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West Bengal police baton-charges BJP workers to stop them from taking out Vijay Sankalp bike rally

The West Bengal lathi-charged and baton-charged BJP workers on Sunday to stop them from carrying out Vijay Sankalp bike rally which was kick-started by BJP President Amit Shah. The BJP workers were prevented from carrying out the bike rally in different parts of the State on the ground of ongoing board exams.


According to reports, the BJP workers went ahead with the bike rally despite being denied permission by the administration. This led to violent clashes between the police and the BJP workers at Durgapur and Asansol in Wets Burdwan district, Midnapore town and Goaltore in West Midnapore and Balurghat in South Dinajpur where the rallies were taken out. The police said that they stopped the BJP workers from taking out the rallies as there is a ban in the State on taking out public rallies due to ongoing board exams.

BJP State President Dilip Ghosh tweeted the pictures of the BJP workers who were injured due to attack by police using batons.


Ghosh said that the bike rallies will continue despite the police action. “Hundreds of Sankalp yatras are being held in the country and in Bengal also. It will be held even if police arrest us,” said Ghosh. Bike rallies are a part of the pre-poll campaign of BJP to establish contact with the people.

“R-73 selected”: Last radio transmission of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman before ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison

“R-73 is selected” was the last radio transmission of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from the MiG-21 Bison he was flying. After that, he had shot down the Pakistani F-16 fighter jet with Vympel R-73 air to air missile. The Pakistani fighter jet had violated the Indian airspace by entering the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

Abhinandan had pursued the Pakistani jets ignoring warnings from flight controllers asking him not to do so. He was asked to turn away before crossing the Line of Control, but he had already engaged an F-16 and decided to go for the kill before returning. After locking onto the F-16, Abhinandan used the short-range R-73 missile to take it down. Immediately after he released the missile, his plane was also hit, forcing him to eject and land inside Pakistan controlled territory.

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile

Pakistan had retaliated the Indian airstrikes on the terrorist camps of Pakistan backed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot in Pakistan by deploying F-16s, JF-17s and Mirage-5 fighter jets to attack Indian military installations across the LoC. However due to swift and timely response of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Pakistan’s malicious plans could not succeed. Indian fighter jets Sukhoi-30MKIs, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s and six MiG-21s including the one flied by Wing Commander Abhinandan were deployed India to intercept the Pakistani fighter jets.

Wing Commander Abhinandan locked on to the Pakistani F-16, which is comparatively modern, before being shot down and accidentally landing in the PoK. Pakistan has been denying having deployed the F-16 to intrude the Indian air space but the electronic signatures of the F-16s were picked up by the IAF radars. The Indian forces had also recovered the parts of an AIM-120C advanced medium range air to air missile form east of Rajouri in J&K, which is only carried by the Pakistani F-16s.

Baloch Republic Army (BRA) claims to have destroyed three posts of Pakistani Army, releases a video

According to a report of the Republic, a video has been released by the official channel of Baloch Republic Army (BRA), claiming that the BRA fighters attacked the Pakistani army posts in Mand area of Kech on February 27, 2019. The BRA destroyed three posts of the Pakistan army and chanted the slogan of ‘Azad Balochistan Zindabad’.

After Pakistan based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad carried out the ghastly terrorist attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwana, a US-based Baloch group called the ‘Balochistan National Congress’ (BNC) had condemned the attack and had asked India to declare war on Pakistan. The BNC had also urged PM Modi to sever all diplomatic ties with Pakistan, recall the Indian ambassador from Islamabad and send back Pakistan’s ambassador from Delhi immediately. BNS President Wahid Baloch had also issued a statement holding Pakistan responsible for the Pulwama terrorist attack. “The perpetrators must be brought to justice. There should be no doubt that Pakistan was behind the attack. It is time to pay Pakistan back for their crimes against humanity and killing of innocent people,” Baloch said.

