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Tue, 23 January 2024
ULFA disbanded 44 years after formation
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Anup Chetia
23:56 ULFA disbanded 44 years after formation
The pro-talk United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which had signed a tripartite agreement on December 29 last year, has been formally disbanded 44 years after it was formed, a senior leader of the outfit said.
According to a clause of the pact, ULFA shall abjure the path of violence, give up all arms and ammunition and disband the organisation within one month.
The tripartite agreement was signed by the central and state governments and the ULFA.
The decision to disband the organisation was taken at a meeting of the organisation held in Assam's Darrang district on Tuesday, the outfit's general secretary Anup Chetia told PTI.
It was also decided at the meeting to form a seven-member monitoring committee to ensure the implementation of the various clauses of the tripartite agreement, he said.
Chetia will be the convenor of the committee.
A socio-cultural organisation named 'Asom Jatiya Bikash Mancha' will be formed, which will work towards protecting the cultural and linguistic identity of the society, he said.
The members will also soon meet Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to inform him about the outfit being disbanded and also to take forward the implementation of the agreement, Chetia added.
A possible organisational set-up for the rehabilitation of the cadres and to involve them in productive economic activity was also discussed at the meeting, another senior leader Mrinal Hazarika said.
The outfit will also have to vacate all the nine designated camps where ULFA cadres and their families were staying after coming for talks in 2011.
The arms/ammunition will be handed over to the state government at a formal ceremony later this month.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, also included an ex-gratia payment to the cadres, funding of their economic, vocational training and government jobs depending on eligibility along with withdrawal of criminal cases registered against the cadres for non-heinous crimes.
The ULFA was formed on April 7, 1979, in Sivasagar by a group of 20 youths from Upper Assam districts to establish a sovereign Assam through an armed struggle.
The outfit had split in 2011 with the top leadership, including Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, returning to Assam from a neighbouring country and agreed to talk without the sovereignty clause and submitted a 12-point charter of demands to the central government.
Another faction ULFA (Independent), led by Paresh Barua, remained firm on the demand for sovereignty and is yet to come for talks. -- PTI
23:16 FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi: Himanta
The Assam police has registered a first information report (FIR) against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders for wanton acts of violence on Tuesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Jatra is currently in Assam and the alleged acts of violence took place while the party supporters and leaders broke barricades and clashed with police personnel in their bid to enter Guwahati.
'With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation, damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members, aN FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section 120(B)143/147/188/283/353/332/333/427 IPC R/W Sec. 3 of PDPP Act,' the Chief Minister posted on X.
Sarma had earlier in the day instructed the Director General of Police G P Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break the barricades.
Singh also said that appropriate action is being taken against those involved in unlawful activities.
The sections under which the case has been filed deal with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty, damaging public property and others.
Gandhi said the chief minister directing the DGP to file a case against him shows 'that they have fear in their hearts... They are afraid as the people of Assam are standing up as 'tufan' and 'andhi' (storm) against them'.
The barricades were erected along a highway to prevent Congress leaders and supporters taking part in the Yatra from entering the main thoroughfares of Guwahati, the largest city of the northeastern state.
As Congress supporters removed the barricades, a scuffle with the police personnel ensued leading to injuries suffered by state Congress president Bhupen Borah and leader of the opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia.
Addressing the public from atop a bus, Gandhi said that they have broken barricades but 'we will not break the law'.
He alleged that while BJP president J P Nadda was allowed to take the same route earlier, Congress was not permitted.
"You should not think we are weak. We have broken the barricades," he told his workers and supporters, calling them 'babbar sher' (lion).
The chief minister said that evidence is emerging as to how Gandhi and senior leader Jitendra Singh 'instigated the mob to kill Assam police personnel'.
"Our police personnel are servants of the public and do not belong to any royal family. Rest assured, law has a long arm, it will definitely reach you."
The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Jatra is currently in Assam and the alleged acts of violence took place while the party supporters and leaders broke barricades and clashed with police personnel in their bid to enter Guwahati.
'With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation, damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members, aN FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section 120(B)143/147/188/283/353/332/333/427 IPC R/W Sec. 3 of PDPP Act,' the Chief Minister posted on X.
Sarma had earlier in the day instructed the Director General of Police G P Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd to break the barricades.
Singh also said that appropriate action is being taken against those involved in unlawful activities.
The sections under which the case has been filed deal with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty, damaging public property and others.
Gandhi said the chief minister directing the DGP to file a case against him shows 'that they have fear in their hearts... They are afraid as the people of Assam are standing up as 'tufan' and 'andhi' (storm) against them'.
The barricades were erected along a highway to prevent Congress leaders and supporters taking part in the Yatra from entering the main thoroughfares of Guwahati, the largest city of the northeastern state.
As Congress supporters removed the barricades, a scuffle with the police personnel ensued leading to injuries suffered by state Congress president Bhupen Borah and leader of the opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia.
Addressing the public from atop a bus, Gandhi said that they have broken barricades but 'we will not break the law'.
He alleged that while BJP president J P Nadda was allowed to take the same route earlier, Congress was not permitted.
"You should not think we are weak. We have broken the barricades," he told his workers and supporters, calling them 'babbar sher' (lion).
The chief minister said that evidence is emerging as to how Gandhi and senior leader Jitendra Singh 'instigated the mob to kill Assam police personnel'.
"Our police personnel are servants of the public and do not belong to any royal family. Rest assured, law has a long arm, it will definitely reach you."
23:00 Ratna for Thakur: BJP hopes to deepen EBC base
The Bharatiya Janata Party hopes to deepen its support among backward castes, especially the Extremely Backward Classes, in Bihar following the announcement of Bharat Ratna for former chief minister, the late, Karpoori Thakur, a leader who enjoys admiration from backward satraps of various hues.
