LThe Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) has decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court in case the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre brings in an ordinance paving way for the construction of a grand Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, an office-bearer said on Wednesday.

He said the BMAC took the decision at a meeting on Tuesday.

The move comes ahead of the January 4 hearing by the apex court on the matter. 

While right-wing groups and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) have been pressing for the ordinance, the opposition has been seeking a court verdict on the contentious issue.

One of the 70 persons, who attended the meeting, said it was a routine one and had no specific agenda. Though the possibility of the Modi government bringing in an ordinance or a legislation on the temple issue was discussed.

Convenor of the BMAC Zafaryab Jilani said the committee would also urge the Supreme Court to not rush through the matter and pronounce a verdict only after going through all aspects and studying all relevant papers and documents.

The BMAC members were also of the view that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) electoral defeats in three states, the whipping up of passion on the temple issue and the pro-temple statements by senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, could not be taken in isolation or lightly.

Nasheman News : A 25 feet high statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed in the Lok Bhawan in the Uttar Pradesh capital here, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Tuesday.

He was speaking at a function held to celebrate the 94th birth anniversary of the late leader.

Governor Ram Naik and the Chief Minister led the state in paying tributes to Vajpayee. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit were also present. 

Naik said that one comes across a leader like Vajpayee in a long time and his towering personality was respected even by the opponents.

Despite holding various offices, he always had the warmest regards even for the most ordinary party worker and the marginalised sections of the society, he said.

Nasheman News : President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conveyed their greetings to the nation on the occasion of Christmas.

“Merry Christmas to all fellow citizens, especially our Christian brothers and sisters in India and abroad. This is a time to be with family and friends, a time for peace and piety. May Christmas bring hope and happiness to our country and our shared planet,” President’s Office tweeted.

In a tweet, Modi said: “Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We remember the noble teachings of Jesus Christ and recall his efforts towards creating a compassionate and equal society.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also shared a greeting card on Twitter. 

Nasheman News : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary.

“Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji on his birth anniversary. He was a statesman who rose above partisan politics for the country’s good. We miss him a lot,” the Trinamool supremo, who once was part of Vajpaee’s cabinet, tweeted.

Born in December 25, 1924, Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister, who was not a member of the Congress to have served a full five-year term in office.

The administration of Narendra Modi in 2014 declared that Vajpayee’s birthday would be marked as Good Governance Day.

He was conferred India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by then President Pranab Mukherjee in 2015.

Vajpayee passed away on August 16.

 Nasheman News : Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday extended warm Christmas greetings to all Goans.

“Ours is a secular country, where people belonging to various faiths live in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life,” Sinha said in her message to the people of Goa.

“Christmas is an auspicious occasion all around the world. People from all communities come together to observe the occasion with great pomp. It is the time of the year to give to others, bringing in happiness and delight with simple things,” Parrikar said in his annual Christmas message.

Christians constitute 26 per cent of the population in the state.

The visionary leadership and endearing personality of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were fondly remembered by the entire country on Tuesday – his 94th birth anniversary.

Leading the heartfelt tributes for the iconic leader was PM Narendra Modi who, along with politicians cutting across party lines, paid homage at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were among the first to reach Rashtriya Smriti Sthal where they offered a floral tribute to Vajpayee.

PM Modi also took to Twitter to honour the memory of a figure who played an important role in shaping the future of the party, the country and its people. “Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of,” he wrote, along with a video showing priceless glimpses from Vajpayee’s life.Former PM Manmohan Singh and several other leaders from the opposition also honoured the memory of Vajpayee – many attending the sombre event at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.

Vajpayee passed away on August 16 at All India Institute of Medical Science in Delhi following a prolonged illness. The veteran leader, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998-2004, was the first ever person from the BJP to have become the nation’s Prime Minister. Vajpayee served as Prime Minister thrice — briefly in 1996, and then for two terms between 1998 and 2004.

Nasheman News : Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering will be coming here on a three-day visit from December 27 in what will be his first state visit to India after asuming office in November, it was announced on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Tshering will be accompanied by Bhutanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and other senior officials.

“India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels,” the ministry statement said.

“The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Lotay Tshering will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our multifaceted partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples,” it added.

During the course of his visit, taking place during the golden jubilee year of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan, Tshering, besides calling on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, would also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other ministers of the Union Cabinet would also call on the visiting dignitary.

Tshering’s Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) party, formed in 2013, won 30 of the 47 National Assembly seats in the elections in the Himalayan kingdom held in October.

The country of 800,000 people, located between India and China, has chosen a different party to rule at each election since the end of absolute monarchy in 2008.

India is a leading development aid partner for Bhutan. There are a number of institutional mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas like security, border management, trade, economy, hydroelectricity, development cooperation and water resources.

New Delhi has set up three hydroelectric projects in Bhutan with a total capacity of 1,416 MW, which are operational. About three-fourth of the power generated is exported to India and the rest is used for domestic consumption.

India is also Bhutan’s largest trading partner.

Two years ago, on the night of December 31 on MG Road and Brigade Road, several women were allegedly molested and groped and lewd remarks passed by miscreants.

BENGALURU: A right-wing Hindu outfit has appealed to police to ban new year celebrations on the city’s signature locations like MG Road and Brigade Road on December 31 to “protect the sanctity of Bengaluru.”

In a two-page memorandum to Bengaluru police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti coordinator Mohan Gowda said “western culture has spoilt the present generation, where boys and girls drink, smoke and perform vulgar dance in an inebriated state which instigates criminals for eve-teasing.”

Gowda recalled how some women were allegedly molested en masse two years ago bringing a bad name to the city internationally.

“The most concerning matter is that there is a growing number of young boys, girls and women taking part in the celebrations in an inebriated state, which shows the decline of values among the youth of India today,” Gowda rued in his memorandum.

Gowda urged police to ban such new year revelries.

PTI