Let BJP MLA Yatnal prove his charge of Hashmi's terror link by getting central agencies to probe: CM
Bengaluru, Dec 7: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday challenged senior BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal to prove his charge that Muslim religious leader Syed Tanveer Hashmi -- with whom he shared the stage earlier this week -- is a sympathiser of terror group ISIS.
He also asked the BJP leader to get the matter investigated by the central agencies since his own party is governing at the Centre.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said he has known Hashmi for many years, and wondered why the BJP was "silent" during this time.
"Yatnal does the politics of hatred. He does anti-minorities politics. He should not do this to win elections. Further, he is a big liar. Now Hashmi has asked him to prove his charge. Let him do it. After all, his government is there at the Centre," Siddaramaiah said.
"His (party's) government is there for the past 10 years at the Centre. What have they been doing all these years?" he asked.
The chief minister claimed that Yatnal had tried to become the state unit president of the BIP and leader of opposition in the assembly but failed, "so he is making a baseless allegation".
Yatnal on Wednesday alleged that Siddaramaiah shared the dais with Hashmi, "a known sympathiser of ISIS".
"Tanveer Peera (Hashmi) is a terror sympathiser who has links with terror outfits across the Middle East. Attached Images are his recent visits to the Middle East meeting the terror sympathizer and radical Islamic operatives," Yatnal, a former Union Minister, posted on social media platform X.
He also wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "It has come to my knowledge that Peera (Hashmi) has previously met with radical Islamic outfit leaders in Middle Eastern countries. What is even more alarming is that this is not the first time Peera has met with the CM; they have had multiple encounters in the past," he said in the letter.
Further, the MLA claimed he has received credible information suggesting that Peera is bringing funds from Muslim countries with the intention of creating unrest in India.
"It is truly unfortunate that the CM either disregarded the advice of his personal security and intelligence or deliberately chose to meet Peera in order to further his own political agenda," Yatnal further claimed.
"I firmly believe that it is in the best interest of our country to have Peera thoroughly investigated by central agencies, as I suspect that the local police are colluding with the state administration to avoid taking any action against him," he added.
Claiming that this is a matter of grave national concern, Yatnal said it is imperative that NIA investigate it and take it to a logical conclusion.
Hashmi has denied Yatnal's charges and challenged him to prove his allegation.
I have written a letter to Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji to order @NIA_India enquiry into Tanveer Peeras Links with Terror organisations, his Transactions and his meetings with Terror Outfit Sympathisers. https://t.co/fJYWVrShgI pic.twitter.com/vqC8VtQ5ex
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) December 6, 2023
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared the dias with ISIS supporters and Terror Sympathizers yesterday at Hubli.
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) December 6, 2023
Tanveer Peera is a Terror Sympathiser who has links with Terror Outfits across the Middle East.
Attached Images are his recent visits to the Middle East meeting the… pic.twitter.com/zvuwBNWXRn
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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.
