On 5th January 2023, a mob of Islamists attacked Hindus who had come together to renovate a century-old Shiva temple in Radhaballabhchak village under Pasnkura police station, in East Medinipur of West Bengal. Muslims objected to the renovation of a Shiv Temple and attacked the Hindus of the area with bricks and iron rods. Many Hindus were injured in this attack.
Muslim fanatics destroyed recently built columns of the constructions and also damaged the temple. Even the relatives of the afflicted Hindu Trinamul Panchayat chief were reportedly not spared by the Muslim attackers and were unable to be saved in time by the police who arrived on the scene later. The local “Bangiya Hindu Sena” leaders have issued a call to action to defend Hindus’ religious freedom by uniting Hindus regardless of their political affiliations.
Swami Ambikananda, the President of the newly formed Bangiya Hindu Sena said in a Facebook post, “We want a quick non-partisan solution to the problem. We believe in the path of peace, but we are not in favor of keeping silent when we see the blood of Hindus.” He added, “All the Hindus in the area are ours. We are on the side of the Hindus in that area by keeping politics away.”
Bangiya Hindu Sena said in a statement, “We will see the action of the local administration for 48 hours, otherwise we will take our rights with the Hindu might of the area.”
According to a report by Hindu Existence, Swami Ambikananda said, “I have already informed the vulnerable condition of the Hindus of Radhaballabchak of Panshkura and urged the concerned SP and DSP of East Medinipur to provide the safety and security of the attacked people. Police are trying to arrest 14 Hindu activists in the areas giving false allegations. I will also go to the spot to extend my support to the Hindus of Radhaballabchak on Saturday, 7th January 2023.”
On November 26, onboard Air India flight AI-102, an inebriated male passenger, now identified as Shankar Mishra, travelling by business class from New York to Delhi, exposed himself and urinated on a female co-passenger.
Today, (January 6, 2023) accused Shankar Mishra, who has been absconding since the purported incident came to light, issued a statement through his lawyers claiming that he had paid ‘compensation’ to the victim and the lady displayed no intention of lodging a complaint.
Meanwhile, the victim alleged in her complaint that the crew members on board compelled her to confront the accused and negotiate with him, and accept his ‘apology’.
The incident occurred on November 26, 2022, but it only came to the fore after the media, on January 4, 2023, reported about the letter the woman flyer, a senior citizen in her seventies, submitted to Tata Group’s chairman N Chandrasekaran, narrating her harrowing experience on board Air Inda flight AI-102.
Source: Twitter user @SomilMathur
Air India’s response to the entire fiasco came only recently, after the incident acquired steam as a result of the media coverage. As a consequence, the investigation into the matter was also expedited.
‘Paid compensation, got shoes and clothes dry cleaned’: Accused’s lawyer
In the midst of the ongoing investigation, the lawyers representing accused Shankar Mishra stated on Friday that he had paid ‘adequate compensation’ to the female passenger via Paytm on November 28 and that the lady showed no intention of lodging a complaint against him. Mishra’s statement also read that he had got the woman victim’s clothes and bags cleaned on November 28 and returned them to her on November 30.
“The lady in her message has clearly condoned the alleged act and has displayed no intention to lodge a complaint,” the statement added.
The lawyers of Shankar Mishra, Ishanee Sharma, and Akshat Bajpai, in a statement, informed that the female passenger was concerned only about the compensation being paid to her by the airline for which she also raised a subsequent complaint on December 20, 2022.
Woman who was urinated upon on the Air India flight says she was compelled to sit with her harasser and reach a settlement
The victim, meanwhile, had a different version to offer. In her complaint, the woman flyer wrote that the crew brought the accused to her seat and forced her to face him as he begged to be spared arrest. She accused the crew members of coercing her to talk with the accused.
The woman said she was “stunned” when the offender was brought before her and he “started crying and profusely apologising”.
She added that the accused Shankar Mishra begged her to not report him to the police, saying he was a family man and that he did not want his wife and child to be affected by the incident.