The BNC had also requested the Indian government to help Baloch leader Khan Kalat living in exile in India set up a government in Balochistan and also help him file a case against Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Balochistan in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).  Balochistan province, which is rich in natural resources like oil, gas and gold, has been demanding political rights, autonomy and control over its territory since it got independence in 1947.

Sadhguru talks about dismantling the enemy within the country, ‘liberals’ take offense

The recent India-Pakistan tensions which raised out of India’s airstrikes against Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps deep inside Pakistan’s territory to avenge the death of Indians soldiers had exposed some of the faultlines existing in India, which often manifest in the form of hatred towards the idea of India. In relation to dealing with the ‘enemy within the country’, Spiritual Guru and mystic, Sadhguru has a set of practical solutions to take on the ‘deep state’ that operates within the country which challenges the basic ‘idea of India’. Speaking at the Times Now ‘Frankly Speaking’ interview, Sadhguru has called for dismantling the entire ‘infrastructure’ that not only stands by the terror inflicting apparatus of Pakistan but also part of Pakistan’s policy of ‘bleeding India with thousand cuts’.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb2sdVM8lwI]

Sadhguru, who is often known for prudent and logical argumentation has suggested that the enemy within the country must be dealt with 100 per cent before seeking solutions to the existing problems. Referring to the stone pelting incident just hours after the deadly Pulwama terror attack, Sadhguru said these people who are being referred to as “boys”, “alienated boys” should be dealt with completely.

“The Nation wants a solution. But, internally people who are giving financial support, physical support and kind of giving them media space, social media spaces are adding to the problem. I think it is the time we undo that 100%,” said Sadhguru.

When asked about action against the terrorist state of Pakistan, Sadhguru said that as India being a matured and cultural nation, which always stood for peace, we should ‘not seek retribution but solution’. The talks and dialogues will not work to find a solution as Pakistan is working for what they believe is their way of doing things. We should work on how to find a solution and one important piece of the solution is the support to Pakistan within the country must be stamped out, said Sadhguru.

Sadhguru further added that the enemy within is not just one or two people but a whole infrastructure and it should be dismantled. We should have the courage to deal with the local infrastructure now, said the mystic guru. Without taking the names of Abdullah or Mehbooba Mufti, he further added that the state political leaders are playing to these people to protect their political interest.

“There are people clearly another side of the wall, we need to deal with them one way. There are a whole lot of people who sit on the wall not knowing which way to fall, we should deal with compassionately. Those who are on this side, we should protect them so that they don’t get harmed,” said Sadhguru. “There is a religious dimension to the Kashmir issue,” emphasised Sadhguru.

Reacting to the peaceniks’ proposal of talks and dialogue with Pakistan, Sadhguru took a dig, saying, “What do you want to talk about? You want to discuss philosophies or what? There is nothing to talk”. He added that the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has made it very clear what he wanted referring to one of his speeches where he had threatened India.

“We should not engage with Pakistan at any level. As their policy towards us to bleed with thousand cuts, we should be wise enough not to be outraged but to work for the solution and cornering Pakistan is very important, whether cricket, music, it must stop,” added Sadhguru in his interview with journalist Navika Kumar.

Referring to the highly controversial casteist Caravan report, which had reported the caste of the martyred soldiers, Sadhguru said that these people were the lowest level of minds in our country.

With reference to JNU students Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, Sadhguru expressed that according to the law they should not be walking in the streets. “Please end this. The country is ready for this. This is the time to deal with all of them. This is not retribution but about ensuring the threshold of possibility upon which we are sitting to bring the well being of the country, which had a bad deal for last 15 generations” said the head of Isha Foundation.

“Now, there is a possibility, we do not want a fool to hijack this. So we must act for a solution. This is the time. Dismantle the infrastructure. All of them, no matter who they are,” suggested Yogi Sadhguru.

However, the left-wing liberal industry, who often express their love towards Pakistan and stands in support of anti-national elements are not amused by the views of Sadhguru. The self-proclaimed free speech warriors have resorted to foul-mouthing Sadhguru, who is not only one of the most enlightened minds of the country but also has a huge following across the globe.

