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25 years after Barbri Masjid demolition: politics changes while legal issues stay stuck

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25 years after Barbri Masjid demolition: politics changes while legal issues stay stuck

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Twenty five years after a mob, safe in the knowledge of a favourable government in Uttar Pradesh, demolished the 16th century Babri Masjid, Dec 6 was celebrated as ‘shaurya divas’ by RSS-BJP and other Hindutva followers in the country.

Muslim organisation observed it as ‘Black Day’, but the voices were drowned out. ‘#ShauryaDivas’ was among the top trends on Twitter on Wednesday, the posts dominated by tweets hailing the demolition by ‘brave kar sevaks’ and a few lamenting the divide it plunged the country into. Hindutva followers mostly stayed away from another trending topic ‘#BabriMasjid’: they loathe the name and prefer ‘disputed structure’.

Only a day before, when the Supreme Court was hearing the case to decide who the land – where the demolished structure stood – belonged to, they had pre-judged the case, affirming their resolve to build a Ram temple on the spot, asserting ‘with Narendra Modi government at the Centre and Yogi Adityanath, when else would the temple be built’?

Accordingly, RSS’ extreme Hindutva wing, VHP, gave a call for starting Ram temple construction ‘from Oct 18, 2018’, at a time when the heat would be on for state Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and the Lok Sabha elections just six months away.

Politics in the name of religion is there for all to see. It is another matter that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning for Gujarat Assembly elections on Wednesday, referred to Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s arguments in the court and asked, in all innocence: “No objection that Kapil Sibal is fighting on behalf of Muslim community but how can he say do not find a solution to this (Ayodhya issue) until next election? How is it connected to Lok Sabha elections?”

Meanwhile, The Hindustan Times (HT) has reported that preparations for Ram temple construction have picked up pace at its workshop, ‘Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas Karyashaala’, in Ayodhya after Yogi Aditynatah took over as chief minister in Uttar Pradesh. The workshop is located 3 km from the disputed site.

“Sixty-seven per cent of work is over. All this, when assembled, would make the ground floor of the Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Temple,” said Sharad Sharma, a spokesperson of the VHP that runs the workshop, reported HT.

The architect is Ahmedabad-based Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, whose grandfather built the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. “It will take at least one-and-a-half year for the stone carving work to finish. At least six months will go into laying the foundation for the temple,” he told HT over the phone. Sompura also said the original project cost was Rs 5.35 crore, but had ballooned four times.

While all this takes place in the background, the 25th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition saw massive security arrangements in place in the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya as the VHP and the Bajrang Dal celebrate ‘Shaurya Diwas’ and Muslim organisations observe a black day. The saffron outfits have given a call to people of Ayodhya-Faizabad to light up their homes with lamps.

Ayodhya has been divided into four zones and ten sectors and prohibitory orders under section 144 have been clamped, said media reports. Any form of protests, demonstrations have been completely banned. All areas of Ayodhya have police presence, with bomb disposal squads on alert. Security was tight and people were frisked at multiple check points across the temple town.

The Centre has asked all the states to remain cautious and ensure peace, so that no incident of communal tension is reported from anywhere in the country.

To recall, on 6 December, 1992, a movement led by RSS and affiliated outfits VHP, BJP and Bajrang built up to a rally in Ayodhya involving over 1.5 lakh volunteers, known as kar sevaks. Provocative speeches added to a charged atmosphere. The gathering turned into a violent mob that pulled down the Babri Masjid.

This was followed by communal riots all over, beginning with Ayodhya-Faizabad itself, where, according to media reports, 28 Muslims were murdered, almost all their houses and shops were torched and destroyed, including 23 local mosques. No FIR was reported to have been lodged, no cases were registered of this riot.

Present at the rally in Ayodhya that day were senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi. In 2009, a report by Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan found 68 people responsible for the demolition of the mosque, which included names of Atal Vajpayee, Advani, Joshi and Vijay Raje Scindia. The case is pending disposal in a special court.

Hundreds lost their lives in the riots in the rest of the country after the demolition. This was followed by Mumbai bomb blasts, allegedly as a revenge for demolition of the mosque, sparking off the Mumbai riots of 1993.