“The flight staff were in the meanwhile also having discussions with the offender, who was sobering up by this time, and they came and told me that he wanted to apologize to me. I stated clearly that I did not want to interact with him or see his face, and that all I wanted was for him to be arrested on arrival. However, the crew brought the offender before me against my wishes, and we were made to sit opposite each other in the crew seats. I was stunned when he started crying and profusely apologizing to me, begging me not to lodge a complaint against him because he is a family man and did not want his wife and child to be affected by this incident. In my already distraught state, I was further disoriented by being made to confront and negotiate with the perpetrator of the horrific incident in close quarters. I told him that his actions were inexcusable, but in the face of his pleading and begging in front of me, and my own shock and trauma, I found it difficult to insist on his arrest or to press charges against him,” wrote the victim.
DCW issues notice to Delhi police, Air India and DGCA pertaining to the Air India ‘urinating’ incident
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Friday issued a notice to the city police in connection with the alleged harassment and misconduct by passengers on two Air India flights recently. Calling the incidents “extremely disturbing and serious”, the panel sought copies of FIRs registered in the matters and arrests made.
The panel has also sought a report on the action taken against the airline for negligence in the matter by January 10.
The DCW chief took to Twitter to share the notices the women’s rights body sent to the Delhi police, DGCA and Air India.
Air India responds after it faces criticism for improper handling of the situation
Meanwhile, Air India has been facing severe criticism, including from the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), over improper handling of the incident that happened in November last year but did not come to the fore until January this year. Apparently, no action was taken from the airlines’ side until the news was reported widely by the media.
Following the outcry, Air India banned the man from flying for 30 days and informed that a police complaint has been filed against the accused male passenger.
In a detailed statement, Air India said, “Air India has taken a very serious view of the incident, where a passenger behaved in an unacceptable and undignified manner on the New York-Delhi flight that caused extreme distress to a fellow passenger. A police complaint has already been lodged and Air India is committed to assisting the law enforcement agencies as well as regulatory authorities.”
“As a first step, Air India has banned the passenger for 30 days, the maximum it is permitted to unilaterally do so, and reported the matter to the DGCA for further action,” Air India spokesperson said.
“We have also constituted an internal committee to probe lapses on part of Air India’s crew and address the deficiencies that delayed quick redressal of the situation. We are also in regular contact with the aggrieved passenger and her family during the investigation and reporting process,” the airline said.
The accused Shankar Mishra is reportedly employed as the VP of the Indian chapter of a US-based financial services company.
On Friday, January 6, a Mumbai court issued a non-bailable against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut for failing to appear before the court for proceedings in a Rs 100 crore defamation suit filed against him by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife Medha Somaiya.
The Sewri metropolitan magistrate issued the warrant. The magistrate recorded the complainant Medha Somaiya’s statement and set the hearing for January 24.
Medha Somaiya’s counsel Advocate Vivekanand Gupta informed that despite court orders, the Shiv Sena leader remained absent from the court proceedings. “After this, we gave an application to issue a non-bailable warrant against Sanjay Raut, consequently, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against him,” Advocate Gupta informed.
Non Bailable warrant issued against #sanjayRaut today by 25th Magistrate court, Sewree, in defamation compliant filed by Mrs. Medha @KiritSomaiya against @rautsanjay61
Taking to Twitter, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya informed about the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against Sanjay Raut and wrote, “Sewree Court issued Non-Bailable Warrant against #SanjayRaut for not attending the court. Court recorded Complainant Medha Somaiya’s statement for an hour, in Dr. Medha Kirit Somaiya’s defamation case against Sanjay Raut. Next hearing 24 Jan.”
Sewree Court issued Non Bailable Warrant against #SanjayRaut for not attending the court
Court recorded Complainant Medha Somaiya statement for an hour, in Dr Medha Kirit Somaiya defamation case against Sanjay Raut
This is not the first time the politician has been issued a warrant by the court in the case. In July 2022, Mumbai Metropolitan Magistrate had issued a bailable warrant against him for failing to appear in court. It is notable that during a hearing in the case in June 2022, the court had said that Prima facie, Sanjay Raut had harmed the reputation of the complainant.
“The documents and video clips produced on record prima facie revealed that the accused made defamatory statements against the complainant on April 15 and 16, 2022 so that it will be seen by public at large and read by the public in the newspapers,” metropolitan magistrate PI Mokashi had said.
