Politics
Srirangapatna’s is becoming Gyanvapi of Karnataka

As the controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi continues, Hindu activists in Karnataka are all set to take a legal recourse on surveying and inspecting the Jamia Masjid, located in the historical town of Srirangapatna in Mandya district.
Aswathi.S., District Commissioner (DC) of Mandya, has already received a petition by the activists to carry out an inspection to verify if the Jamia Masjid was built on the ruins of a Hanuman temple.
“The DC has informed us that she has already sent out a request to the government. If the government does not respond, we are ready to approach the court,” C.T. Manjunath, state secretary of the Narendra Modi Vichar Manch, told IANS, adding that legal action will be pursued in coordination with Hindu organizations.
Jamia Masjid, built by the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Tipu Sultan, has come in the eye of the storm as Hindu organisations have announced the congregation of 6 lakh maladhaari devotees of Lord Hanuman in Srirangapatna during the upcoming Hanuman Jayanti, raising law and order concerns.
The organisations have also sought a nod from authorities to conduct prayers in the mosque.
The mosque authorities have already made several appeals to the authorities to protect the shrine from Hindu activists.
Jamia Masjid also called as Masjid-i-Ala, is located inside the Srirangapatna fort. Built in 1786-87, the mosque has three inscriptions that mentions nine names of the Prophet Muhammad.
The mosque has two minarets and is built over an elevated platform. There are galleried balconies that separate each stage of the minaret. The mosque is two-storied and unlike other mosques, it does not have a dome.
The Jamia Masjid is administered by the Bengaluru Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Meanwhile, C.T. Manjunath explains that they strongly believe with evidence that the Jamia Masjid was built after razing down a Hanuman temple.
“B. Lewis Rice, a British historian, archaeologist and educationist in his report to the ASI mentions about Hanuman temple on Page number 61 in 1935,” he told IANS.
“Apart from this, Malabar Manual, Mysore Gazetteer by Lewis Rice, Tareeq-e-Tipu, Haider-e-Nishani also give enough proof of razing down of temples by Tipu Sultan. The sword of Tipu Sultan has an inscription on it which reads that it will go against those who do not follow Islam.
“It is not intolerant to ask for our temple. There are 7 lakh active mosques in the country. If Hindus were to be intolerant, this would not have been possible. Even Muslim nations do not have such a great number of mosques,” he adds.
Manjunath says that there is a board put up by the ASI which bans any activity in the mosque, but Tablighis arrive here every year for training.
“The idol if Goddess Annapoorneshwari is not found now. The idols and footprints of Hindu idols, religious symbols are chiseled out. The issue has been raised already,” he explains.
Hindu activists maintain that there are emblems of the erstwhile Hoysala kingdom inside the mosque. There is ‘Kalyani’ (traditional Hindu water body built inside temple premises) inside the mosque. Every pillar also has the emblem of ‘Gandubherunda’ (two-headed bird in Hindu mythology) and ‘Simha’ (lion).
Hindu activists believe that Hanuman temples are built in eight directions of the historical Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangapatna town. The Jamia Masjid was also one among them.
Nanje Gowda, a senior journalist working for a reputed Kannada daily, countered the view and told IANS: “The famous, most sacred and ancient 9th century Sri Ranganatha Temple in Srirangapatna town which is located within 200 metres of Tipu Palace Lotus Mahal is intact. It has not been disturbed by either Tipu Sultan or his father Hyder Ali. In fact the temple premises have Hyder ‘mantapa’ (platform). Hyder Ali has generously contributed to the temple.”
Gowda fears that this would become a major issue in the region. “After hijab crisis, saffron shawls have reached almost all Hindu students. Anything can happen in the coming days,” he said.
Rishi Kumar Swamiji of Kali Mutt was arrested in January on charges of giving a call to demolish the Jamia Masjid.
He had demanded for it to be closed until it was decided whether it is a temple or a mosque.
“Even a Hindu child will get provoked after seeing the pillars, platforms for Nag devtas. I am a sage. How should I feel? I naturally felt pained on seeing what had happened to my temple. I have faith in law. Through this law, the Ram Mandir is being in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. I will get justice in the case,” Rishi Kumar Swamiji said.
