding “There is no need for any student to be afraid.”
He also alleged that the Home Minister of the country picked up the phone and called CM Himanta and said that Rahul Gandhi should not meet the students of Assam.
“We are being stopped everywhere. The Home Minister of the country picked up the phone and called CM Himanta and said that Rahul Gandhi should not meet the students of Assam. That’s not important whether Rahul Gandhi comes here or not. What’s important is that the students must be allowed to listen to whomever they want to. But it is not happening in any schools and colleges in Assam. You are being told that you cannot speak your language. You are being told that you cannot have your history,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared that he has instructed Assam police to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd and causing disruption in law and order. “Your unruly behavior and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now”, he posted on X responding to a video shared by Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV.
These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture. I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h
As of now, clashes between Assam police personnel and Congress workers are still going on as Congress workers try to break the barricading and enter Guwahati city. More details are awaited.
Star Australia batter Glenn Maxwell was embarrassed after suffering a fall while watching former Australia players perform with pub band ‘Six and Out’ in Adelaide on Friday last week.
Cricket Australia connected with the all-rounder and asked him whether he had suffered any injuries or not after the accident. Maxwell manager Ben Tippett asserted that the player is a little embarrassed after this incident. He said that Maxwell was a bit sore but now he has started training in Melbourne from Monday.
“Glenn is a little embarrassed by the whole thing. He was a bit sore and sorry on Saturday, but he’s back in Melbourne and resumed training yesterday. He’s not under investigation by Cricket Australia,” Tippett was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Selection committee chairman George Bailey sat with Maxwell on Monday in order to talk about the incident. Both Bailey and national cricket team head coach Andrew McDonald were not informed about the accident earlier. They came across this on Monday when they sat together in order to decide the squad for the T20I series against West Indies.
Maxwell is not part of Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies. He has not been included in the three-match ODI series against the Caribbean starting from February 2 in order to manage the workload amid his involvement in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). But Cricket Australia informed that the star all-rounder will return for the T20Is starting from February 9.
“It is not related to him being replaced in the one-day squad, a decision that was purely based on workload management following the BBL. Maxwell will return for the Twenty20 Series,” the CA stated.
In November 2022, Maxwell suffered a leg injury after an ‘innocuous incident’ at a friend’s party and missed a World Cup match.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting Meghalaya as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, has become a lover of the state’s pineapples, claiming they are the best he has ever tasted. While praising the pineapples in Meghalaya, he lied and indicated that the infrastructural development had not reached the state to make it economically and socially stable. Gandhi also questioned why the fruits from the state were not being exported to other countries.
“Today, while driving here, we stopped and tasted some pineapples. A daughter and a mother were selling pineapples on the side of the road. In my entire life, I have never had such delicious pineapples. Immediately after I had it, I called up my mother and said I am bringing some of the best pineapples in the world for you,” the Congress leader said.
Rahul Gandhi went on to ask, “Why isn’t the best-tasting pineapple in the world available to the entire world, and why are the farmers in the states not benefiting from selling it to the rest of the world?” He indicated that the world can’t have these pineapples because infrastructure has not been developed.
In my entire life, I have never tasted a pineapple more delicious than what I tasted here in Meghalaya.
I have a few questions:
1. Why isn't the best-tasting pineapple available to the entire world? 2. Why is the best-tasting pineapple in the world not being sold in London,… pic.twitter.com/qlPIXh18Mf
The Congress leader stated that we must create a new vision for India that offers farmers and small businesses with facilities to export their products around the world. Rahul Gandhi eventually attempted to spread false information against the current ruling government ahead of the 2024 General Elections. He indicated that the citizens of the state were not benefiting due to a lack of infrastructural development.
However, Gandhi ignored the fact that India has been exporting pineapples from Meghalaya to various places in the Gulf. The state government in August 2023 stated that the pineapples from the state have been gaining more and more popularity within and outside the country. Malls across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Kuwait have been selling these pineapples.
Meghalaya offers a vast range of agroclimatic conditions, resulting in a wide range of agricultural and horticultural goods. These crops, which are farmed in traditional ways by local populations, are typically naturally organic. These elements contribute to the state’s produce gradually becoming known for its particular quality and taste. Produce such as Lakadong turmeric, GI-tagged Khasi mandarin, and Kew pineapples are more popular in Meghalaya.