It is worth noting that Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, filed a complaint against Sanjay Raut, accusing him of making malicious and unwarranted statements in the media about her and her husband. She had requested that he be charged under sections 503, 506, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code.
Medha also claimed that Raut planned to criminally intimidate and threaten her with character assassination without providing any proof. She later filed a defamation suit against Raut on May 24, 2022, seeking Rs 100 crore in damages.
Notably, Sanjay Raut in April last year had claimed that Medha Somaiya and the Yuva Pratishthan, a non-government organization managed by the Somaiya family, were involved in a Rs 100 crore toilet scam.
Sanjay Raut, the editor-in-chief of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamna’, had published an article stating that Medha had built unauthorized toilets and had cut mangroves without getting the requisite permissions from environmental authorities. It also added that she had looted the public money in the name of toilets and was leading a ‘fake and fraudulent NGO named Yuva Pratishthan.
Apart from the Saamna article, Raut had also repeated the allegations in bites given to electronic media. Medha Somaiya refuted the charges, saying he was saying this only to tarnish her reputation.
Another Jain monk who was on an indefinite fasting against Jharkhand government’s decision turn the fame Shri Sammed Shikharji shrine into a tourism spot lost his life on Thursday night.
Muni Samarth Sagar died in the Jain temple at Sanganer, in Jaipur. He had been fasting against the Jharkhand government’s decision since December 25. This is the second such death in four days, after Muni Sugyeya Sagar breathed his last protesting against the same issue.
As per reports, he lost his life at about 1.17 am (local time) in Jaipur.
While the central government halted all the activities at the site, the Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand, the monk was too weak due to fasting.
Protests erupt against Jharkhand government’s decision on Shri Sammed Shikharji
The deaths come in the wake of countrywide protests by the Jain community against the Jharkhand government’s move to develop Shri Sammed Shikharji as a tourism centre, a decision that members of the Jain community and their monks believe would chip away at the region’s spiritual significance and make way for the commercialisation of a pilgrim centre from where 20 out of the total 24 Tirthankaras of the current cycle attained salvation.
Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, New Delhi, Surat, and many other cities saw large crowds of Jains protesting against the Jharkhand government’s decision to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hills, claiming that it would tarnish the sanctity of Shri Sammed Shikharji. The protests have continued this week, with thousands of protesters in several cities across the expanse of the country hitting the streets and demanding a rollback on the Jharkhand government’s decision.
Centre issues directive halting all activities at the site
In wake of nationwide protests by the Jain community against the Hemant Soren government’s decision to turn Shri Sammed Shikharji Tirth in Jharkhand into a tourism hub, the central government has issued directives to halt all such activities in the larger Parasnath Hills. The revered pilgrimage site of the Jain community is located in these hills.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav took to Twitter to share information about the same. “Met Jain community members who have been urging to protect the sanctity of Sammed Shikhar. Assured them that PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s government is committed to preserving and protecting the rights of Jain community over all their religious sites, including Sammed Shikhar,” the Union Minister Tweeted.
A shocking incident of an attempt to convert to Christianity in Pune’s Alandi has come to light. The video of the incident is currently going viral on social media. The incident took place in the Sathenagar area of Alandi and the police have registered a case against three persons after a formal complaint was lodged in this regard. After a complaint was lodged by Uddhav Nagnath Kamble, a case has since been registered against the trio including one Sudhakar Baburao Suryavanshi. The incident took place on 1st January 2023 at around 7 pm.
The video shows some people in a household being informed about Christianity. Also, a woman seen in the video has a plate in her hand, and glasses with a red fluid are also seen in it. According to the police, it has been revealed that this red fluid is grape juice and it is being given as the blood of Jesus by the preachers to convert people.
According to the video that has gone viral, the woman is telling the attendees that Jesus is their God and suggesting throwing the other Gods out of the house. The video shows the woman reading some prayers and asking the people in the household to follow.
According to the police, the police complaint states that the accused, Sudhakar Baburao Suryavanshi, along with two of his accomplices, in Sathe Nagar locality in Alandi, was forcing some locals to convert by saying “cure your illnesses by praying for Christianity, you worship Jesus, your financial and health problems will be removed, you leave Hinduism and convert to Christianity”. The three have been booked for forcing locals to join Christianity. The police are investigating the matter further.