The issue was kept simmering and boiled up again, this time in Gujarat, in 2002, when 59 kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya were burnt to death when their coach was set on fire in Godhra. This, too, led to one of the worst riots in the country, under the watch of then Gujarat chief minister and current PM, Narendra Modi. That signalled Modi’s arrival on the national political scene.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Pahalgam terror victim Vinay Narwal’s wife says don’t want people going after Muslims, Kashmiris

“We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

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In a poignant address on Thursday, Himanshi Narwal, widow of Naval officer Lt. Vinay Narwal, urged unity and restraint, saying, “We don’t want anyone targeting Muslims or Kashmiris.”

Her voice steady yet heavy with grief, she spoke at a blood donation camp in Karnal, honouring her husband, who was tragically killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, just 10 days before his 27th birthday.

The couple, married only a week prior, was honeymooning when terrorists fatally shot Lt. Narwal at close range.

At the Karnal event, organized by the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA), Himanshi and Lt. Narwal’s mother broke down while paying floral tributes.

Himanshi blew a kiss to her husband’s photograph, while his mother, hands folded in reverence, kissed the framed image. “We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

The camp, held in the officer’s hometown, saw an outpouring of support from locals and beyond, reflecting the community’s shared sorrow.

Lt. Narwal’s sister, Shristi, expressed heartfelt thanks to attendees, noting, “People traveled long distances to donate blood, and we’ve received countless messages of support. The government’s response has been overwhelming.”

The event highlighted the officer’s legacy of service, with speakers emphasizing his enduring presence in the nation’s heart. NIFAA Chairperson Pritpal Singh Pannu remarked, “A young hero, destined to serve for decades, was stolen by terrorism. Soldiers shed blood to save lives; today, we donate blood to honor his sacrifice.”

A blood donor at the camp shared, “Lt. Narwal’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Donating blood is our tribute, but nothing can fill the void he left.” The attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadows, ranks among Kashmir’s deadliest civilian assaults in recent years.

India’s ongoing struggle with terrorism underscores the need for robust security measures, yet Himanshi’s call for peace resonates as a plea to avoid communal division.

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The Bhootnii social media reviews: Fans say horror isn’t scary, even ghosts deserve better scripts

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Bollywood’s fascination with horror-comedy remains undimmed, and The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Beyounick, dives headfirst into this quirky genre. Helmed by director Sidhaant Sachdev, the film unfolds a peculiar tale of a college tree that conjures a ghost named Mohabbat each Valentine’s Day, blending supernatural antics with a romantic twist.

Released on April 25, 2025, The Bhootnii has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, with Mouni Roy’s standout performance earning raves even as the film grapples with a faltering storyline.

Online chatter has zeroed in on Roy’s captivating portrayal of Mohabbat, with fans showering her with praise. One enthused, “Mouni Roy is pure magic—her ghost is the soul of the film!” Another marveled at her dedication, noting, “Spending 45 days in a harness paid off; she’s mesmerizing in every frame.” A third fan gushed, “Mouni’s Mohabbat makes this chaotic horror-comedy worth watching—she’s a genre gem!” Roy’s ability to infuse the spectral role with both charm and intensity has cemented her as the film’s saving grace, striking a chord with viewers.

Critics, however, have skewered the film’s lackluster script, which struggles to balance scares and humor. One review sighed, “The horror fizzles, the comedy feels stale, and the plot wanders like a lost spirit.” Another jabbed, “The Bhootnii stumbles where Stree danced—its ghost needs a sharper story.” Sanjay Dutt’s belated appearance as an eccentric ghostbuster, armed with oddball tools and arcane wisdom, injects fleeting energy but fails to rescue the narrative. Faisal Khan’s sporadic comedic bits offer mild relief, yet many deem the film a disjointed effort, with one viewer quipping, “I left more haunted by the script than the ghost.”

Amid India’s thriving horror-comedy wave, The Bhootnii has fueled spirited online debates, reflecting the genre’s pull despite its uneven execution. While unlikely to claim cinematic glory, Roy’s luminous performance offers a beacon for fans willing to navigate its bumpy ride. For others, the film’s narrative pitfalls render it a spectral disappointment, underscoring the challenges of crafting a cohesive spooky-laugh riot.

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Instagram head Adam Mosseri dances with influencers Sakshi Shivdasani, Naina Bhan to Bollywood song, video surfaces

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

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