न्यूज़
THAT MATTERS
24 JANUARY, 2024
Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha
Pran Pratishtha: Ram Lalla's
Consecration
Ayodhya in grip of religious fervour as
long-awaited Pran Pratishtha
ceremony of Ram Lalla took place on
Monday in the presence of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, RSS Chief
Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries.
Army helicopters showered flower
petals on the temple premises when
the consecration took place. Crafted
by the skilled hands of sculptor Arun
Yogiraj from Mysuru, the 51-inch-tall
idol, captures the image of a five-
year-old Lord Ram standing
gracefully on a lotus.
WEDNESDAY
Ram Mandir: Grand
Architectural Marvel
The grand event saw the presence of
around 7,000 VVIPs from across the
nation which includes actors,
sportspersons, industrialists,
politicians, etc. Constructed in the
conventional Nagara architectural style,
the Ram Mandir compound is designed
to span 380 feet in the east-west
direction, with a width of 250 feet and
an impressive height of 161 feet. The
temple's vertical structure consists of
floors, each measuring 20 feet in height,
supported by a remarkable ensemble of
392 pillars and adorned with 44 gates.
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

Ram temple to boost tourism in UP

Ram Mandir Boosts Uttar Ayodhya's Rising Devotional

Pradesh's Economy
Uttar Pradesh is set to become richer
by ₹4 lakh crore this year due to the
growth in tourism, this in wake of the
‘pran pratishtha’ of the Ram Mandir
in Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh chief
minister Yogi Adityanath's office
cited a report by SBI Research
claiming that the state is expected to
earn ₹25,000 crore as tax revenue in
the upcoming financial year.
Magnetism
A report by foreign stock market
research firm Jefferies has claimed
that Ayodhya will surpass Vatican
City and Mecca in terms of devotees
footfall. As per the report, Ayodhya
is expected to attract around five
crore devotees annually, making it a
major tourism destination not only
within Uttar Pradesh but also in the
entire country.

Tirupati Balaji temple in Andhra Pradesh attracts 2.5 crore devotees every
year and generates an annual revenue of ₹1,200 crore. Vaishno Devi is
visited by 80 lakh people annually and generates an annual revenue of
₹500 crore. The Taj Mahal in Agra attracts 70 lakh visitors, generating an
annual revenue of ₹100 crore

Source: 👆
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

timeline

1885 1949

In January 1885, Mahant Raghubar Idol of Lord Ram surfaced inside

Das, the chief priest of the Ram
Chabutra filed a suit seeking
permission to build a temple in the
outer courtyard of the mosque. The
suit was dismissed along with two
subsequent appeals.
mosque. Muslims claimed that it was
kept there by the Hindus. Muslims
protested, and both parties filed
civil suits. The government
proclaimed the premises a disputed
area and locks the gates.

According to an inscription on the

site, the Babri mosque in Ayodhya
British officials erect a fence to
was completed in September
separate the places of worships,
1529, by Mughal emperor Babar
allowing the inner court to be
which Hindus allege to be the birth
used by Muslims and the outer
place of Lord Ram and where a
court by Hindus.
temple earlier existed.

1528 1859
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

timeline

1989 1993

The Narsimha Rao government

A fresh suit was filed by former
issues an ordinance acquiring 67.7
VHP vice-president Deoki
acres of land ( adjoining the site).
Nandan Agarwala in the name of
The ordinance was then converted
Lord Ram for declaration of the
into an Act titled Acquisition of
title and possession in its favour
Certain Areas at Ayodhya Act,
at the Lucknow bench of the
1993. One of the objectives of the
Allahabad high court.
Act was to “maintain public order.

Lawyer Umesh Chandra Pandey

This marked the turning point of the
appealed before the Faizabad Session
entire dispute when Babri mosque
Court for the gates to be unlocked.
was razed to the ground by
Meanwhile, in a reportedly political
supporters of the VHP, Shiv Sena
move to allay the Hindu dissatisfaction
and BJP, prompting nationwide
over the reversal of Shah Bano
communal riots between Hindus
judgement by the government, then
and Muslims in which more than
PM Rajiv Gandhi decided to greenlight
2,000 people died.
the mosque’s unlocking.

