The Uttar Pradesh Government led by Yogi Adityanath has presented its budget for the financial year 2025-26 this Thursday, which is a nonth consecutive budget of the administration. An INR 8,08,736 crore budget that allocates 22% of its funds for development, 13% for education, 11% for agriculture and related purposes, 6% for healthcare and 4% for social security programs. UP Finance Minister states that the budget primarily focuses on research and development and Information Technology, targeting for a $1 trillion economy. The Uttar Pradesh budget is the highest ever, more than any other states budget in the country. Moreover, if we talk about UP alone, this years presented budget is 9.8% more than the budget of the year 2024-26. this years budget comes amid the grand Mahakumbh and also when the state is witnessing a growth in various sectors. But it is not the amount or the percentage that really sets Uttar Pradeshs budget apart. But the interesting schemes that you will find in the declaration. Here is an insight: Ujjwala scheme The Ujjwala scheme aims to attract households at large, especially the women. The government has announced to provide two free cylinders from now on, to provide the eligible families an access to clean cooking fuel. The skyhigh solar plans UP Government is ensuring the utmost use of solar energy in the state. This includes: The plan to create a solar city in Ayodhya. The city has also been provided a separate Rs.150 crore to develop the tourism infrastructure in the city. 3000 Surya Mitras will be trained under the solar policy. The stae aims to generate 22,000 megawatts of solar power. Construction of four new expressways A whopping Rs.900 crores has been allocated for the construction of four new expressways in the state that will ensure smooth connectivity, both inter-state and intra-state as well as generate economic activities. This includes a greenfield expressway that will connect Agra-Lucknow expressway to Ganga expressway, the Vindhya expressway, Ganga expressway extension and the Bundelkhand Rewa expressway. It also includes the Baake Bihari ji Maharaj temple corridor (Mathura Vrindavan) that will promote religious tourism. From municipalities to smart cities There is a plan for converting 58 municipalities of the state to model smart cities, a key priority of the Uttar Pradesh Government for urban development. The Budget 2025-26 provides Rs.145 crore for this project. Farmer welfare fund Rs. 1,050 to be provided under the farmer welfare fund as a financial assistance to the farmers in a case of accidental death or disability. Five agriculture universities will also be established in the state to promote education and research in the field, generating curiosity among the learners. Development of an artificial intelligence city The government has allocated a sum of 5 crores for the development of an artificial city in Lucknow to establish Uttar Pradesh as a hub of AI driven research and development. An additional Technology Research Translation park will be established for technological research and innovation in cyber security. Not only this, Science city, Science parks and Planetariums will be revamped for the students and researchers, keeping them engaged with scientific curiosity. The government also plans to establish eight data parks in the state. Rs. 400 crores for Yogi Government has declared allocation of Rs. 400 crores for the Rani Lakshmi Bai Scooter Yojana that will distribute scooters eligible girls pursuing higher education. This will promote higher education among young women in merit, encouraging them to study further building a future for themselves. Moreover, Rs.900 crore will be provided for pre and post 10 th scholarships for general category students. From outdated to smart UP Government will allocate Rs.300 crores for the primary schools to turn them into smart schools, providing them an access to a digital and modernized learning. For this, schools will have ICT labs, digital libraries and smart classrooms, further ensuring an industry relevant training for the young learners. It also plans to set up a Center of Excellence for AI and emerging technologies, to facilitate innovation. Zero poverty scheme The Zero Poverty Abhiyan was launched by the government on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in 2024. For the successful campaign, the Government has allocated a separate Rs.250 crores under the Zero Poverty scheme. Under the campaign, the government is taking action to identify poorest of families from each Gram Panchayat, helping them meet their basic needs, bringing their annual income to at least Rs.1,25,000. This will economically uplift the poorest and marginalized. For the workers, the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will set up Labor bases that will be equipped with canteens, drinking water and sanitation facilities in order to improve the working conditions of the laborers. Smart devices for the revenue personnel A separate sum of Rs.24 crores is set aside in the budget to provide laptops, smart phones and other electronic devices for the revenue personnel of the state for all the online and digital work. This will facilitate digital governance in the state. CMs mass marriage scheme The government provides for Rs.550 crores for the CM Mass marriage scheme that provides grant for the daughters belonging to all classes and sections of the society. Needy and underprivileged women will be ensured financial support under the Destitute Woman Pension scheme which is allocated with Rs.2,980 crore. For the differently abled individuals, Rs.1,424 crore has been allocated towards the Disabled maintenance Grant scheme. The state legislative assembly will also undergo modernization, upgrading to IT infrastructure, advancing in governance. The budget also proposes Rs27 crore for autonomous medical college in Ballia and RS25 crore for another one in Balrampur. Six new forensic science laboratories will also be established in Ayodhya, Basti, Banda, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, and Sahranpur. This will broaden and strengthen forensic capabilities of the state. Jal Jeevan mission is allocated Rs4500 crore for availability of water in the rural areas and Mukhyamantri Green Road scheme with Rs800 crore. Yogis Double engine Government envisions on Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas. Opposition has its own stand to the budget, further realities will be revealedwhen the ambitions get fulfilled.
IN PHOTOS: Scorching heat leaves Thiruvananthapuram reeling
Kerala is witnessing an unusual rise in temperatures in February, with the India Meteorological Department predicting two to three degrees above normal temperatures across the state. The soaring heat, even before the official onset of summer, has disrupted daily life, prompting the state government to issue a high alert. In response, working hours have been restructured, and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has advised residents to avoid direct sun exposure between 11am and 3pm. Authorities have also urged people to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses. High temperatures can lead to serious health issues including heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration. According to experts, the heatwave-like conditions are likely to persist, and the summer is going to be harsh. A bird nesting on a barren tree at Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram A man rests under a boat to escape from the scorching sun at Perumathura in Thiruvananthapuram Tourists use hats and shawls due to the reeling heat at Papanasam beach A student having free drinking water from a hotel on MG Road in Thiruvananthapuram A migrant labourer rests under the shade at Kallambalam in Thiruvananthapuram Foreign tourists enjoy tender coconut water at Papanasam beach seeking relief from the heat A boy trying to sell an umbrella to a foreign tourist at Papanasam beach in Thiruvananthapuram
With focus on Ayodhya, Mathura, govt push for spiritual tourism
Speeding Car Rams Into Woman In Maharashtra's Badlapur, Disturbing Video Emerges
A 59-year-old woman, Mathura Rama Irle, was killed by a speeding car during a morning walk in Badlapur, Thane district. The incident was captured on CCTV. The driver has been arrested.
SC bench defers hearing new pleas in Places of Worship act case to April, says Impossible to deal
The Supreme Court of India has refused to hearing of any pleas relating to Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 until April first week on Monday. The bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said that the matter will be heard by a three-judge bench. The highest court expressed displeasure over the filing of any fresh pleas in a case related to the validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The act states to maintain the religious character of a place as it existed on August 15, 1947. When Senior advocate Indira Jaising, while appearing for a litigant mentioned for a fresh plea for hearing during the day, the CJI said, We might not be able to take it up. It is a three-judge matter. List sometime in March. There is a limit to interventions being filed. The matter was mentioned by the senior advocate at the beginning of the proceedings. The bench said, We are constrained to pass this order after taking note of the number of fresh petitions filed. The pending writ petitions, which have no notices, stand dismissed with liberty to file an application raising additional grounds, if any. The new IA will only be allowed if there is any new point or new legal issue that has not been raised in the pending petitions. Last month, the Indian National Congress (INC) had moved to the Supreme Court opposing the pleas that are challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. It supports the POW Act and defends it stating that it does not violates the freedom of religion and is essential for the communal harmony of the country. The court will hear the plea filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay directing that Section 2,3 and 4 of the POW Act be set aside. Another plea by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy against certain provisions of the POW Act will be considered. He had sought for directions to read down the law so that the Hindus could claim over the Gyanvapi mosque (Varanasi) and Shahi Idgah mosque (Mathura). The court had already stalled over proceedings in nearly 18 lawsuits filed by Hindu parties in its December 12, 2024 order. They were seeking for a survey to ascertain the original religious character of over 10 mosques.
SC defers hearing of pleas concerning Places of Worship Act 1991 to April
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing of petitions connected with the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, from February 17 to April. The court said that too many intervention applications were being filed and that there should a limit to such applications. We will not take up the Places of Worship Act matter today. It is a three-judge matter. Too many petitions filed. List sometime in March. There is a limit to interventions being filed, said the CJI-led bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. Justice P V Sanjay Kumar and the CJI told the advocates of petitioners appearing for the hearing that since the case is a three-judge bench matter, the two-judge bench will not be able to handle it. The bench added that many petitions have been filed and the hearing has to be postponed to a later date. The apex court also expressed extreme displeasure over too many intervention applications being filed. Last month, the Indian National Congress (INC)moved the SC to oppose the batch of pleas challenging the provisions of the PlacesofWorship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. On February 15, the INC filed an application seeking a direction to be an intervenorin these pleas . Many political leaders have openly supported the PoW Act and also sought to intervene. The INC, in its plea, supported the PoW Act, 1991, stating that it does not violate the freedom of religion and that it is essential for communal harmony in the country. On December 12 last year, a bench headed by the chief justice, while acting on a batch of pleas relating to the 1991 law, restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any effective interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. The Act prohibits conversionofreligious character of places of worship from their status as of August 15, 1947. The SC will hear the plea filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking a direction that Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the PoW Act be set aside. The court will also consider a plea filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy against certain provisions of the 1991 law. Swamy had sought directions to 'read down' the law so Hindus could stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Dares Rahul, Mallikarjun To Take Holy Dip in Maha Kumbh
Addressing the Lodhi community here, Mr Yadav said that the Congress leaders used to go all out to flaunt themselves as Hindus by visiting temples during the election time, but never bothered to visit the prominent Hindu shrines in Mathura and Ayodhya (Ram temple).
Mineswar Hazarika receives Bharat Gaurav award
HT Correspondent NAGAON, Feb 15: Mineshwar Hazarika, retired professor of the College of Veterinary Science under Assam Agricultural University, was conferred with the Bharat Gaurav award for 2024-25 by the Bharat Vikas Sangam recently in Karnataka. The award was given away by Dharmacharjya of Mathura Geeta Ashram Aveshananda Maharaj, in presence of Pujja KN Govinda []
NEW DELHI: As the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas related to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, on February 17, the Congress party has sought direction to be an intervenor in pleas challenging the provisions of the Act. The INC in its intervention application (IA) supported the 1991 Act stating that it is essential for communal harmony, adding that the Act does not violate freedom of religion. ThePoWAct is enacted by the Parliament, as it reflects the mandate of the Indian populace. In fact, thePoWAct had been envisaged prior to the year 1991 and the same is made a partofthe Applicant's then Election Manifesto for the Parliamentary elections, the INC stated in its plea filed before the SC. ThePoWAct is essential to safeguard secularism in India and the present challenge appears to be a motivated and malicious attempt to undermine established principles of secularism, the INC added. On December 12 last year, a bench headed by the chief justice, while acting on a batch of pleas relating to the 1991 law, restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any effective interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. The Act prohibits conversionofreligious character of places of worship from their status as of August 15, 1947. Many political leaders including NCP (Sharad Pawar group) MLA Jitendra Awhad, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, VCK MP Thol Thirumavalan, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi along with leaders from CPI (M) and IUML have openly supported the PoW Act and sought to intervene. The SC will hear the plea filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking a direction that Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the PoW Act be set aside. The court will also consider a plea filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy against certain provisions of the 1991 law. Swamy had sought directions to 'read down' the law so Hindus could stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura. SC to hear pleas concerning Places of Worship Act 1991 on February 17
SC to hear pleas concerning Places of Worship Act 1991 on February 17
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear a batch of pleas relating to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, on February 17. As per the causelist for February 17 uploaded on the apex court's website, a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan is slated to hear the matter. The Act prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. However, the dispute relating to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue in Ayodhya was kept out of its purview. Some of the pleas filed in the apex court have challenged the validity of certain provisions of the 1991 law. On January 2, the top court agreed to examine a plea filed by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi seeking effective implementation of the places of worship law. On December 12 last year, a bench headed by the chief justice, while acting on a batch of pleas relating to the 1991 law, restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any effective interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. The bench was hearing petitions, including the lead plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging various provisions of the 1991 law. The top court through its December 12 order, effectively stalled proceedings in about 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu parties seeking survey to ascertain original religious character of 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, where four persons' lives were snuffed out in clashes last year. As the matter is sub judice before this court, we deem it appropriate to direct that, though fresh suits may be filed, no suits would be registered and no proceedings shall be undertaken therein till further orders of this court, it had said. The top court also said the primary issue that arises for consideration was with regard to Sections 3 and 4 of the 1991 Act and its contours, as well as the width and expanse of the said provisions. While Section 3 deals with barring conversion of places of worship, Section 4 pertains to declaration as to the religious character of certain places of worship and bar of jurisdiction of courts, etc. There are several cross petitions which seek strict implementation of the 1991 law to maintain communal harmony and to preserve the present status of mosques, sought to be reclaimed by Hindus on the ground that they were temples before invaders razed them. Various Muslim parties, including the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, moved the apex court to oppose several pending petitions that challenge the constitutional validity of the 1991 law. The mosque committee listed a series of contentious claims made over the years concerning various mosques and dargahs (shrines), including the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid near Delhi's Qutub Minar, and the Kamal Maula mosque in Madhya Pradesh, among others.
