India News

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement a challenge to SC, say Muslim bodies and opposition

Published

9 years ago

November 25, 2017

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement a challenge to SC, say Muslim bodies and opposition

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Before the final hearings in the Ram Janmabhoomi case start in the Supreme Court on December 5, a day before the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition 25 years ago on Dec 6, 1992, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat passed his own judgment on the issue, saying only Ram temple will be built at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

While ignoring the court case, Bhagwat also went ahead and rejected efforts for an out-of-court settlement of the issue being made by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Shia Waqf Board.

As was to be expected, he managed to provoke a flurry of protests. The statement was criticised by Muslim organisations and opposition parties alike as an affront to the apex court and the Constitution of the land.

The timing of the statement and the dates related to the controversial issue also coincides with the Gujarat Assembly polls where the BJP is banking again on emotive issues for its campaign.

Bhagwat had made a similar statement in 2013, in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in which he described Ram Janmabhoomi as a question of “India’s identity”.

The RSS insists – unconvincingly – that it has nothing to do with politics or elections.

Bhagwat’s statement came on Friday at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) ‘Dharma Sansad’ in Karnataka’s Udupi town. He said, “The Ram temple will be built at the Ram Janmabhoomi and nothing else will be constructed on that land. It will be built using the same stones and under the leadership of people who fought for it for the last 20-25 years.”

“We will construct it. It is not a populist declaration but a matter of our faith. It will not change,” he added, observing that after years of efforts and sacrifice, building the Ram temple seemed possible now. The RSS political wing BJP holds the reins of government at the Centre and, with NDA partners, in 18 states and is the dominant political party in the country. The 18 states include the crucial Uttar Pradesh, where the saffron party came to power with a thumping majority and the new Hindutva mascot Yogi Adityanath was anointed chief minister.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also rejected any moves by AoL founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar towards an out-of-court settlement in the Ayodhya Ram Temple issue. He mentioned how Ravi Shankar had approached him and VHP’s Acharya Dharmendra at a function and put forth his proposal, despite being warned not try it, and how it (the proposal) was dismissed outright.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had, earlier this month, traveled to Lucknow and Ayodhya to speak to all major stake holders to find an amicable solution to the issue. However, most of the concerned parties remained cold to the proposal espoused by the spiritual leader.

Bhagwat asserted that any decision on the issue has to be made by seers and saints who have led the movement. “If anyone wants to make an effort, let them do that. It is a democracy,” he added.

Bhagwat’s statement that only the temple will be built at the disputed site in Ayodhya came even as the Supreme Court is going to start final hearings in the Ram Janmabhoomi case from December 5. The court will hear appeals against the Allahabad High Court verdict dividing the 2.77 acre disputed land in Ayodhya between the main deity Ram Lalla, Sunni Wakf Board and Nirmohi Akhara.

The case had come up before a three-judge bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra on August 11 and was adjourned for three months to give time for translation of relevant documents into English: there are nearly 90,000 pages of oral evidence and 533 documentary exhibits in eight different languages, including Sanskrit and Persian.

As The Indian Express reported, while litigants await hearing in the Supreme Court, the change of government in Uttar Pradesh saw a new cast of characters jumping in. First, there was the Shia Wakf Board of Uttar Pradesh, its chairman proclaiming that a mosque at the disputed site made no sense. Then came a glittering Diwali celebration in Ayodhya in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and, subsequently, the abrupt entry of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar as a mediator.

Bhagwat’s statement predictably drew strong reactions.

Muslim organisations said Bhagwat had challenged the Supreme Court court, and demanded action against him, PTI reported. The RSS chief, they said, was attempting to assist the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Gujarat Assembly elections by diverting voters’ attention from “real” matters.

“The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has faith in the judiciary and will try to implement its order. By issuing this statement, Mohan Bhagwat has taken [the] law into his hands,” the organisation’s spokesperson Maulana Khaild Saifullah Rehmani said.

“Despite the issue pending in the court, Mohan Bhagwat has given this statement only to divert the attention of voters in Gujarat from real issues,” All India Shia Personal Law Board Maulana Yasoob Abbas said.

Convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee and lawyer for the UP Sunni Wakf Board Zafaryab Jilani said Bhagwat’s statement was a “challenge” to the Supreme Court and the Constitution of India. “As per the Constitution, the Supreme Court is the highest authority and it is that authority which is adjudicating on whether there can be construction there or not. The country runs by rule of law and we are all awaiting the verdict of the SC. This statement amounts to a challenge to both the SC and Constitution,” he said.

Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) executive committee Asaduddin Owaisi said: “This is obnoxious, a deliberate ploy to vitiate the atmosphere. How can such a statement be made when the matter is in the Supreme Court? This is a title suit and the RSS is saying it is a matter of faith. I hope the SC takes note of it. This is dangerous.”

The opposition parties criticised Bhagwat’s statement saying that the RSS chief is not above the Supreme Court and that the country is run by the Constitution and not faith.

“Mr Bhagwat is not above the Supreme Court and the country is run by the constitution and not by faith,” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik told ANI. “BJP Is losing public faith and that is why the Ram Mandir issue has been raised by BJP and Sangh parivar,” he added.