Meghalayan pineapples have significantly lower pesticide and heavy metal residues than mainland Indian pineapples. In addition, they taste less acidic and much sweeter. Pineapples have a Brix value of 16-18, indicating their sweetness. Pineapples are Meghalaya’s One District One Product for the Ri Bhoi and East Garo Hills districts.
The spectacular display celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wahda Mall featured the tastiest pineapples from Meghalaya as the centerpiece. The prominent Lulu Group is marketing these pineapples in several Gulf markets.
As per the reports, these pineapples’ trip from the verdant slopes of the Garo Hills to the sandy coastline of the UAE has been both arduous and fruitful. Jamge Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) from Songsak C&RD Block in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district has successfully exported pineapples in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA).
The government recognises the importance that processing perishable horticulture produce (such as pineapples) can play in increasing shelf life and accessing new markets. Efforts are also being made to increase processing capacity and infrastructure in the state through local farmer collectives.
The government is also training farmer collectives on how to aggregate, grade, sort, and package pineapples for regular export. Over 5.2 MT of pineapples from these farmer collectives have been distributed to Reliance outlets in Assam in three weeks. Ringgi Demdema Organic Farmer Producer Company from West Garo Hills has also engaged in similar marketing activities for a 12 MT cargo to Varanasi via ‘DeHaat Seeds to Market’.
Meghalaya contributes over 8% of India’s pineapple production, making it a key player in India’s agriculture map. Beyond its focus on pineapple, the Government of Meghalaya has launched several programs to enhance farmer lives and double their revenue. So far, mission mode interventions have been used for a variety of products such as Lakadong turmeric, honey, aroma, ginger, spice, pepper, Khasi Mandarin, piggery, and more. In addition, to improve value chain support, the government has established approximately 200 CMC as one-stop shops for assisting farmers, and primary farmgate infrastructure is being built to serve as nodes for produce aggregation, processing, and marketing in the project’s villages and clusters.
Earlier on January 22, Monday, PM Narendra Modi completed the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Bhavya Ram Mandir. Several saints, seers and dignitaries from all walks of life reached Ayodhya to celebrate Shri Ram Lalla’s homecoming. Now that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is completed, all these guests will visit various places in Ayodhya under tight security. One such must-visit place in Ayodhya is the Mani Parvat.
At a distance of 3 km from Ayodhya Junction, Mani Parvat is a tiny hillock situated in Kami Ganj in Ayodhya. It is one of the popular religious places to visit in the holy town. According to Ramayana, to heal Lakshman, who had been injured in a battle by Ravana’s son Meghnath, Lord Hanuman is said to have uprooted a whole mountain that had the revitalizing sanjeevani booti. It’s thought that a portion of the mountain fell in Ayodhya. This mound or the hillock came to be known as Mani Parvat. Mani Parvat lies close to another hill called Sugriv Parvat.
Besides this, there exist numerous legends from the region that describe the origins of the Mani Parvat. Some believe that King Janak, the father of Goddess Sita had gifted a lot of gold and jewels to Sita when she got married to Lord Ram. Raja Dashrath, however, was not greedy for the wealth Sita got with her and ordered that it be stored in the southern direction of the Ram Koth. The quantity of the jewels was so much that they transformed into a hill and this hill came to be known as Mani Parvat.
Another story is that Mata Sita once urged Prabhu Shri Ram to provide her with a place where she could hang around with her sakhis (friends). Shri Ram, in turn, asked Garud to get a portion of a hill from the Vaikunth parvat. As ordered by his master, Garud brought a small hillock from the Vaikunth Parvat and placed it in Ayodhya. This hill was then used to store all the jewels King Janak gifted Sita and started being referred to as Mani (Jewels) Parbat (Hill). Over time, several attempts have been made to deface this sacred site.
According to legend, Lord Buddha gave his sermons about the Law of Dharma from Mani Parvat during his six-year sojourn in Ayodhya. The hillock also houses a stupa built by Emperor Ashoka and a Buddhist monastery.