HC to hear case related to Mathura Idgah dispute on Mar 5
Stampede Happened But...: Hema Malini On Kumbh
Hema Malini, the BJP's MP from Mathura, today doubled down on the comment on Kumbh that had sparked a huge controversy.
Bengalurus Hindi theatre landscape is changing, says playwright Mathura
Why has Premanand Maharaj stopped his morning yatras at 2 am?
Every day, thousands of devotees visit the holy city of Vrindavan in Mathura, seeking blessings from temples during the day and waiting for Premanand Maharaj's darshan at night.
The government of Uttar Pradesh has requested the Supreme Court to let it manage eight temples in Mathura, wherein Advocates were earlier appointed as court receivers, till the pendency of civil suits. The Bench of Justice Bela Trivedi and Justice SC Sharma was on Thursday hearing a case related to the appointment of advocates as [] The post Uttar Pradesh seeks permission from Supreme Court to manage Mathura temples involved in litigation during pendency of cases appeared first on India Legal .
Who is Kiran Chaudhury? PCS officer caught in bribe case, just 4 years after posting
Kiran was recently posted as the District Panchayati Raj Officer (DPRO) in Mathura district. During this time, she was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of 70,000 rupees.
VHP meeting at Maha Kumbh site on Feb 7; temple control, Waqf containment key agenda
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) will hold a three-day meeting starting February 7 in Jhunsi, to discuss issues such as the control of Hindu temples, demographic imbalances, and Waqf Board powers. The event will also address the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and the liberation of Kashi and Mathura religious sites.
Northern Command of Indian Army to hold investiture ceremony at Mathura on Feb 12
The Northern Command of the Indian Army will honor officers and soldiers for their bravery and distinguished service at a ceremony on February 12 at Mathura Military Station. Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar will present the awards, recognizing the exceptional courage and dedication of the personnel in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty.
Class 10 Student Kidnapped, Strangled By Four Friends In Mathura
Tarun Kumar, a class 10 student, was reported missing by his father Yogesh Kumar on Monday evening.
Numerous akharas and seers from all over the nation, who convened a Dharam Sansad (religious assembly) at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Monday (27 January), demanded the abolition of the Places of Worship Act and the dissolution of the Waqf Board. A resolution for the formation of a Sanatan Hindu Board 2025 was also Continue reading Form Sanatan Board, Repeal Places Of Worship Act: Seers Demand Freeing Kashi, Mathura And Sambhal At Dharam Sansad The post Form Sanatan Board, Repeal Places Of Worship Act: Seers Demand Freeing Kashi, Mathura And Sambhal At Dharam Sansad appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
From Somnath To Sambhal: CM Yogi Calls For Unveiling the Truth | Yogi Adityanath Interview | N18K
| From Somnath till Sambhal, it is a journey to find the truth. Everything should not be turned into an issue unnecessarily. The truth of Sambhal, Mathura and Kashi should come out: UP CM Yogi Adityanath speaks with Rahul Joshi n18oc_shorts Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtubeWatch Full Interview: https://www.youtube.com/live/nBSSBW_rWzA?si=rjTCO7bvijhSPboW
Yogi Adityanath Interview | UP CM Yogi: Revenue Records Expose False Claims Of WAQF | N18K
| There were claims regarding Sambhal, Mathura, Kashi by Waqf board. All their claims have been proven wrong based on the revenue records of Uttar Pradesh: UP CM Yogi Adityanath speaks with Rahul Joshi n18oc_india Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
PRAYAGRAJ: Taking their endeavour against government control over temples across the country forward, the saints and seers gathered to attend Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal meeting at VHP camp on Maha Kumbh mela campus, on late Friday. Advocating the lifting of government control over the temples, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avdheshanand Giri said donations worth Rs 1.86 lakh crore from temples were going to government coffers. Prominent seers from the country held deliberations on various issues pertaining to the Hindu community. Expressing concern over the declining birth rate among Hindus, the seers said it was imperative for every use Hindu family to have at least three children. There is a need to increase the birth rate among Hindus to keep the population balanced, said a senior VHP functionary. He added that seers associated with the organisation had launched an awareness campaign across the nation to free Hindu temples from government control. The call for the campaign was given from the Bada Sabha in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh recently. The seers and saints have urged that all temples be freed from government control. They want scrapping of laws that give government control and the management of temples and the same should be handed over to the faithful, he said. The seers at the meeting welcomed the Union government's move to bring a waqf law to control the unfettered powers of the Waqf Board asserting that this law should be passed unanimously by all MPs. From the Dharma Sansad of 1984 onwards, the seer community, Hindu society, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Sangh, have been committed to getting the three key temples of Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, the VHP functionary said. He noted that For the uplift of the country, social harmony, environment protection, inculcation of Hindu values through family enlightenment and eradication of social evils, self-awareness is a must. Flaying the candle march groups, seers questioned why were they silent when Hindus were targeted in Bangladesh recently. VHP said it would keep on raising voice to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. VHP functionaries said they would demand return of the religious sites to Hindus where evidences of temples have been found.
Back bill to check waqf bodies powers: VHP
The VHP has urged all parties to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, highlighting its claim over the Gyanvapi mosque and Mathura's Shahi Idgah sites. During the Maha Kumbh meeting, the VHP also called for ending government control over Hindu temples and expressed concerns about the declining Hindu birth rate.
Would you dare sip water from Yamuna in UP': Akhilesh's dig at Yogi over his remarks on Kejriwal
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a veiled jibe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who slammed AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the state of Yamuna's cleanliness during a campaign for the upcoming polls in Delhi. Yadav asked if Adityanath could sip water from the Yamuna in his own state in Mathura. While campaigning for the BJP for the Delhi assembly polls on Thursday, Adityanath alleged Kejriwal, the former chief minister of Delhi, has committed a sin by turning the Yamuna into a dirty drain. The UP chief minister, whose cabinet took a dip in the Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday, asked if Kejriwal and his ministers could take a bath in the Yamuna. He should answer if he has any moral courage, Adityanath said. In a seeming response to Yogi's remarks, Yadav wrote a post on X but did not name anyone. Before challenging others, people should dare sip water from the Yamuna which flows through Mathura in their state, the SP chief said in a Hindi post. Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 24, 2025 In his campaign speech in Delhi's Kirari, Adityanath had said devotees and saints in Mathura-Vrindavan are victims of AAP's sins as Yamuna water reaches the state as a dirty drain. He accused the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal of never cooperating for the Yamuna's cleanliness with the central government under the Namami Gange project. Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party are constituents of the INDIA bloc which was formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
SP Chief Akhikesh Yadav Takes A Jibe At UP CM Yogi Adityanath | Delhi Election 2025 | News18
| SP Chief Akhikesh Yadav takes a jibe at UP CM Yogi Adityanath'Those who challenge others should demonstrate by sipping water from Yamuna river which flows through Mathura in their state.' -newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
'Can You Take A Dip In Yamuna': Yogi Adityanath's Dare To Arvind Kejriwal
Yogi Adityanath alleged that the devotees and saints in holy Mathura-Vrindavan are victims of AAP's sins of AAP as Mother Yamuna reaches there in the form of a dirty drain.
Stray dogs maul 3-year-old boy to death in Mathura
Mathura: A three-year-old boy was mauled to death by stray dogs while playing outside his house in the Kosi Kalan town of the district, police said. Ashish Sharma, Circle Officer (CO) of Chhata, said, The incident occurred around 3 pm on Wednesday when the boy, identified as Sofiyan, was playing outside his home (in the Eidgah Colony). A pack of six stray dogs surrounded him, attacked, and dragged him, leaving him grievously injured. Other children who witnessed the attack informed the boy's family, Sharma added. The family members rushed to the spot, used sticks to drive the dogs away, and rescued the child. But by then, he had suffered severe injuries, with bite and claw marks all over his body, Sharma said. The boy was initially taken to a nearby private hospital, where doctors referred him to a district hospital due to the severity of his injuries. However, Sofiyan succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, officials said. The death of Sofiyan, the youngest of three brothers, leaves his family in deep shock and mourning. The local municipal administration has been informed of the incident and urged to implement effective measures to control stray dogs and prevent such tragedies, police officials said.
OYO plans to add 500 hotels in religious hubs this year
NEW DELHI, Jan 22:Travel tech unicorn OYO on Wednesday said it is planning to add 500 hotels in religious hubs, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Puri, Haridwar, Mathura, Vrindavan, Amritsar, Ujjain, Ajmer, Nasik, and Tirupati, this year. The announcement comes at a time when religious tourism in the country is booming and the government has launched several initiatives that aim to improve infrastructure at tourist sites and develop tourist attractions, including the PRASHAD scheme, the Ramayana Circuit, and the Swadesh [] The post OYO plans to add 500 hotels in religious hubs this year appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Supreme Court extends stay on court-monitored survey of Shahi Idgah mosque complex in Mathura
The CJI said three issues were pending now with the apex court and they are the issue of an intra-court appeal (against consolidation of lawsuits filed by the Hindu litigants), the other one is the Act (challenge to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991) itself. List in the week commencing April 1.
SC extends stay on court-monitored survey of Shahi Idgah mosque complex in Mathura
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its stay on the Allahabad High Courts order that permitted a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah Mosque complex in Mathura. The complex is located adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, a site of significant religious importance for Hindus. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Centre delaying Worship Act reply: Mosque panel to SC
The Mathura Shahi Masjid Eidgah Committee has approached the Supreme Court, requesting the court to prevent the central government from filing a response to a petition challenging the Places of Worship Act's constitutional validity. The committee accuses the BJP-led government of intentionally delaying its response. The court had previously issued a notice to the government in March 2021, but the government has yet to submit its reply despite numerous opportunities. The committee argues that the government's delay is intended to obstruct those opposing the challenge to the Places of Worship Act from filing their own responses. The petition also states that the pleas challenging the law's validity are scheduled for hearing on February 17, and closing the government's right to respond would serve justice. The Supreme Court previously issued a ruling in December 2022 that stopped courts from entertaining new lawsuits or issuing interim or final orders regarding the reclaiming of religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. The ruling halted proceedings in 18 lawsuits filed by Hindu groups seeking surveys to confirm the original religious character of 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. This decision was made in response to six petitions, including one filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging various provisions of the Places of Worship Act. The 1991 law prohibits the conversion of places of worship and guarantees the preservation of their existing religious character as it stood on August 15, 1947. Notably, the dispute regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was excluded from this law. There are also several cross-petitions advocating for a strict enforcement of the 1991 law to uphold communal harmony and maintain the current status of mosques that Hindu groups seek to reclaim, claiming they were temples before being destroyed by invaders.
