
Akhilesh slams BJP after Hindu groups vandalise centuries-old tomb in Fatehpur
The incident took place at the centuries-old tomb of Nawab Abu Samad. On Monday, a group of Hindu activists staged a protest outside the structure, alleging that it was built after demolishing a Hindu temple. They reportedly sought permission from the district administration to conduct prayers at the site. Video clips circulating on social media show members of Hindu organisations vandalising parts of the mausoleum and hoisting saffron flags on it. The visuals have sparked outrage among the local Muslim community and political opposition.
Following the unrest, police deployed tight security around the site to prevent further escalation. The administration is said to be investigating the matter, though tensions remain high. Yadav also pointed out that Fatehpur has witnessed similar communal incidents in the past, recalling that a mosque in the district was earlier demolished for being 'illegal' on the grounds that its construction map had not been approved.
He added that in a separate earlier incident, a youth was killed, and action was taken only after considerable public and political pressure.
Minister Kapil Dev stated that the Uttar Pradesh administration is fulfilling its responsibilities and emphasised that no individual will be permitted to take the law into their own hands.
Minister Nand Kishor Gurjar commented on the controversy surrounding the site, asserting that there was no tomb originally present there. He claimed that the structures were built after the 17th century and linked their existence to the historical persecution of Hindus and the destruction of temples.
He acknowledged that the recent vandalism was a reaction to that history, saying, 'Ideally, such actions should have been carried out through proper administrative channels. While those involved were not bad people, the act should have been conducted within the framework of the law.'

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The Hindu
a minute ago
- The Hindu
Police remove protesting conservancy workers in Chennai, shift them to marriage halls
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Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
More Maharashtra civic bodies order closure of slaughterhouses on Aug 15, chief minister Fadnavis says govt played no role
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Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, BJP's alliance partner in Mahayuti, expressed discomfort with the slaughterhouse closure on Aug 15. On Tuesday, he said it was wrong to impose such a ban. "In major cities, people of different castes and religions reside. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn 57+ Languages Easily with AI [Join] Talkpal AI Sign Up Undo If it is an emotional issue, then people accept it (ban) for a day. But if you clamp such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day and Republic Day, then it is difficult," he said. The BJP, for its part, said the policy to keep abattoirs shut on Independence Day was first implemented when Sharad Pawar was chief minister of Maharashtra and sought to know if the opposition would question him about it. In Nashik, the order was issued by the civic body's veterinary officer, Pramod Sonwane, following the directive of Nashik municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri. The order states, "All citizens within the NMC jurisdictions are hereby informed that as per govt directives, since Friday, Aug 15, is Independence Day, all slaughterhouses within Nashik Municipal Corporation limits will remain closed on that day and no one should slaughter animals within the Nashik Municipal Corporation jurisdiction on this day. Please note that if anyone is found slaughtering animals on this day, legal action will be taken against the persons concerned." Jalgaon Municipal Corporation has also issued an order that all mutton and meat markets in the city will remain shut on Aug 15, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna, and on Aug 27, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The order was issued by Uday Patil, the assistant commissioner (health) of Jalgaon Municipal Corporation. In Kolhapur and Ichalkaranji, authorities said the restrictions are not new. There is no ban on meat consumption or serving cooked meat in eateries. 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Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said: "Maharashtra govt should not tell us what time we should eat meat, what spices or salt we should use; it should not try to control our personal habits, marriages, or our thinking process. Such things have no place in our state, but this govt is deliberately doing it." BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye posed this question to NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray, who have criticised the ban. Upadhye said the policy to keep abattoirs shut on Aug 15 was originally framed by the Congress govt then led by Shankarrao Chavan. "Within a month in 1988, Sharad Pawar became the CM and implemented the policy for the first time," he said. Upadhye also took a swipe at deputy CM Ajit Pawar. In a social media post, he said, "There is no doubt that Ajit Pawar, who has a good grip on the administration and is the Dy CM in the Mahayuti govt and is now opposing the meat ban decision of August 15, is also aware that this decision was not made by the Mahayuti government." Hitting out at MVA, Upadhya said that Awhad and Aaditya Thackeray, who were ministers when the earlier MVA govt issued the same orders, cannot be said to have contracted the disease of forgetfulness. "Awhad and Thackeray, who have completely lost their conscience and are in despair after losing the party and power, are against every action of the government," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Tejashwi Yadav claims Vaishali MP Veena Devi has two EPIC numbers
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