6 people,including 3 women from TN Hindu outfit, planning to enter Vavar mosque near Sabarimala,held
Palakkad(Kerala), Jan 8: Six people, including three women, who wanted to visit the famed Vavar mosque at Erumeli near the Sabarimala temple, have been arrested on charges of trying to create animosity between religious groups, police said Tuesday.
All the six, said to be members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, hail from Tamil Nadu and wanted to visit the vavar mosque, which is related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage, they said.
The Erumeli Nainar Juma Masjid, also known as Vavar 'Palli' (mosque) is dedicated to Vavar, the Muslim companion of Lord Ayyappa, the adopted son of the erstwhile Pandalam king as per Hindu belief.
The devotees of Lord Ayyappa visit the mosque during the November-January annual pilgrim season.
They do not enter the prayer hall but circumambulate the mosque, provide Kanikka (offering) and break coconut at the premises as part of traditions.
Cases under various sections of the IPC, including for promoting enmity between various religious groups, punishment for criminal trespass, unlawful assembly and punishment for rioting were registered against them.
The arrested women are Sushila (35), Revathi (39) both from Tirupur, and Gandhimathi (51) from Tirunelveli.
The men- Tirupathi (50), Murugasamy (75) and Senthil Kumar (31), hail from Tirupur and Coimbatore, Kozhinjampara police, bordering Tamil Nadu.
The six were arrested Monday and remanded to custody Tuesday, police said.
The Sabarimala temple had witnessed violence protests when two women in their forties had trekked the holy shrine and offered prayers on January 2.
A hartal called the next day to protest against the temple entry had seen large scale violence all over the state.
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Memorial to be set up for Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtriya Smriti, daughter Sharmistha thanks PM Modi
New Delhi, Jan 7: The government has decided to set up a memorial for former president Pranab Mukherjee at the 'Rashtriya Smriti' area complex.
Mukherjee died on August 31, 2020.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of the former president, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and thanked him for honouring her father.
"The Competent Authority has approved the earmarking of a designated site within the 'Rashtriya Smriti' complex (a part of the Rajghat precinct) for erecting a Samadhi of Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India," the government said in a letter to Sharmistha Mukherjee informing her of the decision.
After receiving the letter, Sharmistha Mukherjee sought an appointment with the prime minister to thank him for the honour.
Mukherjee told PTI that she was happy that the government had recognised the contribution of her late father and former president towards the nation.
"Called on Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi ji to express thanks and gratitude from core of my heart for his government's decision to create a memorial for baba. It's more cherished considering that we didn't ask for it.
"Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM," Sharmistha Mukherjee said in a post on X, while sharing her pictures of the meeting with the prime minister.
"Baba used to say that State honours shouldn't be asked for, it should be offered. I'm so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour babas' memory.
"It doesn't affect baba where he is now -- beyond applaud or criticism. But for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express my joy," she also said, while sharing the letter sent by the government.
Mukherjee's memorial comes in the wake of demands by the Congress for having a memorial for former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who died at AIIMS at the age of 92 on December 26.
Sources said the government has already agreed to set up a memorial for Singh and a site is being finalised at the same Rashtriya Smriti area in consultation with his family.
Called on Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji to express thanks & gratitude from core of my heart 4 his govts’ decision 2 create a memorial 4 baba. It’s more cherished considering that we didn’t ask for it. Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM🙏 1/2 pic.twitter.com/IRHON7r5Tk
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) January 7, 2025