Places of Worship Act: Mathura Shahi Masjid committee moves SC to close Centre's right to file reply
The Mathura Shahi Masjid Eidgah Committee moves the Supreme Court to close the Centre's right to reply on a plea challenging the Places of Worship Act. The committee accuses the BJP-led Centre of deliberate delays, impacting the hearing of petitions against the 1991 law.
Man gets life term for brutal stabbing of neighbour over affair
A 35-year-old man in Mathura received a life sentence for stabbing and killing a villager on November 24, 2023, due to an alleged affair. The court also fined him Rs 15,000. Although the victim's brother lodged a complaint, the convict's wife did not testify. The court found him guilty under IPC sections 506 and 302.
Telangana bus travelling to Maha Kumbh catches fire, one dead
Hyderabad: An elderly person died after a bus from Telanganas Nirmal district travelling to the ongoing Prayagrajs Maha Kumbh Mela caught fire in Uttar Pradeshs Mathura city. According to police, around 50 pilgrims were travelling in the bus when it stopped at Vridhavan Tourist Center for a break. An elderly person died after a bus Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Mathura Shahi Idgah row: SC defers hearing on mosque panel's plea to March
The Supreme Court postponed its hearing to March 2025 on the Shahi Idgah mosque committee's plea in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute. The committee argues the lawsuits violate the Places of Worship Act, which prohibits changes to religious character post-Independence. Allahabad High Court had rejected the committee's plea, stating the religious character needed determination.
Elderly Passenger Killed as Pilgrims Bus Catches Fire in Mathura
Mathura (UP): An elderly passenger lost his life when a private bus carrying pilgrims from Telangana to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh caught fire on Tuesday, police said. The incident occurred at the Vrindavan Tourist Centre, where the bus was parked. According to Additional SP City Arvind Kumar, the bus was carrying around 50 pilgrims en route to Prayagraj for a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. The group had stopped at Vrindavan on Tuesday evening, and while some pilgrims visited nearby temples, others stayed back to prepare food. Amid this, sparks were noticed coming from the bus, which quickly escalated into a massive fire. Emergency services, including police and fire teams, were immediately alerted. One of the pilgrims raised an alarm, pointing out that an elderly man, identified as Dhrupati, was still inside the bus. Tragically, the fire engulfed the vehicle before he could be rescued, and he was found dead. A fellow passenger claimed that Dhrupati was smoking a beedi and had chosen to stay in the bus while others stepped out. It is suspected that the lit beedi might have caused the fire, although investigations are ongoing. Senior police officials arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue and investigation efforts. The body has been sent for post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death, Kumar said.
SC to hear Mathura's Shahi Idgah dispute on Wednesday
The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea from the mosque management committee challenging an order rejecting its petition in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh on January 15. The Allahabad High Court had rejected the mosque committee's plea, stating that the religious character of the Shahi Idgah mosque needed to be determined. The case involves claims that the mosque was built after the demolition of a temple, a claim disputed by the mosque committee. The Supreme Court will now decide on the maintainability of the mosque committee's plea.
Mathura Shahi Idgah row: SC to hear mosque committees plea on Jan 15
New Delhi: The Supreme Court would on January 15 hear a plea of the mosque management committee against an order rejecting its petition in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, UP. A single judge bench of the Allahabad High Court on August 1, last year, rejected the plea of the Committee of Management, Trust Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
NEW DELHI: Expressing its disinclination, the Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Allahabad High Court's order to consolidate or club all suits relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute and hear them together. The two-judge bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar, while refusing to club the batch of suits pending in the High Court, highlighted that it would benefit both the Hindu and Muslim sides since it would avoid multiple proceedings in various forums. The apex court said this after hearing the Muslim side challenge the Allahabad High Court's order allowing the plea of the Hindu side seeking consolidation of the suits. Why should we interfere in the issue of consolidation? It is in your (Muslim side) benefit and theirs also that multiple proceedings are avoided. We will adjourn this. Re-list in the first week of April 2025, the apex court said. From the Muslim side, senior lawyer Huzefa A. Ahmadi and Advocate on Record (AOR) Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi represented the Muslim side, while Vishnu Jain argued for the Hindu side before the Apex Court. The apex court said that the counter affidavit/reply/status report should be filed by the respondents, including from the Hindu side, within two weeks from today or from the date of service of notice, as the case may be. While refusing to pass any order on the plea of the Muslim side, the bench adjourned the matter to the first week of April. The top court is currently seized of a batch of petitions related to the dispute between the Hindu party, Krishna Janmabhoomi, and the Muslim side, Shahi Eidgah mosque. The controversy surrounds the Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura, which is alleged to have been built after demolishing the temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The Supreme Court has upheld the Allahabad High Court's decision to merge 15 lawsuits regarding the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute. The court noted that consolidation benefits all parties by preventing multiple proceedings. The issue is set to be revisited in April, with further clarifications allowed if necessary.
Plea against combining multiple lawsuits in Mathura temple-mosque dispute may be raised later: SC
A lawyer, appearing for the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Idgah, said the lawsuits were not similar in nature and yet have been consolidated by the High Court
School Winter Vacation 2025: School Holidays Extended In These States
Cities in Uttar Pradesh including Ghaziabad, Agra, Mathura and Lucknow have declared holidays in their schools until January 11-14, 2025.
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 9: BJP today organized the Sangathan Parv election for BJP Sangathan district Jammu South and Jammu district. The significant political event was attended by Shri Kant Sharma, MLA Mathura, (UP), Sangathan Parv election observer BJP Jammu & Kashmir, Dr Narinder Singh Raina BJP national, secretary and MLA RS Pura -Jammu South, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, general secretary BJP Jammu & Kashmir and MLA Ramgarh and Rakesh Mahajan State Returning Officer and State incharge all cells The [] The post BJP organises Sangathan Parv appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MP CM Mohan Yadav Visits Mathura: Urges Sanatan Culture in Education Policy
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Mathura on Thursday, where he paid homage to the Yamuna River and visited the Brahmand Ghat in Gokul. He also offered his respects at the ashram of Sant Guru Sharnanand. Speaking to reporters after his prayers, CM Yadav emphasized his government's commitment to integrating Sanatan culture into Madhya Pradesh's education policy. Mathura, recognized as the sacred birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna, carries its own distinctive significance, Yadav remarked. Madhya Pradesh education system incorporates several elements of Sanatan culture, along with teachings connected to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. I came to Mathura to seek blessings from Guruji and to pay homage to the Lord, particularly before taking part in our Kumbh. Focus on Youth and Religious Infrastructure Earlier, CM Yadav chaired a Cabinet meeting in Bhopal that granted in-principle approval for the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission, set to launch on January 12, 2025, commemorating Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. The initiative aims to create a unified platform for youth-oriented activities, fostering socio-economic development among the youth of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, Yadav convened a Cabinet Committee meeting on preparations for Simhastha-2028, a grand Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain. He directed regular reviews of infrastructure progress in Ujjain and Indore divisions every 15 days. Highlighting the significance of these regions, he noted the presence of two Jyotirlingas, which will draw numerous devotees during the event. Reverence for Sanatan Values -Yadav's Mathura visit followed his participation in the Bhojpal Mahotsav Mela in December, an event dedicated to honoring Raja Bhoj. During the Mahotsav, he expressed his profound respect for Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, emphasizing his dedication to the Sanatan order. We hold no malice against anyone, he added. However, we will never compromise on matters related to Sanatan Dharma. After Lord Rama, it feels like Krishna Kanhaiya of Yamuna is calling me. CM Yadavs remarks underscored his vision of upholding traditional values while fostering modern initiatives for youth and religious infrastructure development.
Add these 15 enchanting experiences to your bucket list in 2025, that are worth a lifetime!
Let the feeling of the New Year sink in, it is time to get on to some new experiences. Those that you shall add to your already pending bucket list, those that you will just feel like hopping on to right now. Here are some, right in India. You know the destinations, but the glory of the place is worth to be experienced at a certain point of time. Thus, we have got it prepared for you. The long weekends in 2025 shall be utilized well. Come, check it- Kumbh Mela The first event that you got to experience at the beginning of the year is to visit the Mahakumbh. After a gap of 12 years, in 2025 the Mahakumbh is going to take place at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This religious event is the largest human gathering on the planet. Take a dip on the day of the Shahi snan in the Ganges, visit the camps of various spiritual leaders and be a part of the once in 12- year experience at the Mahakumbh 2025. It will begin on Jan 13 th 2025 and will continue till Feb 26, 2025. Do not miss the event of the year! Rann Mahotsav The ongoing Rann Mahotsav will continue till March 15, 2025. Celebrate the natural bliss of the White desert with the vivid cultural heritage of Gujarat. You can enjoy a comfortable stay at the Tent city and enjoy various activities and adventures, the music and folk dance performances of the local artists, the traditional crafts of artisans, and relaxation with meditation at spa. During the Rann Mahotsav, the beauty of Kutch is a splendid experience. You should go for it now, before the festival ends! Attractive packages are available for an amazing visit. Experience Holi as a local India is on a festival spree every year. Apart from all the festivals, the Holi fervor is always on a high. Why not celebrate the best of Holi at the most known places of the country? Be one with the local community and enjoy the festival of colors like never before. You can head out for- the Bra ki Holi in Mathura, around the Banke Bihari and Gopinath temple in Vrindavan, the Barsane ki Holi near Mathura, the ultimate experience of Holi in the Pink city of Jaipur, the best eve of Holi, i.e. Holika dahan in Udaipur, on the shores of Lake Pichola in Pushkar, in the idyllic spot Varanasi and near the Golden temple of Goddess Durga in Amritsar. Plus, it is a long weekend at the time of Holi this year. So you just cannot miss at any cost. The Taj Mahal at sunrise or on full moon Its a spectacular experience to visit the Taj Mahal. But have you ever imagined the beauty of the monument at sunrise and on a full moon night? It would be one of a kind. For a breathtaking sight where the rays of the sun fall on the white marble structure, when there is no flock of visitors seen, get out early and gaze at the Taj Mahal. And if you want to see it in the moonlight, then also you have got a chance. For, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) keeps the Taj Mahal open for visitors five days a month after sunset. Go for it to witness the magical hues right in front of your eyes. Spot the Bengal tiger The big roaring cat is a sight to behold. And the Indian subcontinent has a significant number to its tiger population. Add the unique thrilling safari experience to your bucket list now. Well, the best place to spot the Bengal tiger would be the Sunderbans in West Bengal. Get on the boat safari to look out for the Bengal tiger that lives in the semi-aquatic lifestyle in the Sundarbans, the Worlds largest Mangroves. Yet you can look out for other wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves in India. These include the Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Ranthambore, Tadoba, Pench and the Jim Corbett. At the Golden temple One of the most serene places you will ever be at, the Golden temple. Visit the Golden temple to attend the Palki ceremony and be a part of the Langar for lunch. The Palki ceremony is commenced at pre-dawn when the Sikh holy book is carried in a palanquin from the Alakh takht inner chamber (where it rests at night) to the main sanctum of the temple. The devotees sing bugles and devotional songs. The practice is reversed at night. It will be the best sacred visit of your life. Every day, a langar is organized for the worshippers and pilgrims at the Golden temple. Go out to help in the kitchen preparing the meals, and in the end seat in the lines to experience the most beautiful meal for the day. Serving at the Golden temple is the ultimate human experience one can ever have. Ganga Aarti at Haridwar On the banks of the river Ganges, the evening prayer is the most blissful religious ritual to be a part of. Thousands of pilgrims assemble to witness the Ganga Aarti at the Har-ki Pauri Ghat. It is organized every