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Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Rahul Gandhi for planning to visit Batadrava Than during Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the Vaishnav monastery asks him to visit later

OpIndia Staff
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Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Rahul Gandhi for planning to visit Batadrava Than during Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the Vaishnav monastery asks him to visit later

On 21st January, the management of Batadrava Than in Assam requested Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to reschedule his visit to the Shrine on 22 January which was scheduled during the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Gandhi was scheduled to visit the shrine on the morning of 22nd January as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

The Vaishnav monastery, which is located at the birthplace of revered Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva, is expecting a large number of devotees to visit the temple given Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha scheduled for 22nd January 2024 at Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The temple administration has asked Gandhi to postpone his visit till 3 PM so that they can properly welcome the Congress leader. However, Congress is adamant about visiting the temple as per their schedule.

The President of the Batadrava Than management committee, Jogendra Narayan Dev Mahanta, said in a statement that there will be logistical challenges if Gandhi visits as per the schedule. He said, “Around 10,000 people are anticipated at the shrine tomorrow. In light of this, we prefer Mr Gandhi’s visit after 3 PM to avoid difficulties during g the welcoming process.” The committee further assured that they were prepared to offer Gandhi a grand welcome if he came at the time suggested by the Temple administration. They have also communicated the same to the local administrative authorities.

The request by the Satra to Rahul Gandhi to reschedule the visit after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed the Congress MP for planning to visit the shrine during the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. He urged Gandhi to consider the broader implications of his visit that coincided with the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Rahul Gandhi was trying to create a competition between two religious places, Ram Mandir and Batadrava Than, saying that it was not desirable. He said that there can be no competition between Lord Ram and Sankardev, a saint revered as an icon in the state. ”We will request Rahul Gandhi not to visit Batadrava on Monday during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple as it will reflect Assam in the wrong light,” the chief minister said at a press conference in Guwahati.

The CM said he has read a report saying that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya, Rahul Gandhi will be present at the Batadrava satra in Assam, adding that it shows Assam in a bad light. ”This is a wrong projection. There is no competition between Ram and Sankardeva and when the nation’s focus is on Ayodhya, it should not be unnecessarily diverted to Assam. We will be grateful if he avoids going to the satra during the Pran Pratistha of the Ram Temple,” he said.

Moreover, Sarma noted that Rahul Gandhi has not been invited by the monastery, and he himself scheduled the visit on 22 January morning. He added that Rahul Gandhi should reschedule the visit. However, he said that he is not issuing any order regarding this, because then Congress will claim that he is putting obstacles on the yatra.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that the Congress party has chosen sensitive areas for the Yatra during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. He said that the route goes through minority-dominated areas of Morigaon, Jagiroad and Nellie, which could have been avoided. ”These areas are sensitive and I cannot discount any law and order situation arising and as such commandos will be deployed along sensitive routes of minority-dominated areas to be taken by Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra on January 22,” he said.

The CM also noted that people of a particular community join the Congress yatra, and it is not a secular event. He said that visiting the Batadrava Than with such kind of supporters during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya may cause problems, and therefore he should visit the revered Satra at a different time.

Despite the requests made by the Temple Administration and CM Sarma, Congress is adamant about visiting the temple as per the original schedule. All India Congress Committee’s General Secretary Jairam Ramesh insisted that there were no attempts to give political colour to Gandhi’s temple visit. He said Gandhi would visit the temple in the morning and continue his BJNY through Morigaon district and into Meghalaya.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra or BJNY or Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 is a 66-day journey that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has taken with several Congress leaders and supporters. The aim is to gather support for the party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, as BJY failed to gather support, which was visible in the results of Assembly Elections in five states in December last year, this Yatra may end up with a similar fate. The journey started from Manipur on 14th January 2024 and is scheduled to cover Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Biar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. While Gandhi walked most of BJY, the Congress leaders were doing the sequel mainly on vehicles.

