After namaz at taj, right-wing group threatens to perform puja at Mughal-era monument
Agra (UP), Nov 17: A right-wing group has threatened to perform a puja inside the Taj Mahal, alleging that some Muslims have defied an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notification banning namaz except on Fridays.
A CISF commandant said an inquiry was being conducted into the reported incident of namaz being offered on Wednesday.
The locals are insisting that they be allowed to go inside for prayers daily. Muslim leaders blamed the ASI for fomenting communal trouble on false pretexts.
Commenting on the alleged incident, Govind Parashar, the district head of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, said, "We want those, who had violated the Supreme Court orders, to be punished, otherwise, we should be allowed to perform aarti."
The ASI had claimed that it was following an earlier Supreme Court directive.
Meanwhile, photos appeared Saturday on social media, purportedly showing three women entering the Taj Mahal carrying 'Gangaajal' and chanting "Om Namah Shivaya".
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
