How much of politics involved in Ram Mandir 'donation theft' scam ?? Can Akhilesh benefit by discrediting Sangh and VHP ??? :::: What happens if Yadavs 'desert Samajwadi Party ??

What happens if Yadavs 'desert Samajwadi Party ??  

Can Akhilesh benefit by discrediting Sangh and VHP ??? :::: What happens if Yadavs 'desert Samajwadi Party ??

How much of politics involved in Ram Mandir 'donation theft' scam ?? Can Akhilesh benefit by discrediting Sangh and VHP ??? :::: What happens if Yadavs 'desert Samajwadi Party ??   

By raising questions about the management of temple funds, the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav is attempting to shed its traditional pro-minority, "anti-temple" image. 

It presents the party as a defender of public faith and devotee trust, aiming to appeal to moderate Hindus and the broader Sanatan community.  

The issue allows the SP to challenge the ruling party's core governance plank: corruption-free administration and Hindu nationalism. By demanding transparency in a deeply religious matter, it puts the ruling BJP and the temple trust on the defensive.  

But there are chances of backlash.

The SP now risks being perceived as attacking or politicizing a highly revered Hindu religious symbol. 

If voters feel the allegations are made in bad faith or lack sufficient proof, it could result in a severe counter-mobilization of the Hindu vote in favor of the BJP.

An overemphasis on temple politics can divert attention from core secular, social-justice, and economic issues, potentially alienating the party's core minority and backward-caste support base.

On June 12, Ayodhya BJP leader Rajneesh Singh sought a CBI investigation and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister’s Office has also sought a factual report from the temple trust , according to an official letter, dated June 23.

On June 25, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international working president Alok Kumar demanded registration of an FIR if evidence established theft, and later called for the investigation to cover everyone involved.

On June 19, chief minister Yogi Adityanath personally stepped in, declared that “no guilty person will be spared”. 

The CM’s remarks came after, on June 13, he ordered the constitution of a three-member SIT comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.

People aware of developments said nearly 150 persons were identified for scrutiny, around two dozen came under detailed examination and recoveries of cash and precious metals were made during the investigation. 

The SIT also found that CCTV footage was available for about 45 days, as per the FIR, filed on Thursday.

On June 23, the SIT submitted its preliminary report, advised registration of a criminal case and suggested structural reforms in the management of temple donations. 

On June 25, temple Trust member Krishna Mohan lodged a police complaint, following which the FIR was filed and eight people were arrested.  

In 2021, Opposition parties had questioned transactions involving land acquired around the temple. That controversy, however, remained confined largely to political allegations and denials. 

But in this case, the investigation was ordered by the BJP government, an FIR has been lodged, arrests have followed, and the probe continues to widen.

A woman stands on the balcony of a residential building with cut-outs of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hindu god Ram, in Ahmedabad  (2024) 

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Two things dominate Indian and the BJP's political landscapes. One - Hindu-Muslim divide and another anti-Pakistan card.  

The bitterness over Pakistan is not new. It exists even in normal times and is often tapped during elections by the BJP leadership and PM Narendra Modi himself. The opposition poll managers say the ruling BJP does so only to garner votes.

PM Modi and the BJP have been banking heavily on Hindutva (literally “Hindu-ness”). This political ideology advocates for Hindu supremacy and seeks to transform India, constitutionally a secular state, into an ethno-religious nation.

Prime Minister Modi likes to call India the 'mother of democracy,' but he misses the point that sheer communalism is a strict anti-thesis to religion and democracy, says political analyst Ramakanto Shanyal in West Bengal.

However, on the other hand, the main opposition Congress, in the name of 'secularism' and protecting the rights of minorities, also plays the religion card in more ways than one.

The can of worms was opened in 2024 by Modi himself when he dubbed the Congress party’s election manifesto as “a footprint of the Muslim League,” which is held responsible for the partition of the Indian subcontinent to create Pakistan.

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India closely watching developments in Bangladesh-China relations

New Delhi will take ‘appropriate measures’ amid discussions on defence, connectivity and the Teesta project. 

"We closely monitor all developments in our neighbourhood and take appropriate measures as required," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing.  

He faced a series of questions from the media regarding Bangladesh's expanding strategic engagement with China, including discussions on the possible acquisition of Chinese J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft, the proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and Beijing's involvement in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.

The corridor project was proposed by China during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit on June 22-26.  

At a briefing to the media on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen clarified that the corridor was proposed by China more than a decade back when India was also considered in it. 

India has not made any response.

Even now, the project is open for other countries including India to join, Yao Wen said.

China also agreed to support Bangladesh in the Teesta project by conducting a feasibility study together with Bangladesh experts.  

Bangladesh approached China for the project as the water sharing agreement was not signed despite all preparation back in 2011 due to opposition from the West Bengal government.  

Jaiswal said India's position had already been formally conveyed to Bangladesh. He did not clarify what India’s position was on the Teesta project.

Jaiswal said New Delhi was keeping a close watch on all developments in its neighbourhood and would respond appropriately whenever necessary. "Our development partnership with Bangladesh is guided by a mutually agreed roadmap, which is reviewed periodically," he said.

