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Drone Surveillance Conducted At Gyanvapi Amid ‘Bandh’ Announcement

By LokMarg 2nd February 2024

Drone surveillance was conducted at the Gyanvapi complex amid the ‘bandh’ announced by the Muslim community.

With the Muslim side moving the Allahabad High Court challenging a Varanasi court verdict, allowing Hindu devotees to hold prayers inside the disputed ‘Vyas Ka Tekhana’ area of the Gyanvapi mosque, a heavy security cordon was thrown around the complex on Friday

In a landmark judgement, a Varanasi court on Wednesday allowed Hindus to offer prayers inside the ‘Vyas Ka Tekhana’ area of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The court directed the district administration to make the necessary arrangements in the next seven days.

“Today, the basement of Vyas-ji was opened and the crowd of (Hindu) devotees has been swelling ever since. This moment of happiness has arrived after 31 years of waiting. We are all happy. Till now, only the priests of Vishwanath temple could worship (in the disputed area) but now, there’s every possibility that new priests will be appointed,” said Sohan Lal Arya, a petitioner from the Hindu side.

Another petitioner in the Gyanvapi case, Lakshmi Devi, told ANI, “This moment, which arrived after years of wait, has filled all Sanatanis with happiness.”

Also speaking with ANI, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, one of the petitioners on the Hindu side, said, “The puja will start within seven days. Everyone is welcome to hold prayers here.”

On Thursday, the barricades of Vyas Ka Tehkhana (basement) of the mosque were removed and daily arti and puja were performed early in the morning.

Jain added that Mangla Arti was performed at 3.30 in the morning and a bhog was offered at noon.

“Timings for Aarti at Vyas cellar. Daily 5 aarti — Mangla- 3:30 am, Bhog- 12 pm, Apranh- 4 pm, Sanykaal- 7 pm, Shayan- 10:30 pm. 2 done so far,” Jain informed through a post on X.

Meanwhile, weighing in on the Varanasi court order, allowing devotees to pray in the disputed basement, Akhlaq Ahmed, a lawyer for the Muslim side, said, “The order overlooked the Advocate Commissioner report of 2022, the ASI report, and the ruling of 1937 which was in our favour. The Hindu side did not provide any evidence to support their claim that prayers were held before 1993. There is no such idol at the site.” (ANI)

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Kerala Governor: Triple Talaq Is Not Even Mentioned In Quran

By LokMarg 23rd February 2023

Supporting the law against triple talaq, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday lashed out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning the triple talaq law bought by the Modi government and said that triple talaq is mentioned nowhere, not even in Quran.

Kerala Governor’s reaction came days after the CM criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre over the Triple Talaq law, questioning why the practice of instant divorce among Muslims was “criminalised when divorces happen in all religions”.
Speaking to ANI, Khan said, “Whatever CM said is his own opinion. But Triple talaq is no more an issue, the law was implemented in 2019. Divorce rates have come down by more than 90 per cent. A lot of women and children’s future has become secure. If somebody has a problem with it what can I do.”

He further said that triple talaq is not even mentioned in the Quran.

“Divorce is everywhere, even among Muslims. But triple talaq is mentioned nowhere and there is no mention of triple talaq in the Quran. So when legislation was made about Triple Talaq, a provision was made for giving 40 lashes to the person. Since then it has been considered a criminal matter. But nowadays you cannot give 40 lashes, so there is a provision for jail,” he said.

CM Vijayan had questioned the law against triple talaq and said why triple talaq has been brought under the purview of the law only for Muslims and has been brought under the category of crime.

“While divorces take place in all religions, it is only the Triple Talaq that was criminalised (through the law). Why is it a criminal offence for Muslims alone? All other divorce cases are seen as civil matters in court. However, if it’s a case of divorce between a Muslin couple, then that person (husband) can be sent to jail (for pronouncing Triple Talaq to his spouse),” the Kerala CM had said.

On CM’s statement that the state government will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Kerala, Governor Khan called his remarks as Vijayan’s personal opinion

He also supported the CAA and said, “The statement given by the CM regarding the CAA that we will not allow it to be implemented in Kerala is his opinion. He is free to speak his opinions but nobody can stop the nation’s law from getting implemented.”

Vijayan had said that the CAA, a legislation brought by the Centre to facilitate grant of citizenship to minority Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsis from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, would not be implemented in Kerala “at any cost”.

