On Thursday (21st December), the Union Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the debate in Rajya Sabha on the newly passed Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill 2023. In his address, he specified that no NGO can file a mercy petition on behalf of the convict. He added that one who does not feel remorse does not have a right to file a mercy petition.
Amit Shah’s response came a day after Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal raised the issue of Bandi Sikhs, Balwant Singh Rajoana, Devendrapal Singh Bhuller, Gurdeep Singh Thehra and others. She said that the mercy petitions filed for these convicts have been pending for the last 12 years and the new laws do not have any provisions for their relief. Amit Shah in his response underlined that to ask for mercy, one should first remorse for the crime he has committed.
Amit Shah said, “We have made a lot of provisions regarding the mercy petitions. One can file a mercy petition within 30 days of rejecting a plea in the Supreme Court. No NGO can file a mercy petition on behalf of the convict. One who has committed the crime should feel remorse for the crime and beg for the mercy of the honourable president of India. Then only his mercy petition will be considered valid and will be taken into consideration.”
He further said, “We receive a lot of such mercy petitions in which the criminals say that they do not believe in the constitution of India. Also, some other people file mercy petitions on their behalf. If you do not believe in the constitution of India, then the provisions of mercy petitions do not apply to you. Better you get hanged. One who does not feel remorse does not have a right to file a mercy petition.”
Amit Shah also addressed this issue in the Lok Sabha
While replying to the debate on the bills in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, “There were suggestions regarding the provisions of the mercy petitions. It was said that a ‘third party’ should be given the right to file the mercy petitions. I am strictly against it. If a person who has committed a crime does not feel any remorse for the sin he has committed and has no realisation of what crime he has committed, he has no right to use the word mercy. One who feels remorse for his crimes has the right to ask for mercy.”
Amit Shah said, “Harsimrat Kaur Ji, I understand very well what you want to say. If a person commits terrorist activity, goes to jail, and then says that he does not believe that he has done anything wrong – and we have mercy on that person? I do not agree with this. This can never be done.
Amit Shah was referring to issues raised by Harsimrat Kaur Badal
On 20th December, Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal participated in the debate in Lok Sabha over the three new bills. In her address, she said, “Punjabis and particularly Sikhs are a community who have sacrificed the most for the nation. In the decade of 1980s, the situation in Punjab was not good. A few youths from Punjab went astray in their emotions and took some steps for which they have been imprisoned for the last 28 to 30 years. I am talking about our Bandi Sikhs. Because in the new laws, there is nothing which will enable the Bandi Sikhs to get justice.”
She added, “There were youths like Bhai Rajoana (Balwant Singh Rajoana), Devendrapal Singh Bhuller, and Gurdeep Singh Thehra who took certain steps because of the situation in Punjab. All of them are jailed for the last 28, 30, or 35 years. How can they be imprisoned for so long without any justice? This is a violation of human rights and humanity.”
She further said, “About mercy petitions. it is said in the new laws that only the immediate family of the person can file a mercy petition. Balwant Singh Rajoana has been in a cell of size eight feet by eight feet for the last 28 years. His mercy petition was filed 12 years ago. No decision has yet been taken on the petition by a court or the government. If he has no immediate family, as his parents have died, who will file a mercy petition for him? What kind of law you are bringing in? His prior petition has not been decided for 12 years. Is there any greater injustice than this?”
Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “Balwant Singh Rajoana is 65 now. Other convicts in the Beant Singh murder case get parole and they come out and stay at their homes. Even Rajiv Gandhi’s killers have come out. Society has no problem with them as their conduct in prison was good. But when it comes to Balwant Singh Rajoana, the government says anti-social elements can not be set free – that too after so many years.”
Who is Balwant Singh Rajoana?
Balwant Singh Rajoana is given the death penalty for his role in the assassination of Punjab’s former chief minister Beant Singh. In July 2007, Rajoana was convicted for his involvement in the explosion outside the Punjab civil secretariat that killed Beant Singh. The blast took place on August 31, 1995, outside the Punjab and Haryana civil secretariat in Chandigarh. Along with Punjab’s former chief minister Beant Singh, 16 others were killed in this explosion.
In 2012, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a mercy plea demanding the commutation of the death sentence of Rajoana. In 2019, to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Central Government announced a decision to reduce Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death penalty to life imprisonment and to free eight Bandi Sikhs who remained incarcerated despite having served their sentences. Giani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, has formed a committee to address the matters of Rajoana and other Bandi Singhs with the Prime Minister’s Office by the end of December.