morning and evening by the Ganga Sabha. Offering of Panchamrut and flowers is made to Ganga while chanting the Ganga Lahari Mantra. Lastly, a special song for Ganga can be heard in the speakers when Aarti is offered by lighting the copper diya. It can be the most overwhelming experience of your lifetime. Night Kayaking in Andaman The Bioluminescence effect of the Andaman Islands is surreal. And it is only experienced at night by Kayaking in the calm waters with dense mangroves around. The best time to go for Kayaking is during no-moon or full moon phase. It also takes place on other days, only the bioluminescence effect is reduced by 20-30% in comparison to the dark days. The luminescent plankton glows blue in the depths of the waters of Andaman sea. You can even stargaze on the Kayak, at the best adventure of your life. The best places to opt for Night Kayaking include Port Blair, Havelock, Baratang, Neil Island and the Ross Island. Get onto the Kayak to immerse yourself in the spell-bounding luminescent night! Stay in the traditional homestays Homestays are quite in trend these days, with visitors looking for that home feeling while travelling. There are many traditional homestays in various parts of India offering the most comfortable, cozy, homely experience. They serve you with the best local cuisine with a unique cultural experience. You can also look for some homestays that are reviving the rich heritage of India. The best traditional homestays of India date back to five decades and more. Ones you can experience include- Slow Garden (Ladakh), Krishnayan Heritage (Gwalior), Shahpura Bagh (Shahpura), Ranjit Svasa (Amritsar), Philipkuttys farm, Kumarakom (Kerala), Premkunj (Udaipur), Jungle Lodge (Shimla) and many more homestays that are being opened by people in their old homes for visitors. An Ayurvedic retreat The land of Rishi Patanjali, yoga and Ayurveda, India has a variety of hosts offering you the ultimate Ayurvedic wellness. There is a long list of Ayurvedic rejuvenation centers and resorts in the country. Why not try something new and go for an Ayurvedic holiday for a therapeutic experience. The experts and doctors treat you with therapies even for some acute medical conditions, with meditation and yoga and the best from Ayurveda. So, basically it will be a peaceful, healthy and healing trip. The best in India are- Ananda in Himalayas (Uttarakhand), Ashok Country Resort (New Delhi), The Leela (Udaipur), Devaaya, The Ayurvedic and Nature Cure Center (Goa), Somatheeram Ayurveda resort and Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village, both in Kerala. Explore famous food streets Well, who doesnt love the Indian street food. Say the name of the dish and everyone is up for it. You might always go down the street in your city, but have you ever experienced the delight of eating at some of the famous Indian streets? Its so deliciously amazingyou should try visiting these food streets for a real good culinary experience of your lifetime. Know the delicacies, culture and cuisine of India through its street food. Sarafa bazaar (Indore), Chowk and Aminabad (Lucknow), Old city and Majithia road (Amritsar), Paranthevali gali (Delhi), Gol Park (Kolkata), VV Puram, Mosque road, Avenue road and Church street (Bengaluru), Muhammad Ali road (Mumbai), Manek chowk (Ahmedabad) and Chartori gali (Bhopal) are some of the famous food streets of India that are a heaven for a food lover. Encounter the elusive Snow leopard In the high altitude mountains of the Himalayas, you can track down the striking beauty of the Snow leopard. It can camouflage easily in the snow, with patterned spots and thick fur, often called as mountain ghosts by the locals. An estimated 718 snow leopards are left in the Himalayan region. Watching the big cat is the most thrilling experience to have. Coming month of February is the best month to spot them, when they come out to lower regions in search of prey. Visit the Himalayan states of Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim to catch the sight of the elusive cat species. Explore the stars, sky and space Get a step ahead of star gazing, know more about the stars, the sky and the space. You will know space exploration, astronomy and associated technologies, and you will be surprised to know Indias advancement. Visit the biggest planetariums in the country, even the best in Asia for an educational and entertainment treat. Delve into one of a kind experience that you will have at- The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata (also known as Taramandal which is the largest in Asia and 2 nd largest in the world), Hyderabad and Chennai are the top most. Others include the Nehru Planetarium (Mumbai), Guwahati Planetarium (Assam) and the Ahmedabad Planetarium (Gujarat). Celebrate Cinema at the iconic Raj Mandir All things glamour and iconic at the Raj Mandir cinema of Jaipur. The Raj Mandir Cinema has become symbolic with time. It is often called as Cinema ka Mandir. The meringue shaped auditorium is in business since 1976. Movie premieres are a different feel at Raj Mandir, which is well equipped with the latest sound and technology. Designed in the art moderne style, it has art deco chandeliers and velvet drapes adding to the charm of the interiors here. Not to forget the jasmine scented air conditioning of the cinema theatre. Thus, experience the best of cinema at the Raj Mandir! Ride Kettuvallam in Kerala To those who dont know the Kettuvallam is a traditional houseboat in Kerala. It is made up of bamboo, coir and wood, that reflects Keralas authentic craftsmanship. Basically, it is now a cruise that sails in the backwaters of Kerala. With lagoons, lakes and canals forming the network of water channels in Kerala, the Kettuvallam is worth the ride. You can also watch out the sunset and enjoy a delicious supper that is rich in Kerala cuisine. Do not miss your leisurely Kettuvallam cruise in Kerala. Thus, with this you can experience the best of India in 2025, that you will remember for a lifetime. And when you are done, you can tick this off your bucket list. Happy travelling and Happy experiences!
Hindu outfit seeks to intervene in 1991 places of worship row in SC
New Delhi: The Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, a Hindu outfit, moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking to intervene in cases filed against the validity of provisions of the 1991 law that asks to maintain the religious character of places as it existed on August 15, 1947. The outfit's plea, filed through lawyer Atulesh Kumar, challenges Sections 3 and 4 of the 1991 Act, arguing they violated several fundamental rights including right to equality and freedom to practice religion. The 1991 law prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. However, the dispute relating to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was kept out of its purview. A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on December 12, 2024, restrained till further directions the courts in the country from examining fresh lawsuits and passing any effective interim or final orders in pending ones seeking to reclaim religious places, especially mosques and dargahs (a muslim shrine). The top court is hearing about six petitions challenging various provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. There are also several pleas of intervention by some Muslim bodies seeking effective implementation of the law. The Hindu body, in its fresh plea, challenges the validity of Sections 3 and 4 of the 1991 Act on various grounds. Section 3 of the Act prohibits the conversion of places of worship, while Section 4 bars courts from entertaining disputes regarding the religious character of such places. The application alleged these provisions validated places of worship established by arbaric invaders while infringing upon the rights of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs for reclaiming and restoring their sacred sites. The samiti, headquartered at Vrindavan and Varanasi, said the 1991 law undermined judicial authority by barring the courts from reviewing disputes which was in violation of the basic structure of the Constitution. The Act prevents judicial review which is one of the fundamental aspects of the Constitution therefore violates the basic structure of the Constitution of India, it said. The law's retrospective cutoff August 15, 1947 date, disregards historical injustices and denies communities the right to seek redress, it said. The plea said the law restricted Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from reclaiming places of worship, and consequently infringed their constitutional right to freedom of religion. On January 2, the top court agreed to examine a fresh plea of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi seeking effective implementation of the 1991 places of worship law and ordered it to be tagged with the pending cases on the issue while posting the hearing on February 17. The top court, through its December 12, 2024 order, effectively stalled proceedings in about 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu parties seeking survey to ascertain original religious character of 10 mosques including Gyanvapi at Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal where four persons' lives were snuffed out in clashes. Muslim bodies like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have sought the strict implementation of the 1991 law to maintain communal harmony and to preserve the present status of mosques, sought to be reclaimed by Hindus on the ground that they were temples before invaders razed them.
Fresh petitions in Supreme Court seek vacation of stay on places of worship case
NEW DELHI: A fresh batch of petitions has been filed before the Supreme Court, seeking the vacation of its earlier order that stayed the filing of new suits against places of worship and the conducting of surveys in pending mandir-masjid cases. The fresh batch of pleas has been filed by various individuals challenging the Supreme Court's December 12 order, which suspended said that no orders would be passed by any court in the country, including surveys, on places of worship until the case is heard again after four weeks. The petitions seek modification of this order. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on February 17, 2025. The interim order was passed on December 12 by a special bench of the apex court, led by the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan while hearing a batch of petitions relating to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 Act, which prohibits the conversion of the religious character of places of worship from their status as of August 15, 1947. It is to be noted that some petitions challenged the constitutionality of the Act, whereas, some others sought its strict implementation. Many Political parties such as CPI (M), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), NCP (Sharad Pawar group) MLA Jitendra Awhad, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) MP (Member of Parliament) Manoj Kumar Jha, MP Thol Thirumavalan, and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi have sought to intervene in the matter, supporting the Places of Worship Act. The top court is seized of many pleas, including the one filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking a direction that Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, be set aside. Another plea was filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, against the provisions of the 1991 law. Swamy wanted the apex court to ead down certain provisions to enable Hindus to stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura.
ISKCON Mathura's Employee Flees With Lakhs Of Donation Money, Receipt Book
According to the FIR, Murlidhar Das, son of Nimai Chand Yadav, is a resident of Sriram Colony, Rauganj Vasa in MPs Indore.
Silver idols, plates stolen from temple at BJP leader's house in Mathura
Mathura: An unidentified person allegedly stole valuable items, including idols and plates made of silver, from a temple built on the ground floor of a BJP leader's house in the Govind Nagar area here, police said on Sunday. According to Devpal Singh Pundir, the SHO of Govind Nagar police station, the incident occurred on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Pradeep Goswami, the general secretary of the city unit of the BJP, was sleeping with his family in their room on the upper floor of their house in Chowk Bazar. Around dawn, a thief broke into the temple on the ground floor and stole silver idols of various gods and goddesses, including those of Lord Shiv, five silver cows, four Sriyantras, 11 plates and other items, the SHO said. Goswami discovered the theft when he came downstairs to the temple and subsequently filed a complaint, based on which a case was registered, the SHO added. CCTV footage was reviewed, showing the thief taking the items, he said, adding that the police are working to identify and locate him.
Senior Congress leaders join BJP ahead of civic polls in Uttarakhand
DEHRADUN: In a setback to the Congress ahead of the urban local body polls in Uttarakhand, several senior party leaders, including state unit vice-president Mathura Dutt Joshi, joined the BJP. Joshi was said to be sulking after the party's high command denied ticket for the mayoral seat in Pithoragarh to his wife the. Joshi said that he joined the BJP as there was no appreciation for honest party workers in the Congress. I worked with full honesty and ability in the Congress but there is no appreciation for all this. So I have taken membership in the BJP. I will continue to serve the party with full dedication for the rest of my life, he added. Other leaders who crossed over to the BJP are former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) vice-president Bittu Karnataka and two-time former district panchayat president Jagat Singh Khati. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Pradesh BJP president Mahendra Bhatt welcomed the leaders into the saffron fold at the party's state office here on Saturday. Describing the leaders who crossed over as hardworking and capable people, Dhami expressed confidence that the BJP would benefit from their energy and experience in the civic elections. There is no value for capable and good people in the Congress, the chief minister said. @narendramodi , pic.twitter.com/YwzKPFn303 Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) January 4, 2025 Bhatt said that the BJP would take care of the new leader's self-respect. The common reason offered by the leaders who crossed over was the Congress' inability to give due respect to dedicated party workers. Urban local body polls in Uttarakhand are scheduled for January 23.