“The Centre used religion to decide citizenship through the Citizenship Amendment Act. We have already cleared our stand on it. We won’t implement it here at any cost,” Vijayan proclaimed. (ANI)

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BJP’s Yaqoob Appeals Kashmiri Pandit Employees To Return To Valley

By LokMarg 19th December 2022

BJP leader Malik Yaqoob on Monday appealed to fear-stricken Kashmiri pandit employees to return to the valley and assured them of full protection of their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Malik Yaqoob from Srinagar said, “They (Kashmiri Pandits) do not need to fear. Such kinds of threats keep coming. We have faced a lot of threats so far. We have been enduring these threats for the last 30 years”.
“Several workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party were martyred. But we are the citizens of this nation. We have made sacrifices for this nation. We are even ready to sacrifice our children for this nation. We are ready to sacrifice our life for this nation,” Yaqoob said.

Yaqoob was responding to threats allegedly received by Kashmiri pandits from TRF, a terror organization.

‘I appeal to employees of the pandit community to return to Kashmir. The people of Kashmir stand behind you. The Sikh community is with you. Every person is with you. There is no need to fear,” he added.

Yaqoob claimed such threats are a part of the propaganda of Pakistan.

‘Kashmiri Pandits have to show some courage. These threats are just another propaganda of Pakistan. It is a conspiracy not only of Pakistan but of several countries. It is on the agenda of Pakistan which is responsible for killings in Kashmir. Many innocent people including pandits and Sarpanches have been killed. I salute their sacrifices,” Yaqoob added.

The BJP leader assured Kashmir pandit employees that the administration of Jammu and Kashmir is standing with them.

“The BJP government is with you. LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir is with you. Every Muslim in Kashmir is wishing to see you performing your duty. To see you residing at your place of accommodation whether it is in colonies or anywhere,” he said.

“It is not just TRF, but other terror organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba that have killed people in Kashmir. If we get bogged down by fear, we would not able to walk out. The more you fear, the more you will grow weaker,’ he added.

Malik added that Kashmir is in a state of war fuelled by Pakistan for the last 30 years

“It is not India of 1962. Today we can challenge countries like the USA, China, and Russia. So, you do not need to fear anyone. Kashmir is in a state of war started by Pakistan for the last 30 years. It is the duty of the administration of Jammu and Kashmir and the police to give you protection, he added. (ANI)

Allahabad HC To Hear Gyanvapi Case Today

By LokMarg 19th October 2022

Allahabad High Court on Wednesday will hear a plea on Wednesday challenging the Varanasi District Court’s decision on the challenge to the petition of Hindu devotees.

The matter is related to the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque dispute. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court against the order passed by the Varanasi District Court.

The plea stated that the order passed in the district court is not maintainable. The plea claimed the Gyanvapi case falls under the Worship Act, under which it cannot be heard.

The High Court on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for failing to submit a personal affidavit within the deadline. The HC granted the last opportunity to the SSI DG to file a personal affidavit in the case in 10 days.

The High Court was hearing a case in which a Varanasi court ordered the ASI to conduct a survey in the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque complex to ascertain whether a Hindu temple was partially demolished for the construction of the Gyanvapi mosque in the 17th century.

The plea was filed by the Anjuman Intazamia Masjid Committee challenging the suit filed in Varanasi court and seeking the restoration of land on which the Gyanvapi mosque is situated.

Pertinent to mention, a Varanasi court on Friday rejected the plea seeking carbon dating and scientific investigation of the purported ‘Shivling’ claimed to be found in the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The Hindu side had claimed that a ‘Shivling’ was found in the premises near the ‘wazukhana’ during the videography survey of the mosque premises, which was ordered by the court.

However, the Muslim side said that the structure found was a ‘fountain’. The Hindu side had then submitted an application on September 22 that sought a carbon dating of the object they claimed to be ‘Shivling’.

Carbon dating is a scientific process that ascertains the age of an archaeological object or archaeological finds. Earlier, an appeal had been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court which had dismissed a PIL that sought the appointment of a committee/commission under a judge to study the nature of the structure found in the Gyanvapi Mosque, Varanasi.

The appeal filed by seven devotees sought direction from the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to ascertain the nature of the structure found on the Gyanvapi campus.

The Allahabad High Court had on July 19 dismissed their plea seeking the appointment of a committee/commission headed by a judge of the High Court or supreme court (sitting/retired) to study the nature of the structure found in the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The PIL moved before the High Court seeks direction from a committee to ascertain whether a Shivaling, as claimed by the Hindus, had been found inside the mosque or if it is a fountain as claimed by Muslims.

The appeal in the top court stated that the Allahabad High Court had erred in dismissing the plea.

On May 20, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the case related to worship at Gyanvapi mosque from the civil judge to the District Judge, Varanasi. (ANI)

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Muslims Organise Puja Pandal For Hindu Neighbours In Kolkata

By LokMarg 1st October 2022

Showcasing brotherhood while also setting an example of humanity, people from the Muslim community organized the Durga Puja celebration in their locality in Kolkata.