The MEA spokesperson further noted that India would continue to assess all developments concerning Bangladesh within the framework of its broader regional policy and long-term strategic interests.

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It was the debutant Cape Verde players who held the attention ::: ... still ready to run, ready to play, but eliminated from World Cup 2026

At the final whistle the Argentinian players fell to their knees, thanking stars for the crucial win.

The stands re-erupted with relief, joy and the familiar devotional celebrations. 

A 3-2 victory means Argentina will now play Egypt in Atlanta. 

But it was the Cape Verde players who held the attention in that moment, walking a little disconsolately about at one end, still ready to run, ready to play, but eliminated from this World Cup at the end of its most wonderfully dramatic game.

Cape Verde exit World Cup with heads held high: ‘We did our best and we did it with bravery’

Coach Bubista says campaign has been ‘source of great pride’

Perhaps the greatest moment in this relentlessly thrilling game was that last moment of Cape Verde parity. 

The game had felt perfectly pitched as extra time kicked off with the score 1-1, a note of destiny still circling. 

Two minutes in Argentina scored, Lisandro Martínez picking the ball up from a corner on the edge of the box, cutting inside and shooting high into the roof of the net. 

The stands on that side erupted with roars of relief, joy, affirmation of the narrative, of Messi-ism, the road to New York.  

Vozinha claws away a clever free-kick from Lionel Messi that was floating into the top corner

But Cape Verde, once again, were not done. 

They pressed, won three corners in quick succession. 

And with 102 minutes on the clock made it 2-2, with a moment of startling brilliance from Sydney Lopes Cabral, a goal that felt like one of the great World Cup moments, shades of Josimar ‘86, mixed with François Omam-Biyik, 1990 and all that.

Sidny Lopes Cabral runs off in disbelief after surely the greatest moment in Cape Verde’s history. Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters (The Guardian London) 

The stadium erupted in small pockets of delirious disbelief and entire looming stands of very abrupt silence. 

Cabral just ran, veering off back to the touchline, leaving the pitch, vaulting some stairs, waiting a bit, then embracing what was presumably his girlfriend, or at least someone who is now his girlfriend, or very keen to be.  

Cape verde threaten world cup shock for the ages before argentina dash dream in extra time classic.  

Cape Verde’s players are drawn almost entirely from the nation’s diaspora population and play largely in second tier leagues around Europe. But they twice equalised in Miami and were the stronger team at the end as the world champions held on.

“The feeling in the dressing room is sadness,” Bubista said. “We are sad because we are leaving the competition and also because we got so close, so close, but I think they must be proud of their performance and of representing our country. It shows the team has a soul.

“We did our best and we did it with bravery. Never did we fail to stay true to our identity, which is why I am so proud of what my players did."

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Mysore Bidi ad drove Sangh magazine 'Organiser' for years; but there was no Swaemsevak smokers around : Vice Prez Radhakrishnan

 "I have not seen any Swaemsevak at that time smoking at all," Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has said here.  

Addressing a function organised to mark 80 years of the right wing magazine 'Organiser'; he said: "Guruji once asked what is the one common feature of all Sangh patrikas... no one had the answer. Then Guruji (Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar) said it is the half page ad of Mysore Bidi Beedi".

He referred to the financial challenges in the running of patriotic magazines and newspapers mentioned how "the contribution" came from the common people in running such periodicals. 

"... I say this because their customers were not the readers of 'Organiser' ...  "I have not seen any Swaemsevak at that time smoking at all".  

The Vice President applauded Organiser's eight-decade contribution to India's democratic discourse and also recalled the magazine's role during Emergency. He also highlighted the magazine's  fight against censorship and how it strengthened media freedom in independent India.  

The Vice-President also released the books 'Hindutva Discourse After Independence – Reading With Organiser Pages' by Shri Prafulla Ketkar and Shri Gautam Choubey, and 

'Temples Beyond Bharat' by Dr. Ujwala Chakradeo. 

Referring to Hindutva Discourse after Independence, Radhakrishnan said that Organiser's eight decades of documentation constitute an important archival record of India's political, social and intellectual evolution and provide a valuable window into the evolution of Hindutva.

Congratulating Bharat Prakashan Limited, he said that true to its enduring tagline, “Voice of the Nation”, Organiser has consistently brought to the forefront issues that many preferred to overlook. 

Referring to the observations made by senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale during the programme, he noted that Organiser has served as the “voice of the soul of the nation”, guided not by any narrow or self-serving motive.

In contrast it had an abiding commitment to the larger national interest and the vision of seeing Bharat emerge as a strong, prosperous and self-confident nation.

It's former editors included - A R. Nair, K R Malkani, L. K. Advani, 

V. P. Bhatia and Seshadri Chari. 

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Defence procurement proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore including Kamikaze drones, guided missiles cleared :::: Closer defence ties with Japan could help reduce dependence on traditional suppliers

Kamikaze drones, guided missiles among Rs 52,000-crore defence buys cleared

Defence procurement proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore, including anti-drone systems, missiles, jet-powered kamikaze drones and advanced air defence platforms received clearance to move forward.   

