After Babri Masjid demolition, IAS officers celebrated by eating ‘Pedhas', chanting "Jai Shri Ram"
Senior IAS officer’s FB post reveals what transpired at ‘secret meeting’ after Babri demolition
New Delhi: In a Facebook post that has stirred controversy, Manisha Patankar Mhaiskar, a senior IAS officer serving as the principal secretary of PWD and hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, shared her recollections of a secret meeting held on December 6, 1992, where, as per her account, probationers were celebrating the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
In her post, Mhaiskar remember the cold night of December 6, 1992, during the Foundation Course for the 1992 Batch of IAS officers in Mussoorie. She described a discreet meeting, by invitation only, where participants were reportedly chanting "Jai Shri Ram," and pedas (a sweet) were distributed among the attendees. Mhaiskar expressed her belief that the events in Ayodhya marked the beginning of something positive and auspicious.
The post generated immediate controversy as it suggested that public servants, including probationers, were involved in celebrating a divisive event in the country's history. The incident reportedly became known when news of the peda distribution leaked out, resulting in notices being served and accusations of communal elements infiltrating the IAS.
“1992 batch was termed disappointing, comprising mainly of easily excitable small towners - whatever had happened to the posh , smart, privileged kids of the Lutyens and such like ? Whatever is happening to Secularism? they said,” She stated in her post.
“Life continued with all its vicissitudes but the belief held firm - that the pedha eaten surreptitiously on the night of 6th December 1992 was the beginning of something powerful, something positive, something auspicious..
“And the day will dawn tomorrow, 22nd January 2024 - with the Ram Lalla pranprathistha at Ayodhya and the declaration of a national holiday to enable everyone to join the celebrations,” she further added in her post on January 21, a day before the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Former Mumbai Chief of NDTV, Sohit Mishra, also debated on his YouTube channel. In a video condemning Mhaiskar's post, Mishra questioned the appropriateness of public servants taking a pro-majority stance. He expressed concern that this move might hurt the sentiments of minorities in the country, raising questions about the state of secularism in India. He questioned if this was the end of secularism in India.
Mishra emphasized the need for public servants to uphold the principles of neutrality and secularism, given their responsibility to serve the entire populace. He questioned whether such expressions from public servants could create an environment that is not conducive to the idea of a secular and inclusive India.
The controversy surrounding Mhaiskar's Facebook post has sparked discussions on the role of public servants in maintaining a neutral and unbiased stance, particularly in matters of religious significance.
In his video, Mishra, also raised questions about the participation of four ex-Chief Justices of India (CJIs), 12 former Top Court judges, and one judge who was part of the Ayodhya verdict in the recent Ram Temple event. Expressing concerns over the potential impact on public perception, Mishra questioned whether the presence of these legal luminaries at the event has contributed to the declining faith of common people in the judicial system of India.
The former Chief Justices in attendance included Justice VN Khare, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, and Justice JS Khehar, along with a notable list of former Supreme Court judges. Mishra suggested that their presence at the event might be interpreted as potentially eroding the trust that the public places in the impartiality of the Indian judiciary.
Mishra concluded by urging former judges and CJIs to be mindful of the broader impact their actions may have on public perception. He argued that, given their influential positions in shaping the legal landscape, they should continue to work towards fostering and maintaining public confidence in the judicial system of India.
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Engine issue forces SWISS Delhi flight to abort takeoff; six passengers injured
New Delhi (PTI): A Zurich-bound Swiss International Air Lines' flight carrying 232 passengers aborted take off at the Delhi airport early Sunday due to an engine issue, sources said.
Six passengers are undergoing medical evaluation, an airline spokesperson said without elaborating.
Smoke was observed from the port side of one of the landing gears of the A330 aircraft that was operating the flight LX147 to Zurich. The flight crew aborted the take off and full emergency response was initiated, the sources said.
In a detailed statement, an airline spokesperson said there were 228 passengers and four infants on board.
"Shortly after takeoff, just after 1:00 am. local time in India, an issue occurred with one of the engines. The crew rejected the takeoff and, following an assessment of the situation, decided as a precaution to evacuate the aircraft," the spokesperson said.
Six passengers were receiving medical attention, the spokesperson added.
"All passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft via the emergency slides.Six passengers are currently undergoing medical evaluation. For a small number of individuals who were unable to use the slides, stairs were provided," the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, Swiss technical specialists will travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and initiate the next steps.
The airline is known as Swiss.
At the same time, the spokesperson said the airline was working intensively to find a swift and suitable onward travel solutions for all passengers.
