Mann ki Baat: PM says political parties, civil society played mature role after 2010 Ayodhya verdict
New Delhi: Ahead of the expected Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled how the government, political parties and the civil society prevented attempts to create fissures when the 2010 Allahabad High Court ruling on the disputed land in Ayodhya was to be delivered.
He described it as an example of how a united voice can strengthen the country.
In his monthly "Mann ki Baat" radio address, Modi asked people to jog their memory and recall the days ahead of the Allahabad High Court judgment of September 2010.
"I remember when the Allahabad High Court gave its verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi in September 2010. You could jog your memory a bit and reflect about the atmosphere then. Various kinds of people took to the arena. Various interest groups were playing games to take advantage of that situation in their own way," the prime minister said.
He referred to the "kind of language" used to "generate tension in the atmosphere." He said some loudmouths had the sole intention of hogging the limelight at that time.
"... and we all know what kind of irresponsible talk was floating around... This continued for five days, or seven days, or ten days, but, the court's decision generated a pleasant and surprising change of mood in the country," he said.
On the one hand, the machinations went on to generate tension. When the decision was delivered by the court, the government, political parties, social organizations, civil society, representatives of all sects and saints on the other issued balanced statements. There were attempts to reduce the tension in the sociopolitical environment, he pointed out.
He said the dignity of the judiciary was honoured "and no allowance for any heated discourse or tension was made anywhere."
"These episodes should always be remembered... It is an example of how the voice of unison can bestow strength upon our country," he said. While referring to the Allahabad High Court verdict, the prime minister did not mention the Supreme Court ruling expected in a few days.
A Special Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court had ruled that the disputed land in Ayodhya will be divided into three parts. A two-thirds portion is to be shared by two Hindu plaintiffs and one-third will be given to the Sunni Muslim Waqf Board.
The apex court is likely to deliver its verdict on the Ayodhya issue sometime in the middle of November.
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First-ever life-size Vivekananda statue in US unveiled in Seattle
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New York (PTI): The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.
The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.
Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.
"From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle," the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.
Addressing the event, Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "in recognition of the city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity", the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.
The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India's broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.
Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks including the Amazon headquarters ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.
Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.
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