Reactions from the political arena
Reacting to Amit Shah’s recent remarks, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “The demand of releasing Bandi Singhs is within the scope of the Constitution. Shah’s remarks are contrary to the Centre’s notification.”
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Harmeet Singh Kalka, however, said that Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s decision to raise this issue in parliament was unnecessary. He said, “When the issue of Bandi Singhs was being followed by Akal Takht constituted panel, there was no logic of raising it in the Lok Sabha.”
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa commented that Harsimrat’s raising of the issue was a strategy to garner political advantage. While discussing the Bills intended to replace the IPC and the CrPC, Harsimrat suggested amending the provision that currently permits only the convict’s family to file a mercy petition.
“Bete ko hath lagane se pehle baap se baat kar’ (Before laying your hand on the son, speak to his father)” this dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan starrer film “Jawan” released in September this year. The dialogue said by SRK’s character Vikram Rathore was called by his fans an indirect dig at Sameer Wankhede, the former anti-drugs officer in charge of investigating Aryan Khan’s cruise ship drugs case. In a recent interview with MensXP, Sameer Wankhede reacted to the dialogue, calling it ‘roadside.’
“This dialogue sounds very roadside to me. I neither watch movies nor listen to any dialogue. I don’t know anything about this movie. But if someone has targeted this towards me, then I would like to respond to it in English.” Wankhede then quoted another writer and said, “I have burnt many houses and bridges and I have danced on those burnt houses and bridges so I fear no hell, so please don’t scare me,” Wankhede said.
Although Wankhede did not delve into the details of the ongoing case since the matter is sub judice, when asked about his memories with Shah Rukh Khan before the Aryan Khan case, Wankhede said, “2-3 times bhi mulakaat hui, toh bhot cordial type baat hoti thi. He knew me very well and I also knew him very well. But I have no regrets, maine apni duty nibhaayi Bharat mata ke liye.”
Earlier this year, Sameer Wankhede was accused of attempting to extort money from Shah Rukh Khan in exchange for the release of his son, Aryan, from custody. Aryan Khan had been detained for a month following the narcotics bust on the 2021 Cordelia cruise ship. During this time, Sameer produced messages reportedly received by Shah Rukh Khan, claiming that there was no proof to support his claim that he was seeking money from the actor.
Notably, when the trailer of the SRK starrer was released in August this year, Wankhede had written a cryptic post on his X profile which read, “I have licked the fire and danced in the ashes of every bridge I ever burned. I fear no hell from you.-Nicole Lyons. A quote that always inspires me !”
I have licked the fire and danced in the ashes of every bridge I ever burned. I fear no hell from you. -Nicole Lyons A quote that always inspires me !@ABPNews@news24tvchannel@RoflGandhi_
It is worth recalling that on 3rd October 2021, Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, and other 6 people were detained from a luxury cruise liner where a rave party was going on. As per reports, cocaine and ecstasy pills were found on Khan and others with him. The Court had then held that a prima facie case is made out against Khan and other co-accused. However, on 28 October 2023, the Bombay High Court granted Khan and two others bail in the case.
On 22nd December 2023, Rahul Gandhi gave an undertaking to the court agreeing to delete his tweet where he had revealed the identity of a minor victim in his attempt to politicise the 2021 Delhi rape and murder case. In August 2021, a 9-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped and murdered inside a crematorium. Days after the news, Rahul Gandhi had visited the parents of the victim. Thereafter, the Congress leader and his party published pictures and videos revealing the identity of the family of the victim.
Tweet by Rahul Gandhi
After the tweet by Rahul Gandhi, NCPCR took cognisance of the offence committed and wrote to social media platforms to take the tweet down. The NCPCR informed Twitter that Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 prohibits the disclosure of the identity of a minor in any form of media and Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 also stated that no information or photo of a minor should be published in any form of media that revealed the identity of the minor.
According to the complaint, the tweets put out by Rahul Gandhi shared certain personal details about the victim violating Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012, and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act,2015. Hence, the NCPCR asked Twitter to remove the tweets put out by Rahul Gandhi as it was a deprivation and a violation of child rights.
Thereafter, Rahul Gandhi’s tweet had been restricted in India, while in the rest of the world, his tweet was visible.
The current case in the Delhi High Court stems from a plea moved by Makarand Suresh Mhadlekar where he pleaded that the tweet by Rahul Gandhi violated provisions of the JJ Act and POCSO Act.