Gujarat: Stones pelted at Lord Ram Shobha Yatra in Mehsana, Hindu groups say it happened near a mosque, police detain 15 people including women

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Stones pelted at Lord Ram Shobha Yatra in Mehsana, Hindu groups say it happened near a mosque, police detain 15 people including women

On 21st January (Sunday), Gujarat Police officials said that they fired teargas shells at a crowd after it pelted stones at Shobha Yatra of Lord Ram in Mehsana district. Police also detained 15 people in a combing operation adding that the situation is now under control. 

According to news agency PTI, the incident occurred in Kheralu town ahead of the mega ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya tomorrow (22nd January). According to the Police, when the procession was passing through the Hatadiya area in Belim Vas of Kheralu, stones were pelted at the procession. Notably, Belim Vas is a Muslim locality.

Video clips of the incident are going viral on social media in which several miscreants can be seen pelting stones from rooftops. In one of the videos that has surfaced, a crowd of people involved in the yatra can be seen standing while a police jeep is also seen nearby. Some women and youths are seen throwing stones from the roof of a nearby building. Soon the women leave and some other young men come with blunt objects in their hands. They are also throwing stones at the Yatra. 

Inspector General of Police Virendra Singh Yadav said that three shells had to be fired to control the situation.

The IG said, “Fifteen people have been rounded up after a combing operation at the site. The police personnel accompanying the shobha yatra took immediate action to avert any (further) incident and brought the situation under control.” 

He added that no one seems to have been seriously injured in the stone pelting. The situation at the spot is peaceful, and police patrolling has been intensified in the area.

Hindu organisations assert that the stones were pelted on the Shobha Yatra when it reached a mosque. 

According to the information, a procession of Lord Ram was taken out in Kheralu of Mehsana ahead of the grand consecration ceremony in Ayodhya at Shri Ram’s birthplace. A large number of Ram devotees including women and children had joined the Shobha yatra. Meanwhile, the Kheralu police also joined the Yatra to ensure that no untoward incident took place. 

But when the Shobha Yatra reached the mosque in the Hatadiya area, stone pelting was reported with people throwing stones from their rooftops in the Muslim neighbourhood.

To get more information on this matter, OpIndia contacted Visnagar Bajrang Dal coordinator Pratik Dave. Giving information about the incident, he said, “At present, the situation is tense in Kheralu. The Hindus of Kheralu organised a procession to celebrate the arrival of Lord Rama. The procession was passing through a Muslim-populated Hatadiya area. Meanwhile, the incident took place as soon as they reached the mosque. This kind of incident has already happened here before. Women were also among the stone pelters. As if they had no fear of the police, they pelted stones on the Yatra in the presence of the police.”

Giving more details, a Bajrang Dal activist said, “The yatra was passing peacefully. As soon as they reached the mosque in the Hatadiya area, a group of women and men started pelting stones from the rooftop. Women were sitting in 2 tractors during the journey. There was chaos due to the sudden attack. Some people were also injured in the journey. Before even the police present there realised anything, stones started pelting. It is being said that the police have also received minor injuries.”

“11-day Anushthan an act of sacrifice and submission to Prabhu Shri Ram”, President Droupadi Murmu conveys heartfelt wishes in a letter to PM Modi on the eve of Pran Pratishtha

OpIndia Staff
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“11-day Anushthan an act of sacrifice and submission to Prabhu Shri Ram”, President Droupadi Murmu conveys heartfelt wishes in a letter to PM Modi on the eve of Pran Pratishtha

On the eve of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her heartfelt wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter expressing the uninhibited expression before the much-awaited grand ceremony. She described the Ram Mandir inauguration as an uninhibited expression of the eternal soul of India. 

In the letter, President Droupadi Murmu hailed PM Modi’s ardent devotion towards Shri Ram and highlighted the 11-day-long ‘Yama Niyam’ he has been following before performing Puja rituals for Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla. 