Many illegal Afghani immigrants are kept in Pakistani prisons, their deportation is prolonged and their cases are stuck in the courts on various pretexts, according to Peace for Asia.
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan last year, several civilians fled to different countries in order to seek refuge. Some of them also went to Pakistan for shelter but instead of giving attention, Pakistan took action against Afghani migrants.
Most of the immigrants were women and children. Among them, some women are sick and some women are expecting mothers. These medical facilities are inadequate. A few women have given birth to children in prison and cannot access medical care.
International organizations donated huge amounts to the Pakistani government for Afghan refugees but little do they know that their money is not used for their benefit. Women and human rights organizations have not reached out to these victims.
The Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) was helping these imprisoned Afghan refugees, with financial and legal support. There is only one female lawyer in Karachi, Advocate Manza Kakar fighting for the rights of Afghan women and children and raising funds for them, reported Peace for Asia.
Regarding Afghan refugees’ plight, PTM’s leader Manzoor Pashteen tweeted, “Afghan girls are deprived of knowledge in Afghanistan and innocent Afghan girls are imprisoned in Pakistan”. In response to this tweet, a Sindh Government Minister questioned these claims.
Pashteen challenged the Sindh government to rectify its claims following which it deleted the tweet that claimed there were no Afghan refugees in Sindh’s jails. According to Peace for Asia, the PTM has raised its voices on various forums, including social media and the protest demonstrations in support of Afghan women, girls and children languishing in Pakistan’s jails.
One of the main reasons is that a few political parties in Sindh have been campaigning to expel Afghan refugees from Sindh for some time now. Under pressure from these political parties, and to strengthen its vote bank, the Sindh government’s actions against the Afghans go against basic human rights and refugee laws.
Afghans face a dual challenge, both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. On the one hand, Afghans are being arrested and deported on the orders of the Sindh government, reported Peace for Asia.
(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 Tuesday (January 3), Israeli Minister for National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem in the presence of Israeli forces. The incident was dubbed as an act of desecration, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China calling for an emergency session of the United Nations.
The Jewish Minister was labelled as a ‘far right’ leader and was accused of ‘storming’ the holy site with ‘illegal Jewish settlers under police protection.’ The UAE, which had normalised its bilateral ties with Israel condemned the move by Itamar Ben-Gvir.
In a statement on the same day, it said, “The UAE today strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard by an Israeli minister under the protection of Israeli forces.”
“The Ministry called upon Israeli authorities to assume responsibility for reducing escalation and instability in the region,” it further added. The Israeli Minister also drew the ire of the Foreign Ministry of Jordan, which condemned him for violating the ‘sanctity’ of the mosque.
On Wednesday (January 4), a meeting was held by the council of Arab ambassadors to the United Nations. Thereafter, another meeting was arranged by the council of ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Whiles speaking about the development, Palestine’s permanent representative to the UN, Riyadh Mansour, told Arab News “You see that within the span of 48 hours, the international community is reacting strongly and in a unified way against (this) fascist member of the Israeli cabinet Ben-Gvir.”
Nonetheless, the visit of Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Al Aqsa mosque rattled several pro-Palestine propagandists. Emirati royal, Sheikha Hend bint Faisal Al Qasimi, tweeted, “Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entry of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound draws fierce condemnation. In the history of stupid actions – this takes the cake.”
Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entry of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound draws fierce condemnation https://t.co/gT3Irv9c5Q In the history of stupid actions – this takes the cake. pic.twitter.com/AZHflwecl9
While dubbing Israel as ‘Zionist regime’, the radical Islamist Taliban regime of Afghanistan also condemned the supposed ‘desecration’ of the Al-Aqsa mosque by Itamar Ben-Gvir.
“Visit? Contested? That a fanatic Jewish supremacist & convicted criminal raids Al Aqsa Mosque with armed guards does not make it contested! Another example when @BBCNews and western mainstream media reporting in general is part of the problem,” Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot said.