UP: Mathura ISKCON employee absconds with donation money & receipt book
Mathura: An ISKCON temple employee tasked with collecting money donated by devotees has fled with lakhs of rupees along with a receipt book, officials said on Saturday. An FIR was filed by the temples Chief Finance Officer Vishwa Nam Das late on Friday night, Superintendent of Police (City) Arvind Kumar said. He said Das had Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Uttarakhand Congress faces setback as veteran leader Mathura Joshi leaves party over ticket row
DEHRADUN: In a significant blow to the Congress party just 18 days before the local body elections in Uttarakhand, veteran leader Mathura Dutt Joshi, who has been associated with the party for five decades and served alongside Rajiv Gandhi, has bid farewell to the Congress. This decision was not easy for me, Joshi stated. However, I believe it is time for a change, and I must follow a path that aligns with my values and vision for the future. In a whirlwind 24 hours, the Congress party has been rocked by a series of unexpected events involving its state vice president, Mathura Datt Joshi. His discontent over ticket allocation was followed by his resignation from the party just hours later. This was swiftly followed by his suspension from the partys disciplinary committee, leaving Congress's core team in a state of shock. Commenting on the situation, a senior party leader stated, The rapid sequence of these events has taken us all by surprise. We are currently assessing the implications of this development. The party now faces significant challenges as it prepares for upcoming elections amidst internal turmoil. To mitigate its embarrassment, the Congress party has expelled Mathura Datt Joshi from the party for six years. This decision was communicated through a letter signed by Dhani Lal Shah, the member secretary of the Congress Disciplinary Committee, shortly after Joshi's resignation earlier in the afternoon. Congress state spokesperson Garima Mahara Dasouni remarked, We are taking necessary actions to uphold the integrity of the party and ensure discipline among our members. In response to Mathura Datt Joshi's resignation from the party, Dasouni stated, The party has given him positions and respect in full measure. After enjoying the benefits of Congress for 48 years, he no longer has the right to call Congress his mother party. Joshi's unexpected resignation from the party has deepened the leadership crisis within Congress. With local body elections scheduled for January 23, selecting a new vice president in such a short timeframe poses a significant challenge for the party. According to Congress sources, Joshi had been seeking a ticket for the position of municipal chairperson for his wife. However, the Congress high command did not accommodate his request, leading to his dissatisfaction. This discontent prompted him to take this surprising step.
Mandir-masjid disputes increased in UP post Ayodhya Ram temple consecration in 2024
Temple-mosque disputes have escalated in Uttar Pradesh since the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, culminating in violence in Sambhal. Major disputes exist in Varanasi, Mathura, Lucknow, Budaun, Baghpat, and Jaunpur, each involving historical claims about the original sites of existing mosques.
2024: Temple-mosque disputes mushroomed in UP after Ayodhya Ram temple consecration
Several temple-mosque disputes emerged in Uttar Pradesh following the consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Violent clashes occurred, particularly in Sambhal, resulting in fatalities. The Supreme Court has restrained all courts from passing orders in these cases. Key incidents related to religious disputes were reported in Sambhal, Budaun, Varanasi, Mathura, Lucknow, Baghpat, and Jaunpur.
SC to hear AIMIM chief Owaisi's plea on places of worship law
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on January 2 a plea of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi seeking implementation of the 1991 places of worship law, which asks to maintain the religious character of a place as it existed on August 15, 1947.Lawyer and MP Owaisi, who heads the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, filed the plea on December 17, 2024, through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi. On December 12, however, a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna while acting on a batch of similar pleas against the 1991 law, restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. As the matter is sub-judice in this court, we deem it appropriate that no fresh suit would be registered and proceedings are undertaken till further orders of this court, the CJI-led bench had said. As a result, the top court stalled the proceedings in about 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu parties seeking surveys to ascertain the original religious character of 10 mosques, including Gyanvapi at Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura besides Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal where four persons' lives were snuffed out in clashes. The special bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, was hearing about six petitions, including the lead one filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging various provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. One of the contentions was that the provisions took away the right of judicial remedy to reclaim a place of worship of any person or a religious group. The 1991 law prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. Owaisi, in his plea, has sought a direction to the Centre to ensure effective implementation of the law, said his counsel. He also referred to instances where several courts had ordered survey of mosques on pleas by Hindu litigants, he said. It is likely that the top court would on January 2 tag Owaisi's plea with the pending matters for hearing. Pleas of the Muslim side have also sought strict implementation of the 1991 law to maintain communal harmony and to preserve the present status of mosques, sought to be reclaimed by the Hindus side saying temples existed in these places before invaders razed them. The Gyanvapi Mosque management committee had moved the apex court to oppose several pending petitions that challenge the constitutional validity of the 1991 law. It listed a series of contentious claims made over the years concerning various mosques and dargahs, including the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque near Delhi's Qutub Minar, the Kamal Maula Mosque in Madhya Pradesh, and others. The petitions challenging the law were filed with mischievous intent to facilitate lawsuits against these religious sites, which the 1991 Act currently protected, the committee said.
SC to hear AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's plea on places of worship law
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on January 2 a plea of AIMIMchief Asaduddin Owaisi seeking implementation of the 1991 places of worship law, which asks to maintain the religious character of a place as it existed on August 15, 1947. Lawyer and MP Owaisi, who heads the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, filed the plea on December 17, 2024, through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi. On December 12, however, a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna while acting on a batch of similar pleas against the 1991 law, restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. As the matter is sub-judice in this court, we deem it appropriate that no fresh suit would be registered and proceedings are undertaken till further orders of this court, the CJI-led bench had said. As a result, the top court stalled the proceedings in about 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu parties seeking surveys to ascertain the original religious character of 10 mosques, including Gyanvapi at Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura besides Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal where four persons' lives were snuffed out in clashes. The special bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, was hearing about six petitions, including the lead one filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging various provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. One of the contentions was that the provisions took away the right of judicial remedy to reclaim a place of worship of any person or a religious group. The 1991 law prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. Owaisi, in his plea, has sought a direction to the Centre to ensure effective implementation of the law, said his counsel. He also referred to instances where several courts had ordered survey of mosques on pleas by Hindu litigants, he said. It is likely that the top court would on January 2 tag Owaisi's plea with the pending matters for hearing. Pleas of the Muslim side have also sought strict implementation of the 1991 law to maintain communal harmony and to preserve the present status of mosques, sought to be reclaimed by the Hindus side saying temples existed in these places before invaders razed them. The Gyanvapi Mosque management committee had moved the apex court to oppose several pending petitions that challenge the constitutional validity of the 1991 law. It listed a series of contentious claims made over the years concerning various mosques and dargahs, including the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque near Delhi's Qutub Minar, the Kamal Maula Mosque in Madhya Pradesh, and others. The petitions challenging the law were filed with mischievous intent to facilitate lawsuits against these religious sites, which the 1991 Act currently protected, the committee said.
Neighbourhood watch, atmanirbhar in defence
Internal security Cyber security still a challenge Despite successes in the three major theaters J&K, Naxal-hit areas and the Northeast posing challenges to internal security, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will require continuing with its ongoing strategy of zero tolerance to deal with emerging situations in 2025. In addition, the MHA will need to move forward with renewed vigour to meet the new challenges posed by online frauds and cybercriminals. The home ministry has recently taken over the responsibility of dealing with the challenge of cyber fraud by setting up a new wing I4C under its umbrella. The year 2025 will require a lot of focus on the massive use of Internet data by people at large which leaves them vulnerable to unscrupulous elements from not only within India but from across the globe. Experts believe cyber attackers are transitioning from opportunistic attacks to more targeted and sophisticated campaigns, leveraging advanced malware types like Trojans and Infectors and the agencies need to be ahead of them. MEA Cautious walk for South Block Amid Indias rising international profile and rebalancing of power, the year 2025, like 2024, is expected to test Indias diplomatic prowess in following a cooperative relations approach with great powers and its neighbourhood. While the primary focus will be on the US, China, Russia and the European Union, a special watch will be on the Trump and Putin relations. The leadership change in the US with Republican Donald Trump returning to the White House is anticipated to be a policy shift. In addition, the ongoing unrest in Europe, conflicts encompassing the West Asia and Asia will require deft handling. Developments in Bangladesh and Syria will have to be handled skillfully for their long shadows might cover a larger swath of international affairs. Both countries are undergoing a regime change. In a major turn of events, India and the European Union have agreed to hold the first-ever ministerial strategic foreign policy dialogue soon, to jointly navigate an array of critical challenges, including geo-political tensions. Defence Focus on Integrated Theatre Command To address the global supply chain, the sector may witness major acquisitions and policy changes with a push for local manufacturing. The year 2025 is to see a move ahead in important projects, such as FRCVs and nuclear attack (SSN) submarines, to be manufactured locally. Also, decisions on the much-awaited conclusion of the 114 multi-role fighter aircraft and the construction of the six advanced conventional submarines by an Indian manufacturer in a Strategic Partnership with a foreign company are due. The plan is to replace the over four-decade-old Russian-origin T-72 main battle tank with future-ready combat vehicles (FRCVs) by 2030. Major reform is awaited, and the formation of the Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC) is due to get approved. It will be the most significant reform since Independence, wherein all three military services (Army, Navy and Air Force) will be reorganised and reconfigured to function under one commander, with each ITC handling a single theatre of war. Also, another significant area will be military diplomacy. Health Strengthening health infra a key task The year 2024 saw the launch of several health initiatives, including an insurance scheme for senior citizens aged 70. The results of these initiatives are expected in 2025, which holds both promises and challenges. Meeting the target of eliminating TB, five years ahead of the international target, will be another challenge. Health ministry officials said a 100-day intensified campaign will cover 347 selected high-priority districts across 33 states/UTs that reported a high death rate, low testing, and high incidence of TB. The scheme, which was launched on December 7, will conclude in March 2025. The major challenge, however, is a shortage of drugs for TB patients, though the government says it has enough stock. March 2025 will mark the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a notable decline in cases, some cases are still being reported. The focus would also be on tackling the threat of non-communicable diseases like heart attacks, stroke, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Education NTA reforms, textbooks to cost less If 2024 was a year of controversy for the education sector with allegations of cheating, mismanagement and mass cancellations of key examinations, then the coming year is set to see reforms, reorganisation and restructuring. In 2025, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will undergo an overhaul. It will focus on conducting entrance exams for admissions to higher education institutions. For this, additional 10 posts will be created to ensure zero-error testing. Also, as the government is focusing on establishing new schools, it has sanctioned `8,232 crore for opening 85 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas. The coming year will also bring cheers to parents as the NCERT textbooks for some classes will cost less. The Centre will also start working on updating textbooks for classes 9-12. With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 completing the fifth year, the focus will be on transforming the country as an educational hub. In all, the year promises beneficial norms and decisions for the education sector. Top court Triple talaq, Places of Worship Act After an action-packed year in which the Supreme Court issued transformative judgments, it is once again poised to deliver significant verdicts that will impact nearly every aspect of peoples liveswhether religious, social, or regarding their relationship with the state and its laws. Among the major petitions, a notable batch challenges the triple talaq law. The SC is set to hear Haryana governments appeal against the Punjab and Haryana HCs July 10 order, which directed the opening of the highway and the removal of barricades. Another enduring controversy is the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991, which aims to preserve the religious character of places of worship as they were on August 15, 1947. Additionally, the SC will consider the dispute concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Masjid in Mathura. It will examine a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of Sections 12 and 51 of the Blood Donor Guidelines, 2017, which impose a blanket ban on transgender individuals from donating blood. Reports by: Mukesh Ranjan, Mayank Singh, Kavita Bajeli-Dutt and Suchitra Kalyan Mohanthy
Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura Witness Surge In Devotees Ahead Of 2025
Ayodhya is witnessing a massive surge in devotees ahead of the New Year, particularly with the newly consecrated Ram temple attracting thousands eager to seek blessings from Lord Ram.
3 killed in collision on NH-19 in Mathura
Mathura: Three people were killed, and one person was injured in a collision between a tractor and a loading truck here early on Sunday, police said.While one person died on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, Inspector Sanjay Kumar Tyagi of Chhata Kotwali said. According to police, the accident occurred in front of Chhata Sugar Mill on NH-19 where a speeding canter, attempting to overtake a brick-laden tractor trolley, collided with it. Both vehicles were going towards Mathura from Chhata when the incident took place this morning. The injured have been identified as Puran Singh (who was sitting on the tractor), Prince, the canter driver, and Dharmendra Yadav. All three were rushed to KD Medical College, where Puran Singh and Prince succumbed, while Dharmendra Yadav remains in critical condition, Tyagi said. The lone fatality at the scene was Umesh, he said. Victims' ages have not yet been ascertained.