A puja pandal has been installed in the minority-dominated area, Alimuddin Street, for the two Hindu families residing in the locality.

Speaking to ANI, Md. Tausif Rehman, social worker and organizer of Durga Puja in the locality, said that the idol of Goddess Durga has been installed and people from the Hindu community will perform a puja with proper rituals.

“Being a Muslim, we have certain limits, but it’s not that we cannot organize Puja. In this Pandal, we have brought Maa Durga. There will be rituals every day which will be followed and it will be done by the Hindu family for whom the puja is organized. “Why should our brothers and sisters go to the puja pandals far away to perform puja?” he said.

A local resident, Sayantan Sen, said that the gesture by the neighbors sets an example in society, which gives the message of humanity and brotherhood.

“We are very glad to see that this puja is being organized only for our Hindu family. “This is setting an example for humanity and mankind and teaches us that there should not be any difference as far as religions are concerned,” he said.

Another member of the family who is a part of those for whom the puja is being organized, Gudiya Kumari Devi, said, “It’s a great occasion for me as I myself got a chance to decorate Maa Durga and get things prepared.” I thank my Muslim brothers who made this possible.

The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honors the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.

Over the years, Durga Puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition.

Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is the biggest festival. This year Maha Shashti falls on October 1 and Vijaya Dashami on October 5.

The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of ‘dhak’ and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. (ANI)

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Private Madrasas In UP Oppose Govt’s New Class Timings

By LokMarg 1st October 2022

The private madrasas in Uttar Pradesh have come out in protest against the recent order of the state government to change the timings of the madrasas across the state and demanded to revert to the previous schedule.

The Uttar Pradesh Board of madrasa education had passed an order on September 27 this year to change the timings of all madrasas in the state from 9 am to 3 pm, a decision which had to be implemented across the state from October 1.
Earlier, the classes used to start at 7 am and ended at around 1 pm.

Protesting against the move of the government, the private madrasas in the state said that it hampers their Zuhr prayers, and demanded to implement the old time.

Earlier last month, when the committee decided to change the timings, the Muslim bodies criticised it because of the fear that it will certainly upset the religious education being imparted through madrasas in the morning and also affect the timing of the Zuhr prayers for the madrasa teachers and students.

The madarsa board also started surveys of non-government/ private madrasas in Uttar Pradesh to curb irregularities in Madarsa education.

Madarsa Board has started surveys at the district level where a team of SDM, BSA and District Minority Officers are conducting the surveys. The survey is being conducted across Uttar Pradesh and will be completed by October 15.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahal, director of Madrasa Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal opposed the decision of the Madrasa Parishad.

Concerned over the timings and the inability to offer prayers, he said while speaking to ANI, “The Madrasa Council should consider it once again. It has decided to change the time but has it consulted the concerned party about it?”

He said that the decision taken “without knowing the ground reality” will be wrong.

“The timing which has increased is not suitable for us. If the timing of the madrasa is to be changed, it should be from 7 am to 12:30 instead of 9 am to 3 pm, since 12:30 is the time of Zuhr namaz, therefore many teachers and students of the madrasa have to go for it. If namaz is not taken care of in the madrasas, then where will it be?” he said.

Maulvi Haroon, who is training the children in the madrasa, also opposed the new timetable.

A student of Madrasa Darul Uloom Firangi Mahal accepted the board’s decision, however, he said, “The study time should be 6 hours but from 6 or 7 am so that we can leave at 12.00 or 12.30 pm which is the time for Zuhr prayer”.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh madrassa council member Qamar Ali said that “The talk of the timing of madrasa was going on for a long time and a meeting was also held in November last year. The central and state government is continuously working for the bright future of the children of madrasas.”

He said that the council would welcome the suggestions if the people in the madrasas are facing problems due to the new timings.

” And if someone has an issue with the new timing of the madrasas then he should give suggestions to the board and we will surely look into it,” he said. (ANI)

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Muslim Organisations Support PFI Ban

By LokMarg 28th September 2022

After the central government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates for a period of five years, many Muslim organizations across the country have come out in support of the ban.

All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Councils’ Chairman Sayyed Naseeruddin on Wednesday welcomed the ban on PFI on behalf of the organization.
“The organization believes that if the step has been taken to adhere to the law and prevent terrorism, everyone should show patience towards the ban.” “The governments and investigative agencies should welcome the decision,” said a statement by the Council.

The statement added, “If the country is safe, then we are safe.” A country is bigger than any organization or ideology. If anyone talks about dividing the nation, breaking its unity, and destroying the peace, then that person should not be allowed to live in the country. “

“All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council is committed to the unity, peace, and sovereignty of the nation and will raise its voice in future against those opposed to the country,” as per the statement.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Student Organisation of India termed the ban on PFA “reasonable”.