While it may seem like Rahul Gandhi was merely following the law by agreeing to take his Tweet down, the truth is far from it. The High Court bench had essentially urged Rahul Gandhi to delete the tweet revealing the identity of the minor victim as it said it did not want to pass a judicial order against him. Essentially, the court told Rahul Gandhi that unless he deletes his tweet, the court will pass an order forcing him to comply. It was after this that Rahul Gandhi submitted an undertaking, agreeing to remove posts where he revealed the identity of the minor victim.
The Delhi High Court further instructed the Delhi Police to file a status report in the matter of filing an FIR against Rahul Gandhi in the next 4 weeks and posted the matter for 24th of January 2024.
While the High Court instructed the Delhi Police to file a status report, the conduct of the police and the arguments it presented in court were nothing short of bizarre.
The Delhi Police’s bizarre arguments in a bid to shield Rahul Gandhi
During the hearing, the Delhi Police on Thursday made arguments that left many shell-shocked. The arguments aimed to shield Rahul Gandhi and absolve him of culpability after he revealed the identity of a minor victim.
In court, the counsel for Delhi Police in the matter, Santosh Kumar Tripathi, told the court that the investigation against Rahul Gandhi was underway and there was “a lot of complexity in the matter”.
Further, the Delhi Police shockingly informed the High Court that the victim was not raped or murdered but died due to electrocution.
If this assertion by the Delhi Police was not shocking enough, the Delhi Police went a step further. When asked about the status of the investigation against Rahul Gandhi and the filing of the FIR, the Delhi Police asserted that “unless the first part is proved, which is the main crime, subsequent circulation of anything on Twitter is not a crime. The purpose of Delhi Police is not to scandalise anyone”.
Essentially, the Delhi Police told the court that there was no evidence to prove that the 9-year-old Dalit girl was raped and murdered, and since the original crime has not been proved, Rahul Gandhi committed no crime by revealing the identity of the minor victim by publicly revealing the identity of her family.
Let us keep in mind here that the Delhi Cantonment case of this alleged rape and murder was a wildly politicised one. After the news of the alleged crime broke, Rahul Gandhi travelled to meet the victim’s parents, there were several protests, and the usual tropes about a “priest” raping and killing a Dalit child were furthered to create disaffection against the Hindu community at large by furthering the caste narrative.
In 2021, the Delhi Police said that the child did not die of electrocution as claimed by the accused, but was raped and murdered. In the chargesheet, relying largely on the disclosure statements by the accused, the Delhi Police named 55-year-old Radhey Shyam, the priest of the crematorium in South-West Delhi, and other employees – Kuldeep Singh, Salim Ahmad and Laxmi Narayan, as the accused. The chargesheet claimed that there was sufficient evidence against them.
As per its press release in 2021, the Delhi Police gathered scientific and technical evidence apart from recording testimonies of witnesses before filing its charge sheet. Assistance was taken from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Rohini as well as Delhi Police’s forensic experts on biology and odontology. Forensic psychologists were also engaged during the interrogation of the accused, the Delhi Police stated.
Now, 2.5 years after a 400 page chargesheet was filed in the case claiming that there was sufficient evidence against the 4 accused, the Delhi Police, in a case related to Rahul Gandhi, stated in court yesterday that they had reached the conclusion that there was no rape and murder in the case.
While this revelation was shocking enough, what was far more astounding was the argument that the Delhi Police took, based on this revelation, to shield Rahul Gandhi.
In court, the Delhi Police claimed that since they had concluded that there was no forensic evidence to prove rape and murder, Rahul Gandhi had broken no laws by revealing the victim’s identity.
How the Delhi Police’s argument in the Rahul Gandhi case is legally unsound
The Delhi Police’s argument that because 2.5 years after the FIR was filed, they have concluded that no rape or murder took place, Rahul Gandhi had not broken any law by revealing the identity of the minor victim is legally an unsound opinion. The law has been established as far as the identity of the minor victim is concerned and it has nothing to do with the eventual conviction or acquittal of the accused. This is to say that the eventual outcome of the case in the court of law has no bearing on whether the identity of the minor victim can be revealed or not. Regardless of the outcome, revealing the identity is in contravention of the law.
If the Delhi Police’s argument is to be accepted, then it would mean that till the case reaches its conclusion, which may take years, any individual including the media is free to circulate the identity of the minor victim. This would be against natural justice and the very purpose for which these laws against the revelation of identity have been put in place. The reason the law prohibits the circulation of the identity of a minor victim, regardless of the acquittal or conviction, is because it stigmatises the minor victim. The stigma attached to their identity being revealed is not dependent on the conclusion of the case or evidence of the crime.
There are several laws, provisions and guidelines that prove that the Delhi Police’s position in the case of Rahul Gandhi is legally unsound.
Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
Prohibition on disclosure of the identity of children.
(1) No report in any newspaper, magazine, news sheet or audio-visual media or other forms of communication regarding any inquiry or investigation or judicial procedure, shall disclose the name, address school or any other particular, which may lead to the identification of a child in conflict with the law or a child in need of care and protection or a child victim or witness of a crime, involved in such matter, under any other law for the time being in force, nor shall the picture of any such child be published: Provided that for reasons to be recorded i.n writing, the Board or Committee, as the case may be, holding the inquiry may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the best interest of the child.
(2) The Police shall not disclose any record of the child for the purpose of character certificate or otherwise in cases where the case has been closed or disposed of.
(3) Any person contravening the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or fine which may extend to two lakh rupees or both.”
Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 makes it amply clear that under no circumstances would the identity of a minor victim or even a minor witness of a crime, will be revealed. The law says that no detail that could lead to the identification of the minor victim or witness shall be published in any medium – this would include the identity of the parents of the victim – a detail which was publicised by Rahul Gandhi in the given case. The law provides that contravention of this act would attract a jail sentence of up to 6 months.
Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012
(1) No person shall make any report or present comments on any child from any form of media or studio or photographic facilities without having complete and authentic information, which may have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy.
(2) No reports in any media shall disclose, the identity of a child including his name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or any otherparticulars which may lead to disclosure of the identity of the child: Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court, competent to try the case under the Act, may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child.
(3) The publisher or owner of the media or studio or photographic facilities shall be jointly and severally liable for the acts and omissions of his employee.
(4) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of either description for aperiod which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.”
Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2021 also makes it clear that any circulation of identifiable information, which includes the family details of the minor victim, is punishable by no less than 6 months in jail, which could extend up to 1 year. While this rule mentions the media, it also extends to individuals such as Rahul Gandhi.
Section 228A of the IPC
“Whoever prints or publishes the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 376. section 376A, section 376B, section 376C or section 376D is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.”
Section 228A of the IPC talks about the illegality of disclosing the identity of a victim of sexual assault. While this law is not specifically made for minor victims, it extends to all victims of sexual assault, including minors.
Nipun Saxena v. Union of India
The Nipun Saxena v. Union of India case is set strict guidelines to be followed regarding the identity of victims of sexual assault. These guidelines are widely accepted as the standard in such cases.
The court in this case set out:
1. No person can print or publish in print, electronic, social media, etc. the name of the victim or even in a remote manner disclose any facts which can lead to the victim being identified and which should make her identity known to the public at large.
2. In cases where the victim is dead or of unsound mind the name of the victim or her identity should not be disclosed even under the authorization of the next of kin, unless circumstances justifying the disclosure of her identity exist, whichshall be decided by the competent authority, which at present is the Sessions Judge.
In the Nipun Saxena case, the court makes it clear further that no individual can disclose the identity of the rape victim or any information that can lead to her identity being known to the public at large, which is exactly what Rahul Gandhi did.
In none of these laws or precedents, does the conclusion of the case have any bearing, which is to say, in none of these laws or precedents does it say that an individual is permitted to disclose the identity of the victim and it would not be considered a crime if eventually, the accused are acquitted.
It is, therefore, shocking that the Delhi Police would in court make such an argument that is not supported by the established law of the land. The only conclusion which explains the Delhi Police and its advocate’s argument is that this was a shoddy attempt at shielding Rahul Gandhi from the repercussions of his action since it is evident that he did not want a judicial order to this effect on his record.
Questions that arise from the conduct of the Delhi Police in the Rahul Gandhi matter
There are several questions that arise from the conduct of the Delhi Police and its counsel in the Rahul Gandhi matter.
If the police are saying now that there is no evidence to support that rape and murder occurred, then why did it 2.5 years ago mention in the chargesheet that there was ample evidence to support the claims of rape and murder?
If the victim was indeed electrocuted to death, as the Delhi Police claims now, then why did it in their chargesheet dismiss the accused’s assertions to the same effect?
If they did have ample evidence of the crime in 2021, what changed in the following 2.5 years for them to claim today that no rape or murder took place?
In the past 2.5 years since the chargesheet has been filed, why has the trial in the case not proceeded at all?
If there was indeed no rape and murder, then why did the Delhi Police in the Rahul Gandhi matter insist that they would file their status report in a sealed cover to the court?
If the Delhi Police is filing a closure report in the case, which says that there was no rape, then why did it insist that it does not want the details to be discussed in open court?
Why did the Delhi Police feel compelled to safeguard Rahul Gandhi by misinterpreting the law?