1986 1992
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

timeline

2003 2011

On 9 May 2011, a Division Bench

ASI commenced excavating the
of the Supreme Court
land underneath the disputed
comprising Justices Aftab Alam
site. It claimed to have found
and R.M. Lodha stayed the
remnants of a 10th-century
Allahabad High Court’s verdict
Hindu temple. Many raised
on the Ayodhya dispute. The
concerns about the findings of
Bench described the High
the report.
Court’s judgement as “strange”.

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad

The High Court held in a split 2:1
High Court began recording the oral
verdict that the Hindu and Muslim
evidence in the Ayodhya title dispute.
parties were joint holders of the
During the hearings, the High Court
disputed premises. One-third of the
issued directions on 23 October 2002
disputed property was allocated to
to the Archaeological Survey of India
the three parties—Bhagwan Shri
(ASI). ASI was tasked with carrying out
Ram Virajman, the Sunni Wakf
a scientific investigation and surveying
Board and the Nirmohi Akhara.
the disputed site

2002 2010
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

timeline

AUG,2019
Aug, 2019
The parties failed to reach a
comprehensive settlement.
Consequently, the Supreme Court
resumed hearings on the dispute
on 6 August 2019. A mediation
report submitted on 16 October
2019 indicated a partial settlement
but it was not binding as it wasn’t
agreed upon by all disputants.
2019
2019
The apex court also directs the
Centre and the UP government to
allocate 5 acres of land to
Muslims at a prominent location
for the construction of a mosque.
At the distance of 15 miles from
Hindu Temple

Chief Justice Rajan Gogoi used his

administrative powers to list the
matter before a five-judge Constitution
Bench. The Bench comprised of the CJI
with Justices S.A. Bobde, N.V. Ramana,
U.U. Lalit and D.Y. Chandrachud. On 10
January, a new Constitution Bench was
ordered after Justice Lalit recused
himself. Justice Abdul Nazeer was
drafted in its place.
On 9 November 9 2019, the top
court delivered its judgement. It
awarded the title to the deity, Shri
Ram Virajman and directed the
State to grant the Sunni Waqf
Board five acres in a “prominent”
location in Ayodhya for the
construction of a mosque.

Jan, 2019 Nov, 2019

24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

PM Modi announces scheme to install

rooftop solar systems in 10 million homes

Suryodaya Yojana: Solar Rooftop Solar: Efficiency and

Rooftop Initiative Savings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rooftop solar entails installing solar
Monday announced the launch of photovoltaic panels on the roof of an
Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana establishment or home. The systems
(PSY) that aims to install rooftop solar can either be with a battery storage
power systems at 10 million system or without it. The system is
households across the country. connected with the main supply unit. It
helps the establishment reduce its
“Today, on the auspicious occasion of
consumption of grid-connected
consecration in Ayodhya, my
electricity that it gets through metered
resolution got further strengthened
connection by the respective power
that the people of India should have
distribution company (discom). This
their own solar rooftop system on the
saves electricity cost for the consumer.
roof of their houses” said PM.
The Centre currently has a National Rooftop Scheme that provides financial
assistance totaling 40 per cent of the capital cost of a solar rooftop project. The
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) selects the projects based on
submissions made by discoms, wherein private contractors/vendors selected by
discoms build the project.

Source: 👆
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

Ex Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur Awarded

Bharat Ratna Posthumously

Karpoori Thakur: Bharat Karpoori Thakur: Bihar's

Ratna Honor
Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur will be
awarded India's highest civilian award,
Bharat Ratna, posthumously. The
socialist icon is well-known for his efforts
to uplift the backward classes in Bihar.
Karpoori Thakur was the pioneer in
providing the Other Backward Classes
(OBCs) with the benefit of reservation as
he implemented the recommendations of
the Mungeri Lal Commission during his
tenure as Bihar CM from 1977 to 1979.
Jan Nayak
Dubbed "Jan Nayak" by many in the
state, Karpoori Thakur served as the
Chief Minister of Bihar for a short
while -- from December 1970 to June
1971 and from December 1977 to April
1979. The Centre's recognition for the
state's first non-Congress Chief
Minister meets a long-standing
demand of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar and his Janata Dal United.

