BJP announces Ram temple project in Bengal after TMC MLA's proposal for Babri Masjid-like mosque
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal BJP's Murshidabad unit has announced plans to construct a Ram temple in Berhampore, days after TMC MLA Humayun Kabir proposed to set up a mosque, modelled after the Babri Masjid, at Beldanga in the same district.
The BJP said the temple’s construction will begin on January 22, 2025, exactly one year after the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
BJP’s Berhampore organisational district president Shakharav Sarkar said land for the temple has already been identified, and the project is estimated to cost Rs 10 crore.
"We have already identified a land in Beharampore area and the construction work for the Ram temple, based on the design of the temple in Ayodhya, will begin soon," he told reporters.
Kabir, the TMC MLA from Beldanga, had on Tuesday announced plans for the mosque, which he said would honour the sentiments of the region’s significant minority population.
His remarks have sparked political controversy, with opposition parties accusing him of attempting to polarise communities for political gain.
The BJP’s counterproposal to build a Ram temple is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its presence among the Hindu community in Murshidabad, a district where minorities account for around 75 per cent of the population.
Responding to the controversy, the TMC distanced itself from Kabir’s remarks, describing them as his opinion.
“The TMC has nothing to do with this statement of Kabir,” a senior party leader said.
Kabir’s announcement has also drawn criticism from the Congress, which accused him of playing divisive politics in a sensitive region.
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It was a moment for us to remember all the sacrifices we made: Gukesh's mother
Chennai (PTI): J Padmakumari was too nervous to switch on her mobile phone and computer the whole of Thursday. She didn't want to follow her son D Gukesh's title match against Ding Liren in Singapore.
But around 7pm, Gukesh's aunt stormed into the house with the happy news — the World Chess Championship title is homebound.
Raw and unrehearsed emotions poured out instinctively.
"I couldn't believe it and I cried for 10 minutes," Padmakumari said before taking a flight to meet her son, now the darling of a billion Indians.
It was also an occasion for her to reflect on all the sacrifices the family has made to shape the career of Gukesh.
Rajnikanth, her husband, had moved away from the lucrative career as an ENT surgeon to travel with his son, as Padmakumari, a microbiologist, remained the sole bread-winner of the family.
"It is a really happy moment. But it was also a moment for us to remember all the sacrifices we made, especially Gukesh's father.
"But all our family — grandparents, in-laws, sisters, friends…all came forward to help us in our journey. We are thankful to each one of them," she said.
Gukesh too acknowledged the hardships his parents had to go through in his formative years.
"We were not a very well-off family, so they had to face a lot of financial struggles. But I didn't do it at that time. At some point in 2017 and 2018, we were running so low on money that my parents' friends sponsored me.
"My parents had to make many lifestyle changes just for me to play tournaments. They made the most sacrifices," he had said after the victory.
But having wholehearted support is one thing as tremendous personal discipline is needed to succeed at the highest level because chess is a cold and lonely sport.
Padmakumari said Gukesh always had immense powers of focus.
"Gukesh worked really hard for childhood. We are extremely happy for this victory. He is a very disciplined child and sacrificed so much for chess.
"We are so happy that all of it came to a reality with this title win," she said.
"I just want to see him now."
But now, the whole country is waiting to have a glimpse of Gukesh.