Why did the Delhi Police say in court that it would submit its report to the court in a sealed cover because it did not want to “scandalise anyone”? Who did it think it would scandalise? Rahul Gandhi? Why is that their concern to begin with?
Did the Delhi government actively subvert the law in this case to shield Rahul Gandhi?
Why did the Delhi Police insist that the NCPCR has no locus standi in the case against Rahul Gandhi Sec 13 CPCR Act clearly states otherwise?
These questions have bewildered even those in the know of the case and close to the investigation against Rahul Gandhi. A senior advocate on the condition of anonymity claimed that the Delhi Police’s argument in court had shocked everyone and it made no legal sense. “It would appear that the case is being botched up either way to shield Rahul Gandhi”, he said. Another close to MHA, under whom the Delhi Police falls, said that they would be looking into the matter and ensuring that the investigation is not being compromised for political reasons.
In a historic raid, the Income Tax department seized hundreds of crores from premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu. Now, the department has revealed that out of this seized Rs 351 crore, Rs 329 crore was recovered from dilapidated buildings in small towns of Odisha. The money was stashed in hidden chambers and hidden safe houses camouflaged as an unoccupied residence located in small towns of Odisha including Sudapada and Titlagarh in Bolangir district and Khetrajrajpur in Sambhalpur district, the I-T Department confirmed on Thursday, December 21.
Besides the cash, many incriminating pieces of evidence in the form of documents and digital data have been found and seized, the Income Tax Department said.
Income Tax Department conducts search operations in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal
During the search operation, a large number of incriminating evidence in the form of documents and digital data has been found & seized
In West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, the Income Tax Department carried out extensive search operations at properties connected to the Congress MP as well as at a liquor distillery. The operation, which began on December 6 and lasted for more than a week, encompassed more than thirty locations in ten districts throughout the three states.
More than 100 I-T officials were present during the raids and more than 40 machines were deployed to count the seized cash. This cash haul has been cited as the largest in the last 42 years.
Image credit: PIB
The tax authorities said that after a preliminary examination of the evidence that was seized, they discovered references for the flow of unaccounted cash, systematic information on undisclosed cash receipts, and records of unreported sales of country liquor.
“The main employees looking after the business activities of the group, have admitted that the cash found and seized during the search operation represents the unaccounted income of the group, generated through its multiple business concerns. This was also corroborated by one of the family members who is actively involved in the business. The facts unearthed during the search operation indicate that the group has been indulging in huge suppression of income earned from the liquor business,” the statement read.
MP from Jharkhand, liquor empire working in several districts of Odisha
It may be mentioned here that the largest amount of cash was found from the liquor manufacturing units of Baldev Sahu and Sons, in Sudpada, Balangir, a town in Western Odisha. As of 10th December, the SBI branch in Balangir declared that all the 176 bags of cash brought from the premises of Baldev Sahu and Sons were counted. This counting took 5 days, and involved dozens of bank staff, and counting machines. Reports in Odisha have stated that the total amount of cash seized from Odisha is over 400 crores and nearly 60 kgs of gold.
2 more liquor traders, reportedly the relatives of Dhiraj Sahu, named Deepak Sahu and Sanjay Sahu, were raided in Titilagarh, a town in Balangir district. I-T seized 11 crores of cash from the premises of the Sahu brothers. Raids at the Sambalpur unit of the company found 37.5 crores.
The political implications of the case were hinted at by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Odisha. Without taking names, he stated that the money has been looted from the poor people from Odisha and Modi government will ensure that the powerful people linked with the ‘family business’ of the Congress leader (Dhiraj Sahu), will have to answer before the public of Odisha.
Who is Dhiraj Prasad Sahu?
Dhiraj Prasad Sahu is a Rajya Sabha MP for Congress from Jharkhand. His family has been associated with the Congress party since independence. He became RS MP in by-polls in 2009 for the first time. In 2010, he was elected as RS MP for the second time; in 2018, he was re-elected for RS by Congress for the third time. He actively participates in parliamentary proceedings. Sahu was part of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. In recent raids at Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd, where Dhiraj Prasad Sahu is a partner, the Income Tax Department recovered over 300 cr of unaccounted cash. Congress Party has distanced itself from the controversy, while BJP leaders, including PM Modi, have targeted Congress.
As the date of Ram Mandir’s grand inauguration and Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya draws closer, ISKCON has welcomed the pilgrims to Ayodhya for Lord Ram’s darshan offering free full lunch prasad along with the distribution of Vedic literature and sankirtan to around 5000 persons daily. The ISKCON has also decided to set up free medical camp in the city during the Ram Mandir inauguration event in January.
