Bengaluru: Popular Front of India (PFI) on Wednesday held a press conference demanding action against Sangh Parivar activists who wielded weapons like swords during their rallies across the state on Vijaya Dashami day. The press conference was held at Press Club Bengaluru.
As a part of Vijaya Dashami celebrations, right-wing groups including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had organised rallies wherein their activists were seen flaunting swords and other weapons, calling it “Hindu Shakti Sangam”.
During the press conference, the organization called for immediate action by the police department and filing of suo-moto case against the organizations.
“On the said occasion, throughout Udupi's main streets, there were public displays of firearms, rifles, and other weapons in public places; this was witnessed in Belagavi's Brahma Nagar's Hanuman Mandir, Bijapur, Davanagere, Gadag's Naragunda, etc. In the Dakshina Kannada district, the tridents were distributed among Bajrang Dal activists,” a press statement from PFI stated.
“It is appalling to witness that an accused- who had involved in a stabbing case has been conferred a trident. Among them, the programs ruthlessly provoked hate-mongering speeches and fueled the prejudices against the Muslim community, and have delivered the ultimatum of demolition of their religious institutions. There's a spine-chilling fact that there is a conspiracy to create division among religions and create unrest in society. In the meantime, the police have filed a weak case in order to quell the outrage over the incident of a public rally in Belgaum. Despite the video evidence, no strict action has been initiated against the culprits. The police's soft stand towards the Sangh Parivar has encouraged unrest among the public. It is becoming crystal clear that the BJP government led by Chief Minister Bommai, who defended the Sangh Parivar, has backed the police department the responsibility of protection of the accused,” the statement added while questioning the role of the police department in maintaining law and order situation in the state.
“Amid all these dangerous developments, the recent atrocities against the Muslim community in the state are terrifying. The brutal murder of a youth named Arbaaz in Belagavi, deadly assault on a student in Ilkal taluk of Bagalkot, threats to demolish historic Masjids in Gadag, etc are transforming into daily norms. Hate speeches delivered by the leaders of Sangh Pariwar, criticism of Prophet, etc; in addition to all the dangerous developments- the lawmakers are supporting them either directly or indirectly. Finally, the Sangh Parivar has garnished their ideology by distributing the swords, cudgels, and other deadly weapons among their activists during the Shobha Yatra!!” it further added.
“It is illegal to perform a demonstration of weapons in public places. The police department should have considered such malicious programs that create fear among the minorities, particularly in the Muslim community. It's insane to veil the incidents by filing weak cases against culprits. The organizers of the event and the activists must be held guilty for their acts. The Chief Minister of the State should intervene and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the near future. Else, 'Popular Front of India' will revolt ferociously throughout the state,” PFI state secretary AK Ashraf said during the press conference.
Ilyas Muhammad, Zonal President, Popular Front of India, Bangalore, and Abdul Razak Kemmara, State Leader, Popular Front of India, Karnataka were also present during the press conference.
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New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The iconic Taj Mahal in Agra earned the "highest income" through the sale of tickets among the ASI-protected monuments from FY19-20 to FY23-24, according to data shared by the government.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the data in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha.
He was asked the amount that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has received from selling entry tickets to various monuments in the last five years, year-wise and monument-wise; and the monuments that have received the highest income through selling entry tickets in the last five years.
In his response, the minister shared the data in a tabular form for cycles of financial years ranging from FY19-20 to FY23-24.
According to the data, Taj Mahal earned the top slot for all five years.
The Mughal-era architectural wonder was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jehan in the 17th century and it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
In FY19-20, the Agra Fort in Agra and Qutub Minar in Delhi were in the second and third positions.
In FY20-21, the Group of Monuments Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu and Sun Temple, Konark were in the second and third positions. In FY23-24, Qutub Minar and Red Fort of Delhi were in the second and third positions.