‘Kashi Mathura baaki hai’ Bengaluru residents say after Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya
Bengaluru: On January 22, as the consecration ceremony and unveiling of the Ram Lalla idol took place in Ayodhya, the streets of Bengaluru's Jayanagar resonated with the chant "Kashi Mathura baaki hai" (Kashi and Mathura remain). While the celebrations were centered around temples, special prayers, and devotional songs, residents gathered for a live screening outside the Vinayaka temple in Jayanagar. Kannada actor Tara was present at the event.
Residents expressed joy, considering it the "golden age of Bharat," attributing the occasion to Prime Minister Modi's efforts. Some highlighted the reclamation of temples, especially Ayodhya, but viewed it as just the beginning. Criticism was directed at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not declaring January 22 as a holiday, with residents deeming it an essential day in Indian history.
“This is such an important day in Indian history, how can the government not declare a holiday?” asked a 40-year-old techie who had brought his daughter along.
A Jayanagar resident claimed this is “the golden age of Bharat.” “Modiji made this possible. It would have been a great honour to witness the consecration at Ayodhya but that's not possible, so witnessing this with the community is a joy,” he said.
When asked about the slogan on Kashi and Mathura, one of the residents donning a saffron shawl said, “This is just the beginning. They destroyed so many temples and Ayodhya is an instance of us reclaiming them. But as of now, it’s time to enjoy this moment.”
Navrathan Jewellers on MG Road celebrated by installing a life-size Ram idol, with employees dancing and chanting 'Jai Shree Ram.' A procession near Mysuru Bank Circle featured artistes portraying Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
The Pran Prathishta ceremony in the Ayodhya Ram temple, attended by PM Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath, and Pejavar math seer Vishwaprasanna Thirtha Swami, took place from 12:20 pm to 12:28 pm.
In Varanasi, the proximity of the Gyanvapi Mosque to the Kashi Vishwanath temple has contended a long-standing debate. Hindu groups advocate for the mosque's demolition, claiming it was built on a temple's remains. In Mathura, Hindu petitioners argue that the Shahi Idgah Mosque stands on Lord Krishna's birthplace. Last year, the Allahabad High Court consolidated cases related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Idgah dispute.
Source: The News Minute
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
