Karnataka grapples with severe heatwave, IMD issues dire warning, guidelines
The scorching summer heat has descended upon the state, leaving its residents reeling under its oppressive grip. The onset of heatwaves has particularly impacted manual laborers, drivers, and unprotected commuters, subjecting them to the relentless rays of the sun. With temperatures soaring 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal in North Interior, South Interior, and Coastal regions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alarm, forecasting a prolonged period of heightened temperatures from April through May.
In the capital city of Bengaluru, where extreme temperatures have persisted over the last three days, the public finds itself drained and fatigued by the unyielding heat. Reluctance to venture outdoors prevails as the absence of rainfall exacerbates the situation. According to data released by the IMD, this year's temperatures mark a five-year high, with April 3rd recording a staggering 37°C, the highest in recent memory.
Amidst the sweltering conditions, the climate forecast paints a grim picture, predicting heatwaves lasting anywhere from 2 to 14 days across the state. Recognizing the imminent threat posed to human and animal welfare, the Revenue Department has issued crucial guidelines aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the extreme heat. This move comes in the wake of 223 taluks being declared drought-hit, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
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The guidelines advocate for prudent measures to combat the heat, including avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours (12 PM to 3 PM), ensuring adequate hydration through regular water intake, and donning light-colored clothing, sunglasses, and headgear when venturing outside. Additionally, the public is advised to refrain from consuming dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks, opting instead for hot foods to maintain hydration levels.
To safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly children and pets, from the dangers of overheating, strict precautions are advised. Never leaving them unattended in parked vehicles, providing ample shade and hydration, and seeking immediate medical attention in case of fainting or illness are emphasized in the guidelines.
For those already succumbing to the heat's onslaught, the guidelines prescribe prompt action, including relocating the individual to a shaded area, administering rehydrating solutions like ORS or lemonade, and seeking medical assistance if symptoms persist or worsen.
In a concerted effort to preemptively address the challenges posed by heatwaves, the guidelines underscore the importance of infrastructure and community support. This includes ensuring access to drinking water in heat-prone areas, erecting shades in public spaces, stocking essential veterinary medicines, and disseminating information to tourists and religious devotees about the extreme temperatures.
Moreover, contingency plans, such as water supply through tankers and borewells, are already in place and ready to be implemented as needed. Regulatory measures, such as weekly meetings of the District Disaster Management Authority and taluk-level task force committees, aim to facilitate coordinated responses to the evolving situation.
In addition to individual preparedness, the guidelines stress the importance of institutional readiness, with hospitals, industries, and public spaces undergoing rigorous fire safety audits and emergency response training to mitigate potential risks.
As the state braces itself for the relentless onslaught of summer heat, adherence to these guidelines becomes imperative to safeguard lives and livelihoods alike. With proactive measures and community resilience, the hope remains to weather this heatwave season with minimal casualties and maximum preparedness.
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Bhojshala complex registered as 'mosque' in old revenue records: Muslim side to MP HC
Indore (PTI): The disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex has historically been registered as a 'mosque' in revenue records and available sources don't clearly mention any Saraswati temple established by then-king Raja Bhoj, the Muslim side has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side calls the 11th-century monument Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex located in Dhar district is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
During the hearing before the HC's Indore bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi on Wednesday, Qazi Moinuddin questioned two PILs filed as intervenors in the Bhojshala case by an organisation named Hindu Front for Justice, one Kuldeep Tiwari and another individual.
Moinuddin claims to be a descendant of Sufi saint Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti and the 'Sajjadanashin' (spiritual head, guru, or successor of a Sufi shrine, khanqah, or religious site).
The PILs state that Bhojshala is actually a Saraswati temple and only Hindus should be granted the right to worship at the disputed complex.
Moinuddin's lawyer, Noor Ahmed Sheikh, claimed in the court that his client's ancestors, who are descendants of Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti, have historically held titles to the complex, and the site was also recorded as a "mosque" in government revenue records.
He contended that those associated with the management of the Kamal Maula Mosque, located within the complex, have been in "continuous and peaceful occupation" of the site for a long time.
Citing Muslim law, Sheikh argued that in the case of religious property, particularly a mosque or its related properties, officials such as the Sajjadanashin and Mutawalli (person entrusted with management, maintenance, and administration of a Waqf), and their descendants, not only have the right to intervene, but also have the right to manage and use such a structure.
Citing provisions of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904, the Muslim side's lawyer said the term "in-charge of the property" is used in this law, which makes it clear that the person or party who has been in charge of a property for a long time has rights over it.
During the hearing, Touseef Warsi, the lawyer representing the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society of Dhar, claimed that Hindu parties in both PILs had made "misleading representations" regarding historical facts before the high court.
He further claimed that available historical sources do not clearly mention the existence of a Saraswati temple established by Raja Bhoj, the legendary king of the Parmar dynasty who ruled Dhar from 1010 to 1055.
The ASI, a central government agency, has adopted three different positions in the lawsuits filed regarding the Bhojshala dispute, changing its answers from time to time, and this situation raises serious questions about judicial scrutiny of the complex, Warsi submitted.
He raised objections regarding the ASI's process of scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex, carried out on the HC order in 2024, and the method of videography and requested the court to examine these objections.
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Thursday.
The HC has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal since April 6, contesting the religious nature of the monument.
