Jammu and Kashmir: NIA raids are underway at various places in the Pulwama district in connection with terror links and terror funding cases. More details are awaited.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex today; visuals from outside the Gyanvapi premises
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After Allahabad HC Allows ASI Survey At Gyanvapi Mosque, Exercise To Begin Today:
The Allahabad High Court approved a scientific survey at the Gyanvapi mosque on Thursday, dismissing a Muslim body’s petition challenging a lower court order directing the ASI to conduct the survey to determine whether the 17th-century structure was built on a temple.
Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker’s single-judge bench ruled that the Varanasi district court’s order for a survey on the disputed premises is just and proper and that no interference from this court is warranted.
The bench stated that there is no reason to doubt the ASI’s assurance that the survey will not cause any structural damage and directed that no digging be done on the mosque’s grounds. On July 21, the district court ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a “detailed scientific survey” – including excavations if necessary – to determine whether the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, is built upon a temple.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah To Visit Odisha On Aug 4:
Amit Shah, a BJP stalwart and Union Home Minister, is scheduled to visit Odisha for two days beginning Friday, during which he will attend official meetings, news agency PTI reported citing home department officials on Thursday.
Shah will arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport here at 10.40 pm on Friday and will kick off a national highway project the following day.
During the day, he is also scheduled to attend a meeting on left-wing extremism (LWE) and disaster management. According to the report, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to attend the meeting.
The union minister’s unexpected visit and review meetings on LWE and disaster management are significant because they come after the ruling BJD announced its support for the Delhi Ordinance Bill and opposition to the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.