Hyderabad had India's third lowest votes in last LS elections
Hyderabad: Its official. The Hyderabad constituency not only did not have the least number of votes polled in Telangana during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but it also emerged as the third in the country in terms of the low voter turnout. According to the latest statistical report on the 2024 elections released by the Election Commission of India, the Hyderabad constituency recorded 48.79 per cent polling with 10,81,878 of its 22,27,094 voters casting their votes. The two constituencies with the lowest polling were Nawada of Bihar with 43.47 per cent and Patna Sahib, also in Bihar, at 46.87. Seven other constituencies that had less than 50 per cent voting were Rewa in Madhya Pradesh (49.48), Ghaziabad (49.88), Mathura (49.38), and Phulpur (49) all in Uttar Pradesh. Incidentally, the highest voting took place in Andhra Pradesh with 88.32 per cent of the 16,07,382 voters in Ongole going to the polling stations. According to the ECI report, people who exercised the None Of The Above (NOTA) option, were not limited to exercising this option at the polling booths but also did so using postal ballots. In Telangana, those who chose Nota at the polling stations numbered 1,02,661, while among postal ballots as many as 1,583 chose the Nota option.
Jaipur explosion: Tanker driver appears before police, to be questioned by SIT
The driver, Jaiveer (40), a resident of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, managed to get out of the tanker in time after sensing the impact of the collision, which broke the tanker's outlet nozzles
Yogi Adityanath Slams Temple Desecration After Bhagwats Remarks
New Delhi: A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat talked about inclusivity and gave a call to avoid raking up temple-mosque disputes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday highlighted the destruction of Hindu temples in various parts of the country in the past. The Uttar Pradesh CM reiterated that protection of Sanatan Dharma is essential for world peace. Citing Kashi Vishwanath temple, Ayodhyas Ram Mandir, Mathuras Krishna Janambhoomi, and Sambhals Harihar Bhoomi temples, the Uttar Pradesh CM asserted that bhautik vikas (development) cannot be sustained by neglecting the heritage. Continuing his tirade against the emple destroyers, Adityanath, whose atenge to katenge slogan was seen as a gamechanger by many in the BJP during the Maharashtra Assembly polls, also asserted that the descendants of those who desecrated these temples will be destroyed. The CM reiterated that Sanatan Dharma is the only way to establish world peace. The Uttar Pradesh CM was speaking at a religious event in Ayodhya, where he also mentioned atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and asked, I want to ask who were those people who destroyed the Sanatan Dharmas places of pride in the country and why did they do it? It was a part of the conspiracy to make the whole Earth a hell by carrying out these barbaric acts Whether it was Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi, Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi or Sambhals Hariharbhoomi...these places were destroyed, desecrated or made impure The lineage and descendants of those who desecrated these temples will be destroyed, said Adityanath. Talking about ongoing atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, Do not forget that it is only the Sanatan dharma that has given refuge, protection and an opportunity to live and prosper to all castes, religions and sects in times of adversity But are Hindus being treated the same in other parts of the world? What is happening in Bangladesh today or what happened in Pakistan or Afghanistan? I want to ask who destroyed the symbols of Sanatan dharma and why? Adityanath asked Indians to be prepared so that the country does not have to face gulami ki bediyan again and see its religious places getting desecrated. Adityanath's remarks came a day after the RSS chief, at an event in Pune, had said that one does not become a Hindu leader by building a Ram temple and spoke about developing a model of harmony in the country that could be adopted by the world. The Ram temple is a matter of faith for HindusHindus believed the Ram temple should be constructed. But by doing that, one does not become a Hindu leader We talk of becoming Vishwaguru (global leader) and not Mahashakti (superpower). This is because we have seen how people behave after becoming superpowers. To achieve selfish gains for the sake of supremacy is not our path, Bhagwat had said on Thursday. The RSS chief said, ... We have to show the world that we can do it togethermany sects and ideologies that accommodate everyone
ASI surveys newly found temple, wells in Sambhal
A four-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey of the recently-discovered Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, five pilgrimage sites, and 19 wells in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey followed the discovery of three damaged idols inside a well of the Bhasma Shankar temple, which was reopened after being shut for 46 years. The Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, also known as the Bhasma Shankar temple, was reopened on December 13 after authorities found the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling and had remained locked since 1978. The district administration has requested carbon dating of the temple, including the well, from the ASI. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has restrained courts across India from entertaining new lawsuits or passing any orders in pending ones seeking to reclaim religious places, especially mosques and dargahs, until further notice. This action halts proceedings in approximately 18 lawsuits filed by Hindu parties seeking surveys to determine the original religious character of 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi at Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal, where four individuals died in clashes. The Supreme Court will examine the legality, scope, and boundaries of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the conversion of places of worship and ensures the preservation of their religious character as it existed on August 15, 1947.
Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura Our Only Focus: VHP After RSS Chief Calls Frequent Disputes 'Unacceptable'
Talking to News 18, Surendra Jain, joint general secretary of VHP said that the issues were instances of historical reckoning.
Smoke In Coach Of Uttar Pradesh Train Causes Panic Among Passengers, Glitch Promptly Resolved
The incident occurred on the 22531 Mathura SF Express between Gauri Bazar and Baitalpur railway stations where the train was halted.
6 Arrested for Blocking Roads in Mathura with Cow Carcasses
Mathura : Six people were arrested for blocking a road here by placing carcasses of more than three dozen cows, police on Saturday said. The animal remains were reportedly collected from a forest behind Prem Mahavidyalaya on Vrindavan Road on Friday, they said. Besides the six, police have booked 31 more for blocking the road and obstructing government work, Jait Police Station SHO Ashwani Kumar said. In addition, around 60-70 unknown people have been accused in the case. Efforts are being made to identify everyone involved in the sit-in through photographs and video clips taken from the spot, the SHO said. The six arrested were identified as Pawan Kumar, Himanshu alias Hemanand, Dharmendra, Puneet, Kapil, and a woman, whose name was not revealed. They all were produced before a magistrate, who sent all of them to judicial custody for 14 days.
UP: Protests erupt in Mathura after discovery of 30 cow carcasses
Hundreds of protesters blocked the Mathura-Vrindavan Road for several hours on Friday following the recovery of more than 30 cow carcasses from a forest near the PMV Polytechnic College. The incident sparked outrage among residents, leading to significant traffic disruptions, particularly affecting pilgrims and schoolchildren. According to the police statement, the cow carcasses were discovered Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
SC: Trial courts not to pass orders on religious places
The Supreme Court halted legal battles over temple reclamation claims, freezing existing and barring new 'mosque-temple' lawsuits. This includes the Gyanvapi and Mathura disputes. The order stems from challenges to the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which fixed religious sites' status as of Independence Day 1947, excluding the Ayodhya case.
SC to hear pleas against Places of Worship Act today
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a batch of PILs challenging the validity of certain provisions of a 1991 law that prohibits filing a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947.A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan is likely to hear the matter. The top court is seized of the pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay who has prayed that sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, be set aside. Among the various reasons submitted was the contention that these provisions take away the right of judicial remedy to reclaim a place of worship of any person or a religious group. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Maharashtra MLA Jitendra Satish Awhad have also filed pleas against several pending petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, saying the law protected public order, fraternity, unity and secularism of the nation. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several suits filed in various courts, including those related to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, claiming these were built after destroying ancient temples and seeking permission to allow the Hindus to offer prayers there. The Muslim side, in most of these cases, has cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. As many as six petitions, including those filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, have been filed against the provisions of the 1991 law. Swamy wanted the apex court to ead down certain provisions to enable Hindus to stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, while Ashwini Upadhyay claimed the entire statute was unconstitutional and no question of reading down arises. The doctrine of reading down a law is generally used to save a statute from being struck down entirely subject to adjudication over its constitutionality. On the other hand, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had cited the five-judge Constitution bench judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case, noting the reference to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, to argue that the law cannot be set aside now. The top court had on March 12, 2022, sought the Centre's response to the plea filed by Upadhyay challenging the validity of certain provisions of the law. The petition alleged the 1991 law creates an arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date of August 15, 1947, for maintaining the character of the places of worship or pilgrimage against encroachment done by fundamentalist-barbaric invaders and law-breakers. The 1991 law prohibits converasion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The law had made only one exception -- on the dispute pertaining to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid in Ayodhya.
SC to hear pleas challenging provisions of Places of Worship Act 1991 on December 12
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a batch of PILs challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship Act 1991, a law that prohibits filing a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan is likely to hear the matter. The top court is seized of the pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay who has prayed that sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, be set aside. Among the various reasons submitted was the contention that these provisions take away the right of judicial remedy to reclaim a place of worship of any person or a religious group. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Maharashtra MLA Jitendra Satish Awhad have also filed pleas against several pending petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, saying the law protected public order, fraternity, unity and secularism of the nation. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several suits filed in various courts, including those related to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, claiming these were built after destroying ancient temples and seeking permission to allow the Hindus to offer prayers there. The Muslim side, in most of these cases, has cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. As many as six petitions, including those filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, have been filed against the provisions of the 1991 law. Swamy wanted the apex court to ead down certain provisions to enable Hindus to stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, while Ashwini Upadhyay claimed the entire statute was unconstitutional and no question of reading down arises. The doctrine of reading down a law is generally used to save a statute from being struck down entirely subject to adjudication over its constitutionality. On the other hand, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had cited the five-judge Constitution bench judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case, noting the reference to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, to argue that the law cannot be set aside now. The top court had on March 12, 2022, sought the Centre's response to the plea filed by Upadhyay challenging the validity of certain provisions of the law. The petition alleged the 1991 law creates an arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date of August 15, 1947, for maintaining the character of the places of worship or pilgrimage against encroachment done by fundamentalist-barbaric invaders and law-breakers. The 1991 law prohibits converasion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The law had made only one exception -- on the dispute pertaining to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid in Ayodhya. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) Sambhal killings: SC's observations on Places of Worship Act helped 'some groups to incite discord': Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind
SC to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Thursday
The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits lawsuits to reclaim a place of worship or change its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay, argue that these provisions violate the right to judicial remedy and create an arbitrary cut-off date. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several ongoing cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura. The Muslim side has cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. The Supreme Court had previously sought the Centre's response to Upadhyay's petition, which alleged that the law creates an arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date for maintaining the character of places of worship.
Places of Worship Act: Mathura Masjid files intervention in SC
New Delhi: A day ahead of the crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on pleas challenging the validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the Committee of Management of Mathuras Shahi Masjid Eidgah, on Wednesday, December 11, filed an intervention application, saying that the law was enacted by Parliament in the interest of the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Seven killed in truck-van collision at Hathras in U.P.
The accident happened on Mathura-Kaiserganj highway near Jaitpur village in Hathras district
7 dead, several injured in Hathras road accident on Mathura-Kaiserganj highway
JMM MLA Rabindra Nath Mahato unanimously elected as Jharkhand Assembly Speaker
RANCHI: Rabindra Nath Mahato, the JMM MLA from Nala Assembly seat, has been unanimously elected as the Jharkhand Assembly Speaker for the second consecutive term. Mahto is the only MLA to be elected Speaker of the Assembly for two consecutive terms, marking a historic achievement. Protem Speaker Prof Stephen Marandi read proposals for the post, following which, Mahto was unanimously elected as Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly. Seven panels had proposed Rabindra Nath Mahatos name for the post of Speaker. Both the ruling party and the opposition supported his name for the position. Chief Minister Hemant Soren first proposed Mahatos name for the Speakers position, with JMM MLA Mathura Prasad Mahato seconding the motion. Protem Speaker Stephen Marandi conducted the voting through a voice vote and Rabindra Nath Mahato was elected as the Speaker of the Assembly.
JMM's Rabindra Nath Mahato elected unopposed as Jharkhand Assembly Speaker
Chief Minister Hemant Soren proposed Mahato's name for the post and the proposal was seconded by JMM MLA Mathura Prasad Mahato during the second of the four-day session of the assembly.