Swara Bhasker, one of the ultra-left wing entertainers in the Bollywood, who is fighting for relevance, not only stood by the alleged anti-national elements but also called Sadhguru a ‘sick, violent and deeply prejudiced man’.


Another ultra left-wing troll, Kavita Krishnan got aroused against Sadhguru for expressing his views. She claimed that he openly instigated violence against Kanhaiya and referred to the alleged anti-nationals as ‘vocal critics of the present regime’. She called Sadhguru as “crude hatemongers & Fraudmen masquerading as spiritual gurus” despite the fact that he did not call for any violence in any part of the interview.


One followed the another as Radia tape famed M K Venu, co-founder of the ultra-left-wing magazine, The Wire which mostly supports anti-national elements, failed to comprehend the interview and falsely claimed that Sadhguru was instigating extra-legal action. However, Sadhguru has nowhere expressed such solutions in the interview


One wonders why the journalist/’liberal’ cabal would get irked when Sadhguru speaks of dismantling the infrastructure that breeds and supports enemies of the nation. One certainly wonders if in their desperation to oppose, they might have just made a Freudian slip.

Media speculates about JeM chief Masood Azhar being dead: Truth or misinformation campaign by Pakistan

Although very little information is available about the damage caused by Indian airstrike on terror camps in Pakistan, now some media houses have started reporting that Jaish‑e‑Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar may have died.

On the early hours of 26th February, Indian Air Force had bombed Jaish terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan. Pakistan had confirmed the strike, but had said that the bombs fell on a forest nearby and it did not hit any building only one villager was injured. The airstrike was done in response to Pulwama terror attack by a Jaish suicide bomber on February 14th, which had killed 40 CRPF personnel. It was reported that Indian Air Force had used 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets to conduct the airstrike, along with one Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for support functions. One Pakistani minister had confirmed the presence of 14 aircraft in the operation, adding that 4 was involved in the bombing, while others were in standby.

According to an unconfirmed report by Times Now, Maulana Masood Azhar was present in the JeM headquarters when it was hit by Indian forces, and he has died as a consequence of the same.


Times Now noted that although Masood has died due to the airstrike, Pakistan will try to say that he has died due to illness. Just after the Indian airstrike, reports had emerged from Pakistan that Masood is suffering from renal failure and his disease was in an advanced stage. Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that Masood is very unwell and he can’t leave his house.

As reports of Azhar being ill had emerged only after the Indian strike, some people had speculated that Azhar may have died in the strike, but Pakistan was preparing the ground to inform that he has died due to illness, that’s why news of his kidney disease news was circulated.


And just like those speculations, some reports suggest the Masood Azhar had died due to illness, but the disease reported this time is liver cancer. According to CNN News 18, he died on March 2, and it will be formally announced by the Pakistan government after confirmation is received from Army Hospital.


Although several media houses have reported that Azhar has died, all of them are speculative reports and at present no confirmed information is available. This can also be misinformation spread by Pakistan also to divert attention from its lack of action on terror groups operating from the country. One can perhaps imagine why Pakistan would want to spread misinformation. If the news of the death of their chief terrorist gains traction, they can easily skirt the responsibility of acting against terror while continuing to bleed India with a thousand cuts. The real picture would hopefully emerge when and if Indian authorities choose to comment on the speculations.

Crowd chants ‘Rahul Gandhi Chor hai’, PM Modi talks about ‘Made in Amethi Kalashnikovs’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to have taken the fight directly to Rahul Gandhi and Congress’ bastion, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh and the crowd appears to be ripe for a BJP victory. On 3rd March 2019, while delivering a public rally in Amethi, the crowd present to listen to Prime Minister Modi started chanting ‘Rahul Gandhi chor hai, chor hai’ even before PM Modi started his speech.


