Ayodhya Ram temple head priest passes away
Lucknow (PTI): Mahant Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, died at a hospital here on Wednesday.
The 85-year-old was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) earlier this month after he suffered brain stroke.
"Satendra Das ji, chief Priest of Ram Mandir Ayodhya, breathed his last today. He was admitted in HDU (High Dependency Unit) of neurology ward on February 3 with stroke in critical condition," the hospital said.
He served as the head priest of the temple since he was 20-years-old, including during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.
Das, who hailed from the Nirvani Akhara, was among the most accessible saints of Ayodhya and the go-to person for many mediapersons from across the country wanting information on Ayodhya and Ram temple developments.
He was barely nine months into his job as chief priest when the Babri mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992.
Post-demolition, Das continued to serve as the head priest when prayers were offered to the Ram Lalla idol under a makeshift tent.
Vishva Hindu Parishad’s Ayodhya-based spokesman Sharad Sharma condoled the demise of Das.
"He was a widely respected figure and among those who knew the history of the Ayodhya movement by heart. We condole his death,” Sharma told PTI.
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Klaasen, Kishan power SRH to 33-run win, top spot
Hyderabad (PTI): Heinrich Klaasen (69) and Ishan Kishan (55) made Punjab Kings pay dearly for their sloppy fielding, powering Sunrisers Hyderabad to a handsome 41-run win to jump to the top of the table in the IPL, here on Wednesday.
The duo helped in setting a challenging total of 235 for 4 after Punjab Kings opted to bowl.
In reply, Punjab Kings were restricted to 202 for seven to succumb to their third loss on the trot and slipped to second spot.
Cooper Connolly waged a lone battle for PBKS with a brilliant 107 not out from 59 balls (7x4, 8x6) but lacked support from the other end.
For SRH, Pat Cummins (2/34) and Shivang Kumar (2/45) were the main wicket takers.
Earlier, dropped on nine, Klaasen capitalised to smash three fours and four sixes in his 43-ball knock.
Kishan, who survived two reprieves -- a dropped catch and a missed stumping -- struck a brisk 32-ball 55, including two fours and four sixes.
For Punjab Kings, Yuzvendra Chahal was the most economical, returning 1/32, but endured a frustrating outing as all the dropped chances and the missed stumping came off his bowling.
Brief Scores
Sunrisers Hyderabad 235 for 4 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 69, Ishan Kishan 55; Yuzvendra Chahal 1/32). Punjab Kings (Cooper Connolly 107 not out; Pat Cummins 2/34, Shivang Kumar 2/45). SRH won by 33 runs.