NEW DELHI: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) on Monday expressed serious concern over the spate of lawsuits being filed and entertained in lower courts claiming that there were temples where centuries-old mosques stand at present. It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court has not intervened to put a stop to such litigation by upholding the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, l991. The 2019 five-member Bench judgment of the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya dispute categorically upheld the validity of the law and its enforcement. Given this direction, it is incumbent on the apex court to intervene to put a stop to legal proceedings, which are violative of the Act, read the statement issued by the Polit Bureau. The statement further said that after Varanasi and Mathura, in Sambhal, a survey was ordered of a 16th-century mosque by a lower court and it had resulted in violence in which four Muslim youth have been killed. The party also mentioned a similar petition that was filed in the civil court in Ajmer regarding the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. On situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, the party reiterated that the Bangladesh interim government and authorities must ensure the safety and full protection of religious minorities. The administration seems to be ignoring the activities of the Islamist fundamentalist forces in this regard, the CPM said. At the same time, the Polit Bureau decried the efforts of the BJP-RSS and Hindutva outfits in India, which are seeking to whip up passions by incendiary propaganda. Such an approach will not help the interests of the minorities in Bangladesh, said the party. The Polit Bureau further called upon secular and democratic forces in both countries to come out strongly against all forms of communalism which will harm the interests of the people on both sides of the border. It alsk sharply criticized Government's callous indifference in denying Kerala the rightful assistance for the victims of the devastating landslide disaster in Wayanad. Despite the state's urgent plea for Rs 214.68 crore in immediate relief and Rs 2,319.1 crore for comprehensive recovery and reconstruction, the Centre has failed to approve the funds even after four months. The refusal to classify the landslide as a calamity of severe nature and the unwillingness to waive loans for the affected families also reflect a deeply unjust and inhumane approach, undermining the principles of federal support in times of crisis, the CPM stated The Polit Bureau also called upon the Centre to immediately release the funds claimed by the state government. Through the statement, the CPM also condemned the police 'repression on the farmers' of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. Around 150 leaders and activists of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and other organisations have been jailed, the party said. The arrested farmers have started a hunger strike in jail. House arrests of many activists are going on. The attack on women who have been in the forefront of the struggle by the police is shocking...The CPI(M) fully supports this struggle, demands that repression must be stopped forthwith and the government must accept and implement the just demands of the struggle, said the party. The statement was issued after the pilot bureau meeting held in New Delhi. In the meeting, the Polit Bureau discussed a Draft of the Political Resolution to be taken up at the 24th Congress to be held in the first week of April 2025. Based on the discussion in Polit Bureau, the Draft will be placed for adoption in the next meeting of the Central Committee to be held in January in Kolkata.
SC forms special bench headed by CJI to hear PILs challenging 1991 Places of Worship law
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has constituted a special bench to hear a batch of PILs challenging the validity of certain provisions of a 1991 law that prohibits filing a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan is likely to hear the matter on December 12 at 3:30 pm. The top court is seized of the pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay who has prayed that sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 be set aside. Among the various reasons submitted was the contention that these provisions take away the right of judicial remedy to reclaim a place of worship of any person or a religious group. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several suits filed in various courts, including related to Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, claiming that these were built after destroying ancient temples and seeking permission to offer Hindu prayers there. The Muslim side in most of these cases have cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. As many as six petitions, including those filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, have been filed against the provisions of the 1991 law. While former Union minister Swamy wanted the apex court to ead down certain provisions to enable Hindus to stake claim over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, Upadhyay claimed the entire statute was unconstitutional and no question of reading down arises. The doctrine of reading down a law is generally used to save a statute from being struck down on account of its unconstitutionality. On the other hand, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had cited the five-judge Constitution bench judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case, noting the reference to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, to argue that the law cannot be set aside now. The top court had on March 12, 2022, sought the Centre's response to the plea filed by Upadhyay challenging the validity of certain provisions of the law. The petition alleged that the 1991 law creates an arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date of August 15, 1947, for maintaining the character of the places of worship or pilgrimage against encroachment done by fundamentalist-barbaric invaders and law-breakers. The 1991 law prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The law had made only one exception -- on the dispute pertaining to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid in Ayodhya.
Temple-mosque disputes simmer across UP; row in Sambhal, Mathura, Varanasi among other places
Several temple-mosque disputes simmer across Uttar Pradesh, including the Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal where recent violence resulted in four deaths. Disputes also continue in Baghpat, Lucknow, Budaun, Mathura, and Varanasi, with claims of temples existing at the sites of mosques, raising religious tensions.
Experts demand tax relief for artefacts being brought back to India
Experts at the 106th National Convention of the Indian Numismatic Society in Mathura urged the government to reduce or eliminate the 33% customs duty on repatriated cultural artefacts. They argued that the current duty discourages private efforts to recover India's heritage, contrasting it with supportive policies in the UK and US.
Dalit Girl Gang-Raped In Moving Car In UP's Mathura, Accused On Run: Cops
A Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by three persons here in a moving car, after which she was thrown out on the side of a road, police said on Friday.
Telangana HC: Allow RTC JAC to Conduct Protest Meet, Police Told
Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the police to permit a meeting of the TSRTC joint action committee (JAC) at Bus Bhavan. The JAC lodged a complaint before the court that their representations seeking permission to conduct the protest meeting to air their grievances from November were futile. The judge wondered how the union could be stopped from protesting. If a trade union does not go on strike, then who will, the judge wondered. Proceedings witnessed lighter moments when government pleader Mahesh Raje informed the court that the police would be busy supervising the mammoth crowds at RTC crossroads where people would be flocking to watch Pushpa, The Rule 2. RTC counsel said, light-heartedly, that the challenge would be if the union said Taggede Le, a popular dialogue of the protagonist in the film. The judge made it clear that the meeting should be restricted to about 300 people and no provocative statements will be made and the police will be free to take action if there is a law order problem. PIL seeks action against illegal pet shops A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court took on file a PIL the functioning of unlicenced and illegal pet shops and their non-compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. The panel, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, was dealing with a PIL filed by Humane Society International/India. The petitioner complained that the state had failed to implement the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 ('Pet Shop Rules') and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2017 ('Dog Breeding & Marketing Rules'). It was the case of the petitioner that the Delhi High Court directed the authorities to finalise pet shop rules within 15 days from February 26, 2018, and accordingly the Union framed the rules. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authorities had failed to take any action against illegal pet shop owners. The petitioner sought a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to oversee/ monitor/ ensure that the respondents/ TSAWB/ and enforcement authorities were enforcing the various provisions with regard to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The petitioner inter alia in the PIL sought a direction to carry out an awareness campaign to clarify the process of registration of pet shops and dog breeding centres with TSAWB. The panel considered the same and directed the state to file its response within four weeks. Teachers can participate in poll campaigns: HC Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court disposed of a writ plea challenging a notification issued by the Nalgonda district election officer and collector on November 20, prohibiting teachers from participating in election campaigning during school hours and in school premises. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by former MLC Battapuram Mohan Reddy. The petitioner argued that the notification exceeded the respondent's jurisdiction and sought that it be set aside. The petitioner contended that the instructions, which included stringent actions under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, for violations, were arbitrary and unjust. The notification directed officials to ensure teachers refrain from engaging in campaigning during school hours. This directive was issued as part of preparations for compiling the voter list for the upcoming teachers constituency elections in February 2025. The government pleader, appearing for the respondent authorities, clarified that the notification did not entirely prohibit teachers from campaigning. Instead, it restricted campaigning during school hours and on school premises to avoid disruption to academic activities. Campaigning during lunch hours outside school premises remained permissible. The judge observed that the authorities cannot impose restrictions on teachers participating in campaigning beyond school hours. Accordingly, the judge disposed of the writ plea with a directive, ensuring that campaigning activities do not interfere with the schools functioning. Food outlet challenges termination of contract in Sec railway station Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the actions of the principal chief commercial manager of Rail Nilayam, South Central Railway, in terminating the license of a petitioner for running a catering stall. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Mathura Prasad and Sons, alleging that its licence for running a catering stall the Secunderabad railway station was terminated for false and frivolous reasons. It is further alleged that the petitioner was debarred from participating in the future similar contract/licence of the Indian Railways for a period of one year. The petitioner contended that the actions of the respondent authorities was illegal and amounts to overreaching of the powers. Counsel for the petitioner also brought to the notice of the judge that the stall of the petitioner was immediately seized without even giving an opportunity of removing articles and a tendered was also issued in respect of its stall. After hearing counsel for the petitioner, the judge directed the respondents not to take any steps that will make the writ plea infructuous. The judge also directed the respondent authorities to file their response and posted the matter for further adjudication. HC takes up plea challenging denial of promotion to nurse Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the actions of the state director of public health and family welfare department in not considering the case of a nursing officer for promotion to the post of head nurse/senior nursing officer. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Jedidha Samuel, working as a nursing officer at the special prison for women, Chanchalguda. The petitioner was challenging the actions of the respondent authority in not considering the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post which is a non-selection post. The petitioner stated that seniority in the feeder category is the sole criteria and despite her being eligible and qualified, she was not being promoted. The petitioner contended that her name was included in the list drawn for filling up of vacant posts of senior nursing officer. However, her name was deleted due to pending departmental proceedings. The government pleader sought time to seek instructions.
PM Modi should intervene to ensure release of ISKCON monk in Bangladesh: BJP member in LS
New Delhi: A BJP Lok Sabha member on Wednesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the release of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who has been jailed in Bangladesh on charges of sedition. Ujjain MP Anil Firojiya raised the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha. BJP member from Mathura, Hema Malini, said that insult to religion, violence, and injustice cannot be tolerated. We cannot be silent. This is not an issue of diplomacy, but linked to our emotions and devotion to Shri Krishna, the actor-turned-politician said. Malini said she hoped that the Bangladesh government would release the ISKCON monk. BJP member Dilip Saikia, who represents Darrang-Udalguri in Assam, wanted the Parliament to adopt a resolution to send a message to the Bangladesh government for a complete halt to the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Saikia said since the formation of Bangladesh in 1971, lakhs of Bangladeshi Muslims infiltrated Assam and have become a deciding factor in the political and electoral system. Firojiya said no lawyers were available in Bangladesh and one who was ready to represent him was battling for life.