The OpIndia team visited this spectacular place in the holy town. Mani Parvat is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is built at 65 feet above sea level. The priest at the Mani Parvat Temple here, while speaking to OpIndia, said that this was the same spot where Lord Ram and Goddess Sita enjoyed swinging together. Until today, every year, during the month of Shravan, the ‘Jhulan Utsav’ of Ram Sita which is celebrated all across Ayodhya, begins from Mani Parvat.
When the OpIndia crew visited this holy location, we were horrified to discover dargahs constructed on three of its sides. By looking at the construction and the paint on the walls, one could easily make out that these structures had come up recently. Besides, we saw that the construction of a new dargah was also underway. We also saw many concrete graves made over some ancient structures in the vicinity.
Image source: Hindi OpIndia
Folk songs on holy Mani Parvat are still sung by women in Ayodhya and the nearby villages. One of these folk tunes has the words “Jhalua pada mani parvat pay… Jhulay jabay na hum sakhi”, which can be roughly translated as “I’ll go to Maniparvat and swing with my friends because there’s a swing there.” These folk songs were played on tape recorders in every home back in the old days. You may still listen to these old folk tunes on YouTube. Devotees from around the nation gather for a fair on Maniparvat every Sawan, even today.
Hazrat Sheesh Alhai Salam’s mazar situated on the southern fringe of Mani Parvat Temple.
The Hazrat Sheesh Alaihis Salam Dargah is located on the southern side of the temple in Mani Parvat. This dargah is less than a hundred meters away from this sacred site. Saying that this place is almost adjacent to the Mani Parvat temple boundary wall would not be incorrect.
Moreover, a signboard bearing the name and directions to the dargah has been installed on the main road. The names and mobile numbers of Maulana Mohammad Asif Firdausi and Halal Ahmed are also mentioned on the board.
We saw a Maruti Ertiga car parked outside the dargah with a Gujarat registration number. All sides of this white dargah were surrounded by concrete walls. Notably, extensive clearance work was taking place in the Dargah’s environs leading to the Dargah’s expansion.
Image source: Hindi OpIndia
More than half a dozen tombs are made along the boundary
There were roughly five Muslim individuals inside the Dargah when the OpIndia team went in. This dargah is composed of at least five distinct sections, each housing more than six tombs. Some of these tombs were about the size of an average human being, while the length of one particular tomb was about 10 feet.
These tombs had names of Hazrat Baba Jalil Naqshbandi, Naziruddin Qadri Baghdadi Mazar, Iran’s Princess Hazrat Biwi Syeda Zahida, Hazrat Sheesh Mazar, Hazrat Sheesh Ki Begum and her children etc. inscribed on them. When we visited the tomb, we learned that Princess Syeda Zahida of Iran had visited this place and settled here after that.
Image source: Hindi OpIndia
Hazrat Sheesh’s dargah has existed since the world came into existence: Local Khadim makes bizarre assertions
This place’s Khadim claimed that the Dargah has existed since the creation of the universe. According to him, Hazrat Sheesh is the third son of his prophet Hazrat Adam and the first human being in mankind. He made another bizarre claim that Hazrat Sheesh was seventy yards (210 feet) tall which is almost the height of Mani Parvat.
The Khadim further said that Hazrat Sheesh’s grave ought to be as old as the Mani Parvat. Khadim added that visitors to the Dargah came from all around the country and outside as well. Khadim asserted that these individuals also included local leaders. Every year, Urs is also held here. Funds are provided to the staff of this dargah to support its upkeep.
Khadim and his aides (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
Kotwal Baba’s dargah on the eastern side of Mani Parvat Mandir
Another dargah was discovered in Maniparvat’s eastern region when OpIndia was exploring the area. This Dargah was constructed by enveloping a tree. They had built a high platform and placed a concrete tomb on it. Named, the Dargah of Kotwal Baba, the structure had been painted green and a new chadar was placed on it. A tap had also been installed in the tomb.
Kotwal Baba Dargah (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
Another tomb named Syed Shah Baba was also constructed next to Dargah of Kotwal Baba. A Muslim woman looks after these dargahs. The woman said that both the dargahs were built by her husband while he was alive. At present the woman is getting a pension from the government.