The presence of entrenched Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders such as Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav and Janata Dal-United president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has meant that the BJP has so far been unable to replicate in Bihar the kind of sway it has over the community in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
With an attempt to appropriate the legacy of Thakur, who came from a numerically small 'Nai' (barber) community, the BJP is hopeful that it can win over the support of a large number of backward castes which individually are low in numbers but together outnumber more dominant backward castes like the Yadavs.
Thakur's caste is part of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), the most numerous demographic, according to the recent caste survey carried out by the Bihar government.
EBCs are 36 per cent while OBC are 27 per cent of the state's total population.
The EBCs' count includes several Muslim castes too.
Kumar, an admirer of Thakur, has built his political success by weaving a coalition of a large chunk of EBCs and non-Yadav Other Backward Classes.
He also nominated Thakur's son Ram Nath Thakur as a JD-U MP to the Rajya Sabha. With Kumar's political graph being seen by many to be in decline, the BJP has been making a big push to woo his support base with various measures, including by appointing backward Koeri leader Samrat Choudhary as its state president.
The BJP believes that the award of the country's highest civilian award for Thakur will give further momentum to its drive.
Some political watchers have also suggested that the decision may help create more common ground between the BJP and Kumar at a time when the JD-U's growing disagreement with other members of the opposition INDIA bloc is the talk of the town.
A visionary leader, Karpoori Thakur had rolled out the sub-categorisation of backward classes reservation in Bihar in the 70s by ensuring a separate quota for EBCs so that their pie is not affected by the more dominant Other Backward Classes. -- PTI
22:10 Vadodara boat tragedy: Partner of lake maintenance firm held
Police on Tuesday arrested Bineet Kotia, a partner in the firm responsible for handling the recreation zone of Harni lake near Vadodara, days after 12 students and two teachers lost their lives in a boat capsize tragedy, an officer said.
The fresh arrest took the number of the persons in police custody so far to seven, including three partners of Kotia Projects and its manager.
Bineet Kotia was arrested from his shop by the city police, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya.
"Bineet Kotia was named in the FIR registered by Harni police after the boat tragedy on January 18. He holds a 5 per cent stake in Kotia Projects while his father holds a 20 per cent share. Bineet was on the run after the incident," said Momaya, adding that efforts are on to nab others.
Speaking about the investigation, the police officer said experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory on Tuesday inspected the boat involved in the lake incident.
Police also collected relevant information from the company which had sold this boat to the contractor, Momaya added.
As many as 12 students and two teachers of New Sunrise School on a picnic drowned, while 18 students and two teachers were rescued after an overloaded boat capsized in Motnath Lake on the city's outskirts on January 18.
Six persons, including three partners of Kotia Projects - Bhimsingh Yadav, Vedprakash Yadav and Rashmikant Prajapati, manager of the firm Shantilal Solanki, and boat operators - Nayan Gohil and Ankit Vasava- were arrested earlier.
In its complaint, the Vadodara civic body pointed out lapses, including non-maintenance of boats by Kotia Projects which was responsible for maintaining the lakefront, and not keeping the adequate number of life-saving equipment and life jackets, on the part of the contractor.
It was also revealed that only a few students were given life jackets on the day of the incident.
According to officials, Kotia Projects had sub-let the contract for boating activities to another company, and that the boat operator had no prior experience.
Police had registered an FIR under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code against 18 persons, including the seven who have been arrested so far.
The Gujarat high court has directed the state government to submit an action taken report (ATR) on the death of students and teachers in the boat tragedy, observing that it has 'shocked the conscience' of the public. -- PTI
21:30 Nitish elated over Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday hailed the announcement that the country's highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' will be conferred to his late mentor Karpoori Thakur.
In a statement, the Janata Dal-United president said it was a 'fulfilment of an age-old demand' by his party that will 'send a positive message among deprived sections of the society'.
"I have always raised the demand for Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. The announcement that comes on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary brings me great delight," Kumar said. -- PTI
IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pays tribute to former State Chief Minister Jannayak Karpoori Thakur on his birth anniversary, in Patna on January 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo
21:12 Prohibitory orders in Mumbai till February 6
Mumbai Police has issued orders banning the assembly of five or more persons and processions in the city till February 6 on information about the likelihood of breach of peace.
Notably, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has announced to stage massive protests in Mumbai from January 26 with his thousands of supporters who are on their way to the state capital.
Jarange has demanded the issuance of a blanket Kunbi (OBC) caste certificate to all Marathas.
According to a police official, the order banning the assembly of people and processions was issued on Monday by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act after the information received about the likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, danger to human lives and loss of property.
The order came into force on Tuesday and will remain valid for the next 15 days, he said.
Any assembly of five or more persons, any procession of people, and the use of loudspeakers, (sound) amplifying instruments, musical bands, and bursting of crackers in any procession by the assembly is prohibited, as per the order.
Assemblies and processions may be permitted by the Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police and their supervisory officers are exempted from the prohibition.
Any investigation or legal proceedings may be instituted, continued, or enforced during the period, the order stated.
Any penalty, forfeiture of punishments incurred in respect of any contravention of this order may be imposed as if the order had not expired, it stated further. -- PTI
Image only for representation
20:22 UP: 3 held for replacing mosque flag with saffron flag
Three men were arrested in Shahjahanpur on Tuesday for allegedly removing a flag from a mosque and replacing it with a saffron flag, a police officer said. In another incident in Tilhar, police booked five people and 12 others unidentified for allegedly desecrating a flag bearing the name of Lord Ram.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena said, "Some miscreants climbed up a mosque in the Lalbagh area under Ramchandra Mission Police Station Monday night. The accused removed a green coloured flag from the mosque and replaced it with a saffron flag."
