History of Kashi can’t be confined to medieval period: Meenakshi Jain at Mangaluru Lit Fest
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Renowned historian Meenakshi Jain on Saturday said the history of Kashi cannot be confined to the medieval period, asserting that references to the ancient city are found in the Upanishads and that its past is "etched on the very walls of its temples".
Speaking at an interactive session at the Mangaluru Lit Fest, Jain addressed questions surrounding ongoing debates over temple sites in Kashi and Mathura, saying popular narratives had long ignored historical evidence predating the 12th century AD.
"Kashi’s history is often traced only from the 12th century AD, which is incorrect. The city has existed since the Upanishadic period. Even during British rule, a detailed investigation was conducted when a lawsuit was filed in 1936 claiming the land belonged to the Waqf," she said.
According to Jain, British authorities interviewed 35 residents and compiled a report running into nearly 4,000 pages.
Speaking on Mathura, she said that of the 13.3 acres earmarked for the temple, three acres were allotted to the Idgah Maidan in 1968 by a national political party.
"For decades, it was not possible to write or speak openly about these issues. Before 2010, publishers were reluctant to take up books on Indian history," the Padma Shri awardee claimed, adding that she had "never imagined witnessing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in her lifetime."
Speaking on the theme ‘Reconnecting with Our Civilisational Heritage’, Jain attributed the survival of Indian civilisation to the faith and resilience of ordinary people rather than rulers.
She cited inscriptions from Sanchi, noting that most donations for religious structures came from common citizens—carpenters, cart-pullers and women—rather than kings.
"Our textbooks taught us that we were perpetually divided, that Hindus, Jains and Buddhists were in constant conflict. This narrative was shaped by the British policy of divide and rule," she claimed, adding that Indian history must be understood through indigenous perspectives.
The eighth edition of the two-day Mangaluru Lit Fest, organised by the Bharat Foundation, began on January 10 at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