Lauding his devotion to Lord Ram, President Murmu described the 11-day rigorous Anushthan as a supreme spiritual act of sacrifice and submission to Prabhu Shri Ram. 

She noted that every step taken by PM Modi in the hallowed halls of Ram Mandir would accomplish a unique civilisation journey. 

She added, “As you head to Ayodhya Dham, I send my heartfelt wishes to you.” 

Describing the palpable excitement and unbound devotion ahead of the mega-consecration ceremony, the President writes, “The nationwide celebratory atmosphere around the inauguration of the grand temple of Prabhu Shri Ram in Ayodhya Dham is an uninhibited expression of the eternal soul of India. We all are fortunate to witness the commencement of a new cycle in the resurgence of our nation.”

(Letter sourced from President’s X handle)

President Droupadi Murmu also highlighted the universal values of Prabu Shri Ram like courage, compassion, and constant focus on duty adding that the Ram Mandir will take people closer to these values. 

She further added, “Prabhu Shri Ram signifies the best aspects of our cultural and spiritual heritage. Above all, He represents the good which is in constant battle with evil. His life and principles have influenced many episodes of our history and inspired nation-builders.” 

President Murmu noted that Mahatma Gandhi Ji derived strength from Ramanama till his last breath. She also mentioned Mahatma Gandhi’s quote where he asserted that Ram naam saved him in his toughest of times. 

He had once said, “Though my reason and heart long age realised the highest attribute and name of God as Truth, I recognise Truth by the name of Rama. In the darkest hour of my trial, that one name has saved me and is still saving me,” as highlighted in the President’s letter to PM Modi. 

She added, “Prabhu Shri Ram’s message of treating everyone with love and dignity, irrespective of their social background, also appealed to the intellect of path-breaking thinkers.” 

(President Droupadi Murmu highlights how Modi government is working for all communities equally including Tribals, drawing inspiration from Prabhu Shri Ram)

Drawing parallels and highlighting how the Union government under PM Modi has taken inspiration from Prabhu Ram’s values and doing welfare of all communities equally including the Tribal community. She gave the recent example where PM Modi invoked Mata Shabari while extending benefits to the Tribal community. 

In the letter, she added, “His focus on justice and the welfare of the people, too, is reflected in the governance outlook of our country. In fact, as an illustration of this, you recently released the first installment of various benefits to the people of vulnerable tribal communities under the PM-JANMAN initiative. It was heartening to see you invoke Mata Shabari in your address on that occasion as well. Indeed, she would be doubly happy to see Prabhu Shri Ram’s temple as well as the welfare of the people. Prabhu Shri Ram is an embodiment of all that is good about this land of ours indeed, about humanity at large. May He guide the world on the right path: may He bring peace and bliss to one and all!” 

She concluded by hailing Prabhu Shri Ram stating, “Siyavar Ramachandra Ki Jai!” 

“We are not anti-Modi but Modi’s admirers”, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati praises PM Modi for reawakening Hindu’s self-respect, says media painted him ‘anti-Modi’

OpIndia Staff
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“We are not anti-Modi but Modi’s admirers”, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati praises PM Modi for reawakening Hindu’s self-respect, says media painted him ‘anti-Modi’

On the eve of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him brave and one who stands firmly for the Hindus. 

Speaking with News agency ANI, the Shankaracharya of JyotirMath asserted that there has not been any Prime Minister in independent India who has been so brave and stood firmly for Hindus as PM Modi did. He added that the self-respect of Hindus has awoken after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister noting that it is not a small feat. 

He said, “The truth is, with Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister, Hindus’ self-respect has awoken. This is not a small thing. We have said it several times publically, we are not anti-Modi but Modi’s admirers. We admire him because which other Prime Minister in independent India has been so brave, someone who stands firm for the Hindus?… We are not criticising anyone but he is the first such PM who supports Hindu sentiments..”