Shikha Mukerjee | Digs and gigs: Ajmer Sharif & archaeology of Hindutva
It is a snowball gathering speed. Or may-be its a mudslide gaining momentum. Or maybe its a virus. Whatever it is, it seems to be birthing more and more litigation across mostly North India. It certainly seems that keeping the country on the boil is back in favour as a tried, tested, easy and successful strategy for the Hindu Right, led by the BJP and the nearly 100-year-old voluntary social service outfit RSS. On a mission to hoist India to the pinnacle of glory by reorganising history, chronically litigious Hindu outfits like the International Hari Har Sena Sri Ram Sena, Hindu Sena and a bevy of lawyers and fervent petitioners have filed a slew of cases, in war mode in district courts across North India. The demand is straightforward: demolish and dig up 30,000 sites where believers are certain temples were built over and mosques established. By adding Ajmer Sharif, the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, that needs to be dug up to reportedly uncover a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hindu Right has outdone itself. Among the devout, it is usual to place chadars, a sheet, on the grave of the Sufi mystic. Among those who have done so in recent times are Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tens of thousands of devotees from all across the world. When Mr Modi sent the chadar, duly captured on camera, it was believed he was trying to appease Muslim voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Others, however, have prayed and visited Sufi shrines, including the Fatehpur Sikri dargah near Agra, like former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his partner Carla Bruni, who prayed for a child and indeed had one. Hindutva or Hindu fundamentalism, or Hindu revival though why something that flourished for millennia needs rev-ival is a mystery, because it never faded, verged on extinction, though it was in danger of being eclipsed by Buddhism around and after Emperor Ashoka's times. But in twenty-first century In-dia, some people believe it needs kindling to keep it burning. Reviving temples suspected or believed to have been destroyed is the new and supplementary agenda of Hindutva. A new archaeology has been established in service of Hindutva. Thanks to former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, the starter or spark or kindling was his 2022 decision to overturn the 1991 law, which sought to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, otherwise known as the Places of Worship Act. While the law was meant to be tamper proof, the former Chief Justice, who seemed to fuse his piety with his professional responsibilities, decided that digging into the foundations of Varanasis Gyanvapi Masjid to uncover a Shiva linga was perfectly in order. The outcome of the reversal and its consequences are four dead and several injured in UPs Sambhal over a dispute on what lies below the Shahi Jama Masjid. The claim by a mahant was followed up by a lawyer, who is involved in other places of worship disputes, starting with the Gyanvapi, Mathuras Shahi Idgah Mosque and the Sambhal dispute. Having retired and thus free to presumably pursue his pieties in private, instead of in front of a camera that turned his devotions into a public spectacle, the retired Chief Justice can now watch from the sidelines the consequences of his decision. The Hindu Right in pursuit of Hindu revival, aided and abetted by a judiciary that brandishes God to support its decisions that are fundamentally flawed, as in the Ayodhya land dispute, is now part of the archaeology of Hindutva. To legitimise the digs and gigs, advocates and various litigants have a judiciary that is willing to overturn the law to enable what the law said could not be done. So, claims can be confidently made that legal proceedings will progress faster than a bullet train and that justice, as defined by them, will be done. Hindutva archaeology is essential to the project of de-Islamisation, as Mujibur Rahman calls it in his recent book, Shikwah e Hind. Digs and gigs are the window dressing required to legitimise the supplementary project to avoid committing what the apex court led by former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi described as a heinous crime, of mosque demolition in the Ayodhya case. The law and the taxpayer are vulnerable to being used as a tool of cynical exploitation of sentiment since the Hindu revivalists are essentially a bunch of freeloaders ra-ther than philanthropists or zealous crusaders. With the courts turning into the revivalists fa-vourite tool, the changes proposed to the law on Waqf properties will certainly add to the thousands of cases that are already in the judicial system over land and other disputes relating to Waqf-administered properties. The choice for the Narendra Modi government is simple: it can support the supplementary project of mosque demolition-temple rebuilding and do so by abandoning the Constitution and its basic structure of which secularism is a part. Or, he can rein in the Hindu Right and demolish the supplementary project. He can follow the route he has adopted on the Waqf issue or duck responsibility, albeit temporarily. If that is a choice too stark for the Prime Minister, he can resort to playing cat and mouse with the secularism project and the supplementary project of Hindutva. Legalising the demolition of Muslim places of worship on the pretext of unverified claims to temples buried under them is a political problem; it is not a problem that the judiciary can solve. The choice and decision that the Modi government has to make is simple. It can either amend the 1991 Places of Worship Act and open the floodgates to the new archaeology that Hindutva is trying to establish; or, it can, in Parliament, in this Win-ter Session, unequivocally declare its commitment to upholding the 1991 law. Any waffling on this as a government is unacceptable. Flawed and weak as the attempt may have been, from within the ranks of the BJP there was a move to throw out the words secular and socialist added through the 42nd Amendment in 1976. The Supreme Court, currently headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has thrown out the petition. It does not mean that another petition will not be filed at a different time to which the apex courts response could be different. The Places of Worship Act reversal is a case in point; mischief can be made whenever there is a convergence of ideas, ideologies, politics and petitioners.
Sabarmati Report reveals hidden truths: Hema Malini
Mathura: BJP MP and renowned actress Hema Malini has said that the Hindi film The Sabarmati Report exposes the truth behind the 2002 train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat that was kept hidden for years. While visiting her parliamentary constituency Mathura on Sunday during a break from the Winter Session of Parliament, Malini watched Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
DC Edit | SC halting Sambhal survey sets a welcome precedent
Its time the charade of surveys a section of Hindutva peddlers is using to undermine the citizens fundamental right to freedom of religion, which are otherwise guaranteed by Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, is halted with immediate effect. And honouring the order of the Supreme Court last week asking the advocate commissioner to keep aside his findings of his survey of a Mughal era mosque in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh in a sealed envelope plus its directive to the district court there not to go ahead with the proceedings should be the first step in this direction. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act passed by the Parliament in 1991 aims to preserve the character of all religious structures in India. Even if it preceded the monumental damage dealt to the foundations of the republic by the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the law declared that the religious character of a place of worship existing on the 15th day of August, 1947, shall continue to be the same as it existed on that day. The legislative intent of the law was clear to all right-thinking Indians: It did not want this nation to engage in the dangerous business of righting the wrongs of history. Participating in the discussion, Rajmohan Gandhi, then member of the Rajya Sabha, cautioned everyone that the ringing lesson of the Mahabharata down the centuries is those who seek to right the wrongs of history with an attitude of revenge will only produce destruction and more destruction and more destruction. The Supreme Court, in its observations in 2022, had come up with a curious interpretation of the law, however, saying that it did not bar the determination of the religious character of places of worship. The logic still holds, though, because the character of a structure can be retained only after determining it! The Allahabad high court applied the same logic while ordering a survey of the Shahi Idgah at Mathura. At present, there are a number of surveys at various levels across the country seeking to redefine the religious character of many places of worship of Muslims. The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition seeking stay on the order of the survey of the mosque in Sambhal, said it undermined the need to preserve peace. And the court was perhaps reading the minds of the people as peace is the precondition for progress of a country. And, too, India, where 80 of its 143-crore people survive on free food grain provided by the government, needs it more than any other nation. There are people in this country who have discovered the value of religion as a tool to capture power and then retain it. But this nation cannot afford advocate commissioners holding survey orders received from courts blithely going about checking the religious character of places of worship across the country. It will be in the interest of peace if the apex court ponders over the 1991 Act, explains its legislative intent from its historical and current perspectives and dissuades the Hindutva peddlers and some courts from further engaging in this survey entrepreneurship. That can perhaps persuade the people to understand the ethos on which this country is built and the principles on which its Constitution is based. Its up to the court to speak loud and clear now, and then walk the talk.
A matter of faith or mumbo jumbo
In the heart of Mathura, devotees at the Banke Bihari Mandir recently had an unexpectedand somewhat perplexingencounter with what they believed to be the holy Charan Amrit (water from Lord Krishnas feet). Pilgrims had been enthusiastically collecting and drinking the water, believing it to be a divine gift. But what was believed to be sacred turned out to be something far less spiritual: it was simply water dripping from an air conditioning unit. This incident, though certainly eyebrow-raising, is not an isolated example. In fact, such stories involving mistaken beliefs about the miraculous or divine are not uncommon in India, where faith and devotion often collide with modern-day realities. Whether its sweet-tasting miracle water in Mahim dargah or the appearance of holy ash in unexpected places, these occurrences raise a few questions about how belief, faith, and modern life intersect and divert. Different Perceptions The belief in miracles, whether its holy water, healing powers, or divine intervention, is deeply ingrained in many religious traditions. But in todays world, the line between the divine and mumbo jumbo often gets blurred. Sunita Mehta, a homemaker and devotee, feels that faith brings peace. She says, For me, every moment of faith, whether in the smallest sign or the grandest miracle, strengthens my connection to the divine. The power of symbols cannot be understated. Sacred water, often associated with purity and divine grace, has the power to inspire profound devotion. For some, it is a tangible connection to the divinea reminder that Gods presence can be felt in the most unexpected places. Whether the water is genuine or not, the belief in its sanctity holds immense power in shaping ones spiritual experience. Holy Sea Water In 2023, a similar scenario unfolded in Mahim, Mumbai, where devotees flocked to the Mahim Dargah, convinced they had discovered miracle seawater. This water, which was said to be sweet and mysteriously blessed, quickly gained a reputation as a divine elixir. Devotees gathered by the shore, drinking and collecting the water, hoping to be cured of ailments. However, news reports later revealed that the sweet taste of the water was not due to any divine intervention, but because of a chemical reaction that occurred in the bay arealikely the result of pollutants or other substances interacting with the water. This raises an important point about the nature of belief. Faith, says Ibrahim Muhammad, a devotee Is less about objective truths and more about individual experiences. The Mahim water, though not blessed in the conventional sense, offered something far more powerfulhope, faith, and a sense of connection to the divine. The Healing Ash Across India, there are countless stories of people encountering sacred ash (vibhuti). From railway stations to markets, devotees have reported finding the ash in their homes, cars, and even on the steps of temples. While many consider these occurrences to be signs of divine favour, others chalk it up to simple human error, coincidental spillage, or even the work of savvy entrepreneurs trying to cash in on a religious trend. A few years ago, the faithful flocked to a temple in Kerala to witness a weeping god. It was later found to have been the result of a slow, natural condensation process caused by humidity. Disha Prakash a graduate says, For many, these occurrences offer a sense of hope and comfort. Sometimes, its not about whether something is scientifically true but about what it represents to those who believe. Food For Thought In 2005, a phenomenon occurred in Delhi that captivated the religious community: idols of Lord Ganesha appeared to drink milk offered by devotees. The milk seemed to vanish into the statues mouth, sparking widespread belief that this was a miraculous event. Thousands of people gathered at temples, eager to witness what they saw as a divine sign. Scientists later explained the incident as a capillary action, where the porous surface of the statue absorbed the milk. Despite this, the event reinforced the deep connection between faith and perception, showing how powerful belief can be, even in the face of scientific explanation. Another common occurrence during Ganpati celebrations at temples is the mysterious disappearance of ladoos. Devotees often believe that the ladoos have vanished because the Lord himself has partaken in the offering. However, a more down-to-earth explanation may be at play: the ladoos could simply be taken by rats that frequent the temple, drawn to the sweet smell of the offerings. Despite this practical explanation, the belief that the ladoos are consumed by Lord Ganesha continues to hold sway, showing how religious fervour can often overshadow mundane realities. Sky, Tears and Illusions Another event that captured the devotion of many occurred at Mount Mary Church in Bandra, Mumbai when the statue of the Virgin Mary was reported to have shed tears. Devotees gathered at the church, convinced they were witnessing a miracle. Investigation revealed that the tears were likely caused by a technical malfunction or condensation due to the high humidity in the seaside area. Despite this scientific explanation, many faithful continued to believe the tears were a divine message. Many flocked to see a weeping Mother Mary statue in Bandra A popular phenomenon among some Christian communities involves flicker books of Jesus, which are designed to show his face when you stare at the images for a while. After looking at the book, if you glance up at the sky, many believe they can see the face of Jesus in the clouds. For them, this is seen as a divine sign. But whats happening is a visual illusion. When you focus on the image for too long, your eyes become overstimulated. When you look away, your brain tries to process the image and can make you see it in the sky or other places. Modern Doubts The surge of these miraculous occurrences in modern settings reflects a broader cultural trend: a desire to find divine meaning in the mundane. In an increasingly urbanised world, many people are seeking spiritual connection and healing in unexpected places. The act of believing in something sacred or divine, even when it's just ordinary water from an air conditioning unit or sea water tainted by chemicals, serves a greater purpose. It provides comfort, hope, and a sense of connectedness to something larger than oneself. Yet, as these stories also highlight, such phenomena bring to the forefront questions about authenticity, commercial ex-ploitation, and faith in a modern context. In todays world, peoples religious experiences are increasingly mediated by the media, says Evette John, a marketing executive. Social media platforms, news outlets, and even word-of-mouth spread these stories quickly, and once a miracle is witnessed, the faith becomes real for many. A Delicate Balance In a world where modernity often challenges traditional beliefs, these events remind us that faith can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary moments of hope, comfort, and spiritual meaning. While science offers logical explanations behind such phenomena, blind faith often sees divine meaning whereas others see coincidence or natural occurrences. In a world increasingly driven by technology, can science truly explain the full depth of human belief? Perhaps, in the end, the true power of faith lies not in the object of belief, but in the unwavering trust it inspirestrust that often defies the boundaries of reason and science.
Call for fast-track courts for Mathura, Kashi temple disputes
Mathura: Hindu nationalist organisations participating in a convention here have raised the demand for expedited hearings of disputes concerning temples in Mathura and Kashi through fast-track courts. The convention was organised by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti in Vrindavan, Mathura district, on Saturday. The event also focused on two additional demands implementing a complete and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
