After Babri Masjid demolition, IAS officers celebrated by eating ‘Pedhas', chanting "Jai Shri Ram"
Senior IAS officer’s FB post reveals what transpired at ‘secret meeting’ after Babri demolition
New Delhi: In a Facebook post that has stirred controversy, Manisha Patankar Mhaiskar, a senior IAS officer serving as the principal secretary of PWD and hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, shared her recollections of a secret meeting held on December 6, 1992, where, as per her account, probationers were celebrating the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
In her post, Mhaiskar remember the cold night of December 6, 1992, during the Foundation Course for the 1992 Batch of IAS officers in Mussoorie. She described a discreet meeting, by invitation only, where participants were reportedly chanting "Jai Shri Ram," and pedas (a sweet) were distributed among the attendees. Mhaiskar expressed her belief that the events in Ayodhya marked the beginning of something positive and auspicious.
The post generated immediate controversy as it suggested that public servants, including probationers, were involved in celebrating a divisive event in the country's history. The incident reportedly became known when news of the peda distribution leaked out, resulting in notices being served and accusations of communal elements infiltrating the IAS.
“1992 batch was termed disappointing, comprising mainly of easily excitable small towners - whatever had happened to the posh , smart, privileged kids of the Lutyens and such like ? Whatever is happening to Secularism? they said,” She stated in her post.
“Life continued with all its vicissitudes but the belief held firm - that the pedha eaten surreptitiously on the night of 6th December 1992 was the beginning of something powerful, something positive, something auspicious..
“And the day will dawn tomorrow, 22nd January 2024 - with the Ram Lalla pranprathistha at Ayodhya and the declaration of a national holiday to enable everyone to join the celebrations,” she further added in her post on January 21, a day before the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Former Mumbai Chief of NDTV, Sohit Mishra, also debated on his YouTube channel. In a video condemning Mhaiskar's post, Mishra questioned the appropriateness of public servants taking a pro-majority stance. He expressed concern that this move might hurt the sentiments of minorities in the country, raising questions about the state of secularism in India. He questioned if this was the end of secularism in India.
Mishra emphasized the need for public servants to uphold the principles of neutrality and secularism, given their responsibility to serve the entire populace. He questioned whether such expressions from public servants could create an environment that is not conducive to the idea of a secular and inclusive India.
The controversy surrounding Mhaiskar's Facebook post has sparked discussions on the role of public servants in maintaining a neutral and unbiased stance, particularly in matters of religious significance.
In his video, Mishra, also raised questions about the participation of four ex-Chief Justices of India (CJIs), 12 former Top Court judges, and one judge who was part of the Ayodhya verdict in the recent Ram Temple event. Expressing concerns over the potential impact on public perception, Mishra questioned whether the presence of these legal luminaries at the event has contributed to the declining faith of common people in the judicial system of India.
The former Chief Justices in attendance included Justice VN Khare, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, and Justice JS Khehar, along with a notable list of former Supreme Court judges. Mishra suggested that their presence at the event might be interpreted as potentially eroding the trust that the public places in the impartiality of the Indian judiciary.
Mishra concluded by urging former judges and CJIs to be mindful of the broader impact their actions may have on public perception. He argued that, given their influential positions in shaping the legal landscape, they should continue to work towards fostering and maintaining public confidence in the judicial system of India.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