Coming ahead of the general election, it is seen as the BJP's masterstroke in

a state that has 40 parliamentary seats. Karpoori Thakur being a member of
Other Backward Castes, many see it as part of the BJP's attempt to gain
allegiance of this section which has so far been loyal to Nitish Kumar.
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

About Karpoori Thakur

KARPOORI THAKUR KARPOORI

NEW LAW THAKUR

Karpoori Thakur, a name A socialist at heart, Thakur was deeply

synonymous with social justice and
the championing of backward
classes in North India, remains an
influential figure in the political
landscape of Bihar. Born to Gokul
Thakur and Ramdulari Devi in the
Nai (barber) community, Thakur's
journey from humble beginnings in
Pitaunjhia village, now known as
Karpoorii Gram, to the corridors of
power as the Chief Minister of Bihar
was a testament to his resilience
and dedication to public service.
influenced by nationalistic ideas during
his student days and later joined the All
India Students Federation. His political
ideology was further shaped by the
'Lohia' school of thought, which
emphasised empowering lower castes.
One of Thakur's most significant
contributions was the introduction of
the "Karpoori Thakur Formula" for
reservation, which aimed to ensure
equitable representation for backward
classes in government services. In
November 1978, he implemented a 26
per cent reservation for backward
classes in Bihar.

KARPOORI THAKUR
As an education minister, Thakur abolished English as a compulsory subject at the
matriculation level, recognising it as a barrier for many students in competitive
examinations. He also established numerous schools and colleges, particularly in
backward areas, and made education up to Class 8 free, significantly reducing
dropout rates. Karpoori Thakur's legacy extends beyond educational reforms. He
initiated major land reforms, leading to the redistribution of land from Zamindars to
landless Dalits, earning him the title "Jannayak" or People's Hero.

Source: 👆
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

FIR against Rahul Gandhi, other Congress

leaders for 'violence, assault' in Assam

FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi Stopped in

for Property Damage
An FIR has been registered against
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and
others for damaging public property
during Nyay Yatra in Assam, said state
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Among the others, whose names have
been included in the FIRs, include KC
Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar.
Earlier in the day, a clash broke out
between police and Congress workers
in Assam's Guwahati during Bharat
Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Guwahati
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was
stopped from entering Guwahati
during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,
triggering protests from party
workers who broke barricades and
raised slogans. Addressing party
supporters on the outskirts of the
city, Rahul Gandhi had said, "We have
broken barricades, but will not break
the law". "Congress workers do not
fear anyone," he said, adding that “we
will defeat the BJP in Assam.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said the FIR has been registered by the police for
"wanton acts of violence, provocation , damage to public property and
assault on police personnel today (January 23) by Congress members."
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

"We will form an SIT, the SIT shall

investigate the case and we shall arrest
him after the Lok Sabha elections are over.
If we take action now, they will call it as
political move," he said. "We have proof.
Yesterday a major incident could have
happened in Guwahati, the way he
provoked people," Mr Sarma added.

"I don't know how Himanta Biswa

Sarma got the idea that he can
intimidate me by filing cases. File as
many cases as you can. File 25 more
cases, you can't intimidate me. BJP-
RSS can't intimidate me", he added.

Mr Sarma – whom he once dubbed the "most corrupt Chief Ministe

of the country" – was involved in largescale irregularities, Mr
Gandhi alleged. "While he (Mr Sarma) speaks to you, he steals your
land. While you chew betel nut, he corners the supari business”

Source: 👆
24, JANUARY 2024 WEDNESDAY

Which state's Chief Minister,

What major reform did Himanta Biswa Sarma,
Karpoori Thakur introduce announced the registration of
as an education minister in an FIR against Rahul Gandhi
Bihar? and others?
Free education upto
Assam
8th standard
Free education upto
12th standard Manipur

Which political ideology Who are the other individuals

greatly influenced Karpoori named in the FIR along with
Thakur's thinking during his Rahul Gandhi for damaging
student days? public property in Assam?

Marxism KC Venugopal and

Kanhaiya Kumar
Lohiaism Kanhaiya Kumar and
Raj Kumar Sharma

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