At the rally, Prime Minister Modi spoke about ‘Made in Amethi’ Kalashnikovs. He said in the future, Amethi will be known for the scheme he has brought to the people today. He said now, in Korba’s Ordinance Factory, one of the World’s most unique rifles, AK 203, Kalashnikov series rifles will be produced in Amethi.


These rifles, PM Modi said, would be manufactured under a joint venture between India and Russia. He said that just a little while ago, the Country’s first lady defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman read out the Russian President’s message. PM Modi then thanks the Russian President. He said that this joint venture saw the light of day in a short span of time because of the co-operation of President Vladamir Putin.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said that some people keep talking about ‘Made in Ujjain, Made in Jaisalmer’, ‘Made in Baroda’ in their speeches. He said that their speeches are just that, speeches and never translate to action, but it is he who could deliver on his promises. He also said that these Kalashnikovs would help our soldiers fight terrorists and naxals. He then said that the Made in Amethi rifles would also, in the future, be exported to other countries across the world.

Prime Minister Modi then spoke about how this factory would also generate employment for the youth of Amethi.

Today some people do things which make Pakistan happy: PM Modi slams opposition in NDA’s Patna rally

PM Modi today addressed a National Democratic Alliance Sankalp rally at Patna, along with JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The mega rally which took place at the Patna’s Gandhi Maidan is seen as a kickstart for NDA’s election campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. This is the first that CM Nitish Kumar shared the stage with PM since 2009, and the first time both attended a joint rally.


This is PM Modi’s second visit to the state of Bihar this month, as he had visited Begusarai on February 17th to launch several welfare projects.

The NDA has decided its seat-sharing formula for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP and JD(U) have decided to fight on 17 seats each and 6 seats have been given to LJP.

Prime Minister started the address by paying tribute martyrs: Pintoo Kumar Singh, who lost his life during an encounter in J&K’s Kupwara on Friday, Ratan K Thakur and Sanjay Sinha, martyrs of the Pulwama attack that took place last month. PM Modi consoled the families of martyrs by saying that right now all of the country stands with them.

PM Modi said that NDA government has started working on Metro projects for the state, transforming fossil-fuel based traffic to CNG-based, and also pipeline projects.

PM said that it is people of Bihar who drove the state from era of crime and corruption to an era of development and work. “NDA has done its part to upkeep those aspirations of the people of Bihar,” PM Modi remarked.

PM Modi announced a five-pointed development agenda for Bihar, Education for children, Medicine for old, Irrigation for the farmer, Income for youth and Hearing to everyone.

PM Modi told the gathering that the NDA government is also providing Bihar with higher-education institutions like Indian Insitute of Management, and Medical Institutes like AIIMS. He also claimed that the revamping process of Patna railway station is going on a rapid scale and Rs 1200 crore have been pumped into Patna airport.

PM Modi also said that better conditions for industries to prevail have also been established.

Pradhan Mantri Saman Nidhi Yojna, PM Modi said will enable the farmer to acquire seeds, pesticides, fertilizers without any loan, as the scheme will directly transfer the sum of Rs 6000 per annum to his account. 1.5 crore farmers in Bihar have been covered under this scheme.

PM Modi said those who so far were misusing hard-earned income of farmers and poor and now calling him a ‘chor’. He also took a dig at Grand Alliance by calling them ‘Mahamilvat’ alliance. PM Modi said that if they would have been in power, Bihar would have got no development.

PM Modi also counted the number of people getting benefit from his government’s different flagship programmes: 50 crore people receiving Rs 5 lakh health premium per year, 35 crore people have got new bank accounts, 7 crore free gas connection to women, 3 crore people from middle class now exempted from tax up to income of Rs 5 lakh and 10% Economically Weaker Section Quota to economically backward section of society.

Talking about India’s recent airstrike on terror camps in Pakistan, PM Modi said, “when our military forces were conducting air strikes across-border, what were some our leaders doing?” PM added that many people in India instead of boosting the morale of our forces are doing what makes Pakistan happy and cheering them up.