Meena said the three men, Ankit Katheria, Rohit Joshi and Rohit Saxena, were arrested at the complaint of local residents.
"The accused were arrested on Tuesday and the matter is being investigated," he said.
In Tilhar, Circle Officer Priyank Jain said that the alleged desecration took place in Batlaiya village.
"On the basis of a complaint, an FIR has been lodged against five persons and 12 unidentified individuals. The matter is being looked into," Jain said. -- PTI
19:57 Karpoori Thakur awarded Bharat Ratna
JUST IN: Former chief minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna posthumously, a release from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said.
'The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Shri Karpoori Thakur (posthumously),' the release said.
Popularly known as Jan Nayak, Thakur served as Bihar CM from December 1970 to June 1971, and from December 1977 to April 1979.
'The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Shri Karpoori Thakur (posthumously),' the release said.
Popularly known as Jan Nayak, Thakur served as Bihar CM from December 1970 to June 1971, and from December 1977 to April 1979.
Image only for representation
19:31 Ram idol found desecrated in Muzaffarnagar, police deployed
Local police were deployed in a village in Muzaffarnagar after an idol of Lord Ram was allegedly desecrated inside a Durga temple in a village here, officials said on Wednesday.
The damaged idol was found on Tuesday morning in the Shahpur police station area, they said.
Villagers staged a protest over the incident near the temple, in which some local politicians also participated. The protest was called off after senior officials assured the protestors of swift action regarding the matter.
Police said the situation in the village was peaceful.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhishek Singh said, "An idol of Lord Ram placed inside a Durga Temple in Dinkarpur village of the district was allegedly damaged by some miscreants. The damaged idol was found by villagers on Tuesday morning who informed police about it."
Police have lodged a first information report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against unidentified persons based on a complaint by the head of the village and initiated investigations.
Police personnel have also been deployed in the village to ensure law and order, the SSP said.
"The situation in the village is peaceful. We are on alert to avoid untoward incidents. We are also in touch with the elders of the village," the officer said. -- PTI
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18:53 Shops razed in Naya Nagar after communal clash
'Illegal' roadside stalls in Naya Nagar area of Thane district which witnessed a communal clash two days back were razed by the civic body using bulldozers on Tuesday, officials said.
A huge contingent of police personnel, including a Rapid Action Force (RAF) team, was deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Notably, the action by the Mira Bhaindar Municipal Corporation to demolish the 'illegal' roadside stalls came a day after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, warned of strict action against rioters.
Videos of the razing of the stalls have gone viral on social media. Members of two communities clashed during a vehicle rally organised in Naya Nagar on the outskirts of Mumbai on Sunday night on the eve of the consecration of Lord Ram's idol in the Ayodhya temple.
A mob armed with iron rods, sticks, and bats shouted religious slogans and assaulted the man whose car was part of the procession comprising three vehicles and 10 two-wheelers, police had said.
They vandalised the car with stones and sticks.
Police registered a case of attempt to murder against 50-60 persons and took 13 of them in custody, according to the police official. -- PTI
Pic: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
18:17 Did he get to meet his lord?
'Lord Hanuman' queues outside the Ram Mandir this morning. Several people in Ayodhya were seen dressed up as gods or as characters from the Ramayan.
18:15 Crowd control
Police try to control the crowd outside the Ram temple this morning when it opened to the public. Pic: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Pic and text: Saisuresh Sivaswamy
17:53 Shiva, Shiva!
The 13-km long Rampath, the central avenue that leads to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is always peppered with colourful characters. Today, it was Lord Shiva, while in the lead up to the consecration, there were several characters from the Ramayan.
This young man, who says his name is Balaji Nishad, a resident of Ayodhya, stopped for selfies and posed for pictures.
Over 2.5 to 3 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the Ram temple in Ayodhya till afternoon.
Iqbal Ansari
17:53 Babri litigant praises RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
Iqbal Ansari, one of the main plaintiffs in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, on Tuesday said the BJP has brought an end to the Ram temple issue.
Speaking to PTI, he also said that now everyone should listen to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's advice to shun habit of fighting on small disputes. Ansari said he attended the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on Monday and his experience was good.
"When my father (Hashim Ansari) was alive, he kept telling everyone that the Congress got the statue placed inside the Babri Masjid, the party got the mosque demolished, and it laid the foundation stone of the temple," he alleged.
"In the BJP rule, only the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya took place...nothing else has happened. The BJP has ended the Ram Mandir issue," he said.
On the issue of Kashi and Mathura being taken up now, Ansari said, "All this will keep happening due to politics in the country. What did the Congress do? Whatever is happening today, the Congress also kept doing the same (during its rule)."
Praising the speech of RSS chief Bhagwat at the consecration ceremony, he said, "Bhagwat ji was saying the right things. Whatever he was saying should happen."
In his speech, Bhagwat had urged people to end 'kalah' (dispute) and shun habit of fighting on small disputes. The RSS chief said Ram Lalla has returned home after 500 years because of the penance of a lot of people and he salutes their hardwork and sacrifices.
"But why did he (Ram) leave? He left because there were disputes (kalah) in Ayodhya. Ram Rajya is coming and we have to shun all disputes and stop fighting among ourselves over petty issues. We will have to shun ego and stay united," he had said.
Ansari said the Muslims of the country want peace.