Syed Shah Baba mazar (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
While talking to locals we learnt that Kotwal Baba was a former police officer who had been posted at the Ayodhya police station. The house of the woman who takes care of these two dargahs was about 3 kilometres away from here. Moreover, we learnt that every year, Urs is celebrated at the Kotwal Baba dargah in which a lot of donations are collected. It is claimed that people from as far as Nepal visit this Dargah.
It is said, that the caretakers of the dargah are gradually removing all the trees from the forest that borders this dargah.
On the northern fringe of Mani Parvat lies the Shamshuddin Shah Baba mazar
On the northern side of Mani Parvat, there is another dargah called Hazrat Ali Syed Shamshuddin Shah Baba. This dargah is also constructed surrounding a tree. This Dargah is situated at the foot of the stairs that descend from Mani Parvat. It is constructed on a high cemented platform and is also painted green. There are stairs leading up to the high cement platform.
There’s a green sheet covering the tomb made on an elevated structure. In the open space next to Dargah Hazrat Ali Syed Shamshuddin Shah Baba, another dargah has been constructed. Though the name board of this particular shrine is not visible it appeared well maintained. We could not, however, spot any caretakers at either of these places.
Hazrat Ali Syed Shamshuddin Shah Baba mazar (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
Mass graves found in this region
Between Sheesh, Shamshuddin, and Kotwal Baba, the three dargahs mentioned above, hundreds of graves made of concrete are visible. By the look of it, one can make out that these have been recently constructed. Below these newly constructed tombs, one can also see some old constructions. Additionally, there are some Arabic inscriptions on these tombs. These tombs appeared to be freshly painted in green.
The caretaker of Hazrat Sheesh Dargah claimed that the entire area is a functioning graveyard where local Muslims are still buried. In a nutshell, Mani Parvat’s western and southern regions are home to mass graves.
Tombs built on old constructions (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
New dargah coming up in Ganesh Kund
While the present administration is working around the clock to modernise Ayodhya, preparation to build new dargahs inside the pilgrimage destination is also happening in full swing. When the OpIndia team was exploring the area near the Kotwal Baba Dargah we noticed another area called the Ganesh Kund. Ganesh Kund has recently been beautified by the Uttar Pradesh Government Tourism Department.
In one location, close to Ganesh Kund, we noticed that some soil was dug out. This pile of soil was in the shape of a grave. The woman caretaker of the Kotwal Shah Dargah came over to us when we were inspecting this location and advised us not to touch the soil.
The arrow pointing at Ganesh Kund, the area encircled is where the earth had been excavated was coming up (Image Source: Hindi OpIndia)
The woman said that she wants to build a new dargah at that place, for which money is being raised. The Dargah has already been named Rahmatullah. The woman also claimed that the dream of building Rahmatullah Dargah was that of her late husband, which she wanted to fulfil.
Dargah caretaker (Image Source: Hindi OpIndia)
PAC wing of the UP Police has a large camp next to these tombs
The OpIndia team explored Maniparvat and its environs. The woman looking after Kotwal Shah claimed that there were many more tombs hidden in the shrubs. Adjacent to these shrines are other revered and mythological sites such as Ganesha and Vidyakund, which have a direct connection to Lord Rama. All of them are located in Ayodhya’s primary pilgrimage area or religious city area.
The PAC wing of the Uttar Pradesh Police has a large camp next to these tombs. This camp serves as the soldiers’ housing, parking lot, and storage facility for weapons. Mani Parvat, which is surrounded by mazar on three sides, is not only sacred to Hindus but also highly sensitive to security issues.
Dargah Hazrat Sheesh near Mani Parvat and the Dargah close to Dasharatha Samadhi maintained by the same Muslim family
In its ground report dated January 2, 2024, OpIndia disclosed the existence of a dargah 14 kilometres from Ayodhya City, close to the Raja Dashrath Samadhi site. Subsequently, OpIndia reported that Dargah’s name, Belhari Sharif, originated from its association with the mythological region of Bilwarhari Sharif.
An investigation into the vast Dargah Hazrat Sheesh near Mani Parvat has yielded new information. The family of this Dargah’s Khadim also maintains the Dargah close to Dasharatha Samadhi. Put simply, the same Muslim family is in charge of the dargahs constructed at two different religious places in the holy town of Ayodhya.