PM Modi, in a further attack on the opposition, said that when it was time for all parties to stand in unison and discuss together, 21 opposition parties came to Delhi with a condemnation letter for NDA. He also said that now the opposition is even suspecting our armed forces, adding that these actions of opposition is empowering Pakistan.

PM Modi said that this year India got invited to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, showcasing after 50 years. He said that when Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, came to India, he told him about high economic growth India is witnessing and how it is helping poor exit poverty and have access to a better lifestyle.

PM Modi then said he asked Saudi Arabia to increase the quota of Indian Muslims visiting Hajj every year, and release prisoners who have been lodged in Saudi Jails because of mistake. PM said Saudi Prince promptly agreed to our demands, and this showcases our strong foreign policy.

PM Modi said all this could have been done in fifty years, but the previous Congress regime was habited to go to sleep after getting votes. The priority of Congress party, PM Modi said, are personal ambitions, that is why they keep hating Modi.

PM Modi said they say destroy Modi, I say: Destroy terrorism, corruption, malnutrition and create new opportunities for youth.

Allegations against Vivek Doval made by Caravan Magazine and Jairam Ramesh are prima facie defamatory: Delhi Court

On Saturday, the Patiala House court summoned Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Caravan editor Paresh Nath and journalist Kaushal Shroff in a defamation suit file by Vivek Doval, the son of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Vivek Doval had filed the defamation suit after the Caravan magazine had published an article insinuating that the hedge fund run by him was indulging in money laundering, and his business had taken undue advantage of his father’s position. It was alleged by Caravan that the fund was set up at the same time when the decision of demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹2000 banknotes was announced by PM Narendra Modi, and the fund was set up to launder black money affected by this decision. The article was used by the Congress in a press conference to allege corruption in the businesses of Vivek Doval. After that, Doval had filed defamation charges against the editor of the magazine and author of the article, along with Jairam Ramesh for spreading the article further.

The complained by Vivek Doval says that he was maligned and defamed through the article to settle scores with his father Ajit Doval, who is the current NSA of India. He had said that the hedge fund that he manages is a completely legitimate business, but the accused persons had made grave and serious allegations of money laundering against the Fund. The complaint also included the complete profile of Vivek, including his educational qualifications and experience in the financial sector, and gave detail of the process of setting up the hedge fund to prove that it was conceptualised much before the demonetisation.

On January 30, Vivek Doal had appeared in the court in connection with the case and recorded his statement. He had said “I felt disturbed and humiliated on being questioned by my father in this manner as I have been a committed professional all my life,” referring to the article published by Caravan. He had reiterated that the accusations made against him were false.

After going through all the documents presented in the court in connection with the defamation suit, the court noted that allegations made by the Caravan Magazine and the Congress leader are prima facie defamatory, and the complainant Vivek Doval is an aggrieved person within the meaning of section 199 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The order issued by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal says that an inquiry has already been completed by examining the complainant and his witnesses as required under the law. Going by the proceedings already completed, sufficient grounds exist to proceed against the respondents, the court said. Accordingly, Jairam Ramesh, Paresh Nath and Kaushal Shroff were summoned by the court for defamation case under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. They have been ordered to appear before the Judge on April 25.

The full court order can be read here:

[googleapps domain=”drive” dir=”file/d/1_NLR12DFlgKI0efjq7uODACwaM41SjWo/preview” query=”” width=”640″ height=”480″ /]

 

‘He doubts India’s right to defend its sovereignty from those who want to damage it through terrorism’: Arun Jaitley slams Manmohan Singh and Congress

After India’s airstrikes against Pakistan, flattening Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps, Congress and its President, Rahul Gandhi have been making outlandish statements just to target the Modi government, and in effect, mistrust the Armed forces too. Arun Jaitley posted a blog on his Facebook page today slamming Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders’ utterances: 

The Congress-led UPA Government from 2004 to 2014 ran a terrible Government. From 2014 to 2019, it was even a more terrible Opposition. There are occasions in history where the nation speaks in one voice. Politicians and leaders rise to the level of statesmanship. They rise above narrow partisan interest. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s and the Jana Sangh’s support to the Government during the 1971 war is a case in point.