Visit? Contested? That a fanatic Jewish supremacist & convicted criminal raids Al Aqsa Mosque with armed guards does not make it contested! Another example when @BBCNews and western mainstream media reporting in general is part of the problem. 1/2 https://t.co/oTAMd0rhdj
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also did not leave behind in standing up for ‘Ummah.’ He tweeted, “Pakistan strongly condemns the insensitive and provocative visit of Israeli Minister of National Security to the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.”
Pakistan strongly condemns the insensitive and provocative visit of Israeli Minister of National Security to the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. https://t.co/jzJwovj4Sm
A source of major resentment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the religious divide between the Israeli Jewish people and the Palestinian Muslims. The Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism where Jews turn during prayer is in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Temple Mount complex is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. the Western Wall, and the Dome of the Rock (an Islamic shrine that is instantly recognizable because of its gold-plated dome).
However, before the construction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, there was a grand Jewish temple in the same location on the Temple Mount.
This Jewish Holy Temple, called the Second Temple, was the holiest Jewish site of worship until it was destroyed by the Roman Empire in the 70 A.D. as punishment for a Jewish revolt.
The Second Temple was constructed in 516 BCE after the First Temple or Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE. The Foundation Stone, the holiest site for the Jews at present, is located on the floor of the Dome of the Rock.
However, the Jews are not allowed to visit it as it is located inside the Islamic shrine.
A video has recently gone viral on social media in which a teenage girl is seen attacked by several men at a motorbike race in Sulaimani city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Reportedly, the 17-year-old girl who has been identified as L. Tarani was attacked by a large group of men for dressing ‘immodestly’. The girl was attacked by the men present at the racing event as they were opposed to women attending the event. The attackers hurled abuses at the girl and called her ‘wh**e’for ‘distracting’ the drivers by dressing ‘indecently’.
Iraq: A girl was sexuaIIy assauIted by dozens MusIim Kurds in Sulimanaya as she was watching a motorcycle rally!pic.twitter.com/2Z915SttOR
While the girl managed to escape the spot, a man who helped her get away was reportedly stabbed.
In a series of tweets, a local NGO named Kurdistan Watch informed on December 31 that the girl had earlier also attended the racing events, but the men claimed that women should not be allowed there as “they will attract all the attention”.
Kurdistan Watch described the Hwana suburb, where the attack took place as one of the most unsafe areas in Sulaimani adding that the place is known for the widespread use of drugs.
Some context: Hwana, the Sulaimani suburb where the attack on the girl has taken place is known for widespread use of drugs by young men there and is also known as one of the most problematic and unsafe areas in Sulaimani.
According to a local media portal Draw Media report, the participants of the race have been bringing some girls along with them. On the day the attack took place that is December 30th, it was decided that girls will not be allowed at the event, however, L. Tarani arrived at the event. The report adds that it remained unclear whether the girl deliberately arrived at the event or was unaware of the decision prohibiting women from attending the race.
According to Kurdistan Watch, the girl is an Iranian national, and the Sulaimani Police have arrested 16 men for assaulting the Iranian girl.
Sulaimani police says they have arrested 16 in connection to the attack on a girl yesterday.
The video of the incident has gone viral and has led to widespread condemnation. pic.twitter.com/9BGDj71Pxq
It is notable that the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Masrour Barzani called the attack ‘unacceptable’ and directed the relevant ministers to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The mob attack on a young girl in Slemani yesterday, at a moment that should’ve been about celebrating the New Year, is shameful, inexcusable, and completely unacceptable. I’ve spoken to the Interior and Justice Ministers to investigate and hold those responsible accountable -MB,” Barzani tweeted.
The mob attack on a young girl in Slemani yesterday, at a moment that should’ve been about celebrating the New Year, is shameful, inexcusable and completely unacceptable.
I’ve spoken to the Interior and Justice Ministers to investigate and hold those responsible accountable -mb.
Taking to Twitter on December 30, 2022, Rewaz Faeq, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament condemned the attack on the girl. “The senseless assault by these male predators on the girl who like any ordinary person merely wished to watch a race is the result of a barbaric narrative used systematically against our women. A society or authority not awakened by this barbarism should await a rapid death, Faeq tweeted.
