Shiv Sena disapproves of EU MPs visit to Kashmir
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday took strong objection to the visit by a delegation of European Union (EU) MPs to Kashmir, asserting it is "not an international issue".
Isn't the EU delegation's visit an "external invasion" of India's independence and sovereignty? an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' wondered, while questioning the rationale behind allowing the foreign team to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was still criticised for taking the issue to the United Nations (UN), why were the EU parliamentarians allowed to visit Kashmir? it sought to know.
The Sena, which is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, however, praised the Modi government for having won the fight against "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism" by revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370.
A delegation of 23 European Union MPs is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Tuesday for a first-hand assessment of the situation there following the revocation of the state's special status.
Taking a dim view of the foreign delegation's visit, the Sena said, "Kashmir is not an international issue."
"Pandit Nehru is still criticized for referring to issue to UN. If you don't want UN intervention, then how do you agree to the EU visit..Isn't the EU delegation's visit an external invasion of India's independence and sovereignty?" it asked.
While a foreign delegation is allowed to visit Kashmir, political party leaders are still barred from entering the area, it noted.
"What is the EU delegation going to do during its visit?" the Sena asked, and was quick to add that Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) was capable of answering these questions.
The editorial said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah aroused nationalist sentiments with the abrogation of Article 370. "This is a fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the Modi government has won it," it claimed.
The Sena said the EU MPs should quietly go away after visiting Kashmir as tourists and not spoil the atmosphere there.
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Second anniversary of Ram temple's consecration to be celebrated on Dec 31, says trust
Ayodhya (PTI): The second anniversary of the consecration of the Ram temple will be celebrated on December 31, with flag hoisting ceremonies planned on the spires of seven sub-temples in the temple complex, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said on Friday.
According to the Trust, this year's anniversary will be marked as "Pratishtha Dwadashi". A meeting scheduled for Saturday will finalise the framework for the celebration.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are likely to attend the December 31 ceremony as chief guests, the Trust officials said.
Both leaders may jointly hoist the flags on the spires of all seven sub-temples, they added.
Trust sources said that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on November 25, when he hoisted the flag on the main spire of the temple, plans were also in place to hoist flags on the spires of Shiva, Surya, Ganpati, Hanumana, Bhagwati, Annapurna and Sheshavatara temples.
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"The plan was postponed due to unavoidable reasons," a source said, adding that finishing work on the temples was pending at that time.
"All seven temples have now been fully completed, including decoration work. Preparations are underway to hoist the flags during the 'Pratishtha Dwadashi' celebration," the source added.
Rituals for the celebration will begin on December 27, including the worship of the flags to be hoisted. The designs for these flags have already been finalised.
Trustee Anil Mishra said that the quarterly meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will be held on Saturday, during which Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra will review the progress of ongoing construction works in the complex.