The terrorists attack at Pulwama on 14th February 2019 was planned and hatched across the border. Several Pakistani nationals were involved in it. Some have already been liquidated. There is enough evidence which points to this direction. It has been shared with Pakistan.

The attack generated a sense of revulsion against terrorists and its sponsors in India. The nation was determined that the blood of our martyred Jawans will continue to inspire us to eliminate terrorism.

The pre-emptive attack by our Air Force at Balakot across the border was intended to defend India’s sovereignty. It was a perfectly executed pinpointed operation. No civilian or military installations were targeted – only terrorists were.

The retaliatory attack by Pakistan’s F-16 was the most botched up operation. In short, both the attack and our defence pointed to the valour and professionalism of our Air Force. Pakistan was globally isolated. Even the OIC refused to pay heed to it. It violated every tenet of the Geneva Convention in relation to our brave Wing Commander Abhinandan. Not only was Pakistan globally isolated, but the issue of its terrorism has also reached the Security Council. So helpless was the situation that it was in no position to even admit the attack at Balakot. If it had admitted the attack and its consequences, the evidence of a terrorist camp in existence and the list of dead terrorists would have been an international issue.

The whole of India was speaking in one voice. Public opinion overwhelmingly supported the Government’s decision and the Air Force’s execution.

However, like its other friends in the Opposition, the Congress Party refuses to learn. After an initial show of support for our Air Force, it tried to create a divide in India’s political opinion. From Congress and its friends, we have witnessed three recent statements.

In a meeting of the 21 Opposition Parties, a resolution was passed, accusing the Prime Minister of politicizing the Pulwama and Balakot incidents. The Government had twice taken the Leaders of Opposition parties into confidence. No evidence of politicization was given. The statement was inappropriate. It gave a handle to the enemy. The media in Pakistan used this statement of 21 Opposition Parties as a trump card. It took the statement as an endorsement of the Pakistani position that India had taken the Balakot action because of the compulsion of its domestic politics and not as a part of its policy to defend the country against terrorism.

The West Bengal Chief Minister went a step further. She started doubting the veracity of the incident and wanted to know the operational details. The credibility of both the Government and our Air Force is being doubted. Even Congress leaders have raised similar questions.

I was most disappointed with a brief but a highly objectionable statement of the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. While receiving the P.V. Narasimha Rao Award for the lifetime achievement, he stated that he was disturbed with the “Mad rush of mutual self-destruction” by the two nations. He further went on to argue that poverty, ignorance and disease were the real problems in the two countries and that saner counsel on both sides needed to think on the issue. What does this statement indicate? My analysis of the statement is as follows:-

(i) The former Prime Minister elevated himself to the status of a neutral third party rather than be concerned about India’s interest.

(ii) He further developed a theory of parity and equivalence between both India and Pakistan. The perpetrator of terrorism and the victim of terrorism are both at par according to him.

(iii) Implicitly, he doubts India’s right to defend its sovereignty from those who want to damage it through terrorism.

(iv) There is no condemnation of terrorism in that speech.

(v) Amongst the problems facing India that he mentions which include poverty, ignorance and disease. Violence and terrorism are of no consequence in his assessment.

Seen collectively and cumulatively, the above three statements ought not to have been made. They hurt India’s national interest. Not only do they give smiles to Pakistan, but they also become an important instrument in Pakistan’s hands to discredit India. Does the opposition want the Air Force to release operation details of the Balakot attack? The Opposition is entitled to oppose and ask questions, but then restrain and statesmanship are also an essential ingredient of public discourse. I hope, India’s Opposition revisits its position and does not let down the nation.

