Coimbatore:

Office-bearers of the Hindu Mahasabha, including State Secretary Prem Sethupathi, submitted a petition to the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner seeking action against Professor Kamaraj for allegedly spreading defamatory allegations about the Isha Yoga Centre.

In the petition, they stated that the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore district is a prominent symbol of Hindu spiritual heritage and has also been recognized by the Central Government as a major tourist destination.

The organization alleged that Professor Kamaraj, citing a personal family dispute, has been making unsubstantiated accusations that his two daughters staying at the centre are being “illegally detained” and “kept under influence.” However, they pointed out that a bench of the Supreme Court conducted a direct interaction with the two women through video conferencing and confirmed that they were staying at the centre voluntarily, in good health and sound mental condition. Following this interaction, the court dismissed Kamaraj’s petition.

The petition further stated that despite the court’s decision, Kamaraj continues to claim that the women are being influenced by the Isha Yoga Centre, which they argued amounts to contempt of court.

Additionally, the petition accused him of insulting millions of devotees who visit the centre by referring to them as “brainwashed” and “fools” in social media posts and press interactions, which they said has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees.

The petition also mentioned that a gas-based electric crematorium worth several crores had been established within the Isha campus with proper government approval to serve the Ikkarai Boluvampatti Panchayat. According to them, the facility is operated by the local panchayat administration.

However, the petition alleged that certain communist and atheist organizations are spreading claims that the crematorium is “illegal” and “environmentally hazardous,” thereby attempting to incite religious tensions and create law-and-order issues among the public.

The Hindu Mahasabha has therefore urged the police to register a case against Professor Kamaraj and individuals associated with the concerned communist and atheist organizations. They also demanded that Kamaraj be placed under preventive detention to prevent further disturbance to public peace and order.

PATNA, Mar 5: JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he will be contesting the Rajya Sabha polls, bringing the curtain down on his tenure as the longest-serving CM of Bihar.

Kumar, who has been the CM since 2005, said the new government that will be formed in the state will have his full cooperation and guidance.

“For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity,” he said, expressing gratitude to the people of the state.

Kumar said that from the very beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.

“In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” he said.

“I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance,” he added.

With Kumar stepping down after leading the ruling NDA to a landslide victory in the 2025 assembly elections, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post.

If that happens, Bihar will get its first BJP chief minister — the only Hindi heartland state where the party has not held the office so far.

Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar will go to the polls on March 16, and Thursday is the last day for filing nominations.

Kumar’s election to the Upper House of Parliament is all but certain, as per the tally in the state legislature. (Agencies)

 The Union Home Ministry has asked states to keep an eye on pro-Iran radical preachers giving inflammatory statements that may result in violence in the wake of the Israel-US attack on Iran, officials said.

In a letter circulated to all states on February 28, the Ministry also asked all states and UTs to keep vigil on social media activities of extremists and global terror group handles, they said.

Advising the states to ensure that no law-and-order issues arise, the ministry has asked the states to heighten vigilance, as global events might have a domestic ripple effect through rhetorical statements, they said.

The circular asked the states to increase security at consulates, embassies, and other diplomatic offices of the USA and Israel in their jurisdictions, and at other entities of the two countries to prevent any untoward incident and maintain peace and tranquillity.

Shia mourners took to the streets in various parts of India on Sunday to express outrage and grief over the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike. (Agencies)

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the West Asia situation and conveyed India’s concerns.

During his telephonic conversation with Netanyahu, Modi emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority.

“Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities,” Modi said in a post on ‘X’.

The telephonic conversation took place in the wake of the attack on Iran by the US and Israel and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran also fired a series of missiles towards Israel and several other West Asian countries.

Prime Minister Modi on Sunday night spoke to the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and strongly condemned the attacks on the Gulf nation, saying India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times. (Agencies)