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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HC dismisses Abu Salem’s plea seeking immediate release after completing '25 years' in jail
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed gangster Abu Salem’s plea for immediate release, claiming he had served 25 years in jail in India mandated under the terms of his extradition from Portugal.
In his plea, Salem had contended that if remission for good behaviour is included, then his 25-year jail term is complete and hence he ought to be freed.
A bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata said it cannot hold that the 25-year jail term is complete, as it would be premature to say anything at this stage on the point of remission.
The court relied on a Supreme Court judgment wherein it was held that remission of a prisoner would need to be calculated a month before the applicant’s release.
“Therefore, the present petition (filed by Salem) is dismissed,” the court said.
A copy of the detailed order is yet to be made available.
Salem’s plea, filed through advocate Farhana Shah, had said that when he was extradited from Portugal in 2005, India had assured that he would not be handed over the death penalty in any case and that he would not be imprisoned for more than 25 years.
The government had opposed his plea, noting that Salem has spent only 19 years in jail and that a decision on his premature release was pending.
Salem was convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case and sentenced to life imprisonment.