“For Babri Masjid, the authorities have to dig land beneath the mosque and find proof. But, in this case the authorities in Srirangapatna city will just have to get documents of the mosque.”
The historical Srirangapatna is regarded as Karnataka’s Ayodhya by Hindu activists.
Sources say that with Hindu activists taking up the issue, the party is going to reap rich electoral success in the region which is presently considered as the bastion of regional party JD (S).
Srirangapatna town is located in Mandya district, considered as the heartland of the dominant Vokkaliga community. With Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar pitching in against Hindutva ideology, experts say, it won’t be easy for BJP to reap political benefits here.
It also remains to be seen how the situation unfolds in the town, which will have a direct impact on capital Bengaluru.
Maharashtra
Mumbai’s Iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse To House Olympic Level Sports Hub Underground, BMC Unveils Mega Revamp Plan | Details Inside

Mumbai: More than 140 years since its inception, Mumbai’s iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse is poised for a dramatic transformation, one that will unfold beneath the surface. The sprawling 211-acre expanse, known for its rich equestrian legacy, is now at the centre of an ambitious plan by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to build a world-class, underground sports and parking complex, without disrupting the historic racetrack above.
A Sporting Vision Beneath the Turf
Designed in collaboration with renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, the proposal envisions an Olympic-grade sports facility featuring a 400-metre track, an Olympic-size swimming pool and multi-sport arenas, all located below ground level. One level further down, a parking facility accommodating over 5,000 cars is being planned to cater to large-scale public events.
While the racecourse itself will remain intact and continue to be operated by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) on 91 acres leased from the BMC, the civic body will redevelop the remaining 120 acres under a renewed lease agreement signed in January 2024.
Municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani told that while the heritage of the racecourse will be preserved, the surrounding area will undergo significant development. The BMC is currently examining the feasibility of utilising the basement levels for entertainment, sports and parking, despite the presence of underground sewage and stormwater lines.
On the surface, roughly half of the available 120 acres will be dedicated to a topiary garden. The rest of the land is set to house an urban forest, an open concert ground, and potentially an indoor auditorium or arena for year-round events. The existing equestrian track will remain untouched.
Gardens Above, Games Below
Architect Hafeez Contractor explained that the design ensures harmony between the above-ground aesthetics and the underground utility. While the garden and open spaces above will remain undisturbed, the basement offers an untapped opportunity to build a cutting-edge training facility for young athletes from Mumbai and across India.
The first level of the basement, spread across 20 acres, will feature facilities on par with international Olympic standards, including courts for squash and tennis, a skating rink, shooting range, cricket nets, handball, volleyball and basketball courts, a gymnastics zone, martial arts area and convention centre.
Let There Be Light—Underground
Despite being underground, the complex is designed for maximum natural light and ventilation. Contractor described a central skylight and a moat-like opening that will ensure airiness and openness within the space, eliminating the feeling of confinement.
Mapping the Maze Below
The design process has also accounted for the dense web of utilities running below the racecourse. Contractor said that water lines, drainage systems and gas pipelines have all been mapped and the layout has been adjusted to ensure minimal interference.
Parking for the Masses
The second basement level will be entirely dedicated to parking, a crucial addition given the scale of public events planned for the area. The facility is expected to hold over 5,000 cars, with a direct access route proposed from the Western Freeway to streamline traffic during large gatherings or concerts.
A Zonal Approach to the 120 Acres
The 120-acre plot above the underground structure has been carefully divided into zones: 63.9 acres for a themed topiary garden and educational herb zones, 13.6 acres for a concert ground, and 11.6 acres preserved as an urban forest, retaining mature trees already on the site. A further 31.36 acres have been earmarked, still under consideration, for an indoor arena or auditorium capable of hosting events throughout the year, including during Mumbai’s monsoon months.
A Personal Dream Realised
For Contractor, this project is deeply personal. “I was born and raised in Mumbai. I know the lack of sports infrastructure we faced growing up. When I turned 18, it was hard to find even a swimming pool. To now contribute to a space that gives future generations access to world-class training is truly a dream come true for a city like Mumbai,” he said.
