The Government of India has announced that former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani will be awarded the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Advani was a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is credited with the party's rise to national prominence in the 1990s. He has been a strong advocate for the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and his famous Rath Yatra ignited the movement for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Despite facing health issues in his advanced age, Advani's contributions to India's development are recognized and respected by many.
Rath Yatra: A Political and Religious Movement in India
The Rath Yatra, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani in 1990, was a politically charged religious procession that sparked the movement for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Advani's journey across India in a chariot, accompanied by supporters, aimed to garner support for the temple's construction on the disputed site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. The movement ignited religious tensions and culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, a mosque located at the disputed site, in 1992. The subsequent communal riots led to widespread violence and loss of life.
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Amidst ongoing protests against the ST reservation demanded by the Dhangar community, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal reportedly attempted to jump from the third floor of the state secretariat building. The NCP MLA landed safely on a safety net, along with two other tribal legislators who also jumped in protest. The Ajit Pawar faction leader and other tribal MLAs were demanding that Dhangars not be given ST reservation and instead be given services under the PESA Act. The situation remains tense as discussions on the issue continue.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court has formed a committee to review disqualification petitions filed against three Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders who defected to the Congress. The High Court has also declined to stay a single-judge order warning the State assembly speaker of further court proceedings if he does not decide on the petitions. The case raises the question of whether the High Court can order a speaker to decide on disqualification petitions within a fixed time frame.
With the Haryana state legislative assembly elections around the corner, the Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to ensure their names are included in the voter list. While a voter ID card is the most commonly used identity document, the ECI has prescribed 12 alternative options, including Aadhaar card and Indian passport, for those without one. The voter list is available online and through a helpline number, with registration being mandatory in order to cast a vote. The upcoming elections will see a competition between the BJP, who secured 40 seats in the 2019 elections, and Congress, who won 30 seats.
In a significant move towards preserving and promoting Indian languages, the Union Cabinet has approved the classical language status for five more languages - Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision and highlighted the government's efforts to conserve and promote the classical languages. This decision has been welcomed by many, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who expressed gratitude to the Centre for including Assamese in the list. This move is aimed at honoring the historical significance of these languages and nurturing a deeper understanding among the younger generations.
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, known for his provocative sermons, is scheduled to deliver lectures in Pakistan from October 5 to October 20. His arrival at the invitation of the Pakistani government has sparked concern over the potential consequences of his extremist ideology on a nation already grappling with fundamentalism and religious tensions. Naik's past teachings have been linked to violent extremism, with militants citing his lectures as motivation for carrying out attacks. With the Pakistani government failing to address these issues, Naik's presence is poised to exacerbate societal divisions and pose a serious threat to the country's minorities.
As the nine-day festival of Navratrai began, the Uttar Pradesh government launched the fifth edition of Mission Shakti, an initiative aimed at empowering women regarding their safety and self-reliance. This edition will focus on tackling cyber crimes against women and will involve various government departments to address a wide range of issues. It will also introduce a women's health helpline and promote women entrepreneurs through a dedicated space at the Women Police powerline intersection.
Amit Shah commends Indian government for significant reduction in violence and fatalities in Kashmir, North East, and Naxal regions. He also announces the establishment of a Joint Interrogation Centre to combat terrorism and cybercrime.
The long-standing demand for conferring classical language status to five Indian languages was finally fulfilled by the Union on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulating all for this historic decision. This move highlights the government's commitment to respecting and promoting India's rich cultural diversity, languages, and heritage.
In a passionate speech, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan advocated for the establishment of a legal framework to preserve and protect Sanatana Dharma from any disruptions. He proposed the formation of a Sanatana Dharma Preservation Board at national and state levels and emphasized the need for annual funding for its operations. Kalyan also called for measures to ensure the purity of temple offerings and envisioned temples as not just spiritual centers, but also hubs for education, art, and environmental protection.
Prime Minister Modi has congratulated the newly-designated classical languages, including Marathi, on social media platform X. The recent approval for classical status to Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit comes just ahead of the scheduled Assembly elections in Maharashtra, making it a significant political move. While the recognition honors the timeless influence of these languages on India's culture and history, PM Modi hopes that it will inspire more people to learn and preserve them.