CM Bommai congratulates UK PM- elect Rishi Sunak
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and corporate honchos congratulated Rishi Sunak, who is set to become Britain's first prime minister of Indian origin.
Bommai told reporters in Shiggaon in Haveri district late on Sunday that the British ruled India for over 200 years and they would have never expected such a big development.
Today, Indians have got elected as MPs in several countries. Now, Rishi Sunak has got elected as the new Britain PM. The wheel of fortune has turned completely, he opined.
Sunak, 42, on Sunday won the race to lead the Conservative Party and is set to become Britain's prime minister.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi said, "I feel it is a proud moment because Rishi Sunak hails from India. I wish him every success."
Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is an MP from Karnataka, congratulated Sunak on becoming the Prime Minister but said he is taking over the responsibility at a time when the whole of Europe is going through a difficult time.
"I have met him (Sunak) personally. He is a highly competent person," Chandrasekhar said.
Meanwhile in a series of tweets, former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy too congratulated Sunak.
"Hearty congratulations to Sri @RishiSunak, senior Conservative party leader & Britain's Prime Minister elect. He is connected to our Karnataka. I am overwhelmed with the election of Sri Rishi Sunak, son-in-law of Infosys founder Sri N R Narayanamurthy & Smt Sudha Murty," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
"I am confident that Sri Rishi Sunak will effectively lead Britain & help to bring its economy back on track," he added.
With Sunak "the son-in-law of Bengaluru" set to become the British Prime Minister, people in the city termed it a historic moment and a sign of a mature democracy.
Sunak is married to Akshatha Murthy, daughter of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty.
People from the corporate world expressed their happiness over the development.
Kamal Bali, president and managing director of the Volvo Group India said it is a matter of joy that a person of Indian origin is becoming the Prime Minister in the UK.
"Rishi Sunak's rise shows that anybody has an opportunity in a democratic set-up. It is a good sign, which also shows that capability matters in a democratic country," Bali told PTI.
Former Infosys Chief Finance Officer V Balakrishnan called it a historic moment.
"It is a historic moment. Britain shows to the world that a migrant can also become Prime Minister of their country. It is a sign of a mature democracy, Balakrishnan said.
He also said it is good that a person of Indian origin is becoming Prime Minister there.
Former Infosys director and Padma Sri awardee T V Mohandas Pai said it is a matter of joy that a young person at 42 is becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Former president of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jacob Crasta said it is a matter of great pride for Indians as a person of Indian origin is becoming the Prime Minister of the country which had ruled India for 200 years.
"It is a pride for us Bengalurians as the son-in-law of Bengaluru is becoming the Prime Minister of the UK," Crasta told PTI.
He further said the development is good for India because it will pave way for UK technology to come to the country.
Crasta, who is a chairman of CM Envirosystems, was also optimistic that Sunak's rise will help India and the UK sign the Free Trade Agreement, which will pave way for great economic ties between the two nations.
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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