The Shankaracharya blamed the media for portraying him as anti-Modi. He also highlighted and lauded several achievements of the Modi government including abrogation of Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act, Swachhta Abhiyan, and maintaining Law and order among other things adding that they welcome all these achievements of the Modi government. 

He added, “As Hindus, we are against? What are you saying? You, the media, have just one agenda – prove us anti-Modi. Tell me, when the PM, through his Home Minister, abrogated Article 370, didn’t we welcome it?…”

Earlier, he gave a string of interviews to left-wing portals and BBCs of the world where he had criticised PM Modi and the scheduled mega-event of Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha on 22nd January. In his interaction with leftist portals, he had earlier claimed that as a Prime Minister of a secular country, PM Modi couldn’t participate in the mega-consecration ceremony.

Additionally, in his interactions, he accused the Ram Mandir Trust of not following Hindu scriptures in the historic event adding that it shouldn’t have been done in an “incomplete Ram Mandir”. 

Further, he had recently written a letter to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust where he objected to the Pran Pratishtha of a new idol of Shri Ram in place of the existing idol of Shri Ram Lalla which was discovered at the Ram Janmabhoomi in 1949.

Notably, a clarification has already been issued by the trust in this regard nearly a year ago. The row came at a time when the controversy over the Shankaracharya’s refusal to attend the Pran Pratishtha had barely settled.

However, following his interviews with leftists and Hindu-baiters, he faced a massive backlash from Hindus who highlighted the past incidences of the ones to whom he sat for interviews to criticise PM Modi. Now, on the eve of the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha, he has showered praises on PM Modi. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Sunday (21st January), the Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) plea filed by four law students challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to declare a holiday on 22nd January, the day of the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The petitioners contended that the Maharashtra government announced an arbitrary holiday and that it was not within the state government’s authority to do so.

Four law students, Shivangi Agarwal, Satyajeet Salve, Vedant Agrawal, and Khushi Bangia, who are pursuing LL.B at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai, and NIRMA Law University, Gujarat, submitted the petition. They sought the revocation of the notification issued by the Maharashtra government on 19th January.

A special bench comprising Justices GS Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale of the High Court rejected the plea filed by the petitioners who had approached the court against the Maharashtra government order, stating that the PIL was a publicity-oriented petition and that the State’s exercise of power is not arbitrary but in accordance with secular principles. “The consistent view of courts is that such decision falls in the realm of executive decision,” the Court ruled.

“It is difficult for us to believe that law students who are yet to enter this profession have made such allegations as mentioned in the petition. We have no doubt that this PIL has been filed for extraneous reasons. It is as rightly contended to us it appears to be absolutely frivolous and does not deserve the attention of the court,” the Bombay High Court bench observed.

The Court further noted that, notwithstanding the petitioners’ challenge to a 1968 Central government notification delegating powers to States to declare such holidays, the notification was not attached to the petition.

“By the notification, the government has declared January 22 as a public holiday in Maharashtra on the occasion of Ram Mandir Pran Partisthan Din. At the outset, we can observe that the notification of May 1968 issued by Home Affairs is challenged and the same is not on record. This notification confers power on State government (to declare holiday),” the bench stated.

The court cautioned the petitioners against pursuing such issues through a PIL but did not impose costs.

Dismissing the plea, the court said, “We intend to caution the petitioners to be more careful when they take it upon themselves to espouse such cause. For these reasons, there is no doubt that this PIL is an abuse of the process of law and we intend to dismiss it with exemplary costs. We refrain ourselves from imposing costs and hope the petitioners will be more careful when appearing in person.”

The court also slammed the students for questioning the wisdom of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhay title suit judgment of 2019. “The petitioners have not even left a single stone unturned where statements are made questioning the wisdom of the Supreme Court in deciding the case. Our judicial conscience is shocked when we see such statements on Supreme Court and more particularly the overtone of a motive which appears to be far far bonafide and in fact appears to be a statement which no prudent litigant would made against the basic secular fabric of this country,” the Court stated in its order.