The information was disclosed by Yudishthir Govind Das who is the spokesperson of the ISKCON India Board. “ISKCON welcomes all the pilgrims coming to Ayodhya for the darshan of Lord Sri Rama. Daily 5000 pilgrims will be served full lunch prasad along with distribution of Vedic literature & sankirtan by devotees of different nationalities,” Das said sharing a short video of the program.
ISKCON welcomes all the pilgrims coming to #Ayodhya for the darshan of Lord Sri Rama.
Daily 5000 pilgrims will be served full lunch prasad along distribution of Vedic literatures & sankirtan by devotees of different nationalities.
According to Das, ISKCON has decided to undertake a ‘Padyatra’ from Delhi to Ayodhya which would be completed by the Ram devotees in around 41 days. He also said that on the day of the inauguration of the iconic Ram Temple, luminous ghee diyas will be lit in all the ISKCON temples across India.
The ISKCON Ayodhya Temple is dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Gokul Nanda, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Sita Ram Lakshman, and Hanuman and is located in the heart of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and it is best known as the birthplace of Lord Rama. According to the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya is an ancient city with all the characteristics of an old-world charm. Since Lord Ram is the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, ISKCON Ayodhya Temple holds a special place in the hearts of the people in India.
The majestic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is slated to have its ground level finished by the end of this year. The general secretary of the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai released beautiful photographs of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum on 9th December.
In the later tweets, Rai also clarified that several political leaders, actors, and all the significant religious heads belonging to varied religions have been invited for the inauguration ceremony.
22 जनवरी 2024 को अयोध्या जी में प्राण प्रतिष्ठा के शुभ अवसर पर आमंत्रित किये गये समाज जीवन के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में कार्यरत महानुभावों के बारे में जानकारी। pic.twitter.com/PKoWeO4Xsy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event to install the Ram Lalla idol on the temple grounds on 22nd January, drawing thousands of Lord Ram followers to Ayodhya for the landmark event. Furthermore, notable individuals like industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan among other actors are invited to the consecration ceremony.
The consecration or the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is expected to be a grand event as the Teerth Kshetra Trust has sent traditional invitations to all prominent temples, spiritual leaders, Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and leaders of Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist sects from all over the country.
The Narendra Modi-led-government has invited French President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day.
As per reports, this marks the 6th instance when the Indian government invited a French leader as a Chief guest for the Republic Day parade.
India has previously invited French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac (1976), President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1980), President Jacques Chirac (1998), President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008), and President François Hollande (2016).
French President Macron to be the chief guest at India's Republic day 2024. Earlier this year, PM Modi was the guest of honour at Bastille day in Paris. Reporting: pic.twitter.com/AFM00QG5ND
During his tenure as the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has invited US President Barack Obama (2015), French President François Hollande (2016), UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2017), Heads of ASEAN nations (2018), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (2019), Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2020), and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (2023).
Earlier this year, the French government invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the Guest of Honour at France’s National Day celebrations on 14th July.
An Indian tri-services contingent also took part in this event in order to reinforce its significance, representing the strengthening of ties and shared ideals between India and France.
Cher Narendra, heureux de t'accueillir à Paris comme invité d'honneur du défilé du 14 juillet !
प्रिय नरेंद्र, 14 जुलाई की परेड के सम्मानित अतिथिके रूप में तुम्हारा पेरिस में स्वागत कर के मुझे बहुतखुशी होगी। pic.twitter.com/XTJi4MiE0E
India’s participation in the Bastille Day Parade, as an ascending global power, emphasises its broadening influence on the international scene and reflects the strengthening ties between the two democracies.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership. In July, the French President felicitated PM Modi with the ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
On Wednesday (December 20), a man named Salim Ali was arrested in Jevargi in the Kalaburgi district of Karnataka for secretly installing a wi-fi camera in the bathroom window of the post-matric girls hostel for the minority community.
Reports say that accused Salim Ali, son of Hussain Baba was a tenant in the hostel’s neighbouring building. A native of Mandewala village, the accused used to sell garlic for a living. Using a pipe, he had let in a wifi camera through the bathroom window. The camera was connected to his mobile phone. However, the girls at the hostel noticed him walking around suspiciously near the bathroom when they were going to take a bath on Wednesday morning and informed the hostel warden about the same.
Following this, Salim Ali was caught by the warden and turned over to the police. Accused Salim, a father of three, was apprehended by police based on the complaint lodged by the hostel warden.
