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Sharad Pawar Receives Invitation For Ram Temple Consecration Event; NCP Supremo Says, ‘Will Visit After Construction Is Completed’

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NCP chief Sharad Pawar received an invitation to attend the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The NCP supremo responded to the invitation stating that he will skip the consecration event, but will come for darshan after Jan 22.

Sharad Pawar wrote a letter to General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai. He also took a veiled dig at the centre stating that he’ll be visiting the temple after the construction work is completed.

Pawar Takes A Dig At Centre

The letter written by the NCP chief reads, “After the pran pratistha ceremony is completed on January 22, I will freely take out time and come for darshan and by then the construction work of Ram temple will also be completed.”

All 4 Shankaracharyas To Skip Consecration Event

Sharad Pawar’s decision to visit temple after the construction is completed, comes after a recent statement made by the religious heads of the Hindu community that the event is being held against the shastras as the construction is incomplete. Recently, the pontiff of Puri’s Govardhan Mutt’s decision to abstain from the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 was followed by the announcement from Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the 46th Shankaracharya of Uttarakhand’s Jyotir Mutt, that none of the four Shankaracharya will attend the event.

Violation of Shastras & Temple Construction

Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati emphasized that the decision stems from the perceived violation of sacred Hindu scriptures, the “shastras.” He pointed to the incomplete status of the temple construction as a crucial factor leading to the shankaracharyas’ decision to abstain from the ceremony.

In a video shared on X handle (formerly Twitter), Avimukteshwaranand clarified that their choice is not “anti-Modi.” Instead, it is rooted in the duty of shankaracharyas to uphold the rituals of the shastras. The decision reflects a commitment to shastra-vidhi, the prescribed rituals, rather than being perceived as an opposition to any political figure.

The Shankaracharya highlighted a key concern, stating that the consecration (pran pratishtha) is taking place while the temple remains incomplete. He asserted that their stance is not against any individual but is a principled stand to ensure the adherence to shastra-vidhi. The video aimed to clarify that the decision is based on religious principles rather than any political bias.

Maharashtra

Online Gaming Ban: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Mulls Shutdown Of Online Gaming Due To Rise In Suicide, Scams, And Crimes

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is calling for a complete ban on online gaming within the state, citing alarming spikes in addiction, financial ruin, crimes, and suicides linked to real-money gaming. Fadnavis confirmed to the assembly that he has written to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is working closely with the Centre, stressing that current IT rules are insufficient to curb harm.

In the Assembly, Fadnavis said that he has written to the Centre, urging it to regulate or ban online real money gaming. “The Centre has jurisdiction over online gaming regulation because the majority of these platforms are hosted outside of India. We are committed to working closely with the Union government to combat this growing threat,” he was quoted as saying in reports. 

In recent years, online gaming has spawned a web of distressing cases. In one gut-wrenching example, a man in Dharashiv allegedly sold his land, poisoned his pregnant wife and 2-year-old, and then took his own life after falling into crippling losses from online rummy.

Another tragedy from Pimpri‑Chinchwad involved a 16‑year‑old boy who leapt from a 14th‑floor balcony after succumbing to gambling addiction.

Cyber fraud tied to gaming is also soaring. In Mohali, police uncovered an Rs. 18 crore online-gaming fraud syndicate that entrapped people through fake WhatsApp pitches, with eight arrested . In Mumbai’s Navi Mumbai, a businessman lost Rs. 2.74 crore to online betting over two years—prompting a police FIR.  

Fadnavis warned that unchecked gaming platforms are “a new-age addiction” fuelling mental health crises and criminal activity, calling for a crackdown on celebrity endorsements that glamourise gambling

With nearly 97 illegal betting cases since 2023—including dozens in Mumbai—the state’s cyber police have intensified searches, training 3,000 officers, opening 50 cyber labs, and launching helpline services 1945/1930, though admits only central legislation can truly shut down offshore platforms.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Road Accident: 36-Year-Old Kurla Biker Killed In Sion Flyover Crash As Car Comes From Wrong Side

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Mumbai: A 36-year-old resident of Kurla, Suhel Shakil Ansari, lost his life on Sunday morning after the motorcycle he was riding pillion on was struck by a car allegedly driving on the wrong side of the Sion flyover. The vehicle was being driven by a 75-year-old senior citizen, who was later served a notice by the police and allowed to leave the scene.

According to officials, the incident occurred around 10:45 am while Suhel and his friend Abu Faizan Ehsaanhul Haq Ansari were returning home from Marine Drive. Abu was riding the bike, as reported by Hindustan Times.

According to the report, a police officer mentioned that, “When they reached the Sion flyover, their motorcycle collided with a car being driven on the wrong side of the road. The flyover doesn’t have a divider, and the car suddenly came into their lane and hit them.”

Suhel sustained severe injuries and was bleeding from the nose and mouth. He was rushed to Sion Civic Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Abu suffered leg injuries, according to the officials.

The police identified the car driver as Chandulal Jain, 75, a Byculla resident. He has been booked under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 125(b) (endangering life or personal safety of others), and 281 (rash or negligent driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 184 (dangerous driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act. A notice was served to him, and he was permitted to go, said the officer.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Ola, Uber Strike To Resume On Wednesday Noon As Cab Drivers’ Demands Remain Unaddressed

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Mumbai: The Ola and Uber driver strike in Mumbai, suspended until Tuesday, is set to resume on Wednesday if the Maharashtra government fails to address their demands.

The strike was initially called off on Saturday, allowing the government to respond to issues like fare rationalisation, the establishment of a welfare board for drivers, and restrictions on new permits. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch confirmed that the strike is merely suspended and will restart if demands remain unmet.

Key driver demands include:

Drivers advocate for fare alignment with traditional taxis.

A financial and legal support board for app-based cab drivers is requested.

There’s a push to limit new cab and auto-rickshaw permit issuance.

Protections under the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act for taxi workers are sought.

A review of aggregator platform operations regarding surge pricing and driver ID blocking is desired.

If unresolved by the deadline, drivers plan an escalated protest on Wednesday. According to a report, passengers have been asked to de-board in various locations across Mumbai due to the impending strike. A cab driver from Navi Mumbai highlighted their demand for a fixed rate per kilometre, contrasting current inconsistent rates with a previously established government-fixed rate of Rs 32 per km for AC taxis.

Cab unions have discussed these concerns with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has promised a solution within 15 days. Nevertheless, drivers remain skeptical, recalling previous unfulfilled promises. Sarnaik acknowledged the reasonableness of the demands and assured adjustments in policy would be made.

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