VHP plans nationwide programme to drum up support for a bill on Ram temple
New Delhi, Nov 6: The VHP will hold public meetings in all Lok Sabha constituencies and ask MPs to support the passage of a bill in Parliament for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, as its working president Alok Kumar expressed confidence Tuesday that the Centre will bring a legislation in the winter session.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), an RSS affiliate, is seeking to build a tempo in favour of the temple's construction with a series of nationwide programmes which, he hoped, will generate enough pressure in the present atmosphere on parties like the Congress to not oppose the bill.
Referring to the Congress's "janeu dhari" (one who wears sacred thread) president Rahul Gnadhi's temple visits, he wondered how his party will oppose the construction of Ram temple.
Kumar told PTI that his organisation was confident that the Narendra Modi government will bring such a bill in Parliament's winter session, saying it is a dispensation of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram).
With Lok Sabha elections less than six months away, political observers believe that the RSS -- whose chief Mohan Bhagwat's demand for a law has generated a storm of support, including from many Union ministers -- and the BJP will use the key Hindutva plank to build a narrative in its favour.
Though neither the government nor the BJP has made their stand clear on the demand of Hindutva groups for a law to pave the way for the temple's construction, ministers and other party leaders have been speaking in its favour.
The momentum generated by the debate will suit it politically, the BJP believes, more so as Hindutva credentials of Modi as well as its president Amit Shah are seen to be impeccable.
This is a government of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram) and its members have been their companions in the struggle to build the temple, Kumar said, adding that they had no doubt about its intention.
"We are looking forward to the government bringing a bill in the winter session," he said.
VHP delegations led by saints will also meet governors of states to urge them to convey to the Centre about the "popular" wish to construct the temple.
The organisation will hold a public meeting in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies by December 15, he said, and will meet the respective member of Parliament.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