"This community is not very educated. It does not want a government job. It does its own small business. When there is no riot, they will live peacefully," he added "Ram has not come to Ayodhya yesterday, he has been there since December 1949," he said, referring to the appearance of a Ram Lalla idol in the Babri Masjid on December 22, 1949.
17:24 'There must have been one lakh people inside Ram Mandir'
Among the hundreds who had a darshan of Lord Ram on Tuesday morning, the first day the temple was opened to the public, were Priyesh Mohan Anjikar, Lalit Shrikhande and Vishal Acharya from Nagpur.
"I have been to Pandarpur in Maharashtra and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, and the happiness I got today was the same as what I felt in Pandarpur," an ecstatic Anjikar tells Rediff.com on Tuesday on Rampath in Ayodhya.
Over 2.5 to 3 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the Ram temple till afternoon with as many more waiting in queues.
Read the story here.
17:20 Yogi arrives in Ayodhya to oversee arrangements
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday visited Ayodhya to see arrangements at the Ram temple, which was opened for the people a day after the consecration ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adityanath has reached Ayodhya by air to see arrangements at the temple, which has been opened for the devotees, Director Information Shishir told PTI.
The chief minister will also visit the temple, he said.
Over 2.5 to 3 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the Ram temple in Ayodhya till afternoon and many are waiting for the same, a senior official said.
"Till afternoon, 2.5 to 3 lakh devotees have paid obeisance in the temple and a similar number of them are remaining. Over 8,000 policemen are overseeing the arrangements and everything is under control," Shishir said.
Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar and Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad are inside the temple and overseeing the arrangements. Consecration of the Ram Lalla idol was held amid religious fervour on Monday in the newly built temple in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Modi took part in the 'pran pratishtha' rituals in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. A score of luminaries from the field of cinema, sports and saints had attended the ceremony. PTI
Crowds outside Ram Mandir today
17:05 At least 73 flights landed in Ayodhya on Jan 22
CISF DIG Shrikant Kishore on the arrangements at Ayodhya: "We handled the biggest challenge at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. On January 9 when CISF took over there were only two flights at the airport and on January 21 we handled five scheduled departures, five scheduled arrivals and 32 charter planes. On January 22, we handled 73 flights. We also handled the movement of 350 VIPs.
"There has not been a decrease of footfall (in Ayodhya) after January 22. In the coming days, this will be an important airport. Ayodhya's airport is one of the hyper-sensitive airports and we are making arrangements accordingly."
16:40 Bengaluru man in Ayodhya hopes for darshan today
Sriramulu from Bengaluru was last in what seemed is a never ending line for darshan outside the Ram Mandir. "I have been coming since Saturday but was unable to get darshan," he says. Yesterday he lost his Rs 40K mobile phone and shows us a replacement, a qwerty device. Today he feels the chances of darshan are greater, as queues have been set up. Till yesterday it was a free for all, he says, crediting PM Modi and CM Yogi for the temple becoming a reality.
-- - Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
Pic: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
16:28 The queues don't end
Serpentine queues to the Ram temple entrance which snake out on the Rampath. As a result all vehicular movement on the road has stopped.
Pic: Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
16:19 Security tightened outside temple as crowds surge
As Ram Mandir lets in devotees for darshan, (after a brief pause at 2:30 pm) the crowds showing no sign of abating. Security outside the temple complex in Ayodhya has been further tightened. See alongside, security personnel from the Sahastra Seema Bal.
RSS leader Anil Mishra was a yajman
16:08 Tears rolled down my face: Ram temple yajman
"Divine experience and a proud moment" is how the 15 couples who were the mukhya yajman' for the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya described the grand event and said that the day will be forever etched in their memories.
While the 14 couples, including Dalits, tribals, backwards and upper castes, were chosen from across the country to perform the duty of yajmans or hosts for the main ceremony, RSS leader Anil Mishra and his wife presided over the daily rituals which began on January 16 ahead of the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony.
Mishra is among the 15 trustees of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra which was formed in 2020 to oversee the construction of the temple.
"The day will be etched in our memories forever. Tears rolled down our eyes during the ceremony, it was such a divine experience," Anil Chaudhury, from the family of "Dom Raja" told PTI.
Chaudhry performed the rituals along with his wife Sapna Devi.
Dom Raja is the guardian of the torch used to light pyres at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats and is considered the king of the lowest sub-caste among the Harijans.
Others on the 'yajman' list were Ramchandra Kharadi from Udaipur in Rajasthan, Ram Kui Jemi from Assam, Gurucharan Singh Gill from Jaipur in Rajasthan, Adalarasan from Tamil Nadu, Lingaraj Basavraj from Karnataka and Vitthal Rao Kamble from Maharashtra. Mahadev Rao Gaikwad from Ghumantu Samaj Trust in Maharashtra's Latur, Dilip Valmiki from Lucknow, Kavindra Pratap Singh and Kailash Yadav from Kashi, Krishna Mohan from Hardoi, and Ramesh Jain from the Multani Lohar community in Uttar Pradesh, and Arun Chowdhury from Palwal in Haryana were also among the yajmans.
"It was a proud moment for us. Such a surreal experience while we were inside, our family members were among the attendees. Just to be here on a historic day is a big deal for anybody and getting to perform the rituals What more could I have asked from Lord Ram," Kamble told PTI.
15:49 Outside the Ram Mandir today
See that crowd? These are actually several queues leading up to the Ram Mandir gates. But Indians do not believe in queueing up and consequently people lost their footing and fell and were nearly trampled upon. One devotee even fainted, while several complained that their belongings and footwear were stolen.
Pic: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
15:31 Food for the soul
A bhandara (free food service) for devotees at Ayodhya today. Yesterday, there were several more bhandaras all along Rampath. Most bhandaras serve khichdi and malpua.