(Modern warfare is increasingly being shaped by precision-guided weapons, drones and advanced air defence systems)

Japan emerges as new defence export player, opening procurement opportunities for India

The approvals cover a wide range of advanced weapon systems, air defence platforms, anti-drone technologies, unmanned systems and naval capabilities for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The DAC's nod marks an in-principle administrative approval, making it the first step in the procurement process.

The move is seen as a major push to strengthen the operational preparedness and combat capabilities of the armed forces.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday cleared these series of proposals for the acquisition of advanced weapons.  

The Akash Tarang system will provide effective protection against hostile drones and other unmanned aerial threats, a capability that has gained increasing significance amid evolving battlefield requirements. 

Among the major acquisitions cleared for the Indian Army are the procurement of the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System 'Akash Tarang', Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon systems, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS), Active Protection Systems for tanks and jet-powered kamikaze drones.  

The indigenous MPATGM system is expected to strengthen the infantry's ability to neutralise enemy armoured and mechanised formations. The MRSAM weapon system will bolster India's layered air defence network by providing protection against a range of aerial threats, including stand-off weapons.

The V-SHORADS system, equipped with multi-spectral sensing capabilities, is expected to improve resilience against countermeasures while enhancing short-range air defence effectiveness.

Russia’s share in India’s arms imports fell sharply to 40% in 2020–2025, down from 77% in 2008–2013 and 55% in 2014–2019. 

Japan is emerging as a relatively new player in the global defence export market, with overseas military sales increasingly concentrated in sensors, missiles and ships, a shift that could create new strategic opportunities for India as it seeks to diversify defence procurement.

The growing defence cooperation comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first bilateral co-development project involving Naval Radio Antenna systems, describing it as a step that would strengthen defence technology collaboration, maritime security and regional stability.

For India, closer defence ties with Japan could help reduce dependence on traditional suppliers.

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Ram Mandir donation theft - "deeply painful", says RSS in first remarks since the scam ::::: "....we are all extremely pained and angered by this event"

Expect Ram Mandir Trust to fix lapses: RSS's first remarks on donation theft

"The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees; we are all extremely pained and angered by this event," read the tweet from RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale.

Calling the theft at the Ram Temple "deeply painful", the RSS urged stringent punishment for those found guilty, sought greater transparency in the temple's administration, and appealed to devotees to remain patient while the SIT investigation is underway.  

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday expressed deep concern over the theft from donation boxes at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, calling the incident "deeply painful" and urging strict action against those responsible while seeking greater transparency and accountability in the temple's management.

In a statement issued from New Delhi, RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said the grand temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi had become a symbol of faith and devotion for the Hindu community through the sacrifices and dedication of generations of devotees.  

Hosabale noted that the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations. 

He said those found guilty after the investigation should face stringent punishment.  

'TREAT IT AS AN EXCEPTIONAL MATTER'

The RSS leader also called on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to treat the incident as an exceptional matter and address any shortcomings in the temple's management and operational systems. He said it was essential to ensure that the faith of millions of devotees in the Ayodhya temple remained intact and that the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the incident came to an end.

Hosabale expressed confidence that the Trust, through transparent administrative systems would continue to strengthen public trust in the temple.

"We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity, and true dharmikta, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society," he added.

The RSS, meanwhile, appealing for calm, urged the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint while the investigation is underway.  

"Display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident," concluded the statement. 

The organisation also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment.  

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is likely to issue show-cause notices to its General Secretary, Champat Rai, and trustee Anil Mishra, who resigned following the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case, at its key meeting scheduled for July 6, sources said.

According to sources in the Trust, both office-bearers will be asked to provide written and oral explanations regarding the donation irregularities before any decision is taken on their resignations or future roles.

Sources said the move is in accordance with the Trust's bylaws, which mandate that the concerned office-bearers be given an opportunity to explain their position before any disciplinary action is initiated. The rules also stipulate that any decision on accepting their resignations or removing them from office must be approved by the requisite majority of the trustees.

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125-year-old Gurdwara demolished in Pakistan; distressing, says India

 125-year-old Gurdwara demolished in Pakistan; distressing, says India

India has condemned the demolition of a historic Sikh shrine in Pakistan as a deeply distressing act of vandalism. Sikh organisations and political leaders have demanded accountability and restoration of the gurdwara, and stronger protection for religious minorities.  

A nearly 125-year-old Sikh shrine in Pakistan's Punjab province was razed on Wednesday, by a local businessman without the required official approval, triggering protests from the minority Sikh community and drawing a strong diplomatic response from India.

The historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, around 70 km from Lahore, was demolished by a businessman who allegedly failed to obtain the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities.

Responding to media reports, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)of India described the incident as "deeply distressing" and strongly condemned what it called a "highly deplorable" and "targeted act of vandalism" against a revered Sikh place of worship.

"We have seen the deeply distressing reports regarding the demolition of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. We strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine," the MEA said

The businessman had demolished the gurdwara without obtaining the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the department concerned. 

The department had not taken notice of it until the Sikhs of the area protested.

The demolition sparked protests by local Sikhs, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take cognisance of the matter, according to the official.