'VHP leader Ashok Singhal, who rose to prominence playing a leading role in the Ram Janambhoomi movement in the late eighties that eventually culminated in the destruction of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992, died Tuesday at a private hospital here, according to Press Trust of India... Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Singhal. “The demise of Ashok Singhalji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centred around serving the nation,” he tweeted. He said he was always fortunate to receive Singhal’s blessings and guidance.
'Ashok Singhal, the VHP patriarch credited with giving Hindutva a political face in the shape of the Ayodhya movement, died today in a Gurgaon hospital. He was 89. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom Singhal was one of the first to endorse as Prime Minister at the 2012 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, acknowledged the "deep personal loss". "The demise of Ashok Singhalji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centered around serving the nation. I was always fortunate to receive Ashokji's blessings and guidance," Modi tweeted in a condolence message.
'The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), an umbrella coalition of progressive organizations across the United States, held protests in four cities across the US, against rising intolerance and violence against religious minorities and Dalits by the Hindutva groups and the ruling dispensation in India. Protests were held in New York City, Boston, Washington DC and Chicago, at prominent public locations.
'There's no doubt over Pahlaj Nihalani's love for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the Central Board Of Film Certification chief made 'Har Ghar Modi', for the Prime Minister, he has now come out with a new video called 'Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawaan'. Besides being available on YouTube, this five-and-a-half-minute music video — a paean to Modi and the policies he has instituted as PM — is reportedly playing in several cinemas at the interval point of Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which released on Thursday.
'Hundreds of noisy protesters made their fury known as controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed to Britain with open arms. He held talks with David Cameron in Downing Street and made a lengthy speech in Parliament after flying in for a three-day visit. But outside campaigners showed their anger amid claims of human rights abuses, political prisoners, and alleged links to a massacre.
'Hundreds of people protested outside Downing Street in London on Thursday against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of talks with David Cameron. Modi’s visit comes at a time when a debate is raging in India over accusations that Modi is failing to rein in Hindu zealots trying to impose their values on all Indians. Many of the protestors were Sikhs and some carried banners during the peaceful demonstration.
'Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day UK visit, a group of over 200 writers – including the likes of Salman Rushdie, Neel Mukherjee and Magi Gibson – have written to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to impress upon Prime Minister Modi the need “to stay true to the spirit of the democratic freedoms enshrined in India’s Constitution”... Below is the full text of the letter.
Dear Prime Minister
Re: Urging Action by British government to Safeguard Freedom of Expression in India
'undreds of protestors marking the venues visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but not a word of it appeared on Indian television and was barely---if at all--covered by the Indian media. The British and the world media, however, recognised the protesters not just through their coverage but also in a question to PM Modi asking him what was his message to the protestors outside. Needless to say he did not answer the question.
'The magnetism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spared audiences turning out for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. A 5.30-minute video singing the praises of the prime minister and the Centre's achievements is playing during the interval of Sooraj Barjatya's latest movie at several multiplex chains across the country, including PVR Cinemas and Inox. The video is the brainchild of Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani. It is an expanded version of his recent Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawan.
'Bihar has meshed into London, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi under fire from both ends. Protests against his visit have taken over the headlines in London, while the dissidents led by the old guard blaming him and BJP president Amit Shah directly for the defeat, have occupied the media spotlights at home. The Bihar defeat has impacted on the UK visit with the British media joining the world in highlighting this, and recalling the Hindutva generated violence, and PM Modi’s own Gujarat record.