15:29 Near-stampede situation at Ram Mandir today
Ayodhya today: After the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony yesterday, a large number of Lord Ram devotees are reaching the Ram Janmabhoomi. Police and administration are on the alert to ensure comfortable continuous darshan for the devotees. Principal Secretary-Home Sanjay Prasad and Special DG-Law and Order, Prashant Kumar are present in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple to control the crowds.
Devotees in their thousands thronged the gates of the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya, jostling to enter the temple that opened to the public on Tuesday, a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol.
For some hours, security personnel drawn from police and paramilitary forces had a tough time controlling the crowd of devotees, many of whom had been queuing up since late Monday night.
At least one devotee fainted as the people pushed and shoved their way towards the temple. As the morning gave way to the afternoon, the crowd swelled to several hundreds of thousands, with people dragging themselves towards the main gateway that faces the Ram Path.
15:22 Serpentine queues and finally... darshan!
An idol of the new Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on Monday, a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand mandir's construction to build the foundation of a "strong, capable and divine" India of the next 1,000 years.
A large number of invitees, including seers, later had a 'darshan' of the deity soon after the consecration ceremony ended. For the general public, the doors of the temple opened on Tuesday morning.
Waiting in the serpentine queues outside the temple were people who have been camping in Ayodhya since before the consecration ceremony, having made long and difficult journeys to reach the temple town.
At the main gateway, the commotion in the crowd led to one devotee fainting and having to be taken for medical treatment.
Also among the crowd was Nitish Kumar from Bihar's Madhepura district, who cycled more than 600 kilometres to reach Ayodhya.
"There is a massive rush but I am hopeful I will get a chance to have 'darshan' today. I will start my journey back once my wish is fulfilled. Though I couldn't go to the temple on Monday, what a day it was to be in Ayodhya," he told PTI. Anurag Sharma from Rajasthan's Sikar was seen walking around with a model of the temple on the day of the consecration ceremony.
"I brought this model with me from my hometown. I arrived on the inaugural flight to Ayodhya and I have been here since then. I will go back only after having a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla," he told PTI.
Groups of people could also be seen marching towards the temple, passing through the decked up Ram Path.
"Ram Lalla gave us the strength to walk all the way from Chhattisgarh and now He only will get us through this crowd so we can take His blessings," said Sunil Madho, part of an eight-member group that undertook a 'padyatra' to Ayodhya.
Maharashtra native Gopal Krishna, who arrived in Ayodhya a few days ago, also jostled in the thick crowd as it moved towards the security check. "We came here a few days ago as Lord Ram called us. People were telling us to not travel as police would impose restrictions on travel and rooms would not be available in hotels. We are staying at an ashram and this is the day we waited for," he told PTI.
He was accompanied by a few friends with whom he travelled in a four-wheeler to Ayodhya from Akola district.
The gates of the temple, decorated with flowers and lights, turned into selfie spots for the devotees as they gathered to join the queues. The devotees chanted "Jai Shri Ram" as they walked towards the temple complex. Inside the main temple, "Jai Shri Ram" chants reverberated in its grand halls.
15:05 What PM told priest while breaking fast: I want...
Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, who made PM Modi drink water with his hands and break his 11-day fast on the Pran Pratishtha day, got emotional and said "I felt that I was helping a son who is the hero of my nation break his fast."
Prime Minister Modi broke his 11-day Anushthan yesterday on the occasion of the Pran Pratishtha.
"We thought of mixing Honey and 2 drops of lemon in water and making him (PM Modi) drink it, but he told me separately yesterday that you should make me drink only a few drops of 'Charan Amrit' of Lord Ram. So we had to change everything at some point. He whispered in my ear asking me to offer him. My mother's affection awakened and here I felt that I was helping a son who is the hero of my nation break his fast," he said.
"I was remembering all those Karsevaks and those who made sacrifices for this work. Many people did the work but the combined power of all of them made Modi ji stand up, hence whatever description of him may be described by me, it seems inadequate.
"In these 11 days, he has chanted the mantra of Lord Shri Ram a lot. The mantra was sent by us and I myself saw that he was continuously reciting it," he added.
He further asserted that in this way, if we find a national hero who controls himself through his words, mind and actions, then it will be our good fortune.
14:49 'I will not return'
Not all journeys to the divine end in happiness.
Devanand Goswami has come from Siliguri, West Bengal, a journey that took him nearly three days by road and train.
Devanand Goswami has come from Siliguri, West Bengal, a journey that took him nearly three days by road and train.
He came to Ayodhya expecting to find peace in contemplative meditation before Lord Ram at the new temple.
He now says he will never come back.
He did not get darshan before Ram Lalla -- there was so much pushing and jostling in the queue this morning that he fell and almost got trampled.
He shows his scraped knees and says his bag and footwear were stolen.
When asked if he would return later when it's better arranged he says vehemently, "Nahin, hum nahin aayenge wapas."
-- Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com in Ayodhya
Oil lamps on the Sarayu ghats in Ayodhya. Adnan Abidi/Reuters
14:43 Unmanageable crowds: Roads to Ayodhya blocked
Barabanki police near Lucknow urged people to not visit Ayodhya on Tuesday as there was a heavy rush of devotees at the newly opened Ram temple.
The doors of the Ram temple was opened to the general public on Tuesday, a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol.
Traffic towards Ayodhya has been diverted from Barabanki, about 30 km from Lucknow, and devotees travelling by foot were also stopped, police said.
"In view of the heavy rush of devotees in Ayodhya dham, it is requested that they avoid going there today," Barabanki police said in a post on X.