The High Court also questioned how the petition was reported in media before it was heard.

Appearing for the state govt, Advocate General Birendra Saraf said that it is a policy decision that cannot be subject to judicial scrutiny. He added that declaring a holiday for a religious practice or ceremony is not arbitrary and does not affect the secular fabric of the country. He noted that holidays are regularly declared for religious events, and it does not violate the secular principles of the state. The secular fibre of this country is not fragile and they are known to have celebrated many occasion and this is an occasion where people want to celebrate. But this declaring of holiday is not arbitrary or unconstitutional,” the AG said.

Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas wondered in the court why students were objecting to a holiday. He said in a lighter vein, given that students like holidays.

In a similar order in a special hearing on Sunday, the Madras High Court dismissed a petition against the decision to announce a half-day holiday by Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry on January 22 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The court said that there was no merit in the plea because emergency services will continue even during holiday.

Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha

The consecration ceremony on 22nd January is set to be a grand affair, with a series of rituals and traditions taking place to mark the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla and the official opening of the temple in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 7,000 guests comprising 3,000 VIPs have received invites from the Ram Mandir Trust. There will also be an invitation sent to the families of the karsevaks who lost their lives in the temple movement.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Jairam Ramesh alleges attack on convoy by BJP workers in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma orders police probe

OpIndia Staff
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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Jairam Ramesh alleges attack on convoy by BJP workers in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma orders police probe

On 21st January (Sunday), the Congress party alleged that the convoy of its senior leader Jairam Ramesh was attacked at Jumugurihat in Assam’s Sonitpur district during the party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The party also claimed that the senior Congress leader and people accompanied in his car were “manhandled” by BJP workers during the alleged attack. 

Taking to X, Jairam Ramesh also claimed the same alleging that that the attack was being done at the behest of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

He tweeted, “My vehicle was attacked a few minutes ago at Jumugurihat, Sunitpur by an unruly BJP crowd who also tore off the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra stickers from the windshield. They threw water and shouted anti-BJNY slogans. But we kept our composure, waved to the hooligans, and sped away. This is undoubtedly the Assam CM @himantabiswa’s doing. We are not intimidated and will soldier on.”

Responding to the Congress leader’s allegation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered police to register a case in this matter and probe the allegations. He also tagged Assam DGP in the post.  

Quoting Jairam Ramesh’s post, Assam CM wrote, “Pl register a case and enquire into the allegations @gpsinghips @DGPAssamPolice” 

Following CM Sarma’s direction, the DGP assured to take action in the matter. “Yes Sir. Would take lawful action as directed by your good self,” DGP GP Singh responded.

As per reports, the alleged attack took place ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled rally in Kaliabor in Nagaon district where he is slated to address the crowd. 

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress party had alleged that their vehicles taking part in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra were attacked in Assam’s North Lakhimpur. As per the allegations, the attacks also tore banners and the party blamed BJP workers/supporters for the alleged attack. 

Following the party’s claim, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the party would not be cowed down by such intimidating tactics.

Additionally, Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah said that all hoardings and posters put up to welcome the yatra in the town through which it was to pass on Saturday were torn. According to Borah, party members who had gone to put up posters were thrashed.

However, the allegations were rejected by Assam DGP who said that no vehicles were targeted and the yatra peacefully entered Arunachal Pradesh after its first leg in Assam. 

While responding to Kharge’s post, DGP Singh wrote, “Dear sir, there has been no targeting of any vehicle of any political party, less so of the yatra. @assampolice has made elaborate arrangements for security and L&O for the yatra throughout the state. The yatra has peacefully entered Arunachal Pradesh after the first leg in Assam.”

Notably, Rahul Gandhi-led BJNY began the Assam leg on 18th January and it will continue till 25th January during which it will travel 833 km in 17 districts of the state.

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