Barely 100 Turn Up For Ram Temple Rally In Delhi, RSS Expected Lakhs
New Delhi, Dec 01: A rally taken out by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in New Delhi to push for the early construction of the Ram temple got off to an underwhelming start today, with barely a hundred activists turning up to show support. The organisers had expected lakhs of people to participate.
Flagged off from New Delhi's Jhandewala temple, the Sankalp Yatra will run for nine days before culminating at the Ramlila Ground on December 9. It is being organised by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, a group affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch co-convenor Kamal Tewari, however, tried to shrug off the poor showing at the event. "These are just a few karyakartas (activists) from a particular segment. Soon, they will be joined by another 100-200 karyakartas from a different segment. There are hundreds of karyakartas from different segments who will join us eventually," he said, adding that he expects to see around 6-8 lakh people at the Ramlila Maidan on the final day of the event.
The Ram temple issue has assumed significance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year, with several right-wing groups -- including the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) -- demanding an early decision. Organisers of the Sankalp Yatra believe that the Supreme Court is delaying its construction by not taking up the matter urgently, and want the centre to introduce an ordinance in this regard.
Today, the rally had just a few kar sevaks following a single truck -- raising chants of "Jai Shree Ram" and "Mandir Wahin Banayenge" -- and their count was not expected to grow significantly by the time the yatra halts for the day at Shadipur depot around 8 pm. By contrast, lakhs of people had attended a similar rally organised jointly by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Shiv Sena in Ayodhya on November 25.
An RSS supporter at the rally alleged that the judiciary was not treating the Ram temple issue with the importance it deserves. "We are taking out this rally to send a message to the Supreme Court. While the court opens its doors at night even for small cases, it doesn't believe the Ram temple is an important public matter," he said.
Courtesy: www.ndtv.com
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Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