The senseless assault by these male predators on the girl who like any ordinary person merely wished to watch a race, is the result of a barbaric narrative used systematically against our women. A society or authority not awakened by this barbarism, should await a rapid death. pic.twitter.com/Od3W51FRaA
Condemning the attack, Jutiar Adel, the Spokesperson of the Regional Government of Kurdistan issued a statement that read, “The attack and assault on a young lady in Sualimani’s Huana area are disgraceful as another incident of assault towards another woman occurred in Sulaimani province in recent days. Such incidents are unacceptable and the Kurdistan Regional Government stands against all kinds of violence and violations of human rights in general and women’s rights and legal action should be taken against the perpetrators of these crimes immediately.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Marjing Polo statue in Manipur’s capital Imphal. The statue of the polo player is 120 feet high. Chief Minister N Biren Singh was also present on the occasion. The construction of this 120-feet-tall effigy of Sagol Kangjei (Polo) player at Heingang hill, the shrine of Ibudhou Marjing in Imphal East was completed in December 2022.
This huge Polo statue erected above the high top of Ibudhou Marjing highlands, a semi-god who established Sagol Kangjei (polo), would glorify Manipur – the homeland of polo sport. Additionally, the project will increase visitor traffic, creating job possibilities for the local population.
Marjing Polo statue inaugurated by Amit Shah (Source: Twitter)
The Union Home Minister took to Twitter to inform his followers about the inauguration of the Marjing Polo statue. “It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game,” he tweeted.
It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game. pic.twitter.com/x1T0xmcF4s
The Home Minister will also inaugurate the Chudachandrapur Medical College and Hospital. Shah will hoist the national flag at Moirang in the Bishnupur district. This is the same place where the soldiers of the ‘Indian National Army’ hoisted the flag for the first time on Indian soil. He is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several other projects in the Chingei Lampak area of the Bishnupur district.
Marjing is a Meitei Deity
In Meitei mythology of the ancient Manipuri culture, Marjing is a primordial deity. The god has significant mythological and theological importance in relation to the game of polo. Ponies, polo, hockey, sports, and warfare are all associated with Marjing. Additionally, he is the protector of the northeastern direction. The polo game was created by him, so the myth goes. At the peak of the Heingang hills, he lives with his heavenly companion Samadon Ayangba. Samadon Ayangba is a holy horse with wings. God Marjing is One of the five gods that assume a position as a soul inside a human body.
In Meitei culture, polo is a sport of the gods. It is played with seven players on a side. A ball made from bamboo root is used in this game. The Meitei deity also carries a bamboo stick in his hands just like a polo player. Amit Shah inaugurated this statue of the deity. The construction of the statue took four years. I was started in 2018 and completed by the end of 2022.
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has announced a 50 per cent hike in the salaries of Imams and Maulanas in the state and promised them a 5 per cent increment every year. In the wake of this decision, the Haryana Waqf Board organised a felicitation ceremony at Gurugram University on Thursday (January 5) where it felicitated the Haryana CM for hiking the honorarium.
Tanzeem Aima-e-Auqaf, an organisation of the imams, said the salary hike was unprecedented and at least 800 imams working with various mosques in Haryana will benefit from this decision. Imams are paid salaries by Haryana Waqf Board, which gets grants from the state government and also generates income from its own properties.
Zakir Hussain, the administrator of the Haryana Waqf Board, said that imams will be paid between Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 16,000 as honorarium per month. “The provision of a 5% yearly hike in imams’ salary has never happened anywhere in India,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Khattar said, “Every possible effort is being made to increase brotherhood in Haryana. Considering the demands of Imam organisations, we have increased the honorarium of Maulanas and Imams. The demands were not taken into consideration for the past several years.”
Addressing the media after the programme, chief minister Khattar said, “Imams can play a crucial road in improving education and health facilities in areas such as Mewat. We are also working on creating more infrastructure and development in this region. The imams have also played an important role in the success of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in Mewat as well as the Swachh Bharat campaign,” he said.
Khattar went on to say that the government is striving to ensure that temple priests are also paid a minimum wage by the organisations that employ them. “A board has been formed by the government to oversee this aspect and also for the welfare of this section,” he said.