"All the traffic towards Ayodhya is being delivered and devotees travelling by foot are also being requested to stop," it said. Huge crowds were witnessed in Ayodhya on the day the temple was opened for the general public.
Pic: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
14:20 Security relaxed in Ayodhya today
A few personnel from the Rapid Action Force are still stationed at Ayodhya. Security is relaxed today. Four-wheelers are not allowed on Rampath, especially around the temple, but E-rickshiws and bikes are plying.
A stall selling chatpata fast food. Pic: Rajesh Karkera
14:15 Ram Mandir invitees steal 300 blankets
Among the many announcements flowing from the PA system on Rampath, this one caught our ears.
Invitees who were put up at makeshift accommodation (NOT the VIPs) have made off with some 300 kambals (blankets).
"The administration humbly requests those who have made away with it to please return the kambals," the announcement said.
Lots of people on the streets today, but security is minuscule -- just the UP police.
-- Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
13:20 Lok Sabha polls to be tentatively held on April 16
The Election Commission has announced the tentative date of the Lok Sabha polls. In a letter to district election officers, the EC said that the Lok Sabha 2024 polls will be tentatively held on April 16.
The circular said the date was announced to enable EC officers to calculate the start and end dates of the election planner.
12:50 Ayodhya police shut Ram Mandir till 2:30 pm
Struggling to cope with the huge crowds that have been thronging the Ram Mandir today, the Ayodhya police has announced that the gates to the temple have been shut till 2.30 pm.
"We request visitors from within India and outside who have come for darshan to please not come to the temple gates," the police announced via the PA system on Rampath.
Last night, a large crowd had gathered near the ceremonial gateway that was decked up for the consecration ceremony. But police told the devotees that they would only be allowed to enter the temple the following morning (today) when it opens for the public.
-- Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com in Ayodhya
12:33 I remember my grandmom: Scindia on Ram Mandir
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said that after a wait of almost 500 years Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya and it has been made possible by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Scindia made the remark while speaking to reporters in Gwalior a day after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram temple held in Ayodhya on Monday. "After a wait for almost 500 years, Lord Ram has come back to Ayodhya. This has been made possible by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With yesterday's program, the faith of 140 crore people of the country as well as the followers of Lord Ram across the world is attached. Like the PM said, the foundation stone of the temple was laid in 2019 and the inauguration took place yesterday, but our work starts from yesterday," Scindia said.
The Union minister further emphasised about establishing the country as a Vishwaguru and every citizen has to contribute to it.
"We need to establish our country as a Vishwaguru. Every citizen has to contribute on the basis of hard work and effort to establish India as a Vishwaguru. Ram Lalla sat again on Monday, after a wait of 500 years. Many generations sacrificed their lives and contributed fully to this program. My grandmother herself, had also raised her voice and contributed for this programme. Today, I remember all those great personalities," he added.
Scindia also said, "Taking a note of the supernatural and important development in the history of the country, we will bow down before Lord Rama and take his blessings and take a pledge to contribute to the development and progress of the state and the nation." -- ANI
12:17 Huge crowds at Rampath? Time for marketing
The crowds on Rampath represent huge business for shops and establishments, thats a given.
At least one print publication has seen the marketing potential in the crowds and has undertaken a direct sampling exercise.
Ashish has been handing out 5000 free copies of Hindustan Times, Mint and Hindustan (Hindi) to the passing throngs, daily for the last five days.
"Lots of outsiders have come here, so we are doing this exercise to create our brand awareness among a new set of readers. Hopefully they will like what they see, and do word of mouth publicity for us."
-- Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com in Ayodhya
Pic: Saisuresh Sivaswamy
12:15 Ayodhya locals: Mandir abhi nahin jayenge
With the darshan of the Ram Temple behind us last night, we thought we would take a look at second most important temple in Ayodhya, the Hanuman Garhi temple.
A day after the consecration and the biggest congregation of VVIPs in Ayodhya ever, the fervour, the excitement, in Ayodhya is intact.
Crowds throng both sides of the barricaded Rampath leading to the Ram Mandir. However, the free food bhandars are shut today.
Constructed like a fort, Hanuman Garhi, is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and situated in the centre of the town, a stone's throw from the Ram Mandir. The 10th century temple can be reached by climbing 76 steps. Legend has it that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot.
On January 21, Kangana Ranaut visited the Hanuman Garhi temple to seek blessings from the almighty. In a viral video, the actress can be seen sweeping the floor of the Hanuman Garhi temple.
Till yesterday there were not too many people visiting this temple.
But today, long lines, I would hazard a guess of at least half a kilometre snake outside the temple, which is now entirely pedestrian.
After waiting for a while, the queue hasn't moved an inch.
A man waiting in the queue said he actually wanted to go to the Ram Mandir but it was so crowded that he decided to come here instead.
A man I hitched a ride on a motorbike said, "Abhi kaun jayega. Bheed jab kam hogi tabhi jayenge."
We agree.
-- Saisuresh Sivaswamy in Ayodhya
Soumya Vishwanathan
11:32 Soumya Vishwanathan case: HC asks police to respond to convicts appeals
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the police to respond to appeals filed by four convicts in the case of murder of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan challenging their conviction and life sentence.
A bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain issued notice to the police on the appeals by Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljit Singh Malik and Ajay Kumar.
The high court also asked the authorities to file reply to the convicts' interim application seeking suspension of their sentence. It listed the application for hearing on February 12. Soumya was shot dead on September 30, 2008 while she was returning home in her car from office. The police had claimed robbery as the motive behind the killing of Soumya. -- PTI
Pic: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
Pic: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
11:18 What the Ram Mandir takeaway bag contains
As you step out the Ram temple after darshan you collect a cloth bag of prasad, writes Saisuresh Sivaswamy in Ayodhya.
