Latest news with #Gyanvapi
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nripendra Misra's good counsel deserves saffronites' attention
There are 'limits' to correcting historical wrongs, Nripendra Misra recently told a newspaper. It is a sagacious remark that has come not a moment too soon. Misra is Ayodhya Ram temple's officer-architect-in-chief; he also headed the temple construction committee which was set up in February 2020. Additionally, he served as the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi throughout his entire first term. By all accounts, he is a man of the system—and of the saffron ecosystem. Three years ago, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat made a similar statement against the backdrop of the Gyanvapi dispute. 'Why escalate the fight? Why look for a 'Shivling' in every Masjid?' he had asked Mohan Bhagwat while addressing the concluding ceremony of the third-year RSS officer training camp in Nagpur. Now that the Ram Temple has been built, would there be closure to other temple controversies or more claims would arise? Misra said, 'I place this responsibility not so much on the government. It will have to be of various social groups, representatives, elected or not elected—they must recognise. They have limits on correcting issues.' By shifting the responsibility from the government to broader society—social groups, elected and unelected representatives—he underscores the importance of collective wisdom and restraint. His perspective suggests that healing and reconciliation are not solely the work of political institutions but also civil society. The maturity of a nation is often judged not just by its ability to confront its past, but also by its capacity to move beyond it constructively. Misra's remarks advocate for a forward-looking approach, one that does not become trapped in an endless cycle of retribution or religious one-upmanship. His advice must be heeded not just by the general public but also by those in positions of influence—especially individuals and organisations with ideological stakes in temple reclamation. Misra, with his considerable standing in the administrative and cultural spheres, is well-placed to guide this discourse. His voice carries credibility and gravitas, and he must use this to ensure that zealous elements within the saffron camp do not attempt to stake claims on more religious structures—be they mosques, dargahs, or other sites of shared heritage. India's cultural and religious landscape is layered and complex. Addressing every historical grievance by altering places of worship risks unsettling the delicate pluralism that has long defined the nation. Such pursuits would only lead to further polarisation, unrest, and alienation of communities. Misra's call to acknowledge limits is a call for societal maturity. The Ram Temple should, ideally, be seen as a closure—a symbolic culmination rather than a beginning of further contentious campaigns. There must be a conscious effort to ensure that the temple serves as a bridge between communities, rather than a wedge. If the temple's construction is to have a truly unifying legacy, then the rhetoric and actions surrounding it must reflect reconciliation, not triumphalism. In this context, Misra's cautionary words gain even more relevance. Leaders from all walks of life—political, religious, intellectual—must rally around the idea that true justice and national harmony lie in peaceful coexistence, not in the pursuit of perpetual cultural correction. The time to heal is now, and that healing can only come through restraint, empathy, and a shared vision for the future.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gyanvapi case judge seeks enhanced security
Lucknow: Additional District and Sessions Judge (FTC-New) and Special Judge (Gangsters Act) in Chitrakoot, Ravi Kumar, has written to the authorities seeking enhanced residential security, citing serious threats to his life stemming from his role in the sensitive Gyanvapi case. In a formal letter dated May 29, Judge Kumar stated that he was allotted govt accommodation at House No. J-9, Judges Colony, Sonepur, Karwi, Chitrakoot, where he resides with his family. He pointed out that although he was provided with residential security during his time in Bareilly and after the Gyanvapi hearings, no such arrangements have been made for him in Chitrakoot. He referenced two prior threats — one registered in 2024 by the ATS Lucknow against a Bhopal resident under BNS and UAPA provisions, and another in 2022 in Varanasi, both involving threats to his life related to the Gyanvapi case. The judge said he has been raising the issue with the Reserve Inspector, Police Lines, but in vain. However, Superintendent of Police, Chitrakoot, Arun Kumar Singh, stated that adequate security has already been provided. "A total of six personnel has been deployed for judge Ravi Kumar's security," he told TOI. "He has not produced any specific order from the high court or the govt directing an increase in security. Nevertheless, we are taking all necessary precautions." Judge Kumar highlighted in his letter that his current posting in Chitrakoot, a district bordering Madhya Pradesh, heightens his security vulnerability. He has urged authorities to provide the same level of protection he previously received, cautioning that "failure to do so could lead to a serious incident".
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Lawyer faces life threat as he reports drug activities
Varanasi: A Varanasi-based lawyer lodged an FIR with the Lanka police on Monday against unidentified persons, citing threat to life. The police registered a case under sections 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace) of BNS. Advocate Saurabh Tiwari, a resident of Ratnakar Vihar Ganapati Nagar colony in the Lanka police station area, is a Hindu side counsel in the Gyanvapi and Krishna Janmabhoomi cases. He represents sensitive cases of the Hindu side before the Allahabad High Court and the District Court of Varanasi. In his complaint, he said he observed suspicious activities in an empty plot adjacent to his house over the past few days. It came to his attention that dozens of youths were consuming heroin and other banned drugs there. On May 22, around 6 pm, he informed the Nagwa police post in-charge, who sent a patrol. With his direct assistance, one young man was caught, while two others escaped. The apprehended individual was taken to Lanka police station by two officers for legal action. However, upon returning to Varanasi late in the evening on May 23, after attending the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi case and another matter, he again noticed suspicious activity. He added that on May 24, between 11 am and 12 pm, he saw four to five youths near his house. The same day at 6:55 pm, while he was walking outside his house, the same young man who was taken by Lanka police approached on a scooter, hurling abuses and threatening to kill him. Some of his abusive language was recorded on CCTV, which he provided to the police. He assessed the situation for a moment and then chased the young man, who fled with his accomplices. Two boys were also seen on a bike on CCTV. He immediately informed the Nagwa police post in-charge and Lanka police station via mobile, as well as security agencies. He said that in the current situation, there is a serious threat to the safety of him and his family and anti-social elements could attack at any time. "Therefore, please ensure legal action is taken against the culprits by registering a case under relevant sections," he urged. The police are investigating the matter.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Drone flying above Kashi Vishwanath temple seized; 2nd in a month
Varanasi: A drone flying over the Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex was disabled by the anti-drone system of the security of the shrine area on Friday evening. It was the second instance of a drone being neutralised since addition of the new anti-drone system in the security equipment and gadgets of this highly sensitive site a month ago. Providing details of the newly installed anti-drone system to TOI, DCP (Security) Anil Kumar Yadav said, "On Friday evening, a drone was noticed over the shrine area when the security system got activated and neutralised it. After bringing it down near Phool Mandi outside the shrine area, KV Dham security personnel handed it over to Chowk police. Another drone was neutralised about 10 days ago." Inspector Chowk Vimal Kumar Mishra said after receiving the drone from the KV Dham security, the person flying the drone on Friday evening, a youth from Ghughurani Gali, was identified and was also booked on charges of violating prohibitory orders and breaching peace. The officials said since Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which also houses the Gyanvapi masjid, is a no-drone-flying zone, the anti-drone system was brought in. However, as the localities in the surrounding areas of the shrine area are densely populated and children in many families also have toy drones, a standard operating procedure has been formed, as per which, after neutralising any drone seized, the owner is identified and his credentials are verified and further action is taken based on the findings.