“The ban on PFA is reasonable. The time has come for the youth of India to leave the ideology of extremism and adopt the true meaning of Islam,” said a statement by MSO.

“Barelvi Muslims support PFI ban by the Modi government,” said Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi.

Sufi Islamic Board’s national spokesperson Kashish Warsi supported the ban on PFI.

MLA MK Muneer welcomed the decision on behalf of the party and said, “We welcome PFI ban, if reasonable. We’ve to fight against RSS in a secular way too. The ban may not solve all problems. Earlier SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) was banned, but NDF (National Development Front), and PFI emerged later.”

Many political leaders across the country have welcomed the ban

On Tuesday, the Home Ministry issued a notification, banning PFI and its associates for five years. It said these outfits operate openly as socio-economic, educational, and political organizations, “but, they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalize a particular section of the society working to undermine the concept of democracy.”

It said some of PFI’s founding members are the leaders of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and PFI has linkages with Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), both of which are proscribed organizations.

The ban was imposed after two rounds of nationwide raids, including in Maharashtra, on PFI earlier this month. More than 100 people linked to these outfits have been detained by authorities during these raids. (ANI)

NIA’s Pan-India Crackdown On PFI Code-Named Ops Octopus

By LokMarg 24th September 2022

The largest-ever crackdown that was conducted against the Popular Front of India (PFI) members spread across 15 states was code-named “Operation Octopus”, sources said on Saturday.

The joint teams of the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested over 106 PFI members in multiple raids spread across several states on September 22.
The states where the raids were conducted included Andhra Pradesh (4 places), Telangana (1), Delhi (19), Kerala (11), Karnataka (8), Tamil Nadu (3), Uttar Pradesh (1), Rajasthan (2), Hyderabad (5), Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur.

The searches were conducted in connection with five cases registered by the NIA following “continued inputs and evidence” that the PFI leaders and cadres were involved in the funding of terrorism and terrorist activities, organising training camps for providing armed training and radicalising people to join banned organisations.

A large number of criminal cases have been registered in different states over the last few years against the PFI and its leaders and members for their involvement in many violent acts.

Criminal violent acts “carried out” by PFI include chopping off the hand of a college professor, cold-blooded killings of persons associated with organisations espousing other faiths, collection of explosives to target prominent people and places, support to Islamic State and destruction of public property. They have had a demonstrative effect of striking terror in the minds of the citizens.

The PFI had on Friday called for a 12-hour shutdown in Kerala, which turned violent in parts of the state. Stone-pelting was witnessed at various places, including at the RSS office at Mattannur in Kannur. Two police officials were also injured in the incident in Kollam.

The Kerala High Court initiated a suo motu case against PFI leaders who called for a strike in the state against the arrest of its members by the NIA.

Notably, as per a Kerala HC order on January 7, 2019, nobody can call for a bandh in the state without prior notice of seven days.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the court directed the police to ensure that “adequate measures are put in place to prevent any damage/destruction to public/private property of Government/citizens who do not support the call for hartal”.

“Adequate police protection shall also be granted to all public utility services that apprehend violence, at the hands of those supporting the illegal hartal,” the court added.

Meanwhile, PFI on Thursday, while condemning the raids by the NIA and the ED against its leaders, stated that it will “never surrender” and alleged that the agency’s claims are aimed at “creating an atmosphere of terror”.

“NIA’s baseless claims and sensationalism are solely aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror. Popular Front will never ever surrender on any scary action by a totalitarian regime using the central agencies as its puppets and will stand firm on its will for recovering the democratic system and spirit of the constitution of our beloved country,” PFI said in a statement.

All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi on Friday called upon the Muslim community to stay away from the Popular Front of India (PFI) calling it a “radical group” and urged the central government to impose a ban on it.

Maulana Razvi welcomed the arrest of the PFI leaders across the country.

“PFI is a radical organisation. Its members follow a radicalised ideology. I would appeal to all Sufi and Sunni Muslims to stay away from this organisation. The PFI has been named in many incidents across the country. It is necessary that there should be a ban on these kinds of organisations,” said Razvi.

On the contrary, slamming the Centre over the National Investigation Agency’s nationwide crackdown against the Popular Front of India, Muslim cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Friday dubbed it a “conspiracy to finish Muslims”.

He claimed that attempts were made to “ban” PFI.

Speaking to ANI, Rashidi said, “The way Congress had banned SIMI, in the same way, attempts are being made to ban PFI. There should be action against the organisation which works against the country, but if you take action against the organisation only because it is working for the upliftment of Muslims, and you are trying to declare it a terror organisation, it is against the law and Constitution. These are the same people who dub the ones studying in a madrassa as terrorists. This is a conspiracy to finish Muslims.” (ANI)

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