This is what the bag contains: A booklet on Ayodhya Darshan; booklet on archana by Devraha Baba and Devraha Hans Baba; booklet on Ram Janambhoomi; another booklet on Ram Jananbhoomi; Rashtradharm magazine; a booklet on Ram Janambhoomi put out by Devraha Hans Baba trust, a saffron Jai Shri Ram shawl, a poster of Devraha Baba and Devraha Hans Baba.
All the booklets are in Hindi.
There is also a steel box with the most delicious besan laddus this side of the Sarayu. Photographer Rajesh Karkera adds that the laddus were a trifle too sweet for his liking.
11:02 PM: What we saw yesterday in Ayodhya will be...
A day after the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said "what we saw in Ayodhya will be etched in our memories for years to come".
In a post on X, Modi shared a video montage of the ceremony in which a new idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple.
"What we saw in Ayodhya yesterday, 22nd January, will be etched in our memories for years to come," Modi said in his post along with the video.
Modi on Monday gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand mandir's construction to build the foundation of a "strong, capable and divine" India of the next 1,000 years.
As the inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya, Modi said it was the advent of a new era. Lakhs of people watched the pran pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony on television at their homes and in neighbourhood temples, savouring the historic moment. PTI
10:49 Anupam Kher gifts rudraksh mala to PM sent by...
Capturing the historic moment through his lens, actor Anupam Kher after attending the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya shared a video of his spiritual experience.
Taking to Instagram, Kher treated fans with a new video from Ram Mandir on Tuesday morning and captioned it, "This moment will be remembered. Hail Lord Ram!"
Kher also penned a heartfelt post on X after meeting PM Modi. He wrote, "I am very happy to meet you today. You are an inspiration. You work for citizens day and night. I will always remember that you accepted a rudraksh necklace sent by my mother for your protection. Jai Hind."
As soon as the picture appeared, fans chimed in the comment section. One of the users commented, "Jai shri Ram."
Upon reaching the temple, Anupam Kher on Monday told ANI, "Historic! Wonderful! I had never seen such an atmosphere for Hindu religion ever before. This is bigger than Diwali. This is the real Diwali...Maryada Purushottam Ram symbolised goodness and a sense of sacrifice. Today, those sentiments can be seen here."
Besides Anupam Kher, several other A-listers and who's who of the Indian film and entertainment industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Madhuri Dixit, Subhash Ghai and Sonu Nigam were in attendance at the Pran Patishtha ceremony.
Pic: Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com
10:39 Can you spot Lord Ram?
That's the chaos inside the Ram Mandir when the media group in Ayodhya was taken into the complex last night. Amid major shoving and jostling Ram Lalla could barely be seen.
10:30 Bachchans meet Yogi at Ram Mandir
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, who attended the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayhodhya's grand Ram Mandir, met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the event. Devotees celebrated with enthusiasm the historical moment of the 'Pran Pratishthan' ceremony on Monday.
Taking to social media platform X, the Uttar Pradesh CM shared the pictures and wrote, "Ram-Ram to everyone! May the blessings of Lord Shri Ram be upon all of you.
"Following the ceremony, Big B and Abhishek, who had arrived in Ayodhya on Monday were seen meeting with Yogi Adityanath. Amitabh Bacchan was seen greeting Adityanath with folded hands and speaking with him before Abhishek joined them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also pictured exchanging pleasantries with Amitabh Bachchan on Monday. PM Modi, who led the rituals during the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla at his majestic abode in Ayodhya, was seen greeting the 'Big B' with folded hands which the actor returning the gesture. Significantly, Amitabh Bachchan had recently purchased a 10,000-square-feet plot in Ayodhya. -- ANI
10:23 Ramchandra Ki Jai: Amitabh shares pics from Ayodhya
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan today shared pictures from his visit to the newly-built Ram temple in Ayodhya.
In the pictures posted on his official account on X and Instagram, Bachchan can be seen standing with folded hands in front of the new Ram Lalla idol, which was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on Monday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignataries.
"Bol Siya Pati Ramchandra Ki Jai," Bachchan wrote, who was among over 7,000 distinguished guests who were invited to the 'pran pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) in Ayodhya.
On Monday, the megastar was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Modi at the grand event in Ayodhya.
09:54 1,088 farmers committed suicide in Marathwada in 2023: Report
As many as 1,088 farmers committed suicide in eight districts of the Marathwada region in central Maharashtra in 2023, a report from the divisional commissioner's office revealed.
The figure has gone up by 65 compared to 2022, an official said.
Of the 1,088 suicides in 2023, Beed recorded the highest 269 such deaths, followed by 182 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 175 in Nanded, 171 in Dharashiv and 103 in Parbhani, the report stated.
Jalna, Latur and Hingoli reported 74, 72 and 42 such deaths respectively.
As per the report, 1,023 farmer suicides were reported in 2022 in Marathwada, which comprised Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Hingoli, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded and Parbhani districts.
The administration probed into each case, and ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh was disbursed to the kin in the eligible cases, the official said.
Out of 1,088 cases, 777 were eligible for ex-gratia, which has been disbursed, and 151 cases are currently under inquiry, he said. -- PTI
09:36 3 cubs born to Namibian cheetah at Kuno Park
A Namibian cheetah has given birth to three cubs at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, weeks after three cubs were born to another feline.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shared the news on X, saying, "Kuno's new cubs! Namibian Cheetah named Jwala has given birth to three cubs. This comes just weeks after Namibian Cheetah Aasha gave birth to her cubs."