A Long Trail of Abandoned Proposals
Over the past two decades, several plans to redevelop the racecourse have been floated and discarded. In 2004–05, RWITC attempted a commercial partnership with Pegasus Infrastructure, which was shelved following public and political opposition. In 2007, a proposal to convert the land into a flood-relief parking zone was also dropped. Later, in 2009, ideas including an aquarium and a flyover were discussed but never executed. In 2013, with the racecourse lease nearing expiry, the BMC proposed converting the space into a public park.
Years of deliberations yielded little consensus, until 2024, when the current plan took shape with clarity and intent.
With a vision rooted in preservation and progress, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is now set to become not just a symbol of heritage, but also a beacon for India’s sporting future.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Tragedy: 4 Killed, 2 Critical After Speeding Vehicle Runs Over 6 During Morning Walk In Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): In a tragic road accident early this morning, six young men out for a morning walk near Katli village in Gadchiroli district were hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle on Thursday morning. The accident occurred between 5 and 6 am on the Armori-Gadchiroli highway.
Two of the youths died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the district general hospital. The remaining two are in critical condition and have been airlifted to Nagpur for further treatment.
Enraged Villagers Block Highway
The incident has sparked massive outrage among locals. In protest, residents reportedly blocked the highway, leading to a major traffic jam on the Armori-Gadchiroli route. Large crowds from nearby villages including Katli, Sakhra and Porla gathered at the accident site. The Gadchiroli police arrived immediately at the scene and initiated relief efforts. Disturbing videos from the accident site and the hospital have surfaced on the internet.
According to reports, the six youths had gone for their routine morning exercise near the Katli bridge when a vehicle traveling from Armori to Gadchiroli veered off course and ran them over. The victims were identified as Pinku Namdev Bhoyar (14) and Tanmay Balaji Mankar (16), both residents of Katli, who died instantly.
Dishant Duryadhan Meshram and Tushar Rajendra Marbate were declared dead at the district hospital. The two critically injured, Kshitij Tulnidas Meshram and Aditya Dhananjay Kohapte, were first treated locally before being shifted to Nagpur by helicopter.
Maharashtra CM Expresses Sorrow, Announces Aid For Victims’ Families
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post shared by the official handle of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, he described the deaths as extremely unfortunate and painful. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the state government stands by them in their time of grief.
The Chief Minister announced financial aid of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased victim. He also stated that the state will bear the full medical expenses of the injured youths, including airlifting them to Nagpur for specialised treatment. An investigation into the identity of the vehicle and the driver responsible is currently underway.
Crime
Drug Racket Used Shirt Photo As Code To Move ₹434 Crore Worth Of Mephedrone From Mysuru To Mumbai

Mumbai: A startling detail has emerged in the investigation of the Rs434 crore drug lab busted in Mysuru, Karnataka—the accused allegedly used a coded method involving shirt photos to facilitate the transport of MD drugs to Mumbai. The Sakinaka police revealed that the operation was divided between two independent groups: one focused on manufacturing the drugs and the other handling distribution. In a calculated move to ensure anonymity and minimise risk, members of each group were kept unaware of their counterparts’ identities.
The contraband was distributed across various locations using a network of street-level dealers. The entire transportation route operated on the ground—no air or rail travel was involved. This ensured lower surveillance risks and easier movement across states.
A police officer stated, “When an individual went to collect the drugs, he did not share his contact number or name. A middleman sent the drug collector’s shirt photo to the manufacturer. The drug collector and manufacturer never exchanged names or contact details. The delivery was made solely based on the shirt photo.”
According to the police, once the MD (Mephedrone) drugs were produced at the Mysuru unit, a courier from there would travel by bus to Bengaluru. Simultaneously, a member of the Mumbai syndicate would also arrive in Bengaluru. To confirm identity, the Mumbai operative would send a photo of his shirt via WhatsApp. The courier, after matching the shirt pattern, would transfer the consignment. The Mumbai gang member would then return to the city with the narcotics—again by road.
The police suspect that this busted lab is part of a much broader international network, possibly linked to organised crime syndicates. As the investigation widens, authorities believe further arrests and connections may emerge in the coming days.
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