Khajuraho, Islamic invaders and Mahatma Gandhi

It’s easy to describe Khajuraho temples in bare facts. That the group of temples were constructed by kings of Chandela dynasty (9th-13th century) of Bundelkhand in Central India between 950-1050 AD; that out of 85 temples only 22 remain; that a spread of 20km with various water bodies is now reduced to only 6km stretch; that it was hidden from the world for nearly three centuries before the Englishman T.S Burt rediscovered it in the 1830s. And that today it is UNESCO world heritage site.

It’s also easy to describe an average tourist’s calling card to this remote village in Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, nestled in the range of Vindhya mountains—the wonder of its erotic sculptures which leave nothing to the imagination, be it between couples, orgy or even the sexual bestiality with animals. Never have cold stones breathed so much of sensuality, such contours, such consummation, such fantasy. Hips protrude, pelvis thrust, legs entwine, lips seal and organs devour each other in positions which put onlookers on fire. Manicured nails, wet hair, dripping water, intricate jewellery are as good as alive.

However, it’s only when you visit these group of temples celebrating Hinduism and Jainism, which American historian Will Durant admired for its’ spirit of tolerance, and are face to face, that you sink on your knees and tears start to flow, uninhibited. You are light as air. Without a form. Reduced to the Spirit consumed by the Creator Supreme.

The sculptures are so many, spread to the last inch of the behemoth structures, yet in perfect harmony and space, depicting every aspect of life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha –which is the essence of Hinduism. These 100s of sculptures, made of sandstone from the surrounding mountain ranges, must have been made by hundreds of skilled sculptors then carried to the site, uplifted through a corresponding mound, then interlocked in symmetry, grids and mathematical precision. There are no mortars: only mortise and tenon joints since the gravity of the stones hold it together. Such construction requires precise joints – nearly a thousand years in existence is ample proof of its perfection.

Wikipedia says: While recording the television show Lost Worlds, Alex Evans recreated a stone sculpture under 4 feet that took about 60 days to carve. Roger Hopkins and Mark Lehner also conducted experiments to quarry limestone which took 12 quarrymen 22 days to quarry about 400 tons of stone. Such an exquisite work would’ve required 100s of trained sculptors and decades of work.

The other thing which strikes you about Khajuraho is extreme vandalism it has suffered. Most of it was by Islamic invaders though during the British rule, and after, smugglers axed beautiful heads and figures and sold it in overseas markets.

There is elaborate historical evidence which shows the extent of brutality of Islamic invaders. Abu Rihan-al-Biruni, the Persian historian who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in his raid of Chandelas’ territory in 1022 CE, mentions Khajuraho temples and the barbarity of the aggressors. In the 13th century, Delhi’s Muslim sultan Qutb-ud-Din Aibak attacked and seized the Chandela kingdom. Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan traveller, mentioned visiting Khajuraho temples “which contain idols and have been mutilated by the Moslems.” Tens of Khajuraho temples were smashed to the last stone by these fanatical barbarians.

An interesting aside is that puritan Mahatma Gandhi, in a fit of his Victorian morality, wanted to have nothing to do with Khajuraho temples because of its vivid sexual imagery. He so much as wished that vandals would wipe Khajuraho temples out of existence. It was Rabindranath Tagore who stood up for Khajuraho as one of the great heritage of India and spoke against this insanity. British too were outraged by this Hindu “decadence.”

A visit to these temples is one of life’s enriching, overwhelming experience. You marvel India’s advanced civilization when Europe was in its dark ages. It’s also a wounding experience for looking at disfigures sculptors you become acutely aware of the destruction which Islamic invaders wrought on this land. Muslim inhabitants of this land can’t be blamed for their forefathers but let there be no denial too that Islamic invaders were filled with a religious zeal to wipe out “kafirs” and convert a “Dar al-Harab” (non-Islamic zones) into “Dar al-Islam” (Islamic zones). Pretending nothing of this sort happened is insulting and not a homage to this injured civilization of ours.