He further stated that the matter is before the Supreme Court and the verdict of the highest court should be binding on everybody.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Journalist files police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over push allegation

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court. The Congress has denied the allegation.

Published

11 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12. She has sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the protest.

Parashar submitted her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district, on Friday, seeking immediate action. She has said she was three months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident and accused those involved of mistreatment, threats and the use of force.

What Richa Parashar alleged in her complaint

Parashar alleged that she was reporting on the Opposition’s march when the incident occurred. According to her earlier account, she was waiting near a gate on the Supreme Court premises to seek a response from Gandhi when he allegedly grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. She further alleged that his security personnel pushed her away, causing her to fall on the Supreme Court steps.

In her complaint, Parashar said she asked Gandhi questions before he allegedly pushed her towards a gate. She claimed that the force caused her to lose her balance and fall, and that her repeated requests not to be pushed were ignored.

Parashar has sought legal action against Gandhi and others whom she alleges were involved. The complaint reportedly seeks action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 74, 115(2), 131, 125 and 3(5). These provisions concern alleged assault or criminal force against a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force, acts endangering human life or personal safety, and joint liability for acts committed with common intention.

The allegations and the sections cited in the complaint do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability.

Congress disputes the allegation

The Congress has challenged Parashar’s account of the incident. According to report, the party said a video released by the journalist did not show the sequence of events she described.

Congress leader Alka Lamba also questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and accused those raising the issue of attempting to manufacture propaganda.

The allegations remain disputed. The complaint and the competing accounts should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing.

Incident took place during Opposition’s Supreme Court march

The alleged incident occurred on October 12, when Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition concerning alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition has raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and alleged irregularities.

Parashar’s police complaint adds a legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the march. Any further action will depend on the police process and the relevant legal proceedings.

India News

Delhi court orders release of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march at Connaught Place.

Published

12 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, a day after he was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march in the national capital. The march was scheduled to take place at Connaught Place as part of demonstrations against alleged electoral irregularities.

Dipke was asked to furnish a bond and undertake to maintain peace as a condition of his release, according to reports. The court’s order came after he was produced before a Special Executive Magistrate following his arrest on Friday.

Why Abhijeet Dipke was detained

Dipke had planned to participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, where participants intended to gather and wave the national flag. The proposed demonstration was part of ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to the Delhi Police, Dipke was taken into preventive custody before being formally arrested in a case related to the apprehension of a breach of peace. Police cited Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Neha Bora was also detained

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was also detained on Friday ahead of the planned march. She was released early Saturday morning after completing the formalities associated with her detention, according to the report.

Bora criticised the police action and called for the release of protesters who remained in custody. She also demanded an end to the SIR exercise and sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These were her demands and allegations, rather than findings established by the court.

Protests over electoral rolls continue

The demonstrations involving CJP, student groups and opposition supporters have centred on allegations of irregularities in the voter-list revision process. Critics have questioned the exercise, while the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were approved by the Supreme Court. The BJP has criticised the protests, describing them as attempts to spread anarchy, according to the report.

Dipke’s conditional release marks the latest development in the dispute over the planned Delhi protest. The court’s order concerns his release under specified conditions; it should not be interpreted as a judicial finding on the wider allegations surrounding the electoral-roll revision.

India News

Anirudh Ravichander to marry Kavya Maran in November, reception on November 21

Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran are set to marry in November, with their Chennai wedding reception scheduled for November 21.

Published

12 hours ago

October 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sunrisers Hyderabad executive Kavya Maran are set to marry in November. Their wedding reception is scheduled to take place in Chennai on November 21, according to an announcement by Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s office.

The development followed a meeting between Revanth Reddy and Kavya’s parents, Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Maran, at the chief minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

According to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, the couple’s reception is scheduled for November 21, with Kavya’s parents extending an invitation to the chief minister.

Telangana CM’s office announces reception date

The Telangana CMO shared photographs and videos of the meeting on its official social media account on October 16. The announcement stated that Kalanithi Maran and his wife had met Revanth Reddy to invite him to their daughter’s wedding reception.

The post specifically confirmed that the reception of Kavya Maran and Anirudh Ravichander would be held in Chennai on November 21.

The announcement provided an official confirmation of the reception date and venue, while details about the wedding ceremony itself have also been reported separately.

Who are Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran?

Anirudh Ravichander is a prominent music composer in the Indian film industry. He gained widespread recognition with the song “Why This Kolaveri Di” and has since composed music for several major films, including Leo, Indian 2, Vettaiyan, Vidaamuyarchi and Coolie.

Kavya Maran is the daughter of Kalanithi Maran, chairman of the Sun Group. She serves as an executive director at Sun TV Network and is widely recognised in cricket circles for her association with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the IPL franchise.

Wedding rumours and reported ceremony details

Speculation about a possible marriage between Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran had circulated before the latest announcement. Earlier reports in August 2026 discussed the possibility of a November wedding in Greece.

A subsequent report said the wedding was reportedly scheduled to take place in Greece on November 11. However, the couple had not directly confirmed their wedding plans in the cited report.

The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office has confirmed that the reception is scheduled for November 21 in Chennai. The reported wedding ceremony details should therefore be attributed to reports rather than presented as officially confirmed information.