With elections fast approaching, many parties have remembered Sri Rama out of the blue. Lakhs of people do not have a roof over their heads. Scores of workers and farmers have come to streets with demonetization. Economy is in doldrums with unemployment shooting up.  Those who occupied the power corridors with the assurance of Acche Din, gave us the most horrendous days ever. This time around, Modi and his party know the ‘development mantra’ they used last time to win elections, may not work again.

Hence, BJP now thinks of Sri Rama. They are telling people that ‘acche din’ can come only when the Ram Mandir is built. Slogans are resonating on the street pressing for Ram Mandir. Ironically, BJP is in power in UP and demanding Ram Mandir. Who is this protest against? Earlier, UPA government was in power in the country and a protest would mean it was against the dispensation. But now, a protest by Hindutva elements would mean a protest against their own party! BJP which is chanting the Rama Mantra now think people of the country are fools?     

Recently, a mega meeting of Dharma Sansad was held and participation of people was less than expected. Significantly, Shiv Sena which was in the forefront of the meeting. This has led to a big question now as to who would be using the ‘Hindutva’ keyword in the upcoming elections. Shiv Sena is a party that is with the BJP, and yet criticizes the latter in the most scathing terms.   Uddhav Thackeray is very upset that the BJP government in coalition with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has not given due credit to the former. There is also a fear of BJP completely consuming the Shiv Sena in the due course. Both parties have been seeking votes in the name of Hindutva. Shiva Sena is losing grounds in Maharashtra for various reasons such as the effect of Bal Thackeray waning with his demise, and Modi effect on their coalition. Hence, Sena needs to assert itself to stand on its own feet.   

So in order to survive and cause enough embarrassment to BJP, Sena is speaking in high pitch on Ram Mandir construction. BJP cannot take to streets on this issue since its own party is in power in both the centre and state. Hence, Sena has spoken about this even before the elections are announced, and BJP uses it as first strike advantage. Ram is being juxtaposed against the BJP for the same reason. Even BJP understands this game Sena is playing and has already declared latter has nothing to do with building the Mandir. According to the BJP, Sena never fought for Mandir and had Thackrey been alive, he would have stayed away from Dharma Sansad. The party has already mocked its coalition partner Sena.

BJP has differences of opinion with VHP chief Praveen Togadia as well. He has held an open press conference and accused the Modi Government of plotting his murder. VHP had a prime role to play in Ram Mandir issue. After having used Parishad to usurp power, BJP has forgotten them completely say the VHP leaders. Some VHP leaders have decided to romp up the Ram Mandir issue against the BJP now. Their plan is to get BJP into a tricky situation. This does not mean all of them are against the BJP, but only that VHP and Sena are blackmailing their political partner. They know an election fought without Ram is a lost cause. And for VHP to join hands with BJP, some assurances need to be fulfilled by the BJP. Sena needs to be given its share of space in coalition. Or else, Sena is going to use the trump card of Mandir against the very BJP. If all these are met, they’ll come together to seek votes in the name or Ram for the next elections. Else, Sena and VHP will turn into major challenges for the partner BJP. But looks like RSS will ensure that the issues don’t get complicated to that extent.

Though the fight looks like this is against the government, the whole thing is pitted against the judiciary. Supporters are indicating Dharma Sansad is more important than the Supreme Court. If they win in this, constitution would lose. And what would democracy mean without the constitution? The next elections stands on a moot point of which one is significant to us, whether it is the Dharma Sansad or the Supreme Court. The country’s future rests on this.

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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.

The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.

The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.

Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.

“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.

“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.

Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.

“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.

In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.

“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.

“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.