A News9report says that one of the girls saw Salim adjusting the camera from the window and screamed. As the other girls came inside the bathroom, they saw the camera and nabbed the accused who was then thrashed by the locals.
The police arrived at Salim Ali’s house and took him into custody. Reportedly, the accused was thrashed by the locals before being handed over to the police. A case has been registered against the accused at the Jevargi Police Station under relevant sections. After the FIR was registered, the police arrested the accused.
During the interrogation, Salim admitted to watching the girls through the camera while they used the bathroom. The police are still investigating when the camera was installed and whether or not he shared the video recordings with anyone else. The police have confiscated the camera and other equipment, and an investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Hulikuntaraya, a taluk officer for minorities welfare, stated the girl students found the camera around 6.30 a.m. and caught Salim, who resides nearby. He was later apprehended by the police. “There are over 50 inmates in the hostel and no such incident had been reported earlier”, he said.
This shocking incident warrants recalling a similar incident in the Udupi district reported earlier in July this year wherein three female students of the Muslim community allegedly secretly made a video of Hindu female students in the washroom of the Netra Jyoti college in Udupi and shared it on Muslim groups. After much controversy, an FIR was registered against the accused girls identified as Alimatul Shaifa, Shabanaz, and Alia.
If reports are to be believed, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in AICC headquarters on Thursday (21st December) was nothing short of a dictatorial meeting. Presiding over the meeting was the Gandhi family scion Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
For starters, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel came in the line of fire for the party’s loss in the recently held assembly elections in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh.
As per reports, Rahul Gandhi said that the party did not campaign properly in the three states and was all praises for efforts in Telangana, where it won.
Kamal Nath’s lack of leadership was particularly criticised by all leaders. It was pointed by many that Kamal Nath and Bhupesh Baghel refused to listen to others while Nath didn’t heed the central leadership either.
Kharge reportedly mentioned that Kamal Nath used to get up and leave meetings when there were disagreements. MP Mukul Wasnik pointed out that one of the slogans in MP was “Jai Jai Kamal Nath” thereby leaving the party in the backfoot.
The heated exchange only escalated during the meet when Digvijaya Singh tried to hold the central Congress leadership accountable for the loss. He reportedly said that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) lacked consistency as it kept changing general secretaries.
Interestingly, after the blame game, reprimanding state units and instructing them to do better next time, the CWC meeting immediately veered towards Bharat Jodo Yatra. And just like that, Rahul garnered all attention.
This losely translates to the Congress central leadership not taking any responsibility for the party’s embarrassing electoral loss. While state units were left with fix-it-yourself recommendations by Rahul, his loyalists began motivating him to embark on a Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0.
Instead of even trying to mention that the yatra was doing no good for the Congress in the election campaigning, Mallikarjun Kharge said that Rahul should take up the yatra from east to west this time.
This loyalist pitch was backed by leader after leader at the meeting. Mukul Wasnik, Kerala MLA Ramesh Chennithala and Tripura legislator Sudeep Roy Barman were the only voice of reason saying that there was not enought time for the yatra.
As per reports, the preparations for the yatra is already underway but it is likely to see all modes of transport come into use. 2024 general elections or not, Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 will go on it seems.
Reports quoting sources say that Randeep Surjewala, who was AICC in-charge of MP, pointed out that BJP’s organisation machinery right from the top to the booth-level was superior.
One would think that this crucial observation should have been made before the polls or at least heeded in the meeting for the future. But Rahul Gandhi seemed almost unwilling to receive any inputs that would suggest BJP being the better functioning party.
Rahul reportedly said, without mentioning Surjewala, that the Congress had defeated the BJP in the same states and argued that the BJP could be defeated.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the party should now leave the past and look ahead.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor keenly suggested that the party identify candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections so that they can start working on the ground. Manish Tewari put his weight behind Tharoor.
The Congress while addressing the media later said that the party will get into election mode immediately and candidates for the elections will be decided soon.
“The CWC calls upon all members of our great organisation to stand united with hope and confidence and immerse themselves with dedication and discipline in the election campaign,” Congress leader KC Venugopal said during the briefing.
Moreover, state-level workers’ conventions will be organised by the party starting January and meetings to review poll preparations in 23 states have been conducted already.
Albeit for Rahul Gandhi, the next project remains Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0.
Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaking regulations by wearing a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan at Perth without any prior approval, reported ESPNCricinfo on Thursday.
Khawaja wore the armband on the field instead of writing and wearing the message “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” as he originally intended to in order to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Though black armbands are regularly worn by players to mourn the deaths of former players, family members or other significant individuals, they need permission from the national board and the ICC before they are worn.
“Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.
“Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the first Test Match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages. This is a breach under the category of an ‘other breach’ and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand,” added the spokesperson.
As of Thursday, this is the charge against Khawaja and sanction is yet to be confirmed. He would not be in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan even if the reprimand came to pass, and even a fourth such sanction in a year would only result in a penalty of 75 per cent of the match fee rather than a suspension. Nevertheless, it is unclear what would happen if Khawaja kept wearing the armband at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The clothing and equipment regulations of ICC state: “Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages on their clothing, equipment or otherwise, irrespective of whether such messages are affixed to clothing, equipment or otherwise and whether such messages are displayed or conveyed through the use of the specific clothing or other items (eg. an armband) or by the use of words, symbol, graphic message, images or otherwise (‘personal messages’), unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.”
Ahead of the Perth Test, after not opting to wear the shoes with humanitarian messages written on it, Khawaja had posted an emotional message on social media that he was not making a political statement and added that he would fight for his right to express himself.
“What I have written on my shoes is not political. I am not taking sides,” he said.
“Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on. I am just speaking up for those who do not have a voice,” he added.
“The ICC have told me I cannot wear my shoes on the field because they feel it is a political statement under their guidelines. I do not believe it is so. It is a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision. But I will fight it and seek to gain approval,” concluded the batter.
Ahead of the Perth Test, Cricket Australia (CA) had also commented on the matter through a statement saying, “We support the right of our players to express personal opinions. But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold.”
The opener is due to speak in Melbourne on Friday.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Thursday, December 21, the Odisha unit of BJP took offence to a video of social media influencer and Curly Tales founder Kamiya Jani talking to BJD leader VK Pandian on Jagannath temple premises. Reacting to the video, Odisha BJP questioned how a “promoter of beef consumption like Jani” was granted access to Jagannath temple premises.
Calling for immediate action, the BJP demanded that a case be registered against Pandian and Jani under IPC Section 295 A and both be arrested immediately.
The Odisha unit of BJP shared a screenshot of Kamiya Jani’s old video where she is seen promoting “beef dishes” alongside a snippet from the current video in question that showed Kamiya Jani promoting the Puri Srimandir Heritage Corridor project and Mahaprasad along with BJD leader Pandian. The party wrote, “The sacred sanctity of Puri Srimandir, rich with historical and spiritual heritage, has been shamefully disregarded by VK Pandian, the chairman of 5T, who callously allowed a beef promoter into the revered premises of Jagannath Mandir. @bjd_odisha remains indifferent to the sentiments of Odia and the sanctity of Jagannath Culture! Those responsible must face swift and severe consequences.”
The sacred sanctity of Puri Srimandir, rich with historical and spiritual heritage, has been shamefully disregarded by VK Pandian, the chairman of 5T, who callously allowed a beef promoter into the revered premises of Jagannath Mandir. @bjd_odisha remains indifferent to the… pic.twitter.com/XGmrQVbFp9
Odisha BJP General Secretary Jatin Mohanty echoed similar sentiments as he said, “Social media influencer Kamiya Jani is a promoter of beef consumption. As per the law of Srimandir, no beef-eater could enter the temple without ‘prayaschita’ (penance). VK Pandian has made a crime by facilitating the entry of Kamiya into the temple. The incident has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus and devotees of Lord Jagannath.”
“We demand that the government should take immediate action against VK Pandian and Kamiya Jani. The temple administration should also seek an apology before the people of Odisha for allowing the incident to happen. As per the rituals of Srimandir, the temple should be sanctified after due consultation with Puri Shankaracharya and all the priests. Otherwise, BJP will move to court seeking justice in this regard,” Mohanty added.
Kamiya Jani, meanwhile, took to Instagram to respond to the controversy. In her Instagram story, the social media influencer wrote that she has never eaten beef.
“As an Indian, my mission is to take Indian culture and heritage to the world. I have been visiting all the Jyotirlingas and char dhams of India and what a privilege it’s been. Woke up to this strange article in newspaper questioning my visit to Jagannath temple. Not that anyone has reached out to me yet but just here to clarify that I don’t and have never eaten beef. Jai Jagannath,” Kamiya Jani wrote.
Screengrab of Kamiya Jani’s Instagram story
It may be noted that while Kamiya Jani has said that she has never eaten beef, her channel has on several occasions promoted restaurants and places that sell beef items.
Meanwhile, BJD leader VK Pandian and Srimandir Temple Administration have not reacted to the controversy yet.
