In a triumph of the central principle of secularism that all faiths have to be shown equal respect, the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya reopens on 22 January, centuries after the structure standing on the birthplace of Lord Ram was destroyed by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1660. The Partition of India in 1947 was the consequence of inter-faith hatreds that were fanned by the colonial power. Apart from M.A. Jinnah and others belonging to the Muslim elite who had been co-opted by the British into the colonial Pakistan project, only a limited number of ordinary Muslims got entangled in the manufactured myth that Hindus and Muslims comprised two separate nations. Apart from the reassuring deeds and words of Mahatma Gandhi, this was why the vast majority of Muslims in what was left of India preferred to remain in our country rather than migrate to Pakistan.
Mistaking artificially created misperceptions of communal incompatibility as reality, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was opposed even to the restoration of the Somnath temple, but finally acquiesced to the wishes of Sardar Patel and Rajendra Prasad in this regard. Surprisingly, even Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya, the three sacred sites of the Hindu community, remained in the condition they were in after Emperor Aurangzeb demolished the temples that had been built on the birthplaces of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna in Ayodhya and Mathura respectively. Aurangzeb also went ahead with demolishing the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the third sacred site of the Hindus.
This story is from the January 21, 2024 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 21, 2024 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CHINESE MEDIA REVOKES ENTRIES FROM SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISM AWARDS
This move is being initiated by the Chinese media organisation due to rising domestic pressure on those seen to be cooperating with foreign entities.
Tata Power Renewable Energy inks pact with SJVN for 460 MW clean energy
Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) on Saturday said it has signed an agreement with state-owned SJVN Ltd to set up a 460 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) project.
CJI DY CHANDRACHUD CALLS FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud emphasized on Saturday the necessity for juvenile justice systems to adapt by improving international cooperation and sharing best practices to combat the escalating transnational digital crimes involving minors, amidst the rapid evolution of technology.
COURT ORDERS NO COERCIVE ACTION AGAINST BIHAR UNIVERSITIES
The Patna High Court has directed the Bihar education department not to take coercive action against state universities and their officials until further notice.
Court adjourns Afzal Ansari's plea challenging conviction
The Allahabad High Court has adjourned the hearing of a criminal appeal filed by Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari challenging his conviction and four-year sentence in a gangsters Act case by a trial court of Ghazipur until May 13.
Ferrato Launches e-Motorcycle Disruptor' at Rs 159,999
Ferrato, the premium brand of Okaya EV, has officially launched its highly-anticipated electr ic motorcycle Disruptor at INR 1,59,999, combining unparalleled performance and futuristic design packed with cutting-edge technology, setting a new standard in the EV bike segment and redefining the sports bike experience at a low cost of 25 paise per km.
USHA MARTIN: STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION DRIVES STRONG PERFORMANCE
Usha Martin was established in 1960 and is today a leading global manufacturer and market leader in the wire rope industry with its multi-unit and multi-product portfolio.
INDIA TO EXPEDITE CECA WITH AUSTRALIA
Commerce Secretary, co-chaired the first Joint Committee Meeting along with his Australian counterpart in Canberra and reviewed the progress of India-Australia CECA.
India adds five tons of gold in its reserves in March
The Reserve Bank of India added 5 tons of Gold to its reserves during March. The gold reserves of the central banks worldwide reported a net increase in their gold reserves.
DONALD TRUMP TESTS THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM TO THE LIMIT
Trump, facing multiple legal battles, receives special treatment while openly undermining the rule of law, raising concerns about the justice system’s integrity.