He further said in the post, "Congratulations to all wildlife frontline warriors and wildlife lovers across the country. May Bharat's wildlife thrive."
On January 3, Kuno National Park officials reported that Namibian cheetah Aasha had given birth to three cubs.
Before this, a cheetah named Siyaya had given birth to four cubs last March. However, only one of them survived.
Jwala, Aasha and Siyaya are among the cheetahs translocated to India from Namibia under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Project Cheetah', aimed at re-introducing the only large carnivore species that went extinct in independent India.
The first batch of eight cheetahs was introduced in India in September 2022.
The second batch of 12 cheetahs was flown in from South Africa last February. -- PTI
09:03 Bihar Guv releases special postal cover on Ram temple in Ayodhya
Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar released a special cover of the Postal Department on the 'Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple' after the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
The governor said that the Postal Department has been serving the people for more than 150 years and has also been playing a leading role in keeping the heritage alive through souvenirs such as stamps and special covers.
Releasing the special cover at a function in Raj Bhavan on Monday, Arlekar said, "The country has witnessed a historic moment today, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is a privilege for me to release the special cover on Prabhu Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple today."
Speaking at the function, Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle, Anil Kumar said this special cover is dedicated to Lord Ram's visit to Bihar.
Many postal stamps have already been issued on Lord Ram, he said. -- PTI
08:49 Massive crowd throngs Ram temple day after 'Pran Pratishtha'
A day after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, a heavy rush of devotees throng at the main gate of Shri Ram temple to offer prayers on Tuesday.
Devotees have gathered in large numbers since 3 AM to offer prayers and take darshan of Shri Ram Lalla on the first morning after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
The grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been made open to the public from today.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was held amid unbridled celebrations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the main rituals.
Celebrations were also held across the country to mark Lord Ram's return to this throne.
A glimpse of Ram Lalla idol at Ram temple in Ayodhya./Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
01:17 Places linked with Lord Ram to be developed as tourist spots in MP, says CM Yadav
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday night said the Ram Lalla idol consecration at the newly built temple in Ayodhya was a historic event and announced that places connected with the Hindu deity in the state will be developed as popular tourist spots.
Talking to reporters, he said the mega idol consecration ceremony in the Uttar Pradesh town heralds the coming of 'Ram Rajya', an ancient concept that denotes a harmonious society without discrimination.
"The Ram temple idol consecration ceremony was a historic event. The places where Lord Rama set his foot in Madhya Pradesh will be developed as tourist places," he said at his official residence in Bhopal which was lit up with 11,101 diyas (lamps) and soaked in religious fervour to mark the Ram temple inauguration.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, good governance has been established. In real terms, the coming of 'Ram Rajya'. Nearly 142 crore people stood by the government and demonstrated an example of communal harmony," he added. -- PTI
00:54 ED recovers cash, seizes property documents worth Rs 450 cr in Chennai
A total of Rs 33 lakh in unaccounted cash and property documents valued at Rs 450 crore were seized after the premises linked to a promoter of a realty firm in Chennai were searched by the Enforcement Directorate, officials said on Monday.
As per the officials, the searches were conducted at seven locations on Thursday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (2002).
"ED has conducted search operations under the PMLA, 2002 on January 18, 2024 at 7 locations linked to Sylvanus King Peter, the promoter of Ocean Group in Chennai. During the search operations, Rs 33 lakh in unaccounted cash and property documents valued at Rs. 450 crore were seized," ED said.
An investigation into this matter is underway.
Further details are awaited. -- ANI
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00:45 Chhattisgarh R-Day tableau to depict Bastar's 600-year-old tribal tradition
Chhattisgarh's tableau depicting 600-year-old tribal tradition of community decision making prevailing in Bastar will be on display at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
According to an official statement, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's views that India is the mother of democracy', the tableau of Chhattisgarh will showcase the world the evidence of the "democratic consciousness" prevalent in the tribal society of the state since ancient times.
The tableau is based on Bastar Ki Adim Jan Sansad: Muria Darbar, the ancient tradition of decision making by the tribals which is still alive in Bastar division even after 75 years of independence, it stated.
The world's longest Bastar Dussehra concludes with the Muria Darbar in which the tribals, the king and the public representatives discuss and solve the problems of the tribal community, the statement said.
Out of 28 state tableaux, 16 have earned the prestigious opportunity to participate in the parade on the Kartavya Path, the statement said. -- PTI
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00:25 Ayodhya live telecast stopped at WB varsity; pro-VC hurt
A pro-vice chancellor of Jadavpur University was injured as he was caught in a scuffle between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members and security guards of the varsity on Monday, after the authorities stopped live-streaming of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya inside the campus.
Around 50 members of the RSS' student wing were present when the programme was telecast live.
They got infuriated as it was stopped and they started chanting Jai Shri Ram' slogans, an official said.
Pro-VC Amitabha Dutta asked the students to keep quiet but they refused and in the melee, he and a security guard suffered minor injuries.
When contacted, Dutta did not want to speak on the issue. Students Federation of India, one of the majority student unions in the university, staged a protest rally and held a seminar where speakers denounced "any attempt to change history and divide society by the fascist regime."
A university official said the institute has nothing to do with any programme held by any group if that does not affect peace on the campus or violates the academic ambience.
"The semester exams took place smoothly. We can't comment on any programme held by any student outfit," he said.
The All Bengal University Teachers' Association in a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, education minister Bratya Basu, and Governor CV Ananda Bose voiced concern on attempts to "hold religious activities on the campus which violates the secular spirit and has no relation with education and public interest." -- PTI
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